Arhi FF: Humsafar. Chapter 18 up! - Page 18

Chapter 17:

It had been days to their confession but that night was the only thought that was lingering in Arnav and Khushi's minds. A strange sense of serenity had surrounded them. It was as if they already knew about each other's feelings but they just had to put it in words and when they did, no doubt it turned out to be the most beautiful moment of their life.

Arnav couldn't have asked for more. Khushi had taken a drastic change from then and he was glad about it. She needed to be free from anything that was disturbing her and finally she was. Only he knew the helplessness he had felt whenever he saw her in pain and the need to protect her from everything arose within him. He was thankful to Allah that she had completely come out of her shell and was trying to get more and more familiar with their relationship. Her past hadn't mattered before and wouldn't matter in their future until and unless it didn't bother Khushi. Needless to say, he loved every bit of the carefree Khushi who would make his lips curl with her tinkling laughter.

She had something special within her, her smile would light up a room and one look into her eyes, he was sure that he wouldn't be able to look away. True, her beauty had captivated him the first time he laid his eyes on her but there was something more to her which pulled him towards her. And now he knew what that something was. The air around her spoke volumes of innocence and purity and that was what he fell in love with. She had a heart of gold who only saw good in people.

For Khushi, it was like a dream to come true. It was like a fairy tale she had read in child hood were true after all. Now she realized that Arnav is everything what she wanted and needed in life. Till date, he had put her comfort before him and the genuine concern he showed her took her breath away. Only she knew how many times she had thanked Allah in her prayers for giving her a life partner like Arnav who not only understood her well but also loved her like a man loves his woman. Leaving all that behind wasn't as easy as anyone would have thought but it was only possible because of his. Their confession had lifted a strange sense of burden from her shoulders and the morning that followed, she had come to the conclusion that it didn't matter anymore, what mattered was their relationship and their love. And as expected she had only felt more than happy from then. Gone was the gloomy Khushi who would even be afraid to look into someone's eyes, instead she was whole new person who would play pranks with her in laws and sister on her husband just to see the adorably confused look on his face.

She remembered the time when they have gotten home, her mother had told them that they were leaving the very next day due to some urgent business her father had to attend. She was obviously sad at the fact that she would now have to stay away from Arnav. What she hadn't seen was Zoya nudging Imran and asking him to do something about it. She recalled the time when Imran had approached their father and told him to let Khushi and Aaliya stay with them. Her parents had seemed aghast at the idea but Imran had ensured them that Khushi was now their responsibility and it was just a matter of a week. Reluctantly, her father had agreed and she couldn't help but give a whoop of joy at his approval when she was in her own room. Arnav had been busy in his office work that he didn't notice all this going on.

It was at the dinner that he came to know Khushi's family was leaving the next day due to some work. Shocked, he had seen khushi only to have her put up a fake sad look. He had motioned her to come to the terrace but that had also been impossible when his father had suggested that they stay up late for that was supposed to be Khushi's family last night in thee farmhouse. He had obediently, though sulking sat through the conversations of men about politics and cricket while it was the last thing he had on his mind. Waking up early was no big deal for him as he had spent a restless night in his room, twisting and turning on the bed. Strangely, he hadn't given a thought about Khushi leaving and the unexpected farewell frustrated him to the core. He had tried to put up best of his smiles while saying good bye to his in laws and had been shocked when only Rashid and Najma have taken off leaving Khushi and Aaliya behind. He turned around only to witness the laughing faces of everyone. So he had been fooled, he thought but the next moment his lips curved into a full blown grin on thinking about their surprise. However, he had immediately schooled his expressions and glared at all of them and marched towards his bedroom pretending that he was angry ignoring the worried looks everyone gave to each other. The last thing he had heard before disappearing in his room was Aaliya saying that only Khushi could pacify him and urging a very unwilling Khushi towards his room. Well, one thing was clear, he loved his little sister in law and her ideas already!

Exactly five minutes later, Khushi knocked at his door and gulped in fear when he narrowed his eyes at her and looked down immediately regretting the thought of surprising him. He clearly remembered her remorseful face and tried to control him from laughing. Did she have any idea how adorable she looked? Obviously he wasn't mad at anyone. Why would he be when they had given him such an amazing surprise? But he had to have some fun too, didn't he? He thought smirking.

Flashback

"Sorry."

"Don't be." came the pat reply and if Khushi was flabbergasted then she didn't show it. She didn't know that her one prank would upset him so much. Well it wasn't her idea at the first place, it was Imran uncle, but she went along with it and thought it would be fun. It was until his face changed into an angry one, which she had never seen before.

"Laikin..." she tried to say something but before she could even complete it, she saw his feet moving closer to her and effectively trapping her between the bed post and himself, he left only two inches space before leaning closer to her ear and whispering in a low tone which send tingles down her spine.

"Khushi Arnav Malik. You shouldn't have done that."

"I said I'm sor..."

"I don't need it."

"Then what should I do?" She looked at him and her eyes widened whereas her breath hitched when he looked at her lips and raised an eyebrow at her signaling her that she already knew. Blushing a pretty shade of red, she noticed a mischievous glint in his eyes and understanding his intentions, gently pushed him away, saying:

"Haww. Hatiye. Yahan hum aapko manane ki koshish kar rahe hain aur aap pata nahin kahan puhanch gaye."

He had chuckled at that, pulled her back in his embrace and had exactly told her in action where his mind has reached due to his beautiful wife.

Flashback ends

And after that, they had continued their everyday routine of going up the terrace and talking to each other. Only now, it was something more than talking. Arnav would cheekily sneak a kiss or two from Khushi when she least expected and left her all flustered. He would lie his head down in her lap and close his eyes in a bliss when she ran her fingers through his hair and stroked it gently while they watched the stars in a companionable silence, which he had come to know was Khushi's favorite thing to do. They would enjoy movies with their families, dine out sometimes and even sneak out to have ice cream only to be caught again and again by Zoya. Aaliya would tease Khushi often how she resembled a ripe tomato when she came from Arnav's room and Arnav would always join her and make Khushi all embarrassed. Zoya and Imran couldn't be happier seeing the children having the time of their lives.

It all felt too perfect and magical to be real. Except that it was.

Thank you everyone for bearing with me. I truly appreciate the patience you show with me.

I am so sorry yet again for the delay but I wasn't feeling well. 😔

I dedicate this chapter to all those people who've been waiting from quite some time and still haven't left the story.