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Recap: Arnav goes out with Khushi, Amber, Aditya and Kirpa's family for a day. At the end of a day well spent, Amber nearly falls into a pond but Arnav saves her. He ends up injuring himself slightly and Khushi bandages his wounds. When he goes to drop them home at the end of the day, Amber and Aditya insist on him staying over. Khushi asks him to stay and he agrees to stay for a bit. After spending some time with the kids, Arnav puts them to sleep. Khushi walks into the kids' room to kiss them goodnight and thinking that Arnav is also asleep, She thanks him for saving amber and says that in return, she can almost forgive him what he did to her. Arnav, however, was awake the whole time and hears Khushi's monologue. While he's thinking about his mistakes and regrets, he hears sounds from the kitchen. He finds khushi making jalebis and comforts her and reassures her that Amber is alright.
Previous Part: Page 1
Part 23: Dare and Ask
Khushi turned the stove off and picked out the now burnt jalebis and tucked a few strands of her hair behind her ears.
"Tum theek ho?" Arnav asked.
Khushi's heart skipped a beat at the words but she just nodded in response.
Arnav looked around and put his hands in his jeans' front pockets. Khushi also looked everywhere but at him.
"Uh...I should be leaving. I'll see you tomorrow at the office?" Arnav managed to speak after a few minutes of silence.
"Uh, The day after tomorrow...Its Sunday tomorrow." She looked at him as she answered.
She didn't miss the disappointment that flashed across his face before he covered it up.
"Oh yeah...okay then. I guess I'll see you on Monday."
Khushi nodded. "See you Monday."
Arnav smiled and started taking steps backwards. Khushi reciprocated by taking steps forward. She walked him to the door and just as he was about to step out, a cell phone rang somewhere in the house.
Arnav patted his pockets. Khushi looked around the living room, trying to spot the phone. When his pockets didn't turn up anything, the two started the search for his phone. Khushi found it under a pile of Adi's comics. Without meaning to look at it, her eyes fell on the screen. Akash.
Her body went cold for a second as she was suddenly reminded of a family that she had left behind. She stood up and her hand trembled slightly, itching to answer the call and to speak to her best friend.
"You can answer it if you want." Arnav spoke right next to her.
She jumped slightly since she hadn't realized that he was standing next to her. She looked at him and at the same moment, the phone went silent. She stared at the blank screen for a few seconds and it started ringing again. This time flashing a different name. Payal.
Khushi just stood there like a statue. Arnav took the phone out of her hands and answered it on speaker. Before he had a chance to say as much as Hello', Payal was on a rant.
"Where the hell have you been?? Do you know how worried we've been! You haven't been answering calls, haven't been calling, and haven't been writing e-mails! How long is this trip of yours supposed to last? It's been a couple months since you've been gone! Shouldn't the adoption process be done by now? Lavanya came back and gave her resignation; Aman is getting ready to come there...what's going on?"
Since the moment Payal had started speaking, Khushi had closed her eyes to keep from crying. The mixture of happiness and sadness she felt at hearing Payal's voice was overwhelming.
"Hello Hi Bye Bye, Arnav Bitwa...you has disappear from the house for long. You doesn't miss us?"
Khushi couldn't help but smile at Mami-Ji's broken English. She could feel tears burning behind her eyelids now.
"Bhai...I have a rant about this too but I'll save it for another time. I called to give you good news...well...two good news! Firstly...Dadi is no longer bed ridden...She's more ambulatory so now she's in a wheelchair. The doctor said that her recovery is slow but it's going."
"That's great news Akash!" Arnav was truly happy about this particular news. He felt the giant monster called guilt in his heart grow a little smaller. He saw Khushi say a quick prayer under her breath, fresh tears on her cheeks. "What's the second news?"
"You might want to take a seat for this...but I think...we're pretty sure that we've found Khushi." Akash's voice was dripping with excitement
The silence that echoed after this declaration was tangible. Khushi's eyes had flown open and darted to the phone--shock and surprise visible on her face.
"What?" Arnav asked simply.
"We think she's in the UK. One of our clients has a Khushi Gupta' on their team list for the next project. Her skills and description match with Khushi's. I've asked for a background check and more information on her and I'll let you know as soon as I get anything."
Khushi looked questioningly at Arnav. He knew what she would ask the moment he hung up. Why hadn't he told them?
"Thanks Akash." Arnav said simply.
"Are you alright, bhai? You don't sound...happy about this..."
"I'm...just surprised, that's all. Listen Akash...can I call you back in a few minutes?"
"Yeah sure Bhai. Everyone here really wants to talk to you so please make sure you call."
After promising that he'll call, Arnav hung up. Just as he had expected, Khushi rounded on him the same second.
"They don't know that...that you've met me?" Khushi asked.
Arnav looked meaningfully into her eyes for a couple seconds before giving her an honest response. "No."
Khushi wanted to ask why but before she couldn't bring herself to ask, He had taken a step towards the door.
"I'll see you Monday. Have a good night." He called over his shoulder and then he was gone.
Khushi stood rooted in her spot, not quite understanding what had happened.
Monday at work, Khushi stopped at Arnav's desk to thank him for the other day and he inquired about the kids just like any worried father would. Khushi answered his queries and went into her own cabin.
With a renewed spirit because of the interactions with her over the weekend, Arnav walked into her office to discuss their next project.
At the end of the discussion, Arnav stood to leave but stopped to speak with her.
"What's the matter?" Khushi asked seeing her nervous expression.
"Well...I wanted to ask...let you know...well, ask you something."
Khushi's heart thudded knowingly. Was he about to ask her for lunch, again?
"I'm doing a small dinner thing at home on Wednesday...Not too many people...In fact it's just Kripa and her family, Anjali, and...if you allow it, you and the kids."
Khushi, despite having decided that she would agree to go with him the next time he asked, took a few moments to answer. It would be just like the weekend, with everyone around. She saw no harm in that.
"Sure. I'm sure Amby and Adi will be very excited." Khushi replied with a small smile.
Wednesday came by sooner than she'd thought for Khushi but for Arnav, it couldn't have taken longer to get there. By 4:30 pm, Arnav was practically jumping out of his seat, ready to go home. He'd done most of the preparations but the excitement wouldn't hold him.
Khushi on the other hand sat in her cabin, twirling her pen through her fingers nervously while Kripa sat there observing her.
"Relax Khushi. We're all going to be there."
"I don't know what you're talking about." Khushi said starkly.
Kripa rolled her eyes. "Whatever. I'm sure you know exactly what I'm talking about." Kripa got up when she saw Khushi get ready to make a retort. "Alright...I'll see you in an hour or so."
"See you later." Khushi said without taking her eyes off the computer screen.
Kripa shook her head and walked to the door but stopped with hand on the doorknob. She turned to look at Khushi.
"By the way, you should just wear what you're wearing now. You look good." And with a smirk, Kripa left Khushi's office.
She winked at Arnav on her way past his desk and he just looked at her with a raised eyebrow in response.
Khushi got up from her chair five minutes after Kripa had left. She stopped at Arnav's desk on her way out.
"I'll need to be in a conference call tomorrow at two in the afternoon, can you please postpone that appointment for later in the day?" Khushi asked politely.
"Yeah, sure. Tomorrow at two, you're supposed to meet with Mr. And Mrs. Chauhan. I'll postpone the meeting to five. Is that okay?" Came Arnav's quick response.
"Sounds good. Do you have anything pending for me? Appointments? Calls? Documents?" Khushi tried to sound professional.
"No. Everything's done for today." Arnav looked at her confusedly.
She already had the agenda for that day and he knew that she was aware that she had completed everything. He couldn't understand why she was standing here asking him questions to which she already had the answers.
"Oh. Well then, I guess I'll head home. I will see you later this evening."
Arnav's smile faltered a little bit. Her leaving now meant that he wouldn't get to spend the last hour around her.
He watched on without a word as she went into her office only to emerge a couple minutes later and leave.
He sighed and went back to his e-mail to Akash. It was becoming harder to keep it a secret from the family. Payal used to question his happy tone all the time but now even the ever oblivious Mami had started to notice. Arnav had turned to e-mails to keep in touch instead.
As soon as she got home, Khushi went to her closet to pull out the plainest pair of clothing she could find. She didn't want to "look good" this evening. She didn't want him to get any other ideas.
The only reason why you're going to his dinner is because he saved Amber and because he's a colleague', she reasoned, unconvincingly, with herself.
Amber and Aditya's chatter kept Khushi's mind off of her nervousness during the drive to Arnav's house. She chewed on her lip nervously once she rang the bell and waited for someone to open the door.
Arnav, himself, took a deep calming breath behind the door before opening it for the most awaited guests. Aditya gave Arnav an enthusiastic hug before running into the house. Amber smiled politely at him and gave him a gentle hug before following Adi.
Arnav turned to Khushi and smiled. She smiled back awkwardly and walked in.
"Everyone's back in the yard." Arnav said, leading her through the house.
Everyone greeted her cheerfully and they all settled down to chat. Khushi felt much more relaxed seeing Angad, Kripa, and Anjali there as well. Then she looked to the corner of the yard where a giant jumping castle was inflated. The four kids were already having a blast in there. Khushi looked at Arnav who was speaking to Anjali.
He had no kids at his place. As far as he knew, he lived here by himself, then why would he own an inflatable jumping castle. The fear of him trying to steal amber and Aditya came to her mind again and she reverted back into her shell.
"Khushi?" Arnav called her for the fourth time. Khushi snapped out of her thoughts and looked at him questioningly.
Arnav frowned seeing the fear in her eyes again. "I'm going to get started with the last bit of cooking...do you have any requests? Something that Aditya and amber would like?"
Khushi looked at Amber and Aditya and then back at Arnav before shaking her head in a no' gesture.
Arnav looked at her confusedly and then walked back into the house. Khushi sat with the other three and tried to join in their conversation. Her mind, however, wouldn't allow her to get involved in the discussions.
She had to find out why Arnav was doing all this. Why was he still here? Why hadn't he just finished the adoption process and left? Why had he asked Khushi for lunch? Why had he invited her to dinner today? Why was he trying to befriend the kids?
She needed answers. She wanted to know what his motive was. She looked at Kripa and Angad and found them engrossed in their conversation. She thought it the best time to talk to Arnav.
She subtly excused herself and walked into the house. She followed the smell of spices to the kitchen. She stood in the doorway when she saw him focused at the island counter. After a couple of minutes of standing there awkwardly, she finally knocked on the door.
Arnav looked up and stopped dicing the peppers. When he didn't say anything, Khushi raised her eyebrows. "May I come in?"
Arnav blinked and frowned slightly. "Of course. You don't have to ask."
Khushi slowly walked across the kitchen while he resumed his work. Khushi was surprised to find that he was cooking. Arnav Singh Raizada, the man who had never stepped into the kitchen to make himself a cup of coffee was standing in front of her preparing a dinner for nine people.
Khushi walked around the counter and stood behind him, to his left in her classic pose. Her bum leaned against the edge of the counter, with a foot resting against the wall of it.
Arnav picked up a glass from his side and drank what looked like wine to her. Then, as if remembering that she was there, he pulled out another glass and filled it with the same drink and handed it to her.
Khushi took a sip just to kill the awkwardness. "Oh...Cranberry soda. I thought it was wine."
Arnav paused dicing again but didn't look at her. "I should've clarified that...sorry."
"Oh no...This is good too. Normally people drink wine when they cook."
Arnav shrugged and resumed dicing. "I don't drink anymore."
Khushi froze in the middle of a sip. Though he didn't tell her, she knew why he had stopped.
"The jumping castle..." Khushi trailed off.
"I bought it on my way home today. The kids had a great time in the jumping castle at the amusement park so I thought why not." Arnav answered truthfully.
After a couple of minutes of silence, Khushi put her glass down on the counter and put her hands on the edge of the counter on either side of her hips.
"Why are you doing all this?" She demanded.
The change of tone in her voice made him turn and look at her. He turned back without answering her and diced the last bit of pepper.
He picked up the diced peppers and tossed them in the pan. He turned the heat down on the stove after covering the pan with a lid. He took off his apron, placed it on the counter in front of him and took an obvious recollecting breath.
He turned to her and walked towards her. Khushi met his gaze without blinking.
He stopped a couple of steps in front of her and she was taken aback at the emotions displayed across his face.
"Because I want to see them happy. Any father would do what made their kids happy. I didn't even know I had two wonderful children all these years but now that I know, I want to leave no opportunity to make them happy. I couldn't be a good husband...who am I kidding? I was a horrible husband...but I don't want to be that again."
"I wish you didn't get so close to them. They'll be very sad when you leave."
He closed the distance until he was right in front of her. He kept both of his hands on the counter on either side of her to prevent her from leaving.
"I don't want to leave. I can't lose you three once again. I don't think I'll survive it this time. Do you remember what I said to you the day you left? I meant every word. I loved you then, I love you now, and with you or away from you, I'll continue loving you. I asked you for a chance then and I want to ask you for one again."
He gave her a couple of seconds to absorb all that. A tear escaped her eyes and fell onto her cheeks. Arnav wiped the sole tear with his thumb.
"I never want to see these in your eyes, Khushi." His voice had dropped to a near whisper. "I promise I won't let you down this time. I'll try to be the best husband, the best father to Amber and Aditya...just give me one last chance. If you don't think I deserve you after that, I'll do anything you say. I kept my promise to you last time...I didn't try to look for you...do you know how much that killed me every day? But I didn't look for you because it was the last thing you asked of me, how could I not give it to you?"
Khushi's eyes were filled with tears, her breathing slow and deep. She felt both of his hands cupping her face now.
"All I need is one chance, Khushi. Just once chance? We'll start fresh...it will be like dating...you don't have to be my wife...we can spend time together and if you feel ready after that, we can try to gather what's shattered between us...if we can bring back what we shared before I ruined it, then you can make a decision...and if you don't want me back in your life after that, I'll leave forever...the memories I've made here and the time I've spent with you, Amber, and Aditya will be enough to get me through life...all I'm asking for is one chance."
"Arnav, are you here?" A voice called from outside the kitchen. Arnav and Khushi stepped away from each other and immediately started pretending to be cooking.
Anjali walked in, holding her belly. "Um...A pregnant lady in the house...you need signs leading to the washroom."
Arnav smiled at her and left to show her the way to the bathroom. Khushi took this chance to run out of the kitchen. She fixed her hair and wiped her face before walking out into the yard.
Throughout dinner, Arnav and Khushi stole several glances at each other but neither had a chance to complete the conversation from earlier.
Soon after dinner, Amber was the first one to get sleepy. Khushi and the kids had left soon after that.
After Khushi had tucked in amber and Aditya, all she could do was lay awake and think about everything Arnav had said to her whereas, Arnav lay awake in his bed, worrying what her response would be.
Preview: First date or not?
Next Part: Page 14
Hey guys! As usual, I would like to apologize for the delay in posting. Trust me, I'm trying my best to update as soon as I can but life was just too busy the past few months. It has calmed down a bit now so hopefully, I'll be able to update more often. *fingers crossed* I hope that you guys will understand like always. Thanks for reading and appreciating. Your feedback and comments are most welcome.
Love,
Katie <3
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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