LITTLE MOMENTS (OS Series) 10| So Far, Yet So Close.. (Pg 103)[24-Mar] - Page 8

"Khushi... come beta!" she heard her mother call. Quickly ensuring that her dupatta was properly draped around her neck, Khushi held the tray of snacks in her slightly shivering hand as she walked into the drawing room. "Don't look at him, don't look at him" she was continuously telling herself in her head as she walked past him to place the tray on the centre table.

Arranged marriage... When two strangers come together to share their lives with each other, trying to know more of each other every other day, slowly unravelling different colours of their new life together. It all seems so different, especially for a girl, when your life changes suddenly and you enter a whole new world with a whole new set of people whom you hardly know. And it is as different for the guy to bring in a new partner into your home and into your life and help her make a place in everyone's heart. And the first meet of these two different people is when they see each other for the first time along with their families. And this was such a time for Arnav Singh Raizada and Khushi Kumari Gupta.

Sitting diagonally opposite to each other, Arnav and Khushi were busy having a talk with each other's parents. Khushi was trying her best not to look at Arnav where Arnav was desperately waiting for a chance to have another good look at her. Khushi too couldn't hold herself back from secretly glancing at Arnav while talking to his parents. Arnav was mesmerized by Khushi. Beautiful! Though he could only see her sideways, he didn't mind at the moment. The view he got was enough for him to lose his heart to her. He could see those couple of strands of her hair that had slipped off her neatly pleated hair, brushing her cheek. She had not put on any make-up, he could make out... only light lipstick maybe. Her simple yet elegant dress matched perfectly with her simplicity. Her voice seemed music to his ears, her smile a breath of fresh air. She was a smart, confident working girl just like he had always wanted his partner to be. She was perfect! But I don't want to get married now! No way! Arnav shifted his gaze away from Khushi and silently sipped on his tea nodding his head as Khushi's mother urged him to have more snacks.

Finally, the parents let Arnav and Khushi spend some time together to get to know more about each other. Khushi lead Arnav to her bedroom, which was next to the drawing room. Arnav was impressed seeing the small yet tidy room, as simple and decent at its owner. Arnav preferred the chair as Khushi settled down on her bed. Both were nervous, not having experienced such an occasion before. Khushi's gaze was set down on the floor while Arnav was preparing himself to speak. He cleared his throat breaking the long uncomfortable silence.

"Actually" he began, "I have no idea what we should speak about at such a moment"

Khushi lifted her gaze to match Arnav's. "It's alright..." she said with a slight smile, "this is the first time for me too..."

"We already know the basic information about each other... So there's no point in talking about it" he said trying to figure out how to begin the conversation.

Khushi smiled in agreement.

Arnav just kept looking at her. Oh God! How can I reject her? He didn't want to let her go, but neither was he ready for marriage. He had his own plans about career and life. And marriage was definitely not at the top of his list right now.

Khushi was waiting in anticipation for him to say something... something that would indicate his will to get married to her.

"Well, actually I have come here only for my parents. I don't really want to get married as of now" he finally managed to say.

Khushi's smile vanished instantly. She felt her heart crush inside her as she heard those words. Arnav could sense it through her eyes.

"Please don't get me wrong" he tried to explain himself, "I didn't mean to..."

"May I know the reason?" asked Khushi interrupting him.

"Are you okay?" he asked, worried.

"Oh yes" said Khushi forcing a smile. "I just want to know what you have in mind" she said.

"As you know, I am 27 now. I want to spend some more time in exploring myself. Want to try out different things in life, want to experiment with it to know what I actually want in life. And marriage would not allow me this freedom. So I want to wait for a year or two. Please don't mind. You would surely be a great partner to have, no doubt. But maybe it's just not us... Hope you understand.." Arnav was not really liking the way it was going. Why can't I have both? Damn!

Khushi smiled. "I respect your thoughts" she said, "But what if you get to do all this taking someone with you? Wouldn't that be more exciting?"

"Why would a girl risk her life? Any girl would want a stable life after marriage..."

"What if the girl is as adventurous as you are? And if she is willing to strongly and equally support you in fulfilling your wishes?"

Arnav's eyes sparkled as he realised what Khushi was trying to indicate. Was that really possible? He was excited for a moment. But he was still confused.

Khushi could sense his confusion. "So you have come here only to reject me..." she said smiling halfheartedly.

Arnav looked at her. "I had come to reject you..."

Had? Khushi looked at him in surprise. She could wait any more before asking, "Will you marr..."

The fathers entered the room interrupting her. "Enough of your talks now" they said laughing.

Khushi couldn't believe this was happening. Her eyes almost watered as she saw Arnav's dad taking him out of the room. Arnav looked back at her once. Marry me? She completed her question in her mind and Arnav read it through her eyes. But he just walked away as Khushi stared at his back in disbelief. Khushi's father asked her about her decision. But Khushi was silently staring at the door. Just then she saw Arnav peek from the door. Khushi's eyes were asking the same question. Will you marry me? Looking at her, Arnav blinked his eyes with a nod. Khushi couldn't believe it, but Arnav's smile assured her of his willingness to marry her.

"Yesss!!" Khushi jumped in joy. Her father was surprised. Little did he know that this was actually her reaction to the reply she had got for her silent proposal...

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