ArHi FF: Destined to Love [Complete]

PART 31

New day and new challenges to face. This had been the first thought Khushi had when she woke up. Everyday did seem like a challenge to her, the past few days. But when she'd gotten up today how had she not remembered the biggest challenge of all. Her brother. What was she going to do? She knew he didn't like Arnav a lot.

"Devi Maiya. Why are brothers always against the love relations of their sisters..? Why can't they simply be as understanding as we are towards them? What a mess to solve...!"

But her story was different. Shyam may actually like Arnav, for her sake, if they had a meaningful relationship. How was she to tell him about her "unnamed" relationship? He's going to hate him more.

She left the remaining of her closet unarranged and went to take a bath. She was going to have to meet Arnav once before Shyam came back. He may be distant and she may have sworn to not initiate anything by herself, not even call but still 'it was him. And that's all that matters.

After she had taken the bath, she found herself craving for food. Last night she hasn't eaten much. She walked to the Kitchen where Garima was preparing the breakfast. Khushi tiptoed to her and hugged her from behind.

"Good morning Amma. Smelling great. Anything special for the breakfast?"

"Oho.. Grow up Khushi. Leave me. Let me work."

"I am hungry." she said pouting her lips and undid the embrace.

"Not a surprise. You hadn't eaten the dinner properly. Here take this and eat." Garima handed her a plate.

"Wow.. Aloo Parathas..! I love them, specially made by you. Thank you Amma." She kissed the cheeks of Garima and took the plate, making a run towards the dining table.

"She won't grow up." Garima commented and got busied in her work.

"Amma.. By what time Bro and Bhabhi are returning?" She asked while hungrily devouring the food.

"Tonight." Buaji answered for Garima while emerging from her room.

"Oh, I'll go and receive them" Khushi said excited.

"At night? In the railway station? Pagla gayi ho ka?" buaji asked.

"It's okay buaji. Nobody's going to kidnap me. I have missed bro and bhabhi a lot and I'm going. Bas." Khushi said mentally planning to start early and visit Arnav before that.

"When have you ever listened to me that you'll start listening now?" Buaji said to herself as she served herself breakfast.

"Haan wo, Sankadevi, when you were bathing your phone was ringing'" buaji said putting a morsel into her mouth.

And before Buaji could start chewing, Khushi was out of her chair and to the table where she'd put her phone on charge. Khushi quickly scanned through the missed calls list and didn't find the name she was expecting.

"Who was it? And why did you run like that ?" Buaji asked when she returned back to the table.

"It was Yash buaji" Khushi said in her disappointment laden voice which of course her buaji caught and interrupted in a totally different sense.

"Yeah. Yash is a lovely boy. Hardworking and sincere. And decent too." Buaji continued.

"Indeed." Was all Khushi could say.

"What have you decided about him Khushi?" Garima addresed her while sitting next to her.

"Decide about what?"

"The marriage thing Sankadevi." Buaji dropped in.

She already had a lot on her mind. And now this ? Which was less straining? She didn't know. And the cause of all the misery was probably relaxing, no, that word didn't exist in Lard Governor's dictionary. He was probably snapping at somebody and what the'ing.

"Khushi...back to earth.." Garima's voice startled her out of her thoughts.

"Buaji...Amma.. I think I had already made it clear. Me and Yash are close friends. And the marriage thing doesn't stand a chance. We are just not suited for each other." Khushi replied using the most serious tone she could manage.

Garima sighed inwardly and continued eating the breakfast but Buaji was not done.

"Why is he not suited? He knows you, understands you, has a good job, a good family and a good reputation. He loves you too. What is lacking?" Buaji hammered on.

"I don't love him like that Buaji. And he loves me as a friend too. Me and Yash have talked this out. We are happy being just friends. Anything more than that is not going to work."

"You aren't mature enough to decide this Sankadevi. It's the job of we elders. You and Yash'"

"if I'm not mature enough to decide, I'm not mature enough to marry" Khushi retorted making Buaji stare at her at a loss of words.

"Jiji..." Garima placed a hand on Buaji's hand when she started saying something and Buaji went silent.

"Fine... Do what you want. No one ever cares to listen me." Buaji spoke again and left the room.

After a few moments of silence, Garima continued, "Khushi' I respect your thoughts. Is there some one else you like?"

Arnav. She spoke. But no sound came out of her lips.

He had just said that he needs her in his life. This was enough for Khushi but won't be for Garima. Moreover Arnav still has no faith in love and marriage.

No. She can't tell Garima about her and Arnav. Their relation is still nameless.

"Amma. I'll tell you at the right time. But I want you to trust me," she said with a heavy heart.

"Hmmm" Garima nodded and carried away the empty plates to the kitchen.

**~~~**

Arnav was sitting in his cabin. It was Sunday and the office was deserted. Being the owner of a large and famous fashion house, Sunday didn't hold any importance to him. What do people need holidays for, anyway? When an extra day meant extra money? There were several files for him to study and sign while the emails kept flowing in. After the disturbing night he had, concentration was hard to manage. But he had always liked the quiet. He worked more on Sundays than any given day of the week. Last night he had lain awake on his bed tossing and turning restlessly unable to grab the much-needed sleep. A man, even if he was Arnav Singh Raizada could only go so far without any sleep. Over the past week, he had actually made Khushi enter into a relationship with him, fought with her, felt guilt, felt anger and apologized, although not directly. And she is happy. She had taken her to that house! And she had loved the house. And he indeed had enjoyed it.

Everything is perfect. Then why is he having second thoughts about this entire thing?

He knows that he wants her. Badly. In every sense of the word. But still something keeps him aloof from completely giving into the happiness he enjoys being with her. There was a part of his life that not even she could trespass. He'd broken that rule twice. Once by letting her know she was important. Second by acting on impulse and taking her there.

Not again.

He hadn't called her and on a usual day she'd have called him. But today she hadn't called either. He knew she must be upset, the reason of course being himself. He was doing a great job of it these days. But this could stay like this. If she would get upset over a thing as trivial as a phone call, then she could be upset. He shook his head and turned his attention back to the printouts in hand.

---------------------------

At half past six, Khushi entered the crossed the gates of Raizada Mansion. The guard at the front gate recognized her and didn't stop her from entering. Khushi had called Arnav's office number to check if he was at office. He hadn't picked up. He must be home. And she would not call him. She wanted to gauge his reaction to her if she showed up unannounced.

She was welcomed inside by Hariprakash. After looking around for a minute, she noticed Devyani Raizada, Arnav's Nani descending down the stairs.

"Khushi bitiya.?" she exclaimed the moment her eyes fell on her.

"Namaste Naniji." Khushi greeted her as she approached her.

"Namaste bitiya. Why are you standing there? Come in."

"Ji." She replied as she walked to her and got seated on the couch, next to Naniji.

"How is everyone at home bitiya? Doing well?When is Anjali bitiya returning? Bahuth dhin ho gaye dekh khe.." Naniji asked affectionately.

"Ji Naniji. Everyone is good. They are coming today. I'm sure she'll come and see you immediately."

"Acha... Any special reason for your sudden arrival? Not that I mind." Naniji smiled profusely.

Khushi found herself at loss of words. To be precise, at loss of any excuse.

"Khushi bitiya?"

"Yeah Naniji. I am here, I am here. Actually 'erm' Yeah. I'm here to get a few things of Bhabhi." She stammered.

"Oh okay. Do you want to eat something?

"No naniji'I'm fine."

"Okay then. On the first floor, take right from the stairs, the third room is Anjali's. Will you manage or shall I accompany you?"

"No no.. Naniji. I'll manage it." She replied.

"Okay. In the meantime, I'll take Laxmi for a walk." Naniji said to which Khushi nodded and walked towards the stairs.

When she reached the bottom of the stairs, Khushi asked Hariprakash who was passing by whether Arnav was home. After getting a positive reply she walked upstairs. She took a right from the stairs and entered the first room.

Arnav's room.

She didn't knock or ask for permission. She opened the door and barged in. He wasn't there inside. And then she heard the shower running. She looked around with keen eyes and walked over to the night table over which there was the latest issue of a fashion Magazine. She took it and climbed into the bed, sat herself at the center, her legs folded under her, making herself comfortable.

Minutes passed and Arnav emerged from the bathroom, wearing nothing but a towel wrapped around his lower body. Khushi had been ready for everything but the sight before her eyes. The water drops still fresh from his shower down on his neck and chiseled chest. Khushi found herself ogling shamelessly.

"What the f'?" he muttered when he saw her.

Khushi was snapped out of her reverie. For a second time in the day, she fell short of words. Being caught staring him, she was too flabbergasted to respond. She looked down, fidgeting with the corner of her Dupatta as her cheeks flooded with embarrassment turning into a faint pink matching the pale pink of her Kurti.

Quickly recovering from the surprise of finding her in his room and trying to forget how inviting she looked sitting on his bed like that, he said, "It's okay Khushi" trying to put her at ease as he walked over to the closet and removed a pair of sweats and a tee.

She wanted to get out of there. But she couldn't move for the life of her.

He looked at the clock above once. "Why are you here, Khushi? At this time? You came alone? Are you insane?"

"Why do you think?" she said getting out of the bed and he wondered if he imagined the sadness in her voice. Of course he hadn't imagined it. A part of her was hoping he'd show the least bit of happiness. At least a smile.

He ignored her question and put his arms into the T-shirt wearing it. She walked over to him slowly and corrected the collar looking at his shoulder. He watched her face intently as she spoke.

"I don't have any qualms about you 'or this'this thing between us. I just hope you don't have any'."

"Khushi'" he said lightly. She reluctantly lent her head on his shoulder. He put his cheeks on her head. He could be determined all he wanted. She only had to look at him once for it all to fall crumbling down.

If she was hoping he would console her, she was mistaken again. He didn't speak a word. The only acknowledgement she'd received was his placing his cheeks over her head. She supposed she had to be content with that. But it only took a moment for her to compose herself as she pulled back and asked him in a serious tone.

"Why are you not uncomfortable seeing a girl in your room when you're only in your towel?" she asked.

"What?" he asked confused at first and then lifted a dangerous brow at her obvious implication.

"Just curious" she amended quickly.

He couldn't help the smile forming on his lips. But he didn't smile. He watched her as she looked at him waiting for an answer.

"You really think I'm going to answer that?" he asked surprised.

"Yes. I do."

"What if I wasn't semi-naked? What if I had walked into the room naked?" he asked not answering her but asking one of is own. His voice growing huskier as he spoke.

"You'you'wouldn't have'And that 'is not my answer." she stammered.

"How would you know? I wasn't expecting anybody in my room," he teased.

"I have to go," she said walking towards the door.

But she wasn't fast enough. He caught hold of her wrist and pulled her to him, chests colliding and backed her to the closet.

"You didn't tell me why you came and you're leaving already?" he asked tucking her offending locks behind her ears and cupping her right cheek.

She looked down. "You...you're different...You won't leave me, will you?" She spoke her thoughts out aloud and felt weirdly relieved that she asked him straight.

As if that was possible. He groaned closing his eyes and looking heavenwards. He opened his eyes and caressed her cheeks, leaning in closer. She clenched her eyes shut when she saw the look in his eyes. But at the last minute, he placed a soft kiss against her right cheek. His lips lingering there, moist and warm.

"I'll drop you home" he said pulling back after what seemed like an eternity. She opened her eyes at his voice.

He hadn't answered. Great!

"I'm not going home," she said.

"Not going home? It's 7.30. Where are you going?"

"Bro is coming back today. I was going to the station," she said smiling.

"Alone? Pagal ho gayi ho? I think your bro could manage to go home from station without having youprotecting him" he said harsher than he'd intended and muttered something incoherent about Shyam which flared her temper.

"I wasn't protecting him. I just missed them. And more than that, I used it as an excuse so I could come and see YOU" she yelled and before he could stop turned and walked out of the room.

"Khushi bitiya, aap teek tho ho?" Nani asked as she saw her walking down the stairs looking upset.

"Ji Nani. I was leaving"

"Did you get it?" Nani asked.

"What?"

"You wanted something of Anjali's?"

Khushi had totally forgotten what she'd told Nani. She said she couldn't find it and that she'd let Anjali take it and bid her good bye to Nani.

Guilt is something he'd have to get used to, Arnav decided as he quickly donned his pants and followed her. Thankfully nani hadn't been there when he came out. Khushi had walked only a few steps outside when he followed her in his car and asked her to sit inside. She glared at him and kept walking. "Khushi'." He called in a stern voice laden with warning. She turned around and walked past the passenger door to the back door. Arnav rolled his eyes as he saw her slide inside the back seat. He adjusted the mirror in front of him in a position so that he could watch her and started driving. He couldn't help but smile at all those antics she did as she tried to hide herself from him.

The train had already arrived by the time they reached the station. But when she tried getting out, she couldn't open the car door.

"Arnav!!" she said exasperated. "Open the door"

He leaned back in his seat and reached across her to open the door and it opened in a flick. "What you were pulling was the handle," he said without expression but she knew he was trying hard to keep a straight face. She quickly got down and walked inside without even turning to look at him.

She met them when she was half way inside and immediately ran to Shyam, hugging him,"Bro, I missed you." She then pulled back and looked at Anjali who was smiling and saying something like nobody misses her. Khushi threw herself into Anjali's arms saying, "Nahi Bhabhi, I missed you more."

And felt Anjali stiffen in her arms.

___________________________________

Please Review 😉