Since Haldi ceremony, Arnav's mind has been playing havoc with him. He did not understand what he was experiencing. He felt so many things happened in a rush since the sangeet, and he has been acting entirely different from his usual self. He definitely knew it had something to do with Khushi, he felt possessive about her, he cared for, Khushi's smile brought happiness to his life. 😃
He walked to and fro in his room trying to figure out what was wrong with him. Why all this happened so fast, just within a week? His softer side (Arnav) talked to him. It was never a rush. He has been feeling like this since the day she met him although he was not ready to accept it. The mighty ASR does not believe in symbolism, but Arnav wanted him to believe. He went through flashbacks of the diwali night, the temple scene where he tied the band-aid around her finger in front of devi mayya, the way they searched for the bangle in the pool. Every single one of these incidents had symbolism or a sign proving that she shared a special bond with him.
Arnav started questioning himself, "Why is this?" He has never felt or experienced something like this ever. As he was listening to the inner conflicts of his mind between Arnav and ASR he heard,
"Chote", that was Anjali walking towards his room. "Chote, I need to talk to you about something important". Arnav wasn't ready to listen nor was he attentive since his mind was distressing him more than anything else.
"Chote, Nani and I think Khushi is a wonderful girl, she'll be a great daughter-in-law to this house."
These words got him back to his sanity and he yelled, "What?"
"Khushi and I?" he was becoming restless.
"I didn't say we are going to get Khushi married off to you, there's NK and they get along very well too. So it will be either one of you." (You or NK)
He was bursting out of anger at the moment; the mighty ASR had to compete with NK, it wasn't even a joke.
Anjali immediately recognized the anger in his eyes and continued, "Chote, are you worried? Is there something you need to talk about that distress you?"
She was very glad to see her Chote caring for Khushi, but her mission was to make him understand that was love.
Arnav replied, "No Di, I'm perfectly fine" and rushed out of the room. He badly needed an answer for his restlessness and the inner battle he was going through and he knew it was only Khushi who could make him understand this feeling.
At Gupta House
Khushi wasn't herself since morning and wasn't planning to go back to Raizada's for the evening function if it wasn't for her Jiji. She has been staring at herself in the mirror for long hours, praying to Devi mayya for an answer for her feelings. She recalled the diwali night scene and all what followed it, the way she was excited before Diwali and how he appeared in front of her in the form of a taxi driver, or dobi etc. She also remembered how he poured gold dust on to her like an angel in her dreams as how she always wanted her first love to be. Then she recalled the pain and hurt she went through soon after the Diwali scene and reminded herself not to open herself up to him, although now she realized it was definitely LOVE!!
At Raizada's
While attending the function, Khushi was extra careful not to come across Arnav. She knew that she should shield herself this time in view of any hurt in the future.
Anjali and Nani knew that Arnav was near the poolside at this moment still impatient.
"Khushi ji, Could you please help me to bring the extra decorations and diyas I have left near the pool?" Anjali requested purposely.
"Anjali ji, Hum?" Khushi was nervous. She has been trying to avoid him throughout and this way she might ruin everything that she had planned. However, she could never say no to Anjali. She strolled towards the pool in fear. She had palpitations; her hands were sweaty and tremored.
She trailed towards the decorations to see him standing by the pool restless. He was wearing a grey suit with a blue shirt. He looked even more handsome and august today. His well proportioned body, tanned skin, hazel eyes, loose strands of hair which enkindled the shape of his perfect face attracted her towards him, forgetting what actually brought her here.
He sensed someone near him and looked up. It was Khushi, she looked extra stunning. Her flawless fair complexion accentuated her filled luscious lips and wide set hazel eyes. Her long straight dark hair was hung loose falling till her curvaceous hips. The beautiful red lehnga enhanced her overall beauty. He could not stop himself, not at this moment. He started walking towards her, and Khushi stepping backwards as usual. 😉
She moved backwards hitting herself against the wall and Arnav trapped her between his muscular toned arms. Arnav needed the answers for his inner battle today. Her chest started heaving rhythmically and lips quivered. He initiated, "tum teek ho?" Khushi did not want to give in. Her silence made him burst out with rage, bombarding her with questions. "So you kissed me just because of the bet?", "Why do you always feel nervous and awkward when I come closer to you?" "Why did you question me during diwali night?", "Why have you been behaving differently around me since sangeet?" Give me an answer Khushi Kumari Gupta!!
This was the end of her silence. Her mind was so powerful enough to push the physically strong Arnav, almost making him to lose balance. She started taking step by step towards Arnav, but for a change it was the first time he was taking steps backwards. She yelled at him, "You want to know the answer for all your questions?" First she was hesitant as the fear of rejection hurt her, but it spilled out of her mouth unintentionally. She pushed him once more and screamed, "Arnav Singh Raizada, I'm in love with you dammit!!"
Arnav was astonished. He did not move, his eyes directly staring at her, he was dumbfounded. However, his mind was relieved, there was no conflict inside, and it felt emptied. It was too late when Khushi realized that her whole heart was ripped open in front of him. She mumbled and muttered "I, I, I was just", she could not continue, his moist lips were already on hers. Khushi has never felt this delighted before. The man who was in her dreams pouring and covering her with gold dust is here, in front of her, kissing her passionately and intensely. However, her logical mind started to talk 'Please don't listen to your heart, it's just a kiss, be cautious you might get hurt!'
Nevertheless, Arnav broke off the kiss, pierced deeply into her glistening eyes, cupped her face and screamed with joy, "I love you too Khushi Kumari Gupta, you are my life, my everything". Khushi realized that her heart was absolutely correct this time with its battle against the mind.
They kissed, hugged and wrapped themselves around each other in elation, while Anjali and Nani screamed out of joy observing them from the peak of the staircase. 😊
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