And Then She Found Me-Chapter 37 PG 58 13/11/17 - Page 13

"Khushi," he called just before she entered the flat. "The saree...it's nice." He didn't understand what compelled him to speak his mind. It was not the first time he had seen her in a saree. But there was something about the simplicity of the way she looked that morning that drew him in

Physically she was stunning, he knew women who would go to great lengths, spend thousands on cosmetics and surgery to try and gain a fraction of her natural beauty. But was she aware of this? Probably not. If it was just physical attraction he would have been over it by now, he knew there was more to this little dance of theirs. She had innocence, purity and at times she was a rebel without a cause but then to his astonishment, she would do a complete 180 and make him reconsider any doubts he may have ever had.

The way she said she understood his responsibilities and how she knew that being married would not affect his working hours, made things easier for him. The sound of the elevator clunking to the ground floor broke his trail of thought. 'Enough Arnav you've wasted enough time as it is today. Focus, work.' He left the building hoping to leave the thoughts of Khushi behind as well, but hopelessly failed.

***

Khushi walked into her apartment feeling like she was floating on a cloud. She could feel her blood gushing to her cheeks, setting them a light with ruby red.
"Hai re Nandkishore, you are back sankaa devi?" Hearing her aunt's slogan made her blush further as she remembered the taxi ride from the previous night. "When did you get that saree?"
"Oh, ermmm." But she was lost in thought again.
"Oh god, only you would find such difficulty in answering such an easy question." She huffed. "Payal bitya is probably on her way..." Her aunt continued as Khushi walked to her room still in her dazed state of mind thinking about him. She hadn't spoken to anyone about her parents for a very long time. "Kannan."

A smile appeared on her lips as she whispered his name. She began to frantically punch the numbers on her phone. She just wanted to hear his voice, to know that he was ok. But the smile was soon dampened by the tears rolling down her cheek as the familiar aching of his absence sunk in. "Voice mail again."

She whipped away her tears. "Stop it Khushi. You promised him you wouldn't cry." She drew in deep breaths until she hidden her tears away. She opened her eyes to see the gifts that she had bought for Arnav on the floor where they had been left the night before. Her lips where in a smile again, although different to the one she had before.

Last night was the most amount of time she had ever spent him. She couldn't stand him even for a second before, but now it seemed as though a whole day with him would not be enough. She was completely wrong about him, he wasn't a cold hearted, not at all. There was passion buried deep within him which last night had simmered to the surface. Engulfed in his scent, she remembered the look in his eyes, the warmth of his hold the touch of his lips.

"Khushi," sang Payal. The sound of her sister's voice made her shoot out of her thoughts.
"Hai Devi Maiya, I haven't even changed yet! " Khushi frantically began to unwrap the saree before pulling a on a simple salwaar. "Jiji, how are you?" Khushi skipped out her room and hugged her sister.
"Khushi," Payal pulled away with a confused look. "Why do you smell of men's cologne?" She whispered making sure her aunt didn't hear them.
"What, no, how is that possible...Jiji there must be something wrong with your nose." She said whilst pinching it.
"Ouch Khushi ki bachi!" Payal began to chase her younger sister around her living room sofa before the screaming voice of their aunt bought them both to a standstill. "Buaji we have to leave, Mummy is probably waiting for us at the parlour, chalo Khushi." Payal quickly rushed before her aunt had any further chance of yelling at the two. Khushi had completely forgotten but Mamaji had booked the three of them in for beauty treatments for the party the next day, regardless of Khushi's protests.

***

They were leaving her building and getting into the car when Payal saw something she recognised.
"Khushi, isn't that Bhaiya's car?" She pointed at the white safari parked around the corner.
"Ermmm voh-nahihaan-mere matlab- I mean." They had completely forgot about his silly SUV parked outside her house since last night. 'Laad Governor! Do I have to do all the thinking around here?!'
"But bhaiya took the Range this morning and the SUV was not at home..." Payal thought out loud after getting no coherent response from her sister.
"He came over last night for a while but then the car broke down, so he left it here. I'll call him later to remind him about it." Payal's thought process had given Khushi the chance to think of the right words to say without making a further mess of things. Payal knew there was more to than what Khushi was telling her. But for now she was content with knowing that the relationship between her sister and Arnav was moving ahead in a positive way. Anyone on the outside looking in could see that they were perfect for each other. She only wished for them to see it too.

***

"Khushi beetiya why are you so nervou?" Khushi hadn't stop fidgeting since the moment she had reached the parlour. Payal was constantly asking what was making her so restless but she just couldn't bring herself to answer them.
"Nothing I am fine." She answered waving her hands in the air in an attempt to dry the red nail varnish on her manicured nails. 'Why hasn't he called?' She thought. She wanted to bite her nails but could do that either leading her to be wound up more.
"Khushi if you stressva then spotva will come on your bootypull white white faceva. One minute I get you facepack." Before Khushi could object Mamiji was consulting a beautician on the best treatment for Khushi's stressed skin.
"Have you spoke to Bhaiya since yesterday?" Khushi's face instantly lit up and was glad that her sister had bought up Arnav in conversation. She couldn't stop thinking about him.
"No...Why did he say anything to you?" She had talked about him to his sister, no doubt he also had conversations about her.
"About last night? No. He wasn't feeling very well this morning."
"Kya?! What happened?" Khushi felt the fright of the day before when he forgotten to take his medicine.
"First he was late getting up...That in its self is a big deal. Then he has his breakfast sent upstairs then he comes to the kitchen and tells Di he is hungry." Khushi was hit by confusion. 'That was not part of the plan.' She thought. "He was drinking some orange juice when he started chocking. And this was not the kind of choking that goes away with a simple pat on the back or couple of sips of water, he was actually choking. I had to perform first aid on him. I hit him so hard on the back that my hand was throbbing in pain but it did the trick." Khushi gasped, first at Arnav choking and then at Payal hitting is back.
"But he is ok." It was a statement rather than a question as Khushi knew he was fine, after all he dropped her to her flat. But she could not rid the nagging worry within her. This is probably why she didn't hear him scream at Om Prakash. She hated herself for not being there for him.
"Yes he is fine now. But it was strange when after I hit him he just got up like nothing had happened. he was not out of breath, no teary eyes no need for water...Then he had something in his eye which he refused to let anyone have a look at. When we all turned to see who had shut the front door he walked off again saying he was fine. Di was really upset, she almost shouted at him but after bhaiya left she was in a right state. Seeing him choke like that and not being able to do anything, it really hit her." Khushi sat back in her chair unable to say anything, trying to make sense of what was being said.
"You said someone closed the door?" Khushi asked. Payal wondered why after everything she had just told her, Khushi had decided to ask about the door.
"Yes, he was walking up to his room when he stopped and said there was something in his eye, we were all trying to see what it was when I heard the door shut. Honestly I thought you had come over, but oddly there was no one there. And then he was fine." She remembered catching a glimpse the women huddled around Arnav fussing over him as she grabbed the pallu of the saree. At the time she thought it was just their attempts in calming him down.
"And you hit Arnav not Om Prakash?"
"Khushi why would I hit Om Prakash? You and bhaiya are behaving more strange than usual."
"I have to make call."
"Fine, talk to your other half but don't pester him too much. Obviously he is under a lot of stress and doesn't need to put up with your antics." Payal called after Khushi who was busy punching the numbers into her phone not caring to see if the varnish on her nails had dried.

***

"Khushi, I'll call you back." He said sincerely. The sound of his voice made her heart flutter but she had to make sure that her voice told him that she was calling strictly about business.
"Are you in a meeting?"
"No, I am just waiting-."
"Then you have time, you lied to me."
"What the- Have you just called me to wind me up?" He asked. She could hear the masked anger in his tone.
"I just spoke to Jiji." He noticed how she was keeping her sentences short and to the point also letting him know that she too was not happy. "You didn't tell me."
"Ok so I freaked out thinking you would freak out...I should have known women never keep things to them selves...10 ok I have had 10 girlfriends. There that's the honest truth. How do you say it? Devi maiya... or whatever. Look I swear on AR 10 girls, that's it." Khushi was dumbfound, she expected an apology for acting out his almost death but instead got a confession of his Casa Nova ways."Khushi? but she didn't respond."Oh give me break ... like you haven't had relationships."
"Not as half as many as you." The thought of her being with another man irritated him more than he would have liked to think. Then there was silence. Not the peacefully one they had recently began to share but the deadly silence that comes along just before the storm.

"I have to go." And with that he cut the call and Khushi out of her thoughts. '10 girlfriends, that's a lot of competition'.' Khushi sighed. All of sudden she was thankfully that Mami had bought her to the parlour to give her a chance to scrub up. She was glad that she didnt know the names of his conquest, had any of them been invited to the party tomorrow evening she would be none the wiser and therefore avoiding any awkward situations. Reminding her of awkward situations she dialled another number.

***

Arnav picked up Lavanya's phone as he waited in her cabin for her to get a copy of an important file. He looked at the caller idea for a good couple of seconds before answering.
"Hi Lavanya. How are you?" She said in a quiet but polite voice.
"Khushi?" He asked confused as to why she was calling Lavanya. 'Hai Devi Maiya!' She almost screamed before cutting the call. 'Why the hell is Laad Governor answering her phone?!
"What the- Why is Khushi calling Lavanya?" It only took him a second to realise why the call was being made.

Neither of them decided to call the other regardless of their constant thoughts about one another. Had the other ate? Was he ok? How was her hang over? Why did have to pretend to choke? Why hadn't she mentioned her previous relationships? Why did he answer Lavanya's phone? Why did she call Lavanya?

"Is he even thinking about me?"

"I bet she's not even thinking about me."

Khushi knew the only way to get a straightforward answer out of him to square up to him face to face. She was so use to seeing Arnav now that she dreaded facing ASR more than ever. She knew he was still there in Arnav somewhere, just waiting to pounce on her.

***

After returning from the parlour Khushi made dinner for her aunt before she made her way to Shantivaan. Nani was busy with her evening prayers and everyone else was in the sitting area discussing plans for Diwali in three weeks time.
As Khushi walked in to the hall way Arnav was making his way down the stairs. They caught sight of each other and in that moment nothing else mattered. Not that they were in his home. Not that they were being watched by their family. Not that they would be made fun of after this. They walked towards each as though they were tied by a compelling force.
"I need to speak to you." Khushi said loud enough only so he could here. He looked into her eyes as he nodded and took her hand in his. He led her up the stairs.
"Ok. That was I intense." Everyone was captivated by the couple and their small enigmatic exchange. Akash's comment had almost everyone clear their throats or readjust the position they were sitting in. But no one else said another word as they tried to figure out what had just happened.

Once by the poolside he let go of her hand and turned to face her. She was looking at him with wonderment, her eyes dazzling him with their light. For a moment he forgot why he was mad at her. But this was Arnav Singh Raizada he was not going to let a pair of beautiful, soul enlightening, heartbreaking eyes distract him.
"What the hell did you think you were doing calling Lavanya."
"I had to speak to her." She answered frankly. Not registering the annoyance in his voice.
"Why? I never thought you would sink so low as to go snooping behind my back to find out about my past." He spoke through greeted teeth as he leaned in closing the distance between them. His sharp words cutting her open. " I thought you of all people would have the guts to-"
"Stop!" She said placing her in front of his face. "I asked you this morning to count to ten when you feel angry." She said trying to control her own anger. She knew what he was trying to do.
"Khushi-." He said her name with untamed rile as he took away her hand and held it behind her back. Forcing their bodies to collide into one another.
"NO!" She said in tone that matched his. "You will not break down what has taken us so long to build. I won't let you." Arnav watched as she suppressed the salty water in her eyes. As much as he wanted to apologise he couldn't. He felt betrayed and no amount of her tears would change that. His silence meant that he was listening to what she had to say which was all that she needed. "You know that if there is anything that I want to know about your past I will ask you. I have told you this already before...I rang Lavanya not because of you but because of me, because of the guilt I feel. I have to know that she has forgiven me before I can truly, in my mind, my heart, my soul completely commit myself to you...I need you to understand." She pleaded.
"You won't be apologising to anyone." His voice was still firm as he slightly released his grip on her wrist. But she didn't move away from him.
"Arnav this isn't about you."
"Anything that has to do with you has everything to do about me Khushi." He said as a matter of fact.
"I don't need your permission."
"You have done nothing wrong. Why are you making a mountain of a molehill? Yes me and Lavanya were in a relationship but it didn't work out. We did what was best for us. I did what I thought was best for her. She doesn't hold it against me so why are you holding it against yourself when in actual fact this has nothing to do with you. We have finally reached a point where things are no longer awkward between us. You, insisting on digging up the dead, will make it awkward." He urged as Khushi relaxed a little.

"Why couldn't you just say that in the first place instead of shouting at me like King Kong?" She asked. This conversation wasn't over yet. she wasn't ready to lose just yet. But for now she was happy to see things from his point of view. She could she him becoming irritated again. "1,2,3,4-."
"I am not angry Khushi."
"5,6, But your nostrils are flaring, 7,8..." She pointed out. He wrapped his other arm around her waist and began to chuckle as he completely let go of her wrist to pull her closer to him.
"See I told you it works and we didn't even have to count to 10...besides I should be mad at you." she pouted.
"I know I should have told you but honestly I thought you would hit the roof about me having 10 ex girlfriends-."
"Oh give it a rest Casa Nova I wasn't talking about your love life...Why did you pretend to choke? ...You were supposed to stick to the plan."
"What? Go out into the garden and smash one of my plant pots and blame it on someone else?" He asked with a quizzical brow.
"Well when else are we going to put your talent of getting mad at anything and everything into use?" She said waving her hands in animation.
"Khushi make your mind up dammit! You want me to count to ten or to lose it... I can't do both."
"I was only telling you to act baba."
"I can't act and anyway it wouldn't have worked...I had to do it."
"Evidently you can act...Everyone was really worried about you. Promise to me you will never make a joke about your health again." Holding his face in her hands. "I mean Arnav, if you ever do that to me or Di again, meri toh jaan-." Arnav placed his hand over her mouth. He was not superstitious but he couldn't let her finish her sentence.
"I promise." He rested his forehead against hers as he held her tightly.
"We should go downstairs before they come up here to taunt us." He unwillingly pulled away. "You have to go apologise to Di." He nodded knowing that he wouldn't be at peace until he did.

They made their way from the poolside to his room to join his family downstairs.
"Arnav you know after we get married, or actually before, we need to change this green colour." She pointed towards the wall. "Don't get me wrong, it's a nice neutral, calming colour which I guess you would need. But there is enough greenery outside. No need to make the bedroom a green house as well. I was thinking a very light shade of yellow, the light in this room is amazing for the shade I have in mind."
"You are the artist." Arnav complied just content with the thought of her being his wife.
"Wow that was easy. I promise not to change anything else... Well I will need wardrobe space of course and somewhere for my rocking chair and guitar, books...And this shelf here, is perfect for my Devi maiya."
"Hold on hold on, wardrobe space? Yes. Rocking chair? Yes. Guitar? Yes. Books? Fine. Devi Maiya. No and that is final."
"But why? It's only small statue I've had it with me since forever! You won't even notice it." She appealed.
"Then it has no need to be here. It can go in the mandhir with the rest of the statues but not in my room.
"It will be my room too." she snapped back.
"I said that's final Khushi." He stepped towards to hold her again.
"No." she moved his hands away from her.
"Hmmm I think you should count to ten Gupta."
"I am not angry." She snapped again.
"But I can see your nostrils flaring." He said with a charming smirk. She left the room in a huff knowing that had she stayed longer she wouldn't be able to remain mad at him.


She was speed walking down the stairs as Arnav took easy strides not too far behind her. He kept calling out to her but she didnt throw him a backwards glance until she was near the seating area.
"You know what Laad Governor a mahaan lady once said, paise ke ameer dil ke gareeb kabhi na jaye eshwaar ke kareeb." She folded her arms triumphantly.
"Isn't that Kajol's dialogue from K3G?" Di asked Payal
"Who's Eshwaar?" Arnav turned to Akash. "Why are you bringing him in to this?" He asked Khushi.
"You know what?" A frustrated Khushi asked. "He is everything and much much more." And with that she turned to leave knowing that the thought of someone being bigger than him would wind him up.
"Akash," He turned to his brother again. "Make sure you confirm Lisa as the fall model." Khushi turned at a speed which was unreal. 'Two can play at your game sweetheart.' He thought
"Jiju, do not book that witch."
"Akash I want the confirmation letter from her agency by the end of next week." He continued, eyeing Khushi from the corner of his eye.
"Fine. You want Lisa? Well then you can have her! ... I know I will always have my Eshwaar with me." This time when she turned to leave she didn't stop. But before she walked out the large double doors she glanced back once at the man she loved to hate and who hated to love her.