True Colors -Thread 2 - Page 48

"Let's celebrate. We got rid of Shyam! Can you believe that," Khushi said with an elated smile.

"Ok done. I am also feeling much better. How do you want to celebrate?" Arnav asked.

"Let's go out for dinner," Khushi said chirpily

"No. I am not taking you out in the bumpy roads unless for hospital visits or other essentials." Arnav said stubbornly.

"Ok. Let's order in a lavish dinner with loads of desserts," Khushi suggested.

"No. Outside food is not good for you in this condition. You could fall sick and we can't even give you medicines because it will be bad for the baby. So think of something else," he said.

"Hmph. You have taken away two of my best options. Ok let's order lots of ice cream and jalebi. Won't it be awesome?" Khushi said brightly.

"No. Too much sugar. Doc had said too much sugar is not good for you," Arnav said.

"What is with you? Then what is the celebration? Ok let's make some chaat," she said.

"No Chaat again has too many uncooked ingredients which are bought from outside. It is not hygienic and could be harmful to you," he said.

"I don't want any celebration Arnav Singht Raizada. If I can't have anything, then what is the point of celebrating? Everything will have germs and will be either salty or sugary. Does that mean I can't eat them?" she said and stomped off to the study room.

Arnav sighed. There she goes. Her food whims were driving him nuts. It was either chaat or sweets or junk food. What the heck! The girl needed to think she was going to have a child and not behave like a child all the time. She needed to understand that he was worried about her welfare and their child's.

After half an hour, when she had still not come to the bedroom, he relented. She had saved him from that scum bug Shyam. She deserved a treat, the way she wanted it. He picked up the phone.

Meanwhile Khushi was sulking. Laad Governor! Always had his way! She had to sleep, eat and talk the way he wanted. Well yeah. She had the baby to think of. But 'three jaebis and one scoop of ice cream and one bhel puri would do no harm. Would it? She chewed on her lower lip. Well may be. What if something harmed the baby? Hm. May be she should not have them. She wanted the baby safe. She hugged her baby bump. It was Arnav's baby and she desperately wanted everything to be fine. This was the biggest gift she could ever give him in return for all the love he gave her.

She made her way back to the bedroom, when Arnav had not come to find her, though a couple of hours had passed. She had expected that he would at least come and cajole her. She loved it when he did all the making up. Laad Governor Kahin ka! She muttered as she looked for him in the bedroom. He was nowhere to be seen. She waddled her way downstairs. Di had gone to Mandir. So she was wondering if there was anyone at home.

When she went into the hall she was greeted by the most delicious aroma. She found her way with the help of the smell and went into the adjoining dining room.

There stood Arnav, arranging an assortment of food on the table. Khushi broke into a delighted smile and rushed towards him.

"That's not for you. It's only for me and the baby and Di," he teased. By now she was hugging him.

"Thank you. Thank you," she said and eagerly lifted the lids of all the dishes. All the things she had wanted were there. She looked at Arnav hesitantly, "Are you sure I can eat them. Will it hurt the baby?" she asked.

"Go on. One day makes no difference. But eat in limits. Moreover, I have made sure that I called my friend's restaurant and had this cooked with extra care and hygiene" he added and smiled as he watched her happily piling the plate.

With the dinner finished, Khushi reclined on Arnav's chest on the couch.

"Thank you. Loved the treat," she smiled up at him. She had already thanked him toms of times, but she wanted to do it again.

"Anything for you Mrs Raizada," he smiled back.

"I can't wait for the baby to come, to eat to my heart's content," Khushi said.

"Neither can I. But for different reasons," he smiled mischievously.

"I know what your head is thinking," she glared at him in mock.

"You guessed right. I don't want my first child to be the only child. So we need to practice to give him/her sibling," Arnav said.

"As if you need practice!" she grimaced.

"Oh yes I do! You know what we are not able to create a baby at one go we need to try again," he smiled.

"At this rate I will die delivering babies," Khushi said and stopped as soon as she realized Arnav hated the mention of death.

"That's not funny Khushi. Don't even mention dying," he said holding her tighter.

"Don't worry, even if I do, I will be around as a ghost because I just can't leave you even after I die," she said smiling again.

"Khushi take that back. Don't even mention such things. I don't want to hear it," Arnav said.

"Anything can happen in life Arnav. I don't want you to break down if something does happen to me," Khushi said seriously.

"No! No! No! Don't say that Khushi. Don't ever say that," he said, his voice becoming hoarse.

"Arnav relax. I am here. I am just asking you to be strong. Your life should not end if ever mine does," Khushi said.

"How can you even imagine I will have a life without you? That will not be life Khushi.

That was how I was before you came.

Before you brought in the sunshine.

Before the days filled with laughter.

Before I had a reason to wake up to a new day.

Before I learned to laugh and cry.

Before I became a kid one minute and a passionate man the next.

Khushi my world would never go on if you are not in it. Don't you ever mention death." Arnav said.

"I know how much you love me. But it worries me. I want that you should be happy always, whether or not I am around," Khushi said looking at him earnestly.

"That is not possible Khushi. It is impossible to go back and change what has happened. You have happened to me. Life happened after that. So I want you around always,

As my strength

As my weakness

As my fun

As my pain

As my reason to live."

Khushi held his hand and promised, "As long as I live nothing can take me away from you. And if ever something happens to me, I will try my best to fight death for you'and I want you to do the same. Promise?"

Arnav put his hand into her outstretched hands and said "That's a promise I will honor with my life."