ARHI FF:Strings Of Illusion-T7| CHP 44 - PG 129|LINK to THREAD 8-Pg 1* - Page 28

Chapter 41

Khushi rubbed her palms against her eyes as she yawned while stretching her body...she opened her eyes and grinned at the bright sunlight filtering in through the open curtains...turning around she took in Arnav's sleeping profile as she shifted towards him and placed a quick kiss on his cheek..she saw him wrinkle his nose as her open hair tickled him making her hold in a laugh

She quickly got up and searched around for something to wear when Arnav's large white shirt caught her attention...donning it, she made a quick trip to the bathroom to wash her face and brush before slowly tip toeing out of his room, making sure she doesn't disturb him...today she wanted to surprise him further by cooking them breakfast

She hummed a soft tune as she walked into the kitchen and put on the coffeemaker before measuring some water and milk for her early morning tea...she pulled out some bread, eggs and bacon from the well stocked fridge and cupboards before getting ready to chop some veggies and cheese for the frittata she was planning on making...after a few more minutes of chopping and beating eggs, she got the pan hot enough to pour the delicious mix in before switching on the grill for the bacon

She sighed in contentment as she saw to the food, giving her some time to strain her tea concoction before settling on the kitchen counter as she sipped on her morning doze of life...her ears pricked as she heard a faint click making her aware that Arnav must be coming down...she giggled as she kept her cup on the counter before crossing her legs and mussing up her gorgeous hair for a sexy welcome to her boyfriend

She bit her lips as the footsteps came closer making her wonder how quick he had walked down...rolling her eyes she made herself ready to greet Arnav when she heard a new voice with the approaching footsteps "Wow! Something in here smells delish! Is that Bacon?" the man said as he came inside with a silly grin, only to stand stock-still with his mouth hanging open at the sight of the beautiful woman in front of him

"Aaahhh!" Khushi screamed as she literally slipped off the counter and got hold of the first knife that lay nearby, the same one she was using to chop up the vegetables "Who are you! And How the hell did you come in? Arnaaavv...Arnaaav" she screamed as the man took more than a second to realize that the woman was holding a huge knife and screaming Arnav's name

"Whoa! Hold on...Khushi...I mean, Miss Gupta...I...Its...me" he said as she stopped screaming when Arnav's voice came booming behind them "Khushi?? What happened...where are you!" he screamed as he practically ran down the stairs in nothing but his boxers to find a sight he would never really forget in his life "Akash?' he said as he looked on bewildered at his brother who seemed to be frighted out of his wits standing glued to the wall as Khushi with her wild hair and big eyes implored him with a chopping knife

"Akash?" Khushi said a second later as realization hit her... "Oh...Akash!...your brother? Damn!" she said as Arnav started laughing while Akash got his breathing to normal...this is how it felt to see a woman transform from an Angel into a demon, he thought as Khushi finally stepped back embarrassed and kept the knife down...she looked on helplessly at Arnav who could not seem to stop laughing

"Oh God! This is probably the funniest sight I have ever seen..." Arnav said as he finally noticed what Khushi was wearing...he quickly glanced at his brother who seemed to have calmed down a bit and was now nervously looking everywhere but at her...Arnav thinned his lips as he quickly went and grabbed khushi's wrist before pulling her out of the kitchen and towards the bedroom upstairs

"Akash...we'll be down in a minute" he shouted as Akash mutely nodded before pouring himself a glass of cold water...Khushi frowned at Arnav at his caveman behavior as he closed the door behind them after reaching the room "Arnav! Why did you have to drag me all the way here? I'm sorry I attacked your brother that way...but I was genuinely surprised and a bit scared...plus you both don't look anything alike...and now that I think of it, your brother looks very familiar..." she said as Arnav sighed and pulled her by her shoulders

"Khushi! It's ok...you didn't know...and that moron had to find today of all days to visit me here!" he said as Khushi looked on with her eyebrows drawn together "Okey...then why did you bring me here? We were not even properly introduced" she said frowning as Arnav pulled her closer to him and ran his hands down her body to rest them on her perfect bottom

"Khushi...do you realize what you are wearing? I could practically see your entire body illuminated in the sunshine...thanks to my white shirt...do you really think I could keep you down there in such a state, let alone introduce you to Akash?" he asked her as she blushed...she looked down at the loose shirt which did cover her till her knees, but was also pretty translucent...she smiled sheepishly as she wound her arms around Arnav before lightly pecking his lips

"Sorry Mr Raizada...this was exclusively for you...now if you don't mind, I need to change into something more presentable to go down and officially meet your brother" she said as she pushed him away only for him to pick her up in his arms and into the bathroom "well, in that case lets not waste time" he said before shutting the door amongst khushi's squeals

...

"Akash?" Arnav called out nearly half an hour later as both he and Khushi walked down, freshly showered and slightly out of breath...they found Akash setting up the table with the food that Khushi was preparing earlier "Oh No! The breakfast!" she said as Akash cleared his voice "Uh...I took care of it...don't worry" he said as Khushi looked at the slightly overcooked frittata and crispy bacon...the bread was freshly toasted with jam, butter and other preserves on the table

"Thanks" khushi said in gratitude with a small awkward smile as Akash smiled back and looked down...Arnav grinned at the two embarrassed souls before once again laughing out "Relax you two! These things happen...and trust me Khushi, one day not so far in the future you might just want to chop off Akash's 'Ahem' for something he will do or say...or simply just cause you want to! That's how annoying he can be!" Arnav said as Khushi giggled while Akash looked on horrified

"Kya bhai! That is not how I wanted to be introduced to your girlfriend!" he said before stepping in front of Arnav and holding out his hand, the earlier awkwardness and fear completely forgotten as his real persona took over "Hi! I'm Akash raizada...the one and only loving , smart, handsome and dashing brother of your boy-friend..." he said with a cheeky smile as Khushi returned his handshake and smiled "Very nice to meet you Akash...i'm Khushi" she said as Akash rolled his eyes "Who doesn't know you Khushi!" he said as Arnav glared at him "Sorry...Khushiji" he said as Khushi burst into a fit of laughter

"Oh my God! I don't know anyone who calls me that...Khushi is just fine Akash..." she said as Akash gave arnav a triumphant smile "Anyways, lets eat, both of you...I am starving!" Arnav said as all three sat down "Wow Khushi...this looks amazing...Thank you!" Arnav said as he lightly kissed Khushi on her forehead making her blush while Akash made a gagging sound

"Please don't tell me you will be both groping each other at every opportunity!...I don't think my innocent eyes can take it!" Akash said dramatically as Arnav looked at Khushi with an 'I told you so' expression... "Don't worry Akash...we'll try and keep it private...I don't think anyone is fond of other's PDA..." she said as she thought of the recent display she had seen of payal with that guy outside her house... "Great!" Akash said as Khushi's brain suddenly did a 180 degree rotation...the guy with payal...that is why he looked so familiar! Akash raizada was dating Payal Dinkaran!

"Khushi? What happened? You just kinda zoned off! " Arnav said as Akash too looked up from his food "Hey...I was just kidding Khushi...you both are free to do whatever you like, wherever you like...as long as its not anywhere near my Playstation and the..." he kept on blabbering as Arnav glared at him once again "Sorry..." he said as Khushi came out of her thoughts

"Nothing, I'm fine...was just thinking of something" she said as both Arnav and Akash went back to eating...she observed Akash and wondered if she should just ask him, because she was 100% sure that it was him with Payal the other day...but maybe he did not want his family to know...yet... "So Akash! When do you finish Uni? And you'll probably be joining R&S once you graduate" she asked him conversationally as he shrugged his shoulders "Just a year or so left now...i'm already interning at R&S...so its all cool...I love my job! It pays for my wild ways!" he said as Arnav rolled his eyes

"Thats nice...I too interned in GM before finishing my degree and joining in...its always better like that" she said as she tried to bring out the topic she was dying to ask "So, any girlfriend?" she asked him cautiously only for him to squirm a bit in his chair before chuckling loudly "Oh...there are too many!...i'm too much of a stud!" he said with a smirk as Arnav hit him on his head "Ow!" he complained as Arnav looked at Khushi "Only a fool will ever date him! God bless the woman who does!" he said as Khushi grinned...she had the perfect plan to bring the lovebirds face to face! Payal had enough fun at her expense...Now it was Khushi's turn!

...

and I set fire...to the rain...' Khushi sang as she pulled into the driveway of her house in her happy mood...she had a real fun time with Akash as he told her all about his and Arnav's childhood, much to Arnav's annoyance...she smiled as she parked her car and got out in front of the main door

She still had her smile intact as she stepped in, only to stop in her path as her grandmother approached her with a stern expression on her face...before Khushi could say anything, she came ahead and pulled her grand-daughter by her hand bringing her into the living room with a strength that surprised even Khushi

"Nani...when did you come...and..." Khushi started when she looked at her with stern eyes "Not one word Khushi" she said as Khushi looked on mutely while Shalini gestured Laxamma to get everyone out...once the living room was completely empty and quite, khushi once again asked in a slightly worried voice...she had never seen her grandmother this angry "Nani...what is the matter? Is everything alright?..." she asked, only to stop as Shalini held her hand up

"You think you are too smart Khushi? You think I won't know? How can you keep such a big secret from me? Does Garima know?" Shalini asked as Khushi finally realized what she was talking about...Arnav's grandfather must have said something to her about her and Arnav's relationship...she should have told Arnav to ask them not say anything to her family.

She sighed as her nani's hands fell loosely away from holding her wrist...she looked up guiltily and went closer to her nani as she spoke in a controlled but soft voice "I am sorry Nani...I did not want you to know about us this way...In fact I was going to tell you and mamma today itself...but I guess Arnav's grandfather told you already" she said only to have her nani look at her in confusion

"What are you talking about Khushi?" Shalini asked Khushi who looked at her with a slight frown "Arnav's grandfather...He told you right?" she asked as Shalini now completely turned towards her "What has Raizada sahab got to do with this? Wait! He knew about it too? And you didn't tell your own family!" she said as Khushi nodded "We didn't tell him...but he and Arnav's bua figured it out...we decided just two days back that we'll tell everyone about us" she said as Shalini held her by her shoulders

"Tell us what?" she asked as Khushi bit her lip "About us, me and Arnav nani...I swear I was going to tell you both today!" she said trying to convince her grandmother when the older lady looked at more more bewildered than before "You and Arnav? What about you and Arnav? What's going on?" she asked only for Khushi to sigh in exasperation...her grandmother will not make this easy for her

"Nani...ab bas bhi karo [Pls stop now]...Since you already know everything...Arnav and I are seeing each other...since a while now...and yes, I know I should have told you guys this but with all this investigation and other stuff, it just did not seem right" she said, looking up...hoping that her grandmother will let it go with her blessing when instead she found her eyes go huge like saucers

"You and Arnav? Wh...what? I...when did you?" she said as Khushi felt a sudden lurch in her heart...was her grandmother not referring to her and Arnav? "Nani...that's what you asked me right? Someone must have told you...Arnav did say we were pretty obvious" she said when Shalini looked on in amusement

"Khushi...I was not talking about you and Arnav...this is news to me! A greatly satisfying one too!" she said as a big smile broke out on her face, making khushi slightly relax before another new confusion reflected on her beautiful visage "I was talking about the accident...of your car...and other things that have been going around which has involved the special officer as well...what is going on? Is someone threatening you?" she asked as the earlier smiling face was now tensed.

"Nani...woh" Khushi started saying when another voice spoke loudly "Threat? What is going on here? Ma? What are you saying?" Garima said as she stood in the doorway with various bags in her hands...both Khushi and Shalini looked at her worried state as she dropped the bags and came towards khushi, cupping her face in her hands as her restless, concerned eyes roamed over her... "What's wrong babu?" she asked as Khushi sighed and looked at her grandmother who she knew she could handle...but Garima gupta was another story!

"Garima...calm down...lets all sit down and wait till Khushi explains everything to us" she said as all three went towards the seating area and sat down...Shalini was the first to speak as Garima looked on anxiously while Khushi looked on with a slight guilt hinting in her eyes "So Khushi...would you like to tell us what is happening? From what I know, there have been a series of mis-haps and threats around you" she said as Garima gripped Khushi's hands tightly

"No nani...its nothing like that" she said looking at her nani before glancing at her anxious mother "Mamma...please don't think too much into this...its just some psycho who takes pleasure in scaring me...I was not and will not be hurt in anyways...and No, there is no threat...everything is just fine" Khushi said trying to make herself sound calm and composed...while internally she was dreading how both these women in her family will react if she tells them the nature of how things actually were

"So, you mean to say that the break-fail and other threatening messages you got, were all nothing?" Shalini asked as Garima gasped "Accident? Which accident...Khushi, what is ma talking about?" Garima asked as her voice came out with a tremble, making khushi feel more guilty "Nani, please...the police and Avinash are handling everything...i agree things were a bit difficult earlier but now its all getting sorted...the person responsible will be caught soon...I am absolutely fine!" Khushi said as Shalini looked on with the same concern and anger while Garima's eyes looked more confused and worried

"What messages did you get Khushi? Is this anything to do with Arun's murder?" Garima asked as Khushi sighed...there was no use keeping it away form them...knowing her grandmother, if she had so much information already, she probably knew what and how, things have happened "Yes mamma...this is to do with Mr Mehra's murder..." she said as Shalini looked at her sharply while Garima;s eyes turned huge in surprise

Khushi thought it was best to let them know about the events before they come to know from someone outside...so she narrated all the incidents that had happened since the day she got that parcel...she also told them about Arnav's involvement and how he got his friend's alliance with the investigation for the murder and the new threats...she also assured them that things were being worked out and that who ever it was will be caught soon

After nearly half an hour of taking in all that Khushi had to tell them, both Salini and Garima felt too heavy in their chest...they could not believe that their baby girl had gone through so much without letting them know anything "Khushi, I think for your own protection, you should stay and work from home...that would be for the best" Shalini said as Garima agreed "Absolutely...till they find the murderer, its best you do not step out..." she said as Khushi got up and stood with her hands on her hips

"I knew this will happen! Please don't do this, both of you! I am fine...and Arnav was with me and is with me...there is nothing to worry" she said as Shalini's face relaxed "Speaking of Arnav, when are you planning on telling you mother about him? She asked her as Khushi blushed furiously...it was bad enough that she blurted out her relationship with Arnav to her grandmother...bringing it up in front of her mother will be worse

She looked at Garima who looked suddenly very alarmed..."Umm...mamma...Arnav and I have been seeing each other...since a while now..." she said as Garima's tense face broke in a smile "I know babu...I was waiting for you to tell me yourself...Shashi and I saw you both that day at the engagement" she said as Shalini sharply turned towards her daughter "Shashi? What were you and Shashi doing tailing Khushi?" Shalini asked with interest as Garima suddenly went red and fumbled

Khushi looked on in embarrassment as she wondered how long her mother had known about them...but had not said anything...so, they were pretty obvious as Arnav's bua had rightly said...she looked at her mother fumbling for words as her nani questioned her about Shashi "Uh...Nani...if you don't mind, mamma and I have a lot to talk about...we also need to discuss about the wedding...why don't you rest for a while..." she said as Shalini nodded her head

"Yes, I think i really need some sleep after all the shocks i received today...Khushi, we will talk later, on many things that need to be sorted out..." she said as she got up and left, leaving Khushi and Garima alone in the living room "Alright mamma...I saved you this time, but you need to tell nani about you and Mr Dinkaran...and did you really know about me and Arnav all this while?" she asked as Garima giggled "Yes, I did...and I will tell your nani everything...but not today...she has had too much to deal with in one day..." she said as Khushi nodded...all her secrets were out now...it was time.