Arshi FF: Understanding Khushi (Last Chapter pg 117) - Page 34

Chapter 34

By the time they had descended the stair a large gathering had formed and surrounded them, friends of Poorav and Poorvi had gathered around the four. Gang of girls leaned over Poorvi and one of them while eying Arnav said "Poorvi you are so mean, you have such a big business tycoon as brother in law and you hid it from us. And Mr. Raizada its very rude of you to break so many hearts, we thought you were still hot available bachelor. You marriage is a shocker to all." Arnav could catch the vibes and evil intentions in her voice and before he could reply back. Another one of the girls eyed Khushi from top to bottom and piped in "We never thought that the great ASR, the owner of most stylist fashion house had such ordinary taste. I mean you married an ordinary...er... a simple girl like Ms. Gupta..." Arnav exactly understood what she was trying to do, but he was surprised when Khushi pushed her arms into his holding him firmly like couples do and corrected her with a forced smile on her face "Its Mrs. Raizada and..." but Arnav did not allow her to continue further knowing that however hard she tries to speak but can never be shrewd to anyone, but girls them like them needed to be answered in that tone. He continued "...and you should be smart enough to realise that she must be having something so special in her that the ASR you are talking about got married to her not anyone else. I don't know about what you mean by simple and ordinary but she is the one for me and that makes her special which no one else could be. And about me getting married then I guess all those who needed to know where informed." Poorvi too was smart enough to catch her jijaji and piped in to say "Well, I know some of you are heart broken but bad luck girls, he is committed and very much in love with my sis and ek baar jo commitment kar di toh phir yeh apne aap ki bhi nahi sunte, so bad luck. And please excuse us." Arnav looked at her amused and pulled her closer and said looking at Poorav "don't tell me that both your sisters are mad fans of Salman Khan." Poorav looked up to him and shrugged his shoulders and earned glares from both his sisters. This was enough for those girls to escape into the party and only their real friends were left. Everyone wanted to talk to ASR and he did engage in talks , it showed his power ,confidence and all admired him. Khushi and Poorvi absolutely loved the admiration he was being showered. They did not get time talk much except a few small conversations and waited for the party to get over. The dinner was an all talking affair with even some of the professors seeking Arnav's time but he remained absolutely close to the trio like a true family not diverting his attention away but wisely obliging all those who demanded his small portion of time. He quietly made sure that Khushi did not feel tired or uneasy at all. As the party came to end all friends of duo bid them good bye with taking promise from them that they shall arrange a nice meeting with their brother in law and sister soon before they leave for India. Arnav was prompt to answer "Sure, don't worry we are in London for couple of months and soon we shall meet. See you soon."

All four of them strolled towards empty lawns of the campus near their car park. The party was over and people were still lingering on, some drunk others celebrating. As soon as they reached the secluded corner of the far end lawn with a bench Poorvi launched herself onto khushi and after a few seconds Khushi and all realized that she was sobbing. Khushi wanted to pull her and ask her but she was holding Khushi too tight, Khushi looked towards Poorav for help only to realise that he too had eyes dripping with tears and he too joined the hug and Khushi enveloped them into her arms as if two small children were seeking warmth from their mother. Arnav looked at the scene with serenity and wanting to seek the same warmth of her embrace which her siblings were. At that moment their eyes met and Khushi looked at him with longing and with eyes that conveyed that she will absolutely remain thankful for this surprise of his, he smiled back and reminding her with his eyes to attend to her crying babies and she shrugged.

Arnav knew if he allowed longer, Khushi whose eyes too were tearing up will start overflowing and it will strain her and it is not good for her health. Arnav cleared his throat and said "Khushi tumhare babies kitne cribbing hai, kitna rote hai...!!" and it got the expected result Both of them left Khushi and looked for more explanation towards Arnav. Poorvi could catch the joke in a second but Poorav still looked confused and looked from Arnav back to Khushi and verbalised "jiji...what babies?" Khushi burst into laughter and holding Poorav's hand she said Arnavji is talking about you...and Poorvi" Poorav shied a bit and said "jiji..." soon Poorvi stretched towards Arnav and still sobbing lightly said "Aapko pata nahi hai jijaji, aapka or jiji ka yahan aaj hone ka humare liye kitni badi baat hai.(sobbing a little louder she continued) humare liye bachpan se jiji hi sab kuch thi, har cheez jiji ne di, but aaj apne or jiji hume ek aisi cheez di hai jo hume shayad koi kabhie nahi de sakta. Apne hume humari family de di. Apka dono ka yahan hona jaise mamma papa aa gaye. Thankyou...thankyou thankyou so much. Apko pata bhi nahi hai ki apke yahan aane se I am more happy than I ever could have been.thankyou...thankyou...(sobbing)"

Poorav continued and very humbly joined his hands before him and "Aap apne itne busy schedule main se humare liye time nikal ke yahan par jiji ko lekar aaye hai. Humare liye yeh ek special gift hai jiske liye I am so much in gratitude and not only this...hume shayad pata bhi nahi hai ki apne jiji ki kitne baar help ki...or sabse zyadda us cheat shayam se protect karne ke liye. Jiji ne bataya tha ki har bar chahe unhone apko bataya ya nahi but aap hamesha hote the unke sath or apne jane anjane wo sab kiya jo mughe karna chahiye tha. Main apko thanks bol kar apke jiji ke liye pyaar ko chota nahi karna chahta ... we are so just proud that di got you."

Arnav always knew his family depended on him greatly but this warmth from Khushi's sibling spread a new kind of warmth in him. He held his hands into his and gestured him to not do this.