Chapter 26

Lavanya: Hey why are you looking like I am some ghost coming out of your goosebumps books?

Khushi: What do you expect me to do? I did not know where I am being brought and suddenly out of blue a white flashes past and hugs me! And don't complain about ghost! You do look like one in this light cream and white salwar, not forgetting your open hair!

Lavanya: WHAT? I am GHOST? Khushi ki bachi!!! WAit!

And Khushi ran not letting the hesitation of being in complete stranger's house with Lavanya Chasing her. Khushi turned and laughed showing her thumbs to Lavanya.

Lavanya: Akash! Help me catch her!!!

Akash: Don't involve me in your kiddish fights!

Lavanya: Where is bhai?

She asked coming to halt suddenly! Akash turned his eyes to Arnav who was holding Khushi in his arms in the middle of the big living room. Both Akash and Lavanya smiled, actually smirked.

While Running backwards showing thumbs to Lavanya Khushi did not notice that she was stamping her saree and by taking next step she could fall. A frustrated Lavanya did not notice this as she was busy asking her husband to help her. But Arnav did. He was by his Khushi in seconds. And as expected, Khushi slipped and straight fell in Arnav's arms.

With a melodious RABBA VE playing in the background, Khushi slowly opened her eyes to look into the caramel pools.

Her mind went back to a similar fall and catch nearly 9 years ago! She could see the same anxiousness and admiration in those brown orbs. But something else was also flickering along with these emotions. May be LOVE? confusion? But not once recognition. Khushi sighed!

On the other hand. Arnav who caught this laughing bundle in his hands was relieved in breaking her fall. His fast beating heart calmed to realize that she was safe. But he once searched her face and then Khushi slowly opened her eyes and held his gaze through her specs. That's when thunder struck him. These honey orbs were much more familiar than he knew! It was like Deja vu for him.

He felt as though this fall and break had already happened and just like the party night, Khushi's eyes had some strange pull! But now he realized that this strange pull to these brown orbs were not from that night but way before! He knew these eyes for a long time. He now noted more clearly. But HOW? WHEN? He did not have an idea!

Then he noticed a faint disappointment crossing in her eyes. He frowned! What was so disappointing to her? When he was frustrated unsolving the mystery! But this dreamy scene was abruptly broken by a low cough. Both steadied themselves and stood far from each other and glanced at the other young couple in front of them who had this known smirk plastered to their faces!

Arnav: WHAT?

Akash: Just wondering about perfect timing!

Khushi: What?

Lavanya: If you both just turn around, you will get the answers for your WHAT's!

They both turned and seriously they did have the answer. But only that it came as a little shock knocking them out of their breath. As behind them stood a couple who were in the late 40's of age looking all respectful but their face was plastic! Khushi looked suddenly nervous. She did understand why Arnav brought her here. But she was not prepared to face it this soon!

Pragathi n Mukesh as JAI AND BANI WALIA

Yes they were in Walia Mansion, Arnav's mama's home! And the couple looking at him with plastic faces were his Mama Jai Walia and Mami Bani Walia who were also Akash's parents! Hey Devi Maiyya!

Arnav: Mamaji!

Jai: Mama JI?

He asked with one of his eyebrow raised! Now Khush knew from where Arnav got his looks and all these attitudes. His Mama was handsome even today and she did nto want to think of times he was much younger!

Arnav: Urhh?

Jai: I don't remember you calling me with that JI before! So just curious.

Bani: What to do Jai! Your bitwa has become big businessman. He has earned respect, fame, attitude and money for himself. So looks like he has forgotten things.

Arnav: MAMI?

Bani: Why else would you ignore our phone calls? And Why did you want to live in that Old Raizada mansion Alone? After Akash's marriage you just disappeared!

Arnav: Sorry!

Akash: Maa, Papa! That's enough! Don't do that to my bhai.

Jai: I am talking to my nephew Akash!

Bani: I am talking too. And you Arnav! You have some serious explanations to do. Recently, 2 weeks to be precise, Akash comes and tells that you did propose someone and never inform us? So We are no more important?

By this time, Khushi started sweating badly. Its not like, She has accepted Arnav's proposal and was waiting for his parents to accept her. But the cold gazes and Icy words the walia couple were throwing at her and mainly at Arnav, made her shiver badly. But why was this Arnavji all silent? If it was for anyone else, they would have been burnt by the fire sparks from his eyes and his remains would be on the ground. Silent Arnav? Guinness Record worth!

Lavanya: Maa!

Arnav: Oh let them La.. They think that they are scolding me with stern faces. Let them get over with and laugh freely! They don't get chances often like this.

Jai: WHAT THE!!

Bani: WHAT WHAT THE!!!!

Arnav: You don't sound like me at all!

Khushi: WAIT!! HALT PLEASE!!!

Khushi who was looking at all the 3 now ready to burst into laugh faces spoke breaking in. She could not take it anymore!

Jai: Ahh Khushi bitiya! We meet at last. Thanks for stuffing some food into his mouth during that Fashion week. Looks like you did my request to the T.

Khushi(with 3 O's on her face): You were scolding him right him? But you meant not a word of it?

Bani: Well... We did mean a few words. For example about you!

Khushi: You could have asked him this straight! But why this cold expressions?

Jai: Thought that could work on him. But the charmer he is, we can never get mad at him!

Khushi: And here I thought that THERE IS SOMEONE WHO COULD SCOLD AND PULL THIS LAAD GOVERNOR's EARS SO THAT I CAN COMPLAIN ABOUT HIM!

Khushi groaned and till now people who were controlling their laughs, burst out into laughing fits making Khushi frown..

Lavanya: Actually we thought that we can complain about him to you and you can scold and pull his ears!

Arnav: What the? SHE?

Akash: Who else bhai? She did have the bone in her to call you Laad governor and still have you smile at her than knocking her out!

Arnav: Well! She keeps giving me names that I forget reacting on them!

Lavanya: See. So only we said that!

Bani: Bas Bas! Now it has been too much of a welcome. Lets us arrange the lunch while Arnav bitwa you can give her a tour! Other talks can be done over the lunch or once the lunch is over.

Arnav: ARNAV BITWA?

He just did the same eyebrow raising like Jai when he asked a similar question.

Jai: Then MAMA JI?

Arnav: Fine! No need to get into the details Mamu.

Bani: That's better CHOTE!

Arnav: This sounds better.

Khushi(mumbling): Nothing looks better!

Everyone bit their lips to control chuckling. Bani eyed Arnav and he nodded taking Khushi out from there to the staircase on the side holding her elbow. Once they were out of other's sight, He pinned her to the wall at the top step.

Arnav(huskily): So Ms. Khushi Kumari Gupta you were saying something about better down there?

Khushi(breathing): I.. I..

Arnav: Are you surprised to see me totally at ease here?

Khushi: Well..

Arnav: They deserve that much. They did everything in their control to keep me happy and I am happy. Why not? Mamu and Mami consider me as their own child and Akash looks up to me as a hero! And do you know what made me realize all these?

Khushi: No..

Arnav: That time when you were in hospital hurt by the bullet meant for me, while your father explained the value of my life and the people around me. It cost me you to understand the fact Khushi.

He was so honest and Khushi could see that in his sincere eyes. The close proximity was driving her crazy. She just kept looking into his eyes as her heart was beating so loud that he could hear. Slowly Arnav raised his hands and removed the specs and looked into her eyes directly.

Arnav: Khushi! I just don't want to lose you again. Those few hours with you in life supporting system and with all those wires.. It was hell. Please let me share my life with you?

Khushi just at that moment knew that if he remembers or not, recognizes her or not, She is not going to live without the man standing bearing his heart to her and she will not let him live without her either!

Arnav: I know that I should be on my knees to propose you..

Khushi placed a finger on his lips silencing him and looked into his eyes.

Khushi: Never once you will go on your knees for any reason Arnavji. You are a proud man Arnavji and I would never want you at your knees mainly not in front of me.

Arnav: Ok.. Then let me propose standing!

He put forward his hands holding her specs and told.

Arnav: Khushi, will you marry me and put up with all my tantrums for rest of our life?

Though tears were brimming in her eyes, Khushi giggled merrily and slightly slapped his shoulder.

Khushi: That was too cheesy for the Ghamandi Laad Governor Raizada and those are my spectacles!

Arnav: Never mind. I want a proper answer this time. And please don't use those spectacles. Your eyes don't deserve to be caged behind these! If you need for the sight, lets go for contact lens..

Khushi: I don't have eye sight problem. I wear them for headache and for protection while travelling and using computer.

Arnav: OH!! Ok then. My answer please!

Khushi: Time for some serious talks Mr. Romeo. I have certain conditions to say YES!

Arnav: WHAT THE!

Khushi: I want to be independent when it comes to my career.

Arnav: You are Independent! Come on.. We did a show together and it was a hit!

Khushi: Like AR, I want my designs to be acknowledged Mr. Raizada! That's what I meant! When I joined the Malhotra's I wanted to earn so that with this money I can do something on my own. But looks like you are tying me down!

Arnav: That's awful to say. I am not tying you down. You are free to do anything. But one thing is that, I want you to be with me. Just with me. I am done with living alone! I also want a family like Your's, Akash's.. Funny, jolly.

Khushi: Your mamu and Mami are your family Arnavji. Its just that you did not realize holding on to the worse of you! But now if you say yes to my condition. I will say yes to your proposal. Say DEAL?

Arnav: What the? Deal? This is life!!

Khushi: Just learning to become Mrs. Raizada!

Arnav: NO NO! Be yourself!

Khushi: I very well can say that to you too.. You sound like Mr. Khushi! I want that Ghamandi Laad governor back!

Arnav: You are mad! Do you know that?

Khushi: Say something new!

Arnav: You...

Bani: Khushi!! Chote.. Come lunch is ready!

Both gave a look to each other and Hugged tight once before moving down to the dining hall. Arnav's happiness knew no bounds as now Khushi has accepted to marry him. He started planning everything. After all he had a business brain. But Khushi was anxious. She was buying time. Why? She wanted to visit Hawa Mahal once to get rid of everything that bound her to that place in past 8 years. She wanted her life to be fresh with Arnav as he thinks while she was still dwelling on that one memory of her teenage brain.

May be, she can forget that as one teenage fantasy and Accept Arnav as he is today, may be she can accept him because she loves him.. however he is! May be certain dreams stay as only dreams. But her dream was coming true in someway at least. So she decided to be practical.