OS: Imperfectly Perfect Nights

The Raizadas were celebrating their victory, jumping around, hugging each other, laughing, since they won the sangeet. Khushi swallowed hard even though her throat was as dry as a desert. If I lose, I will do whatever you say so. Khushi felt like kicking herself for agreeing to Arnav's condition. She didn't want to face Arnav now. She didn't even know what he would ask of her. And to top it off; the dance with Arnav has set her brain in a different direction. So Khushi snuck out of the room and into the kitchen where her comfort food was aplenty: boxes of jalebis. She finished the first box in a matter of minutes. She looked around to see if anybody saw her, so she took another box and went by the poolside. As she opened the box, she felt something bite her. She felt immense pain from the bite and a burning sensation on her right hand. Moments later she felt everything spinning and started to gasp for breath.
"So you think you can escape me that quickly?" Arnav asked with amusement.
Khushi jumped at the sight of seeing Arnav. She had never been so glad to see him – her saviour. "Arnav…" Khushi then dropped the box and started to lose balance.
Arnav ran towards her and caught her by her arm. "Khushi, what's wrong?" Arnav asked worried.
"Arnav…" Was all Khushi could say.
Arnav looked down at the box and noticed a scorpion. He looked back at her fretting for her life, so he picked her up and made his way into the house. "Khushi needs to be taken to the hospital immediately. Akash, you drive." Arnav ordered.
All the family members were panicking and followed Arnav to the car.

The Gupta and the Raizada family were standing outside the hospital room. The doctor said she'll be fine. Everyone was crying for Khushi, worrying about her.
"Why did this have to happen to our Khushi bitiya?" Buaji cried.
"Everything's going to be fine Madhumati Ji." Naniji comforted Buaji.
"You know we don't realise how important a person is in our life until something happens to them. This could have happened to anyone, but why did it have to happen to our Khushi?" Payal wept. Arnav was thoughtful.
"Don't cry Payal Ji. Khushi Ji is a strong girl. And besides we all know how much she means to all of us." Anjali reassured Payal. Akash sat next to Payal as well. Arnav was listening to their conversation all the while.

Arnav stood outside Khushi's room, staring at her… thinking of all the past events happening between them. Love just happens. When you see that person, you can't seem to take your eyes off of them… When they are sad, nothing you do feels good either… The thought of them leaving seems to worry you… If you think of staying away from her then your heart will stop. He was thinking what Anjali told him a while back was true, yet he always seemed to deny it. Arnav felt that his mind took over matters for so long that he forgot what it felt like to feel with his heart. This was the first time he felt scared to lose somebody else other than his sister. Losing his mother was more than enough; he couldn't bear to lose anybody else. Arnav found answers to some of his unanswered questions… questions that remained inside his heart under a pile of dust… questions that he always avoided… questions that were linked to none other than Khushi. The evening had been eventful; yet the night was stressful but feelings were out in the open now. To Arnav, this was a perfectly imperfect night.

"Thank you for your help dear." Buaji patted Arnav on the arm.
"Don't thank me Buaji." Arnav said to Buaji.
"You should go home dear. We'll be here. You and your family need to rest." Buaji touched Arnav's cheek affectionately.
Arnav took one last glance at Khushi and somebody tapped him on the shoulder.
"Nanav, I hope Khushi Ji becomes fine quickly."
Arnav turned around, annoyed to see NK looking concerned for Khushi. "Why do you look so sad? It's not your job to be so concerned about her, okay? Just go back to the waiting room and leave me alone."
"Hey, Nanav. Why are you so stressed? I'm just saying-"
"Don't say anything." Arnav spoke through his teeth.
NK looked at Arnav with a strange realisation and walked away.

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Khushi was home the next morning. She thought of all the happenings of previous night. Even though she lost in the sangeet, she didn't feel bad. Even though she was bitten by a scorpion, she wasn't concerned about the pain she was feeling. She was more concerned about the pain she saw in Arnav's eyes for herself. She realised he cared for her, no matter what he said. To Khushi, this was an imperfectly perfect night.

Her family was feeding her all sorts of fruits, when the Raizada family knocked on the door. They came in and saw Khushi and then went in to the living room drinking tea and in conversation about the previous day's events. Arnav got up from his chair and walked towards the direction of Khushi's bedroom.
"Where are you going son? Do you need anything?" Buaji asked.
"I just wanted to speak to Khushi. It's okay, I know the way to her room." Arnav said and then proceeded to walk.
Arnav reached Khushi's room and knocked on her door.
"Come in." Khushi said.
"How are you feeling?" Arnav asked.
"Fine. My hand is a little sore. But overall, fine." Khushi answered. She didn't know what to say after seeing his reactions from the night before.
"If I checked who the confectioners were beforehand this wouldn't have happened in the first place." He pointed towards Khushi's bad hand. "I'll make sure that they never get another contract in any events again." Khushi knew Arnav meant every word.
They sat in silence for a while.
"I've never seen you so concerned about anyone other than Anjali Ji. Last night in the car you looked scared. Why? Please don't avoid the question. I want to know why. Please." Khushi wanted to know.
"Can I answer this question some other time?" Arnav requested.
Khushi nodded. "Arnav Ji-"
"Why did you call me by my first name last night? No Ji, nothing. Only 'Arnav'. Why?" Arnav asked.
Khushi was thoughtful. Never had she called a guy by his first name only. She was still trying to figure out the answer. "Can I answer this question some other time as well?"
Arnav nodded.
They sat there not saying anything to each other for a while.
"If I asked you to meet me tomorrow evening, will you…?" Arnav queried.
"What will I tell my family?" Khushi wondered.
Arnav smiled to himself knowing her answer is a yes. "You could make something up… or you could tell them the truth. They wouldn't say much anyway. I can come and pick you up…" Arnav waited with anticipation.
Khushi nodded in agreement. She wanted to get some answers to the questions she had for him.
"I'll pick you up at seven." Arnav said making his way out and then stopped midway. "Why did you lose the competition?" Arnav questioned as he turned around to face her.
"I didn't lose the competition." She replied. Arnav looked at her confused. "I did all this so my Jiji would be happy. Wouldn't you do the same for your brother?" Khushi looked at Arnav knowing he would understand what she just said.

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Khushi made up an excuse to her family about meeting Arnav. She didn't know why she did so but went ahead with it anyway. She knew this meeting wasn't like any other… it was something more. She dressed up in a white chudidar – nothing like her usual dresses. She left her hair down because she couldn't put it up due to her bad hand. She was waiting for the clock to turn seven.

Meanwhile, Arnav was getting ready. His family members were trailing him wanting to know why he was meeting with Khushi. He didn't know what to say, so he made up an excuse even though he was bad at lying.
Just then he NK came into his room. "Everyone wants to know why you both are meeting. I just told them it's because you both want to give Akash and Harjai Ji a surprise."
"It's Parjai Ji. And thanks… And about last night – I didn't mean to say all those things to you-"
"It's okay. I understand. You were worried about Khushi Ji. Anyway, you go on your date and I'll handle everybody." NK ensured.
Arnav smiled at NK and thought to himself whether this meeting was a 'date'. He'd check to see what Khushi thought of it.

Arnav picked Khushi up and reached an open space where the sky and the stars were in full view. He placed a blanket on the floor and they sat down. Khushi was looking at the stars in the night sky, but Arnav only had his gaze set on Khushi. She looked beautiful and serene in white, just like an angel. Her hair was flowing lightly in the direction of the wind; she closed her eyes in case it went in. Arnav saw the piece of hair which disturbed her so he tucked the strand behind her ear. Khushi felt her heart stop at his touch. She kept her eyes closed, not wanting to show any emotions she felt at the moment. Khushi reached for his hand that was on her face, but he moved before she could reach it. He gently stroked her cheek… and then her neck… and then ran his finger down her arm until he reached her hand. He held it in his. He looked at the scar the scorpion bite left and he kissed it. Khushi opened her eyes in shock. She thought of what happened that Diwali night and she pulled her hand out of his. She didn't want to expect anything from him and get hurt again. Khushi then got up and walked a few steps ahead.
"Why all this?" Khushi asked, pointing at the location, the blanket which Arnav was sitting on and the whole evening itself. "Why are you behaving so… nicely?"
"Why? Can't I…?" Arnav quizzed not knowing her reactions.
"No… Let me explain why." Khushi said before Arnav had the chance to speak. "Every time you're nice to me you always end up hurting me in order to get your life back to the way it always was. Every time I start thinking that you're different, that I should give you a chance and not judge you; you always end up saying something upsetting despite my changed views about you." Khushi took a deep breath and then tucked her hair behind her ear. "I don't know why you're doing all this, but please don't do something that will land us back to square one."
Arnav got up from the floor and walked towards Khushi. "This time it's different. I promise."
"Just like I thought things were different in Nainital… Just like I thought it was different on Diwali night…" She looked at him expecting a reaction.
"Then marry me." Arnav professed.
"What?! Why?!" Khushi was taken aback by Arnav.
Arnav got down on his knee. "Will you marry me?"
"Why…?" Khushi wanted to know.
"Will you marry me?" Arnav asked again.
"Why?"
"Will you marry me?" Arnav asked a third time.
"Tell me why all this all of a sudden?" Khushi demanded.
Arnav got up "I have lost a lot in my life. First my mother passed away… Then Di and I lost our home and were rendered homeless… We met up and I hired you and almost lost you when you resigned from your job… Then you got engaged with that guy and I lost you again, but then your engagement broke and we were back to square one… You were always there in front of me, but I kept you out of my life for as long as I could… but no more. After last night, I'm worried I may lose you again. And I can't risk doing that anymore. I think there's a chance that my heart is taking over matters and that my heart loves you." Arnav then knelt down again "So Miss Khushi Kumari Gupta, will you marry me?"
"So you're telling me that your heart has fallen for me, but not you?"
"I'm telling you that Arnav Singh Raizada just confessed his feelings to you and wants to do the impossible: marry you. And you're talking about my heart?" Arnav took a deep breath "This isn't easy for me. Until today, my sister only had a right over me. From now onwards, I'm asking you if I can share my life with you. So I'm asking you one last time, Miss Khushi Kumari Gupta, will you marry me?"
Khushi bent down and hugged him. "You're style of asking will never change. But yes Mr Arnav Singh Raizada, I will marry you." Khushi laughed all the while hugging him.
Arnav hugged her back as tight as possible… not wanting to let go. They stayed like that for what felt like eons.
"Okay, your turn. Why 'Arnav'?" He questioned Khushi breaking the hug, yet still holding her firmly around the waist.
She placed a hand on his heart, "Because it felt like you were the person closest to me. Even though we argue, even though we have our silent understandings; you're the person I trust the most. I guess that's why…" Khushi explained.
Arnav stared at her lovingly. "I love you." He pulled her close kissing her forehead… he then proceeded to kiss both her eyelids: Khushi felt surges of emotion overtake her insides. He then kissed her on the cheek... then moving down to her jawline: Khushi responded to each of Arnav's actions by grabbing hold of his hair and his shirt tighter by each kiss… He removed her dupatta and made way to her neck placing tender kisses at stop down her neck. They continued to make love each other as the night sky held witness to their love story.

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Arnav and Khushi lay on the floor, together in an embrace, watching the stars.
Khushi broke the silence "What do I tell my family when they find out about us? That I want to marry the guy that I loved to hate and now I love to love?" She looked nervous.
"You could say that… or my family could come and see yours…"
"Your idea sounds better." Khushi nodded.
"I know. It always does." Arnav agreed in his know-it-all attitude.
Khushi hit him on the chest playfully and he pulled her into an embrace as they lay there watching the stars…