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What took you guys so long? Arnav asked welcoming Payal and Akash.
Traffic buddy. Glasses ready? Akash asked as soon as he entered.
Fatty, didnt you find better guy than this drunkard. Arnav teased with wide grin on his face which is very unusual of him.
I guess Khushi confessed. Akash whispered in Payal's ears the moment Arnav turned leading the way. Payal giggled closing her mouth.
Where is cookie, Arnie?
She should be here any min. He said mixing drinks for Akash.
Can I go meet her? Payal asked almost climbing up the stairs.
Ofcourse, dont ask next time else you will find yourself out. Her room is on the left. He said not approving the way she asked formally.
On the left, that means...Payal understood that they both are not sharing the room and rushed to meet Khushi.
Akash stood with Arnav sipping drink and put his brain to work the moment he understood Raizadas aren't sharing one room. He came up with brilliant plan and proudly patted himself.
What else Akash? Hows marriage preps going on?
Great, I guess I will be bankrupt by end of my wedding.
Arnav chuckled and fisted Akash chest, Sudhar ja!
They settled themselves on the floor leaning against the couch. If there is anything that hasnt changed between the friends, is their simplicity at the way they look and enjoy things especially when they are together. The tradition of sitting down and having fun conversations, drinking, eating from each other's plate was the tradition they started when they were in college. They always make sure they follow the same rules whenever Arnav, Akash, Payal get together. It was no big deal for Arnav to sit on the floor but Payal and Akash always wondered and were glad that the money success dont rule their friends head.
Tu bata, hows your marriage life going on? Akash started digging trying to get Arnav's take.
Just like the way it should be! He said with serious expression hiding his joy of she being with him.
Oh yeah? I am sure its rocking for you. BTW, I need your help Arnie. I wanna gift something to Payal on our first night. Do you have any suggestions?
I..I..honestly have no clue. I am sure she will be happy even if you dont give anything. He said in typical ASR way.
I wish. She warned me, no gift no----- you know what I mean right?
Good for you. You need someone like her to tame you!
Hey hey I know you are fond of her. That doesnt mean that you dont understand MAN's feelings.
Sorry I wont. I am straight and I dont need to understand another MAN. Arnav smirked at his own retort.
Whatever!!! Waise what did you gift Khushi on your first night? Smart Akash, no wonder he brought this topic to dig up Mr. Raizada.
Arnav coughed up almost spitting his drink. Akash just knew the reason and he persuaded him to answer the question.
I..I didnt. Arnav answered in uncomfortable tone.
Kyun? How did Khushi leave you? Didnt she kill you? Akash teased him pushing him further.
No, she was fine I guess. Arnav is running out his lies and felt very uncomfortable lying about something that never happened. He mentally wished Khushi was there next to him. She is master in this and all this was piece of cake for her. She always knew how to manipulate and trick people who evades her privacy.
You guess? How boring you are? I guess I will have to find out from the lady herself. Akash stood up walking towards Khushi and Payal who were descending stairs.
NOOO. Arnav yelled dragging Akash to sit.
Akash didnt stop and called Khushi. Akash who is on mission to pull their legs, changed the topic in the last min because he knew, had he asked Khushi about first night, Arnav wouldnt hesitate to kill him the very next moment. Unaware of this Arnav turned away embarrassed at whats going to come.
Cookie, do you have anything to munch on with these drinks? You know like peanuts, cashews?
Arnav relieved looked at Akash spitting fire.
Khushi and Payal walked upto them and stood closer to their respective men. Payal changed into one of Khushi's night suits and settled herself next to Aakash on the floor. Arnav who is busy staring at Akash angrily didnt look at Khushi.
I made chicken today. Do you wanna have it? I rememeber you always liked...
Before Khushi could complete, Arnav interrupted her all raged without even registering her getup, You made chicken in THE HOUSE?
Yeah. Why? Khushi asked in low voice scared and embarassed to face his wrath infront of their friends.
Understanding the tension between the couple and seeing Khushi almost on the verge of crying, Akash taking Payal's hand asked if he can borrow Arnav's clothes for the night. They left to Arnav room leaving the Raizadas downstairs.
Arnav grabbed her hand and dragged her to kitchen.
Who the hell gave you permission to cook meat in this house? He asked riling up at her.
Permission? Why do I need permission to cook chicken? She asked unable to understand why is he so angry about it.
Because non-veg is not allowed in this house. It was never cooked nor brought into this house.
Oh I am sorry Arnav. I didnt know, otherwise...
If you dont know, you better ask and think twice before you do anything. He yelled at her without letting her complete. There are certain traditions and family rules my mom followed and I will not allow anyone to change those in MY house.
She was feeling sorry up until he said "MY House". She flipped advancing towards him. If you are so concerned about keeping up family traditions, you should have explained what is accepted and what not. This is exactly why I begged you many times to speak up. Dont blame me for your mistakes Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada. She pounced on him making him walk backwards until he collided the refrigerator behind.
Khushi, lower your voice. I dont like anyone talking to me like that. He spoke reddening his eyes.
You pushed me to this extent. And this is MY house too as long as I wear this and this. She spoke angrily pointing to her mangalsutra and sindoor. Dont forget that we are married and anything that belongs to you belongs to me as well, including YOU YOURSELF.And get that straight to your pea-sized brain which is only filled with your big fat ego. She spoke irritated and turned to go away.
He swiftly twisted her arms and pulled her onto him. This time, she didnt close her eyes but looked at him in his eye challenging him. He wasnt angry, but he was questioning something that she couldnt understand.
What did you just say? He asked her expressing passion in his voice.
Whatever you heard. She showed attitude as she understood what his exact question is.
I wanna hear it again to make sure I got it right.
I dont remember what I said. She looked away stubbornly.
Khushi, say it! He demanded tightening his grip on her wrists.
You know what, I remember it but I will not say it. She said angrily looking at him.
I am not leaving you until you say it. He said almost huskily enjoying her anger and forgetting his anger.
I have no problem. Take your time. She spoke colly totally surprising him.
What the?...Fine! I dont care. He exclaimed a little disappointed at himself for being at the receiving end this time. He left her hands and served chicken on the plate for Akash.
Yeah I can see that you dont care. She muttered smiling and looking at him surprised. She noticed him walking out the kitchen with chicken and stopped him.
What are you doing? You just said its not allowed. Give it to me, I will throw it. She tried to take the plate from him.
I already told you, nothing is going wasted if you prepare and moreover Akash really likes his drinks with chicken. He said sternly a bit irritated for not getting answers from her.
She held his wrist and dragged him again to kitchen while he kept questioning why. She pushed him against the wall and stood on her toes, supporting herself holding his shoulders. I am starting one more tradition. She whispered looking at his eyes intently, Everytime I feel overwhelmed with your stupid 2 cent concerned dialogues, you are going to get these. She pecked his jawbone on both sides reaching it with full intensity.
He spread his arms, holding plates in his hands and feeling extremely helpless unable to wrap her in his arms. He closed his eyes savoring her moist cold lips on his skin. Khushi sensed his helplessness and desperateness to hold her. She chuckled onto his stubble and said huskily And this is to compensate your desperateness to hold me right now. He looked at her as shocked expression crossed his eyes. How did she know what he was thinking? He questioned himself.
She knows his every move, every word. Heck, she knows his every breath he is taking now. He is surprised that his life is no longer closed book that he thought he locked it many years ago. Hearing people say that he is rude and arrogant, he thought there is no one in this world to truly understand his intentions behind the mask he put on for these years. He couldn't figure out if she is healing his bruised heart or robotic mind. He felt extremely emotional and let her take over him and his insecurities.
He closed his eyes as she leaned on closer much closer to give him a third bonus peck and this time right below his jawbone, slowly invading his privacy. There is some sense of tehraav in her touch, controlling his turbulent emotions bringing utmost peace. As she withdrew, he opened his eyes and looked at her mentally pleading her not to stop. She did the same thing as she parted her lips from his stubble. I am sorry, I should have asked. She whispered lowering her eyes guiltily.
Dont say it, not your fault. You have every right to make it your, I mean OUR home the way you want it. He said proudly losing himself to her.
Khushi smiled at him appreciating the change in him. And she said teasingly stepping away from him, now you get only 2 pecks in a day no matter how many cheesy dialogues you say.
He chuckled and nodded his head in disbelief how his wife flips to different moods in a sec.
He sighed her to come near her and he tried to keep the plates away. She closed the gap between them quickly not allowing him to move an inch to keep the plates away, taking advantage of his helpless situation. He blushed understanding that she is all ready to torture him again and he obliged.
As she came near him blushing, she comfortably placed her palms on his chest and stared at him waiting for him to speak.
Do I really belong to you? He asked innocently, to know if what she meant is what he is understanding.
She nodded letting out shy smile.
Say it! He huskily whispered and pleaded her.
You belong to me the day you belong to yourself.
His face suddenly dropped confused what she exactly meant. He waited for her to shed some light.
She continued, The day you own your smile and your tears, the day you own your joy and sadness, the day you own your past and your present, the day you own you loss, your gain, and your grief. Until then you are not owning YOURSELF, you are just running from all of it. The day you embrace each and every moment in your life as it meant to be, you will find me by you and within you.
Its the new revelation f or him. He thought he had grip on his life. If he thinks he owns every moment, why he is running away like she said. He thought.
She cupped his cheek understanding his perplexed state, and said, And all these doesnt happen overnight. We will deal with it, just like the way you said. Just help me help you.
He understood to an extent that she is doing all these to bring his playful attitude back but he didnt understand the need for the touchy moments and closeness she is showing. There is something more than he was told, he thought.
Now lets go, they will be waiting. She literally dragged him out of his dreamy thoughts.
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Akash, dont ask the stupid questions. Cookie told me that she didnt confess yet.
What? How is it possible? How come he looked so happy?
I am sure Love is in the air and I sense some confession on its way very soon. Payal said wittily.
I am just going to help the situation. Akash grinned giving hi-fi to his soon to be wife. Waise, shall we go for one quick round? He winked at Payal.
Yahaa? Pagal hogaye ho tum. This is Arnav's room. I am not sure if he has gun. But if he does, he will kill you before you zip up your pants. For now, isise kaam chalalo, She pecked his lips and dragged him out.
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Ah finally, here they come. I thought they vanished into some wonderland. Akash teased as the couple settled themselves with all smiles while Payal helped Khushi set the plates on the floor.
Khushi kneeled on the floor setting up napkins, which is when he took in what she was wearing.
Shocked and surprised was an understatement of the expressions on his face. She wore very loose pale yellow round necked tee that is at least 2 times bigger than her size. The tee is so big that it completely covered her grey shorts which are extremely short and fitted her perfectly. As Khushi leaned in to take a bite from Payal, thats when he read what her tee read "DONT MESS WITH ME!"
He curved his lips smiling inwardly at his pagal wife. She finally settled herself next to him. She took the phone away that he was meddling to check his emails. She then took his arm and made him wrap it around her shoulders totally surprising him. Akash and Payal silently noticed and acted as if everything is normal. Arnav looked around and was surprised that everything is normal to everyone except him. He just couldnt figure out the solid reason behind her tremendous change. He adjusted himself making her feel comfortable as he rested his palm holding her shoulder expressing that she belongs only to him.
She then relaxed against his shoulder, almost throwing her weight off onto him sideways approving his message that she got from his grip. She then stretched her legs exposing what he was dying to see for many days, her mehendi feet. Thats the only reason she wore shorts for the first time in front of him in RM.
Akash, Payal and Khushi were talking about something but nothing registered in his mind. He ogled at her feet and he so wished they were alone that min. He had seen mehendi on several women but for the first time he is seeing it upto the knee level. Such deep color design against her milky skin almost seemed like blushing against his piercing gaze. His fingers itched to run his hands on her slender feet. He cursed every being in that room for not giving him much needed privacy.
Khushi brought the spoonful to Arnav to ask him to eat and noticed him staring at her feet. She gave winning smile and gave him an elbow kick. I never knew you are fascinated with my feet too. She repeated his own dialogue that he said in the party. As if thats not enough to embarass, Akash teased not missing the chance, If you are done with drooling session, Arnav babu, aap kuch kahenge?
Arnav's ears turned red being caught.
Eat? Khushi asked bringing the spoon to Arnav.
No, I dont eat chicken.
Dont lie. She said frowning.
OK. I ate only once in college.
Then, whats the problem now? She asked unable to understand.
I didnt like it anywhere else. So I stopped again. He asked gently pushing the spoon.
Duffer, she was the one who...Akash was about to say something. Khushi sighed him not to.
She was the one what? Arnav tried to understand the secret.
Nothing. I understand you tried at many other places. Ek aur baar sahi. Try it. Akash suggested.
Arnav looked at her staring at him like puppy. He couldnt help but give up to her cuteness. He held her hand and made her feed him. As he chewed cautiously, it tasted very familiar and distinctive. He leaned over to the plate and took another bite investigating himself while Khushi almost sat at the edge of her seat.
I have had this before. He said looking at Payal and Akash.
Thats why he called you duffer. Payal giggled.
Arnav turned to Khushi and asked as everything started making sense, Did you prepare this?
She nodded Yes excitedly.
In college too? He asked anxiously waiting for her answer.
That was me. She said reading the emotions in his eyes.
Akash and Payal understood what his friend is going through and why it is so important for him to know. The whole atmosphere became suddenly silent as he looked at her unable to understand how to react remembering the past.
For many years Arnav Singh Raizada survived on single meal. Everybody including the public knows that fact. What others including Khushi doesn't know but these two friends (Akash, Payal) know is the fact that this business tycoon once had no food for many days in his earlier years.That incident particularly ties to how he ended up eating Chicken.
Arnav pulled Khushi into tight hug crushing her bones, remembering the past, those good old sick days. Khushi confusedly looked at Payal as she didnt understand why he is emotional about it suddenly.
When Arnav was in college, after losing his everything, friends stopped going outside to eat just because Arnav will not come due to money constraints. Akash started preparing food in the apartment while his friend busted his a** for survival. Even though Akash said No to take money from Arnav, Arnav made sure he paid his share of groceries even if there is delay by a month. Payal who is not very good cook but helped Akash in every possible way to help their friend. Thats when Akash and Payal realized their feelings for each other and to this day they thank Arnav for that, for whom they became one. Khushi even though unaware of all these since she was asked to get out of his room, she prepared special dishes once in awhile and asked Payal to take it to mens apartment. Anytime a pastry item entered men's apartment Arnav knew it was from Khushi and he used to outright ignore the meal.
As Arnav embraced held her tight controlling his torment, Payal narrated the past to Khushi.
It was the end of the semester, just one week before you left the college for good. Exams times, and every student is busy with exams while Arnie was busy laying out strategy to make it big, with his exams, working in local store standing for hours at checkout counter, and walking miles home to save few dollars. Me and Akash had exams on every single day for a week since we registered in the same set of classes unlike Arnav who was into advanced classes. That week Akash could not prepare food every day during that week. We stayed in the college most of the time and as you remember we came to room just to brush and bath.
We totally forgot that there was no food at home, Arnav had no time to cook and no money to spend. Later we came to know that he went on for 2 days without eating anything, just surviving on water. The evening I called, he sounded extremely weak, exhausted and reluctantly decided to spend few dollars to get a sandwich from outside.
Payal took a deep breath and cleared her choked throat while Akash wrapped his arm around her comforting Payal.
Khushi's heart started beating faster and felt extremely overwhelmed and huge lump in her throat suffocated with the new facts.
Cookie, the phone call was really painful. I dont think I will forget it till my death. Khushi waited impatiently to know what happened in that call.
These were his exact words in feeble tone, he said, Fatty, tere ghar mein kuch khaane keliye hain kya?
Payal and Akash scooted to the other couple and hugged Arnav whose face was buried on Khushi's shoulder hiding his sorrow. Payal broke down hiding her face against Akash shoulder while Akash flicked the lone tear the escaped his eyes.
Hearing his own scary past, Arnav tried to break the hug and go away but Khushi held him tight and didnt allow him to move an inch. She ran her fingers in his hair, comforting him while she drenched his tee with her tears.
Payal gave friendly kiss over Arnav's head and retreated to their position.
Payal was about to continue but was interrupted by Khushi. I know that's when you called me asking if we had food at home and you asked me to leave the house so that he can come in.
[[Author note: Payal then didnt ask Khushi what was prepared as she wanted Khushi to leave as soon as possible before he came to her apt]]
I am sorry Khushi. I know you were hurt, but..
No Payal. I am glad you did. I was upset about myself and him fighting and I don't think I would have seen him in that state. She then rubbed his hair and asked, are you okay?
Arnav wiped his tears on her shoulders as he didn't wanna show it to his friends and pulled himself from the hug and said in low voice, I will need a min here. He sat still with his eyes lowered thinking something deep while Khushi rubbed his back comforting him and the other couple waited for him to regroup.
Saari Duniyaa se jeet ke main Aaya hoon idhar
Tere aage hi main haara, kiya tune kya asar..
Arnav then looked at Khushi fondly, and said, Sorry you had to step out of your house that night.
Khushi slapped his chest for not accepting his apology. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer, making her all blush and embarrassed in front of Akash and Payal. He leaned over titling his head and kissed her ear whispering, Thank You for saving my life that night.
Yeah and his 2 dollars..burger price. Akash tried to lighten the mood of everyone making everyone chuckle.
Alright enough of drama. Lets play a game. Akash said turning on his phone.
Khushi all excited and sat up resting her arm on Arnav's lap. He pulled her back securing his arm around her, warning her not to move even an inch without his permission.
Akash: So this is Q/A game for couples.
Khushi: Ohhh I so love it. Explain.
I don't wanna play this game. Arnav refused to play knowing the standard of Akash's games.
Don't be spoil sport. Be a man and play. Khushi challenged, making Payal giggle.
Oh yeah? Fine, count me in and I will not let you back off now what come may. Trust me you are going to regret for playing his games. Arnav warned letting out witty smile.
Arnie, stop scaring her. Cookie, trust me you will have fun. Payal tried to convince her.
Alright I am in, Lets play. Khushi said leaning against him sideways comfortably.
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Sorry for the delay guys. There was drop in the internet connection. Had to restart the entire freaking router. Anyway I hop you enjoy this update..Love ya.
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