FF-Marriage of convenience wit Best Frnd CH3-07/3* - Page 32

The minute he walked near the exit of the airport,he spotted his Di and Jeeju smiling and waving at him happily.Arnav's face broke into a big wide smile and he made his way quickly towards them.

"Di !! " he enveloped Anjali in a big brotherly hug smiling affectionately at her "Di how are you?Is Jeeju taking good care of you ? " he asked while winking at Shyam mischievously. Anjali hugged him back smiling ear to ear "Chotte am doing great and ya your jeeju is taking the best care of me "

"I always know that " he replied grinning and then hugged Shyam "Hey Jeeju ! How are you? Is my di taking good care of you ? She is not troubling you right? " this time he pretended to be concerned about Shyam getting a playful slap on his shoulder by Anjali.

He laughed and again hugged them both, this time together "I missed you guys so much !!! " he then pulled away "How is Nani? Is her health getting any better " he asked concerned evident in his voice while three of them proceeded towards their waiting car.

"Saale saab don't worry Nani is ok.She is eagerly waiting to meet you" Shyam said calling him by his favourite title and patting his shoulder reassuringly.

Shyam settled on the driver's seat and Arnav sat on the passenger seat.Once the car started,he immediately turned around and addressed Anjali who was sitting at the back "Di how is Lazy bones? I tried so much to make it to her wedding but couldn't.I even tried calling her later to ask sorry but she dint pick up the call.I guess she is angry on me" he said looking dejected at missing his best friend's wedding and unable to get in touch with her later.

Shyam and Anjali's gaze met at the review mirror.Shyam could see the worry in her eyes, and he smiled at her reassuringly "Arey Saalesaab you just reached.Lets go home and talk relaxed " Arnav nodded and sat back feeling the jet lag kicking in.

They reached Shantivan half an hour later.Arnav immediately bounced off the steps eager to see Nani.Shyam and Anjali followed behind.Anjali touched Shyam's arm worriedly "Shyamji am very worried I don't know how Arnav will take the news about Khushi "

Shyam nodded "Don't worry Rani Sahiba we will break it to him gently " together they stepped inside.

"Nani" Arnav hugged Naniji cheerfully and later touched her feet to take her blessing "Nani how are you ? How is your health now? Shouldn't you be in bed taking rest? " he enquired worriedly.

Nani smiled happily "Chotte am very fine.And now that you are back to India my health is absolutely fine too " she said grinning broadly.

Arnav frowned "But Nani you said over phone that your health is failing and doctor asked you to be in bed rest all the time " he looked between Nani and Anjali who tried hard to control their smiles.After a minute ,realisation dawned on him "You guys lied to me ? " Nani laughed and high fived with Anjali.Arnav glared at them and turned his accusing eyes towards Shyam "Jeeju you too lied ? "

Shyam shrugged "What to do saalesaab your sister dint give me an option.You know am always at her bidding " he said playfully winking at Anjali who playfully hit him on his chest smiling.

"Ya Chotte we lied to get you back to India.We were missing you badly.Kyun Nani " Anjali said smiling at Nani who nodded and winked at her.

"Unbelievable man ! I came all the way from there thinking something might happen to Nani any time and I should take care of her,only to find out its all a ploy to get me back !" He said annoyed.

"Chotte do you mean to say you are not happy to see me healthy and fit? " Nani pouted pretending to be hurt.Arnav chuckled rolling his eyes "Nani don't give me that look I know you too well.Anyways am happy to be back ! Now that am finally here, the first thing I should do is visit Khushi. I have not spoken to her for the past 6 months and I guess she is enjoying her married life while completely forgetting her best friend " he said smiling.

At the mention of Khushi's name the smiles in their faces disappeared and three of them glanced at each other.Anjali started "Chotte uh actually Khushi is in Buaji's house " but before she could continue or finish her sentence Arnav's face brightened "Wow Khushi is here? Oh yeah its Sunday so naturally she would want to see her Buaji "

He then stood up "So Di I will just go and meet her.Its been so long since I saw lazy bones I wouldn't be surprised if she had put on weight from all the wedding bliss " he said grinning thinking about Khushi.

Before he could take one more step ,Anjali said "Chotte wait ! you need to know something about Khushi, before you meet her " Arnav stopped in his tracks at the tone of Anjali followed by her words.

He turned towards her,and his expression changed from happiness to concern in an instant "Di what happened? Is Khushi ok? "

Anjali looked at Nani for help.Nani nodded "Chotte first sit down "

Arnav felt a prickling sensation behind his neck,something told him what is going to come next is not going to be good.He sat down and held Nani's hands in his "Nani pl tell me what happened.Is Khushi alright? "

Nani felt tears prickling her eyes at the concern and worry she saw on Arnav's face.All of them knew how close these two were since childhood and she just hoped her grandson is strong enough to hear the news.Taking a deep breath she cupped Arnav's cheek "Chotte Khushi's husband passed away in a car accident three weeks ago "

Arnav's eyes widened in shock and he opened his mouth and closed it again,unable to form words for few seconds.He remained motionless trying to digest what he just heard.He could still hear Khushi's happy excited voice inviting him for her wedding.He knew how excited and happy she was at the prospect of getting married.

Nani continued "Chotte I know this is hard for you to take it.After her husband passed away Khushi came back to living with Buaji" when he still dint react Nani lovingly carrassed his cheek "Chotte I know you would want to meet her right away.But you must know Khushi is not the same girl you used to know 5 years back.Lot of things has changed.So when you meet her don't be shocked "

Arnav listened to everything silently.Finally he looked at her "Ok Nani and you are right am going to meet her now.She needs me " without waiting for an answer he quickly walked across the doorway. "But Chotte-----" Nani stopped Anjali who tried to call him back. "No Anjali bitiya let him go.He is right Khushi needs him "

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As Arnav made his way to Buaji's house which is right next to Shantivan,his mind was plagued with all the old sweet memories.He and Khushi practically grew up together and he could still visualize her happy smiling face and her infectious tingling laughter.

Buaji opened the door and an immediate smile lit her face "Arnav bitwa ! what a surprise when did you come back? How are you " Arnav smiled and hugged the woman who was also like his second mother.Along with Khushi,Buaji always treated him like her own.

He then touched her feet to take her blessings "Am fine Buaji? How are you? I just came today infact an hour ago "

Buaji nodded "Am ok Bitwa " before she could say anything he interrupted her "Buaji where is Khushi ? How is she holding up? " He asked with concern and worry evident in his voice.

Buaji's expression dropped and she sighed " I guess Naniji had told you what happened " he nodded sadly.She continued "Bitwa she has totally changed.Not talking to everyone and not interested in anything.Its almost a month since I saw her smiling " she said wiping her tears "God is so cruel to give such a fate to my baby "

Arnav felt tears prickling his own eyes but he hid it and touched her shoulders and made her sit "Buaji don't worry Khushi will be alright.This is all such a blow to her and she needs time.Where is she? I want to see her "

Buaji nodded "She is upstairs in her room Bitwa go and see her.Maybe after seeing you,she will remember to smile " She said dejectedly.

Arnav quickly made his way towards her room.When he reached her room,he found it empty but saw a lone figure standing on the balcony looking outside."Lazy Bones " he whispered.

Khushi was standing at the edge of the balcony,her eyes closed lost in thought when she heard the whisper.She opened her eyes automatically mumbling "Sleepy head? "

She turned suddenly and saw him standing there.She couldn't believe he is actually here all these months when she felt alone, she wished she had her best friend with her.Now he is here.

He smiled at her a little and walked towards her.Khushi automatically felt a smile creeping at the corner of her lips and she moved forward "Arnav ! " she almost hugged him but at the last minute stopped herself.Things are not the same anymore.

Arnav immediately felt the change in her behaviour.Now he realized what Nani and Buaji meant she has changed.She is still the same Khushi on the outside but she is definitely changed very much.There was a sadness in her eyes that he itched to wipe off.

"Arnav you are finally back ?" She asked smiling at him a little, feeling happy to have him back.

Arnav immediately found the difference in her smile too.It dint reach her eyes with a mischievous glint like it used to be.He stopped his running thoughts and smiled at her "Ya Khushi am finally here.How are you holding up? Nani told me everything that has happened in the last six months " he said dejectedly "Am sorry I hope you are not angry at me for not attending your wedding "

Khushi gave a self depreciated smile "Its ok Arnav it doesn't matter anymore " Arnav kicked himself mentally for mentioning her wedding."Khushi am actually sorry for not being there through your tough times.I will never forgive myself.I wish Di or Naniji would have told me about this earlier.I would have been back in an instant " he said combing his hair through his fingers frustrated.

Khushi smiled a little "Arnav I told them not to tell you anything.I know you would drop everything and be back if you had known.I cant do that to you.Anyways like a said it doesn't matter anymore atleast you are here "

Arnav smiled "Ya Khushi am here for good. Am not leaving you to face everything alone "

She again smiled.She knew he meant his every word and she indeed missed him all these years.She also knew he is blaming himself for not being there.She cant let him feel guilty about something no one could have stopped from happening."Ok now pl lets not about all that.You tell me how are you and how was life in US.I heard you have become a successful businessman " She said in a deliberate cheerful tone which dint go unnoticed by Arnav.

He smiled slightly at that and told her about his life in US all the time vowing to himself that he will do anything in his power to bring back the old Khushi and her lost happiness back to her life.

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