ArHi SS|The Search for the Perfect Bride Thread 2 - Page 76

thanks for the note...will be waiting..

Good that u wish to complete the story:)

Naina it has been 6 days since your note...

So glad that you're back and are going to finish the story...it was a great read!

Waiting dear waiting...but where do u gaayab again???

Hey Guys!

Here's the next part! (I underestimated how much time I would spend studying for finals and hence the delay. 😆)

Just a suggestion - Chapter 18: Page 110

I would read the last part just for some continuity with the story. But other than that, I hope you guys like this part! The next part is the parents reaction :D

Cheers!

Naina

(Oh, and I won't be sending PM's anymore, so just keep an eye out on this thread for the next updates! Sorry!)

Chapter 19:

Khushi had decided right at the coffee store that she would go and speak with Anand right then. She had decided that that wasn't the right time for her to get married, she wasn't in the right state of mind, and so she didn't want to possibly hurt Anand, his family, and herself by going through with the engagement and wedding. Kripa had expressed her doubts, suggesting that Khushi inform her family, her parents first regarding this decision, before she took action, but Khushi had been adamant, determined not to waver once she had made her decision.

Khushi knew that her parents would be disappointed, and she knew that the disappointment would only lead to her uncertainties once more, and she didn't want to remain in this limbo.

"Why don't you at least tell your sister? Talk to her, because she's family too..." Kripa had suggested, and Khushi had reluctantly agreed, convinced by Kripa that telling Payal, her own sister, would only help her in the long run. "Payal will understand, Khushi. I know the both of you really well, and I promise you that your sister will be the first in line to support you and be by your side, whether or not she agrees with your decision. Plus, don't you think it'll be nice to know that at least one person in your family knows what you're going to do?"

Khushi had had no choice but to agree with Kripa's words, however reluctantly it might be. And after thanking her friend for being there for her, and helping her work up enough courage to make a decision, the two parted ways, and Khushi Kumari Gupta headed over to her fiance's office, Anand's office.

On the way there, she had ended up calling her sister, who was immediately anxious when she heard Khushi's forlorn voice on the other end of the line, her heart racing as she sensed immediately that something was wrong. "Khushi? Kya hua? Is everything ok? Amma, Buaji, Bauji?"

"Jiji! Please don't get worried! They're all fine" Khushi hurriedly reassured her sister, keeping in mind that Payal was pregnant. "No, it's not our parents or Buaji. Actually," she paused, taking a deep breath as she worked up the courage to speak once more, "Actually, I wanted to let you know that I'm breaking it off with Anand. I realized I can't marry him Jiji, I'm really just not in the right state of mind to be getting married to him or anybody for that matter..." she spoke hurriedly, wanting to say everything she could think of before her sister could get a word in.

"Kya?!But Khushi, I thought you were willing to let go of the past, ready to face the future, give the relationship a chance? I'm assuming this decision was taken because of a certain someone?" she asked disapprovingly.

Khushi massaged her temples for a quick second, feeling a headache coming on. "I thought so too Jiji. I thought that I would be able to forget him and marry Anand but I can't. It wouldn't be fair to Anand, or me. He deserves better, he deserves someone who would love him without any qualms, and that person is not me right now. I know you'll be disappointed, and I know how much you all want to see me married, but Anand and me...we're not going to work out."

Payal didn't choose to respond to her sisters words, instead drawing attention to their parents, "And have you broken your news to Amma and Bauji already? Have they accepted? Khushi we want you to be happy. But - but how long are you going to wait for something to happen with Arnav? Or are you planning on never getting married? Oh yes, of course that would be a much better idea-"

"Jiji! Jiji calm down" Khushi cut off her sister, realizing worriedly how agitated Payal was getting with each passing second. "I'll handle it. I promise. I need to talk to Anand, and let him know myself. . I'll need time to get over Arnav before I can make that commitment to another man."

"But seriously Khushi, can't you just talk to the parents and then go talk to Anand? Tell him tomorrow, maybe?" Payal tried to reason with her.

"Jiji" Khushi sighed, "Trust me on this. I'm in front of Anand's office right now. I'll talk to you later."

And with those words, Khushi had hung up the phone.

****

"Khushi? What are you doing here?" Anand stood up from his desk, a puzzled look on his face. "Come on in," he welcomed her inside, shutting the office door before leading her to one of the chairs. "Can I get you anything? Chai, coffee, soda, maybe?" he asked her pleasantly.

Khushi eyed him warily, shaking her head softly, as she clutched her hands tightly in her lap, the gravity of what she was about to do slowly descending upon her. "Woh...Anand, woh kya hain na ki...I really need to to talk to you about something, something important" she said quietly, unable to maintain eye contact.

Hearing the seriousness of her voice, Anand took his seat, nodding his head as he waited patiently for her to continue.

Khushi fidgeted with her dupatta, chewing her lips, she tried to piece together a few words, some words that would get across what she wanted to say. Oh, but this is so difficult! How can I do this to Anand? But, how can I not? I have to break up this relationship, I have to stop this until I sort out my own life. You can do this, Khushi' she gave herself a quick pep talk, trying to calm her two minds.

"Woh, Anand, I...I really don't think I can go forward with this marriage. I don't think I can marry you" she said to him quietly, her voice barely above a whisper, finally looking up from her lap as she watched him intently, waiting to see how he would react.

But to her surprise, she didn't see any change in his expressions, not a single twitch, nothing, as he just watched her, as if he was waiting for her to continue.

And helpless that she was, unable to bear the silence any longer, she herself continued to speak. "It's..it's nothing to do with you Anand. It's really not, and I'm really really sorry. I..I just don't think I'm ready for marriage, marriage to anyone. It's really all my fault. I really thought that I would be able to..." she started saying, but cut herself off just in time as she realized she was about to tell him how she had thought she would get over Arnav.

But this time, Anand had responded, nodding his head, as he asked her, "You're in love with someone else, aren't you?"

Khushi was stunned! She hadn't expected him to guess, so she instinctively began to shake her head, began to deny his words, but he shook his head softly, a smile appearing on his face, "Don't worry. I'm not mad or anything. I don't know why, but I have to say I'm not completely surprised, and if I can tell the truth, I have to admit that I was slightly expecting this for some reason. Just one question though Khushi, is this man that you're in love with...is it Arnav? Arnav Singh Raizada?"

Khushi stared at him wide eyed, mutely nodding her head slightly, as she wondered how Anand had known, "How...?" She trailed off.

"Instinct? I...I'm not really sure what it was, but you..you talk about him a lot" he started saying, when the ringing of Khushi's cell phone forced him to stop speaking. He waited patiently as she fumbled around in her purse, pulling out her phone to check who was calling her, her expression turning into one of anger as she furiously hit the end button, and dropped her phone back into her purse.

"Woh...I'm...I'm sorry about that" she said, her cheeks flushed.

But Anand didn't continue his train of thought, and instead began posing her a question, "So I'm assuming he doesn't love you back? What's the deal?"

Khushi stared at him curiously, an expression of disbelief on her face, clearly wondering why Anand was so morbidly curious about this, "I...yeah. That sums it up. I..I just thought that he would never fall in love with me, and ... and well figured I should pick up the pieces and move on..."

"But even that's proving to be difficult, eh?" Anand interrupted her, and Khushi sighed dramatically. When her phone started ringing once again, Khushi muttered a few galiyaan, and Anand questioned her, "Is...is that Arnav?"

Seeing her respond in the affirmative, he held out his hand for her phone, and a curious Khushi passed it over, wondering what he was going to do. To her surprise, he answered the call from Arnav, hitting the speaker button, "Hello?" he enquired.

"Anand?!" Khushi and Anand both heard Arnav's shout from the other end of the line. "And what are YOU doing with Khushi?"

Anand looked up at Khushi, quirking his eyebrow as if to ask her if she wanted him to say anything, but Khushi furiously shook her head, lifting her hands to her lips in an attempt to tell him to remain silent.

So Anand ended up taking the safe route, "Um...excuse me?" he asked, as if he was wondering why he was being questioned for being with his almost fianc.

They heard silence on the other end of the line for a few seconds, before they heard Arnav's voice once more, this time more apologetic and uneasy, "Woh, I'm sorry Anand. I dialed this number by mistake" he said abruptly, before hanging up the phone.

"Anand?!" Arnav nearly shouted into the phone once he recognized who the caller was.

Anand and Khushi stared at each other for a few seconds before bursting out into laughter, Why? Neither of them really knew, but it was a cathartic experience for them nonetheless a relief from the seriousness of the conversation they had been having earlier.

Once they had both quieted down, Anand spoke to her once more, "You probably didn't expect me to react this way Khushi, but I just want to say, I understand. Good luck with whatever you decide for you future" he said with a smile on his face, and Khushi breathed a huge sigh of relief, happy this this ordeal was over and already wondering how to break the news to her parents.

"Thanks Anand. You...you have no idea how much this means, and I'm really...really sorry about all the trouble I've caused" she said sincerely, rising up out of her seat, as she decided it was time to leave.

******

And she found herself headed back home, a huge burden off of her chest now that she didn't feel as if she was cheating someone. "Jiji?" she called Payal once more, and this time, her sister picked up the phone almost immediately, "I told Anand."

"And...and what did he say Khushi? Tell me!" her sister exclaimed anxiously into the phone, only to calm down as she heard the entire story from Khushi. "So I expect you will be telling Amma, Buaji, and Bauji when you get home?" Payal asked her sister sternly. "Do you want me to come home as well?"

"No..no, not at all. It's not good for you to constantly be traveling back and forth in your condition!" Khushi rejected her sister's suggestion immediately. She knew that travelling wouldn't be bad for her sister, but she just wanted to ensure that in case her family did blow up and have a huge fight, her sister wouldn't be there to become all tense and put her health at risk. "I'll take care of this Jiji. I'll call you later tonight"

And with those words, she headed inside to finally tell her parents that she had broken off the relationship with Anand.

nice continue soon...was waiting for this story for a long time

Chalo

your back after so long time...😊...i loved d update...👍🏼...loved d convo b/w anand n khushi...luking forward 4 more udates...vl b stalking😃🤗...ua d only 1 i know dat has cum back after a so long break👏

Anand is adorable and sweet