SS: Keeping Khushi (Part 14 Updt on Th 2) - Page 72

(-NishaSobti-, thanx!)

Part 11

"Shall I drop you home, Khushi?" His voice still carried traces of the effect her tale had on him.

"No. No, thank you. We will manage. Namaste." She folded her hands. So did Nidhi. He reciprocated, and watched Khushi walk away from him with a pang, the emptiness in his chest growing...

She stopped when she was a few steps away, turned around, and looked at him.

"It is so strange." The pale morning sun lovingly outlined her figure, fully covered in red.

He walked towards her, his eyes worshiping her beauty.

"What is so strange?", he asked softly.

"That you should ask and I should tell you."

He swallowed hard.

"Maybe it is for the best.", she murmured, her eyes lowered to his shoulders, her face pensive.

"I am glad that you told me." His sincerity was without doubt.

She looked into his serious, direct eyes and nodded. Then she caught hold of Nidhi's arm, and walked away.

Arnav stood still, watching her leave.

"Chotey! How did you meet Khushiji?", Anjali asked.

"Such a sanskaari child!", said Nani.

"She is sooo beautiful!", remarked NK.

Arnav frowned at him.

Mami teased him, "What did you see of her to judge her beauty, NK Bitwaa? Even her facewaa was covered in the ghoonghatwaa!"

"Tumhe pata he, Chotey!", began Anjali, trying to sell Khushi to Arnav. "The children in the orphanage love her so much."

"Haan, Chotey, Nidhi was telling us that she cooks for all of them."

"And sings too.", added Anjali.

This continued as they travelled home. Arnav drove, hiding a smile, as the ladies enumerated Khushi's plus ponts and wondered about what they did not know.

"Chotey, do you know anything about Khushiji's parents?", asked Anjali.

"She is an orphan. They died in an accident."

All in the car became silent for a moment.

Then Anjali said softly, "Like us."

Nani asked him, "Chotey, can we visit her orphanage?"

Arnav murmured, "Yes."

"Do you know where it is?"

"Yes."

"Chotey, you didn't tell us. How do you know her?"

"Met her at the recording studio.", he mumbled.

"Nannav is shy! Nannav is shy! He is blushing.", NK teased him. All laughed.

That night, dinner was a noisy affair.

Nani, Mami, & Anjali, ably helped by Akash & NK, were determined to find out what Arnav felt about Khushi.

"I was thinking, Khushi is such a nice girl. Where do you find girls like that these days?", started Nani.

"Haan, haan.", agreed Mami.

"We should keep her in our family."

"Haan, Nani."

(Shybabe!, thanx!)

"Bhy waste good girlwaa?", added Mami. "She can cookwaa & cleanwaa. She ijj a ready-made bahuriyaa. And Saasumma, she can sing too. Lori bhi ready-made!!!"

"There are 3 boys in our family. One of them can marry her.", declared Nani.

Arnav clenched his jaw.

"I am ready. Naniji, Maasi, Di. I am ever ready to marry Khushiji."

Arnav choked on a sip of water.

"You! Marry Khushi?', Arnav growled.

"Why not?", asked a cheerful NK. "I am jawan, badsoorat, fitrat..."

"Fitrat?", asked Akash.

"It mean fit and healthy.", explained NK.

Akash sighed in exasperation.

"My bitwaa ijj alzo ready to marry Khushi. Caampatition (competition) shuru ho jaaye!", said Mami. Akash stole a scared look at Arnav's red face.

"Unfortunately my Chotey has no interest in marriage.", said Anjali, sad & sorrowful. "So we will have to cut his name from the list, Nani."

"Haan, Anjali Bitiyaa. It is so sad.", sighed Nani.

"Who said I don't want to get married?", said the lion, growling, standing at the edge of the trap.

"You want to marry, Chotey!", exclaimed Anjali.

"Have you changed you mind?", asked Nani.

"Err... I wouldn't mind marrying if the girl is good.", stammered Arnav.

"But Khushiji wouldn't suit you, Chotey. Such a gharelu girl!"

"And why should she live with a bitter karela who laughs once a year?", asked NK.

If looks could kill! NK moved back in his chair to hide behind Akash.

"She is too simple for you, Chotey."

"Too simple for me?", fumed Chotey.

"Matmal, she wearjj too many clothes, Arnav Bitwaa. You are used to seeing modals (models) bearing chote kapde, in your ophice (office)!", Mami explained the meaning of 'simple'.

"She is not too simple for me.", said Arnav, frantic at the thought of losing Khushi.

"Are you sure, Chotey?", asked Nani.

"Yes.", came the answer, low but sure.

Akash & NK quickly gave up all claims to Khushi. Akash said, "When Bhai is not married, how can I...? I am younger to him..."

NK joined him. "Haan, Nannav. You are much older than me. Take this chance. Otherwise buddhiya ho jaaoge, akele, akele..."

Anjali bit back a smile and asked, "Chotey, if you regret it after marrying her..."

"I won't."

"Arnav Bitwaa, soch lio." Mami warned him.

"I am ready to marry her."

The others looked at each other, relief & joy written on their faces.

(Aditi07, thanx!)

"Shall we go to the orphanage tomorrow morning and meet her Baba?", asked Nani.

Arnav nodded. "I... I need to talk to Khushi too. To get her to agree." After his stupid proposition at the studio, would she believe him if he proposed marriage to her? He could feel a drop of sweat roll down his neck.

Part 12: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/fan-fictions/3239275/ss-keeping-khushi-part-14-updt-on-th-2

wow! very nice update. He wants to marry khushi. I liked it very much. Please update soon. I was waiting for u since morning for ur update.