Chapter 33

"You complete me." Arnav kissed her tenderly.

"And you me, Mr. Raizada."

The kiss that followed was not a joint of lips, it never was; it was promises embodied...vows unspoken...dreams fulfilled.

******

Khushi was pacing up and down the bedroom with hurried steps, looking unfocused. She had too many things in her mind, and she was worried about doing them in the right way. The last four years were so great both on personal and academic level. She finally was a graduate, and a great wife, daughter and daughter-in-law. She was so grateful for Arnav; without him she could not have achieved everything as she wanted. He had been a faithful supporter of hers for that long time, giving her what she desired, including some space when it had been most needed. Some periods of these years were not so easy for her, but she and Arnav got through them strongly: Nani fell sick for a month two years ago; Anjali had a miscarriage four months ago; and Arnav's work was not doing well for a few weeks last year. Together, the had experienced all of that. Together they could pass those difficult times unbroken. They also had great joyous times: Anjali's birth for a son, Prem, three years ago brought happiness to the family; Payal and Akaash's engagment a year ago; and now Khushi's graduation. The graduation ceremony was to be held two weeks later and a party in Raizada Mansion the next day for Khushi and Payal together. The preparations set the mansion in a fine, lively atmosphere. The decorations and customs had already been chosen. Everything was ready waiting for the-much-awaited day to come.

Khushi stopped pacing all of a sudden, and sat on the green recliner with a blank, far expression on her face. It was time to make a very important decision; Khushi could not believe that she actually neglected it for so long and not having Arnav talking about it with her. 'Was Arnav that angry with her to discuss it? Or maybe he doesn't wish to have that? Or maybe there's a problem with having mine? Had not we talked about it three years ago? Why did not he open that talk again?'

Khushi Singh Raizada was feeling so foolish that she almost hit her head with some hard, solid material. And to cap it all, she did not know how to start that conversation with Arnav. When Arnav entered the room ten minutes later, he found Khushi in that state.

"What's wrong? Are you overwhelmed with everything that's happening?" Arnav's worried voice startled Khushi, who was deep in thought.

"I think I am." She was not lying although she did not say the whole truth.

"It's normal to feel that way," Arnav assured her as he took hold of her hands.

"Arnav, are you content with what you have?" She asked quickly before hesitation could stop her.

"Of course, I am, Khushi! Why are you asking this?" He asked bewildered, not liking the look in her eyes.

"Don't you want more?"

Arnav was about to say no, but he stopped himself; he should be frank with her. "I think it is time to think about more."

"More of us?...like...our kids," she spoke hopefully.

"Yeah...our kids...that's what I want." He looked deeply in her eyes.

Feeling relifed made Khushi feel silly. Of course Arnav would want them and like always, he just wanted the perfect timing for everything, and not do anything that would stop Khushi from pursuiting what she wishes for.

"Thank you for being so understanding." She had so much to say, but could not. She just rested her head on his shoulder, and closed her eyes in content. She wanted that moment to last for as long as it could. How grateful she was for having him in her life, for being with her, supporting her, and more than anything else, understanding her. Khushi put his hand, which was holding hers against her heart and whispered words of love to him. That generated Arnav's best smile till date and a bliss, which made everything in life worth it. They sat like that, in an uncomfortable silence, for some time until they heard a knock on their door.

When Arnav opened the door, he was granted with an adorable view; Priya and Prem were standing in front of him. Priya was apparently mad about something her brother did for she had that look, which only an elder sister, who was scolding her little brother, could master, and Prem was sulking.

"See what he did, Mama!" Priya huffed as she stepped in the room. "He just keeps messing with his clothes and making them dirty. He is such a bad boy."

Arnav and Khushi exchanged amused looks at the scene in front of them.

"Is that true, Prem?" Khushi kneeled down as she started straightening Prem's clothes.

"Ther are big." Prem pouted.

"No, they aren't. You're making them look so." Priya huffed.

Arnav and Khushi shared amused looks at the scene before them. Priya's motherly tone was funny for a kid and her I'm-the-older-one look provoked the poor Prem. Khushi thought that it was time to step in and be the mediator. She kneeled down in front of Prem and straitened his shirt gently as she spoke. "Don't you think that you shouldn't make them dirty. Nice boys don't do that."

Prem sighed and said, "I isn't a nice boy."

"No, no you are. You just did one wrong thing and you can make things right, will you?"

"I'll keep them neat and clean...But she's always shouting at me." He pointed at his sister.

Arnav decided to speak with Priya. "I'm sure you don't want Prem to dislike you, right Priya? I know you only meant good, but maybe you should have been nicer with him."

"I love him, Mama. You know that I do, but he's like this most of the time. And I don't want him to upset Mum. That's all."

"I think it's all set," Arnav spoke firmly.

"Why don't you hug each other?" Khushi asked encouragingly. The siblings did that and smiled at each others so cutely that Khushi's heart melted as she watched them.

"Thank you, Mama and Mami." Priya and Prem said in unison before going downstairs.

"They are so adorable." Khushi said to Arnav as they sat on the recliner and she rested her head on his shoulder. "Children are very cute. I hope I'll be a good mother one day."