Hello people! I'm Sargun here, and it's the first time I've tried my hands at a One Shot on Arnav and Khushi and, I am extremely nervous about it. I hope that you guys will like it. Have a read if you like the title, pretty please?
And, I dedicate this to all my readers of 31 Candy-flosses and Lollipops who have stuck by me and are still by the story till November!
The part in Italic and Times New Roman Font is a paragraph taken from Nicolas Sparks' book. All due credit goes to him.
Tea For Two And A Sparks' Touch
All due credit for this wizard goes to Appy(-Koeli_Appy-)! Thank you a lot!đ¤
17:48
Khushi tore her gaze from the soiled digital clock, to the grandfather clock whose pendulum kept oscillating incessantly, still indicating a time of nearly ten minutes to six. She sighed and waved at Payal to start cleaning the caf. No more visitors would be welcome after six, and, especially not her husband- she was determined in this case.
Payal, her colleague and equally, the owner of Caf Soleil' smirked. It was her routine view. Everyday, the same scene unveiled in front of her eyes and, to say that she wasn't entertained would be an understatement. She clearly enjoyed the vista in front of her which surprisingly, had a new spice in it every alternate day.
17:53
Khushi continuously tapped her fingers on the beige table, which had just been imported to the caf during the renovation works and eyed Payal. Her anger mounted to its peak value when she saw her standing and smirking at her frenzied state. How she wished to annihilate that simper from her face and imprint her punch on that same screen that was displaying numerous sneers, differing in size and intensity.
And, they say that pregnant women are harmless and that their hormonal changes are minor.
17:58
The mess created by the hustle and bustle at the caf was wiped away and there, stood an all new caf, devoid of any sign of dirt and untidiness. Carefully placing all the chairs on top of their respective tables, Payal swept away the concealed dirt, and, in minutes the caf was reinstated to its former sight, as it was in the morning.
18:00
The long-case clock chimed six times, indicating the end of a working day for them. Khushi got up from her seat, her hand on her baby bump, and cashed in all the money earned that week. A tiresome Saturday and a painful back had made her day worth it.
"I'm leaving Khushi!" Payal shouted and beckoned her goodbye.
She toddled around the caf, dimming the lights and, finally when her swollen feet gave in, she plopped into a couch that was specially planted at the end of the large hall, for her. She fished out a book from her bag, immersed herself in it, letting relief and respite flow through her.
Her eyes still sunk in the beige colored book, she groaned when the table vibrated in tandem with the buzz of her mobile. Looking about, she found that small gadget of hers lying a few centimeters away from her but, sluggishness gripped her and she settled on the idea of letting it ring.
A few seconds after, she was disturbed by the loud bangs on the backdoor and anger bubbled in her. "Who the hell is it now?" The lazy person that her pregnancy had led her to, urged her to ignore the knocks and concentrate on her book. As the clock ticked by, the knocks on the door faded away and she sighed, contently.
She was finally in peace.
Out of the blue, she heard some weird noises, but shooed them off, since her mind was playing a lot of tricks on her since the past few days. Panic gripped her when she saw the handle of the door being yanked up and down and, could discern something being inserted in the keyhole.
Darn it! She had her left eye twitching since early afternoon and now, it seemed why. She was being attacked and could probably be killed, anytime.
Shoving the book on the adjacent table and, arming herself with the nearest weapon she could get her hands to, she darted to the backdoor, barefoot, with a broom positioned to attack the intruder as soon as the door would open. The second hand of the clock ticked by and she could feel sweat moistening her palms as she carefully gripped her apparent sword, rentlessly willing to beat the pulp out of that burglar.
With a click, the door swung open and the suave businessman, clad in voguish attire found him being continuously tapped on his arm, elbow, head, stomach-practically on every organ of his body. He shrieked, in annoyance and clenched the tool with which he was being beaten black and blue, dragging it out of the soft clutches of the aggressor, who unsurprisingly was his wife.
"Khushi? What the hell are you doing?" he bellowed, ogling weirdly at the broom coffined in his hands and, threw it away. "Were you expecting to kill a thief with that thing?" he shouted even louder to be pushed away by her.
"Mine your tone Mister. It's your wife to whom you are addressing right now- not a mere employee of your office!" Khushi screeched with an intensity that made him dizzy. Hormones, he thought.
He shrugged her warning off and, hugged her from her back, completing her as both their hands rested on their love, their baby. "You are late Arnav," she said, the tone oozing in insolence. "You had to be here at five. I waited, for so long but you never came. And when you made an entry, it was as though a thief's spirit had hovered upon you."
"I did phone you and, knocked the door before," he said defensively, only to be awarded with a glare and another outburst of his wife, "Yes, that's what all men like to do out here- get their wives pregnant and spend time outside having fun behind their back while the poor wives have to suffer. And if it's not enough, they pester them by leaving all the work on their shoulders."
He looked away, annoyed and guilty.
"Can't you see I'm pregnant out here and you'll make me do everything, walking about and opening the door at your knock? Are you a child? God has bestowed you with hands, for what? This is sheer abuse and, mind you Mister, I'm not among these wives who will sit and cry about their husband's betrayal. I'm a career woman and proud owner of a caf. I have enough money to raise my child up," she paused, sitting down, holding her back all the way long and continued, "Who were you with?"
Confused Arnav looked at her, still trying to act nice and guilty while angst was brewing in him. "Oh! Don't be innocent! Was it the secretary or Lavanya? Or Shreya? Who was it?" she added fuel to the fire, while Arnav brought his fingers in tight fist, preventing him from bursting out in wrath. "You know only the inserting business, have fun and leave the wife with all the pain and misery!"
That was it. It was the brim. She could do anything but it was the limit now. "Can you just shut up Khushi?" he roared, taking her by surprise. "I was planning something for you both, but it seems you have other plans. Can you stop accusing me of filthy things? You are acting like a nagging housewife! I was taken up by the surprise planned for the two most cherished persons in my life- for you and our baby." Arnav knew that it was too much and he did overreact since she was ruled by her peskyhormones and his Khushi was way sweeter and mature.
"Sorry," Arnav mumbled to a blank Khushi, who got up and trailed to the couch, plunging herself in it and looked at the book on the table.
"It was a beige colored book, with a tint of crimson fading away at the edge and bore the picture of a girl lying on somewhat the grass, perhaps in the lawn, who seemed engrossed in some thoughts and whose face oozed several sentiments amalgamated together- pain, satisfaction or relief maybe? She held a book in her hand, which to some extent might connect to the bible-as per what I had read in the story-and had a ring wrought about her ring finger." Khushi speculated, tuning Arnav's pleas out and boring herself in the book.
Arnav hated when she ignored him and especially in such a condition. He hugged her from the back and rested his neck on her shoulders, closing his eyes, inhaling her chocolaty scent, probably due to the coffee and, masked himself with her warmth. He felt at home in her warmth with his hand on hers and their breaths mingled. A night in his wife's embrace was all that he longed for after a tiresome day at the office.
However, it was strange, very strange indeed. Her rebellious wife had nothing to add to what he said and displayed no reaction after he flared up. That was unusual. He opened his eyes when he felt it coming. What he was dreading for was actually coming. He felt Khushi suck in abnormal breaths and sniffing occasionally, in her book. Was she using her book to shield her emotions? That was new to him. She always cried openly or in his chest, hugging him and snuggling in him.
Odd.
His wife was behaving so oddly. Did she start to hate him at that point of not opening up to him and not leashing out her emotions to him? It was all a bad indication. His wife was never like that. "Are hormones so dangerous and destructive?" he thought and knelt down in front of her. Her nose was cherry-red and tears were brimming in her eyes. He almost melted at the sight in front of him. His wife was cuter during her pregnancy days, he noted.
"Khushi?" he called out, in the softest tone possible and she looked at him, taking his hand in hers and lingering it on her cheeks, indicating him to wipe away her tears which he did, caringly.
"I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to shout-- you know how I am--- It just comes out... I'm sorry. Stop crying, please?"
"It's not because of that," she said in between her sobs and Arnav perked his eyebrows. "Jam-Jam-Jam-" Khushi choked while trying to speak and Arnav was more than confused. "Does she want to eat Jam?" he thought, "But she hates jam. What the hell? Ah... Her cravings!"
"Khushi, Sush. Silent. I'll get you a jar of jam, okay? We'll have it together with bread maybe?" he said with hope that she would stop crying, but she kicked him in the knee, tears flowing more furiously as ever. "Stupid! Idiot! Fool! Donkey!" she shouted, the tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Oww!" Arnav silently growled. "Pregnant women are indeed dangerous," he thought and said, holding Khushi's palm in his, "We'll have strawberry jam if you want? I'll not be a miser as always... I'll buy the most expensive jar and we'll have it with sandwich, if that's better?" Before another attack from her, he added, "I'll prepare the sandwich and I'll wash the dishes afterwards... you simply have to eat and enjoy!"
"Hey Devi Maiyya! With what donkey have I tied the knot to?" Khushi shrieked and kicked him twice on the same knee. She then added, sniveling, "Jamie-is-is-is-She-Jam-She-is-going-to-die...She has-has-ca-ca-cancer..."
To say he was flabbergasted would be an understatement! "Who is Jamie, now?" he wondered and said soothingly hoping that Khushi would calm down, "Don't worry. I know the biggest doctor of the town. We'll get her treated there, fine? Just don't take stress, Khushi. It's not good for our baby."
Another kick landed in his stomach and he groaned in frustration. "Why the hell is Khushi kicking me so much? Did she watch Kick' recently?" he doubted pensively.
"Jamie Arnav! Jamie?" she shouted and Arnav replied, smiling sheepishly, "Yeah Jamie. I know her, the one living there right? I saw her the other day. She was asking about you."
"God, help me!" Khushi cried and Arnav ducked away unwilling to have another kick from Khushi. "Jamie. Jamie Sullivan, the main protagonist of the book I'm currently reading," she said and waved the book in the air, thrusting it in front of Arnav's face. "She has got Leukemia and is dying in the book. Landon has just got to know about it and just look how they are cute..." she left her sentence hanging and started crying.
"Khushi is crying because someone's dying, in a... book?" he pondered and comforted her, "Maybe she won't die in the end. You know, certain cancers can be treated? Just smile now, I'm sure she will not die!"
"Douche-bag!" Khushi wailed, "I've already read the book. This is my 5thtime. She dies, in the end, leaving poor Landon behind. But, you know, the only thing that keeps me going is that he loves her even when she was gone, and, always keeps their marriage ring with him. He even marries her, to complete himself, as a man and the love of his life as a woman. They are so... romantic and magical. Who would ever do that now? I bet if you would know I had cancer, you would dump me somewhere, taking your kid away with you!"
"Hey... Why are you saying so? I love you Khushi. If ever you had cancer-god forbid you ever get through this disease- and were to leave me, I would come with you, hand in hand, and we'd make our way to heaven, together. That's my promise," he smiled and kissed the palm of her hand.
"Really?" Khushi looked up, tears still cascading down and added, sternly, "Lies! You don't love me anymore. You are no more romantic. You don't care for me!" She adamantly turned her face away handing Arnav the book and indicating him to read a certain paragraph.
Don't ask me what had happened, because I still can't explain it. One second I was standing there, in front of her, expecting to walk to the side of the porch, and in the next second I wasn't. Instead of moving toward the chairs, I took a step closer to her and found myself reaching for her hand. I took it in mine and, looked right at her, moving just a little closer. She didn't exactly step back but her eyes widened just a little, and for a tiny, flickering moment, I thought I'd done the wrong thing and debated going any further. I paused and smiled, sort of tilting my head to the side, and the next thing I saw was that she'd closed her eyes and was tilting her head too, and that our faces were moving closer together.
It wasn't that long, and it certainly wasn't the kind of kiss you see in movies these days, but it was wonderful in its own way, and all I can remember about the moment is that when our lips first touched, I knew the memory would last forever.
Arnav look up at Khushi, baffled. "What does she want me to do? Kiss her? What exactly now?" he mused over, shuffling his hands though his hair, clearly perturbed.
"Khushi," he staggered and turned her crying face to him. "Please stop crying. Your every tear is like a sword that slashes my heart each time it rolls down your crimson cheeks. I love you and you love me. That's it; what's the need of dragging fictional characters in our love saga?" he said dramatically making her heart flutter. "Landon loved Jamie in his own way. I love you in my own way. His love was different and so is my love. Their love was about pain and loss. Our love is not about that. Our love is about happiness and joy, which very few couples feel for each other. The way your stomach giggles when I touch you, the way my heart plummets when you flash me a smile or when your blush plods about when we get intimate, says it all. Our love is like a funnel- we get love out of it as we put happiness into it."
She was lost in his web of words as she strived to brush away her Landon and Jamie. "Some love stories are to be tasted, others are to be swallowed and our love story is to be chewed and swallowed, enjoying every moment of bliss we share," he added, kissing her forehead and her belly. "You are the most beautiful person in the world, Khushi. Never let yourself judged. Eyes that look are common but, eyes that see are rare!"
Khushi felt her heart swollen with glee and pride. Her husband was saying all those heroic lines to her and she felt heavenly and loved. She directed her brown orbs to his dark brown ones and sunk herself in the love and revelation of it all. There are indeed times when silence has the loudest voice that can verbalize unsaid emotions.
She blushed as Arnav cupped her face and trailed his fingers along its expanse. Her lips quivered it was brushed with his and she smiled against the kiss, drinking in the care and love of her husband.
"What sunshine is to flowers, your smile is to me," Arnav mumbled across her lips and was kicked on the foot and was replied, "Arnav Singh Raizada turned poet?"
"Jeez Khushi! Handle the hormones!" he swore loudly.
"What?"
"Did you recently watch Kick?"
"Salman Khan's latest movie? Saw it yesterday!"
"That explains why you're kicking a lot."
"Mind it Mister!"
"Sure, I will and did I mention? I'm never getting you pregnant again!"
"You're so mean!"
"And you're? Be in my shoes and you'll understand my plight, my misery."
"You mean to say, I'm torturing you?"
"Can't agree more to that!"
"Shut up Arnav Singh Raizada!"
"I love you too, Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada!"
__________________________
Did you like it? How was it? I sound like a teenager nibbling away my nails as I write this!Oh wait! I'm a teenager! đ
And, Oh! Did you guys guess what was the book she was reading?đł
If you've laughed or even smiled at a point while reading this, then my work's done!đ
I just hope it wasn't childish because my mother told me so when she read it. Sorry for if it was kind of juvenile.
Please do comment on how you felt it was. Good? Bad? Horrid? Criticism is most welcome.
Also, if you like it, please have a look at my fan fiction: Arshi FF: 31 Candy-flosses and Lollipops
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