Part 2
"OH MY GOD! WHO WAS HE?" Payal screeched.
Khushi covered her ears with her hands "Who?" she asked exasperated.
"The man you were kissing!"
"I wasn't kissing him!" Khushi spluttered "I was merely talking to him"
Payal rolled her eyes "Sure.Whatever.So what's his name?"
Khushi sat down on her bed "Arnav.His name is Arnav"
"Was he handsome?"
"I-I don't know"
Payal frowned "You don't know if he was handsome? What were you doing with him the whole time?"
"He just took me to the garden.I didn't see his face because of the mask remember.I didn't see his face and he didn't see mine"
Payal pouted "Awe I was hoping you would find your perfect match"
Khushi shook her head "Hey I have good news though" Khushi opened her purse and took out two invitation cards "Arnav gave me these.For you and me"
Payal squealed and took one.She stared at it and then frowned.She looked at Khushi "He gave you these cards? Is he the prince?"
Khushi shook her head "No.He told me he is one of the Prince's close friends"
Payal jumped up "Oh Khushi I just can't wait"
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"What are you think of?"
Arnav looked away from the moon to his cousin Akash "How did you know I was in the garden?"
Akash shrugged "You are here more than you think.Now answer my question"
Arnav sighed "It's nothing"
Akash nudged him "Oh come on.I saw you bring that girl out here.You're thinking of her aren't you"
"I don't know what it's about her.She's just...different"
"Oh? Are you saying your heart is in danger of taking flight"
Arnav looked down "I'm not sure.There was this weird feeling I got when she simply just talked to me.I invited her to tomorrow's ball"
"I hope you get your answer"
"I hope she's the one" Arnav mumbled.
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The next evening Khushi arrived at the ball with the same mask and dress.Payal dressed slightly differently in a yellow gown.
When Khushi and Payal first stepped in there was a hush.Khushi frowned.It wasn't this quiet yesterday,Khushi observed.Everybody was staring at her.When Khushi looked to her side she noticed Payal was missing.
A man in a light blue tuxedo came up to her.He seemed a bit familiar.Only when he was close enough for her to look into his eyes did she notice his eyes were a shade of dark caramel.Just like Arnav's...
Arnav offered his hand to which Khushi happily put hers in "A dance?" he gestured to the dance floor.Khushi nodded and let him take her away.Khushi put her right hand in his and left hand on his shoulder while he adjusted his hand on her waist "I'm glad you're not late" he murmured.
Khushi gave a small laugh "Couldn't have you chasing me"
He smiled and twirled her around "So how was your day?"
"Pretty good actually.I am working on my new dress and it's coming along nicely"
"Do you have any plans for marriage?"
The sudden change of topic baffled Khushi but she tried to keep rythm "I'm not sure.Every man wants a dowry of course.My parents are no longer beside me to fulfill that request so I have to earn money myself.To be honest though I think I just may remain a spinster"
"Nonsense" Arnav said "What if you find someone who won't want to marry you for money but for you and you only"
Khushi laughed "Then let me tell you I would only be fooling myself.There is no such man who would marry a woman for only her characteristics.Now that I think of it a man has nothing to lose in marriage.A woman,however,many things"
Arnav frowned "Such as?"
"A high class woman can't work simply because it would 'affect her reputation'.A woman has to pay her soon to be husband to get married.She has to leave her family to live with her husband.A woman must remain faithful to her husband but if her husband is unfaithful it's no big deal.If the woman,however,becomes unfaithful then she suddenly is cast out.If the woman dies before siring a heir,the man marries another without a single thought but if the woman did the same thing she would be labeled as a disgusting and disgraceful wench"
Arnav stared at her to the point that made Khushi want to take back those words "Khushi" he started slowly and gently swept her closer to him to avoid bumping into the opposite couple "I admit that all of what you said was almost true.But Khushi not every man is like that"
"Like you?" Khushi said raising an eyebrow.
Arnav chuckled "Sure.Of course.I want to marry for love Khushi not for a big dowry.I am not buying a wife.I would never betray my wife but I would expect her to be faithful in return.I want a family.If I were to marry for love I would never marry again even for a heir"
Arnav's thoughts and beliefs touched Khushi's heart.If only every man was like him.If only Khushi would find a man like him.If only Khushi could marry hi-
Shocked at where her thoughts were taking her she stopped dancing.Arnav simply smiled at her "Feeling under the weather? Would you like to go to the garden again?"
Khushi nodded "Yes"
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The cool air was refreshing but Khushi was feeling very very hot and uneasy because of the man walking beside her.There was something electrifying and much more different going on between them that changed in the last few moments.Khushi wasn't sure if Arnav felt the same thing but she didn't want to make it awkward by asking such a ridiculous thing.
"How do you know you're in love" Arnav suddenly spoke "Can you fall in love at first sight? In the first topic you spoke with each other? In a day?"
"I wouldn't know" Khushi said softly "I never fell in love"
Arnav stopped walking.Khushi frowned and stopped too.Arnav stepped towards her "What about what you feel when you're with me?"
"W-What do you mean?"
"What do you feel with me Khushi?"
"I-I don't know..um-"
Khushi's breath hitched when Arnav raised his hand and tucked the strand of hair behind her ear "Surely it's something special" he whispered.He bent down slowly to give her enough time to push him away or slap him.When she refused to show such signs Arnav took that sign of acceptance and pressed his lips against hers.She tasted sweet.A lot like honey.Perhaps even sweeter.
The moment however didn't last long.Arnav heard light taps of someone's shoes coming closer and closer.He gently pulled back from Khushi and took a few steps back.Hurt clouded Khushi's eyes which turned to understanding when she noticed a man in a uniform coming their way.She straightened up.
"Your highness requests for your presence for the announcement if you are ready"
Arnav nodded "Of course.Tell him I'll be there in two minutes"
He nodded and left.Khushi frowned "What announcement"
"You'll see.Come" Arnav led her back into the castle.When Khushi found Payal,Arnav left.
"What's going on?" Payal whispered "All I heard is there is going to be some sort of announcement"
"Same.I don't know myself"
"Good evening ladies and gentlemen.I hope you have been enjoying yourselves" a man said.The crown on his head itself spoke of who he was "My son had held some balls to find his one lady love.From what I heard he has now found her and is ready to announce her"
"Looks like the prince is going to unmask himself.I wonder who the lucky lady would be"
Khushi nodded but still was unable to understand how Arnav was involved in this.As if on cue Arnav appeared.He took off his mask.Many ladies gasped.Some fanned themselves.Even Khushi gasped.Arnav was really handsome.His features were so detailed.
Arnav smiled at the King and took the mike from him.He looked out at the crowd "I am Arnav.Arnav Singh Raizada.Your prince" he introduced himself.
Everybody gasped.Including Khushi.Khushi took a step back.How could he? He had lied to her "Why?" she whispered.
Arnav smiled "I wanted to be unanonymous because I wanted a lady to like me for me not for my position.Hence I found her"
Arnav's eyes searched the crowd for Khushi.He did find her.Find her running out of the castle...
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