Chapter 5

The Morning After The Night Before

Chapter 5

Wedding preparations were well underfoot next morning. The house was buzzing with life. The place was awash with flowers and the heavy scent of flowers filled the house.

Khushi ...Khushi lay in bed feeling miserable - her wedding. She couldn't lift her head of the pillow the world was spinning and her stomach felt like it was going to hurl its contents with such force that Khushi lay down and tried to shut the outside world out.

"Payal have you seen Khushi yet"

"No Dad I'll wake her"

"No Payal I'll wake her,- Khushi beti you're not out of bed, there is so much to do"

"Ahhhggg go away and leave me alone - I feel like death"

Shashi laughed " Khushi I've got a special drink for you - you're just like your mum"

Shashi place a foul smelling concoction next to her "Drink it Khushi" .Khushi drank the foul smelling sweet bitter liquid .

Within the hour Khushi was dressed and downstairs - "you look better"

"Dad what was that miracle drink ?"

"It's a herbal potion that your mum used to drink whilst she was carrying you"

"Whats on our agenda ?"

"Meet Arnav -choose your wedding rings and then Arnav wants to take you to choose your wedding lengha.I always thought I would chose your wedding outfit , but ... then a family dinner " - a lot was left unsaid - a fathers shattered dream lay in pieces. But what was more important to him was his daughter's fragile heart. Her castle of dreams had vanished, leaving only shards, each one holding a fragment of her dreams. Could he fix this ? He was supposed to look after her and keep her safe. He had failed on so any levels -

"Dad - please don't make me cry it doesn't take much. Do you know who was the first man I ever loved and will always be the first in my heart. He taught me to laugh, he dried my tears, he scared the bogeyman away for me. He taught to me to find the magic in a rainbow. He carried me on his shoulders when I could walk no more. He ate ice cream with me when I was upset- always chocolate. He danced with me with me till I could dance no more. He taught me courage and to face my fears while he held my hand. And now when I thought things could get no worse for me he has magicked away all my demons to give me my dream .He is still holding me - carrying me - keeping me safe. Dad, Arnav has big shoes to fill"

"Khushi forget about your hormonal crying you got me started now go upstairs and change or you will be late .Khushi reached up and kissed her dad on the cheek -" your simply the best !"

"GO Khushi or you will be late"

On the dot of 12:00 Arnav arrived carrying a dozen yellow roses. He had thought long about what he would take . He couldn't go empty handed. He had tossed and turned and eventually settled for yellow roses - a gift that was not ostentatious , not the usual dozen red roses for love but yellow symbolising friendship and new beginnings.

"Hi Khushi , for you I thought they might make you smile"

"Thanks, I love roses!". Khushi took a deep breath inhaling the gentle fragrance the sweet musky perfume.

Her father shouted "No Khushi don't ... do that"

Khushi face changed from rosy red to white, she clapped her hand to her mouth thrust the roses back at Arnav and hotfooted it out of the room hearing her father say - "roses made her mother throw up when she was pregnant!"

Arnav looked bewildered lost uncertain what to do for a instant of a second he thrust the roses at her dad and ran after her.

Shashi looked at the beautiful bouquet of yellow roses smiling - maybe he could glue the shards together , Arnav had chased after his Khushi - there -was- hope. All he had to do was make Khushi realise that her dream was still within her grasp, it was just different now but just as precious maybe somewhat more.

Khushi was sick as she could be , she sat there exhausted ashen face. Arnav felt helpless.

"Sorry Khushi I .. I didn't realise that those roses would make you so sick.

Arnav gently wiped her face picked her up and placed her on the bed

A loud knock came at the door her father stood there with another cup of her foul smelling brew.

"Thanks dad"

"Really Khushi - that odour you can stand and my roses made you sick to your stomach - unbelievable"

Shashi laughed, you will have to learn to make this concoction - I'll show you- It's gonna save your life"

A little while later Arnav heard Khushi stomach growl in hunger "Really ?"

"Really I need to eat something or I will be throwing up again and that seems to be getting to be a habit around you. Let's go to the kitchen or you will be picking me of the floor"

"You know for a tiny little thing you can sure pack away the food. I stand back in awe of the quantity you just tucked away. Do you normally eat this amount ? or is it because someone is sharing your meal" Arnav asked laughingly .

"I eat this quantity"

"Look your dad has an agenda and we are going to be running late if we don't start hurrying up -"

"Arnav it's called Indian Timing"

The rest of the afternoon passed in a flurry of activity Khushi was exhausted. " Arnav do you think I can have some tea in the penthouse and then phone me and i will come down.

An hour later it was time for to go Arnav called but no answer. He was running late and getting increasingly irritated waiting for Khushi to answer. What had she said about time keeping Indian time. As he rode in the elevator to the penthouse his anger grew. As he let himself into the suite he saw Khushi's Phone on the table and after calling for her and gaining no response he found her asleep curled up on his bed, fast asleep.

His anger, frustration vanished in a wisp of smoke when he saw her sleeping. He dialled Shashi "Dad we are going to have to change some of your plans -she is exhausted and fast asleep and I am not going to wake her until she wakes up - sorry ! we maynot make it back in time for dinner"

Shashi smiled He was doing a good job of filling those shoes as Khushi so aptly put it.

Arnav lay down next to Khushi to rest and fell asleep with her exhausted from the tensions and pressures from the last couple of days -it had been a non-stop rollercoaster of emotions for both of them. What did the future hold for him and her, for all three of them ? Arnav little steps, little steps he thought to himself. They would work it out together . For now he would hold his new family to himself. He gently placed his hand on her stomach thinking , dreaming of his future .