ArShi FF: In Your Eyes #3 [On Hold] Note pg 51 - Page 20

Now can't wait for the update,dear after ur teaser.

Oh... That was one hot kiss. I hope this is not happening in front of Shyam :-).

If so, then hope shyam closes his eyes until arnav and khushi are done kissing :-)

Awesome sensual teaser when u r going to post viji ...plzz post soon

can't wait to read next chapter. Arnav and Khushi seems so happy.. they deserve all the happiness

Now now, if u give us such teasers and ask is to wait, will that not be too much for the fragile heart of ur readers...! 😛

Update hopefully by tomorrow 😊

Chapter 21

"Are they still in the park?" Shashi asked Shyam, as he sliced open the lid of a can of frozen vegetables.

"No, there are at Arnav's room. He called a while back and informed that they will join us in another hour or so." Shyam informed carefully observing his father's face for any sign of disapproval and found none.

Shashi looked up from the task in hand at his son and smiled. "Jiji would have had a heart attack at this information." When Shyam, who was kneeding dough, nodded his head in agreement, he continued, "But this is Arnav we are talking about. The man who trusted you with his sister and the man who gave our chutki a new meaning to life. I trust him completely."

"I can't agree more, Dad." Sighing in relief, he said, "I can't believe that the worst nightmare of our lives is finally over. I can't wait to go back home to our families. We have very less time dad, we are leaving in three days. There is so much shopping yet to be done. I suggest you and Arnav take Chutki to the appointment tomorrow, while I finish some purchase. I am not sure if this is too early to shop for baby clothes, but then I don't know when I would visit the US again, so may be I should. Even otherwise, Arnav will keep coming here for his business. Nowadays, we get everything online, so shouldn't be a problem. Nevertheless, I will buy something that will be needed immediately after the baby is born...I will ask Anj..."

When there was no response from his dad, Shyam suspended his work and raised his glance at Shashi only to find him watching his son with an amused smile etched on his face.

Shyam washed and wiped his hands and strode to his father. Sighing deeply, he threw his arms around Shashi's shoulder and rested his head on his shoulder.

"I can't believe I am going to be father, dad. I am excited and equally nervous. I can't sleep well. Will I be a good father? At least half as good as you?"

Shashi slowly embraced his son and ran a comforting hand on his head.

"You are going to be the best father. Just like how you have been the best son, brother and a husband. You are a natural beta. You don't even have to try."

Shyam knew his father was speaking the truth, because he always did. And that thought gave him immense strength to step into another life that was a huge responsibility.

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Why can't lungs manage a little longer without oxygen? While that was the thought, which crossed Khushi's mind, Arnav let out a frustrated groan when they had to pull away for need of air. Khushi panted heavily as she tried to recover from yet another passionate kiss they just shared. Arnav looked down at her flushed face that displayed a pair of thoroughly kissed rosy lips, to his joy. Leaving her to recover from the sweet assault, Arnav retracted himself from his position on the couch in his hotel room and went over to the nightstand to pour himself a glass of water. As he turned to check on her, he saw her run her delicate fingers over her lips, blushing a deep red hue. He leaned back on the adjacent wall letting his eyes roam all over her form as she slowly lifted her eyes to meet his. And then it started again. Her unabashed checking him out session. Ever since they had met in the park, she had been doing only two things - kissing and ogling, the former with reciprocal participation and contribution and the latter, unexpectedly uninhibited. While Arnav knew that it was because she was seeing him for the first time, he was highly amused by the way she unwinkingly stared at him.

Khushi knew two things for certain, as she observed Arnav leaning back on the wall fixing her with his gaze and his lips curving into a sexy smirk - one, his eyes were as powerful as his voice - he had the power to melt her insides everytime he glanced at her, every one of which was no lesser in degree or impact than the previous one. The other significant observation was that she found herself abandonedly looking at him whenever they were not kissing.

They both had lost count of the number of kisses they had shared since they met in the park two hours ago. After the first one that was filled with yearning after the longer yet not-so-longer-than-expected separation and happiness due to the reunion, Khushi came to senses about being in a public place. Not used to foreign culture and such public display of affection, a sudden shyness had taken over which Arnav took no time to understand. He asked her softly if she wanted to go back to her apartment to which, much to his elation, she had nodded her denial. Her now seeing eyes were more expressive than he had ever imagined and silently converyed her desire to spend some private time with him. He had then asked her if she would mind accompanying him to the hotel room he had checked in earlier as soon as he had landed, as he had to change for the dinner with her family. She had immediately agreed blowing him away with the trust she had in him.

Shaking himself out of his musing, Arnav lazily withdrew away from the wall and walked towards her who still fixed him with his gaze. He settled himself besides her taking her in his arms and nuzzled her neck with his nose asking huskily, "You do realize you have been gawking at me ever since we have met, don't you?"

Khushi who sat lost to the tingling feeling he was generating in her senses and muddling her brain, barely managed to register his question and finally when she did, she brightened another interesting shade of pink and said, "Why would I not? After all I am seeing you for the first time. Though I have no intention to discontinue any time soon. If you were looking for some compliments here, well, I will be generous. You are a very good looking man Arnav and I want to memorize you."

The honest reply blew him away and it was a weird moment when Arnav Singh Raizada blushed. Akash would have had a riot if he had seen Arnav at that moment and pulled his leg for the rest of his life. Arnav pulled back from her neck to grant her a glance of his face. Not really knowing the impact of her words on the poor man, Khushi continued, "I keep looking at you to make sure that you are not an illusion, not just a figment of my imagination and that you are really here and you, a man every woman may be dying to be with, are really mine"

Khushi paused and waited for a response and that's when she noticed a pink hue spread on his neck and cheeks. Not knowing that it was the side effect of her words, running her hand on his neck, she asked concernedly, "What happened to your neck?"

Arnav groaned loudly as she caressed and grabbed her roughly for another kiss urgently, lest she noticed in what other ways she affected him. He let his hand roam freely on her back and she moaned and mimicked his action on his back making him lose his sanity. If her innocent touch could do this to him, he didn't even want to imagine his state of mind and body when he would introduce her to the primal need known to mankind. The heat generated by a simple kiss and innocent touch threatened to scorch his senses and he snaked his arms around her waist pulling her closer to him. As his hand proceeded, without his permission, to slip under her top, Khushi trembled in his hold assailed by triggers she was never aware of. It was only when a small whimper left her lips, due to her inexperience and inability to handle her new found pleasure that he came to his senses and stopped his advances abruptly. Arnav gradually pulled himself back and reluctantly left her lips. While Khushi averted his eyes and nursed herself to normal breathing, Arnav stood up in a swift movement and went to stand by the window turning his back to her taking deep long breathes.

Khushi watched as Arnav now placed one hand on his hip and ran the other through his dense balck hair. Drawing her knees closer to her chest, she tried to wrap her head around whatever happened in the last few minutes. The kiss they just shared was way more than a just a kiss and in all possibility a step forward in terms of their growing physical proximity. Arnav had once before clearly stated his view about physical intimacy in a relationship and that he would never cross a line when he thought she would be uncomfortable. So that was not a reason for her current state of restlessness. She was terrified for unknown reasons. She was frightened by the way she wanted to be in his arms and be kissed by him. She was alarmed by how rapidly they have progressed in their relationship and she didn't even know if it was normal. But what really scared her out of wits was her own reaction. She was terrified at how much she wanted him and wanted to be with him. He felt like a drug she was addicted to. This was the same Arnav before she came to the US. What was different now? Was it the separation that made her behave like a hormonal teenager or was it because it was now that she was actually seeing him? Did she not fall in love with him when she never had a face to his voice? Gain of a sense cannot make her behave differently around him, can it? What does that make her? The abruptness with which he left her side made her question her desperation. She felt suddenly very cold at his walking away. The thought of him walking away from her threatened to open the dam she was stopping from opening from her eyes. As she bit back her tears, she saw him turn towards her and walk straight to her.

He slowly kneeled down on the floor in front of her. He turned her around gently to face him and tucked a wayward hair behind her ear. Khushi was too overwhelmed to look at him that she averted her eyes for the first time since they met. Arnav sighed deeply before cupping her face in his palms. He placed a lingering kiss on her forehead. "Khushi, look at me. Please."

Khushi took a shaky breathe, overwhelmed by new emotions and buried herself in his ready arms. Arnav ran his hands soothingly on her back to calm her down. After several minutes when she pacified, Arnav sat beside her and took her in his arms running his hand up and down her hands. When he was sure he had her attention he said, "Khushi, I love you. More than you can ever imagine. There is nothing that I want than having you in my arms and express how much I love you through ways more than what is known to either of us. Trust me sweetheart, if better sense hadn't prevailed, I wouldn't have stopped myself."

When Khushi met his eyes questioningly, he smiled and caressed her cheek. "Then why did I stop?" Khushi nodded her head with a cute pout. Arnav laughed and dropped a kiss on her crown. "Because you, and everyone who comes with you in this relationship, are too precious to me." When Khushi squeezed her brows in confusion, he explained. "That you are in my hotel room alone with me when your father and brother are just a few blocks away from us, speaks a lot about the trust they have in me, in us. I may have different views about a man-woman relationship. I may not think that things should not progress further before marriage. But I respect our elders and hence their perspectives. I have long before given my word to your brother that I will be the man to his sister that I want for mine. He kept his word. It's my turn now. I always keep my word."

At that moment Khushi realized how incredibly lucky she was to have this man in her life. With him, she didn't have anything to worry about. He would do anything to keep her happy even if it hurt him. She was proud of herself for having trusted him more than herself.

"Let's get you back to your apartment." Khushi threw her arms around his neck and tightened her grip. He let her stay that way for a few minutes and gently eased himself out of her hold before saying, "I am hungry Khushi. Let's go?" When she nodded obediently, he couldn't help but take her lips in a long kiss before reluctantly withdrawing. Twenty minutes later, he drew her in his embrace inside the elevator to Khushi's apartment and said, "Set your violin free after dinner. It has been in confinement for too long."

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"There was this fashion magazine, I forgot the name, which had Arnav's interview and a small coverage of Anjali's marriage. I made sure to hide from his sight and later burnt it. I recently went to Delhi and Arnav is apparently the talk of the fashion world."

"Good. Continue to be vigilant. How is your jijaji doing?"

"He is getting crazier. The recent election debacle and his continued futile search for you have made him edgier. Jiji! Why don't you come back? For all his shortcomings, he is immensely devoted to you, even after so many years."

"That doesn't make his crimes less. I have already paid heavily for my silence. I am done with him."

"He deserves to know jiji. How long am I going to keep this secret away from him?"

"As long as you want to see me alive."

"Ufff...Did you recently talk to the old lady?"

"She has a name Ramesh and no, I haven't talked to her since Anjali's marriage. I will talk to her now."

"Remind her about her promise. I hear Arnav is like a fire. He should never know the truth behind his father's death. If this hatred is what will keep them safe, so be it. Knowing the truth is not going to change anthing."

"I agree. Devyaniji doesn't need any reminder. And even she is oblivious to her son-in-law's fate. This secret will die with you, me and Avinash. Don't worry. Arnav will never get a whiff of it and I will make sure he never comes back to Sheesh Mahal."

"Okay jiji. I have to get back now. I can't risk him finding out about me. Call me next week."

Ahalya disconnected the line and dialed another number. A female voice was heard on the other end. Must be Anjali, she thought. A tear escaped her eyes. She disconnected with a heavy heart, curbing her desire to speak to her.

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"I have heard this song somewhere. It sounds very familiar." Shashi spoke softly to Shyam who sat next to him while watching Khushi play her violin sitting on the carpet on the floor, with Arnav seated opposite to her with his knees drawn to his chest and eyes closed lost in the music that played. A soft smile lingered on his lips while Khushi played joyously. Why not? The raag itself depicts immense joy, doesn't it? Arnav mused as he recalled the song and the raag that she played. Raag Nat Bihag was a late evening raag and Arnav appreciated her choice of raag that suited the time of the day and mood of the song.

With their stomachs full, the four had settled down in the living room for some leisure time. Earlier when Arnav and Khushi had arrived at the apartment, Shashi and Shyam were giving finishing touches to the dishes they had put together so lovingly. Arnav had joked that the father-son duo looked like some cooking reality show contestants. After having a sumptuous dinner amidst much chatter and teasing that majorly involved Shyam, Arnav had covered an unsuspecting Khushi's eyes with his palms while Shyam brought her violin from her room. Arnav slowly removed his hands from her eyes and Khushi saw her violin case with much excitement. With trembling hands she had opened the case, a process she had done millions of times in the past, which now took several minutes. Having lived in a world that depended on sense of touch, a transition to sense of sight still left her clueless sometimes. None of the men had stepped forward to help her remove the violin from the case for her. They knew she would want to do it herself and she did. The moment she saw the instrument for the first time was priceless. She fell in love with its beauty. The way she had gradually unhooked the violin from its cabinet, the reverence with which she had held it in her hands and the joy with which she had positioned the instrument, Khushi had thought she would combust due to the overpowering emotions. Khushi had remembered her Guruji's words of encouragement to learn to play and at that moment she had tears in her eyes thinking about the great man. Arnav captured everything on his mobile camera. Finally when Khushi took control of her emotions and got ready to slide the bow on the strings, Arnav's hand had shot out to hold her hand. When she had looked at him questioningly, he had scrolled his mobile instead and played a voice recording. Khushi had teased him previously that he forgot to bring her anything this time contrary to his habit of always bringing her something when he came to see her in the past. Arnav had only smiled at her then. When the recording started playing, she knew this was his gift for her. It was a voice recording of her Guruji.

"Khushi beta! Congratulations!! I can't describe how happy I have been feeling since the time you called me to inform that you have got back your sight. Convey my heartfelt wishes to your father and Shyam. It is their unconditional love and endless prayers that you are receiving so much happiness today." Khushi shot a grateful glance at her family as the recording played on, while Shashi and Shyam looked visibly surprised. "I have been reminiscing the initial days of your tutelage with me and how from a disciple you have become no less than a daughter to us. So yes, we are exhilarated. Your Guruma is right here beside me while Arnav is recording this. Arnav tells me that you are putting off seeing and playing the violin since you the restoration for some very special reason. It is not difficult to decipher what or rather who the special reason is. But since Arnav is asking me to give you our blessings when you are going to return in just about a week and that he will be soon visiting you, I am guessing that the instrument is soon to be released from its prison and played. As you would unlock the treasure from its chest and play, remember that our blessings are always with you. You are my prided jewel and I have no doubt that you are going to make me feel so proud of you one day. There is no doubt that you are a blessed child, blessed in so many ways. And one such blessing is sitting right in front of my eyes as I am speaking this, making this old man very emotional. Come back soon my child. Can't wait to see you. God bless you. Now hold the violin and play to your heart's content."

It was an emotional moment when Khushi had momentarily forgotten about Shashi and Shyam and thrown herself on Arnav and cried into his shirt for his thoughtfulness. Arnav had shot a hesitant look at the Gupta men and when he saw so much emotions on their faces too, he had relaxed and calmed her down with his soft comforting words. For once, Khushi was not conscious about her display of emotion with Arnav and it was received well by her brother and father who also took their turns to calm her down. Khushi had thought that her heart was overflowing with joy and happiness and had decided to vent them out through Nat bihag.

As Khushi played the closing notes of the song, Shashi asked her about the song. She looked at Arnav meaningfully and Arnav smiled and turned to Shashi to give the answer not verbally but vocally. He sang the opening lines of the song, Jhan jhan jhan payal mori bhaje.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxmmotpHHt0

Shashi recognized the song as the one that was adapted for the movie Buzdil, sung by Lata Mangeshkar. When he shared the same with Arnav once he finished the rendition, Arnav added that the song that he sung was slightly different and sung by Pt. Mallikarjun Mansoor, a record of which his mother had in her collection. Arnav then asked Khushi to play the latest Bandish she learnt in Raag Miya ki Malhar.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9ZDj_9-0b8

Khushi gave a brief introduction to the raag and Arnav supplemented that the famous song "Bole re papi hara" sung by Vani Jayaram for the film Guddi was set in the same raag. As Khushi slid her bow on the strings to "Bijuri Chamke barse", Shyam and Shashi observed with much contentment how Arnav was keeping track of Khushi's progression as a musician and complimented her with his knowledge. They were honestly blown away by Arnav's gesture of taking the pains to visit her Guruji and get the recording when he was extremely busy with the London deal. It spoke volumes of the man's commitment and sincerity towards the relationship he shared with Khushi. Shashi had always admired Arnav and Khushi's compatibility and the insightful father was always aware of the simmering equation between the young couple. He couldn't help but feel thankful to God for having sent Arnav into Khushi's life as a perfect match to all her emotional, physical and mental needs. He only hoped that they took the further steps quicker in future. He couldn't wait to get them married. As hasty as it may sound, but he was a concerned father after all who was not oblivious to the rate of progression of their relationship.

An hour later, Arnav was seen waving a very reluctant good night to the Guptas at the door of their apartment and promising to be back the next morning to take Khushi to her second last therapy session at the ophthalmic institute.

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As Arnav got ready the next morning for the appointment, on the other part of the world, Devyani sat at the dining table enjoying the feel of her grand daughter being the center of attention from everyone around amidst a noisy dinner. Her daughter in law was making her eat one more roti while Akash was passing some sarcastic comment about Manorama's attempt to make Anjali bloat beyond recognition before jiju came back and make the poor man suffer, all the while encircling her shoulder with his one hand and serving more curry on to her plate with the other. While Manohar was pulling Manorama's legs with his witty one liners, Anjali was glowing with all the attention she was receiving. Motherhood suited her really well, just like when Ratna was carrying Anjali, she thought. As Anjali struggled with Manorama's insistence of finishing her meal which she couldn't, her knight came to her rescue in shining armor, in the form of a phone call. Anjali ignored Manorama's complaints and Akash's teasing and went ahead to answer the call. As the duration of the call elongated Devyani gestured her to go to her room and speak in peace away from the rogue brother. Anjali made a move towards her room when Hariprakash came from the kitchen with more rotis. Just then Anjali remembered something.

"Hold on a second Shyam. Hariprakashji! There was a call on your mobile this morning. I answered it, since you weren't around. I am sorry I forgot to tell you. Yeah Shyam...so how is it going? Mmm... I think green will be nice..." Anjali turned to go to her room completely oblivious to the glances exchanged between Hariprakash and Devyani.

Later that night, when everyone had retired for the day, Hariprakash gently knocked on the Matriarch's room and handed her the phone. Devyani took the phone and signaled to which he obediently nodded and remained outside the door keeping a watch while Devyani spoke in the phone inside her room.

"Maa ji !! Namaste!! How are you?"

"I am fine Ahalya! How have you been doing? I haven't heard from you since Anjali's wedding."

"I didn't have a reason to call Maa ji. You know I have been living an isolated life in the past few years, trying to be untraced by my husband. I don't call unless there is a need to. How is Anjali? Is damadji treating her well?"

"Shyam is the best thing to have happened to her, Ahalya. There is some good news. Anjali is expecting."

A brief silence was followed by "I am very happy Maa ji. May Devi Maiyya continue to shower my child with endless happiness and joy"

"I was expecting you at her wedding. Will you at least come for her Godh bharai?"

"Anjali is always included in my prayers. So is Arnav. But you will have to forgive me Maa ji. I will never allow their sorrowful past shadow their beautiful present and future. Even if it means to stay away from them for the rest of my life. I only wish Jiji was alive to see her children happy."

"You should have been with us Ahalya. They would have reveled in your motherly warmth."

"I could have never compensated for their mother's love maa ji. And I can never match up to Manorama's love. Her love for them is unconditional. I will stay away from them and protect them. That is my salvation from my sins."

"Nothing that happened was your fault. Don't blame yourself my child. If at all, you have fought for them and done everything possible to send them alive from that hell hole." Devyani composed herself and continued, "Anyway, is there anything specific you wanted to tell me?"

"Yes maa ji. I hear from my brother that Avinash has tasted much failure in the recent times. Ramesh is keeping a careful watch on what reaches him and he has been filtering all media news about Arnav and Anjali."

"You know how I feel about Ramesh. I don't trust him like you do. Sorry to say such things about your brother. But his involvement in, you know..."

"I know I know Maaji, but trust me, he repents it till date and blames himself and his partnership in Avinash's crimes for his destroyed married life. He is helping me out of his own will and considers this a God sent opportunity to cleanse absolve himself. Anyway, Avinash's political career is on the downhill and a visit to Delhi to try to resurrect in his status in his party seems to be on the cards. He may soon come to know of Arnav's status in Delhi business circle. I called to caution you of various scenarios that may come up. You know what to do. Please do have a word with Manohar bhaiyya."

Devyani absorbed all the information and said. "Okay Ahalya. I will discuss with Manohar. Arnav is now in the USA and will be back in two-three days. Time may have come for me to reveal to him the reason behind some of the decisions that we took all those years back. Hmmm. I will take care of it. Call me again in another week. Take care till then."

Handing over the phone to Hariprakash, Devyani busied herself in her musings about future course of action and her impending talk with Manohar the next day and with Arnav later. Sleep evaded her that night just as she had expected.

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Waiting and to be waited upon were two things Arnav hated. But what could he do when the consultant was attending to an emergency case. Khushi's appointment was delayed and they were indefinitely waiting. Shashi had joined Shyam for shopping and they were expected to join them in the clinic by the time her appointment would be over and head out for lunch. Khushi laughed at Arnav's restless tapping of feet and teased him.
"Laugh all you want. I don't like waiting Khushi. If it was ARD, I would have blown my fuse by now"
"That's what I am wondering, what happened to that angry young man who almost consumed me in his raging fire like anger during our first meet. I never got to hear that angry voice again."
"May be you need to refresh your memory Khushi. I did speak to you angrily once after that" Arnav reminded her of their face off after Sheetal fiasco.
"That was a different anger. Anyway, where did the angry man vanish?"
"That day, our first meeting, was the worst display of my anger. Or may be not", he added thoughtfully.
Moments of silence followed. Khushi saw him shift uncomfortably and then sigh deeply closing his eyes as a bitter distant memory seeped in.
"You want to talk about it?" Khushi hugged his forearm and rested her head on his shoulder.

Arnav sighed deeply before answering. "I have not been perennially angry in the past, but there have been a few anger outbursts which I am not very proud of. I consciously kept my anger under check after a particular incident for which I have not forgiven myself."

"Are you still talking about our first meeting?" Khushi asked doubtfully raising her head to meet his eyes.

Arnav shook his head in the negative. There was no use repenting and regretting words spilled in anger because most of the times the impact of the words that have left one's mouth is irreversible. Arnav let out a shaky breathe as a sense of foreboding suddenly threatened to consume him. He gripped her hand that encircled his forearm and asked, "Do you fear anything Khushi?"

Khushi was startled at the unexpected question. She looked up at his face for several moments as events of her own past flashed in her mind. Arnav regretted asking her the question as he saw a variety of painful emotions flit across her face. When he was about to ask her not to answer if it was painful, she spoke up.

"I used to be afraid of dark from my childhood. My family's demise... was in the middle of the night too. It used to be very scary. I used to scream in my sleep almost every night and Madhu Buaji used to comfort me. One day she told me something that helped me overcome my fear. She asked me to recollect all the good memories I used to associate with darkness, night. I did, recollected all the stories that my own buaji used to tell me about moon and stars, the moonlight dinners we used to have, to mention a few. Then gradually I overcame my fear of dark. Now I am completely rid of the fear. The past few days have been a little difficult though. I think about my biological family a lot. But I am getting better with every passing day." Khushi finished softly and putting her head on his shoulder again. Arnav rubbed her arm gently and dropped a kiss on head.

After a few moments of comforting silence, she asked him, "What about you? Are you afraid of anything?"

The question tightened a clawed feeling on his heart further.

"I am afraid of losing you" Arnav would have said it aloud had not better sense not prevailed seeing her delicate state of mind. How had a light hearted banter between them turned so thick in a matter of few minutes? Was life so uncertain as well? Oh yes. Who better than him knew the one consistent thing of life? But wasn't life, with all its uncertainities, is all about living in the present in the anticipation of a happy future? Arnav tightened his hold on his beautiful present and future. He softly whispered, "Nothing. Nothing", swallowing the answer that he was almost about to say.

"Ms. Gupta! Your session starts in therapy room 5", Kelly, assistant to Dr. Fredman announced. Arnav and Khushi stood as Kelly waited to lead her. Khushi kissed Arnav lightly on his lips and said, "We are here and with each other. Everything will be alright." She walked away after she saw him give her a smile leaving him there in the waiting lounge with his thoughts.
After half an hour when Arnav had cleared his mind of unwanted thoughts, Shashi had cheerfully joined him and said that Shyam wasn't done with shopping and would put everything in the apartment and join them for lunch. A few minutes later they were called into Dr. Fredman's cabin, where Khushi was already waiting.

"Ms. Gupta has recovered completely. She seems to have a slight nearsightedness in both eyes, which went unnoticed due to her condition. This is the prescription for glasses. The number is not very high, so its optional. She hasn't experienced any significant observation so far. Tomorrow will be her final review after which she is expected to have a monthly review at the Center for Sight in New Delhi. Any questions?" That triggered a series of questions from Arnav, who was introduced to the consultant at the beginning of their consultation. As Dr. Fredman patiently answered all the questions, Khushi watched the proceedings with amusement. A tiny fantasy crept into her mind as she saw Arnav roasting the doctor with questions, she involuntarily imagined herself seated in another doctor's clinic with a bulgy stomach with Arnav firing away questions sitting by her side about their to be born baby. Child? Have I lost it?
"Khushi! Shall we leave?" It was only when she felt herself being shaken by Shashi that she came out of her fantasy world and saw Arnav looking at her intently. She tried to mask her embarrassment at the direction of her thought and thanked the doctor before leaving the room averting her eyes away from Arnav kindling his curiosity. What's going on in her mind?
Five minutes later Arnav and Shashi were seated in the small waiting lounge meant for patients and their attendants while Khushi went to use the washroom. He lazily observed the people around him when the nurse called out for a 12-13 year girl called Ms. Farooqui for her session. He heard the attendant who looked the age of the girl's father, being told that the session may take half an hour to which he thanked and left in the direction of the washroom.
Khushi splashed generous amount of water on her face and wiped them off with her hands before looking into the mirror outside the women's washroom. The blush was stubborn and refused to leave her face. The thought behind the blush came back again and she smiled at her own reflection shyly. Damn this man. What is he doing to me?
Khushi took a deep breathe and pulled a sheet of paper towel from the dispenser near the wash basins and wiped her face off. She left the washroom after trashing the paper and entered the common corridor leading to the washrooms. She saw a middle aged man coming in the opposite direction when she heard her phone ringing. She pulled her phone from her jeans pant pocket not noticing that her hospital ID fell on to the floor. She smiled seeing the name on the display. She had taken quite a lot of time and he must be concerned. Quite a worry wart Mr. Raizada. Khushi smiled to herelf and as she swiped the phone to answer the call, the man in the corridor called out to her. She turned to him and saw him holding out something to her which she recognized as her ID. She momentarily forgot that she was on the phone and looked up at the stranger to thank him while taking the ID from his hands. As her eyes fixated on his face, the blood flowing thorugh her veins froze. Khushi felt her tongue drying and body profusely sweating. Her surrounding spun in her visual field and the last thing that registered in her mind before blacking out was Arnav's frantic voice calling out her name on the other end of the phone.

----To be continued----

A/N - next post, please read

appu😊,