Zindagi Ke Mausam: Part 24b
As Khushi was about to complete her sentence, two things happened at once, an announcement to have NK-Lavanya come up to the stage was made, and a waiter tripped with the lone drink on his tray headed towards Khushi. Reyaansh's quick reflexes were activated, he wrapped his arm around Khushi's waist and twirled her away from the glass that shattered and spilled the drink over the floor.
Waiter: I'm sorry madam! I'm so sorry. Really so sorry madam, I don't know how..so sorry madam...
Khushi: It's okay, really it's fine. No harm, no foul.
NK: Are you okay Khush?
Khushi: God, I'm fine, really, he made a mistake it's okay.
NK: Please, get this mess cleaned up.
Waiter: Sorry again sir.
In the commotion, no one except Arnav noticed that Reyaansh's arm stayed wrapped around Khushi's waist five seconds more than necessary, why was it bothering him? Reyaansh felt Arnav's eyes observing how he held Khushi. The announcement to have NK-Lavanya come to the stage was made again.
Lavanya: Excuse us guys, we'll be right back.
NK & Lavanya walked to the stage and thanked all their guests for attending and asked them to enjoy. There was yelling from the crowd for NK to talk a little about their love story. With insistence from his family, he decided to speak.
NK: Welcome everyone, I'm glad to have everyone here to celebrate our wedding with each and every one with you. Since everyone is so insistent, I will let you know my lady love took a lot of wooing. I know, I know it's hard to believe with my looks and all.
Everyone laughed as Lavanya rolled her eyes, intertwining her fingers with NK's.
NK: We knew each other through a mutual family friend, Arnav Singh Raizada. I'm sure you've all heard of him.
Arnav nodded at the guests, as their eyes rested upon him. He saw envy, lust and admiration from different people.
NK: I saw her and was instantly enamored by her beauty. I tried numerous times to have her go out with me. Madame over here wouldn't give me the time of the day, finally...I was given the chance to become friends with her. I gave up on wooing her, I figured if she wanted to be friends, I could manage that, I mean it's not like I was in love with her or anything. This is where my best friend was instrumental in making me realize that I was in fact, head over heels in love with her. I had thought my attraction to here was merely superficial but as we met more often as friends, I began to love who Lavanya was, a down to earth girl with the simplest desires, to love and to be loved. As I was saying, I was stubbornly refuting my feelings, my best friend who claims to know me more than myself made me understand that love was now part of the equation. A little game it was, and to every question the only answer I had was Lavanya's name and image appear in my mind. Perhaps it was luck or maybe my magic worked, Lavanya said yes when I proposed and well here we are. I'd like to ask my best friend, Khushi to come to the stage as well as Arnav, the two people who brought us together. One inadvertently and one determinedly.
Khushi felt herself turn red as the crowd searched for this best friend of his. Khushi looked up at Reyaansh and whispered to him "I can't do this, you know I don't know how to handle crowds, I just..I get so nervous and my anxiety..I.."
Reyaansh squeezed her hand, "Khushi, go, you can do this. You'll be fine, and I'm right here if you need me."
NK: Khushi, Arnav, please come on stage.
Khushi avoided Arnav's gaze as she glided through the crowd towards the stage keeping her eyes downcast. Arnav caught up with Khushi, "You move on quick, don't you?" Khushi looked at Arnav and angrily whispered "What's that supposed to mean?!" Arnav felt his lips turn half way up as he smirked at the annoyance in her voice. What was it about her that made her even more attractive all riled up?
Khushi put a smile on her face as she faced the crowd who looked at her with piqued interest. After a few more words from NK and Lavanya, they made their way off the stage and back to their friends.
As Khushi was about to approach them a man walked in front of her, startling her slightly.
"Hello, I'm Veer Mehra, I didn't mean to startle you, but I just couldn't help myself. You are so very beautiful. I just had to say hello."
Khushi tried to smile, a little uncomfortable with the alcohol she smelled on him.
"I'm Khushi. Thank you. It was nice meeting you, but if you'll excuse me, my friends are waiting."
Khushi made a move to walk by cutting him off but he blocked her way and wrapped his hand around her wrist tightly.
Veer: I just want to get to know you, take you out to dinner, you can go back to your friends at any time.
Khushi: Veerji, please let go of my wrist. I appreciate the compliment but I'm not interested.
Khushi felt her anxiety shoot up her body, increasing her heartbeat. How was she going to handle this without too much attention come their way?
Veer: What's a dinner? You can decide if you're interested or not after...
Khushi: Please, let go of me. You're hurting me.
Veer: I'll let go, just a dinner, what do I have to do to get you to say yes, Khushi?
"Let go of her wrist before I rip your arm out of your socket."
Khushi looked to see Reyaansh glaring at Veer. She could tell by his stance that he was back to being her bodyguard, she also knew he probably would act on the statement.
Veer: Listen man, I don't know who you are but we're just having a pleasant conversation, aren't we Khushi?
Reyaansh grabbed Veer's arm and pried away his hand from Khushi's wrist in a matter of seconds. Reyaansh grabbed his wrist tightly, causing Veer pain making him yelp. By then, NK-Lavanya, Arnav and the rest of the gang had come up to them. Reyaansh let go of Veer's arm as Veer rubbed his wrist which seemed to have sprained.
NK: What happened?
Lavanya: Veer, you okay?
Veer: What kind of people have you guys invited? I was just trying to talk to Khushi and this...
Khushi: Nothing. Nothing happened, there was just a misunderstanding, that's all, right?
Veer: Yes, I was just telling Khushi, she should come out to dinner with me some time, when are you free Khushi?
Khushi: I uh...
Khushi felt six pairs of eyes on her as they waited on her answer.
Khushi: Thank you but I...I'm...not free.
Veer: Oh come on, you must be...
Reyaansh: She's not free. Won't be. Now or later. She's taken. By me.
Reyaansh glared at Veer making him gulp. Reyaansh knew what Veer was trying to do, he was trying to pressure Khushi in to saying yes and he wasn't going to have it.
Veer: Oh. Well, I didn't..I didn't know that. I'll be right back NK... I think someone was asking..calling..yes, see you guys.
Veer scurried off, afraid that Reyaansh might actually end up and rip his arm out of his socket. There a sudden pause as Reyaansh's words replayed in everyone's minds.
Reyaansh: I..I'm sorry Khushi. I know you didn't want to tell your friends like this, especially not NK.
Khushi felt her hands and feet go cold, she exhaled the breath she didn't realize she was holding.
Khushi: NK...Lavanya, this..this is Reyaansh, Reyaansh Moretti, my...boyfriend.
Lavanya: Boyfriend? Khushi? When? How? Why didn't you tell me?!
Khushi: I wanted to but...NK?
NK: We have a lot to catch up with don't we Khush?
Khushi: Yes...yes we do. I wanted to tell you sooner but...
NK stayed quiet for a few moments, Khushi felt like eons had passed by. When he finally spoke, he asked her a simple question, "Are you happy?"
Khushi felt the guilt edging its way back in, all they cared about was her happiness and here she was lying to them.
Khushi: Yes, yes I am happy.
Reyaansh: Khushi, I'll be right back, I have to make a phone call. Excuse me.
Arnav listened and watched everything that happened in front of him as he swirled the liquor in his glass around.
She had a boyfriend. This guy was her boyfriend. He was right, there was something between them. So she never was interested in NK? Or maybe she was...not anymore? Maybe seeing NK so committed to Lavanya, changed her mind? So he didn't have to worry about keeping her distracted anymore. That was good, right?
He refused to acknowledge the ache in his heart. He barely knew her, so it didn't matter what she did as long as she wasn't a problem he had to deal with. This man...her..he seemed familiar. Was it the face or the name? It just wouldn't come to Arnav. Aarav felt the tension in the space between them, and decided to lighten the atmosphere.
Aarav: Khushi, what am I going to do with this broken heart of mine?!
Khushi: Very funny KAS!
Aarav: Don't make fun of my woes ! Oh how heartless you are! Do you plan keeping him around for long?
Reyaansh: I'm here as long as she wants me around. Sweetheart, do you mind if I whisk you away from your friends for a bit? I need to talk to you.
Khushi: I..I'll be right back.
Reyaansh wrapped his arm around her shoulder and escorted her to across the expansive hall.
Khushi: Sweetheart?! Aur yeh...yeh...
Reyaansh: Khushi, if I'm going to pretend to be your significant other, I do have to play the part. I can't remain unaffected when someone's flirting with you. Khushi, if someone ever misbehaves with you like that again, make commotion, don't worry what others will think, do you understand?
Khushi: I..why did you react like that? You know you probably sprained his whole hand?
Reyaansh: That's unfortunate, it should've been broken instead. Khushi, your safety is my responsibility, your grandfather hired me to make sure you remain unscathed. Do you understand that?
Khushi: I know...I'm sorry. What did you want to talk to me about?
Reyaansh: I have to go out of the city for a few days. I spoke to your grandfather and we both think it's best if you stay at the Jha's during that time or at Mr. Sahay's place. I have to leave as soon as this party finishes, but I'll take you home so you can pack your bag.
Khushi: Oh...okay. I think I'll stay at NK's then. Is everything okay with you?
Reyaansh: Yes, everything is fine. Just have some urgent work I have to take care of. While I'm gone, someone will cover for me. Do me a favor and spend the weekend indoors and if you plan to be outdoors always be with someone. As soon as the week starts my temporary replacement will meet you at Mr. Sahay's.
Khushi: Okay..you'll be back right?
Reyaansh put his palm against Khushi's face in assurance.
Reyaansh: Yes, I will. You, take care of yourself. Now come, let's go.
Khushi felt her discomfort creeping in, she knew Reyaansh and trusted him. While he was fine, what if...
Reyaansh: Khushi?
Khushi: Mhm?
Reyaansh: Do you and Arnav Singh Raizada have...had something going on with each other?
Khushi snapped up her head to look at Reyaansh.
Khushi: No..no..not at all?! Why would you think that?
Khushi's too quick response and reaction to the question conflicted with each other.
Khushi: Wh..why did you ask?
Reyaansh: Because if he grips the glass in his hand any longer while staring us down, it'll shatter.
Khushi's eyes zoomed in on Arnav and then the glass. A reflex perhaps, caused her to step away from Reyaansh and if her eyes saw correctly, his grip on the glass loosened.
"Everything okay Khush?" NK looked between her and Reyaansh.
"Khush?" Khushi's eyes were fixed on the glass that was held in Arnav's hand.
"Khushi, NK is asking you something."
Reyaansh put his hand on Khushi's arm when she looked away from Arnav.
Khushi: Kya?
NK: Is everything okay?
Khushi: Yeah why? What happened?
NK: You..seem distracted.
Khushi: No, no I'm fine.
Reyaansh: Khushi, I have to go now. Remember what I told you, okay? Take care of yourself. I'll be back sooner if I can, call me if you need me.
Reyaansh grabbed her hand and gave it a squeeze.
Reyaansh: Congratulations once again, I'm going to have to take your leave now. I apologize for the sudden departure, but somethings come up. I apologize that we didn't get to spend enough time with each other, hopefully we will get a chance soon. Nice meeting you all.
Reyaansh turned to leave but stopped as if he remembered something. Turning to face Khushi again he tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear and kissed his palm before placing it against her cheek.
He left without a word this time leaving a surprised NK and Lavanya, an agitated Arnav, and a content Payal behind.
Sampoorna
181