Chapter 20: Parties.Drinks.Dancing.
"What's your plan today?" Arnav asked. "The usual. I have cooking class and then home," She said. The doorbell rang. "Who could it be at this time?" she asked. Arnav wondered the same.
"Good morning!" Mamiji entered. Khushi touched her feet and then asked, "Good morning, how come you're here?" "You people have forgotten me so I thought maybe I should come by and remind you guys who I am." She laughed cheekily. It was the first time Khushi had seen Mamiji laugh and her laugh was kind of funny and high pitched. "Breakfast?" Arnav asked. "Yes, ofcourse." She smiled taking a seat. Khushi served her breakfast too. "So, how are you two? Any news?" she asked suspiciously. "We are good, what news?" Arnav asked. "It's been two-three months. I was wondering if I was getting any good news." She specified. Khushi blushed and looked down. Arnav choked.
"What?" he blurted. "Oh God. Arnav, don't overreact so much. I just asked." Mamiji rolled her eyes. Khushi grinned. Mamiji wasn't as scary as she had thought of her. She was very cool actually. Arnav looked at Khushi and saw her smiling. Arnav smiled a little but then said, "Mamiji, it's too early!" "Yeah. Yeah. I just wanted to know if you guys have thought about it." She said looking at Khushi. Khushi just couldn't say anything. This was getting a little embarrassing. Mamiji ignored the awkwardness and enjoyed her breakfast. Arnav and Khushi stole glances at each other. Khushi just couldn't think straight anymore, she just kept think about a kid. She wanted a son, just like Arnav. She was just blushing so hard she thought her cheeks would burst. Arnav on the other hand just avoided the whole situation and finished his breakfast, "I'll leave now." He said. "Why? Sit with me for a while." Mamiji said. Khushi looked up at him expectantly. She wanted him to stay. She didn't want to answer to Mamiji's questions alone. Arnav frowned a little but stayed anyway. "How is your Buaji back in Calcutta?" Mamiji asked Khushi. "She is great. I haven't spoken to her recently because she is busy with her restaurant opening." "Oh! Will you'll be going?" "Actually, it's on the same week as Arnav's tender conference so no." she said sadly. "Oh." Mamiji said. Arnav had asked Khushi to go without him but she had refused to leave him alone at that time. Arnav knew how much Khushi had sacrificed just for him and he was happy and sad at the same time. Khushi's cellphone rang. She excused herself and went aside to answer the call.
"Arnav, what are the dates for the tender?" she asked. "Its next weekend. It's all happening so fast that its hard to digest." He said. Mamiji grinned and said, "I know you must be getting anxious but I know its all going to go great. There is no one who deserves this more than you." Mamiji said. "We don't know that. I am sure everyone must be working as hard as I am." He said modestly. Mamiji shook her head, "No way. Not everyone would work all day instead of going for their honeymoon. It's been 2 and a half months and you still haven't taken Khushi on a vacation, anywhere!" Mamiji complained. "Mamiji, you know how important this one is for me and Khushi understands that too. And I have promised her a holiday as soon as this tender gets over." He said. "Good, you both deserve a break." She said.
"Hi Khushi!" Pavini exclaimed. "Pavini, what's up? How have you been?" Khushi asked. "Everything is great. I have a surprise for you!" she said. "What?" Khushi asked. "Rohan, Sanjana and I are in Mumbai! We just landed!" "Oh My God! Wow. That is superb. How come?" "Rohan has a meeting here tomorrow afternoon so Sanju and me decided to tag along. We can't wait to meet ASR!" she said. "Oh! So all this was to meet him?" Khushi grinned. "Obviously! We really want to meet him, especially Sanjana." She said. "How about tonight? Dinner? Rohan knows this cool restaurant where we can meet. It will be so much fun." Pavini screamed. "Where?" "I'll text you the address, so 8:30-9?" "I'll ask Pavini, Arnav has an important tender coming up so he is quite busy." Khushi said remembering. "Oh please. He can make sometime to meet your friends!" Pavini said. "I am not hearing anything. See you at 8:30! Bye. I have a lot of shopping to do." "Bye." Khushi said cutting the line.
Khushi went back to the living room only to find Arnav escorting Mamiji to the door. Khushi quickly caught up to them and touched Mamiji's feet as she left. "Arnav," Khushi said once they were alone. "Yes?" "Actually, a few of my friends are here from Calcutta and they've invited us for dinner around 8:30..." she said skeptical about his reply. "Khushi, today I was planning on working late." Arnav said. "So should I tell them no?" Khushi asked. Arnav was surprised at her response. He didn't expect her to say it in such a candid way. "You really want to go?" He asked. "Arnav, it doesn't matter. If you want to work late, I'll just tell them no." she said looking the other side. "Khushi, tell them yes." He said. Khushi softened a little. "You don't have to." She said. "I want to." He replied. Khushi smiled a little. "Happy now?" he asked. Khushi turned around, "Yes." "Next time just say you want to go ok? You don't always have to compromise for me," he said. "I'll pick you up at 8:30." He said leaving.
* * *
It was 7:30 before Khushi realized. Khushi wore a beautiful black chiffon sari and a backless blouse. Khushi loved parties. She thoroughly enjoyed socializing and was very good at it too. She always added the fun in parties back in Calcutta and was very proud of that.
Arnav, as punctual as he was, reached home at nine. He found a grumpy Khushi when he came to pick her up. "I am so sorry Khushi, I just couldn't finish off the meeting any faster." Khushi quietly listened. "By the way, you look stunning!" he added. "Thank you!" Khushi blushed slightly. "If you are going to blush so much, you shouldn't have bothered with the make up," he teased. Khushi blushed a little more. Arnav knew how to cheer his wife up very well. By the time they reached the restaurant they were laughing and talking and everything was fine when Arnav realized, "Khushi, there is a lot of dancing and drinking in this restaurant, not my kind of place. I came here once with a client. It's really annoying." Arnav complained. "Oops" Khushi said. She should have known that Pavini would only know places like this after all they loved dancing. Well, so did she. She should have told Pavini that Arnav hates dancing. "It's okay," she said, "Maybe we can just sit." She bit her lip realizing how annoyed Arnav would be.
Anyway, they got off the car and went inside. Khushi put her hand around Arnav's arm. The walked inside and the ambience was just mesmerizing. The music was soft. A few couples danced in the centre. Khushi just loved it. The lights were dimmed except for those just above the dinner tables. There were only whispers heard when Khushi saw Pavini and Sanjana. She waved and then they both moved towards the table. Khushi's smile slowly turned into a frown when she realized that she wasn't the only one Pavini had invited, Shyam and Anita were there too. Khushi's excitement faded out as soon as she saw him. It was quickly replaced by anger. They knew that Khushi and Shyam were no longer together and they still didn't bother to tell her he would be coming. She sighed. Arnav calmly placed his hand on hers and tried to calm her down, obviously sensing her nervousness. "We can leave if you want," Khushi whispered. "Come on, you really wanted to come, don't let anything change that." "Will you be okay?" she muttered as they reached the table. Arnav smiled a little and nodded. It was a round table. Arnav politely took the seat next to Shyam and Khushi sat next to him. Arnav tried to avoid looking at Shyam as much as possible but warmly greeted Anita who was an old acquaintance. "Arnav, this is Sanjana, Pavini and Rohan," Khushi introduced. They reciprocated with hi's and how are you's. The table was pretty quiet until Sanjana asked Arnav, "Arnav, do you want to dance? I would love to talk to you," she said. Then looking at Khushi, she added, "Alone." Arnav looked at Khushi who was trying to control her laughter. Arnav was a little taken aback but had to say yes. He extended his hand to Sanjana and she took it readily.
"So, Khushi, how is it to be Mrs. Arnav Singh Raizada?" Anita asked. Khushi didn't know what to say. "I guess, more than being Mrs. Raziada, its great being Arnav's wife. He is just amazing," she said. Khushi didn't realize but Shyam's fists were clenched from the moment she entered with her hands around Arnav's arm. Shyam was staring at Khushi. 'How can she look so beautiful? How can I forget her? How should I let her go? How will I ever be able to survive? I love her so much that I could die for her. Her presence makes my heart beat faster and those eyes are enough to just lift me off my feet. How can I forget Khushi?' Shyam wondered. She certainly felt his gaze fixed on her but for some reason it didn't matter anymore. She had tried to explain to him but he didn't care. Khushi was guilt free now. Well, almost. "Dance?" Khushi suddenly heard Shyam ask. She relaxed since she would get a moment's peace without his eyes being on her when she realized that he had asked her and not Anita. Khushi was perplexed. Pavini looked a little confused while Anita smiled. Khushi realized that Anita didn't know about them. It would be awkward if she just said no. "Khushi, you should dance with him, he's a great dancer." Anita added. Shyam threw one of his charming smiles at Khushi but that just made her stomach feel sick. "I don't want to dance," she said. "Come on Khushi," Anita pleaded, "Just go!"
"So, Arnav, do you love Khushi?" Sanjana asked. Arnav narrowed his eyebrows, what sort of a question was that? Arnav nodded. He was uncomfortable with strangers. "I have been Khushi's best friend since third grade and the circumstances in which you two god married weren't ideal." She commented. Sanjana had always been the mature one among all of them. She had always looked out for Khushi and was doing the same now. She was realistic and independent. Arnav heard intently. He didn't understand where the conversation was going but listened anyway. He was a little preoccupied making sure that he didn't stamp on Sanjana's foot. "Khushi has always told me everything but in your case she just isn't opening up. When she came to Calcutta she seemed really sad." She said. Suddenly, she had Arnav's full attention, "She was?" "Yes, I didn't ask her anything because we weren't alone but I hope everything is alright?" she asked. "Yes, it's never been better. And I understand that your worry stems from your love for Khushi and I am so happy to see she has friends like you." He said sweetly. "Khushi isn't the same anymore. She has matured a lot since I last met her. She has changed." "Is it a good thing?" Arnav asked. Sanjana nodded. "Look, I really care about Khushi and all I can say is I am going to do my best to keep her happy, always." Arnav was just about to say something more when he saw Khushi come on the dance floor with Shyam. "Ouch!" Sanjana shrieked. "I am so sorry!" Arnav apologized. Arnav had accidently stepped on Sanjana's foot. He took her back to the table and made her sit. Shyam put his hands around Khushi's waist. Arnav wriggled in his seat. He was very uncomfortable and he thought it was very inappropriate.
"Sir, drinks?" The waiter asked. "Yes, Vodka on the rocks." Arnav said. 'I the how he looks at her. It's disgusting. Why did Khushi have to go dance with him?' His heart ached when he looked at Khushi dancing with Shyam. He thought he could take it. He thought he could bear Shyam for the evening but it just got impossible. Arnav tried to understand why Khushi would dance with Shyam but he could see no valid reason. Khushi and Shyam were both great dancers and it was showing. Arnav felt pathetic and so he tried to subside his jealousy by drinking. Drinking a lot. "You've got capacity man!" Rohan commented. Arnav fake smiled and drank another one, and then another, and then another.
------X-----
Hi friends, I updated before my estimated time so I would like a favour from you guys. Please be a little patient with me for the next update. I have a fest at our school I have to arrange and I am very busy from thursday onwards. So I will only be able to update this FF on Sunday or even Monday. I will try my best to update as fast as possible.
I hope you understand!
Waiting for some review.
-Manjari.
P.S. The next update will be something like hangover. Where you don't know what happened last night 😆 Just for fun!
Love Friendship Dating and Relationships
Bindi
Current Affairs
270