Part 31
(All pics credited to uploaders!)
She sat up so fast that even wind was surprised, and threw herself into his arms. Arnav held her close, breathing in her jasmine scent, running his hands up and down her back, crushing holds of her unbound hair in his hands. It had been so long since he had touched her, held her...
"Khushi..."
"Arnavji... Arnavji...", she chanted his name. "Where were you? I... I missed you so much..." She clutched him tight.
"I...I had to finish the work, Khushi..."
"Arnavji..."
"And the family...they wanted to come down with me..."
She shook him, clutching his shoulders. "Promise me..."
"Alright."
She looked at him wonder struck, tears dripping down her cheeks, her hands cupping his cheeks.
(Thanx, UltimateBarun!)
"Don't you want to know what you just promised to do?", she asked, a smile peeking out at him through her tears, her hands roaming over his chest.
"Anything is OK."
Khushi stared at him.
"Is this Arnav Singh Raizada speaking?"
He smiled.
"You just promised to take me with you where ever you go in the future..." She touched his neck, as though making sure that it was in place.
"OK."
Khushi sat looking at her Arnavji.
"What happened to you?", she asked earnestly, softly, as though she were asking him to divulge a great secret. Her fingers were lost in the collar of his shirt.
"What happened to me?", he asked surprised.
"Where is your anger? Your ego? Where did you misplace your What the.. What the...? Why aren't you shouting at me anymore?"
He laughed. "I grew up, Khushi. I finally, finally grew up..."
(Thanx, UltimateBarun!)
Dinner was a feast. The family met Munna and Krishna, and they in turn were introduced to all the family, including Laxmi. HP alone was absent, as he had to remain in Delhi to watch over the house. Arnav sat back, watching Mami cracking jokes and the whole table laughing, his Nani's smile, his Di enjoying the care showered on her by Amma and Buaji, Payal glowing, Mamaji teasing Munna and Krishna, Akash silently relishing the food and the conversation around him, Babuji's happiness, Buaji's and Amma's excitement, and his Khushi's twinkling eyes and a smile that wouldn't die...
Sensing his eyes on her, she looked at him. And blushed. He looked as though he wanted to gobble her up. He looked at her lips. She parted her suddenly dry lips, and felt her skin burn at his piercing gaze.
"Bitwaa...", Buaji called lovingly, touching his shoulder. "The sagai is on the 4th. There are just 6 days remaining...", she reminded him.
All of them started discussing the many arrangements to be made and dividing the responsibilities among themselves. They left Khushi, Arnav, Munna, and Krishna free of tasks because they would have to see to the sweetshop. The ladies made plans to go shopping the next day, and sat chattering till very early in the morning. They went reluctantly to bed, their yawns splitting their faces.
After all had settled for the night, Buaji knocked on Arnav's door.
"Buaji, what happened?", he asked urgently.
She held out a pouch with Khushi's Amma's necklace and bangles.
"Bitwaa, here's the gold."
"Buaji, I don't want it. It belongs to Khushi."
"Yes, it does. But if I return it to her, she will return the money, Nandkisore!. And she will go out and sell them at some jewellery shop. Bitwaa, why did you send so much money with that boy? It was more than five times what these are worth. Khushi correctly noticed it, and wanted to go to the jewellers and return the money, fearing that they had made some mistake. I finally had to lie that I had cashed two fixed deposits, and added that amount to the money from the sale of the gold, Hai Re Nandkisore!".
Arnav closed his eyes. Khushi was sharp. He would have to be more careful.
"Damadji, keep the gold with you. And give it to her after your marriage."
Arnav nodded.
"Remember Bitwaa, AFTER your marriage.", Buaji warned him, wished him a good night's sleep, and moved towards the doorway.
"Buaji!", he called. She stopped. He walked towards her, and asked, "Buaji, do you need anything? Money? Provisions? Servants? Any kind of help?"
Buaji cupped his face between her palms. "Nahin, Bitwaa. I don't need anything. You care enough to ask if we need anything. That alone is more than enough."
She looked down for a moment, and then said softly, "You know, Babua. The greatest blessing in life is one's friends and relations. Not money, Nandkisore! Not a big house. Not a beautiful body or a good job. All these can go one day, but people who love you, care for you...they will stay with you in good times and bad. Sasi Babua always used to say that dil ke rishte are greater than khoon ke. He was, is right. You are blessed to have so many people who love you, Babua. And we are blessed to have you in our family..."
Arnav put his arms around Buaji, and hugged her close.
"Buaji, if you need anything, anything at all, just let me know."
"Jeeyath raho babua!" She blessed him, smiled, and left the room.
Arnav took the pouch, opened it, and let the bangles and the necklace slide into his hand. Two beautiful antique bangles. He touched them gently, running his finger along the curve. Her Amma must have worn them. These bangles must have felt the warmth of Amma's hands. He swallowed. He was glad that they hadn't left the house. The elaborate gold necklace must have adorned her Amma's neck.
How could Khushi think of parting with them? Her pride... Her pride had made her swallow her tears, suppress her feelings... She had good reason not to take money from him. He had insulted her too many times to count. Maybe she would take the ornaments from him after they were married...many years...when she knew him better...knew that he hadn't meant all the cruel nonsense he had spouted...
Breakfast was a riot, the room filled with people and noise, all enjoying a meal of halwa poori and sabji.
Khushi had made sugar-free halwa for him. When she came to place his filled plate on the table in front of him, he caught her gently by her arm and made her sit next to him. He filled a plate for her, pretending as though this were a daily occurrence, as though he were not aware of the many wide eyes on him. There was a moment of silence in the room as both families gaped at this new avatar of Arnav. Khushi flushed tomato red. Akash choked on the poori, and Payal thumped him on the back. Mama & Mami looked at each other and smiled. Anjali & Nani hugged each other. Buaji and Amma smiled. Payal blushed. Everyone laughed. Laxmi said, "Meeeh!"
Part 32:
https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/fan-fictions/3001953/living-without-you-3-link-to-thread-4-part-41?pn=35
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