ArShi FF : UNSPOKEN LOVE #4 (Ch 46 - Pg 121) Link to Thread 5 given - Page 58

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Unspoken Love

Chapter 45

Khushi was very upset. But as she rang the doorbell after reaching home, she quickly changed her face into a happy one before Garima opened the door. Garima was glad to see Khushi and she looked around to see whether Arnav had come too. Shashi had come home early for Khushi's birthday.

"Arnav didn't come?" said Garima, "I thought he would come with you! What time is he coming? Dadi and I have prepared special dum aaloo for him and I am sure..."

Khushi interrupted Garima, "Amma!!! Amma... Arnav Sir is not coming...!"

And now Khushi couldn't control the tears that filled her eyes as she recalled all that had happened in the office. Garima and Shashi exchanged glances.

Khushi quickly composed herself and said, "Actually, he was very pleased by the invitation" her voice cracked as the truth flashed in her mind, but she continued, "lekin mera toh bad luck hi kharaab hai!!" Khushi laughed, "He has to go for a dinner-meet with one of our clients..." she laughed again trying to hide her tears, "My birthday will keep coming, but such great deals with clients come once in a while!" Now Khushi couldn't laugh more. Her throat was dry. She couldn't maintain the smile on her face. She managed to speak in a wet voice, "Arnav Sir apologized for not being able to accept the invitation" she quickly wiped a tear that escaped her eye. "And he is so sweet... he told me to convey to you all that he would surely come next time!!"

Everyone smiled, except Khushi. Only she knew what she was going through right now. Only she knew how she had controlled her tears. But now she couldn't hold back her tears any more and they streamed down her cheeks. Shashi, Garima and Dadi knew how much having Arnav for dinner at home meant to Khushi. They also knew how sensitive their Khushi was.

Shashi put his arm around Khushi's shoulder and said, "Khushi, you yourself said that the deal with the client is important, right?" Khushi wiped her tears. "Beta, I know you are very upset... But what can we do? Arnav didn't do it purposely, right?" More tears flowed down Khushi's eyes. Only she knew what Arnav had done. "Look Khushi, we don't always get what we want. Sometimes we need to compromise these small things to gain something bigger!" said Shashi, "And Arnav himself said that he will surely come next time. Isn't that a reason to be happy?"

Shashi smiled looking at Khushi. Khushi nodded with a faint smile. "Babuji, Amma, Dadi care so much for me... I can't make them unhappy by staying upset... C'mon Khushi, cheer up! Atleast for them if not for yourself..." Khushi told herself and changed her mood at once. "You are right Babuji!" she said with a smile. "Okay, I will go and freshen up! Shyam and Anjali will be here any moment!!" she said showing herself excited, and ran to her room.

Khushi locked herself into the bathroom and broke down. She cried till there were no more tears to flow out of her eyes. She felt exhausted. She sat on the floor leaning on the door of the bathroom and embraced herself staring into the emptiness. She had no idea how much time had elapsed before she heard the doorbell ring and she could hear the voices of Anjali and Shyam. She stood up and looked at herself into the mirror. Tears had dried on her cheeks, her eyes red and swollen. She splashed cold water on her face and took some deep breaths to normalise her breathing. She felt better. She heard Garima knocking on the door of her bedroom calling out for her. "Coming Amma... Just five minutes!!" said Khushi. She quickly changed her dress and wore the other one Garima had bought. She put on matching ear-rings and a matching necklace. She slid matching bangles over her wrists and put on a small matching bindi on her forehead. After getting ready, she looked at herself into the mirror for one last time. "Something is missing..." she thought. And then she smiled. "Perfect!!" That smile was no less than any ornament, rather it was more beautiful and brighter. "Good! This is how you should be!" she told herself, "Don't be a loser Khushi... Don't let these things affect you! Such things will keep happening... Forget Arnav and forget what happened at the office! This is your day Khushi, enjoy it!!" Now she felt lighter and happier. She heard knocks and taps on the door.

This time it was Anjali. "Hello Princess!! Enough of getting ready now! Baahar aaogi bhi ya nahi?!!"

Khushi smiled, "Haan haan, I am coming!" she said.

"Come fast yaar, we are waiting!!" said Anjali and went down.

Khushi too came down and everyone was looking at the beautiful girl, she looked no less than an angel in the red dress. Anjali's parents were there too and also Shyam's uncle and aunt.

Khushi tried to be happy, but her sadness was not unseen. The guests inquired about it and Shashi and Garima narrated why Khushi was sad. Anjali and Shyam looked at each other at once as this contradicted what they had heard in the office. Of course, what happened between Khushi and Arnav in Arnav's cabin was known only by them both, but Anjali and Shyam knew that Arnav had left the hall without wishing Khushi. And whatever Shashi and Garima just said did not seem to have happened after what they had heard. But they remained silent. Khushi couldn't stop thinking of all that had happened in the office. Though she was physically present at home, her mind was somewhere else. And everyone noticed it.

Shyam felt bad seeing Khushi so sad and that too on her birthday. He finally said, "Khushi, you are not enjoying... What happened yaar?"

Everyone looked at Khushi for her reply. "I am fine..." she said smiling as much as she could.

"Khushi, don't lie to us, okay? We know you very well! And you are not happy..." said Shyam. He further said, "I have a great idea! Anjali, let's take Khushi to White Diamond, what say?!"

Anjali readily agreed. But the elders seemed concerned. Shashi didn't seem ready to allow that... He said in a worried tone, "But beta, that is a night club, right? Going to such a place..."

Shyam interrupted saying, "Uncle, this is not a place like other night clubs. I have been there and it is a decent place! Right Anjali?"

Anjali too agreed saying, "Yes Uncle, Shyam and I have been there once when we had a team meet there. Amma, Babuji you know that...!" Anjali's parents agreed.

Finally everyone agreed. "Shyam, it is your responsibility to take care of the girls!!" said Shyam's uncle.

Shyam assured everyone of the girls' safety.

"But now who will eat all the food we have prepared?!" said Dadi teasing them.

"Don't worry Dadi, send it with Khushi to office tomorrow, we will finish it!!" said Anjali with a wink.

Everyone laughed. The three left, Shyam on his bike and Khushi and Anjali on Anjali's.

*****

Arnav sat at the window of his room, sinking into his drink. How dare Khushi say that about his Maa! He always believed she understood him, but... Then he recalled how he had treated her. That wasn't right at all. May be he forced her to say all that... But he shouldn't have raised his hand on her. How could he! Arnav banged his hand on the window sill in frustration. What must she be thinking of him now? He raised the glass of whisky to drink but the glass was empty. He chuckled staring at the empty glass and again filled it. He had just touched his lips to the glass when Payal came there. "Arnav?" she called out entering the room.

Arnav fumbled with the glass on hearing Payal's voice. Thankfully the glass did not fall from his hand. He quickly hid the bottle and the glass into a corner and walked towards Payal. He kept some distance from her so that she wouldn't smell the beer.

"Arnav, what are you doing here all alone?" asked Payal.

"Nothing Bhabhi...!" said Arnav.

"Come, have coffee with everyone!" said Payal.

"Bhabhi... er... actually my head is aching a little. So I think I will take some rest... You all carry on!" said Arnav in a dull voice.

"Okay, take care!" said Payal and went away.

Arnav sighed in relief and threw himself on the bed. He was tired... tired of thinking...! He wanted to free his mind for some time. He didn't want to think of anything, especially Khushi.

Payal suspected that Arnav was drinking. She saw Akash and told him what she thought. She told him that Arnav seemed upset and dull and that Akash should go talk to him and find out the reason.

Lavanya was passing by and she heard Payal. She said in excitement, "Don't worry Payal Bhabhi, I will change Arnav's mood in a jiffy!"

Before Payal could stop her, Lavanya was into Arnav's room. Arnav was initially very angry at Lavanya but he calmed down. Lavanya kept on speaking and trying all ways to cheer Arnav up but instead she was irritating Arnav. When no way was working, she held Arnav's hand and pulled him out of the room with her. She was adamant and Arnav went along with her. Everyone was having coffee when Arnav and Lavanya came downstairs. Ajinkya and Anup exchanged glances, pleased to see Arnav and Lavanya holding hands. Lavanya was trying to convince Arnav for something and Arnav seemed least interested.

"Beta Lavanya, what happened?" asked Anup.

"Dekhiye na uncle, Arnav is not listening to me!" complained Lavanya. She continued, "Uncle, Arnav is upset, and I just want to cheer him up! So I was thinking we both could go to White Diamond! I am sure we will have a great time!"

Anup smiled and said, "Arnav, why don't you go with her? You will feel better!" said Anup and Nilima too agreed.

Finally Arnav agreed now that everyone was pushing on him. Arnav and Lavanya left for White Diamond in Arnav's car.

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