Arshi FF: Jeene Laga Hoon (NOTE pg. 68) - Page 29

Arnav Singh Raizada had traveled to practically every corner of the world. London, Paris, Tokyo, Berlin, California, New York, and so on. He had seen the worst and best parts of every country. Yet, there was nothing that had struck him as breathtaking. Others around him had tried to explain the splendor that he was seeing before him with such enthusiasm that he sometimes wished he could feel more excited about what he was seeing. But that was never the case. He was impressed by the sights, but never truly amazed or left in wonder. However that all changed when he visited Agra with Khushi.

As they drove down the roads, she began explaining bits and pieces of Agra's history. Every architectural masterpiece had some story that she told him with such passion. She guided him through the Red Fort and around the Taj Mahal, two of the most popular sights to see in Agra. While Arnav took pictures, Khushi stood beside him explaining the significance of these places. Normally, he wouldn't have been moved by these places, but this was different. The way Khushi narrated everything, the way she had that glimmer in her eyes, and the hopeful way she looked at him when she finished her tale, left him speechless. It was the first time that Arnav ever found a sight truly breathtaking.

~

Arnav and Khushi had just left the Taj Mahal. He was taking pictures of the exterior as they were walking away. She slowly trailed beside him and watched as he did so. Khushi realized that he needed this moment away from his work and family. After everything that had happened, Arnav needed to just get away from it all. That's why Khushi decided Agra would be the best place to go. Not only was it somewhere that she had wanted to go, but its beauty was something she knew Arnav would love to see. It was a much needed escape from reality, and it seemed like he was enjoying himself.

Once he completed taking photos, Arnav turned his attention to Khushi and found her looking at him with a soft smile. Without warning he clicked her photo, to which she laughed. He took a few more before looking at the photos. He didn't know why he always liked taking pictures of Khushi. She was just so photogenic, no picture of hers was flawed. Her natural pictures were always the best. He couldn't help but take pictures of her. As he looked through the pictures that he had just taken, Khushi gazed at him fondly.

"You know, right now, it feels like the old Arnav is back," she said.

"I feel like my old self," Arnav replied. "Thanks for bringing me here. I know this was for your benefit, but I think I got something out of it too."

"Yeah, you seemed like you needed a day away from it all. To rediscover yourself."

"I didn't need to rediscover myself. I just needed to be around you, because, for some reason, I end up being the old Arnav around you."

"So between Arnav and ASR, which do you like best?"

Arnav paused before looking at her, "The Arnav that always appears around you."

Khushi smiled and changed the topic before it became awkward, "So, is this what your life is like, Arnav? I mean all this traveling and sightseeing?"

"There's also work," he laughed. "Well, it's mostly work first. Sights later."

Khushi laughed, "But you must've seen a lot out there right?"

"You can't even imagine. I love my life, Khushi. I could never live like you people."

"What do you mean live like you people'?"

"Meaning living in one place, in one city all your life. Don't you ever get bored?"

"Not at all. This is the life I chose. And I have no interest in living like you...like a bloody hippie."

Arnav chuckled, "A hippie? You're only saying that because you haven't been out in the world, Khushi. You don't know what it's like living in these different places."

"And you don't know what it's like to live with your loved ones."

Khushi picked up her pace while he trailed behind her, pondering what she had just said. Did she really think that staying in one place their entire life was better than traveling around the world? Arnav was sure he could convince her otherwise. They had managed to walk to the local market, where vendors were selling various items such as clothes, jewelry, and food. Khushi stopped by a local stand where they were selling scarves and gazed at the different materials fondly. Her hands weaved through the fabrics that hung around. Arnav came up beside her and gave a nod to the seller before turning his attention to Khushi.

"You don't know what it's like to sit with different people and hear their stories," Arnav said.

Khushi smiled and took a scarf and draped it over his head, "And you don't know what it's like to sit with friends and reminiscence old memories."

As Khushi walked to a different stall, Arnav pulled the scarf off of him and ran after her down the market path. She stopped by a local shoe seller and began trying on shoes, while he began trying on hats that the vendor was insisting on him trying on. He looked at Khushi every now and then to get her opinion. She took his camera and took a few photos of him trying on hats. He made silly faces and posed for a few, something he had never imagined himself doing. Both of them laughed. Khushi hung the camera back around Arnav's neck and returned to looking at shoes. He still hadn't given up trying to convince her on his hippie' lifestyle.

He looked at her and said, "I should take you to San Francisco one day and feed you my favorite mutton burger. You will go crazy."

Khushi paid the vendor for a pair of shoes. As she received her bag and change, she looked at Arnav and said, "One day I'll make you my special mutton biryani. You'll forget the burger."

He looked at her with an oh really' look. Arnav left the hats and walked down the market aisles with Khushi as she held her bag to her chest. He led them back to the car, where he put the bag in the trunk. Just as they were about to get in the car and drive to their next destination, Arnav blocked her from getting in the car. She looked at him curiously.

"You have never seen Paris," he said. "You don't even know."

"Have you ever seen a child being born?" Khushi asked.

"No," he paused. "But I have a lot of my kids running down the streets in Paris."

Khushi laughed, "Cheap, yaar. Now move. We still have so much to see, right?"

Arnav and Khushi got in the car and began driving towards their next destination. However, this little argument between them continued through the entire car ride and through the rest of their destinations. When they reached the Yamuna River's edge, they sat on the hood of the car and ate food that Khushi had packed for the two of them, continuing their debate.

Arnav took a sip of his water and spoke, "Brazil. World Cup. Germany's winning goal."

Khushi swallowed the bite of her sandwich in her mouth, "Wankhede. Manhendra Singh Dhoni's winning sixer!"

"California's weather," he said as he reclined against the hood of his car.

"Bombay's rain."

"Blueberry cheesecake."

"Freshly made Jalebis."

Arnav sat up, "Broadway's Phantom of the Opera."

"Maratha Mandir's Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge...with popcorn."

He paused and looked at her, "Actually yeah, yaar."

Arnav and Khushi drove to town and bought ice cream. They stood among the rest of the people in Agra and ate their dessert. They watched the locals go to the river that ran through the city and collect water for themselves. Khushi leaned against the old architectural pillar while Arnav stood beside her.

"One day you'll be the mother of two children. Moti si.," he took a bite of her ice cream. "And I'll still be hot and fit."

Khushi shook her head, "Not two. Six. And when we're at home watching Harry Potter part twenty...you'll be in some unknown African village designing some random clothes."

She laughed and walked away, leaving Arnav standing there with his mouth agape. He never knew Khushi was so feisty and argumentative. She had a witty answer for everything. But he did know that neither of them would win this battle. He strode after her and grabbed her arm to stop her. She stopped and turned to face him.

"You're not right, Khushi," Arnav admitted. "You're just very different from me."

She smiled softly and nodded, "I know."

Arnav knew that Khushi understood what he was saying. They may be different and believe in different things, but that's what made their friendship special. They were able to give each other new perspectives on life, something that the other had never thought about. As he stared at her, Arnav wondered what this woman was made of. She was so different from him, but he felt so comfortable with her.

He let go of her arm, "Hey wait...do you really want six kids?"

Khushi turned and began walking away. He followed after her.

"You should name one or two Arnav'," he joked.

"Oh please," Khushi rolled her eyes.

"Okay. So are they all going to be from one husband or...should I help?" he winked.

She smacked his chest, "Chi, yaar! God, Arnav!"

"Hey just think about it! We would have good looking kids. My looks and...my brains."

Khushi smacked his arm and laughed, "Such a dog!"

"Hey, no need to hit me! I was just kidding!"

Both of them burst out laughing.

~

Arnav and Khushi sat on the cliffside and watched the sun set over the city of Agra. The buildings became painted with rays of reds and oranges, enhancing the intricate features of the architectural masterpieces. The sun was slowly receding beyond the horizon. The two of them had been sitting up there for the last hour, and he was getting impatient. There was still so much to see and so little time. Khushi seemed to be lost in the scenery to even notice, so Arnav had to snap her out of it.

He shook her by her shoulder, "Hey, come on. We still have a lot to see."

"But I'm tired, Arnav," Khushi whined. "And look at this beautiful sunset."

"No. Look," Arnav pulled out a list of must-go places in Agra. "There's still all this stuff left to see."

Khushi snatched the paper and threw it in the air, letting the wind blow it away, "And now there isn't. Sit down. Chup chap."

Hearing her demand, Arnav had no choice but to sit down, "But we're going to miss all those amazing sights."

"And if we leave now we will miss this amazing sunset," she looked at him. "Arnav, no matter how hard you try, you're always going to miss things in life. So just enjoy the moment you're living in."

As she returned her attention to the sunset, Arnav stared at her. How was it that she managed to say things that left him speechless? She was right though. There were things he was going to miss in life. He had tried doing everything, but at the cost of not enjoying the moments. Arnav looked out at the city of Agra. This truly was an amazing sight, and he should enjoy it. The two of them decided to stay there and enjoy the sun set. He leaned back on his hands as his feet dangled from the cliffside. Khushi sat with her legs folded in a pretzel besides him. The breeze that came through caressed them both, creating a calmer atmosphere that made them wish it was always like this.

"I love Agra," Khushi said. "Thanks for exploring the city with me."

"No problem," Arnav smirked.

"Arnav..."

"Yeah?"

Khushi looked at him, "I wanted to talk to you about something serious."

His smiled faded. Seeing the serious expression on her face, Arnav knew this wasn't just serious, it was also important. He turned to look at her, giving her his undivided attention.

She took a deep breath, "It's about Di."

"What about her?" Arnav asked. "Is she okay?"

"She's fine. It's nothing like that. I was just...I've been thinking about something and I wanted to talk to you about it, since you know your Di better than anyone."

"What's it about?"

"I wanted to talk to Di about adopting."

Arnav was stunned.

"Just hear me out," Khushi explained. "Anjali always wanted to be a mother. That was a big dream for her. When she found out she couldn't be one, it broke her. I saw that. She's going a lot better now, but I know there's still a part of her that wishes she could have a child. It was while I was talking to her a few days ago that I thought about the idea of adoption. Think about it, there are so many infants that are given up for adoption in need of a family...in need of a mother."

Arnav didn't say anything, but continued to listen.

"Just because she doesn't give birth to a child doesn't mean she can't be a mother. If she adopted, her dream of being one would be fulfilled. The process wouldn't take that long with Anjali being a Raizada and all. Her name would most likely get her on the top of the waitlist and she could adopt a child within the next few weeks."

Arnav remained silent, and it made Khushi anxious.

"Anjali Di had always been nice to me," Khushi said nervously. "I want her and Aman to be happy. I-."

"We should talk to them," Arnav interjected. "I mean, it's worth a shot."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Di wants to be a mom, and this is the best way she can be one. I want her to be happy too, and maybe she will be if we did this. It's worth trying."

"So, you'll support me?"

Arnav nodded, "Let's talk to them tonight, when we get back."

Khushi grinned, "Yay! Thank you!"

She leaped forward and hugged Arnav. He was taken by surprise by the sudden movement, but once he realized what was happening he hugged her back. Khushi had come up with a good option, and even though it was a long shot, it was worth talking to Anjali and Aman about. He knew if they agreed, then Anjali's once-shattered dream could be mended.

Khushi moved back and blushed in embarrassment when she realized what she had done. Arnav smirked seeing her shy nature. Even though she was witty and debatable at times, she was still the shy girl he once knew. Her gaze met his, and Arnav felt a tingling sensation radiate through his chest. With the decision made, the two of them watched the sun set completely before getting in the car and leaving Agra. They headed back to Shantivan, eager to talk to Aman and Anjali about their life-changing idea.

**********

Awww! Arshi are so cute! Let me know what you think by leaving your comments and feedback below.

Next update: A new baby in the house? Yes? No?

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