Chapter 2 - I want to go.
Khushi placed the plate in front of Mahi and sat in the seat next to her. She took a small gulp of milk and asked, "Mom, where is my gift?" "Gift. Ah, yes. Your gift. So tell me, what do you want?" "Oh! I don't know yet." She replied cutely. "I was hoping you'd already have it." She replied drinking milk again. Khushi looked up from the newspaper and smiled seeing the mustache on Mahi. She wiped it away gently while replying, "This time, you choose and mommy promises to give it to you." Mahi jumped up in joy, "Really?" Khushi giggled at her cute face and nodded. A frown took over Mahi's smile as she sat back down and pouted, "But I don't know…" Just then the car down around to corner to pick up Mahi. Khushi made Mahi climb down the chair and replied getting her bag, "And that is why you can tell me when you come back from daycare." She slipped the tiny bag behind Maya and walked her till the door. Bending down to reach her height, she kissed her check and bid her a quick bye before she ran to the car taking tiny steps. Khushi watched her leave. *** She reached the office barely on time and was talking to herself. "Hey Devi maa. At least don't make me late today. Or Ma'am will get angry." She quickly parked the car and rushed in, walking past people and murmuring low sorry's to them because of running into them. Grabbing the file from the desk, she hurried to the meeting room checking the time and praying she wasn't late. Once in, she found the lights off. She thought she was very late and the meeting had been called off. She cursed herself and turned to leave when a loud noise greeted her. she shut her eyes tight and the lights came on as everyone from her team was present there with a huge grin on their faces and yelling out, "Surprise!" to her. She opened her eyes and took a deep breath in and relaxed. She understood it was their entire plan to get her in the room and wish her happy birthday. A huge smile formed on her face as well as she found a person hugging her tight. She said, "Happy birthday Khushi!" and they parted. The person was none other than Lavanya. Her best friend who has always supported her in all her decisions. The one who had helped her settle when she was new to the country and knew nothing. The one who stood by her through thick or thin and took care of her and Mahi like an older sister and an aunt. "Thank you La!" Khushi replied back. That was one thing about Lavanya. She was very kind at her but one thing which would irk her was anyone calling her by her full name. She didn't like it for some reason. She preferred being called La. Others took their turn in wishing her as well and she thanked them all. Khushi wasn't a big fan of cake so they got her brownies and made her eat that. She was delighted to see it all and couldn't thank them all enough. Time came close when they had to get back to work. Only Khushi and Lavanya remained in the office. *** Mahi came home at her usual time and waited till Khushi got home. A while later, she got bored and climbed on the tiny chair to turn the T.V. on. She sat on her bed and watched cartoon from her tiny T.V. Again an hour later, she turned channels and stopped when she saw something. It was an interview about Arnav. Her dad. And she knew he was her dad. Just then, she heard the keys jingling and knew that Khushi was home. She quickly flipped the channel to cartoons. She knew Khushi wouldn't say anything if she watched the interview. But she also didn't want to see her mother upset on her birthday. Khushi came in and hugged her and they played around for a while, watching cartoons simultaneously. The afternoon went by and Khushi went in the kitchen to make dinner. Lowering the volume, Mahi started watching the interview again. For a girl her age, she was smart. She had kept the interview on recording! Five minutes later, she knew exactly what she wanted for the gift. She jumped down the bed and trotted to the kitchen. "Mommy, I know what I want." Khushi looked up from her plate, where she was chopping vegetables, and asked, "Oh really? And what exactly is it?" Mahi took a light gulp and said, "I want to go to India for the spring break!" Khushi stopped, knife almost ready to cut her finger, eyes wide with shock. She had promised to give her what she asked. But how was she supposed to give her this! She had asked for nothing but everything at the same time. She looked at Mahi who looked back at her with hopes in her eyes. Khushi didn't know how to reply to that. How can I say yes? How can I let her go to India? Mahi added, "And I want you to come with me." Now that just made things worse for Khushi! She thought and reasoned, "But Mahi darling, how can I come? Mommy has work na. I can send you with La if you really want to go." Mahi started whining, "No mommy. Mahi wants to go with you. If you have work then La masi does too. How can she come then, huh?" Khushi hit a dead end! At other times, she would be proud of her daughter for being so smart. But now when it back fired on her. Not wanting to upset Mahi, she said reasonably, "I'll think about it." Mahi nodded knowing this was only what she was going to get for the times being. She went back to her room leaving Khushi by herself. Only, Khushi wasn't by herself. All the memories of India, all of it, were coming back to her. *** Next: Khushi's Decision.
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Chapter 1 Page 9
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So you guys can see ArHi in like 4th Chapter. Till then have patience 😛 And my exams/tests were going on so wasn't able to update. I still stay strong on updating once a week though 😳 Press like and comment!
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-Khushi
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Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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