And Then She Found Me-Chapter 37 PG 58 13/11/17 - Page 19

"Khushiji are you ok? Rani Sahiba just told me what had happened." His sickly syrupy voice made her want to heave. "...Now you know what my dear brother-in-law is like...He gets bored very quickly...After a couple of late nights with Lavanya ji she also left the house in tears...Now it seems it's your turn. But don't worry Khushiji your secret is safe with me. I will take care of you." She stared at him in disbelief. He knew about the night she snuck in but how? His words made her convulse further.

"You don't know single thing about our relationship." She said curtly.

"Khushi, are you still up here?"She heard Kannan call as he made his way up the stairs. His voice being her saviour. She noticed the shock and hesitance in Shyam as he registered the familiar voice.

"I better go check on saale saab." He said with a nervous smile before making his way to the small stair case.

Kannan saw a puffy eyed Khushi with her shoulders shaking slightly, though there was slight chill in the evening breeze he knew that wasn't the reason for her distress. She was looking down at her fingers as she spoke with a broken voice.
"Go on say it...I told you so'...That's why your here right...rub it in, gloat!" She said through fresh tears. Kannan didn't say anything. He walked up to Khushi and wrapped his arms around her.
"Not at all." He said quietly as he rubbed her back soothing her soft sobs. "Let's go home." He kept his arm around Khushi as he led her down the stairs and into the warmth of the house.

"Here they are." Khushi shrugged away from Kannan's arm at the sound of Anjali's voice. She tried her best to smile and skip down the stairs. Kannan followed in slow steps behind.
"Yes we are here." She chirped and Kannan knew that Khushi was ready to put on the show. "I don't know about you Di but I am soo tiered, Buaji we should get going now it's quite late."
"Khushi, are you ok?" Anjali asked Khushi noticing her slightly red eyes.
"Di, I am fine. See." She said pointing at her smile. Anjali couldn't help but smile back at Khushi's child like smile.

"Chaale." Kannan said in an irritated tone.
"Kannan," Anjali beamed. "I'd like you to meet my husband...Tut Aap bhi na! Put the newspaper down." Kannan looked away uninterested in meeting Anjali's husband. But as the man slowly appeared from behind the newspaper Kannan couldn't help but to address the matter.
"Shyam Jha tum?" Kannan said with a confused smile as he walked up to Shyam to shake his hand. "It's been a while, where have you been...Hey you didn't tell me you were married." Kannan said looking from Shyam to Anjali and back to Shyam again.
"You never asked." Shyam said with a small smile.
"You know each other?" Anjali asked.
"Kannan here is a lawyer, like myself." Shyam said answering the many questions that may come his way from this new revelation.
"Oh...wow...I didn't ...You don't seem like a Lawyer."Anjali said with her bright smile.
"Not everything is as it seems Mrs Jha." Kannan said looking over his shoulder quite coldly before asking Buaji if they should leave again. Anjali was surprised at Kannan's sudden hostility. Shyam sat back down with a sigh of relief as Khushi, Kannan and Buaji left the Raizada mansion.

"Kannan, Kannan wait." Anjali limped after them as they sat in the taxi. Kannan stopped and turned around hearing Anjali shout for him.
"Two minutes." He told Khushi before he began to walk towards Anjali.
"Did I say something wrong?" Anjali asked short of breath. "If I did then please forgive me. Obviously something has upset you and I won't let anyone leave my home-."But he cut her off.
"Then it's not me you should be apologising to. You know they say that only one woman can understand another woman's pain but clearly that is far from the case. Your brother rejects marriage to her and then shouts the roof down on her head and you do nothing. She smiles and says she is ok and you buy it. Just like that?" Kannan asked with disbelief.
"You don't understand Chote-"
"Frankly I don't give a damn about your Chote and his issues. We all have a past and it is up to us how we let it affect our future. If you can't say anything to him to bring him to his senses then least you can do is stick by her who has stuck by you and your family all this time...She could have left but she didn't... Anjali, I thought you were stronger this. Smarter even." The disappointment he felt echoed in his voice. That night the perfect vision of the most perfect woman he had met felt flawed.

***

Arnav wasn't pacing in his room whilst dialling Khushi's number. He knew exactly how she was and what and who caused her to be in that state. He was sitting in one of the sun loungers gazing up at the stars. He had no idea what he would say to her if she did answer, all he knew was that he had to hear her voice.

"Mike, just answer your phone and see what the saand wants." Kannan picked up the phone and took it Khushi who was furiously whisking some cake batter in a mixing bowl.
"I don't want to talk to him." She said further increasing her speed of mixing the mixture.
"Ooh what fun." Kannan answered the phone. "Khushi Kumari Gupta's phone."
"Give the phone to her." He ordered.
"Sorry Khushi is busy at the moment, but if you leave me with your name and contact details I can take a message." He said in a polite voice before leaving the kitchen.
"You-." Arnav said biting his words.
"Now now, calm down ASR...There is nothing you can say to me that I have not already heard before. Why waste your breath?"
"Just let her talk to me dammit!"
"Eh hello she's not some sort of toy car that I have the remote control to. She's not talking to you because she doesn't want to not because I am not letting her. Not all men are complete control freaks you know." Kannan picked up an apple from his fruit bowl before taking a bite.
"How is she?" He asked unable to hold back his concern.
"How do you think she's doing Sherlock? ...She's baking." Kannan said in a sarcastic tone. Arnav could see why they were such close friends. Their love for sarcasm alone could help them rule the world.
"Do you have a problem with giving straight forward answers?"
"Really Arnav? You want to talk about my problems?" Kannan pointed out. "Why don't we talk about your problems? What's the deal with you and marriage?"
"I don't have time for this?"
"What if Shyam had said that to Anjali?"
"Shut up! Don't you dare talk about my sister."He growled.
"I was talking about your brother-in-law." He corrected. "By the way, just as a heads up from one foe to another, you might want to keep an eye on the guy."
"Kannan-"
"Look, Mike is not going to talk to your sorry ass tonight and this is getting boring for me so, sweet dreams." Kannan switched on the call diversion before throwing the phone back on to the sofa and heading in towards the kitchen. He had more pressing matters to discuss. Arnav took a deep breath and counted to ten. Just on the chance that she does answer he didn't want to take Kannan's anger out on her.

Kannan walked into his small kitchen smelling the sweet aroma of chocolate baking in the oven. The apple no longer tasting as sweet as it was before.
"Tell me, how long has Anjali been married?" Kannan asked.
"Erm. It was their fourth wedding anniversary this year, why?" Khushi asked curious as to why Kannan was all of a sudden interested in Anjali's married life. "Which reminds me! You and Shyam jijaji working together...How weird?" She said licking the leftover mixture on the spoon.
"Yea about him...Look don't ask questions but just stay away from him ok?" Kannan asked with a pleading look. It was bad enough she was engaged to the beast, he didn't a snake slithering after her aswell.
"Why?"
"What did I just say?"He exclaimed?
"How long have you known me?" Khushi asked expecting him to know by now that she rarely does as she is told.
"Khushi, please just trust me on this one thing ok. He is bad news , just stay away from him and be careful around him. He is not a nice guy trust me."Khushi noticed the seriousness in his voice it further added to her own doubts she had about the man.
"Di?" Khushi asked alarmed.
"She is a Raizada I am sure she is being well looked after." He said spitefully. Khushi threw him another curious look. "...Don't worry she's going to be fine." She could trust Kannan, he hadn't been wrong about anything so far.

"I' am sure your voicemail inbox is full now." He said.
"This cake smells good don't it?"
"OK I am not going to fall that...you haven't said a single thing about him since we left hell."
"Hell?"
"Well were else is a rakshash going to live." Khushi slapped his arm.
"That hurt...not the slap the fact that after everything you are still going to stick up for him!"
"No I am not! He ...he...he...hurt me." She said quietly. She took the cake out of the oven and placed it on the cooling rack. "I know he freaks out whenever someone throws the word marriage at him, especially if it's Nani, but he didn't have to react like he was getting a death sentence. Oh and aparantly i am better suited for a clown!"
"But he is trying to apologise."Kannan bought to light.
"Pick a side." She demanded waving the knife she was using to cut a slice of the cake. "Pick aside now!" Kannan raised his hands in surrender.
"Yours meri maa! I am on your side now could you please kindly point your knife else were." Khushi put the knife down and walked up to Kannan. She didn't want him to hide anything from her.

"What's with you and Arnav? I didn't even know you knew each other, you didn't even talk to each other at Jiji's wedding. I asked him but he obviously wouldn't tell me." Khushi said feeling annoyed that she was left out of the loop.
"I am not surprised and I will tell you Khushi, just not now...When the time is right." Kannan placed his hand o her shoulder reassuringly. Kannan couldn't keep secrets from her, she knew sooner or later he would tell her himself. She didn't push for further details.
"Is that why you're not scared of him...because of what happened in the past?" She had seen the way he had squared up to him at the pool side.
"You could say that...But he is scared of me and I am loving it." He said excitedly
"Scared of you?! How? Why?!" Khushi asked dumbfound. It would explain why ASR had not yet fed him to the hounds.
"Well if you ever ask him he wouldn't admit it but I had a little talk with him before you came back from Lucknow...I told him that he I would only give him two chances if he does anything to hurt you then I will make sure he never sees you again." He said as a matter of fact.
"Why on earth would you say that!? No wonder he has been so wound up, Kannan!" This was the last thing she needed. Arnav was right they had enough issues of their own without Kannan adding to the problems.
"Oh calm down, Akash got the same talk and he sure as hell didn't throw a hissy fit. It's called leverage my dear. I needed him to believe the lie in order for him not to mess this up. After wasting four months for news of breakup I knew you were pretty serious about this even before I came to see you...He is a guy who is used to the expendable in life, I need for him to understand that you are not to be taken for granted. So I threatened him." She couldn't believe that her friend was willing to risk everything to go up against the mighty ASR for her happiness. She owed him more than he could ever imagine and hoped that one day she could do the same for him. But as much as she tried she couldn't imagine a frightened ASR.
"And he was threatened just like that?"
"Are you kidding me? There was a lot of 'What the's' being thrown around, he was clearly upset but after a long discussion on the art of manipulation which comes naturally to a lawyer and how I know you longer than he does he soon began to bite his tongue. I told him I can make you believe whatever I want...Result!" His accomplishment was marked with his big bright smile. "Mike, I just want you to be happy." Khushi cuddled up to her friend thanking him for always taking care of her, even when she thought she didn't need looking after.

***

After indulging in some comfort food and some much needed laughter with her best friend Khushi returned to her apartment. The events of the evening began to buzz in her head. She just wanted to sleep. To forget about it all. But she couldn't forget about him and she couldn't forget his words. ASR was back. Maybe she was right all along maybe Arnav was just a guest appearance. She went to her wardrobe and instead of taking out her usual pyjamas she took his white shirt. She slipped it on and crawled in bed hoping, praying that the thoughts of happier times would help her drift off into sleep. But soon tears dampened her pillows with the memories of all that had been lost.

He knew she wouldn't answer her phone. It was her first night back and he had already bought tears to her eyes. 'So much for love' he thought. This was not the first night back home he had in mind for her. He dialled her number again hoping that maybe, just maybe she would answer. Desperate to make her understand, to tell her he was wrong.
"Hello, you've reached Khushi here. Leave a message after the beep...Beeep...*giggles* ok no seriously leave a message after the beep...this one is the real one...here it comes...now-BEEP."
The sound of her voice never failed to make him smile and after the umpteenth time of listening to the voicemail he decided to leave a message.
"Khushi, I know it's not enough but I am sorry...I really am. I miss you." He missed not being able to speak to her, not being able to listen to her fall asleep. He took her red dupatta from underneath his pillow and held it in his hand. "I really am sorry Khushi."

***

A grumpy Arnav trudged down the stairs after two sleepless nights. It had been two days since he last saw or heard from Khushi. He had spoken to her aunt and Kannan who told him more or less to leave her alone for the time being. But how could he when she was all he could think off, when she was all his heart ached for, when she was what his arms craved for. The thought of going to work didn't help either. He hated being at work thinking about all the time he was wasting not being with her. A part of him hated himself for allowing himself to fall so hardfor her. But then what would his life be without her?

And then as though the gods them self had granted her as a gift to him she was at the bottom of the stairs. The the long waves of her hair were dancing with the light breeze as her smile outshone the morning sun itself. She was dressed in a in her simple pale green salwaar. 'This is how it should be every morning. To wake up and see her.' Arnav thought. He hadn't realised he was smiling until she caught sight of him looking at her. The warmth he searched for was nowhere to be seen. All he found was pain. She looked away from him and began to walk away.

"Khushi wait." He called after her in his tiered voice.
"Khushi," Anjali called for. Arnav was so caught up in Khushi he hadn't even notice why she was standing there or who she was smiling at. Anjali gave Arnav a cold look before following Khushi into the kitchen.

"Firs,we'll make a list of everything we are going to need a then see what we already have and what we need to get...teek hai?" Anjali asked Khushi who agreed. Arnav walked into the kitchen watching Khushi confirm back the stock details of the ration in the house. He was confused as this was a job usually done by the Prakashs. Never the less he had to speak to Khushi and then find out why his sister was giving him the cold shoulder.
"Khushi , may I have a word with you in private." Arnav said.
"What more could you possibly have left to say to her Chote?" Anjali asked with her arms folded standing between Arnav and Khushi who had her back to him as she continued on working on the list. Khushi could feel his eyes boring into her back beckoning her to turn around but she couldn't.
"Di, I just want to speak to Khushi." Arnav tried to explain completely perplexed by Anjali's hostility.
"Khushi is here because I asked her to help me with preparations for Karva Chauth tomorrow. You know how particular I am about these things I can't trust the Prakashs to get things right. She doesn't want to talk you." She waved her hand him in a dismissive manner. Khushi was surprised at Anjali's cold manner towards her brother. She could never scold him without hurting herself and yet here she was fighting Khushi's corner.
"Di," He huffed, "Khushi, you don't want to talk to me fine just hear me out." Arnav pleaded.
"Chote she will talk and listen to you when she wants to...I know you don't believe in these rituals and to you it's all nonsense so I won't force you to take part but some of us actually believe in these customs. Nani has invited a few close friends over tomorrow for whom we have to make arrangements for. If you can't help us then I think its best you stay away." Anjali walked out of the kitchen as she tried to hold back her tears. She hated being mean to her younger brother, she could never stay mad at him for too long. She knew her words would hurt him but what Kannan had said a couple of nights ago struck her heart. He was right, she had to do this, if not for her brother then for Khushi. She couldn't pull wool over her eyes to hide his mistakes.

Arnav stood in the kitchen debating on whether to go after his sister or let her cool down. It was so unlike her sweet and calm nature to be so unkind as to tell him to stay away from her and Khushi.
"I just wanted to apologise-." He began in a small voice but as soon as the words left his lips she turned, without meeting his gaze, and followed Anjali. The whole that was punched into his heart started to burn around the ages.

***

Arnav didn't go to his office. He spent the first half of the morning following both Khushi and Anjali around trying to make them listen to him. But Anjali had shrugged off his each attempt were as Khushi just refused to acknowledge his presence. Each time she did so the burning in his aching heart intensified. He retired to his room trying to think of ways to make it up for her. He knew that if he could get Khushi to forgive him then his Di would too. But this was not like the rows they had had in the past. The equation changed the night he went to visit her in Lucknow. It changed everything. The words he said can no longer be dismissed as words of rage. They were much more personal than that. Just as gifting her something would not be enough, his gesture would have to be just as personal but what?

The day had faded into the evening as hues of the night began to caress the sun set sky. He had completely lost track of time and couldn't say how long he had been standing staring out into the pool side until he heard a knock on the door. He felt his heart jump start to life at the thought of it being Khushi but the then went back to its sober state as he released that there was no chance of that happening today. Payal popped her head and walked in as he nodded letting her know it was ok to come in. She bought in a tray of snacks and placed them on the small table beside his couch.
"Khushi made some pakore for everyone, I thought you would be busy with your work and bought some up for you." The hearing name turned his stomach into knots.
"Thank you." He said quietly before looking back out into his garden.
"She likes letters." Payal said before leaving. "She has always had a grudge with technology for taking away hand written letters. She always used to write to me when she studied in Mumbai." Payal smiled at the thought of the letters that she received from her younger sister with all the shenanigans she got up to. Arnav smiled. Though he knew Payal's loyalty would always lie with her sister, he was grateful that she was willing to help him win her back, even when he was at fault.
"oh gosh listen to me yapping on there is still a thousand things to do before tomorrow...god knows how we are going to get through the fast tomorrow, at least all four of us will be in it together..." She was mumbling to herself as she left the room.

'All four of them?' Arnav thought to himself. 'Is Khushi fasting to?' He made his way down stairs to find everyone except Khushi sitting at the dining table. He followed the aroma of fresh pakore to find her on her own in the kitchen, her hands covered in battered. A lock of hair had fallen loose from her bun and was tickling her face. As she raised her hand to move it out of the way Arnav caught hold of her wrist.

No matter how many times he touched her she could never get use to his touch. It always felt new, electrifying, sending shivers throughout her body. He stepped towards her. His eyes holding her in place not allowing her to move. They had a thousand questions and a thousand apologise. He placed the straying lock of hair behind her hair he placed his hand on her cheek. His thumb stroked the soft skin. Khushi instinctively snuggled closer into his touch.
"Please don't fast tomorrow." He whispered almost. " You become so weak when you don't eat I was so worried about you during Teej. I don't believe in this anyway you don't have-." But she flinched away as his words bought her crashing back down to earth.
"I didn't fast for you during Teej and I am not fasting for you tomorrow. You don't believe in marriage so it would be pointless for me to fast for a man who has no intentions of becoming my husband...I am fasting because it's what Nani expects from me. I am fasting so that when I find my clown he has a long life." Khushi said trying to hide the strain in her voice caused by the tears in her eyes.Why wasn't he able to see that she has always accepted him just the way he was. She had never pushed him for marriage. Her words cut him. The fact that she was even considering spending her life with someone else besides him cut his already bruised heart.

"Khushi I said I am sorry."
"It's not enough."
"Then what do you want me to do? Do I just change who I am? Do you want me to just give up on everything that I believe in?" He asked with desperation seeping through. Khushi began to wash her hands.
"That's just it Arnav you don't believe in anything, not it god, not in love, not in marriage. But I loved you none the less for the person you are. I don't want you to change who you are, but I am tiered of this I love you, I love you not game you have going on." She raised her hand in front of him stopping him from stepping closer or saying another word. He watched her as she took a couple of deep breaths before leaving the kitchen and with her taking away his breath too.

***

Arnav spent the next day pacing from one end of Shantivaan to the next waiting for Khushi. Payal had told him that she wouldn't arrive until later in the evening. As the other guests began to enter Arnav grew more restless. He was about to make his way to her apartment on the grounds of picking her up when he heard the chimes of her voice.

Payal had answered the door welcoming her aunt and sister into her home. He felt his heart skip a beat at the sight of his radiant Khushi. She was practically showering the entire mansion with her glowing light.His eyes caught hers and for a brief moment everything was still and quiet and right in the world. They had found each in other amongst the crowd and that's all that mattered.

She never left Nani's side knowing that he wouldn't create a scene around her. She wanted to avoid him at all costs. She wouldn't give in to him now matter how apologetic he looked, no matter how much she wanted to. This wasn't an ego battle or a bid to change him. This was about herself respect. He should not have rejected her the way he did. He shouldn't have said the hurtful things to her when he had no idea what she was doing in his room in the first place. She needed him to understand the blow he had caused to her confidence in them as a couple.

***

The women gathered with their partners on the roof of the Shantivaan, waiting for the teasing moon peek through the galleons of dark clouds.
"Dekho dekho voh raha chaand!" An excited Khushi pointed out, jumping with joy and clasping her hands in prayer. Arnav watched with a smile as she carried out the pooja. She kept glancing his way and each time she did he looked away. Khushi picked up her chhalni and looked at the moon. She looked at Arnav knowing he would look away and then quickly looked at him through her chhalni before anyone would notice.

"Arnav bitwa come here." Nani called. Arnav made his was over to his Nani who was standing beside Khushi. "I know you two are not married yet and chote before you start I know you don't believe in all this, but this bechari has been fasting all day for you. The least you can do is give her some water."
"Nahi Nani it's ok." Khushi protesting blushing slightly.
"Khushi." Arnav had picked up the glass of water and had bought it up to her lips. She hesitantly took a sip. Nani placed a loving hand on both their heads as a blessing and left them alone to see to the other guest. "Let's get you something to eat."
"I have to go help serve the food." She left disappearing down the terrace stairs leaving Arnav with the pooja thali.

***

Khushi and Payal were serving the last of the guest when Mami and Bua came to relieve them of their duties . Arnav saw that no one was watching and grabbed Khushi's arm pulling her to one side.
"Let go of me." She said whilst trying to free her arm from his grip.
"I need you to come with me." Arnav began to lead her towards the stairs but she pulled back.
"You need to let go of me."
"Gupta, I am only giving you 10 seconds-."he warned
"Or else what? You will shout at me, belittle me, reject me. I think you've already done all that and are proudly wearing the t-shirt for it." She hissed back. Arnav could feel his temper rising. How is he suppose to apologise to her if he wouldn't let her. He jerked her hand out of his and headed back up towards the stairs.

"Chote where do you think you are going, eat first then go up to your room." Anjali said as she made her way down the stairs.
"I am not hungry." Arnav said as he carried on walking up the stairs.
"How is that so? You haven't eaten all day Chote, you know with your medication it's important that you eat on time." But Arnav walked right past her to the top of the stairs. Anjali looked at Khushi who had heard the whole thing. She gave her pleading look knowing that only Khushi could make him understand but then quickly shook her head telling her not to worry.

'Hai devi maiya he was fasting for me and I had said all those horrible things to him yesterday and today I refused to speak to him. ' Khushi felt guilt ridden and took a plate full of food up to his room. she knocked before entering. He was standing at the large glass wall basking in the moonlight. The sight of him making her heart skip a beat. "You need to eat."
"On one condition." He turned to face her. She was expecting some hostility in his eyes for the way she had just spoken to him down stairs but there was nothing but love. He stretched his hand out towards her. She didn't want to want to fight him anymore. She placed her hand in his and for the first time in days felt whole again. A smile spread across his lips as he led her through his garden and up to the terrace.

"Arnav, what are we doing here...Look I am sure this can wait, will you eat something first-." He placed his finger on her lips prompting her to stop. As much as he missed her banter he needed some quiet in order to concentrate. He placed his hands on her shoulders as he lead to them to the edge of the terrace.
"Wait!" Khushi said. "This is the part where you kill me isn't it?" She said it with mock horror. Arnav shook his head with a smile welcoming his madcap Khushi back.
"Ok you have to close your eyes now...Please?" He asked. She knew she wasn't going to get any answers and though it was best to do as she was told.

But nothing happened. She stood there with her eyes shut waiting for something, anything but nothing. She knew he was still there she could feel his presence. Something that was new to her but loved how he had become a part of her senses. She gave into her curiosity and slowly opened her eyes.

She saw Arnav put down the aarti thali and pick up her chhalni to look at the moon and then back down to her. Her heart felt as though it would implode. Here was the man who denied the presence of any god, of any love in this world, who claimed he hated her, who despite confessing his love for her told her she wasn't good enough for him. He was now worshipping her. A look of concern crushed Arnav's face as he saw the salty water overflow from her sparkling eyes. He began to whip away the small streams, holding her in his hands. She moved to the glass of water she had drank from earlier but her stopped her.

"Wait there is still more." Khushi looked at him baffled slightly. He stepped back and knelt down on one knee.

"I am a complete fool, the biggest idiot ever for treating you the way I have. I know I don't deserve you but you chose me, you found me and despite what anyone says I can't help but be selfish when it comes to you. I don't want to be with anyone else, ever. You are the woman I want to see the world with, to argue with, to make up with, to get drunk with." Khushi giggled through her tears. "With you, even the thought of growing old sounds like a party. A party I don't want to miss. Khushi I have my own views on marriage but that has no direction correlation to your importance in my life and I guess what my point is... I know we are engaged but not the way you wanted us to be. So Khushi Kumari Gupta will you do me the greatest honour in spending the rest of your life with me? Will you marry me?" Khushi was wiping the tears away, trying to pull herself together. The smile on her lips never fading.

"I'll have to think about it, I'll tell my PA to fix an appointment, we can discuss it then." She sniffed. Arnav got up and scooped her up in his arms. Khushi began to giggle with delight. "I think I would die if I couldn't be with you." She continued to giggle before he placed his hand over her mouth.
"Don't you dare even joke about something like Khushi. This world holds not importance to me if you're not a part of it." She saw the distress in his eyes and cursed herself for making him feel that way.
"Yes, yes in every world, in every lifetime. Yes, I will marry you." She could no longer exist without him. Arnav claimed her lips with his own as their arms wrapped around each other holding on for dear life.

Drops of rain began to shower down from the heavens as though the gods themselves were blessing the union. Arnav pulled away to watch Khushi let her head fall back, enjoying a moment so perfect not even her filmi imagination could have dreamt of it.
"Khushi?" Arnav pulled her back up to him. He looked into her eyes wanting her to see just how much he meant what he was about to say. "I love you."