Chapter One: Securing The Deal
It was the perfect Sunday morning. The air was cool, sun warm and the soft rush of the ocean. Even an early riser like Arnav Singh Raizada remained in his bed, watching the tides wash one after the other in harmony.
Khushi snored in peace, her hair disarray, mouth open, limbs flung around Arnav like a ‘self declared sloth’. Arnav attempted to adjust her arms, he was sure she’d wake up with a cramp.
Somehow in their seven years together he hadn’t figured out how and why Khushi slept in a Takewondo pose.
Arnav chuckled as she tried to wake up.
“Good morning,” He grinned as she squinted at him, the sun, the bed and the ocean visible from their room.
Bali
Khushi shot up from the bed, her multiple tasks running through her head.
“Arnav ji-”
“I already spoke to our family, they’re doing well and asked us to enjoy our honeymoon.”
“Haww! And-”
“I booked our trip to the sanctuary-” Khushi attempted to get up, “but it’s not until three in the afternoon.” Khushi slumped against his shoulder, grinning at the prospect of few more hours of sleep.
“But Aarav-”
“-called him, gave him our love and he is enjoying hosting the summer camp. Apparently Sheesh Mahal is quite the location. And Aman has gone grey from handling twenty children.” Khushi slapped Arnav on his chest as he grinned at Aman’s misery.
Ever since Aman and Anjali begun actively converting Sheesh Mahal into an orphanage, Arnav loved to hear the details of Aman tripping over old wires or personally attempting to handle five toddlers at once.
It’s all a sweet revenge for flirting with Anjali, in front of Arnav Singh Raizada.
“Good. Also, talking about Aarav...” Khushi quieted, idly drawing patterns on his chest.
“What?”
“He said he would like to have a younger sister, or brother.”
Arnav and Khushi looked at each other for a moment.
“Do you want-?” “-aap kya chahte hain?” They both chuckled.
Life was good. Their careers were successful and no longer demanding, Aarav was everything a parent could ask for and their marriage had only strengthened over the years.
“Aarav would be thirteen years older than his brother, or sister.” Khushi mused.
“Di is twelve years older than NK.” Arnav pointed out.
“So you’re ok with our baby being the NK of the house.”
“Youngest, of course. An idiot, probably no- arrey Khushi why are you hitting me!” Arnav laughed as Khushi hit him with a pillow.
“Aap bhi na, but yes, then I think that’s fine. Also, there’s a really good clinic nearby so we can get my implant removed.”
“So you are serious about this.” He asked. To be honest, his heart did start fluttering from the minute Khushi spoke about having a child.
“I am. Are you? Irrespective what I or Aarav want.” Khushi asked.
“Well I am starting to realize that we took our trip at a very convenient time. Excellent work Miss Gupta.” Arnav grinned.
“It won’t be all roses Mr. Raizada. Remember when Lavanya ji wanted to murder Nanhe ji? They’re made for each other, tab bhi.” Khushi shuddered remembering the days NK thought he could laugh about how he could fit two of himself in La’s maternity clothes.
“I wouldn't blame that on pregnancy.” He quipped, to receive another swat on his shoulder.
“Mr. Raizada, another word about Nanhe ji and I’ll seriously reconsider shortening our honeymoon.” Khushi warned. She was cute when she was angry.
“Miss. Gupta, you’re forgetting that your will won’t work much when you’re sitting naked in the bed with me.” Arnav lifted his eyebrow as Khushi sputtered between being angry, scandalized, turned on, and frustrated. Arnav laughed and pulled a protesting Khushi in his arms.
“But truly, you’re sure, sure of having a child.” Khushi’s anger was immediately replaced with joy.
“Yes.” She whispered.
“So let’s seal the deal?” Khushi grinned as Arnav cupped her cheek and leaned for a kiss.
“Do you seal all your deals like this?” Khushi mumbled between kisses.
“Only if the other party is Miss Gupta.” Arnav confirmed.
“I think we should postpone our visit to the sanctuary and pre-pone the one to the doc,”
“And extend our honeymoon?” Arnav persuaded her with another kiss.
“Of course.” She grinned.
-- -- -- --
A/N: I hope you enjoyed chapter one! The chapters are independent but also connected - so they can be read independently as well as as a story - and I hope you had much fun reading this as I had in writing it!
-- -- --
INDEX
Chapter 1 - above
Anupamaa
Debate Mansion
253