FF-Mrg of Convenience wit Best Frnd ch12 28/5* Th3 - Page 18

Arnav was just coming back home late one evening when he found Anjali in the drawing room staring at something scattered on the table before her.She looked as if she is in some deep thinking.

"Hi di" he said with a smile and Anjali looked up with a smile "Chotte finally you are back.Come here.I need to talk to you " she patting at the empty space next to her.

He frowned while strolling towards her and sat next to her concerned "What happened di? Why are you still up this late?" he then glanced at the table where several photos of pretty young women were scattered "What's with all these photos?Are you selecting models for AR " he asked looking at her quizzically.

Anjali laughed and hit his forehead playfully "Chotte these photos are not of models.These are prospective brides " she said looking at him closely.He just stared back at her confused "Huh brides? For whom ?"

She pouted "For Hari Prakash ! " she laughed when she saw his 'What the' expression "Dumbo am searching a bride for you.Me and Nani were discussing the other day and we decided its high time you get married"

"What the !! " he stood up looking at her as if she has gone crazy."Di what are you talking about.Am not going to marry "

She too stood up "Not going to marry? What do you mean? Chotte all your batch mates are either married or getting married and besides Nani's health is not great these days and she wish to see her only grandson married "she said playing on her emotional blackmail card.

Arnav rolled his eyes "Oh come on di.Nani is doing fine and besides she is only in her early 70's.She still have lot of years to go And either ways am not going to marry"

Anjali crossed her arms across her chest "Chotte all this while you took all decisions and we accepted quietly, for once listen to us and respect our wishes.Besides Nani always wanted to see her great grand kids but god has still not granted me that wish yet.But we were hoping atleast you can give us that happiness.But here you are refusing to marry itself "

Arnav sighed, he hated to see his di upset.'But marriage? Crazy!' he thought to himself.He gently held her shoulders and made her sit, holding her hands he spoke softly "Di why are you getting upset on such a small issue.As for as babies are concerned, am sure you and jeeju will get a tiny beautiful baby pretty soon.Stop stressing yourself "

She looked at him glaring "I know that.But lets get back to the topic of discussion here "

Arnav sighed again loosening his tie, he had a long day. First he finished back to back meetings in office then went by to JJ nagar to oversee the renovation work. Since Khushi is carrying he dint want her to be there while the work has been done as it might affect her and baby's health. He had told her strictly to take rest while his men will take care of the work.Though Khushi sulked and argued he reminded her of her pregnancy and she immediately backed off since the baby is her priority now.He had promised her she can come back and oversee once most of the renovations are done.

Now he looked back at his sulking sister.Anjali picked up one of the photo and smiled brightly "Chotte see na how beautiful this girl is ? she will be perfect for you.If not you choose one among all these photos.All of them are beautiful " He rolled his eyes and began "Di--------"

She interrupted him, pretending as if suddenly a thought occurred to her "You know Chotte, even though am happy and eager to get you married , am also feeling sad to think how much yours and Khushi's friendship will get affected after your marriage" she said observing the change in his expression.

As expected he erupted "What the ! Di now what rubbish are you talking about? How will my marriage affect our friendship? What does that got to do with anything?"

Anjali looked at him with an innocent expression and explained "Chotte you don't understand women and their feelings.We women are really possessive about our men and doesn't like to share them with anyone " Before he could protest again , she continued "I know you and Khushi are amazing best friends who grew up together and are pretty much inseparable. But that doesn't mean your future wife will accept the fact that her husband is close to some other woman.Even if its just friendship. She will expect you to only love and care for her, she cant share you with Khushi although Khushi is just your best friend "

Arnav frowned unable to believe what he is hearing.Hiding the smile that threatened to come out of the corner of her lips, Anjali continued "Listen Chotte.Am sorry to say that but once you get married things wont be the same with you and Khushi.You wont be able to spend time with her or do things for her like you do now. One thing is, your wife will not like it and the other thing is, society will start talking bad about both of you. Infact am sure Khushi will start maintaining distance with you once you get married because being a women she knows what the other might feel "

His face lost color at that thought.He cant imagine not spending time with Khushi or not able to care for her.Now more than ever he started feeling more protective towards her.Her health and well being has become his priority.And he cant even think Khushi maintaining distance with him.He wont be able to take that.

Anjali observed the ever changing emotions on her brother's face, she mentally patted herself for putting in the thought of not being able to be with Khushi inside his head.Arnav slowly focused on her when she gently shook his arms "Chotte what happened? You seem to be lost in thoughts "

Arnav immediately masked his expression and said "Di you are over exaggerating but if what you are saying is true then I wont marry at atll.I cant shut down Khushi from my life for someone I don't even know "

Anjali smiled to herself and went in for master stroke "Chotte I understand what you might be feeling but it's a fact.I thought its fair to warn you about what you might face in the future.You know Chotte, if you and Khushi would have married then we dint have to worry about anything at all ! No woman will come between you both and ask for your attention and love.Infact we all thought you both will end up marrying together.But what to do you both chose a separate life for yourselves and besides you two are just friends " She then feigned a yawn " Ok Chotte its getting very late and am feeling sleepy.Come and have your dinner " she said getting up.

Arnav, who was immersed in his own thoughts shook his head "Di you go to bed.Am not feeling hungry " Anjali smiled to herself again mentally giving herself a hi-fi "Ok Chotte.Dont stay up so late " with that she happily went back to her room eager to call Shyam who had gone to Pune for a case, and tell him about her recent ploy.

As Arnav sat there alone, his mind whirled with the conversations he just had with Anjali.He can never ever imagine his life away from Khushi.He cant exactly pin point what but he felt something has changed in their relationship recently. His mind again went back to the last few minutes of the conversation.His di is true, there wouldn't have been any problem if he and Khushi would have gotten married in the first place.Infact Khushi wouldn't have had to face such a sad pace of life at all.He ran his hands throw his hair in frustration as all these thoughts plagued his mind.

That night Arnav tossed and turned feeling completely restless.Sleep completely evaded him as his thoughts were occupied by Khushi and his earlier conversation with his di.

The Next day he woke up earlier than usual having hardly slept the previous night.He decided a good jog in the gardens might clear his head.As he bent down and grabbed his jogging shoes from the cupboard, his gaze fell on the photo frame on the table.

He smiled and picked it up.It was a photo of him and Khushi with cake smeared faces and grinning at the camera happily .It was taken on his 18^th birthday when Khushi smeared his face with cake cream and he had chased after her and had done the same to her.

Anjali had taken the photo that time and had later made two copies framed and gave it to both of them.He remembered how at that time she had said laughingly commented that they both look so cute and happy together and hoped they will always be like this forever. How he wished he can go back to the old days.With a big sigh, he quickly changed into his jogging gear and left to the backyard.

******************

Khushi glanced at the clock as her stomach grumbled.She gasped "Hey Devi Maiya ! Its only 5.30 ".She then looked down and patting her stomach ,spoke smilingly "Looks like someone is very hungry so early.Come lets go see if there is something to eat " with that she silently strolled towards the kitchen not to awaken Buaji.

To her delight she found some cashew cookies which she had baked two days ago.Taking some on a plate, she glanced at the window to see sun slowly rising.Deciding to see the sunrise, She walked towards the garden and sat on the stone bench while munching on her cookies.

Arnav was on his second round when he saw Khushi sitting by the stone bench.He shook himself hoping he is not dreaming.At the same moment Khushi too saw him and smiled "Hey Sleepy head you are up so early "

Arnav smiled back and walked towards her "I can ask you the same thing " he then glanced at the cookies on her plate and quirked his eyebrow.

Khushi smiled sheepishly and said patting her belly "We felt hungry".Arnav smiled back and sat next to her.

They sat in silence for few mins .Khushi noticed Arnav and the fact that he looked somewhat stressed "What happened Arnav, you look tensed. Everything ok? " she asked concern evident in her voice.

He then sighed and asked "Lazybones I want to ask you something.Will you answer me honestly? "

Khushi frowned at the sudden serious expression in his face "What happened? Ofcourse you can ask "

He took a deep breath "Khushi if I was in India when you got married, would our friendship have remained the same? Would we have met frequently and spend time with each other like we used to ? "

Khushi looked at him perplexed. She dint see that coming. But Arnav looked like a lost child and was waiting for her answer expectantly, so she decided to answer him "I guess we would have met whenever I visit with Buaji but it wouldnt have been possible to spend time together like before.Once a woman get married things change.She has to answer to many people " she said with a self depreciating smile.

He looked at her and asked faintly "But Khushi cant I have come to your house to meet you ? "

Khushi laughed at the thought "My god Arnav if you had done that my mother in law would have happily packed up my bags and would have gladly thrown me out of the house.She hardly needs a reason to put me down.If she had known I have a male friend who is really close to me god knows what all story she would have cooked up.Besides Avi was also little possessive of me " she said as her thoughts went back to her late husband.Avi used to shower her with so much of love but was equally possessive about her.He had never really liked any male talking to her.

Oblivious to the inner turmoil of Arnav, she continued "Even I would have been possessive and insecure if Avi had a female friend.Thankfully he dint " she said smiling.

That was the last straw to Arnav.He couldn't hear anymore.When Khushi herself said she wouldn't have liked her husband having a female friend then definitely whoever he would marry would feel the same too.Di is right he thought feeling dejected.

He suddenly stood up, muttering "Khushi I have some work I'l catch you later " he strolled back faster to his home leaving a puzzled Khushi behind.

She looked at his retreating back frowning and muttered to herself "What's wrong with him? He asked a very out of the blue question and just left off like that?Hey Devi Maiya iss ka raksha karna "

As she sat looking at the now bright sun, her thoughts drifted back to Arnav's questions.She had always wanted to introduce Arnav and Avinash to eachother.She had wanted to know what one thought of the other.She so hoped Arnav will come for her marriage only to be disappointed.She sighed ,now her wish had also died with Avinash.Those two can never meet.