Arshi OS: Could she be..?

boreddamsel. No part of my work may be reproduced or shared without my permission.

"Yes, Jiji. I am bringing the flowers".

Just as she walked towards the pillar, Khushi's eyes opened wide. The plate of flowers fell from her hand and she screamed. "Preeto!" She ran to the front door and embraced her friend in a bear hug. Her friend staggered back, surprised, but with a wide smile on her face.

Arnav stepped from behind the pillar, where he had been waiting to grab Khushi and exhaled, disappointed. He shrugged his shoulders and walked away.

"What? You are pregnant? That's great news! I can't believe this!" Khushi exclaimed. Preeto smiled and blushed. Khushi giggled and threw her arms around her friend again. "I am so so sooo happy for you, dear!" Preeto and Khushi were sitting on the couch on the living room. Mami and Payal were running around preparing for the Janmashtami pooja. Dadi and Anjali were no where to be seen. Nani walked into the living room and sat down on the chair near the couch.

"That's great news, bitiya. Congratulations!"

"Thank you, Naniji. I am three months into the pregnancy now and I thought Khushi should be the first one to know."

Khushi smiled and put an arm around her friend and squeezed her.

"And Khushi, tell me how is everything? How is Jijaji? How is married life going?"

Khushi raised her eyebrows and gulped. I just wanted to remind you that tonight is our suhaag raat. Arnav's voice echoed in her head.

"Chotte?" Nani's voice interrupted her thoughts. Khushi turned around and saw Arnav walk into the living room.

"Nani, Mami was looking for you. She is upstairs." Arnav said as he sat down across from Khushi and Preeto. Nani nodded, touched Preeto's shoulder, smiled and walked to the stairs.

"Arnavji, how are you doing?" Preeto asked, after greeting him.

"I am good, Preeto. How's your husband and your in-laws? I hope everything is fine at home."

"Yes. Everything is. Thank you." Preeto smiled. Arnav picked up a newspaper and started reading it. Khushi raised her eyebrows; she wondered whether Preeto knew that Arnav saved her marriage.

"Khushi?" Preeto touched Khushi's arm. "What are you thinking about? I asked you something".

"Huh?" Khushi asked, coming out of her thoughts. "What?"

"Crazy girl. I asked, so I hope you have thought of names for my baby. You do remember that you promised me you will pick a name for my first child, right?"

Khushi grinned and nodded. "Of course. And I have the perfect name in mind .."

Preeto looked at Khushi with a worried look on her face. "I hope its not Aloo, Poori or Jalebi." Arnav chuckled, from behind the newspaper that he was reading.

"Of course not. It will be a sweet name, just as sweet as my Preeto. Mwaaahh.." Khushi put her arms around Preeto and placed a kiss on her cheek. Khushi was happy to see her friend. In fact, Khushi was happy to just keep herself occupied and to stay away from Arnav. The thought of suhaag raat scared her and Arnav had not left her side since morning, which made it worse since seeing him reminded her of what was going to happen at night.

Arnav raised his eyebrows. He folded the newspaper, placed it on the table and said, "Preeto, it was nice seeing you again. I need to get back to some work."

Preeto nodded and Arnav walked away, Khushi's eyes followed him until Preeto's voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Arnavji?" Khushi walked into the room, wearing a light green saree. Arnav was nowhere to be found. She walked to the French doors and saw him standing by the poolside, staring into space. "The puja is about to start in a few minutes."

Arnav turned around and Khushi's eyes widened; he was wearing a light blue kurta with white pyjamas. Arnav smiled.

"Di has been giving me kurta pyjamas for as long as I can remember, so now that I know you like them, I thought I will wear one tonight also. That way, Di is happy and so are you."

Khushi gulped. He looked so handsome. No, Khushi, what are you thinking? Focus, don't let him know what you are thinking. "Ok, do come down when you can." She said, with a blank expression on her face and turned around.

"Khushi?" Arnav's voice was softer. Khushi's eyes widened; is he worried?

"Arnavji, are you alright?" Khushi asked, turning around.

Arnav looked away and Khushi walked to his side and put her hand on his shoulder.

"Khushi, I need to ask you something." Arnav said softly, a worried look on his face. Khushi raised her eyebrows and turned him around to face her. She put her hands on his arms. "Arnavji, anything. What is it? Why do you look so worried? Tell me, please."

Arnav looked into her eyes and asked her, "Do you not find me attractive?"

Khushi's mouth opened wide and she stepped back. "What?"

Arnav continued, "I mean.. I said I wore the kurta for you. But you didn't seem interested at all. You always move away from me when I try to come close to you. Your face looks disgusted or you look least interested when I try to kiss you. Do you not find me attractive?" Arnav turned away and tried to control his laughter. "I mean, I know I am not as good looking as Salman Khan".

"Arnavji? What are you saying?" Khushi shook her head, unsure of what to say.

Arnav turned around, his lips trembling. "Or is there something else I should know about?"

Khushi raised her eyebrows and Arnav continued.

"I don't know how to ask you this. Whenever you hug me, you hugged me to console me or to console yourself or out of gratitude or happiness, like a friend. I saw you with Preeto today. You hugged her, you kissed her and you were so comfortable. I remember you kissed Lavanya once, and even Di, and Mami and Nani. But you only kissed me once that too just to win the bet.. "

Khushi looked confused.

"Khushi.. do you prefer women?"

Khushi had a horrified look on her face.