My Fair Khushi COMPLETE! - Page 63

Originally posted by: Kalpana_KaCy

OH MY GOD!

I dont know what to say!

You left me SPEECHLESS!

(Capital means I am literally screaming in excitement!)

Dear dear dearest Sri,

you made my day with your comment and I just dont know how to thank you! After hearing one or two readers say that they dont like the way I portray Khushi and Prem, your comment is like a balm to my depressed soul. Seriously, you girl made me really happy! Thank you! A big jhappi for you! 🤗

May your day be made as fantabulous as you made mine!

Thank you,

Kalpana

Originally posted by: anjs

wow...u seem to reply to comments...any reason I dont find one to mine...do i really offend u that much by stating my honest comments ?😕

do let me know, if its so, i will stop commenting.😊

Originally posted by: srmirji

Kalpana, thanks for your kind words...

Keep writing, it's very easy to find flaws or complain...but I'm sure it is nowhere easy to weave a beautiful story.

Take care,

Sri.

Originally posted by: laavanya4u

Dear more than 10 days had passed without ur update. Can u give me an index of ur other works.

CHAPTER 20. GOODBYES AND CONFUSIONS

Only four weeks were left to the party or The Bet Party' as Aakash called it and Khushi stepped out of Shantivan. A frown was on her face as she marched ahead. The frown was due to her best friend, Prem. Prem Juneja, another menace of her life, Khushi decided. She looked up and glared as she ranted mentally. What Devi Maiyya? Wasn't Arnavji enough that you sent Prem to confuse me? Already Arnavji has me confused with his coming close and keeping distance dance! I was just trying to sort him out and you gave Prem the same disease? Devi Maiyya! Not fair!

Now you must be wondering why Prem had Khushi confused. You see, after the mela, Prem stopped coming to visit her! Just like that! When Khushi called him to ask why he did not come to visit her, he told her it was because she was ok and hence, he decided that the visits were unneeded! That answer irritated Khushi. So he was there every evening only because she was unwell! That's his friendship? Khushi felt outraged but masked it with sweetness and asked him to come over so that she could meet him. Prem's answer irritated her more. He simply cited work as excuse and refused to come. Khushi was aghast. Her only thought was that she was loosing her friend! And that did not sit well with her. For days she called him, but he kept on refusing to meet her citing his work. And now suddenly out of blue, he called her and wanted to meet her! What is going on here? Khushi wondered as she sat in the rickshaw and gave the address of their meeting point to the driver.

Half an hour later, Khushi came face to face with Prem. He smiled at her but she was too miffed at him to even bless him with a smile.

"What? Not even a smile?", Prem asked, the smile still on his face.

Khushi huffed, "You call me when you want to, you stay away when you want to! What am I? A Doll?"

"Hey!", Prem smiled, "That sounded like a song I heard recently! From Prem Ratan Dhan Paayo I think! Quite catchy..." he trailed off when Khushi put her hand on her hips and glared at him. He sobered up and shrugged, "Look! I am sorry! I had some personal problems to sort out!"

Khushi's anger left and she looked worried, "Personal problems? Everyone alright in your family?"

Prem chuckled but Khushi felt like his laughter was sad. But she was wrong, right?

"Family is alright! It is something else!", Prem replied sadly. Khushi blinked as she realised that she was not imagining the sadness. Prem was sad!

"What is it?", she asked him and when Prem did not reply she asked him again. Prem remained silent.

"Tell me! Let me know! If you don't let me know, how will I help you?", Khushi was worried, "I am your friend! You won't even tell me!" Her eyes teared up at the thought of her friend in distress.

Seeing her tear up broke Prem's resolve and he blurted out, "I am in love!"

Khushi's eyes widened and the tears vanished as happiness took its place.

"Kya? Really?", Khushi chirped excitedly.

Prem shrugged and Khushi giggled, "Hey Devi Maiyya! Kaun hai woh? Have I met her? Forget that! How did you two meet? Was it love at first sight or did it Aakashelop slowly? Did you start romance right away or some fight started first? Forget that! How does she look? Is she pretty? Is she tall? Is she giggly or is she serious types? I mean..."

"Bas! Bas! Bas!", Prem was exasperated, "Khushi! Breathe! Let me speak! If you keep on asking questions non stop, how will I reply?"

Khushi pouted but nodded and for few minutes both remained silent. Both were standing side by side watching the sunset. Then suddenly Prem spoke.

"Its you!"

Khushi frowned and looked at him, confused as to what he was talking about.

"Kya?"

"I said its you!"

Khushi was still confused but before she could ask him, he turned towards her and looked into her eyes, "I have fallen in love with you!"

Khushi took in a sharp breath at his words and her eyes widened.

Prem smiled sheepishly, "Yup! You are the girl I am crazy about!"

Khushi remained frozen with her jaw dropped open as she stared at the man.

Prem smiled sadly, "Don't worry! I don't expect you to love me back!"

He looked at the sunset pensively as if debating whether to say the next part or not. Finally deciding he looked at her and spoke up, "I know Khushi! I know you love Arnav!"

That broke Khushi's silence, "Wha... huh... I... Arna...No... I...", she stammered in shock.

"Don't deny it!", Prem grinned at her as Khushi continued to stammer out her refusal, "Don't! Don't deny it! What is it that you say in Hindi? Ah yes! Tumhari shakal pe likha hai! It is written on your face! The way your eyes shine when you talk about him, the way your face glows when he enters the room, the way your eyes search for him when he is not there, I can see it! You love him!"

Khushi did not know what to say and blurted out the first thing that came to her mind, "Am I that transparent?" Her face took on a worried look and then she winced. Hey Devi Maiyya! What am I saying! I am supposed to be denying it.

Prem made a face, "Maybe!", and he shrugged.

"Hey Devi Maiyya!", Khushi started to talk to herself forgetting that Prem was standing in front of her, "Does Arnavji know?"

Suddenly, Prem spoke bringing Khushi out of her thoughts, "I don't think so! He seems a little dumb when it comes to matter of hearts!"

Both chuckled at the joke.

Suddenly, Khushi pouted, "Hey! Don't call my Arnavji dumb!", she playfully glared at him.

Both chuckled again and then silence descended.

Suddenly Khushi spoke, "I am sorry!"

"For what?", Prem frowned.

Khushi smiled sadly, "I don't love you! That's why!"

"Hey Its ok!", Prem spoke quietly, "Its my fault! I came late to the party! Arnav entered your life first!"

Khushi nodded and looked at him with glassy eyes, "You do know that if I had met you first I would have fallen for you!"

"I know!", Prem nodded, "But we are not fated for each other Khushi! Maybe in some other life, some other time, but not now!"

Khushi nodded and both turned again to look at the sun setting.

After few seconds, Khushi could not resist from questioning him, "Now what?"

Prem shrugged as he looked at the sun, "I have made my decision!"

"What decision?", Khushi frowned.

"I am leaving Khushi!", he turned to look at her and then back at the sunset, "I am going to Mumbai!"

"What?", Khushi turned to look at him with wide eyes.

"Ya! I am opening a factory there, I will be busy there now!", Prem spoke in a casual manner trying to make his decision seem like no big deal.

"But...", Khushi stuttered shaking her head.

Prem huffed, "Khushi! This is a good thing! Don't you see? I love you but you don't! Being here won't help me get over you! Only way I can do that is get away!"

"But I will loose my friend!", Khushi cried out.

Prem smiled sadly, "Just give me time to move on! Then I will contact you and we will remain in touch! Our friendship will be back to normal!"

Khushi sighed in defeat, "Ok!", then she perked up, "But you will contact me right?"

Prem smiled brightly this time, "I don't think I want to loose a friend over my feelings! You are too valuable as a friend Khushi!"

"Thank you!", Khushi choked out as her emotions clogged her throat, "So this is our goodbye!"

Prem shook his head, also looking as emotional as her, "I don't think so! I am thinking of it as a pause! Like see you in few months kind of pause!"

Khushi nodded and then unable to hold herself, she lunged forward and hugged him tightly. As tears finally cascaded down her cheeks, she pulled away.

As she wiped her eyes, Prem spoke up, "Just... Make a promise to me Khushi!"

"Kya?", she asked pleasantly.

"If or rather when Arnav confesses his love and you will, of course, confess too, both of you will embark on a relationship! Khushi, I have noticed the way Arnav treats you! In his mind, you are still a waitress! For me or his family, your status does not matter! But for him, it does! Don't let that come inbetween your happiness, Khushi!"

"Matlab?", Khushi frowned in confusion, "I don't understand you!"

"Khushi! I have seen Indian Films! They show how people fall in love and they end up happily ever after! But that is not true in real life! Love is not the only thing needed to sustain a relationship! Respect is equally important too! Don't let Arnav treat you like a trash just because you love him! Your dignity and respect is important too! Get that? Promise me! Promise me that you will make sure any relationship you have in your life, you will not be disrespected!", Prem put out his hand asking for her promise.

Khushi shook her head as she stepped back, "Prem! What are you saying? I don't..."

Prem cut her off, "Look Khushi! I know you! I know that you accepted the way people treated you when you were waitress! They treated you based on your status and you allowed it to happen! You accepted it! But Khushi, when it comes to relationships, you cannot accept it! Khushi! A healthy relationship survives only if there is respect and love in it. Arnav loves you, but does he respect you?" Prem looked at her pensively.

"Ek minute! Ek minute!", Khushi shook her head, "You are basing all this on the fact that Arnavji loves me! But I know he does not! Why do you think I am so eager to get out of the house? Because I don't want to be close to him and suffer in this unrequited love! He does not love me!"

"What?", Prem spat and then started laughing.

Khushi frowned and tapped her feet on the pavement as she glared at him. Why is he laughing at me?

"Khushi! Khushi! Khushi!", Prem's laughter petered out, "My beloved Khushi! Unrequited love? You don't see what I see do you?"

Khushi was confused and Prem explained further, "Have you ever seen him look at you? Its so intense, love filled! Have you seen the way he glares at me when I am around? Its so jealousy filled! Khushi! Even a blind person would tell you after meeting you two that you two are in love with each other!"

Khushi's jaw dropped open. Arnavji? Love her? No! I don't think so! But Prem's words resonated in her mind and a sliver of doubt crept in her mind. But what if he is right?

"So promise me Khushi!", Prem spoke up bringing Khushi out of her thoughts, "Promise me that you won't let Arnav or anybody infact, trample all over you, your identity or your self-respect! Promise me Khushi, that you will never sacrifice your self-respect on the altar of love! Promise me! You are a lovely girl Khushi, and you don't deserve to be repressed for sake of someone's ego! Promise me!"

Khushi understood the severity of the situation and she nodded. Prem was right! Love does not mean you give up everything you are! It does not mean you let the other person treat you the way you want to! No! Love does not give anybody right to treat me anything less than I deserve! Khushi raised her hand and placed it on Prem's hand. He pulled her close and kissed her forehead, "See you soon Khushi! Hope Arnav knows how lucky he is to have you in his life!", he muttered and walked away.

Khushi took in a deep breath and then let it out. Prem was gone! Out of her life! But he left behind a puzzle for her! Khushi realised as she turned and walked to catch a rickshaw to Shantivan. Does Arnavji really love me? Or is Prem just imagining things? Am I that lucky? Does Arnavji really love me? She chewed her lip in confusion. I don't know!

Few days passed and soon only three weeks was left to The Bet Party'. Anjali had kept Khushi busy the last few days by searching for the perfect dress for her and also the accessories. Once found, Anjali hounded Khushi to try it and get the size and adjustments right. Once done with that, Khushi swore to respect models more. Any lady who went through the torture she went through on regular basis deserved her salute.

And now with only three weeks left, it was revision time. And right now, it was revision of dance.

Music flowed in the background as Arnav and Khushi took their position. Soon both were dancing across the dance floor as some song of love played in the background. In front of them, Anjali and Aakash sat, lost in their own discussion about Shyam arriving in town soon for the party.

As the singer crooned about love, Khushi's mind went back to the conversation she had with Prem. Have you ever seen him look at you? Its so intense, love filled! Khushi looked up into Arnav's eyes but he seemed to be seeing somewhere. She looked down again not noticing that the moment she looked down, Arnav turned his eyes on to her and stared at her with intense eyes.

Khushi bit her lip as she wondered whether Prem was right. Was Arnav really in love with her? Or was Prem wrong? She wondered how to talk to Arnav about it without being blatantly obvious about it.

As the song crooned about love and its moments, Khushi blurted out, "Pyar bhi kitni ajeeb cheez haina? Kab hojaaye pata bhi nahi chalta!"

"English!", Arnav barked out.

Khushi rolled her eyes. Love? Right! Arnav cannot see anything beyond English! Uff!

But she could not stop herself from saying her thought out loud, "I said love is so weird right?"

Suddenly, she was dipped to the floor and Arnav looked into her eyes. She felt her breath leave her as various emotions swirled in Arnav's eyes. Maybe he does have feelings for me!

"Of course it is weird!", Arnav spat as he pulled her up, "Its all hormonal in our body!"

Khushi rolled her eyes. Of course!

Arnav spun Khushi out as Khushi spoke, "Arnavji! Are you seriously comparing love to science of our body?"

He spun her in, "Yes!"

"Love is not science Arnavji! It is connected to feelings!", Khushi spoke as Arnav lifted her up from behind and spun around. As he brought her down, she turned to look at him and he froze as the emotions in her eyes enchanted him.

"Love is just chemical thing in our body Khushi!", Arnav spoke as he spun her out. She walked into his arms and taking their positions they started to sway to the rhythm of the song.

"So you never felt the feelings of love, romance and all?", Khushi subtly asked as they continued with the waltz.

"Nope!", Arnav shrugged.

"Have you ever fallen in love?", Khushi asked, all plans of subtlety gone. His answers irked her and suddenly she wanted to know his reply to her question. Yes meant she had some chance! No meant no!

Arnav hesitated for a second and then shook his head, "No!"

Khushi felt disappointment pool in her belly, "Never?", she asked her voice filled with hope.

Arnav kept his eyes trained somewhere around her shoulder, "No!"

"Oh!", Khushi whispered as she continued to dance with him. Of course, he was not in love! And obviously he did not love her! She knew for ages that Arnav would never love her! Then why did she feel like her heart was shattering into pieces? Oh you stupid Prem! You filled me with false hope! Then she smiled as she remembered how adamant Prem was that Arnav loved her! She chuckled as she imagined Prem's reaction when months later, she would break it to him that Arnav never loved her. He would be so disappointed that he was wrong. Khushi could really imagine his face when she would say I told you so!'

"Has kyun rahi ho? Why are you laughing?", Arnav questioned.

Khushi blinked. What am I supposed to say? Hey Arnavji! Prem thinks you love me! But we both know he is wrong! So I am imagining his reaction when he will come to know he is wrong! Ya right!

"Nothing Sir! It was something Prem said!", Khushi replied and chuckled again to add the effect. But Arnav was not amused.

"Excuse me! I remembered I have something else to do!", Arnav spoke as his whole body stiffened. He left her and stormed away.

Why do I feel Arnavji is angry at me? Khushi wondered. And then Prem's words floated through her brain. Have you seen the way he glares at me when I am around? Its so jealousy filled! Hey Devi Maiyya! Could Prem be right and Arnavji stormed away because he felt jealous? After all, he did storm away only after I mentioned Prem! Oh! I don't know! Oh you stupid Prem! You have left me so confused! Does Arnavji love me or not?

Errr... yes! The Arnav Khushi convo was not upto my usual standards!

But in my defense I got fever few days back, so whatever I wrote after getting fever is pretty crappy! Still have the fever infact!

Ah well! Hope I am well by the time I start working on next update!

BTW, how do you like Prem's exit?

I told you he is not the kabab mein haddi!

Oh and next update, it is the day of THE BET PARTY!

And Khushi overhears Arnav and Aakash's convo!

What do you think she will hear?

Thank you, take care and have fun,

Kalpana