Chapter 9

The three days had passed with complete anguish and longing at Arnav's side and extreme tension at Khushi's. While Arnav had no idea how to make up for his last mistake, Khushi was racking her brain for sorts of coherent excuses which will pave way to her escape. However, both were clueless by the end of the third day and with extreme irritation, Khushi got ready to visit the Raizadas.

Akaash and Payal were leaving for Australia at 12:oo in noon and all the preparations were completed. Payal had literally begged Khushi to accompany them at least one day and finally wheedled Khushi into going with them on shopping. Arnav had deliberately fixed Akaash in a meeting that day so he could accompany the ladies to the mall, but his plan backfired when Anjali strictly ordered Akaash, not to even put a step out till they leave for their honeymoon, leaving Arnav seething in anger.

Why didn't his Di understand?

But unknown to his knowledge, Anjali did understand but had to stop him from coming because Payal was really excited and if Arnav came, Khushi would've definitely refused, and she had keep both her current and to-be Bhabhi happy.

**~~~**

The Guptas were invited on the dinner but there was a chaos in the living room early in the morning when Arnav Singh Raizada declared that he won't be going to the office and would help out the others, the reason being that he was not interested in getting stuck in an unwanted meeting or traffic jam.

It took a great amount of patience for Anjali, Nani, Akaash and Payal not to laugh when Arnav offered his help, but the moment his door was shut close, they burst into tears.

"What's up people?" NK asked as he could not make out this sudden jubilant change in the atmosphere

"Nanhe just fell into our trap Nk Bhai" Anjali said within her laughter

"What trap?"

All four of them at once stopped laughing

"Lakshmi's looking out for me" Nani excused herself.

"I need to complete my Pooja"

"I need to talk to Bhai"

At the end, Payal was left with a dumbstruck NK.

"Bhabhi?" He asked meekly.

"Wo actually NK bhai, we wanted Arnav ji to remain in the house today. He never leaves office and today, we actually wheedled him into"

"Wow Bhabhi, how did you that?" NK asked, amused and proud of his family members.

"Okay now I have to leave too" Payal said and ran behind a retreating Anjali.

"Strange" NK shook his head.

**~~~**

"Sanka devi what is this you are wearing? You look like a married woman already!" Buaji taunted the minute Khushi came out of room.

"Wha?" Khushi's jaw dropped

"Haan Khushi. Jiji's right. What is this?"

"But.. Jiji and Anjali ji told me it was really pretty and pestered me to get this. Jiji gifted this to me"

"Acha... but... Chalo koi baat nahi" Garima shook her head.

"Do I really look so bad?" Khushi asked pouting? She had so gladly worn that dress because her Jiji chose it for her

"No bitya. You look wonderful, it's just that you look very mature and not like yourself."

"I am a teacher amma.. Let me look a little mature now"

Garima laughed and patted her cheek

"You look good in whatever you wear Khushi"

**~~~**

Arnav had been pacing in his room for the last half an hour, preparing himself to face Khushi and tell her that he was sorry for his behavior.

It was strange how this ruthless man, never found apologizing to Khushi as inferior, probably because he had done that couple of times before?

Anyhow, now that he doesn't hate her, may be they can become friends? Or at least that much acquainted that they don't think of rip each other to shreds the moment they see each other. However as if the odds were not in his favor, the moment HP came to inform him that the guests had arrive, Arnav received a call from Aman, telling him to attend a video conference ASAP.

"Dammit" He thought as he opened his laptop to get over with this conference once and for all.

**~~~**

Khushi entered the house with shaking footsteps because the last time she entered, she ended up having a broken heart. She looked up at his room and found HP coming down instead of himself and braced herself for the appearance of Arnav when HP announced that Arnav bhaiyya needs to attend a conference urgently and won't come down for some time.

However, it was peculiar when Khushi's mood fell instead of elevating on hearing this. Damn this love, she thought.

**~~~**

NK's departure from India was nearing with every passing day and consequently, he always had his Camcorder and DSLR in his hands all the times and even right now, he had forced everyone to click some memorable pictures which he could take back with him and cherish.

**~~~**

Arnav couldn't have been gladder when the conference finally came to an end. He gave himself a final look in the mirror, adjusted his too immaculate look; which was very Un-Arnavish and left the room with a deep breath. However, when he stepped in the hall which leaded to the stairs downstairs, and looked down to have a sneak peak of her; he saw something which made his blood boil, teeth to grit and fists to clench.

Khushi was busy in posing cutely with NK while Akaash clicked their pictures.

PLEASE IGNORE THE SINDOOR

PLEASE IGNORE THE SINDOOR

Damn this NK!

Mustering all the strength which he required not to go down and break NK's face into two and decapitate his head, he walked down the stairs, his hands clenched into wrist.

"Nanav mere Bhai, come let's have some picture with you too" NK at once came towards him while Khushi slipped to her sister's without even looking at him

"Damn!" He thought, wanting to punch the wall next to her.

"I am not interested NK" He said, still looking at Khushi

"Yeah okay it's fine. I don't want to scare myself back there" NK kidded and everyone laughed, while Khushi gave in with a slight smile.

"Wow, doesn't even looks at me while smile at the s**t he presents" He thought, gritting his teeth and sat down.

Then he began to observe her looks and thought immediately what was she wearing? She was being adorned in a beige anarkali with maroon embroidery on its sleeves and smirked; an AR label huh? Too bad he didn't design it. He also didn't fail to notice that she looked no more like herself; the bubbly and jubilant one but someone highly mature and sophisticated and sighed, a consequence of their so-not-wanted argument.

**~~~**

The get together was in its maximum fun and everyone was busy pulling PayAsh's leg, even Khushi had gave in to the teasing but it had been two hours since they arrived and she hadn't even looked at him. Even when the album was presented and everyone complimented how good her and Arnav's picture had come during dancing, all she did was smile and that's it. She had totally ostracized him.

When everyone was done teasing PayAsh, Payal took her turn to tease her sister.

"All of you are behind our lives because we are going on our honey moon, what about those who did such a sensual act at our Sangeet?"

"OOoh" Anjali whistled and Khushi gulped. From where did that come from? She had decided her best not to look at him which was the most arduous task on the face of the earth and ended up her sneaking glances of him when he's not looking her way. How do you stop yourself from looking the person you love and feel furious because you hate him at the same time?

"Di, if that's the topic you really want to discuss, then I am so out of here" Arnav threatened as he got up from the chair

"Arey nahi nahi Chote. We were just kidding. Acha baba discussion over"

And for the first time, she felt so relieved, she felt like hugging him hard!

"Sharam kar Khushi" She chided herself.

**~~~**

The dinner was over and it was time to bid adieu. The Gupta's had promised to arrive tomorrow by 9:00 am.

"Khushi ruk ja na" Payal said as she hugged her sister and Khushi's eyes widened. Staying in the same house as him? What if he comes to her room in night. Na baba!

"Umm no Jiji, I can't... umm...I'll come once you return"

"Haan bitya, Khushi ko school ka kaam mila hai" Garima patted Payal's cheek and she pouted. Khushi laughed as she kissed her cheek and they all left to escort them to their cars except one person, who froze as the sound of her vestige laughter, echoed in his ears.

**~~~**

Arnav laid on his recliner and gazed at the stars and recalled their previous memory of star-gazing. She had been so understanding and so comforting and how was he? Presumptuous and harsh as he had been since the day they met? But then, he did care for her sometimes and

"Then popped that bubble" he groaned.

If only he hadn't been so impudent, she probably must be talking to him today and he wouldn't be stuck in such a mess, trying to figure what was this if it was not hatred? Probably the most elevated desire of attraction?

"Bhai?" Akaash's voice came from outside and Arnav at once stood.

"Come on in Akaash" He called and Akaash entered

"Is everything alright?"

"Umm yeah... It's more than fine actually. Thanks to you"

Arnav smiled and offered him to sit on a chair next to the poolside.

Bhai I wanted to thank you"

"For what?"

"For being there when I desperately needed some help to woo Payal"

Arnav laughed.

"It was Khushi's idea"

"I know, but still, just your yes and involvement agreed half of the issues for me"

"Bhai, I never knew you actually understood love. I mean, you actually helped me acquire the love of my life and if you would've been as heartless as anyone says, you would never have gave a damn"

Arnav at once shot up.

"Love?"

"Yeah bhai! It's a wonderful feeling isn't it?" Akaash said, moving uncomfortably in his chair. What had Di landed him into? Where he used to discuss meetings and now is discussing Love with his dear irascible elder brother.

Arnav gave him an incredulous look and Akaash stood up. He was not doing it. If Di was so keen to make her brother realize that the symptoms of love, she better do it herself.

"I need to go now. Thanks again Bhai" He hugged and hurried away, not forgetting to take a deep sigh the moment he walked out.

"Di, I am out of the room"

"Did you tell him"

"Di are you freakin crazy? I am not supposed to tell my elder brother what you feel when you are in love."

"Akaash!"

"Di"

"Fine. I'll do it"

**~~~**

Did he really understand the feeling of love? Of course he did, he loved his Di more than anything in the world and then he loved his family and then his work. He did believe in love.

So is this?

Arnav at once stood up. Was in he love with her?

"Jub wo larki tumhari zindagi men aye gin a Chote, to us k baghair tumhari saanse hi ruk jaen gi"

The images of how berserk he had gone when he assumed Khushi to be in the ambulance flashed in front of his eyes.

"Humari amma kehti hain, jis k haath se yeh chunri aap k sar pe giri gi, usi se aap ki shaadi hoti hai"

How the chundri landed on her head.

She was the one whom he across as the first person at new year eve.

Did the destiny really paved way for this?

If he loves his Di, and that's what love is called, then his heart DID swell with happiness when he got Khushi those bangles.

Was this love all the time?

This time, he had no other coherent excuse to deny this fact. If this was not hatred, and he was jealous of NK, it was sure he loved her despite the fact that she pissed him to extreme, scared him out of his wits and made him laugh.

"She scares the hell out of him and calms his soul at the same time. Maybe that's what love is"a total contradiction that somehow balances out. (This line is taken from "Where you are" by Tammara Webber. I loved this line as it suited for our Laad Governer)

He loved her!

**~~~**

Precap:

"Khushi ji has agreed to marry NK bhai"

"Arnav babua has agreed to a proposal"

This cannot be happening!

******

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Chapter 11