PREVIOUS PART
“We should bring Meera next time Arnavji. She will also love this place.” Khushi tried to say chirpily masking her disappointment.
It would be a lie if she says, she isn't affected by his null response. Even after shedding all her inhibitions and restrictions, she has confessed openly in a public area. And what he did? Adopting dumbness, void of emotions, he stilled like a pillar. Agreed, he would be shocked by her confession, but come on she doesn't say something incredible. Hasn't her actions from day one screamed her willingness for him?
Betraying her, some part of her own mind came to aid to defend him. Even his actions from day one screamed his willingness for her. He’s doing everything in his hand with his whole heart. However, his silence disturbed her. Having a hurricane on her mind, she feigned outside of being not disappointed.
On the other hand, Arnav nods for her question sending his conscience to ponder upon her confession. He was thrilled, shocked, dumbfounded when she confessed. Hairs on his body erected in attention clearly expressing his goosebumps. For the first time, he realised being loved by someone will also give a euphoric feeling more than loving someone. His mind was flying too high to even realise that he should give her a reply and ended up disappointing her. Loss of touch only brought him back to reality as she broke their hug. And by the time he comes in term with the present, she already withdrew herself from his hold and moved out of the pool. He could’ve stopped her and confessed right there itself but he didn’t want his confession to happen under tensed circumstances paving way for Khushi to think that he confessed seeing her worried face and not out of love.
Coming to the present, he gazed at her depressed frame and miffed at his own self for losing such a perfect opportunity to express his feelings out. There's no doubt in his liking for her, to be precise he hasn't given a name to his feelings he has for Khushi till she confesses it. In fact, he never thought on those lines to realise the depth of his feelings for her. But when he realised it, the moment was already gone. Now he has to wait for a perfect moment or create a moment which remains memorable for them till their last breath.
Arnav clasped his palms with hers and give a gentle squeeze consoling her. Khushi rendered a smile understanding the gesture. It becomes an unspoken habit between them to provide succour whenever one feels their partner is upset with something.
“You’ll catch cold if you remain in damp clothes. Lemme buy our dresses.” Arnav suggested walking towards the shop.
Meanwhile, Khushi halted her steps and held his hands stopping him from moving ahead. Arnav instantly threw a questioning look.
“Our dresses are already dry Arnavji. Let us go back home. Meera would be alone.”
Arnav took a glance at both and agreed to her suggestion sensing the truthfulness in her words. Squinting his eyes at her, he guided her outside to the parking lot. Khushi silently climbed behind him and kept her mouth shut as she felt it hard to cope up with the displeasure. Arnav sighed inwardly and chided himself umpteenth time on that evening. As the bike rode tearing the air, Khushi head dangled one side out of exhaustion.
“Now who’s oldy here?”, Arnav initiated the conversation in a teasing manner in an attempt to make her normal.
Khushi instantly hit his back with her fist and placed her head comfortably on his back yawning, “I’m tired Arnavji.”
“Who stops you then?” He told softly and caressed her head gently by throwing his arm back.
Khushi hmmed closing her eyes. A day out on theme park drained her energy to think of anything. Arnav finally breathed in relief seeing her serene face devoid of worries. Eventually, he reduced the speed maintaining a gradual flow to not disturb her by any means.
*
“Khushi… Khushi…” Arnav called softly applying brakes at the entrance of their home.
Khushi snuggled closer to him instead of waking up.
“I don't mind standing here as your bed but I don’t like to exhibit my wife for onlookers Khushi.” He whispered, shaking her frame.
Khushi whined in annoyance, disturbed by his shook. Nonetheless, she gets down from the bike but still leaned on him till he parks his bike. Arnav chuckled at her sleepy state and embraced her in his arms. Instantly, she inclined her head to his chest and allowed him to lead her. Arnav willingly accepted her whole weight and managed to bring her near the main door. Her mouth partly opened in sleep and next moment she stood straight in fright. Her serene face is now replaced with terror. For a few minutes, she couldn’t understand what had happened.
“Hey… Easy guys.” Arnav voice only proved her that she’s not lost in some deep pit.
She blinked her eyes and looked at the unknown faces with a frown. Unknowingly she inched closer to Arnav.
“You’re frightening her Rihanna.”
Khushi face brightens finally seeing a known face amidst of ten peoples, “Aakash bhai…”
“Arnav what had you done with your wife that she’s even afraid of hearing bursting balloons?” Rihaana asked in a teasing manner coming forward, ignoring Aakash comment.
“Anyone will be afraid if a monkey jumps in front of them pouring half dozen make up on its face.” Arnav countered back with a smirk. Rihaana throws a stern glare in return.
“It's not like that. I didn’t expect the sudden noise thus got scared.” Khushi answered hastily thinking she’ll feel bad by Arnav comment.
“Hey, relax Khushi. I’m just teasing him and he’s too. We’re like that only.” Rihaana cleared the air not wanting to tense the poor soul, feeling awed by Khushi's innocence.
Khushi glanced at Arnav for confirmation.
“They’re my colleagues.” He answered introducing them to her and looked at Aakash questioningly.
“I don’t foresee any party from your side, so I arranged on your behalf.” Aakash answered showing all his teeth and stuffed his hands on Arnav pocket to get his card.
Before Arnav could hold of Aakash, he shifted Arnav’s credit card into his. Khushi stood watching this exchange with an open mouth.
“See Arnav’s wife is shocked seeing your bromance. Stop it guys, come inside first.” Someone from the crowd broke the exchange.
Khushi stepped inside with Arnav beside her only to left with open mouth in astonishment. Attractive balloons, alluring flowers, scented candles and scintillating lights over their house are what welcomed the couple. Arnav immediately understood his friend's plans. It’s all common in their gang. In fact, they just need a reason to host a house party. But everything is new for Khushi. Words struck on her throat seeing the decorations. She felt as if she entered into some soap opera set. Not to mention, all her sleep disappeared without a trace.
“So this is the important matter which Dad said? Why did you drag Meera in between? She would’ve joined us.” Arnav said in a complaint tone, casually throwing an arm over Aakash shoulder.
“Ohho… Someone is so much concerned about his sister-in-law it seems?” Arnav hit his arm playfully whereas Aakash turned serious all of sudden.
“I want to talk something important with you Arnav.”
“No way man. The bomb you threw last time is still blasting. I don’t want another one now.” Arnav alluded the last serious talk they had regarding Lavanya. As a matter of fact, he started to fear even by the glimpse of seriousness on Aakash eyes.
“Shall I call bomb squad to diffuse it?” Aakash deviated the topic not wanting to probe the matter further when they’re in the middle of celebrating happiness.
Arnav glared at him before engaging himself with other friends. Meanwhile, on the other side, Rihaana was constantly glaring at one of her friend who sees no way to stop.
“I never thought Arnav would marry someone other than Lavanya. They’re always together and compliments each other well.”
If Khushi happened to hear this gossips yesterday, she would’ve surely believed their thoughts and would be possibly ready to sacrifice her life for Lavanya. But then, after yesterday confession she sees no threat in their talks. However, that was not the case with Meera. Her conscious indicates negative about the girl named Lavanya and the information she's getting through Arnav friends is not any good either. She sends a quick prayer to her almighty to keep her sister happy always.
“I heard you both had a Love marriage. We had no idea about you Khushi. This Arnav hid everything from us.” Another one commented for which Khushi smiled hesitantly not knowing what to say when they assumed something which not happened in the first place.
What happened is, Everyone, pestered Aakash when they came to know about Arnav marriage through his social media post. Since Arnav was on leave most of the days after marriage, the responsibility fell on Aakash head to clear the mystery who found it not right to reveal the real reason. He knows Arnav will never like the world to be aware of his marriage process knowing how our society tags a victim card on Khushi head and Nobel tag on Arnav. So he comes up with a non-existent love story of Arnav, Khushi and portrayed that Khushi family heavily objects their relationship leaving them with no chance but to elope. Though everyone surprised with the story but none questioned.
“Who’ll brag this innocent girl like a trophy?” Said another one, patting Khushi cheeks fondly.
“Yeah, Looks like he has zero patience that he married her hastily even before she completes her studies.” Rihaana interrupted loudly grabbing everyone attention. Arnav raised his brows and shared a known look with Aakash whereas Khushi looks flushed.
“Enough now. It’s time for the main occasion.” Announced Aakash dragging Arnav and Khushi towards a table where a wedding cake is placed.
Khushi eyes enlarged in no time and Arnav finds it’s hard to tear his gaze away from her vivacious frame. He feels grateful for having such friends who unknowingly brought the liveliness back on Khushi, which he snatched unknowingly.
“Seems like you’re eager to prove the reel story as a real one.” Aakash whispered on Arnav ears seeing him lost on Khushi. Arnav elbowed Aakash, throwing a glare.
“This two guys always drifts into their bromance land in the middle. I pity Khushi and Aakash future wife.” And that comment broke the moment. Aakash eyes involuntarily travelled towards Rihaana who also looks at him at the moment.
Aakash quickly broke the eye lock and concentrated back on the couple. Rihaana also averted her vision elsewhere.
Meanwhile, Arnav holds Khushi hand and cuts the cake with the shower of wishes and blesses.
“Khushi why are you waiting for? Feed him.” Rihaana nudged Khushi from behind. But, Khushi stood fidgeting with her dress going through a plethora of emotions. She has never celebrated any special days beyond a simple temple dharsan. And experiencing many new things on a single day overwhelmed her. Confessing her feelings today itself a big thing for her. And these celebrations elevated her emotions to top notch. She has seen her master’s children celebrating their special days like this. And never once she thought, one day she’ll also experience these things let alone getting a humble gentleman in her life. Everything made her blank for a minute after cutting the cake. She doesn’t even realise when Arnav fed her. It’s only when he smeared little cream on her nose she felt goosebumps and become aware of her surroundings.
“Khushi feed him.”
Aakash voice guided her. Gulping, Khushi forwarded a small piece to his lips with a shy smile. Arnav bit a small portion and forwarded the remaining to her lips. Khushi looks at him with surprise. He blinked his eyes gesturing her to eat. When she parted her lips to allow him to feed, he smeared the cake on her cheeks laughing at her.
“Arnavji… This is not fair.” She cried at his unexpected action. Feeling betrayed and tricked, she did something unexpected forgetting the audience. She transferred all the cream into his cheeks by making contact with their cheeks earning hoots and whistles from the crowd. The cheers came to halt abruptly by a heavy shrill.
“WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING HERE?”
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