Her Unexpected Husband- 38

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*38*

“Jiji…”

Arnav and Khushi swiftly parted themselves hearing Meera voice. Khushi eyes immediately went towards the ajar door where Meera is standing & ready to barge in. 

“Come in, Meera,” Khushi called her in and she entered immediately with a scrutinizing gaze gauging the reactions of both. Her constant gaze made him squirm in his place and he hurriedly donned a shirt. Khushi also didn’t fail to notice the suspicion on her eyes.  

“Meera?” Khushi trailed in caution. 

“Jiju, I want to buy new books.” Meera walked past Khushi and answered to Arnav.

“Yeah, why not? I will pick you straight from your school today. And we can purchase whichever you want.” Arnav approved Meera’s request almost instantly and failed to see a mischievous glint creeping over Meera.

“ARNAVJI…” 

“Wh…?” Arnav closed his mouth immediately seeing a stern glare from Khushi. He frowned at her sudden change and wondered what made her angry all of sudden.

“Jiju… I never knew you’re desperate to escape from jiji’s coffee…” Meera broke into fits of laughter revealing the reason behind Khushi’s glare.

It took a few seconds for him to grasp her prank and when it did he stood with an open mouth seeing Khushi joining Meera in the laughter riot. Now it’s his turn to glare the sisters.

“Have a blast day Jiju…” Meera said between her chortle and escaped from there.

Khushi shrugged her shoulders and sauntered towards him, “What?” 

“Had enough fun?” He asked.

Khushi winked with a broad smile and held the end of his unbuttoned shirt to button up.

“I hadn’t expected this. She’s naughty as you.” He declared with a flicker on her nose. She grinned at his tall frame while buttoning up. 

“You can’t measure my happiness Arnavji. I always felt bad seeing her keeping distance from you. Most of the times I have seen her avoid talking to you. But today… I am extremely happy. You have not only noted her indifference but also tried to rectify it without any ego. I don’t know what I could I have been if not for you. I… really Love you Arnavji…”

Sensing her fighting with overwhelming emotions, he cradled her against his chest, “Hey…”

She welcomed his embrace and threw her arms around his torso, hugging him tightly, “You’re taking steps to empower our family and here I was trying to allure you and compromise on our dreams. I promise you Arnavji, I will never let you down at any means. You’ll see your old passionate, ambitious Khushi henceforth. She’ll never compromise on her studies and family. She’ll achieve her dreams simultaneously proving herself worthy of your wife and unite our family.”

“You don’t need to prove yourself to anyone Khushi. We’re living our life not participating in any competition. I am sure mom will accept you just like Dad become your friend. Time cure anything. Don’t stress yourself.”

Khushi bobbed her head in response and closed her eyes. Is there anything left in her life to yearn for? He fulfilled everything. Starting from caring like a father, supporting like a friend whenever she found it difficult to move forward in her exams and studies, he fathomed her insecurities & worked on clearing it, he proved himself a comforting partner. Isn’t this beautiful man is Her Man? Oh, shitty yes… He’s Hers! Only Hers! As this thought occurred in her mind, she tightened her grip around his torso and placed her head comfortably on his chest. Gauging her emotional state, he brought her closer to his chest and completed their unbreakable embrace.

*

Around three months has been passed with no major change except Meera trusting Arnav completely, handing him her mobile & reduced her meets with Abhay as she promised. Though Abhay defied her decision, eventually he gives in. Arnav approached a detective agency to look after Abhay activities and asked for his character certificate. Also, Khushi monetized her handicrafts and deposited her earnings safely under Meera name and allowed Arnav to spend for her. He enrolled her in online classes to repair her weakness. Much to all their joy, Khushi passed her exams with flying colours and got a merit seat in a prestigious university. Meera also stepped into the final year of secondary school.

“Harara shiva... Devimaiyya…”

Arnav and Meera sat on the sofa with their hands' on cheeks watching everything with an amused expression. From the morning itself, both are seeing a different Khushi who's chanting & calling all Gods to her help and wandering around the house in agitation.

“Your sister is behaving like going to war.” He commented to his sister-in-law with a teasing smile.

Before Meera could counter back, Khushi stood in front of them warily.

“Am I looking presentable? Is my bag appropriate? Do I miss something?” Khushi trailed a series of questions in a single breath while twirling to show her appearance. Meera threw a glare at Khushi for asking this same questions for the umpteenth time from the morning.

“I am getting late for my school. Jiju, be careful… If you keep hearing her calmly you both will reach there only at evening.” Meera alerted him and left for her school abandoning them alone. Khushi hasn’t even paid heed to her words and got ready for next round of questions.

“Will you come at the correct time to pick me Arnavji? No... no... you've no choice. You've to be there on time. I don't know anyone Arnavji.” She ordered and admitted fretfully.

With a smile, Arnav stood up and gave her a comforting hug, “Relax baby… You’re unnecessarily exaggerating. You aren’t going for war to be equipped. It’s just the first day of your college.”

“It’s a big thing Arnavji… I don’t even have any friends. What if nobody likes me? I might be elder to all of them. How will I survive and study there? They...”

“Shh… Shh…” Arnav shushed her, “Learning has no age restrictions. You may be one or two year elder to your classmates but that’s not an issue. Nobody creates friendship based on age. Be yourself. Don’t lose your originality to please others. If people like you for you, they’ll come to you. Open yourself, participate in club activities, make use of resources and escalate your knowledge. That’s it. I am here for you. What is there to agitate? Relax…” 

Comforting her, Arnav peppered slow and sweet kisses on her face averting her mood. To his satisfaction, her face adopted tranquillity.

“Shall we?” He asked breaking their closeness.

Khushi nodded cheerfully and took her bag and keys. Arnav walked forward to take his bike while Khushi locked the house. After bolting the door, her vision fell on the new scooter parked near the veranda. It’s again his idea. He taught her to drive and bought that new two-wheeler. It’s for her to commute. Since it's her first day, Arnav himself is dropping her today.

“Khushi…”

“Haan… Coming Arnavji…” Answering him aloud, she ran and hops on behind him.

The bike rode through the streets paving way for them to achieve their dreams. Yes, Theirs! Khushi’s dream becomes his goal and dream now.

“Take care Khushi… See you at evening.” Arnav advised after dropping her at the entrance of her college. He pressed the power button of his bike to commute to his office when she restricts his hand from moving.

“Come inside Arnavji… This college is vast. What if I get lost? What if seniors rag me? I don’t even know the way for my class.” Khushi requested him fretfully.

Arnav heart beats loudly seeing her anxious face. He wants to wash away the anxiety from her face but he cannot cost her confidence for that. Already he showed this college and explained things to her when they came for admission. Still, like Monday blues, her first day is taking a toll on her. Perhaps, if she had studied normally like everyone she may not feel this way. The gap in her studies indeed made her dubious of herself.

“Future district magistrate shouldn’t be scared of these small things. You can manage.” He declared like a tease and rode away his bike fearing he may give in her wishes if he stays there.

***

“Hey… This is not done Arnav. If you can’t see her like that, then do something. Why are you lamenting unnecessarily?” Aakash asked in concern seeing Arnav measuring the length and breadth of the office corridor.

“I don’t know what to do. I can’t see her helpless. I am afraid that my love has weakened her. Before marriage, she bravely supported her family but see now! She’s scared to go to college. I shouldn’t have left her alone.” Arnav confessed in worry as her anxious frame at the college gate keeps knocking his memory. 

“You are overthinking Arnav. She is going to college after a couple of years of the gap, obviously, hesitance and nervousness are normal. Also, unknowingly you made her habituated of your presence so she may expect you to pamper her. Expecting you to pamper her and weakness is two different things Arnav. She might not be weak just because she shares her fears with you and expects you beside her. It’s out of rights your love has given her. It’s just a temporary dependence. Once she gets accustomed to her routine, she may not be anxious.”

“Thanks, Aakash…” Arnav thanked him with a broad smile. Aakash words eased out his worries.

“For what?”

“For everything. Revealing Meera issue and now this…” Arnav said genuinely.

“I don’t need your thanks.” Aakash denied him with a poker face.

Arnav frowned at the fallen face of Aakash, “Then what you need?” 

“Your debit card.” Aakash declared with a grin and jumped in front of Arnav to steal his wallet.

But Arnav got alert and sprinted from there with a chuckle.

“Arnavvvv… Stop…” Aakash called him with a chortle and followed him.

*****

Check out my previous post: E-book: Closed Door I have published a short story on Amazon Kindle. Details are in the mentioned post.

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