ArHi FF - Ke Dhoop Chhaon Ka -Thrd3 pt31/pg28

Query: Does Arnav know about the engagement announcement?

Ans: No he doesn't know!

Arnav: Okay now... so what is up with you EXACTLY!

Khushi: EXACTLY Mr Raizaada... it's me whose UP with something, so just let me put my mind in place and till then JUST LEAVE ME ALONE! Alright???

She left irritated with him wanting some peace without him being around her. Khushi went back into the Hall to see Buaji and Payal standing next to Nani... A wide smile spread across Khushi's face to see buaji and Payal invited for the puja. They were the only two people Khushi could call family in some way.

Khushi: Buaji!!! Payal... she said grinning at the two of them as she almost ran and flung her arms around her cuddly bua.

Buaji: Arre titaliya... we are both so happy to hear about your engagement being announced. Khushi's smile faded and she looked down uneasy. Rani sahiba just told us about you and Arnav babua to be getting engaged. I am so happy for you. She hugged her once again.

Payal: By the way Khushi... where is Arnavji? We would like to wish him to...

Nani: I'll just send Arnav to you... before Khushi could stop Nani, she had already left to look for Arnav.

Payal: You know Khushi... Amma knew that very day... that Arnavji has a soft corner for you... it was so evident in the way he carried you into the room and the way he was looking at you...

Buaji: Oh yes... didn't I tell you my observation the very same day Payal? She said excited. Payal smiled back at her mother pleased. Titaliya... where is Arnav babua... won't he come to meet us?

Khushi didn't know what to respond. She didn't know if Arnav would even bother to come and meet her family friends and even if he did... would he behave like he was expected to... accepting their relationship in front of others. She restlessly rolled her dupatta onto her fingers looking around for him desperately. And that's when she saw him... her heart was leaping beginning a juddering thumping beat as he made his way towards them.

Khushi: (self thought) he's really here?? For me???

No way... she was so mad at him, and now he was here for her; How could she be angry with him in front of Buaji and Payal? Moving smoothly through the crowd... his bright grey eyes were shining with anger? Or maybe tension? She couldn't tell. His mouth was set in a grim line and jaw was set. Arnav arrived at the table gazing at Khushi warily.

Khushi: Hi! Khushi squeaked unable to hide the shock to see him there in flesh specially to meet her Buaji and best friend.

Arnav: Hi! He replied and leaned down to kiss her cheek taking her by surprise. What was he up to now? Khushi: Ah! Arnav... this is my aunt and neighbor... buaji and her daughter, she introduced.

Arnav smiled at the two ladies who were brimming with excitement and happiness to meet him like this. He turned to greet them and touched Buaji's feet and said hello to Payal.

Arnav: Hi Payal!

Payal: Hello!

How did he know her name? Khushi thought!

Khushi: What are you doing here? Her question sounded more brittle than she meant and Arnav's smile immediately vanished making his expressions guarded. She was thrilled to see him but completely thrown off balance, her anger about Lavanya simmering through her veins. She didn't know if she wanted to shout at him or throw herself into his arms kissing the hell outta him.

Arnav: I came to meet Buaji and Payal...of course! He gazed down at her face impassively. So are both going to stay here for tonight? He turned to Buaji and Payal.

Payal: Yes... so we plan to! Rani Sahiba has requested us. How can we do against it? She said smiling.

Buaji: Kunwarji?

Arnav: Buaji...its Arnav.

Buaji: Ah! She smiled nervously... Bitwa, I wanted to ask you that I was thinking of taking Khushi with me for a few days. Ah! Only if you are okay with it... it's been so long since Payal and Khushi spent time with each other.

Arnav didn't like the sound of it. Khushi being away from him... but maybe she needed it, to be away from him... that's exactly what she had said isn't it? It was a punishment for him to stay away from her... like someone's asked him to stop breathing... but it was Khushi's decision anyway.

Arnav: It's what Khushi wants buaji, I am no one to say anything about this.

Khushi: (self thought) What the! What was wrong with him? Every time someone behaved with him like how they would with her future fiance. why was he denying and rejecting their relationship in front of them.

Khushi: what the hell do you want? She whispered to him giving him a deadly glare. Her anger had returned in full force.

Arnav looked confused and smiled at her sarcastically: It's you who has to decide what YOU want Ms. Khushi Kumari Gupta! Have a good night.

Khushi: (self thought) Oh God! Is he mad at me???

Arnav to everyone: It was nice to meet you buaji, Payal. He smiled at the two of them. Excuse me everyone! He excused himself and walked towards Nani who stood a couple of steps away with some guest lady and whispered to her. Arnav: Nani... I am going to retire for the night in my room now... you can continue with the Jagrata!

Nani: Alright beta! She smiled at him as he walked out of the Hall leaving Khushi stare at his retreating body.

***

Payal: Go talk to him. She whispered to Khushi as she looked in the direction he had left. Khushi: haan? No its okay I'll go see him later. I came to meet you and Buaji.

Payal: You came here because you are confused about this guy! It's so obvious you two are crazy about each other. You need to talk to him. He just came here to meet me and Ma for you Khushi. He didn't even bother to spare us both a look that day when he came to get you. And you know how difficult it is to do something against your own wish?

Khushi sighed confused: Hmmm.

Payal: Khushi there's definitely something going on between you two. I've been trying to fathom it since you arrived here. But the only way you are going to sort the prob­lem, whatever it is, is to talk it through with him. You can do all the thinking you like – but until you actually talk, you're not going to get anywhere.

Khushi frowned at her best friend.

Payal: Khushi...you've always had a tendency to over-analyze everything. Go with your gut. What does that tell you?

Khushi stared at her long white fingers and muttered: I think I am in love with him. Payal: I knew it and he loves you! Khushi: No!

Payal: Of course he does, God Khushi what do you need; A sign flashing 'I love you Khushi' across his forehead? Tears were ready to brim through Khushi's eyes. Khushi: I don't think he loves me?

Payal: Just go to him and TALK for god's sake. The good part is this place is a neutral territory unlike the Raizaada mansion or our place. If it's his mom's house so is yours! Khushi looked at Payal wide eyed.

Payal: Common just GO!!! She pushed Khushi towards the exit door into the corridor.

***

Khushi entered her bedroom for the night, the one next to Arnav's, as HP had said. She just couldn't get herself to go to Arnav. What would she say to him? Confused and hyper she walked around in the room. She felt a need to get herself look a bit presentable and thus looked for the bathroom. Khushi saw two other doors apart from the one she had entered from. To her luck the first one she opened turned out to be the bathroom. Khushi quickly did her touch up of the make-up and thought of going back to the hall. Arnav could be handled later. She came out and was about to exit the room when the inquisitive Khushi became dominating in her wanting to know where the other door leaded. She went to the door and tried to push it open but it was bolted from the other side. Frustrated Khushi was about to punch and hit hard on the door when it opened and surprisingly stood Arnav Singh Raizaada in front of her with only a towel around his waist and a phone in his right hand.

Arnav blinked at her in complete surprise while it took her a couple of seconds to come out of the shock. There rooms were joined? Arnav held the door open wide to let her come in.

Arnav(on phone): Yes Aman! Get the designers to finish the all the designs for the collections by this Friday!

Khushi looked around his room... it was a little bigger than hers and completely different furnished. The furnishings were ultra modern, very now. Trust ASR to get his room, which h hardly used furnished according to his tastes. ... And yeah don't forget to get me the textile collection report. I want it first thing in the morning. Hmm. That's right I want it on my table sharp at ten. Arnav walked up to a dark wood unit and pulled open a door revealing a mini bar. He indicated Khushi to help herself and moved towards into the bathroom.