Chapter 26

"Because our lives are more complex than you or I expected them to be, more convoluted than most people can imagine," Arnav said softly, looking in to her innocent eyes.

She wondered aloud, "Love is stronger than hate? Do you mean that your love for Akash Jiju is stronger than your hatred for me?"

"No," Arnav said through a constricted throat.

Khushi frowned for a moment and then her brow cleared. "Akash Jiju's love for Jiji is stronger than your hatred for me?" she tried again.

"No." He could not speak for the lump in his throat.

Khushi pouted, "Dekhiye Arnavji, my brains are fried as it is. Please don't drive me mad with your philosophy."

Arnav smiled slightly with effort. With intent eyes he asked. "Khushi, did you see Shyam Manohar Jha after that?"

Khushi frowned. "Why should I see him again? Is he my Mama's beta that I have to see him regularly?"

Arnav stared at her.

"Or do you think I get in to trouble every day that I need to take a protector with me each time I leave the house?" Khushi put her hands on her hips.

"No," Arnav said, not entirely truthful.

Khushi glared at his uncertain No..."

"No," Arnav repeated more forcefully.

"I am hungry," Khushi said suddenly.

Arnav stared at her sudden jump from one topic to the next.

"Let's go down and have tea," Khushi suggested.

"You go down, Khushi. I will have it later," Arnav said.

Khushi sighed exaggeratedly. "Later? When will your later come? Never. You will forget to have tea and your shakkar will disown you. Then your head will spin and Khushi Kumari Gupta will have to come to hold you up." She grabbed his arm. "Aap chaliye hamare saath. I know you hate the sight of me, but you don't have to take it out on the tea or your shakkar."

Arnav let himself be dragged down the stairs.

"Khushi..." he called.

She halted and turned, lifting her head to look at him as he was standing on a step at a higher level. Her head was on the same line as his chest, his heart to be precise.

"Why do you think I hate you?" he asked.

Khushi frowned in to his eyes. "Because you misbehaved with me at Sheesh Mahal and skinned me alive at the dargah."

"What if I did it because I love you, Khushi?" he asked softly.

Khushi's fingers tightened on his arm without her volition. Her wide, innocent eyes looked in to the molten depths of his own for a long silent moment.

Then she burst out laughing. "You are so funny, Arnavji."

Arnav stared at her, his chest hurting.

"No one who sees your stern, khadoos face will ever know that you have such a good sense of humour," Khushi gasped, battling the last of her chuckles.

Finally she said, "If that was the way you showed love to me, then I shudder to think what your nafrat will be like, Arnavji."

Arnav swallowed hard.

Khushi sniffed the air. "Arnavji, Buaji has made your favourite snack. Pakoras. Chaliye," She dragged him down to the hall.

"Khushi, how do you know I like pakoras?" Arnav asked.

Khushi looked at him, surprised. "Maybe you told me you like them," she said a long moment later, unsure.

Arnav looked at her, silent.

"But... but when? Not at Sheesh Mahal. And definitely not at the dargah. Then when?" A frown furrowed her brow.

"O Sanka Devi!" Buaji called. "Neeche aao, Nandkisore. Hein? Why are you pulling Arnav Bitwaa by the hand? Did he threaten to run away?"

All the Raizadas and the Guptas looked at the unlikely couple standing on the steps.

Anjali's eyes asked Arnav if Khushi had remembered. He nodded slightly. Anjali's eyes filled with anxiety.

"Amma, Babuji, Buaji, I remembered meeting Arnavji at Sheesh Mahal," Khushi declared happily as she took her seat next to Arnav.

The plate fell with a clatter from Payal's hand. All eyes fixed on Khushi with varying degrees of horror.

"Anjaliji, aap ko pata he, I met Arnavji at the dargah after that night at Sheesh Mahal," Khushi smiled at her.

Anjali nodded, sending a scared look at Arnav.

"Naniji, Mamiji, why was your Arnav Bitwaa so rude then? So angry?" Khushi asked, curious.

"What a question, Saasumma," Mami whispered. "Hamari to bolti hi band hui gawa, Hello Hi Bye Bye!"

Nani glanced at Anjali and Mami and said, "Khussi bitiyya, he was always like that. What else did you remember?"

Khushi frowned, her single-minded focus on the secret behind Arnavji's anger. "Then why isn't he angry now? He is just sad, not angry," she remarked.

"A crow came and stole Nannav's ghoosa from him, Khushiji," NK teased.

"That must be one brave crow, Nanheji," Khushi laughed.

The Guptas and the Raizadas watched NK and Khushi laughing at their silly jokes, unsettled at Khushi's dawning awareness of the past.

Suddenly, Khushi turned to Anjali and asked, "Anjaliji, is Arnavji married?"