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

"Oh come on Mike, look I know my entry is a little late but better late than never...Hey is that a new painting...?" He began to walk towards the art room as a large canvas on the far side of the room caught his eye.
"Kannan, you don't have to do anything ok. Just leave it." Khushi said trying o distract him but Kannan was drawn in by the vibrant colours.
"Why though? Why are you insisting on being tied to the man when you don't love him?" He stood in the middle of the room looking at the painting, not moving, not saying a word, barely breathing as the image finally sunk in. "Oh my god...You do...You are in love with him.!" He turned to look at Khushi as though she had caught some disease.
"You don't know him the way I do, a lot of people don't understand him. " Khushi stepped towards him and he flinched back. "Hai Devi Maiya, your cowering away like you are going to catch some illness off me."
"Well you weren't right in the head to begin with and now this. There is something very wrong with you...I mean you hated the guy, and he tried to kill you on numerous attempts. You do remember that don't you?"
"It's not like that...Not anymore." She tried to make him understand
"I remember nice enough guys asking you out on dates and you would chew them up and spit them back out...and you pick this guy...this...rakshas!?"He said frustrated with Khushi's choice of life partner. He kept looking at the painting and then back at her.
"I guess I met my match."She said smugly.
"Khushi I don't know what he has done to you...But I will make you ok I promise." He said taking to her as if she was slow.
"What? He hasn't done anything to me you moron." She said irritated with him.
"Well for starters look at the way you are dressed...I mean it's nice...But it's not you is it?" He said scanning the length of her.
"I picked out this outfit." She protested.
"I know that, he owns a fashion house. He would not have paired those shoes with that dress. But you did it all for him right. I don't even want think about the kind of relationship you have with him." She smacked his shoulder.
"Then don't. When have I ever interrogated you about your relationships?" She asked.
"When have my relationships ever been worth interrogating?" He admitted.
"Exactly my point Mr Bholu, when you don't understand what me and Arnav have then why rattle your brains about it. Just be happy for me?" She said putting her arm around Kannan's shoulder and leading him out of the room.

"But Mike seriously, I mean seriously, not for the sake of Mum and Dad or Madhumathi or Payal but you are in this for you, right? You actually want to be with that Arnav Singh Raizada. Because if you don't just say the word and I-."
"That Arnav Singh Raizada is the man I love, the man I want to spend the rest of my life with and have lots of babies with." He cringed making Khushi giggle. "That man makes me feel like the luckiest woman on planet and I never ever want to part with him... I love him I love him I love him...there! Is that clear enough for you? If not , I can write it down or give a press conference ...whatever it takes sunshine, to get through your thick skull that I do not need you to interfere or save me. Not one bit, not all." She said.

"Well then, looks like you have it all figured out." He said slightly dejected.
"Kannan, I haven't been this happy in a long time." She told him.
"Then you won't mind me hanging around just to see how well things actually are...for my peace of mind?"
"Knock yourself out. Stay as long as you like...It's good to see you Kannan."
"Yeah...I get that a lot." He pretended to blush before pulling Khushi in for a bear hug. "Hey tell me do the rest of the Raizada's eat children as well." Khushi punched his arm.
"Ouch Mike! You were the one that use to say that he must eat children for breakfast for him to be so evil."He reminded her.
"Kannan I swear...I'll make you regret coming here!" She warned him.
"You wouldn't, 'cause then you'll miss me...Ok seriously, look I got my serious face on." He said pointing at his face. "What are they like, I mean they seemed nice enough during Payal's wedding?"
"They are wonderful, honestly...Hey I got an idea, no doubt I will be invited to join them for dinner tonight, you should come to." She said excitedly.
"I am not too sure..." He hesitated.
"Oh come on and miss out on an opportunity to examine my in-laws flaws...really?" She asked knowing him too well.
"What time?" He asked quick to reply.
"I'll call you." she laughed.

***

Kannan and Khushi were able to, for now, agree to disagree on Khushi's marriage to Arnav. Though initially it was a shock, and the possible trouble he could cause scared Khushi, she was ecstatic that he was here. He understood her and cared for her, all he wanted to do was to protect her.
"Well seen as though I am not needed any more I am going to go." He said making his way to the door.
"Nautanki! When did I say I didn't need you?"She asked. He turned around to stick his tongue out at her.
"You are a grown man Kannan...Every now and then at least try to behave like one." She said as she walked him to the door. "Suno, none of this childish crap tonight at dinner."
"Give me some credit Khushi...I'll catch you later kiddo." He opened the door to the flat. "Oh hello there." He greeted the tall beautiful woman.

"Hello...This is Khushi Gupta's apartment right?" She asked slightly confused seeing the young man who had answer the door.
"Yes...you don't remember me do you? But I remember you very well Lavanya?"
"How do you know my name?"
"We met at Payal and Akash's wedding...I am friend of Khushi's." He said offering his hand to her. She shook his hand still confused by the stranger and this random conversation. He took her hand and kissed the back of it.
"You are Kannan right?" She asked his gesture sparking her memory
"Right, I knew you would remember me sooner or later...As much as I would love to stay and chat with you beautiful women, I have made some prior commitments...Khushi I'll see you in the evening. Lavanya, it's always a pleasure." And with that he was gone.

Khushi felt her heart sink at the sight of Lavanya at her door. 'What if she came to ask for Arnav back?' Khushi remembered how distraught she looked at the party.
"Chamkeeli," she sang with a smile. "May I?" She gestured towards her.
"Of course Lavanya, please, come in." Lavanya closed the door and stepped in to Khushi's flat.
"Cute place." She smiled at her again. Khushi could see that she was still holding back a little, but this was not the same Lavanya she had met at the party.
"Please take a seat." Khushi said trying to be as welcoming as possible.

"You are probably freaking out right about me being here?" Lavanya guessed.
"N-n-n-nahi toh...Why would I..." Khushi stammered.
"Oh come on Chamkeeli your fiance's ex-girlfriend turns up at your door uninvited and you are the slightest bit worried?" Khushi began to bite her nails and the instantly removed them remembering how annoyed Arnav would get. She blushed slightly at the thought of him holding her. The thought of him made her crash back to reality and the situation she was in right now. "Don't worry I am not here for a throw down...I think a conversation between us has been long overdue." She smiled that half hearted smile again.

"Sure." Khushi chirped trying to lighten up the mood.
"Firstly I want you to know that the relationship I had with ASR came to a mutual end. It was a joint decision. Yes I was very hurt, but I can't believe that it was easy on him. You have to understand that his entire family depends on him. And by that I don't mean putting food on the table. I mean everything. If anything goes wrong or if something needs doing or being said then he is expected to step up, and he won't shy away from this. But he has his own set of beliefs which he desperately tries to hold on to whilst being the ideal son. He agreed to marry me for Nani's sake and then decided not to marry me for his own." Khushi sat there astonished. She had never looked at it like that. She herself had already begun to depend so much on him whilst he already had so many prior responsibilities. And then she also understood why her and Arnav had been together for so long. When she said she understood him, she wasn't kidding.
"We are all bought to to realise and appriciate all the effort and hard work women put into a household that we almost forget to think about the men...I never thought of all his responsibilites...He has been through so much Lavanya and at such a young age to."
"You are right Khushi, who can blame him for the way he is? I know your smart girl that you would eventually figure him out." She winked at her.
"But...Lavanya I am really sorry-."
"Oh hush! It's not like that at all trust me...I knew this would happen even before the either of you did, why do you think I let him go?" Lavanya saw the confusion Khushi felt.
"Wait, you knew this would...you saw that he..." Khushi thought out loud as she tried to make sense of the piece of information she had just been given.
"I will not spend my life with man who doesn't love me." Lavanya stated. Khushi was relived at the way this conversation was progressing. But she still felt bad for Lavanya. "Khushi," Lavanya said sensing what Khushi was feeling. "It's ok I have found my happiness." Lavanya blushed before a flash of pain glistened in her eyes.
"Lavanya...You can talk to me." Khushi said placing her hand on hers.
"I don't want you to get involved Chamkeeli. If ASR finds out he will just make matters worse."
"Wait Arnav is the one who causing you this pain? How can he do that to you?" After everything Lavanya did for him she thought, ' That Laad Governor will never change!'

"Exactly Chamkeeli how can he do this to me, Aaman and I-." She stopped mid sentence realising she had slipped up.
"Kya? You and Aaman?...You and Aaman!" Khushi exclaimed with excitement.
"Yes, I am with Aaman. We have been together for three months." Lavanya Blushed. Khushi through her arms around her and hugged her. She knew just how kind natured Aaman wa and was happy that Lavanya had found someone genuine.
"I am so soo happy for you Lavanya, he is such a sweet guy...I bet he takes real good care of you."
"He does and he loves me a lot and I love him to and I am finally happy Chamkeeli but ASR-."
"What did that Laad Governor do?"
"He is sending Aaman to the London offices." And then the tube light in Khushi's mind finally flickered on. When she had seen Lavanya upset at the party it wasn't because she was not with Arnav its because soon she wouldn't be with Aaman.
"Without you?" She guessed.
"Apparently I am more valuable here."
"Ok, I shouldn't be saying this...but isn't there some kind business law that you can move with your partner." Lavanya laughed a little as Khushi whispered the suggestion.
"He can't hear you Khushi."
"You'll be surprised...wait maybe not."
"I don't think there is a law but, AR will grant same transfers abroad to spouses. We are not married, we haven't even talked about it properly." Lavanya said disheartened.
"You know what leave that Laad Governor to me...Who does he think he is separating two love birds."
"Khushi don't, I don't want to cause trouble that is not the reason I came here." Lavanya pleaded.
"I know Lavanya but what kind of friend would I be if I didn't even try to help you out."
"So we are still friends?"Lavanya asked.
"I don't see why not." Khushi smiled. This time Lavanya pulled her in for a hug. "It's easy to see why people fall in love with you Khushi."

"Ok ok enough senty venty, I think we should celebrate." Khushi said jumping up.
"Celebrate what Chamkeeli?"
"Erm...Life?" Khushi suggested. "Hmmm how about our dear Aaman ji and lovely lovely Lavanya ji." She teased causing Lavanya to blush. "Ah! I have the perfect song!" She switched on her music system and blasted the song before pulling Lavanya up to dance with her.

"Khushi you can't be serious, this is such a tapori song."
"Lavanya just listen to the lyrics...trust me bahuat maaza ayega!"

Arnav heard load music rumbling through the corridor as he made his way to Khushi's apartment.
"What the hell is this crap!" He said covering his ears. He had been trying to call both her landline and mobile but there was no answer. It all now made sense. He knocked on the door see that it was already open. He could hear Khushi singing.

"Jhoomu Jhoomu, teri bahon mein jhoomu,
"Chumu Chumu tere honton ko chumu,
Hai chahaat ki sun pukar di mein baaji sitar!"

Arnav stepped in to see Khushi leaning towards Lavanya's lips before pulling away to finish of the verse at the top of her lungs. Both of the women were on the sofa dancing away to their hearts content. Arnav smiled at the sight before him before folding his arms and leaning against the door.
Lavanya was the first to see Arnav in the apartment. She stepped down from the sofa adjusting her dress.

"Lavanya! Why have you stopped dancing? Ek aur toomka!" Khushi shouted as she swayed her hips demonstrating the move to Lavanya.
"ASR." Lavanya said trying to pull Khushi down from the sofa.
"Lavanya, that khadoos Laad Govnernor is not due back for another hour. Just be bindas!" Khushi said trying to pull Lavanya back up on to the sofa.
"No Khushi I mean ASR IS already here." Khushi froze mid way through her toomka. She shut her eyes and climbed down from the sofa before turning around and opening one eye. She wasn't lying, he was standing there, for god knows how long, but long enough to hear her call him khadoos.

"I hope I didn't disturb you ladies." He said in cool calm voice which petrified Khushi.
"Not at all ASR I was just leaving, Chamkeeli I'll see you around." Lavanya hinted to Khushi that the music was still on which she quickly turned off.
"Of course we should have lunch some time." Khushi suggested as she walked Lavanya to the door. Lavanya said goodbye but Khushi looked as though she was going to follow her out. Arnav grabbed her wrist and pulled her back to him. Her arm around her back.

"Looks like the khadoos has gate crashed your party." He said in the same cool tone. It was hard for Khushi to tell if the was annoyed, angry or just winding her up.
"Of course you have." She said thinking that honesty would be the best policy. "Why are you sending Aaman away?"Khushi asked.
"So she came here to complain." Arnav deduced.
"No what she came here to do was to tell me not to be mad at you or myself for hurting her." Khushi clarified. Arnav felt bad for thinking that Lavanya had come around to cause trouble he let go of Khushi's arm. She pulled on the collars of his shirt to lower him down and kissed him on the cheek. "I know you are probably tiered from work." She said smoothing out the collars.
"But you are not going to let go of the Aaman situation are you." Arnav said reading her mind.
"Nope." She confirmed. He sighed before walking towards the sofa.

"Really?" He asked turning around pointing at the music system. "Like really?" He asked again.
"What? It's a good song." She argued. He turned back around leaning against the sofa. He hadn't smiled once since he got into the apartment. Khushi missed his smile. "You know what there is this one song which I think was written with you in mind...give me one second." She began to scroll through her playlist before the techno music began to get pumped through the speakers.

Arnav was slightly disturbed as to why Khushi was making him listen to this music and then come that one line which made him smile as much as he tried not to.
"HaHa I knew it! Haasa yane phaasa!" Khushi teased. Arnav got up and walked over to the music player and switched it off, raising his eyebrows as though he was daring her to switch it back on.
"I don't need music to be playing to sing you know." He turned back around to look at her. "Trust me this one has you written all over it." She began to blush before clearing her throat.

"Kabhi Neem Neem,
Kabhi Shahad Shahad,
Kabhi Naram Naram ,
Kabhi Sakht

Mora Piya, Mora Piya, Mora Piya

Nazron Ke Teer,
Mai Basa Hai Pyar,
Jab Bhi Chala Hai Wo Dil Ke Paar,

Lajja Se Mare Re Ye Jiya,
Piya,
Lajja Se Mare Re Ye Jiy,"

Khushi had wrapped her arms around his neck singing to him in her sweet voice. Her eyes spoke volumes of the love she had for him. He felt unbroken when he was with her. That he could do no wrong. He stroked her blushing cheeks. In that moment she could have asked for his life and he would have given it without a second thought. And then it occurred to him that his life was already in her hands. He leaned in to thank her and to show her just how much he loved her.

"Hai re Nandkisore!" They heard Khushi's aunt in the corridor. Khushi pushed Arnav onto the sofa whilst sorting out herself.
"Buaji." Khushi sang.
"Sanka devi! you know how worried everyone was, who just leaves like that?! You wait right there missy I will teach you a lesson- Oh Arnav bitwa, I didn't see you there. How are you?"
"I'm well thank you. Yourself."
"Ahh well my back hurts alot these days but what to do."
"Hmm...erm...Well Nani had asked me to bring you and Khushi home tonight to join us for dinner."
"Oh of course of course, I will just get changed...Sanka devi you plan to go to your sasural like that. Go and get changed right this minute." She huffed before shuffling to her own room. Khushi slumped down on the sofa next to Arnav who had taken out his Blackberry and making note of something.

"What are you making notes about."
"I am making a list the people I need to get rid of." He said simply. Khushi looked at him confused.
"Aaman is always calling at the wrong time but I have dealt with him, now how are we going to get rid of Buaji?" Khushi began to laugh as she realised what Arnav was implying. "Twice in one day!" He pointed out.
"Just be glad that Buaji comes with a warning sign 'Hai re Nandkisore'!" Khushi said.
"Sanka devi you better have changed before I come out."
"Shoot I better go." She kissed him on the cheek again before getting up.
"I'll keep you company." He smirked. 'There it is.' Khushi beamed at the smile she had been waiting for.
"Maybe next time, when we won't be disturbed."She winked and made her way to the room. "Oh by the way I invited a friend to dinner, I hope that isn't going to be a problem?" Khushi asked. Arnav shook his head.
"Who is it?" he asked.
"It's an old friend of mine, Kannan." Khushi said as she pulled her hair out of the pony tail.
"Kannan Shankar Rameshwaram?" He asked sitting up.
"Yeah...you know him?" Khushi asked in disbelief, Kannan had never mentioned meeting Arnav before.
"We have met." He said through gritted teeth.