FF-Mrg of Convenience wit Best Frnd Ch16-9/7* Th4 - Page 43

Khushi had just changed her clothes and got ready for bed when Buaji came in with a glass of milk."Here you go Titaliya " she said offering the glass.

Khushi made a face "Buaji wont you ever forget this.I ate stomach full earlier " Buaji rolled her eyes "Ya Sankadevi I know but that doesn't mean you can escape from this.Now drink it up fast " Buaji said sternly and sat next to her while Khushi gulped the content of the glass with a disgusted expression.

When she finished it, Buaji touched Khushi's head fondly "Titaliya I want to speak to you about something " Khushi nodded "Haan Buaji tell me "

"Titaliya I don't know how long I will be alive.My health isn't what it used to be anymore.And I cant stop worrying about you and the soon to be grandchild of mine everyday" Buaji said worriedly.

Khushi frowned thinking where did this come from "Buaji what are you talking about? Nothing will happen to you.Am there to take care of you right? Pl don't worry as long as I have with you we will be fine " she said smiling at her reassuringly.

Buaji shook her head "That's precisely the point Titaliya.What will happen to you and your child after am gone.Who is there to take care of you and protect you "

Khushi sighed exasperatedly not liking the way the conversation is heading."Buaji Pls why are we even having such a conversation now"

Buaji took a deep breath and said "See Titaliya, today Anjali bitiya and Devyaniji spoke to me in Roshni's engagement party " Khushi stiffened slightly.Buaji continued and touched Khushi's cheek "Devyaniji and Anjali bitiya asked for your hand for marriage with Arnav bitwa " she said coming straight to the point.

Khushi's eyes widened "What?? Di and Naniji ? " she asked disbelievingly.

Buaji nodded "Ya.I was apprehensive at first but when I thought about it, I felt nothing can be as good as this for you.Everyone loves you and Arnav bitwa is your best friend since childhood.If you get married to him, I don't have to worry about you ever again for I know he will take the best care of you and stand by you forever "

"Buaji what is all this bakwaas !Am not marrying Arnav or anyone" She said immediately.Buaji smiled faintly "Titaliya am not forcing you to.All I want is your happiness.Just think about it.None of us will compel you in anyway " She said and placing a kiss to Khushi's forehead, she left the room leaving Khushi to her confused thoughts.

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Khushi had just finished billing the purchase of a customer and was about to leave for lunch when Roshni barged in.Khushi smiled at her newly engaged friend "Hey Rosh, you came for work today? I thought you would be going out with your fianc " she said teasingly .

Roshni blushed slightly and sat down on their usual table "We are meeting for dinner tonight " she said smiling shyly.Khushi teased "Wow dinner date! How romantic "

"Ya that he is " she replied dreamily then sobered "Khushi, forget my romance.First tell me what's wrong between you and Arnav " Khushi's smile dropped at the sudden change in topic.

"Huh? What's wrong with us? " She feigned ignorance.Roshni glared "Don't lie to me.Am your best friend too and I know both of you well enough.You guys dint speak to each other yesterday and you left as soon as the ceremony got over "

Khushi turned her face at a loss.Roshni touched Khushi's chin, making her look at her "Khush what happened? Yaar I know I have been little distracted these past two weeks and haven't been around much.But that doesn't mean you will block me out "

Khushi shook her head "No Rosh its not like that" Roshni asked feeling annoyed by the minute "Then what the hell happened? Come on spill it now "

Khushi looked at the stubborn face of Roshni.Its high time, she share it with her now. With a big sigh, she narrated everything that happened on the day of shopping, which led Arnav to the proposal and the way she avoided him till now.

Roshni's mouth dropped open as she listened to Khushi.Whatever she was expecting was definitely not this."My god ! Arnav proposed you and you said no? "

Khushi nodded "Yes I did.He has gone mad Rosh.He don't know what he is talking about.I don't want him getting all heroic on me to save me from outside world.We have always been best friends Rosh since childhood, and I don't want to spoil the bond we share just because he feels sad for me "

Roshni touched her hands from across the table "Khush calm down.I think you got it all wrong.Yes this is kind of sudden, but i think this is the best thing that can happen to both of you " she said with a smile much to the annoyance of Khushi.

"What? Are you crazy Rosh ? " Khushi asked disbelievingly.

Roshni shook her head "Am not and neither is Arnav.See I don't think he wants to marry you because he pities you.You know Arnav much better than that.Yaar do you have any idea how jealous people used to get seeing your friendship back in college? Khushi you both are not just best friends, you guys are soul mates.No one can understand you better than Arnav and vice versa.To tell you frankly there was a time even I thought you guys are in love and will end up getting married " Roshni admitted quietly much to Khushi's surprise.

Khushi looked at Roshni with surprise and shock "You too? " she knew many people misunderstood their friendship for love but she never thought even her best friend would think the same.

Roshni nodded soberly "Khushi pl don't get me wrong.You know I have always admired the bond you guys share.Its something special and you wont get it just with anybody.Even though am happily engaged and ready for an arranged marriage, I still wish I get married to someone who knows me inside out.Someone who will not only be my husband but also my best friend with whom I can share everything freely. If you ask me, I would say Arnav is your soul mate and you should definitely accept his proposal. You yourself told me that he said he already love your child like his own.What more can a girl want Khushi? "

Khushi listened to Roshni's words quietly, her thoughts spinning in all directions.Finally Roshni smiled at her "Khushi am not saying all this to confuse you or irritate you.I love you guys and want both of you to be happy.Everyone knows you guys are perfect for each other.With time you both will realize it too.Pl give it a chance "

Khushi worried her bottom lips and frowned, not knowing how to respond to that.Roshni's phone began ringing and her face brightened looking at the screen.She looked at Khushi with a shy smile and said"Its him.Maybe calling to confirm the dinner date.We still have a long way to learn about each other " Standing up she hugged Khushi fondly "Khushi I have to go now and wrap up work early.But I want you to think about what I said ok? I will call you tonite " with that she left to her office with fingers crossed.

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It was almost 4 pm and Khushi still found herself thinking about Arnav and Roshni's final words before leaving.She was becoming restless and confused.Her head was pounding and her thoughts began spinning from Arnav's words that night, to Buaji's worries, to Roshni's thoughts about Arnav being her soulmate.

She took a deep breath. There is only one person in the world that she runs to when she feels confused. She checked the time and picking up her bag, she informed her staffs that she is heading out early and will be back only tomorrow.

She took an auto and got down at the destination half an hour later.She took a deep breath and entered.

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Arnav was surprised to hear from the receptionist, that Khushi is here to meet him.He ordered her to send Khushi straight to his cabin immediately.

Few minutes later, Khushi entered his cabin feeling nervous and confused.Arnav stood up from his chair and went to her "Khushi what happened is everything alright? " he asked her with immediate concern.

She looked at his worried eyes and shook her head in negative "No Arnav.Nothing is alright " She sat on the nearby couch dejectedly.Arnav frowned and sat down next to her as worry for her began clawing at him.He dint know what made her come here after avoiding him for weeks.

She felt tears brimming her eyes as she gazed at him "Why have you done this ? You are the only person I feel comfortable in sharing my thoughts and concerns till date. But you are the reason for my confusion and pain today "

Arnav looked at her worriedly and touched her hands "Khushi I never do anything to hurt you or give you pain.You know that "

She wiped a lone tear that made its way down her soft cheeks and glared at him "Then why are you putting me through this Arnav? First you proposed to me out of the blue then yesterday Di and Naniji had spoken to Buaji asking for my hand in marriage to you.Why do you want to spoil our friendship ? I will not marry you just because you feel bad for me.I don't want yours or anyone's pity.I know how to live my life "

Arnav lost his cool and he grabbed her shoulders, making her look at him " Khushi I will not repeat it one more time.Am not marrying you out of pity.Why should I pity you ? " he then left her shoulders and looked into her eyes, his voice softening " Khushi I want to marry you because you are the only person in the world who knows me for what I am. More than Di, you know me well. You know my insecurities,My strength , My weaknes everything. I want to share my life with you and fill it with happy memories.I want to live the carefree life I had with you during childhood again without worries "

Khushi felt choked at his words.Another lone tear escaped her eyes and this time Arnav wiped it away." Khushi I cannot see you sad and unhappy just like you cant see me sad or unhappy.I want to give you all the happiness that you deserve. I want to give you a family which had loved you since we became friends years back. Khushi pls say yes.Am not perfect, which you already know but we are the perfect friends. I want to spend the rest of my life happy with my best friend who had been with me as long as I can remember.I don't want to see you shedding another drop of tears Khushi" he said looking deep into her eyes.

As she listened to him, her heart started melting.Yes what he said is true.They both know each other better than anyone and She knew he adores her just like she adores him.She gazed into his hopeful eyes which was waiting expectantly for her reply.

"What if you fall in love with someone after marrying me? I cannot handle another tragedy in life Arnav " she said sounding unsure.

Arnav immediately shook his head and gave a self depreciating smile "No way man.Love is not for me.Now pls don't reject me again yaar.I have a weak heart you see " He placed a hand dramatically across his heart and looked at her with a boyish smile.

For the first time, she decided to take chances. Its as if life is trying to give her a second chance at happiness.With a big sigh, she whispered "Yes "

Arnav's breath stopped at her reply .He cant believe she actually said yes.A big smile broke out in his face "Really? You'l marry me?Are you sure? " he asked at her feeling happy.

Khushi felt a answering smile on her lips as she nodded "I don't know what am getting into Sleepy head.But I hope I wont regret it "

Arnav's smile widened "I wont give you a chance for regret lazy bones.Never " with that he gave her a friendly hug.Khushi closed her eyes and hugged him back.She dint know what changed her mind and made her say yes but she hoped she wont regret it.

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