Chapter 20

Chapter 20: Games of Time

Thank you for all your lovely comments and wishes for Thread 2. Sorry for not replying back but these days I'm barely getting the time to update as you all know. Thank you for being so patient..

"Ma please, try to understand. I really love Payal." Akash pleaded.

"Akash Bitwa, How many times do I tell you? I will not accept that girl as my daughter-in-law." Manorama said irritated. "Now leave me alone, I have a headache." She turned away from her son.

Frustrated Akash exited from her room and went straight to Arnav.

"Bhai, when are you going to talk to Ma? You said she will get used to the fact that I like Payal but her resolve is getting stronger. She will not give her consent." Akash almost burst out.

"Akash calm down." Arnav said completely unmoved by his brother's behaviour. "You know I'm busy with IFW. I'll talk to her once it is over."

"Okay Bhai but do something soon, the situation's getting out of hand." Akash said before walking out of the room.

~~~~~~

It was the last day of India Fashion Week and every thing had gone through smoothly Khushi and Rohan waited with baited breaths as their models took the Ramp. Their happiness knew no bounds as the crowd cheered for each outfit. As the last Model walked back announcement was made for the designer to take the bow. All the models were waiting but this was the moment Khushi was dreading the most. Being the joint representatives of Delhi, she would have to do it with ASR and she couldn't get out of it (not that she hadn't tried). Arnav came to her and gestured her to proceed. She closed her eyes for a moment and then walked past him without looking at him. She was glad he hadn't insisted on holding her hand or gotten close to her as she had seen other designer's do. Of course he wouldn't, she thought, at least he had that much shame. She stood beside him and hugged the models but couldn't help but smile broadly at the applause they were getting. Her first ever success, how could she not enjoy it? No matter who was standing next to her...

As they reached back stage, Arnav tried to talk to her. "Congrats Miss Gupta. You did really well."

Khushi turned to him with a serious expression, "Thank you Mr. Raizada. I accept your wishes on behalf of Emerald Design Studio and would also like to congratulate AR Group." With that she turned around and walked away in search of Rohan.

Arnav was just about to turn away when he saw Rohan coming towards Khushi.

Rohan grabbed Khushi in a bear hug and twirled her around, "Yeah baby, we did it."

Khushi's laughter tinkled in the air. It was the sweetest music Arnav had ever heard and he was hearing it after ages. He would have loved to drown it in and never resurface, except for the fact that Khushi was in another man's arms and showering her laughter on someone else. A rage like he had never felt before was building up in his chest. His fists clenched and his eyes were shooting fire. He stalked Rohan and Khushi for the rest of the day observing their closeness.

He heard Rohan telling Khushi that he wanted to talk to her alone. He took her to a secluded green room.

"Rohan why have you brought me here?" Khushi asked puzzled.

"Erm Khushi... there is something really important I wanted to talk to you about." Rohan said hesitantly.

"What is it? A new project?" Khushi asked wondering why Rohan looked so nervous.

"Uh... no... It's personal actually." He replied.

"Yes?" Khushi said her curiosity quite elevated now.

"Ummm... Khushi... Dad spoke to me a week ago." He said.

"Yeah? About what?" She asked.

"You know my dad wants me to get married." He said slowly.

"Wow that's great." Khushi brightened up.

Rohan hesitated again. "You know Khushi he said that if I liked a girl he would accept my choice and I should let him know about it in a month."

"That's really nice of him." Khushi smiled and continued. "So it's already a week, what are you planning?"

He scratched his head nervously, "Well... If you agree to it, I'll let him know about you and me."

Khushi stared at him stunned for a moment.

"Khushi?" He asked a bit worried by her lack of response.

She blinked several times before finding her voice. "Wha... What are you saying Rohan?"

He took in a deep breath, "See... Khushi... don't get me wrong. I know it's just been a few months that we are friends. But when Dad brought up the question about who I'd like to spend the rest of my life with... Maybe it's too early to say that I am in love with you but I can't think of any other face than yours as my life partner." He smiled sheepishly at her. "Will you... will you marry me?"

Khushi didn't know what to say or how to answer. So she spoke just how she felt, "Rohan I really don't know how to answer. This is really unexpected."

Rohan waited with bated breath.

"Rohan, can you give me some time to think about it?" She asked him seriously.

Rohan heaved a sigh of relief. At least she hadn't refused and he couldn't deny the fact that his proposal had been abrupt. "Yeah sure. You can take 3 weeks." He smiled broadly.

"3 weeks?" She looked at him confused.

"Yeah dad gave me a month right? And I didn't ask you immediately as I didn't want to bring it up in all the rush of IFW." He said.

"Don't worry I won't take that long." Khushi smiled.

"I'll wait," He smiled "But yes I wanted to make one thing clear. No matter what you decide, I am your friend and will always be there for you."

"Thanks Rohan." Khushi hugged Rohan lightly.

"Let's go now, the others will be waiting." He urged and led her out, putting an arm around her shoulder. The two walked away completely unaware of a pair of furious Honey brown eyes glaring at them with an insane glint in them.

~~~~~~

Khushi returned home with a light mood. She was extremely pleased with their performance at IFW.

"Where's Jiji, Amma?" She asked her mother after having her dinner.

"Payaliya is in her room. She looked very upset since evening. I tried to ask but she wouldn't say anything." Garima said worried. "Can you check bitiya? Maybe she'll tell you."

"Sure Amma, right away." Khushi got up from her chair and walked away to Payal's room.

Payal was sitting by the window with a defeated expression on her face.

"Jiji?" Khushi called out to her.

Payal quickly looked up and rushed to her. "Oh thank God Khushi, you are back. You know I have been so worried all evening."

"Jiji, is everything alright? What has happened?" Khushi asked with concern.

"Akashji called this evening." Payal replied. "You know these days whenever I asked him about getting his family here, he would always change the topic. But today I held my ground and didn't let go until he answered."

"What did he say?" Khushi asked.

"Khushi, his mother has refused to accept me. She doesn't want us to get married." Payal who was holding back until now started sobbing.

"Oh" Khushi said, she didn't know how to respond. She couldn't see her sister crying and wished that Payal got her happiness but at the same time she couldn't help feel a bit relieved that if Akashji's mother continued to be stubborn, her sister wouldn't have to marry in that monster's family.

"Khushi, what do I do? Of course we don't want to marry without his mom's consent." Payal sobbed. "But I can't live like this."

It took a ling time for Khushi to calm Payal and at the end of it she felt quite helpless that she couldn't do anything for her sister's happiness. With a heavy heart she returned back to her room after Payal was asleep.

Khushi couldn't sleep immediately. She was thinking about Rohan's proposal. She had been very surprised when he had asked her to marry him. But now she sat pondering on the matter.

Why not? She thought. Rohan is a very nice guy and such a good friend of mine. I have come to trust him a lot in the past few days. He understands me well too. After what happened, at least Rohan makes me feel alive. She shuddered a little. Amma and Babuji will be happy too, they like Rohan a lot. I may not be able to feel happy again but al least others will be happy. Rohan would be the perfect life partner. Life will be good with him.

Just 'Good' though. Her dreams of a happy and glorious life were ruthlessly crushed and never to be fulfilled...

She shook her head as if to shake of the dreadful memories. Rohan is the only ray of light that I can see in my dark life now. I think I should hold on to it. She thought and decided that she would definitely accept Rohan's proposal.

A few miles away in Shantivan, a restless soul was pacing fast by the poolside. Preparing to strike the next day. "Sorry Khushi, I have no choice but to hurt you further."

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