"Happy Journey!" wished Khushi over the phone as Arnav waited at the airport for his flight to arrive.
"Now that you have wished so, the journey has to be happy..." he replied, making Khushi blush as usual.
Arnav was set to go to Bangalore on his official tour to return after two weeks only a day before their engagement. The moment when Arnav had told about it to Khushi, she was sad sad thinking that her plans of them shopping together for the engagement were ruined. But Arnav had assured her that he would make sure her wish would come true. Khushi wasn't sad anymore. She was excited for their engagement. The only thing she felt sad about was that she wouldn't be meeting Arnav until the engagement function. But the excitement and the feeling of soon being his officially' overpowered all other feelings.
Arnav texted Khushi as soon as he landed in Bangalore.
Reached Bangalore... Missing you already 😔...
Khushi giggled seeing the message. She quickly took a selfie and sent it to him with a tag - I am right here!
This was a pleasant surprise for Arnav. Khushi demanded a picture from him as well and he obliged without any complaints. They chatted for a while and then wished 'Good day' to get busy into their work for the day.
Nights usually were spent talking about the day's events and sharing any special or important news.
Both were counting down the days as every day passed by.
Friday had arrived. A light smile lit Khushi's face as soon as she woke up. Last working day of the week! She sat up and got hold of her phone at once to text Arnav.
Good Morning! 😳
She waited for a couple of minutes, but the message wasn't delivered. Arnav might not have woken up yet...
Khushi was ready to leave for office. Just as she finished her breakfast, she checked her phone only to see that the message wasn't delivered yet. It was past 8 AM already. Hasn't he woken up yet? Khushi dropped her phone in her handbag and hurried out wishing good day' to her parents. On the whole way to her office, Khushi kept wondering sitting in the shuttle why Arnav hadn't been online on WhatsApp since morning.
Though busy in her work, Khushi kept an eye on the phone waiting for Arnav's reply. Is he alright? Khushi almost dialed his number but disconnected before the call was connected. Maybe he is busy... She kept her phone aside knowing that he would reply whenever he sees the message.
It was lunch time. No reply from Arnav yet. Now Khushi couldn't resist calling him. Ringing... One... Two... Three... Khushi was getting disheartened with every ring. Seven... Eight... No response.
Khushi didn't know what to do. She continued with her work. The only thing she could do now was wait... wait till Arnav checked his phone and called back.
It was already time to leave office and Arnav had not called back yet, nor had he texted Khushi. She checked the WhatsApp chat and saw that her 'Good morning' message was delivered a few minutes ago but wasn't read by Arnav yet. Fidgeting with her phone, Khushi thought whether she should call him again but brushed away the thought and left for home.
At the dining table, Khushi was lost in her thoughts and frequently checking her phone. Her parents didn't fail to notice her restlessness.
"Everything alright, beta?" asked her father.
"Yes Papa... All okay" replied Khushi forcing a smile.
"What's wrong, Khushi? Did you quarrel with Arnav?" asked her mother placing hand on Khushi's shoulder with concern.
"I am not able to contact Arnav" told Khushi finally. "We haven't talked since morning..."
Her parents laughed, seeing how desperate Khushi was to talk to her future husband. They teased her making her blush.
As Khushi tried to sleep, thoughts flooded her mind disrupting her peace. Why hasn't Arnav seen the message yet? Is everything okay? Am I worrying for no reason? Maybe he is just busy with work... Khushi shut her eyes tight to push aside all the thoughts. She was tired, her mind exhausted. She snapped open her eyes and rolled over to get her phone from the side- table to give one last try at calling Arnav. No response from the other end disappointed her. Why? Where are you? Her eyes were wet as she cursed her fate. She was missing Arnav badly. Turning to her side, Khushi curled her body holding the blanket close to her chest. She remembered Arnav's virtual hug.
Just do as I say.
Close your eyes.
Put your arms around yourself now and hold yourself tightly.
Khushi hugged herself remembering Arnav's soothing voice.
See... I am right here... with you...
You don't have to worry about anything now... Just relax...
Soon Khushi fell asleep.
*****
Arnav returned to his hotel room after a hectic day with the conference and the visitors from the US. He had not checked his phone since morning. He saw the message and missed calls from Khushi. He felt bad for not being able to reply to her for so long. It was already past mid-night. He texted Khushi.
Hey... Sorry, was very busy today. Checked my phone just now.
There wasn't any reply from Khushi for a few minutes. Arnav knew she must have slept. He texted her again.
A tight hug! Good night!
*****
Khushi opened her eyes after a sound sleep. She was surprised how she could sleep peacefully even when she was tensed. The hug really works! She smiled remembering Arnav. Has he replied? She checked her phone at once and couldn't stop smiling reading Arnav's messages. He knows when I need his hug... She was startled at the sudden vibration of her phone as she received a video call from Arnav. She sat up in bed. How could she receive the call when she had not even got out of bed? But more than that, how could she miss the call after spending one whole day without talking to Arnav? She accepted the call, still not completely out of sleep.
"Wake up cutie!" said Arnav seeing Khushi.
"It's Saturday... Why so early?" said Khushi in a sleepy tone.
Arnav didn't want to blink as he watched her antics. "You look very beautiful and a lot cuter just after waking up!" he remarked.
Khushi pulled her eyelids wide open trying to get rid of the laziness. "I missed you yesterday" she complained.
"I know... I am sorry, couldn't talk to you yesterday. I was-"
"Busy with the conference, I know" Khushi completed the sentence. "And then I hugged myself and slept off waiting for your reply..."
"I know..."
He knows?
"Now get ready soon... We have to go..."
"Go where?"
"Shopping, your Highness, shopping!"
"What!!" Khushi was excited. She almost jumped on the bed saying, "You are here?!"
"No... I am in Bangalore..."
Khushi frowned.
"But..." Arnav continued, "I had promised you that we would shop together for the engagement..."
"And?" asked Khushi in anticipation.
"And this is the only weekend we have got! So, no time to waste! Don't forget to charge your phone and make sure the internet is working..." He winked with a smirk letting Khushi figure out how exciting their shopping was going to be.
How does distance matter when hearts are so close!
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