She waved at Happy Singh, and turned towards Buaji's house to see Arnav standing there, watching her.
Arnav watched her face light up.
"Arnavji! You got out of office early today?" She walked towards him on eager feet.
Arnav nodded, smiling at her.
She came to stand close to him, her face suffused with the joy of seeing him. Arnav swallowed. A few strands of her hair had slipped her clip, and were lying against her cheek. He gently moved them behind her ear with his fingers, touching the sensitive skin behind her ear lightly.
She shuddered. The strands fell back against her face.
Arnav looked at Khushi's open face.
"Khushi, I am sorry." he whispered.
Khushi frowned at him. "For what?"
"Khushi' I' I'" Arnav struggled to get the words out.
"You don't want to get married, Arnavji?" she asked softly.
"Khushi!" he exclaimed, shocked.
"You are feeling trapped? As though we are forcing you to do something you never wanted to do?" Her voice was mild, her expression kind.
Arnav's mouth remained open.
"It is alright. You talk to your family and cancel the sangeet and the other functions. Later, when you feel better'" Khushi offered him his freedom on a silver platter.
"Khushi!" he found his voice. "Khushi, I want to marry you. I haven't changed my mind. I want to marry you at the earliest. Now, if possible." He held her by her shoulders, scared that she would slip through his fingers like sand.
"Acha? Then why did you apologise to me?" Khushi was curious.
"For hurting you. For every hurtful word I spoke to you. For every stupid action of mine that hurt you." Arnav explained.
"Oh, that! I had almost forgotten!" Khushi said, smiling. "Did you have tea? I made pakoras hoping you would come, Arnavji."
Arnav looked at her, at his wit's end.
"Khushi, why do you think that I don't want to marry you?" he asked, trying to figure out the workings of her convoluted brain.
Khushi smiled at him. "Because happiness never lasts. At least not in my life. Just as I begin to smile, something happens to make me cry."
Arnav stared at her.
"And I am very happy now. More happy than I have ever been in my life. That is why'" Khushi paused, looking away.
Arnav caught hold of her chin, and gently turned her face towards him.
"Khushi, I promise you. We are going to get married on the 15th, and we are going to live happily forever." he said.
She looked at him solemnly.
"Do you know why I can promise you this, Khushi?" he asked softly.
Khushi shook her head.
"Because if you leave me, I will die." He stated the truth with little drama. "I won't be able to breath, Khushi. Or smile. Or work. Or live. Without you, Khushi, life is not worth living."
Tears filled Khushi's eyes.
Uncaring that some neighbour might see them, Arnav folded Khushi into his arms, hugging her tight. Wind blew a pink dupatta over them, giving them some privacy.
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