Chapter 18
Slowly, Arnav's worry lines started vanishing as his mind started to work the mess out. Ohhh, His Family!!
"What happened?" Khushi softly touched Arnav's arm as she saw the creases vanish off his forehead.
"Uhh...nothing" Arnav started to walk away when Khushi grabbed his arm and gave him a suspicious look. He chuckled at the look on her face and gently pushed her shoulders, making her sit on the bed behind them.
"I heard my family say that" Arnav spoke up as he sat next to and took her hand in his. Khushi's eyebrows shot up and her eyes got widened at that. Why would they do it.
"Actually, Di and Nani to be more precise" Arnav cleared.
"Why would they do that?" Khushi spoke out her thoughts.
"Relax, Khushi" Arnav calmed her down as he figured out ways to tell her the same thing, it was high time he did. In fact, now even his family was trying it.
"Actually Khushi, even I needed to ask you something Khushi..." Arnav started hesitantly, fidgeting with her hand that was in his hand.
"Yeah. Ask me" Khushi said with genuine curiosity.
"Actually, I think they have been wanting you to...well...marry me" Arnav finally spoke up making Khushi widen her eyes. It was not like she was not expecting it but in this way, having Arnav sit next to her and say all that. Plus, she wasn't really sure about the family but this news removed any doubts from her mind.
"So..." Khushi said with a serious expression, just trying to play with Arnav.
"So what? If they want me to do it then I'll do it" Arnav started looking around the room trying not to look at Khushi straight in the eyes.
"What?! You'll do it just cuz your family wants you to" Khushi asked with fake hurt and anger in her voice. Arnav was trying to escape this messed up situation as soon as he could.
"Yeah...why else?!" Arnav got up and started walking towards the door, still not looking at Khushi when her next words made him stop in his tracks.
"Then I'll not marry you" Khushi spoke with determination in her words. Though, she was just joking all this but she knew that Arnav loved her, she had seen it in his eyes and now she wanted him to speak out his feelings. She knew that he didn't really like talking about his feelings and neither was he good with words when speaking about his feelings but she had to help him with it or else he'll always be the hidden person he is and that isn't exactly an ingredient of a successful marriage and though she knew that she could always read his feelings from his mesmerising eyes but she wanted him to want to share it with her and be comfortable in telling her what he felt.
"What?!? Why?!? But!!...but we have together for so long now" Arnav complained as he turned back with an 'unbelievable' expression.
"So?"
"What do you mean by 'so'? Did that mean nothing to you?!"
"Did that mean anything to you?!"
"What?!"
"Did Anjaliji and Naniji want you to be with me too?!"
"What?! No!"
"Then?"
"Then what?!"
"Then why were you with me?"
"Cuz...cuz...I...I"
"Yeah right, the famous 'cuz...I...I" Move on Arnavji"
"Cuz I love you dammit!!" Arnav finally shouted, taken away by the moment.
"Whaat?!" Khushi asked is a mischievous smile. Arnav's eyes widened at her expressions.
"So you were just playing with me all this time" Arnav asked, widening his eyes as the realisation dawned upon him.
"Don't change the topic Arnavji" Khushi interrupted him, the smile still in place.
"Yes Khushi, you heard it right, I do love you" Arnav's face softened and he cupped her cheeks as they turned red.
*knock* *knock*
"Khushi bitwa?! Arnav bitwa?! Andar ho?"(Are you in there?" Garima and Buaji were finished with their film which turned out to be a total waste of time for them.
"Ji Amma" Khushi got up from the bed and adjusted her dupatta properly around her neck. She walked over to the door and opened it and saw her Buaji and Amma standing there.
"Oh Khusi, hum to Arnav bitwa se puchat aae the ke woh chai le gain?"(Oh Khusi, I just came to ask Arnav bitwa if he'll have some tea?) Asked Garima, peeping her head in to see Arnav.
"No Aunty, thanks but I need to go now" Arnav politely refused before getting up heading towards the door.
"Ayee Khusi Betiya, tanik Babua koh darwaja tak to puhanchai aao"(Ayee Khusi betiya, why don't you accompany Arnav till the door) Buaji smiled as she ushered Khushi to go. Khushi smile and replied ,"Ji Buaji" earning another one of Buaji's full smiles. Khushi followed Arnav out of the door and towards the main door. The journey towards the car was silent with Khushi secretly smiling and fidgeting with her hands and Arnav stealing glances of Khushi. Finally, their little journey was over as they reached the white SUV. Not knowing what else to say, Arnav said a small bye with a little polite smile and was about to get in when Khushi's voice halted him.
With a little, mischievous smile she said, "Arnavji! I...I...hum bhi aap se I love you dammit!!" And ran back in the house, turning around at the door and blushing before entering the house and going out of his view.
Unknowingly, Arnav's lips lifted up from the corner as he processed her words in his brain.
Arnav's Mental List
Effected by me check
Attracted to me check
Loves me check
Ready to marry me
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Veggie 😊