SS : Raison d'etre (Chapter 13 - P. 53) 25/03 - Page 18

Yes, Yes it's been so long and I am really sorry for going underground. Millions of apologies for not being able to acknowledge or reply to your wonderful comments/feedback. But hey, here's a good news. The next Chapter is almost done and is up and about shortly. How many of you are up for it? :D

oh! i have stalked this thread like daily and finally!

waiting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Chapter Seven

A throat clearing disturbed him out of the musings he was in. He probably lost track of time he was standing there, looking into the black and white picture of his wife. Memories swirled around before his eyes making him forget the present and dwell in memories... memories, the only respite he is left with...

"Sorry for disturbing the private moment," he heard Lavanya say addressing the picture on the wall as she squeezed in before him with her back to him, blocking his view to the picture. "But you see, I need to have a word with you. After I am done, you guys can have all the time in the world for your eye locks. Deal?"

After a beat of silence, Lavanya nodded her head solemnly as if considering something.

"Right, so where was I? Yes, I was to tell you what it is today. Someone is coming to meet Khushi up. I won't call him prospective husband as yet, I've too many concerns and the chap has to clear so many tests to be eligible for that. But yes, it is a big day for Khushi, for all of us..."

He watched the baby girl, who grew up in front of his eyes, who loved his wife like her own mother talk to the picture animatedly, and had to remove his spectacles to dab his eyes.

"...I have butterflies in my belly, for all the wrong reasons. Nervousness, anxiety and all that jazz hit me at once. What to do, I am the only responsible person in this entire household, who had to manage everything singlehandedly. The princess is so immersed in her work that I tell you it's better to get her married to her office files..."

He smiled at her words. Who thought the baby girl who was his neighbour's child would get so attached to them, who thought that she would be an integral part of their lives.

"...I tell you someday I will go crazy with all these people in my life. Huh, anyway wish me good luck after all I am going to play host today. I have also tried my luck at cooking. How cool is that."

Her gaze flickered to the old grandfather clock hung against the wall and a gasp escaped her lips.

"Oh god! It's almost time, they must be arriving, oh god, oh god, oh god. Okay, Lavanya cool. You can do it, Breathe in. Breathe out"

Letting a long sigh, she rubbed her hands "Okay Aunty, you watch from up there how I would handle the guests. And yes we will bitch about the guy and his parents after they are gone. Okay? Love ya" she said blowing a kiss and turning to face him with a cheerful smile.

He smiled at the girl as she came to him and wound her arms around his waist and rested her head on his chest. He gave her a bear hug and stroked her hair as he was filled with paternal love.

"Nervous?" he asked after a beat.

"Sort of"

He smiled into her hair.

"Are you nervous too?" he heard her speak after a pause.

"Somewhat"

"Good. I am not the only one"

He only laughed at that, while she came out of his arms, giving him a dazzling smile, making him pinch her nose.

"Where is Khushi?" he asked.

"Upstairs. Getting ready. Or so I am guessing it to be. I hope she isn't attending a business call" she said making a face, making him give a hearty laugh.

"Where is Saran?"

"Babysitting Gabriela" she said thumbing over her shoulder indicating the drawing room where Saran and Gabriela, the kid from next door were busy video gaming.

"...Or I think it is the other way around. Gabriela is babysitting Saran"

He smiled shaking his head, and watched her fuss over with the cushions in the sofa, double checking everything.

"When are you going to tell him?" she heard him ask and dropped the cushions to arrange flowers in the vase.

"Tell him what? To grow up? Trust me uncle I always tell him that. Not that it is going to affect him" she rolled her eyes.

"I didn't mean that. I meant when are you going to tell him that you like him?"

A sudden silence fell over the room, and the occasional bursting of crackers outside were the only sounds that were audible.

"Lavanya?" he said making her face him, only to find her gaze lowered, as a sudden sense of vulnerability appearing on her face.

"You want me to talk to him sweetheart?" he asked softly as he framed her face with his hands.

He saw her raise her watery eyes to him and shake her head slowly.

A sudden sense of fierce protectiveness engulfed him as he saw those offensive tears in her eyes.

"Sweetheart-"

"No uncle, I will deal with this, him and my feelings. I don't want his feelings to be influenced by anything, not even the knowledge that I like him. I like myself uncle, as a person. And I deserve to be loved for what I am. If he needs an external force to like me, then I don't want it"

"I am proud of you, you know?" he said dropping a kiss on her head.

"Yes, I know" she said closing her eyes, welcoming the warmth.

"Anything you need-"

"-You and Khushi are a call away." she completed his sentence for him, smiling up at him.

He patted on her head, and the moment was broken with a knock on the door, making Lavanya close her mouth with her palm as she ran up to the stairs to fetch Khushi, calling out him to receive the guests, who seemed to have arrived already.

* * *

Ranjit looked up from the middle of the conversation as he heard his baby girl descend the stairs with Lavanya in tow. He recognized the golden colored Sari she was draped in to be his wife's. His daughter was like an open book. He could always read her easily. He understood the gesture to be her way of drawing blessings and strength from her mother. He smiled, being proud of his child.

Beside Khushi, walked Lavanya, holding one of Khushi's hands, whispering something to her in an inaudible voice.

He stood up from the couch and walked towards his kids and wound an arm around them.

"These are my daughters. Lavanya and Khushi" he said.

Mr. and Mrs. Suraj smiled up at her as Khushi raised her eyes greeting them up with a formal Namaste.

Khushi saw the woman pat a seat beside her and smiled before walking up to take a seat beside her, with Lavanya sitting on the arm rest of the sofa, beside her, still holding her hand.

With her Papa going back to his seat beside Suraj uncle, Khushi felt a strange silence in the room. Her eyes remained lowered though she can feel someone's presence to her left. Someone sitting beside Saran, chatting up with him...

Someone with whom she didn't and couldn't meet the gaze...

Someone who is going to share the rest of her life...

Amar.

"Hello Khushi" he heard the manly voice and raised her eyes to come face to face with a handsome young man, with frameless spectacles, and a warm smile.

"He's hot" she faintly heard Lavanya mumble from beside.

"Hi Amar" she replied with a polite smile only to have surprised looks exchanged across the room.

"Amar?" she heard the guy ask in surprise even as a smile hovered on his lips.

"I am not Amar"

She felt a sweat break on her forehead as she felt her heart hammer against her ribcage, as she felt the curious glances thrown her way.

Not Amar?

Millions of questions shot up in her mind at the instant, making her pulse throb.

"Who told you the name anyway?" his teasing voice rafted in the air making her squeeze her lowered gaze.

Here comes a day where she has not only embarrassed herself but her father before his friend and family. All her father asked was to meet up a guy but what had she done, apart from lying and breaking promises she made to her near and dear and to herself?

"What do you mean by you aren't Amar?" came a heated voice from behind, and Khushi tried to squeeze Lavanya's palm in her hand to indicate her to stop, but her friend, protective as she was, already stood up with her hands crossed across her chest.

Surprised by the sudden change of environment, he stood up surprised. "Hey, relax. I-"

His voice was cut by the sudden opening of the door and the entrance of a new member.

Khushi raised her eyes only to find her boss walking up to her, with his eyes only fixed upon her, making her heart take a violent leap. She never realized she stood up too until she saw him stop before her, his gaze holding hers.

"I will explain what he means" he said to the chilly silence surrounding them.

"He is Arjun Singh Raizada, my younger brother, and" he paused extending his arm towards her "I am Amar. Arnav Amarjeet Singh Raizada"

His words hung low in the air as she felt the thudding of her heart reverberate with his every uttered word.

* * *

Pms Later!😊

Wow today got to be my lucky day I only came across the story yesterday and read it all in one go I absolutely adored it and just my luck you updated today and not only that I get to comment first am I lucky or what.

Lovely update.

It started of emotional with Khushi's dad looking at her mom's picture all lost and dwelling on past memories the only thing he got left that must be heart wrenching especially on such an important day of their daughters life I can only imagine how badly Khushi must be missed her mom but wearing her mums sari to feel like she got her blessing's was very heart-warming. The relationship that Lavanya share with Khushi's family is very special the way she was talking to Khushi's mums picture brought tears to my eyes it was like a big sister talking to their mum when a proposal comes for the smaller sister it was such a touching scene and she managed to make the convo light hearted with her shocks, admire the bond she shares with Khushi.

"No uncle, I will deal with this, him and my feelings. I don't want his feelings to be influenced by anything, not even the knowledge that I like him. I like myself uncle, as a person. And I deserve to be loved for what I am. If he needs an external force to like me, then I don't want it"

Those words made me respect Lavanya she's such and awesome person hope Saran realises that before it's too late.

Poor Khushi mistaking Arjun to be Amar god that must be embarrassing. Yay Arnav is Amar I couldn't be more happier he played her from the start wonder how she's going to react. But he didn't lie completely his name is Arnav Amarjeet Singh Raizada. this is going to be interesting wouldn't Khushi's dad know she was working for Arnav since he and Arnavs dad is such good friends? Was all this a plan?

Alright guys, some much needed answers for you guys, Yes, I privatized my blog for some reason and though unprivatized it, I can again privatize it in future due to some reasons and if I do, then I would request you guys to either shoot me a PM or post it here in thread your username for me to grant you permission to read. It is just for me to know who I am granting the permission :)

Finally!!! I'm so so happy!!

atlast you updated!!! i had been stalking this thread as well as your blog since ages!
loved loved loved the update. so amar in arnav huh? 😉
he liked her! wow. the date turned business meeting(kinda) wad deliberate??!!
but why did he go to such lengths? im curious.
update prettyyy soon, dont keep us waiting longer this time?😊
hope your exams went well!


ps- i email is avikasharma003@gmail.com

So khushi did meet the right person that day! She was supposed to meet Arnav then why this drama? Why did Arnav do this? I am happy that Arnav is amar but still I need to know why?

So Amar is Arnav...and you leave us with that!!!!! I really hope you update soon, as I really want to know what happens next.

I'm wondering what Arnav's motives were in order to hide his identity, really looking forward to finding out more!

Wow that was out of this world!!! Did not see that coming at all!!!