Chapter 134

Next day (Thursday) they woke up late around 11pm and get ready lazily. They went to "Cellarium Caf & Terrace" for brunch which was near to Westminster Abbey, their next destination to tour.

After that they went to tour Parliament House and Big Ben and the head towards Hyde's Park, London's famous and largest park.

Khushi was at the pond, leaning over the railing and throwing bread pieces to the few ducks there. Arnav was few feet away, talking on phone. Khushi smile as she looks over at him. You can take Arnav away from work, but can never take work away from Arnav.

She turn back to the ducks and remembered her conversation with Anjali she had yesterday. Arush was able to sleep without whining, listening to her song. She had talk to him 4 times over last days. He had cried the first time, whined the second but 3^rd or forth time he had talked animatedly. She was thankful of Dhruv and Minnie, for doing the marvelous job of keeping him busy. She made a mental note to buy some gifts for them.

She sighed as she throws the last piece of bread and dusted her hands. She look over at the few horses, people were riding. Arush would have love this place, he love animals, especially horses. It's sad that he won't be able to see that.

Just then she heard a faint "Mama" sound and she came out of her thoughts and shakes her head thinking that she is now hearing Arush's voice but next moment she froze when she heard a loud and clear "Mama". She was afraid to turn back but did anyway when she heard a shout behind her and she turn just in time to see Arush clashing with her legs and stumble a little.

"Arush", Khushi whispered as she knelt down and hugged Arush. She move back and saw her baby's happy face.

He is here ... Arush is here ... she can't believe it.

She looked up and got astonished seeing Anjali and Rahul coming to her.

How? She thought and then her eyes fell on Arnav who was looking at her with tenderness and she knew that he did it ... again ... bringing Arush here ... for her.

Anjali and Rahul greeted her with smile and Khushi hug them, "I can't believe it you guys are here", said Khushi.

"Well believe it now, we are here", said Anjali with a smile as she look at Arnav who also came there.

Rahul took Arush's hand, "Arush look over there ... horses".

Arush exclaimed happily seeing the horses coming in their direction. He quickly moves towards them and Rahul and Anjali follow him ... giving Arnav and Khushi some time alone.

"Arnavji", Khushi quickly hug him tight, "Thank you", she mumbles against his chest.

Arnav squeeze her close, he didn't need to say anything as why he did it, because he knows Khushi understand it. He had called Anjali the next day when he saw Khushi recording her song. He knew that she missed him so much but for his sake doesn't show. What she thinks that if she is good at hiding her emotions ... he wouldn't get to know

"I know you were missing him and I thought it's better to bring him here rather than going to India", said Arnav as he breaks the hug and look over at Rahul and Anjali, "And it would give Di and Jiju some time to spent alone. They have been busy these last 2 months regarding our wedding ... they deserve some time away together".

Khushi rise on her tiptoes and peck his lips, "I don't know what to say, you just think about everyone and then say you are selfish".

"I am selfish Khushi", said Arnav, "there is exception in some cases".

Khushi roll her eyes at him and then went over to Arush. She picked him up in his arms and smother his face with kisses and he gives back equally to his mama. She take him around the park showing him ducks, horses, different kinds of birds and other small animal that can be seen there.

Next they went over to beautiful and colorful Kensington Gardens, looking over the Kensington Palace in the background and spend some time roaming around and then went ahead to the Orangery Restaurant for coffee and snacks. Khushi was surprised to know that Anjali and Rahul were not staying at their hotel.

"Khushi it's your honeymoon, not a picnic", said Anjali when Khushi asked them to check into their hotel

"But Di, you guys will be going back on Sunday ... so we can spend some time together", said Khushi with her innocent looks.

Anjali shakes her head, "Nope, we will have plenty of time for family gatherings and picnics later. This is yours and chottey's time and you should utilize it fully".

"True and besides I want to spend some alone time with my wife too", said Rahul, winking at Khushi who opened her mouth and just giggled.

"And I want the same with my wife, so I guess we should leave", said Arnav as he wink at his Jiju who give him the appreciative nod. Khushi blushed at this and give a glare to Arnav, which didn't work. He takes her hand and they went out after biding goodbye to Anjali and Rahul.

They reached the hotel around 7.30 and Arush was getting cranky due to sleep, as the time change catching up on him. Khushi quickly changed him into his comfy pajamas and hand him his milk bottle. She lay beside him and runs his hand over his hair and sings the song. When he slept after some minutes, Khushi went to her cupboard and take out the dress, now it's time to reward her husband.

Arnav arranged the pillows on the comforter; he had ordered from room service and laid it on the carpet. He had moved the sofas to the side making space in the middle. He had planned to watch a move with Khushi and spend some cuddle time together. He put the dvd in and was opening it when he heard the bedroom door open, which he had closed before so that the noise from shifting the sofas don't wake up Arush.

"Khushi I put the Dv ...", Arnav turned and froze seeing Khushi standing at the bedroom door ... wearing a red see through lingerie. The remote slipped from his hands as his mouth hung open.

Khushi's heart was thudding very fast but she kept her seductive expressions intact ... seeing that sunned look on Arnav's face was worth it. She was hell nervous to do it but now seeing Arnav entrance with her gave her courage to go ahead. So she swayed over to Arnav stopped in front of him.

Arnav's mouth move but no words came out, sure he had seen her naked and loved every inch of her body ... but seeing her this bold avatar was something else and that sure made the blood rush in his veins.

Khushi didn't gave him a chance to say or do anything as she fisted his hair and yanked his head down, taking his lips in a bold kiss.

(Rest of this part is on the blog. Link is given in my profile. I won't reply to PMs or scraps asking for blog link. Just go to my profile and copy the link from there and paste it in your browser)

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Khushi's sleep broke hearing Arush's crying voice. She jolted from her position and quickly stands up, she searched around and picked Arnav's shirt and dash into the bedroom. She came to bed as she put on the shirt and sit on the bed and pick Arush in her arms.

"Dhoodo (milk)", cried Arush, he was hungry, "Mama ..."

"Yes baby, give me one minute shona", said Khushi as she dug into Arush's bag, on the floor beside the bed.

"Oh no", said Khushi as she came up with both of his milk bottles empty, "Damn damn ...".

Arush cried got louder "Mammmaaa" and Arnav came into the bedroom as he button up his jeans.

"What happened?", asked Arnav.

"He is hungry and there is no milk", said Khushi worriedly as she picked Arush in her arms, "Please call the room service and ask for warm milk".

Arnav looked at the time, it was 3:40am, "Khushi I don't think room service will get milk at this hour".

"its big hotel, don't tell me they don't have milk here", said Khushi irritatingly as she tried to calm down Arush but he was very hungry.

"I didn't mean that, they will take time", said Arnav as he looked around the room, "can we give him something else, water ... juice?"

"Yes juice, I bought the bottle, it's on the table beside the door", said Khushi pointing outside of bedroom.

Arnav dashed and grab the bottle, which still had half juice left. Arnav came into the bedroom and pour juice in Arush's feeder and then give it to him. Arush took a sip and then push it away, crying.

"What?", asked Arnav.

"He is habitual of warm milk", said Khushi as her eyes got moist seeing Arush's red face and crying and saying Mamaaa ... maamaa.

"Wait", said Arnav and dashed into washroom, he opened the tap to full hot and bring the bottle under water which started to steam. It was so hot that Arnav was hissing as the water burn his skin.

"Arnavji, please call the room service", shouted Khushi over Arush's cry.

"Wait a minute", Arnav shouted back.

"Shsshh my shone, papa is coming ... shhshh Arush", Khushi cooed to Arush who had now fisted her shirt in his hand.

Few seconds later Arnav came into the bedroom and went over to her. He gives the bottle to Arush who took it and started sipping it hungrily.

Khushi put him down on bed, and started running her finger into his hair and murmurs into his ear.

Thankfully Arush settle down into sleep in few minutes.

"I am sorry, baby. Mama is so sorry baby", murmurs Khushi into his hair, as her voice choked.

"Hey", Arnav takes her arm and pull her close, sitting on bed.

"I am so bad Arnavji, I didn't took notice that his milk was finished", said Khushi as few tears left her eyes.

"Hey ... hey ... you are not bad", said Arnav.

"I am", said Khushi angry on herself, "What kind of a mother I am that I was busy in my own world and didn't take care about his milk".

"Khushi you are the best mother one can have", said Arnav and Khushi shakes her head.

"No ... no listen to me", said Arnav as he cups her face and make her look at him.

"You are not a god that you cannot make mistakes or a machine to remember everything. You are a normal human that makes mistakes and if you are a bad mother then I am the worst father".

"No Arnavji, you are not", said Khushi quickly.

"No, I am", said Arnav sternly, "You love him and accepted him with all your heart and here I am still in the middle road. Hell I haven't even acknowledge him when he was born. Do you know the first time I picked him up, he was 7 months old".

Khushi looked up at him stunned and Arnav nodded his head.

"I came home early and was working in my room when I heard him crying. I waited for it to stop, thinking that Di will look after him but it got louder so I went over to her room. And he was alone there, crying badly. I waited and shouted for Di but she didn't come and Arush started hiccupping. I got afraid that something will happen to him so I picked him up and his crying stopped after few seconds. I went out of room and saw Di coming up the stairs. I shouted on her that how can she be that careless that she left him all alone in the room. Do you know what she did?".

"What?", asked Khushi, the tears forgotten now.

"She just stood there and watch me, Arush in my arms and said finally you picked up your son, it's good to see that you care', she scolded me instead and there was no shame or worry on her face that she got late and Arush was crying. Do you know why? Because she knows that she is not perfect and mistakes happen, it doesn't make us love our child less. We are not certifies parents or came into this world about the knowledge of parenting. We learn here, we do mistakes, we miss things and we can only do our best not to repeat it in future".

"I know, but still see how much he cried", said Khushi as she look over to her sleeping baby.

"And he cried for you, do you know why because he has faith in you that you will look after him and you did", said Khushi.

"No you did, your fast thinking and ...", Khushi was saying when Arnav put his finger on her lips, "There is no argue on this topic that you love him much more than me Khushi. You can ask anyone, Di, Nani, Mama, Mami, Akash ... they all know how much you love him ...even Rajat uncle and Rohan have accepted that no one is better for Arush than you".

"if they see now they wont think that way", said Khushi sadly.

"Khushi you need to stop this fear of yours", said Arnav sternly and Khushi looked at him confuse.

"You are so careful with Arush and his things; sometimes It seems as if you are obsessed with it. You have this constant fear that you will do one mistake and other will think that you are not enough for Arush ... just like now ... you missed checking his milk and started on blaming yourself and claim that you are a bad mother?", said Arnav in serious, "First you have to accept yourself that you are enough for him, no one is better for him. Believe me I have accepted this and other as well. it's just you who is not letting go this fear of yours".

Khushi hung her head in sadness as eyes got moist again, "I can't help it".

"Khushi, baby ...", Arnav tilted her face up, "You have to try, I know my Khushi is very strong ... she may look like a fragile flower but you are much stronger from within.".

A smile tug on her lips.

"Ok tell me this, will you think that Garima aunty is not enough of a mother for you", said Arnav.

"No way", said Khushi instantly, "She is the best mother, loving and caring and supportive".

"Can you give me a guarantee that she haven't made any mistake with your or Payal, she haven't miss anything related to you both?", asked Arnav

Khushi bit her lips thinking hard, yes there were times when she had think that her mother was at mistake.

"So you see, every mother goes through this ... making mistakes and learning from them and it doesn't make them less than perfect. In my opinion a mother like yours and now Arush are the prefect mothers. It can be seen in your upbringing and you will see, everyone will see it in Arush's up bringing as well because you my sweet heart (he tweaks her nose) are the perfect and best mother of him", said Arnav with a smile.

Khushi hug him tight, she cannot express her emotions and feelings for this man. He may have many shades but the one he had in his heart, the one which knows only loving and caring ... is the best one.

"Come on now, lets sleep hmm", said Arnav as he breaks the hug. Khushi nodded and give him a peck on his lips, "Thank you".

They lay in bed, with Arush between them. Khushi held his hand over Arush's stomach and squeeze it, "Arnavji".

"hmm?".

"You are the best too, in everything", said Khushi softly. Arnav just smile back in return.

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Next day (Friday) they rented a stroller for Arush and went to the Trafalgar Square, one of London's most vibrant spaces in the middle of the city, with its heritage site, statues and fountains. This place is surrounded by museums, galleries, cultural spaces and historical buildings.

They roam around the place for 2 hours. Last time when they were here, they had other people from AR and VF fashion houses. Arnav remembered how at that time he was longing to be with her and was irritated the whole trip. And now he was with her, with all the rights in the world to hold her, to kiss her and he enjoyed every bit of it.

Next they went to Westfield London, known as the Europe's biggest shopping center. It has more than 250 shops, nearly every kind, local and branded, modern and traditional. They had their lunch there and roamed around the place for next 2 n half hours.

After that they went to Hyde's Park again as Khushi wanted Arush to see the animals, as he is fascinated with them. Arnav was astonish to know that Arush know many animals name and even the sound of most of them. Khushi told him how he has many plastic animal toys and she and Anjali had taught Arush their names, but he had picked the sound himself by watching the poems.

They were boating in the serpentine lake when Khushi felt cramps in the lower abdomen and got suspicious of her monthly date coming 4 day earlier. She requested Arnav to go back to hotel when the pain started as well. And sure her period was started when she check in washroom.

"Hey you ok?", asked Arnav who was sitting on the bed, with Arush asleep in the middle.

"He is asleep?", asked Khushi.

"Yeah you were taking time in there and he was hungry I guess so I give him milk and he slept", said Arnav as he stood up.

"He must have been tired with all the running he did today", said Khushi as she tried to hide her wince.

"Khushi, you look pale", said Arnav as he gently takes her arm, "you sure you ok?".

"Yes Arnavji, I am fine", said Khushi and then bit her lower lips and she averted her eyes.

Arnav pull her close and Khushi yelped with the sudden jerk which caused her pain in lower abdomen.

"Khushi, whats wrong?", asked Arnav ... worried now. "I don't think you are alright, I will call the doctor here".

Khushi quickly shakes her head, her face redden with embarrassment, "There is no need for that".

Arnav give her a stern look, "Khushi you are not well, so I am calling the doctor".

"ufoo ho Arnavji, I am fine ... its ... its ... my period", said Khushi turned away.

"Oh ... ohhh", Arnav didn't know what to say but he make her face him and gently hugged her.

"I am fine and these bouts of pain are normal", mumbled Khushi against his chest.

Arnav move back and cupped her face, "You should take medicine for the pain".

"I will if its get worse but right now I am fine", said Khushi.

"Ok but go lie on bed, rest for some time hmmm", said Arnav.

"You need to rest too", said Khushi.

"I will, I am thinking to check my mails first and I want to talk to Aman about something", said Arnav as he move back and picked his laptop bag. He came to Khushi and pecked her forehead, "Go rest, I will be just outside".

Khushi smile at him and went to bed.

That night they both slept late into the night, as they couldn't get to be intimate and upon that Arush was sleeping between them. Khushi tossed and turn due to her cramps but Arnav mostly tossed and turned because he didn't get to hold Khushi in his arms.

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Next day (Saturday) after breakfast they packed up their things and checked out from hotel. After half hour ride the cab stopped at the place which was not the airport. Khushi asked Arnav if they were stopping here before going to airport but Arnav surprised her that they are not going to airport, they are taking a train to Paris as he wanted her to experience the ride across 2 countries; hence they are at the train station.

Khushi was astonish and excited as they enter the St Pancras International train station. Shelly greeted them at the check point and handed Arnav 2 envelopes.

"Thanks Shelly", said Arnav as he took the envelopes and introduces Khushi to her, "And this is my wife Khushi ... and Khushi she is Shelly Peterson, my EA".

"Hello, nice to meet you", said Khushi extending her hand and Shelly take it with a polite smile, "Nice meeting you Mam".

"Just call me Khushi, no need for Mam", said Khushi. Shelly looked at Arnav and after his brief nod, Shelly said, "Khushi it is then".

Arnav started checking the contents of the envelopes.

"And this is Arush, our son", said Khushi making Arush face Shelly, who was shying from her and hide his face in Khushi's chest.

"Hello", said Shelly tapping on his arm. Arush look at her and then hide his face again.

"Come on Arush, say hi to her", said Khushi in scolding, "What does Mama says when we meet new people hmm?".

Arush look up at his mother and seeing the stern expression Arush turn to Shelly and mumbles a small hello.

Khushi shakes her head, "he gets shy around new faces".

"I understand, i went through the same phase with my daughter", said Shelly with a smile.

"Oh yeah Arnavji told me, how old is she now?", asked Khushi.

"3 and a half", said Shelly.

"And Your husband, what does he do?", asked Khushi

Shelly stance stiffen as she give a hesitant look to Arnav and Khushi, "um, I am a single mother".

"Oh", Khushi was about to say when Arnav squeeze her elbow. Khushi look up at him and saw his expression telling her not to probe further.

"You got her pic?," asked Khushi instead.

"Yeah, wait", said Shelly and take her cell phone out of her purse and open the gallery, she showed her daughter's pictures to Khushi, "Her name is Laura", said Shelly as she scroll through pictures.

"Baby ...", said Arush as his eyes caught a few month old baby's picture.

"Yeah she is a baby", said Khushi with a smile.

Just then an announcement was made to board the train to Paris.

"That's our cue", said Arnav as he put his hand on Khushi's back, "We should go, train will leave in 20 minutes".

"Its nice meeting you Shelly, I hope we meet again", said Khushi and Shelly smile back, "same here. Have a good day Sir, Mam" and seeing Khushi's serious expression she changed the last work, "Khushi".

They bid goodbye to each other and Arnav and Khushi move towards the platform where their train was boarding passengers. Arnav guided Khushi to the first class compartment and they settled in.

Arnav took out the two envelops and take their tickets out from one.

"Whats that?", asked Khushi pointing to the thicker envelope.

"Euros", replied Arnav, "Well we can't use my card in small shops and with street vendor so I asked Shelly to do the currency exchange for me and give me some Euros"

"Good thinking", said Khushi and Arnav winked her, "I always do sweet heart".

The train started exact on its time 12.30pm and will be reaching Paris in 5 and half hours. Khushi enjoyed the whole ride, especially the portion where train went through under sea tunnel. Arush exclaimed happily seeing fishes and other sea animals that swim by the tunnel. And Arnav just relaxed back in the plush comfortable seat and enjoyed watching them.

TO BE CONTINUED ...

hey guys, let me know your views, and also let me know if its getting boring ... i will then quickly sweep through this HM phase 😆

Next chapter will be posted on NEXT FRIDAY ...