FF: SOULMATE Last Part pg48 09/03 - Page 20

The next morning, Sheetal went to the apartment to arrange her stuff and be back at evening from there before moving permanatly while the Raizaads gathered on the dinning table for their breakfast.

"Ah!" Anjali groaned putting a hand on her tummy.

"What happened, Di?" A concerd Arnav asked and Anjali smiled.

"Relax chotte. The baby has kicked me that's it." She took her husband's hand in hers and put it on her tummy, so that he could feel the kicks. Arnav gritted his teeth and fisted his palm before Khushi held it and sqeezed his hand under the table. He looked at ehr and she nodded reassuringly; with her eyes she asked Arnav to look at Shyaam who smiled happily feeling his baby's kicks.

* * *

"Arnav, I know what you are thinking of, but belive me he has changed a lot," Khushi said once they entered their room.

"Khushi please."

"Please listen to me. This feeling of paternity can change anyone and if he still the same one, why doesnt he come close to me when I'm a lone most of the day and he knows this as he saw me many times in the kitchen by myself. I think he realized what does it mean to have a good family anf a loving wife like Di." Khushi tried to show him reasons.

"Ok, but I'm not convinced."

Khushi sighed and replied, "I understand your situation and days will prove me right. Let's go down."

"You go. I'll call Aman then come." Khushi nodded and left the room to join others in the living room.

"Is everything done?"

"Yes, ASR. She thinks that the apartment is a prize from AR."

"Now the next plan is to get her out of AR and when she doesn't have a job, she won't be able to pay the rent money.

"Ok, sir."

" I'll tell you everything tomorrow. Thanks Aman."

"You are welcome, sir." replied Aman -the loyal manager- who knows that his boss has a great heart.

* * *

"What are you talking about?" Arnav asked as he sat beside Khushi.

"Yours and Akaash's kids," Anjali answered, "don't you want me to be a bua, Arnav? By the way, I won't stop calling you chotte when you will be having your own chotte." Anjali grinned and Arnav kept quiet feeling uneasiness with the whole topic.

"Come Akaash," Anjali called him and he tok a seat beside Payal.

"Chotte is shy to speak about his kids and you don't you want to be a father, Akaash?" Akaash looked at Payal who was blushing as much as him. Khushi noticed Arnav's expression which she had seen it everytime they mentioned this topic in front of him. She decided to ask him about it once they are in their room.

Arnav stood up stating that he had something to do, "Don't wait me for lunch." He told Khushi and left.

He needed some information about Sheetal's whereabouts in London so that he could plan for everything well and he got them before going back to Raizaada Mansion at dinner time.

* * *

"Arnav, can I ask you somthing?" Khushi sat on the recliner beside him. He closed the lap top saying, "Sure, sweetheart." Khushi put her hands on his right hand, "I have noticed three times that whenever Di talks about kids and being a father, your expression changes." And that what happened then. "See like this! I see your uneasiness and something I don't understand. Why?"

"Khushi, please." She understands that he says this when he doesn't want to discuss something.

"Tell me Arnav, please. Do you have a problem with this? Do you...still...hate kids?" He got up from the recliner and walked towards the french door of the poolside to stop there.

"I used to hate kids maybe, but when Di bacame pregnant and you came to my life I've stopped. I don't hate kids anymore. I really want to have kids, to have my and your kids, to be called dad, but...I'm really afraid...what if...whati if I'm not good to be father...what if I behaved cruelly with my child. I was horrible with you and I needed time to mend everything and I don't want to do it again. I end up hurting the people I love the most." He said honestly and waited for her resonse.

Khushi had thought of many reasons but this. She was happy that he doesn't hate them, but was sad for him. His father and unconsciously she were the sole reason behind that and he thought that he would behave badly with his child as he had done before with her!!! After his declaration, Khushi knew that he needed support in such emotional moments. She ran to him and hugged him from behind tightly crying for him, the tears he couldn't shed. Arnav leaned a little on her feeling the needed warmth.

"How could you think of this? Your love and care made me forget everything and you still think like that. Have I ever given you an impression that I'm hurt? You're the best husband a girl can wish for, you're the best brother to your Di, you're the best grandson to naniji and I'm sure...you will be the best father."

Arnav turned and took her in his embrace, 'She's always like this; the best support who knows how to console him and sooth his pain.' He thought. "Do you think so?" She nodded against his chest and whispered, "I believe." They stood for some time like that.

He pulled back to look in her eyes, "So you want to be a mother, Mrs. Raizaada? Well, you have a long night ahead." He said huskily and winked sending shivers down her spine.