Thank you everyone for the encouraging comment on the previous chapter. And special thanks go to Arshi.Sugi.IPK for taking time to read the last six updates and comment on them. I have tried to reply to some of the coment on the thread or as a scrap. New readers are welcome. For PMs, buddy me.Chapter Ninteen
Love Issues
After having some gol gappe, Arnav and Khushi walked back to their car, hand in hand; it happened mutually as one's hand reached the other's and found each other midway, with no question, yet with many answers.
Some things in life happen gradually and strengthen unconsciously; that is how relationships are. Nothing comes out of the blue even the things that we assume that happen by chance because they are destined to take place in our lives.
"Thank you for a wonderful night, Khushi." In reply, Khushi gave him a dazzling smile.
The air changed in the car and they were aware of this, feeling the way their hearts thudded. Arnav's hands cupped Khushi's cheeks tenderly. His right hand moved a strand of hair behind her ears. Bending to her level, Arnav decreased the distance between their faces to inches apart. Khushi closed her eyes in anticipation as her lips quivered. With the invitation he got, Arnav took her lips in a passionate kiss trying to convey his love through it. Khushi did not only give in to his kiss and touches, but also kissed him back. Parting for air, Khushi kissed Arnav's eyes one by one...the eyes that make her feel confident once she look at, the eyes that see her as a beautiful woman and soul. Lowering his hands to her waist, Arnav brought Khushi in his lap as he dropped open-mouthed kisses on her neck. Khushi digged her fingers in his hair wanting to be as close as possible to him. Khushi moaned loving the sensations created by his touches and kisses on her skin. Hearing a car horn in the distance, Arnav and Khushi pulled apart reluctantly.
Arnav cleared his throat after smoothing Khushi's hair, "We should head home."
_________
"You're glowing like a bride," Payal teased.
"Stop it, Payal." Khushi blushed.
"How was the date?"
"Good."
"What happened, Khushi?" Payal asked concerned seeing a restless Khushi.
"This is scaring me..I mean my own feelings...and the depth of his love. I want to be with him all the day and night...I cannot wait to be home." Khushi replied with a tone of helplessness. Of all the reactions Khushi expected from Payal, Khushi did not expect her to laugh.
"You are laughing?" A confused Khushi asked.
"Is not it amazing?"
"What?"
"Being in love."
Not that Khushi needed someone to tell her that she loves her husband when she felt this when he looked at her lovingly, when he told her how he had known her and when, when the way he held her in his arms last night said it all and made her realize her feelings, but when Payal stated that, the thought that wandered in Khushi's mind was, 'Is it that obvious? Does he know?' before her thoughts took another leap.
"Payal, what's up?" Khsuhi narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
"What do you mean?"
"Now don't you dare lie to me. Sometimes you speak about love and other times you are lost. What's new?"
"I...Me and Akaash love each other."
"Akaash? Akaash Raizaada? Akaash ji, right? I had this inclining feeling. You are telling me this now, when I asked you?" Khushi accused.
"It's just that...we..I mean.."
"The class starts by now. Let's go," Khushi stood up feeling hurt. Her best friend and Akaash whom she consider as a friend hid this news from her; she could not help but feel betrayed.
"Khushi, listen to me." Payal tried calling her but Khushi already left.
_________
After the classes were done, Khushi waited for Mohan to pick her up, in the parking spot. There, Payal tried to talk to her, but Khushi ignored her. As per her earlier plans, Khushi went to check up on her family. She had told Arnav about this and he promised to join her later.
Seeing the way her father was coping with the medications and the Physiotherapy, made her feel better. Late at the evening, Arnav was there. After having tea and checking on his father-in-law, Khushi asked Arnav to take her home.
The drive home was so silent. Arnav tried to talk hoping that Khushi might talk, but his efforts were in vain. Just this morning they were fine, actually beyond fine. He wondered what changed her mind since her family was good also.
"Khushi, will you tell me now?" He tried for the last time, but she said that she would tell him once they are home.
_________
Once they were in Raizaada Mansion, Khushi guided Arnav to Akaash's room confusing him. He couldn't but follow her wondering what has Akaash got to do with Khushi now?
Knocking impaiently on Akaash's door, Khushi waited for him to open the door, while Arnav stood behind her.
"Khushi bhabi?" Akaash was not so surprised as Payal told him about Khushi's reaction, but he did not think that she would confront him.
Khushi entered the room while saying with an apparent anger, "Don't call me bhabi!" Arnav did not know what to do. "Khushi, can you tell me clearly what's wrong?"
"Why don't you ask your brother?" Khushi replied with an answer.
Before Arnav could ask, Akaash butted in directing his answer to Khushi, "it's not like this bhabi, we...I mean..it's my fault not hers."
"I asked you not to call me bhabi. Is this the way you treat your bhabi? And she? How could she hide this from me? She just listened to you?" Khushi's tone was rising with every question asked.
Now Arnav was thinking who is the 'her' and 'she' here. And can someone just explain to me and make me understand? He felt lost between them.
"I thought that it is too early to announce this, so.."
Khushi interrupted, "What's about you Raizaada brothers being all secretive? One just told me yesterday that he knows me in the last whole year and the other did not tell me that he loves my friend? I did not know that you love your privacy this much that you let people be lost and ignorant around you."
'Now what has he done to receive such an accusation? And Akaash loves her friend? Is it Payal?' Arnav thought. 'When angry, no one would love to face his wife.' A smile curved up his lips at the thought, but Khushi was not so pleased to witness it.
"You're having fun, right? Do you wish to congratulate your brother?" A frustrated Khushi asked an amused Arnav.
Arnav moved to stand beside Khushi. He put a hand on her shoulder. "Khushi, can you calm down? Maybe I can help." Khushi cursed herself for allowing her eyes to look at his. He had that power on her that he can have render her speechless. As Arnav made Khushi sit on a near couch, Akaash volunteered to offer Khushi a glass of water.
"I just told Arnavji a couple of days ago that we are friends," Khushi accused with a pout, refusing to take the glass from Akaash.
Akaash handed it to Arnav, who made Khushi sip some water. "I know I should not have done that. But I'm still so young for a commitment, so I decided to take things slowly before confronting you. I don't wish to hide this from you, but I felt awkward as she is your friend. I didn't want to embarrass any of you when she comes here."
"How thoughtful!" Khushi said with a tip of sarcasm though she somehow saw a point here.
"Is she Payal?" Arnav had had enough of their talks. He wanted some clear answers.
Khushi looked at him with a glare before sighing. "Yes."
"Is not it a good news? Payal and Akaash. Eventually your best friend will live with you. No, it is not , I won't get to spend some quality of time with you." Arnav was the mediator after all.
Khushi giggled, "Seriously? You are too thoughtful, Raizaadas! You think about the future way too much."
"Care to explain everything clearly to me?" Arnav asked as he sat beside Khushi. He got to know that Akaash and Payal were seeing each other in the last two months only as they were hesitant to open to each other before, as they wanted to explore what is between them since his and Khushi's marriage. Another thing Arnav knew is that both of Akaash and Payal hid this from Khushi and that is what made his beautiful wife feel hurt, hence her reaction.
"Are you still mad at me, Bhabi?" Akaash asked once Arnav and Khushi decided to go to their room.
"Yes, you have to make up for me," Khushi replied stubbornly before leaving. Arnav gave Akaash a smirk before wishing him a good luck.
_________
Arnav waited for Khushi, who was having a quick shower, on their bed. When his beautiful wife was drying her hair with a towel, sitting on a stool before the dressing table mirror, he stood behind her to help her.
"Don't you think that you have over reacted, Khushi?" Arnav tried to not rile Khushi up. She handed him the towel while shaking her head.
"No they deserve this. They disappointed me." Khushi's eyes became teary.
"But we cannot blame them as their insecurities and apprehension stopped them. Maybe they did not know how we would react." Arnav continued drying Khushi's hair relishing its scent.
"I don't quite see your point of view, Arnavji. I could not act rationally when I heard that."
"You'll talk to Payal tomorrow, right?"
"Of course I will, Arnavji. She is my soul sister. But this does not mean I won't scold her." Arnav chuckled before handing back the towel to Khushi as he was done.
"I'm sorry. I did not spare you from my accusation and I know that I should not have said that, but it is still shocking me." Khushi hugged Arnav as she apologized for her mistake. She rested her head over his heart seeking its assurances, warmth, peace and love. She felt home.
**********
With love,
Sh~
14