Chapter 2 Contd..
"Sorry about that dear. I had another customer and... oh. Looks like you already have someone helping you"
They were both startled by the store clerk and immediately turned towards her. Before anyone had a chance to say anything, Arnav stormed out of the changing room and towards the waiting area. As the Clerk looked over at a flustered Kushi, she knew that although these two young ones adamantly refused to admit any relationship between each other, their was definitely more to the story. She quietly walked over to Kushi and helped her get out of the Choli.
Once Kushi had gotten back into her clothes, the woman looked at her and asked if she had decided which outfit she would like. Kushi nodded at her and pointed at the Choli in the store clerk's hand.
"Ha, I will take it over to the cash register" she said smiling at Kushi.
As Kushi walked over, she notice that Arnav was standing at the counter impatiently. He looked over at Kushi and smiled. He did not want to think about what had just happened in the changing room. It was just a slip and he would not put himself in that situation again until he knew what was in her heart clearly.
"Kushi, are you ready to leave?"
"Yes, let me just pay for this Arnav Ji" she said trying to get her wallet out of her bag.
"No no, it's all been taken care of. Just let them know what you want and they will pack it up for you"
"Don't worry about it Arnav Ji. I can manage. I don't need anyone to buy anything for me and I don't work for you anymore either. So how can you "Tip" me with something like this?" She asked him looking straight into his eyes.
He immediately looked away and realized what she was talking about. Their last shopping trip had ended with her in tears. It felt like a lifetime ago and the fact that he was able to hurt her like that made him cringe. Her words had hit him like a bag of rocks and he realized that the incident at Payal's wedding was not the only instance that he needed her forgiveness for. He looked away from her and walked out of the store.
She paid for the Choli and decided that she was out of line for bringing up what had happened. It was in the past and she had to let it go. He had said and done a lot to hurt her, but hanging on to it was not going to help anyone. Besides, he was making an attempt. She walked out of the store with her new outfit and walked towards him. He had his back to her, so she gently place her hand on his shoulder.
"I'm sorry Arnav Ji. I was out of line.." she said as he turned towards him
"No Kushi, you don't have to apologize. You were right after all.. I can see how I came about to be 'Laad Governer' in your eyes" he said with a sad smile.
"Oh Arnav Ji, you know how I am.. I don't mean half the things I say. Buaji says I ramble a lot. She's right you know"
"You do I agree. But I do owe you an apology"
"Don't worry about it" she said with a bright smile that instantly cheered him up.
"Ok lets get moving then. I have set up an appointment with Ram Jewels and we're already running late as it is" he said rushing toward the jewellery store with Kushi by his side
As they walked in, they were greeted by the owner himself. An elderly man with a big smile who warmly greeted the duo.
"It's so nice to see you again Arnav beta" he said and looked over to the young woman standing next to Arnav and beamed at her. "And who is this young lady Arnav Beta?"
"Mr. Ram this is Kushi, Payal's sister"
"Ahhh yes.. Kushi Ji welcome to our store! Your sister has told me all about you" Mr. Ram said remembering how Payal had mentioned her chatty sister who lived in Bombay when he had visited the Raizadas a few weeks ago.
"Thank you for the warm welcome Ram Ji" Kushi replied thinking how she already liked this old man that was so full of life.
"Please come in and have a seat and tell me what we can do for you today Kushi Ji" he said leading them towards the private viewing room in the back.
"Well Ram Ji, I wanted to get something special for my new niece and Jiji" she said
"Well have a seat and I will get some stuff out for you Kushi Ji" he said while scurrying off to get the design catalogs.
As Kushi and Arnav sat side by side, they realized how small the sofa they were sitting in was as they were cramped into it. She could smell his cologne from where she was and she was somehow at ease with him next to her.
As Ram Ji walked back in with a bundle of catalogs, Kushi was excited to get started. She still hadn't gotten used to these luxuries that money brought and she still didn't wear any expensive jewellery. It felt foreign to her to wear something so expensive and she wasn't comfortable. But she knew that she could get nothing but the best for her little princess and Jiji so she wanted to look for something that would make a statement.
As she flipped through the catalog of all the bangle designs, she came across something that she immediately knew would be perfect for the little girl. A pair of adjustable gold bangles with colourful gem stones. They were simple yet bright. And she knew Jiji would love it too. She immediately picked it out and asked Ram Ji if she could tweak it to make it extra special for her niece. After they had discussed the design and the date of delivery, it was time to chose something for Payal.
Arnav sat feeling a little uneasy in the room. This was his first time coming to a jewellery store like this. He watched as he saw her flip through the pages like a child in a candy store with a look of amazement in her eyes. He knew that she had not grown up with these luxuries and he wondered if in the last year she had gotten used to all of it. He looked at her glass bangles and her colourful earrings and realized that it she hadn't. She still wore the same style of jewellery that she had worn a year ago when she was just a poor girl from Lucknow and it was somehow reassuring.
Finally she had picked out a jewellery set for her sister as well and was ready to leave when Ram Ji insisted that she pick out something for herself. She had thanked him for the offer but refused to do so given that they had to finish up a few more things before heading back home.
As they were leaving, Ram Ji thanked them for visiting his store gleefully and remember something.
"It was so nice seeing you again Arnav Beta. I think the last time I saw you was at our Lucknow store last year wasn't it? I remember you had a necklace and a pair of earrings made.. You know the ones that matched your mother's bangles?" he asked
Ram Ji had known about Arnav's engagement to Lavanya and he also knew that Arnav had broken off the engagement shortly after announcing it. But he had made the trip to the store in Lucknow to have the jewels made before Ram Ji had opened the Delhi store a few months ago and he had assumed that Arnav had reconciled with his fiance, hence the custom order. But he knew that the young man had not gotten engaged to Lavanya again and wondered about what happened to the beautiful jewellery that Arnav himself had designed. He knew it was a labour of love and how important it was to him.
"Mmm..." Arnav said with clenched teeth looking at Mr. Ram knowing exactly what he was talking about. He didn't like the fact that it was brought up. Especially not in front of her.
As Kushi and Arnav walked away, Kushi had wondered about what Ram Ji had said and noticed the sudden change in Arnav's demeanor. She knew that whatever it was had struck a nerve in him and decided to change the subject.
"Ok Arnav Ji, I just need to get a few more things and we can head to the food court. Is that ok with you?"
"Sure" he said realizing that she had seen him sulk. He instantly changed the tone of his voice and once again was the warm person he had been a before they had gone to the jewellery store. After an hour of shopping, she had gone on a spree. She had brought something for everyone at home he noticed, except for him. He hated to admit it, but he felt left out and it had hurt him.
As they walked over to Payal and Akash at the food court Ice Cream parlour they made small talk and spoke about work.
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Payal had finished 2 tubs of ice cream and was happily watching her husband finished the 3rd tub that she had ordered for herself and was unable to finish when she suddenly heard her sister's voice.
"Jiji!!"
Payal looked over to see her sister and brother in law walking towards them and they both had their hands full with shopping bags.
As the other 2 sat opposite the couple, Payal realized how good they looked together. They both seemed happy and thought how wonderful it would be if they would just get married already!
The foursome finally decided to leave once Anjali had called Arnav to let him know that everything was ready and it was time to bring them back home. As they headed home, Arnav looked at Kushi who was animatedly rambling on about the baby. He realized that no matter what was thrown her way, she had always remained true to herself. It was something that he admired and loved about her. He also realized how everything had come down crashing the last time he was this close to her. He promised himself that no matter what, he wasn't going to let that happen again.
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As they reached home, Payal notice that the house was ablaze with lights. There were cars everywhere and she looked around wondering what was going on.
While Arnav grabbed all the contents of Kushi's shopping spree, he looked at her and saw her wink back at him mischivously. He knew she was excited about her sister's surprise and soon after rushed Payal and Akash to the door.
The moment Kushi opened the door and pushed Payal and Akash into the house, they suddenly heard "SURPRISE!!!" and were surrounded by a 100 of their closest family members and friends.
As Payal and Akash stood shocked wondering what was going on Anjali walked over to them asking if they like their surprise. While everyone else rushed over to wish the happy couple, Anjali excused them and sent the 2 love birds upstairs to get changed and come join the party.
Kushi was also sent up to her room to get changed and as Anjali was about to walk off, she was pulled to a corner by her brother. He needed a favor and he knew that his sister was the only person that he could turn too.
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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