Chapter 94

"How much time left Arnavji?", asked Khushi fidgeting her fingers as she looked out of window. It was around 8 pm and they were heading back to home.

"Around 40-45 minutes more", said Arnav.

Khushi makes an irritating sound, "I should have bring him along", murmurs Khushi.

"Khushi relax, he is fine. You have talked to Di just few minutes ago, right.", said Arnav.

"I know but my heart is not satisfied until I see him", said Khushi in worried tone.

"Khushi please relax, he is fine", said Arnav.

"You won't understand, leave it", said Khushi, "It hurts me every time when he gets hurt and even more when I am not with him".

"Come on Khushi, you cannot be with him all the time and he is a kid, they get hurt every now and then, that's the part of their growing up. You cannot prevent them from getting hurt all the time", said Arnav now getting little irritated.

"Yes I can, if I was with him, I would have taken care of that", said Khushi.

"And you think that Di haven't?", said Arnav, "That she wasn't looking out for him? She had been taking care of him since he was of day 1 Khushi. She loves him like you do remember", said Arnav in stern tone.

"That's not what I meant Arnavji", said Khushi, "I am just worried for him".

Arnav pressed his lips and didn't say anything. After some 10-15 mins Khushi again asked him how much time left to reach home, as it was some 6^th or 7^th time she was asking. It made him irritated.

"Khushi for god's sake he is fine", said Arnav in rather loud voice, "It's just a little bump, it's not like he have broken a bone or something".

"Arnavji!!", Khushi got angry, "Don't say that. If you are not worried for him then fine but don't say something like this. Its so mean of you".

"You think that I don't worry for him", said Arnav in anger.

"Yes, It seems like that, the way you are talking", said Khushi in equal anger.

"Oh come on Khushi, if I don't say it again and again like you it doesn't mean that I don't worry for him", said Arnav.

"Leave it Arnavji, I don't wana talk about it", said Khushi and turn her face to the window as she pray for her baby to be alright. Arnav too didn't say anything for the rest of the drive, he didn't want to worsen the situation.

After half an hour ...

As soon as the car stopped inside Shantivan porch, Khushi went out and move inside. She saw Hari Prakash cleaning the dining table as everyone just had dinner few minutes ago. She saw Mamiji watching TV on the first landing as she reaches the stairs.

"Arrey Khooshi where izsh you going that fastwa", said Mamiji as she watch Khushi run up the stairs.

"Arush Mamiji", said Khushi as she moves to right to go Anjali's room.

"Khushi", said Anjali who saw her coming in the room. Khushi pass a little smile to Anjali and climb up the bed, moving close to Arush who was sleeping now.

Khushi flinch a little seeing the little red bump at side of his forehead, she touch his hair very lightly.

"Khushi he is fine like I told you", said Anjali looking at Khushi's worried face.

"Did you put some ointment on it?", asked Khushi.

"Nope, I asked Rahul ... he said there is no need. It will be fine in a day or two. But I didn't give him syrup for pain relief.", said Anjali.

Just then Arnav came in the room, "Chottey, should I heat up the food?", asked Anjali getting up from the bed.

"I am not hungry Di", said Arnav as he watched Arush and Khushi for few seconds and then leave the room.

"What happened to him?", said Anjali as she looked at Khushi, "Is he upset that your plans are spoiled, I did told him that there is no need to hurry".

"No Anjali ji, we just had a little argument", said Khushi. Anjali wanted to ask but looking at Khushi's serious face she dropped the idea. But she had some idea what could be the argument about.

"Khushi, I think you should change", said Anjali as she look at Khushi's attire.

Khushi too realize that she didn't wore the jeans as she was more worried about getting back. She quickly stood up, "Yeah ... I ... I will be back", saying that Khushi went out of room.

Khushi changed into her night tee and pajamas and went down. She greeted Nani and spend few minutes with her chatting. Then she went to Anjali's room. Anjali told her to pack her things as Arush is asleep now and she is with him for an hour before she leaves. So Khushi went back to her room and started to pack the things in 3 big boxes.

Today morning NK had helped her to put her things in boxes from Buaji's house and dropped her with her things at Shantivan. Now she was putting things properly and keeping things aside which she won't need any more.

She was lost in thoughts while putting her clothes in suitcase. She picked the red saree that she wore on Arnav's birthday, she smile and blush remembering the events of that night. She runs her hand on its design lovingly, thinking that Arnav had design this and how he had given her this saree from his collection.

Just then a thought came in her mind and her hand stopped on the saree. She thought for few more seconds and then put the saree in the suit case. She picked her cell phone and dials Aman's number.

Anjali came into the room and found Khushi talking on phone.

"Yeah I will come before lunch time ... yeah I know ... ok baye", said Khushi and cut the call.

"Khushi", Anjali called her as she move near her and hand her the baby monitor, "Arush is still sleeping, I have boiled water for him. I am leaving now".

"Thanks Anjali ji, have a great time with Rahul bhai", said Khushi with a smile. Anjali patted her cheek and went out of the room.

Since past many days Rahul was doing night duty at hospital. He had asked for 1 week leave from hospital for Arnav's marriage, so he was doing some extra hours to make up for the time. Anjali will go to hospital every alternate night after dinner to spend time with him and then they will go to their apartment after Rahul's shift was over around 1 am.

After few minutes Khushi closed the box and went down towards Kitchen. She put the boiled water into thermos and went to Anjali's room where Arush was sleeping. She was about to enter the room but stopped when she saw Arnav sitting on the bed caressing Arush's head. Khushi move back a step. After few seconds Arush made a whimpering sound.

"hey big guy ... its ok... its ok ..", whispered Arnav patting Arush's stomach as he caresses his forehead and hair with other hand. After another few seconds Arush opens his eyes and made a crying voice and roll over. Arnav quickly picked him up and lay him down in his lap.

"Papa is here", said Arnav in soft voice as Arush looked up at him with same brown eyes as his father's.

"Annhh papaaa ...", said Arush whimpering a bit as he pat on Arnav's face. Arnav held his hand and caresses it. Khushi was overwhelmed seeing the scene, Arush lay in Arnav's lap just looking at him, occasionally moving his hands.

Why he always show his love when he is alone with his son, thought Khushi a bit sadly. She has to do something about it.

She took a deep breath and move inside. Arnav turned around and saw Khushi. Arush exclaimed Mama when his eyes fell on Khushi. Arnav put him back on and bed and stood up. Khushi sit on his left spot and Arush immediately went in her arms. Arnav turn to go but stopped feeling a tug on his hand. He looks down and saw Khushi holding his hand, looking at him, gesturing through her eyes to not go. Arnav pressed his lips and sat opposite to her on bed. Khushi extended Arush to him and went to side table to make Arush's milk as probably he woke up feeling hungry.

"Mama te pass", said Arush extending his hand towards Khushi.

"Mama is here baby, she is not going anywhere", said Arnav.

Khushi quickly prepared his milk and climb on bed going to other side. She laid Arush on bed, Khushi and Arnav on either side of him. She extended the bottle to Arnav, who understood her gesture and then touch it with Arush's lip who quickly took it his mouth. Arnav look at his son and then towards Khushi whose eyes were on him. He straightens up a bit, masking his emotions. He turn to go out of bed but Khushi again held his hand, shaking her head. And tug on his hand, as she lay down on bed, asking Arnav to do the same. Arnav sighed and lay down; he didn't want to upset her. It was a silent truce between them over their earlier argument.

Next Day - Friday - Around 1pm ...

"Are you sure about this?", asked Aman as the lift door opens. Khushi nodded at him and went out of elevator.

"I just hope ASR doesn't get mad", said Aman as he slides his card to open the penthouse door.

"I know he will, but I think its time we make some use of this place", said Khushi as she enters the penthouse.

"I thought about it many times to re-furnish this place, but it was not much in use", said Aman as he shrugs his shoulders, "And I didn't want to upset ASR".

"hmmm", Khushi move around in the living room and kitchen.

"So I think warm colors will do, and some furniture here. I want plants and table with 2 or 3 chairs out in balcony and sofas here. Few paintings will do good", said Khushi as she gestures Aman where she wants what.

"I will contact Shravan, or maybe you can speak directly to him", said Aman as he scrolls on his phone locating his number.

"Ok, but no expensive stuff ok, just keep it simple and warm", said Khushi little apprehensive.

"Don't think on it, the expanses will be on AR so relax. Do whatever you want with it", said Aman.

"Yeah, but wasting money is not good either", said Khushi.

"Khushi its AR penthouse, so things should be according to the standards", said Aman.

"Aman ... its not for public ok, its something personal, so nothing related to luxury", said Khushi.

"Yes but, knowing ASR he wants perfection, sophistication and ...", Aman was saying when Khushi cut him, "Leave your ASR to me, I will handle it".

"He is not my ASR", said Aman in teasing tone. Khushi swat his arm in response.

"oowhh", Arnav rubbed his arm and then type in his cell.

"I just texted you Shravan's number", said Aman and a beep sound came, Khushi took her cell phone from her clutch and save the number.

"I will speak to him and then you both can have a discussion", said Aman and Khushi nodded her head.

"You might have to come here often to tell the workers about what to do and what not", said Aman, "So think accordingly what are you going to tell ASR".

"We will tell him nothing", said Khushi quickly. Aman tilted his head just like Arnav as it seem to Khushi, "And you think that when this (waving hand in air) all is going on, it can be hidden from ASR?".

"Well its your job to make sure he doesn't know", said Khushi.

"oh no no ... don't put me into this, it was your idea", said Aman quickly, "I don't want to be at receiving end of his temper".

"Oh hush Aman, we both know that Arnavji never really gets angry on you, he does show his temper but I know how the bonds work between you two", said Khushi patting his shoulder and move towards bedrooms.

"Khushi please, if he gets to know that I knew about it and didn't tell him ... he is gonna be really pissed", said Aman as he follows Khushi.

"Tell him I made you to make a promise not to tell him", said Khushi. Aman sighed in defeat, "You don't like me much do you".

"Awhh, who said that, you're such a pretty boy", said Khushi as she pinch his cheek a little and Aman give her an angry look.

After what happened yesterday, Khushi didn't want to leave Arush behind if they again went to farm house again. But knowing Arnav she knew that he won't agree on it as he wants complete privacy and absolutely no disturbance, when they both are for spending time, together. So a thought came in her mind last night, what if they use penthouse for spending their time? It's much closer to home than the farm house and if require, they can reach home in 20-30 minutes instead of 1 n half hour time.

After discussing things, Aman and Khushi went down. Aman went to his cabin and Khushi to Arnav's. She already had plans with him for lunch, so she came here 1 hour earlier to have a discussion about renovating penthouse with Aman.

Arnav smile at Khushi as she came inside. He gesture her to sit as he was writing an important mail. After getting free he came near her, making her stand from chair and hold her lovingly in his arms for some time. After that they both went for lunch. Khushi was talking most of the time and Arnav was just replying when needed. Khushi knew his mood is a little bit off as she will be leaving in few hours. The thought also making her sad inside but she kept a smile on her face to not get emotional in front of Arnav.

Arnav parked the car in Shantivan's porch and shut down the engine. He hold Khushi hand looking down at it as he caresses it.

"Arnavji", Khushi call him softly, "I .. I ... um ... will you come to the airport?".

Khushi wanted to travel by train again but Arnav told her in serious tone that she will not. Akash has to go Mumbai anyway for the bidding so Arnav asked him to go earlier with Khushi. In that case Akash will personally drop Khushi at her home, not worrying Arnav much about her safety.

"You know I can't watch you leave", said Arnav in dull tone leaving her hand and clutch the steering wheel, "I think you should go inside now, I will go to office".

Khushi watch his grip getting tight on the steering, "Arnavji please come inside atleast", said Khushi but Arnav didn't answer. Khushi pressed her lips to hold in her emotions. She looked at him for few seconds and then when he didn't look at her Khushi open the car door, she was about to go out when Arnav grabs her arm, turning her to him and crash his lips with hers. They both kissed passionately as they clutched each other tight.

Arnav put his forehead on hers, breathing heavy, "I will miss you so damn much".

"I don't wana go", said Khushi as her eyes get moist. At first she was ok to go back, happy actually, wanting to spend time with her parents and friends. But now being in his arm, she realizes that this is the place her heart wants to stay.

"Khushi, sweet heart", said Arnav as he caresses her cheek and finally a tear roll down on her cheek, not able to hold it in. Arnav shakes his head as he wiped her tears, when more rolls down.

"You should go ... spend time with your parents, friends. Do things you wana do ... go places you wana go. Because I promise after our marriage, I am not gona let you go away from me even for a minute", said Arnav in serious tone making Khushi blush.

"Is that so? Then what about your office work and meetings haan? I won't be there with you", said Khushi as she smiles.

"That time I will know that you are near me, not in another city, and I can reach you in few minutes, not to wait for hours", said Arnav nuzzles on her nape.

"Arnavji ...", Khushi close her eyes clutching his shoulders tight. Arnav took a deep breath, inhaling her fragrance and move back after placing a kiss on her side of neck. Khushi open her eyes and look at him longingly.

"Go Khushi, before my control snaps and I take you away some place else", said Arnav as he sit properly in his seat. Khushi blush more understanding the meaning behind his words. She peck his cheek, "I love you Arnav" and quickly went out of car.

Arnav smile hearing his name without ji, "I love you more Khushi", said Arnav as he watched her wave her hand to him and then went inside. Arnav sighed and started his car, "How I am going to live without you for so many days Khushi?", murmurs Arnav as he drove out of Shantivan.

TO BE CONTINUED ...

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