ArHi FF: Tum Jo Aye: Ch6 Pg47 Nov9 - Page 29

Three days later, the flight landed in Mumbai. Khushi removed the extra layer of jacket she had wrapped around Mahi. Mahi was easily attracted to sickness and would get sick with even the slightest of the weather change. One thing she still had from Arnav, where Khushi couldn't put a stop to it: some allergies. Though Arnav didn't get sick easily, Mahi did.

All three of them, Khushi, Mahi and Lavanya, headed for the Hotel they had decided to stay at till they were there. Lavanya put Mahi to sleep for a while, promising that she'd take her shopping when she woke up. Even though Mahi was just a kid, she loved shopping like any other girl! And when Lavanya was taking her, there'd be no stopping to them on buying anything. Both, after all, were shopping freaks.

Khushi made coffee for both of them as they sat on the couch in the room. They had reserved a small apartment type of room. Lavanya asked, "Have you thought about what to do next?"

"Not yet. The only thing important for me is that project and keeping myself away from Arnav or anyone in the family. If they see me here, it'd be too many questions to answer…"

Lavanya put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Mumbai's a big city. There's a heavy chance of you all not meeting. Just relax, okay?"

"You're right. I'm here for Mahi so I'll enjoy with her all I can. If he does come in front of me, we'll see about it at that time."

She smiled at Khushi's decision.

***

"Chote, wait." Anjali called out from the kitchen as Arnav came down the stairs and got ready to leave. He stopped hearing Anjali's words and waited for her to come up to him.

She resumed, "Where are you going?"

"For a meeting, di." He stated the obvious.

"When will you be back?" she asked.

He wondered why all the questions suddenly. "Di, what is it? You never ask so many questions."

"Chote, because you have forgotten that two days ago, you promised to take me shopping!" Anjali cribbed as he had failed to remember.

Arnav closed his eyes with guilt. He indeed had forgotten. Sometimes, even he wanted the old Arnav back, the one which would always smile seeing Khushi. Since she had left though, he had become the same Arnav who would indulge himself in a pile of work and forget everything else.

He reasoned, "Di, can I take you tomorrow? Today I have a really important meeting. Please? I promise, tomorrow I'll be all yours for the whole day."

"No chote, you had promised. It's just a meeting! You can postpone it for tomorrow."

Arnav didn't want to argue with her as he knew that one way or another, his sister is going to make him agree to her point. He simply nodded and started going back up the stairs.

She grinned at her victory but was confused when he turned around. "Where are you going?"

"I can't come shopping with you in this suit, can I?" he said with a smile. Anjali smiled back in happiness.

***

Few hours later, Mahi woke up with no sign on restlessness. Khushi looked up from the file hearing her sound. She called Lavanya to bring some water. She did and Khushi continued her work.

Lavanya and Mahi were whispering looking at Khushi. Khushi heard the whispers but shook her head and decided to ignore them. Both of them were planning to take Khushi on shopping with them as well. If they didn't she'd stay in the room all day long and keep on working. They didn't want that. They wanted her to enjoy just as much.

***

"No, no and no!" Khushi yelled out shushing both Mahi and Lavanya. Mahi tried again.

"But mommy, please…?"

"No Mahi. I said no na. I have many things to do. You and Lavanya go." Khushi said as her final statement.

Lavanya was about to speak up but a call delayed her. Khushi picked it up and listened to what the person had to say. "But… Ok… yes, I understand… No it's fine. Tomorrow is fine."

The phone call ended. Lavanya changed what she wanted to say into a question. "What happened?"

"The meeting's canceled. It's been rescheduled for tomorrow." Khushi said with a sad tone as she knew that now, she had no reason to refuse Lavanya and Khushi. She'd have to go shopping with them.

Both the girls grinned on hearing the news. Before their tried another antic to get Khushi to come with them, Khushi replied. "So guess that leaves me with you two for the day."

"That means you'll come with us?" Mahi asked cutely.

Khushi nodded. "Yes, I have one condition though. Not much shopping, I won't be holding the bags and you both will have to come home when I say so."

Mahi had been counting the conditions. She replied, "Mom, that's three conditions! Not one."

"Yes my smart princess. Three it is. If you both want me to come, then agree to it or else I know how else to spend my day." They knew she'd go back to her work even if there was nothing to work on. They quickly agreed to it. It was better than her not coming at all.

***

There it was. Please do give honest replies. I'm waiting for them 😃

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-Khushi