ArShi OS: Of Brides and Babies | Thank You Note (Page 5)

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Arnav watched as Khushi jiggled the baby up and down, shaking her head and cooing at the tiny creature. The baby laughed delightedly as she rubbed her nose against its own. Her cheeks were beautifully flushed, and a radiant smile lit up her rounded face.

Arnav found himself painfully aware of how stunning Khushi was at that moment. Her long hair draped over her shoulder, the simple yellow anarkali hugging her small figure, and the baby cradled in her arms was a picture perfect moment. He could stand there forever, just watching her as she held the baby.

For the first time in his life, Arnav desperately wanted the scene in front of him. He wanted to spend the rest of his life observing her just as she was right now.

An uncomfortably clear picture of a baby with her hazel eyes, soft, chubby cheeks, a small upturned nose, and tiny hands grasping at his hands made its way into his brain. He pictured himself walking in after a long day of negotiations to find Khushi in his room, the baby in her arms and a smile on her face. He would walk up to her and wrap his arms around her from behind, just enjoying his fam- what on Earth was he thinking?!

Arnav shook himself out of the revrie. He felt his heart thudding in his chest distinctly, a loud, constant beat reminding him of the effect she had on him. He hardly noticed the reception going on around him, celebrating the union of Payal and Aakash. The beating of his heart drowned out the dhols, the aunties talking irritatingly loudly, and the general hullabaloo. All he could see was Khushi, in her finest form.

Arnav realized she was dressed shockingly simply for the ocassion. Despite being the bride's sister, her pale yellow anarkali was deceptively plain. The minimalistic embroidery that would have seemed out of place on anyone else only emphasized her uniqueness, making her stand out in the crowd. It gave her a regal quality, a stark contrast to the loud, bubbly girl he had come to know.

He realized she had chosen the muted outfit to give her more reserved sister center stage, and his respect for her increased ten-fold. The love she had for her family was impossible to break, and it was one of the things he lov- liked most about her. She was unfailingly supportive, always putting others before herself.

She lifted a hand up to the baby's cheeks, and a distinctive chime reached his ears. His eyes slid down her arm to see the bangles he had given her, lining her delicate wrists. She shook her wrist back and forth in a motion similar to that of the one she made when she first saw them. The baby clapped its hands joyfully, and she shook them again.

Arnav was mesmerized. He stood there, gaping like a love stuck fool at the girl in front of him. She had worn the bangles. She liked the bangles. A warm feeling bubbled up in his chest, and he nearly whooped for joy, despite knowing her feelings towards the bangles from their conversation at the havan.

Almost on cue, she looked up, her eyes meeting his directly. She stopped jiggling the baby and froze, a bright flush creeping up her cheeks at his heated gaze. Unlike her usual flirting eyes, her eyes bored into his, not backing down from their staring match. He noticed her chest heaving up and down, as if she was nervous about something. His heart seemed to beat in time with hers, the rhythm pounding in his head. Everything else drowned out, leaving the two of them in their world, simply being.

Anjali watched from afar, the intense gaze of her brother and new sister-in-law's sister cutting through all the noise and commotion that accompanies an Indian wedding. Aakash and Payal had everything handled, and the mothers and buas were in a contest to see who could do the most work in the least time, leaving Anjali to sit back and observe. A mischievous smile graced her face, and she got up from her chair and made her way towards her brother.

"Kya Chote, shaadi kaisi hai?" Arnav didn't flinch, holding Khushi's gaze as he responded.

"Bohot khoobsurat." Anjali smirked, deciding to take advantage of the situation.

"Aur... Khana? Accha tha?"

"Absolutely delicious."

"Aur Khushi, woh kaafi... Acchi lag rahi hai, na?"

"Flawless." Anjali looked up to see the blush on Khushi's face intensify at Arnav's words, her chest moving inwards as she sucked in a deep breath.

"Tujhe bhi shaadi karni hai?"

"As soon as possible."

As soon as the words left his mouth, Arnav realized his mistake. He turned to see the gleeful grin on his sister's face, a smirk eerily similar to his curving her mouth. He opened his mouth to contradict his previous statement, but she just shushed him and walked away, grinning madly with delight.

Arnav groaned as he saw Di make her way over to Nani, who glanced over at him and smiled, raising her eyebrows at him knowingly. He rolled his eyes and turned away, only to come face to face with the girl who had caused the entire problem in the first place.

She had an innocent smile on her face, the baby still cuddled in her arms as she strode up to him. He looked warily at the naughty glint in her eyes.

She leaned forward, standing on her tiptoes to whisper in his ear.

"I didn't know you were so eager to marry me, sweetheart. Are you just as eager to put my own baby in my arms as well? Because that'll have to wait until after our suhaag raat."

With an uncharacteristic, saucy wink, she shashayed away. Arnav let out the breath he hadn't realized he was holding, watching as she walked away. He would have to ask Nani to arrange the shagun as soon as possible. After all, he had to put a baby in her hands at some point- it was his duty to give her whatever she wanted, right?