Feeling a lot better now, be back to good old self in one or two days.
Chapter 8
“Sit down for a second “.. she heard him say. He had softly stalled her on her way to the washroom as they entered their room, it was natural she wanted to shower now they were home but it could wait for a few minutes more.
He took her hand and guided her to take a seat on the bed. “I thought long and hard about what I could gift you for your birthday.
I couldn’t think of anything meaningful.”
He explained his dilemma “Mujhe kuch nahin chahiyey” she said looking up at him I have everything I need already.” She really meant it. There was nothing in the world that he didn’t give her as soon as she desired it.
Yet he still looked on at her keen on something. She watched him take a single envelope out of his side drawer and take a seat beside her. It was unaddressed she had no idea what it was.
“I want to hand over all financial assets to you. All of them, AR, sheesh mehel, every last thing with my name on it.”
“Why?” She asks confused.
I won’t know what to do with it how to look after it, ghar ke bade aap ho” she said finally.” He just smiled with ease he wasn’t worried about any of her worries he had something to mind.
“I want to set a example for the family
It will make sense in good time, Just do this for me Khushi when the right time comes I’ll unburden you of it.”
His eyes are a reassuring sort, there wasn’t anything to date that was important to him that she had ever denied.
She nodded agreeing not quiet knowing why he had decided this.
...
“Bhai the file you asked for”, said Akaash stepping into Arnavs room that morning before breakfast after a knock at the door.
Khushi was putting on her jewellery whilst Arnav was fixing his blazer and collar.
“Thanks Akaash” he said inviting him in with a smile noticing his brother seemed tired, unsettled.
“Are you alright?” he asked putting his hand over Akaash’s shoulder. He was the older brother which meant he had always and would always keep a eye out for Akaash. Especially now more than ever.
“Yes just need to see “ Pari off before we leave”
Answered Akash now accustomed to a answering more like a checklist than a human.
Arnav noticed it as did Khushi. Letting him see to his daughter Arnavs eyes as ever very intuitive capture his brothers circumstances and feelings well.
Watching him leave, Arnav now talks to Khushi who joins his side.
“I do worry about him” quietly he says looking out at Akaash walking away.
“He misses Astha it’s normal” she says referring to Akaashs late wife and childhood sweetheart.
Seeing her husbands eyes turn to dismay there was something that came to mind.
“what do you think about Payal for Akaash.?”
“I mean they were close once.. It would do both of them good, aap kahe toh mein ma se baat karu?” (If you approve I can talk to mum)
Khushis tone of voice was quite dipping her head towards the end as he watched her that meant she wasn’t sure what he’d make of her suggestion.
There was silent pause for a moment as he thought.
“If the feeling’s mutual then I don’t see why not”.. she was pleased with his response he however was keen to make sure she understood.
He made it clear once more “if it’s mutual Khushi I don’t want to see either of them uncomfortable.”
“Ji” she said knowing her husband was a man of heart above anything.
...
That afternoon in Raizada house when it seemed as if the two of them had privacy NK took it upon himself to confess his feelings and a little more too Jenifer. Grabbing her by the wrist at the fridge freezer and backing her into it. There was a mischief in NKs eyes, a unruly sort.
“You know I love you don’t you”
He said as she hit her back into the freezer.
She replied with a kiss to the lips that turned into a smile.
Forgetting that they were in Raizada kitchen they’re caught by a unexpected walk in.
Khushi who is busy fluttering around the house walks into fetch something from a cabinet yet watches them part upon making herself known.
NK ! She obviously feels a entitlement to scold her younger brother in law first.
Both awakardly parting have to hear a few unhappy words from Khushi before they can leave.
So disappointed In both of them and the Way things were going in the house she had no clue why everyone was taking everything so lightly these days. All the ease Mr Raizada was giving the family would only lead to heartache once Dadi and Anjali returned.
Early evening drenched in rain water Arnav walks into raizada house.
As a result of the weather his hair is sept back, and his white shirt now see through. He stops and the lounge looking around for Hp, Hari prakash fetch me a towel will you, be quick about it,
Khushi who is putting cookies into a little plate for pari at the table to go with her milkstarted mumberling even before she’d laid eyes on him. “Hp isn’t here he’s on holiday” uff yey bhi na only when she does look up from her task she can’t take her eyes off him. He looked quiet a sight whether he knew it or not. What on earth was wrong with her she thought and tore away again.
“KHUSHI” he shouted after a few minutes he wasn’t the most patient man at the best of times.
“Ji two” minutes she replied.
Khushi’s observers NK and Jenifer who were sat purposely apart from one and other at opposing sides of the table after being told off by Khushi quietly giggle amongst themselves.
Khushi could hear them at a distance but tired to ignore it.
..
“Thanks,” he says receiving a new white shirt from Khushi. He unbuttoned the one he had on took it off and circuled his arms into the new one, Khushi felt extremely embarrassed on the spot more so because she’s preached one thing and now seemed to partake in another and NK and Jenifer had only more to be amused about.
“We’re going out for coffee back in a little while” says NK whist Jenifer looks like she’s still smiling beside him and Khushi knew just why. How embarrassing.
“What’s wrong with the pair of them?” he asks throwing a glance towards Khushi once they leave he noticed how their work from home stations were sat across the table from one another. Unusual.
He fasted the buttons closest to his collar as she replied.
“Kuch Nahin, (nothing) Woh I walked into them in the kitchen this afternoon, they were kissing.” The last bit she said without looking at him and quite faintly.
He gave her a look of understanding as he knew it would have offended her.
It’s young love Khushi, don’t be too harsh on them.
“I’m not I just said what I needed to aap hote toh yahi karte, (you would have done the same)
“Dadi aa rahin kal bas .. that’s all” she said sounding her worry to him as he took a seat on the armchair and she dabbed his hair with a towel.
“You leave that to me” he said looking up over his shoulder at her for a moment.
It was then that payal walked into the lounge to collect milk and cookies for pari who was back in the play area.
Di pari can’t wait any longer for her cookies she said with a hurried laugher, Khushi had forgotten all about them!
“Yes they’re over there” she pointed.
“Good evening Arnavji” Payal smiled before walking off to which Arnav replied back with a smile, “thanks for coming over to look after Pari nice to have you.”
He says later looking at his wife who seemed to have made great progress in his absence. If things continued to fall into place they’d be one happy family for sure.
...
Next chapter: (words may be subject to change)!
Dadi is sent a photograph she finds disturbing. “She was always the wrong choice, she’s bad luck ever since she set foot in this house” accuses dadi as she throws out the picture for all the family to see but land in front of Arnav.
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