Arshi FF : A Love Marriage | Thread 2 link Pg 1 - Page 8

Thank you for taking this story so seriously. Thank you each one of you who liked and commented. It really means a lot to me! So... Here's the next. Read on. I'm waiting for the response.

~Chapter 3 - The Meeting Continues~

Silence spread between them, both not knowing what to talk about. Khushi looked everywhere but Arnav and same was the case with Arnav. Why was this happening to Khushi - a girl who was awarded the title of 'chattering queen' by her classmates. Now it seemed as if words died in her throat. 'Kuch bol hi nahi paa rahi thi'

And Arnav too, be it thousands of people as his audience, he would very confidently deliver the longest of speeches, but to utter a single word now seemed to be the most difficult task to him! Why was he being so nervous? Reluctantly, he deeply breathed, and broke the silence persisting between them,

"Do you still study?" he asked, looking up at her. What else could we expect from a businessman.

"No. I've completed my graduation in interior decoration" she replied smiling at him. She walked towards her cupboard, and took out her graduation certificate, holding her name in bold black letters. She walked back to him, and showed him the certificate, feeling extremely proud of herself, hoping that he too would feel proud. He took the certificate from her hand, and glanced at it.

"It is my most precious possession. When I see this, the image of my father's eyes drowned with tears, flashes in front of my eyes. He stood up and clapped for me on the convocation day. I've made my Dad proud because of this" involuntarily words came out of her mouth, her eyes shedding elated tears.

"That's so sweet" his heart suddenly felt heavy.

"I don't why am I being so sentimental" Khushi quickly wiped her tears before they could travel down her cheeks, and moved to the table, where tea was kept.

"Kitni cheeni lenge? (How much sugar would you take?) she chirpily asked him.

"Huh.. No no. I don't take sugar. I'm diabetic" Arnav replied, making Khushi gasp with shock.

"You..you're diabetic?" she asked him, and then murmured to herself, "Then what will happen to my habit of eating jalebis?"

"Khushi" he got up from the bed, and turned her towards him. 'My name sounds so sweet when taken by him' Khushi thought, and felt warmth rising on her cheeks.

"See. I don't eat sugar. But that doesn't mean you also don't eat it. If you like it, you can surely have it" he softly told her.

"Ji" she just nodded, wanting to hear his voice.

"So. Are you searching for a job? I mean will you work after marriage?"

Khushi looked up at him when he asked this question, and then looked down again, feeling uncertain about what to reply, "As you say".

"Why would I have a problem with you working?" he normally asked, "But if you want to work for earning money, then you don't have to"

"No. I.. I just don't want to let my four years of course go waste" she calmly replied, feeling sure now that he would understand her.

"Relax. You can surely work" he comforted her. No doubt it was the first time, when he was happy to open up in front of a girl. 'Kuch toh baat hai iss ladki mein' (There's surely something special about this girl) he thought and smiled inwardly. His Di and Nani didn't had a very bad choice!

*

Arnav and Khushi walked out of Khushi's room, impatiently awaited by their respective families. Khushi went to stand beside her father, while Arnav went and sat beside Aakash.

"So. What's your decision Khushi beta?" Nani smilingly asked her.

"Naniji. We're ready for it. But if we can wait for sometime to marry. I mean--" she was stuck in between, and looked at Arnav, whom she thought would convey what she felt; and he surely did.

"Nani. She means that we can do the engagement now. But the marriage can wait till we become known to each other" he confidently took over her hesitation, which made her look at him in awe.

Nani smiled at her chotte's excitement. There decision was definitely not bad. She looked at Anjali to gesture her to speak.

"Uncle. When both of them are ready for the engagement, then let it happen. We can talk to Panditji about the date" Anjali said to Khushi's father.

Khushi's father first looked at Khushi and then at his wife. When he received a positive nod from both of them, he spoke, "Toh thik hai. We can also ask Panditji for the marriage date. Then we can surely leave the decision on these children"

Arnav, Khushi and Aakash went out in the garden, while the elders sat and called the priest.

*

"Khushi ji. How did you find our Chotte?" Aakash asked Khushi, and regretted it the next second, after receiving a deadly glare from Arnav for calling him Chotte.

"Chotte?" Khushi chuckled at the name, "Mr. Raizada. You didn't tell me that everyone call you Chotte"

"Khushi there's nothing like that. Only Di and Nani calls me that" he brushed away the teaser.

"Aww. Its so cute!" Khushi again chuckled, while Arnav looked at Aakash reproachfully.

"Don't you have a nick name?" Aakash asked Khushi, gradually finding her to be an interesting person.

"I have many. My buaji calls me Sanka Devi. She thinks I am very sunky " Khushi replied, pouting at her last words, while Aakash giggled.

"Aakashji. Why didn't your wife come here today?"

"Woh actually she's pregnant" Aakash said and blushed the next second, "So we prefer that she doesn't strain herself"

Khushi nodded understandingly, and looked at Arnav who was busy checking his mails. She was about to say something when she heard her mother calling for them. The three went back inside the house. They greeted the priest, who was sitting there, surrounded by the janam kundalis and Hindu calenders of both Arnav and Khushi.

"Beta. The engagement is decided two weeks later. Is it okay?" asked Khushi's father.

Khushi looked at Arnav for the reply, and he spoke,"Ji Uncle."

The engagement date was fixed, and the priest departed taking the kundalis with him, to see for the marriage date.

The Raizada Family too stood up for departure. While Khushi's parents went ahead with them towards the car, Arnav and Khushi walked slowly behind them. Khushi felt her hand being slowly caught hold of; she looked down at her hand and then at Arnav, who had a faint smile lingering on his lips. Khushi again felt warmth rising up her cheeks. Arnav sat in the car, after Nani, Anjali and Aakash had seated themselves, and waved a goodbye to Khushi. Khushi blushed and waved back at him in reply.

Does this happen in all arranged marriages? Or was Arnav and Khushi a special case? Was this love? Or just liking?

~~~

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-Sanjana.😳