Chapter 18
Khushi went downstairs and was awestruck at the decor. She would always be a part of the helping hands that decorated for such occasions in the family, she knew how well done the results would be but this was just beyond all of them.
She turned her head to look at Payal who standing to next her on the step, "Its amazing" she said to her.
"Thanks, I didnt do it all alone, mummy, Shyam and Aman helped" she smiled, happy that their work was appreciated.
Flowers hanging from the poles covered in golden cloth, alternated in pink and yellow colors that matched her dress. The curtain of flowers formed a partition against the wall. A green davenport couch lay in front with plates filled with mehndi cones lying on the ground next to it. The entire stage was lit with golden lights highlighting the curtains and flowers.
Khushi clutched her pink gharara and took the remaining steps down.
Anjali was the first one to reach her and hug her tight, "you look so beautfiul!" she stepped back looking at her.
"Thankyou" she smiled.
After meeting and greeting everyone Khushi made her way to the sofa and sat down. Two girls followed behind and started on their mehndi designs right away.
Before they could even she ask she told them his name and where she wanted it.
Nowadays Khushi constantly prayed to Devi Maiyya to keep things as they were. Everything was perfect...too perfect and she was afraid. Her heart beat rate had not slowed down at all. She was used to it beating so fast.
She sat with her shoulders straight and arms stretched out feeling the cold paste being applied on her hands. She loved mehndi, specially its smell.
Younger girls of the family were dancing in front of the stage to the wedding music playing in the background. Being her old self she got up and joined the crowd moving her hips to the rythm of the beats.
Seeing her dance Anjali and Payal soon joined in.
It was a picture perfect wedding.
~~~
"Khushi"
"Khushi!" Anjali yelled louder over the crowd.
This bride to be needed to sit down now. She still had her feet to be done.
"Ji bhabhi?" Khushi stopped moving to catch her breath and then replied.
"It's Arnav" she said handing over her phone.
"Oh, thanks! I kept my phone upstairs" Khushi gave her a sheepish smile.
"It's fine. Take care your time" she winked as she left to dance some more.
Khushi walked away from the loud noise towards the door, "Hey."
"Hi. I called you so many times" his voice was soft.
"Sorry, I left my phone upstairs, didnt see the point in taking it with me..." she explained.
"Have you had youre mehndi done?" he asked.
"Ummm yeah kind of" she hopped onto the window slab and pushed open the window with her elbow.
"You look beautiful...when you dance" he said.
She could feel him grinning behind the phone. "How do you know that?"
"Know that you look beautiful?"
"No. That I was dancing?"
"Oh that. I have my sources...you do know I have eyes on you all the time" he teased her.
"Right. I can bet my life it was bhabhi" she said smiling.
"Tsk.Tsk. Khushi dont bet your life so easily. It could have been your sister you know" he drawled.
Khushi let the cool wind wash over face and remembered the numerous times his breath fanned her face, neck, chest...his hands working their hot and silky magic on her skin..."Khushi?" a whisper sounded in her ear. For a second she could have sworn Arnav was behind her but no he was on the phone.
"Y-yeah?" she came out of her dream.
"Are you ok-"
"I miss you Arnav. Where are you right now?" she sounded desperate.
More than craving his touch she was craving his presence. Apart from her body yearning for him, this time she felt as if her soul was missing him and wanted him.
"Right now...yeah thats what I called you about" he said unsurely.
"Huh?"
"But before I explain, I wanted to point out something" he said thoughtfully.
"What is that?" Khushi asked uninterested. She just wanted to know where he was. She wanted him here, next to her.
Was this normal? Is this how every bride felt?
"You said you missed me...you have never said that to me before" he barely whispered but she heard.
If only a heart could beat faster. She felt like he twisted her heart with his words.
How come she never told him that? She missed him, a lot, all the time, before sleep, after sleep, in sleep, while eating, while shopping, while waiting for his text and his reply.
"Arnav" his name was a sigh, "I always miss you" she confessed. She wanted to let him know how she felt in his absence, she had to...
"Um Khushi I am at the airport" Arnav cleared his throat and announced loudly.
Khushi jolt up from the slab, feeling coldness spread all over her body.
"What? Airport? Why?" she asked surprised.
"I will explain, dont say a word, just listen, please" he spoke quickly.
"Fine"
"I have to go to Mumbai tonight. Its just for a day. I know we are getting married in two days. But I will be back in time...most probably tomorrow night if not then early morning on the day. I really have to go. Bhaiya or Dhruv could have gone but I have been handling this project from the start, I worked so hard on it, I wanted to seal the end. All I have to do is attend a meeting and shake hands...in regular words" he said slowly and urgently.
"Arnav this isnt right" Khushi cried.
"I know but they called today. It was meant to be like this but you dont need to worry. I will be back"
"Promise me you will be back in time" Khushi made him promise as tears pricked her eyes.
"I promise. You promise me you wont cry or be sad" he asked her hearing the quiver in her voice.
"N-n-nooo" her voice shook sligtly and the tears fell down her cheeks.
"I am m-mad a-at you" she sniffed.
"Please dont. You wont even know it and I will be back!" he tried to explain.
Telling him she was fine Khushi hung up. It was no big deal, it was not like her to care so much but still she cried.
~~~
"What happened Khushi?" Payal asked her later.
"Arnav is going to Mumbai for a day for work" Anjali told her as she fed Khushi.
The rest of the party Khushi sat with a scowl on her face, now her feet stretched out and mouth angrily grinding the food.
"Oh okay" Payal made a face that said she did not want to be the target of Khushi's anger.
Signaling good luck to Anjali she escaped out of there.
"Arrey Khushi, there is no point in getting angry and not enjoy your party. They all are like that. Work and family are equal...work may infact weigh a little more" Anjali shook her head.
"Yeah bhabhi is right! Do you know what bhaiya did on their honeymoon?" Dhruv jumped on them from behind and leaned on the back of the sofa.
"Aye where did you come from? Oh men are here already!" Anjali looked around for her husband.
"Uhhh what?" Khushi asked unsurely with a mouthfull. She wasnt sure what Dhruv would say and how on earth he even found out...
"My husband attended video conference calls two days in a row!" Anjali grumbled loudly.
"Two days! Even I was there. I saw him!" Dhruv exclaimed shaking his head.
"What do you mean you were there?!" both Khushi and Anjali yelled in unison.
"Ouch!" Dhruv covered his ears dramatically.
"I was in the conference call! I could see bhaiya sitting on that big, beautiful and probably the most comfortable chair..." he said.
Anjali rolled her eyes while Khushi giggled. Right when then sound of her giggles reached her ears she felt better, much better. And just then she realized if not Arnav was not here, his family was which was enough for Khushi to survive on for a day or two.
"Heyyy there sister! So I see you found another person to make you laugh. You dont need Shyam anymore" Shyam joined them next to Dhruv and earned a punch from the man.
"No! You are my only pagaljaan" Khushi held his head in her arms and pulled him down to kiss his cheek soundly.
"Ewww! Khushi everyone saw that!" he said in a shock and pulled himself free.
They ended the party with even more gifts and dadaji stuffing Khushi's throat with mithai.
~~~
Khushi lay in bed thinking about Arnav.
"You shouldnt have told me" she whined in the dark hugging her pillow.
She could see herself as a fool who was crying over nothing. And she fell asleep with a frown on her forehead, lips pouted and cheeks stained with tears.
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