Chapter 24

Khushi woke up feeling active and full of energy as the sun caressed her hue-like soft cheeks. She looked at the bed to find it empty. Wondering where Arnav would be, she turned her neck to examine the time. Khushi gasped as the clock in front of her eyes showed 8:42. Just then, Arnav merged out of the bathroom shirtless, causing Khushi to gasp another time in the same minute. Within second, embarrassment was replaced by anger, shot at him.

"Why did not you wake me up? I have missed the morning pooja and breakfast. What would Naniji think about me? That I'm careless and don't hold any value for my family and not organized? Why are you looking at me like this? Jawab do!" Khushi said in one breath as she got off the bed and stood in front of him, her one hand on her hip.

"Relax. I just woke up. And why are you over-reacting? Nani doesn't mind if you take some rest."

"How can you be nonchalant about this? I thought you cannot go against this house rules."

"We don't have rules. It's just about organizing our time and arranging some for the family gathering. And breaking these 'rules' does not harm if we unintentionally do that." Arnav took Khushi's hands in his and made her sit on the bed.

"Khushi, you know that we have an understanding family."

"But Sundays are for the family." Khushi argued.

"I understand you. But think about it, you needed some rest. Besides we slept late last night." Arnav reasoned.

"It's all your fault."

"Really?" Arnav smirked amusingly.

"Dekhiye, it's not time to..to..discuss this, "Khushi stammered, "I've got to have a shower then apologize to Naniji." Khushi moved to the wardrobe to choose her clothes.

"You're running away," Arnav stated challengingly.

Having selected some salwar kameez, Khushi stood on her tiptoes and whispered in his ears, "I am not," using the free hand to run it through his wet hair as the other held her clothes, and kissing his jaw in a butterfly touch before springing into the bathroom.

Arnav's eyes widened in a Khushi-like gesture not really digesting what just happened.

"You'll be the death of me one day."

"I'd like to have the honour, but you cannot run away from me this easily." Arnav heard Khushi's reply behind the door. His Khushi is back all bubbly and lively.

Khushi breathed hard. She did not know from where she mastered the courage to do what she did, and say what she said. With Arnav she felt her real self.

___________

"I'm really sorry, Naniji. I must have been caught up with all the exhausting of the recent days." Khushi apologized to Devyani Raizaada not for the first time this morning, with promises to prepare lunch all by herself and keep Nani a company as long as the time offers.

Khushi called Payal and told her about his plans. She wanted some help regarding dressing up and reserving in a restaurant. As always, Payal was the true friend for her, giving her all the needed information.

____

At seven thirty Khushi was all ready; she was wearing a black saree with silver blouse and matching earrings. She wore a light make-up as Payal insisted her to. Arnav was waiting her outside, where his car was parked.

Arnav could only take a breath in and a breath out seeing Khushi approaching him with her beautiful smile. Standing straight, he took her hands in his kissing her knuckles gently.

"You are beautiful." Arnav had to gather all his control to stop himself from crashing her in his arms and kissing her senselessly. Clearing his throat to wash off the thoughts he had in his mind, Arnav opened the door for Khushi.

Once they settled in the car, Arnav asked Khushi to where he should drive, and Khushi told him the name of the restaurant in which she had reserved for them.

*

Arnav let Khushi choose their dinner as he respected that she was taking him out not the other way round. While eating, both talked about what was occupying them in the last days; Khushi spoke about her studies so passionately that Arnav enjoyed every bit of it. He could see the excitement twinkle in her eyes as she told him about what she planned for a new project. Arnav spoke about his business and threw some tips for Khushi between the lines, knowing that she would need them later. They felt so close at the moment.

Taking a sip of her tea, Khushi gulped the hot liquid quickly before putting the cup on the table. A question that troubled her in the last few days, made an entry somewhere when he looked at her so tenderly taking her breath away.

"Arnavji?" Khushi sounded hesitant.

"Yes." Arnav put his coffe down and held Khushi's left hand giving it a squeeze to encourage her.

"I want to...to ask you about something."

"Yes."

"It's been a while...I think about this a lot...lately.."Arnav just gave her a smile not wanting to interrupt her thoughts; he just wanted her to be comfortable.

"You have said that I'm not the Khushi you once loved..wh..."

Before Khushi could ask him, Arnav interrupted her. "I'm sorry for saying this. I really did not..." Khushi saw the sincerity in his eyes.

"No, I was not myself back then. My point is how...I mean when? What did you mean?"

Of all the questions he guessed, Arnav had never expected this one.

Rising the cup of coffee to his lips, Arnav took a sip preparing himself mentally and gathering his thoughts.

A vision in blue, pouting cutely.

"I was going to my office an hour late as I had a meeing with my doctor back then.When the car took a stop as the signal was red, I spotted you standing with two girls and laughing about something. Once the signal went green, I have drove off. After a week, I spotted you again wearing a blue salwar Kameez. You were pouting as one of the girls told you something. This has continued to happen every week after the appointment with my doctor for three months. After that, I went for a one-month business trip in New York City...One night, I saw your shadow in my dream. I tried to ignore but could not. Once I was back in Delhi, I asked my PA to collect some information about you. I told Di when I got to know more about you, and she recommended me to wait until you finish your school. Once you were done with celebrating your results with your family, I spoke with mine, and then I proposed. And you know the rest." Arnav made sure to explain to Khushi the necessary events not going deep into details. He took another sip from his coffee not knowing what to say or expect.

"When did all of this started?"

"It will be a year by the next month."

"A year?" Khushi was tapping with her nails of the tea cup, not saying anything else.

"Tum theek ho?" Arnav asked softly. Something within Khushi stirred at the way he uttered those words. Khushi flashed him a dazzling smile. Every time he asks her this question, she feels special and precious as it told her that nothing mattered to him more than her well-being. He just wants to make sure that she is fine.

"Yes. It's just that I have not expected this."

"Oh." Was his brilliant reply.

A few minutes of silence passed between them; it was not awkward or uncomfortable. It was needed for them. One's mind went back to those days and the other's heart felt warm to hear the new revelation.

"I thought our marriage was completely planned. I mean that it's your family who chose me not you."

"Oh." Arnav did not know what to say. "Do you want to have a walk with me?" Arnav asked all of a sudden and Khushi just nodded.

When Arnav took his wallet out, Khushi glared at him. "I invited you, remember?" She paid the money and they walked out side by side. Khushi held his hand.

"I have so much money," Khushi giggled, "you give me a lot of money before I go to university in one of your cars or you drop me. All I buy is some sandwich and juice. I don't know where to spend it. Plus I have a credit card too. You should take it back, Arnavji." Khushi leaned into his arm as the cool breeze blew by. Arnav felt a smile creeping up his lips at her simplicity; while girls love to have money and spend it on food, clothes and gifts, his wife was denying it.

"It's your money, Khushi. You can always open a bank account with it."

"I don't want to. And why are we talking about this?" Khushi pouted.

Arnav put a hand on her bare waist asking if she felt cold, and Khushi replied that she is fine. How could one feel cold when a warm hand burns her skin? His thumb caressed her waist making the butterflies in her stomach dance at a rapid beat.

"There's someone who sells gol gappe near here. Do you want to have some?"

"This is something I can never deny." Khushi beamed at him. "But I'll pay for it," She added as a second thought.

"I invited you, remember?" Arnav mimicked.

"I don't speak like this."

"You do."

"I don't."

"You do."

"I don't have a husky voice." Khushi said with finality. Seeing Arnav's amused eyes and raised eyebrows, Khushi blushed.

"What?"

"Nothing."Arnav smirked seeing Khushi all flustered.

"I hate you."

"I know."

Suddenly, Khushi halted. Arnav stopped to see what happened to her. He was so surprised to see hurt evident on her face. "Khushi, what happened?"

"Do you really think that I hate you?"

"What? Of course no. I was joking and I know you did not mean it."

"Really?" Khushi asked Arnav with her eyes all expecting. How could he think so? How could anyone hate him let alone her? His opinion of her meant a lot to her. She wanted to know how he sees her. Does he still think that she does not like him? She has never hated him, ever.

Arnav held her chin, urging her to look at him in the eyes. "I know you don't." He kissed her forehead. Opening her eyes, Khushi saw in his the faith he has in her. "Thank you."

"For what?"