Her Unexpected Husband- 39

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*39*

Her frightened eyes slewed around the campus with her heart palpitating in unknown anxiety. Her fingers gripped her bag tightly close to her frame. Though Arnav had already shown around the campus and her classroom, she’s still sceptical to go on her own. Till date, after her schooling all, she went was to her work and then home. There isn’t even thought of going back to studying routine in her mind. And that made her anxious about her first day. Yet, she hurried her steps towards her classroom keeping all her insecurities and worries at bay fathoming the reality. Good or bad, she has to face it.
For the same, Arnav is taking efforts and trying his best to create a path for her. And she doesn’t want to destruct his efforts for some silly reasons. Securing a place for herself in her classroom, she looked at everyone with bated breath. Contrary to her fear, none actually paid weird attention to her. Instead, few smiled at her and a few busy indulged in making friends. Her anxiety subsided over time when a loud voice near her resurfaced it.

“Hi… Hope you won’t mind being my friend. By the way, I’m Varsha.” A cheerful young girl made the first move to Khushi and her friendly cheerful demeanour forced Khushi to mingle with her.

“Khushi.” She introduced herself with a little smile adorning her lips.

“Your name suits you well. But… something is not khush with this Khushi.” Varsha figured out her turmoil within a few seconds of meeting, laying a strong foundation for their friendship.

Khushi who is astonished by Varsha’s prediction didn’t think twice to grip her hand and strengthen their bond further, “I’m nervous.”

“Come on Khushi… This is not a big issue. You’re here to study and achieve your dreams despite your marriage and family issues associated with it. You should keep your head high rather fidgeting with your inner thoughts.” Varsha’s talk again made Khushi look at her in awe of her sharpness.

“How do you know my relationship status?”

Varsha shrugged her shoulders pointing her vermillion filled partition and Khushi facepalmed realising her stupid query.

“You’re so like my husband. He also never let me feel low.” Khushi declared with a shade of hue spreading on her pellucid cheeks.

“Ohho… Just a mention of his name you’re glowing. Surely yours is a Love marriage.” Varsha’s tease and her cordiality completely wiped out Khushi’s uneasiness leaving no trace of hesitation & inferiority, thus both bonded well. And Varsha’s jovial nature drew more friends in their wings which made Khushi gel with her classmates. 

But Arnav who's unknown about recent changes kept worried about her throughout the day as her anxious face failed to fade out from his memory. So the moment, the clock ticked he was on time outside her college to pick her up. Upon seeing him outside waiting for her, Khushi almost ran to him with a beam of joy, “Arnavji…”

Arnav face slowly brighten up seeing an enthusiastic Khushi. "Seems like you have a great day."

Khushi bobbed her head in acceptance. "You're on time. Thanks. Also, you know I made a lot of friends. But Varsha is special. She reminds you."

"Madam is busy making friends and here I was worried like hell," Arnav said in a playful way for which Khushi kicked his abs with a smile & hop on behind him. 

"It's not like I feared Arnavji. Everyone is cooperative. None showed partiality." Khushi further explained her day keeping her head on his shoulder blade near his ear. Arnav heard everything patiently with a small smile playing on his lips. Though his sole concentration is on her & his drive, a part of his mind is imagining and painting his future of picking a small kid on his and Khushi's combo from the school. 

'She/He will blabber his/her 1st-day adventures like Khushi' He thought with glee when his mobile vibrates on his trouser. 

Irritated by the disturbance in between his dream, he let his mobile to vibrate putting the caller on hold.

"Arnavji, your mobile phone is vibrating. Speak na…" 

"Let it be Khushi. I'll speak later."

…

"Hey Aakash…. What a surprise? You didn't tell me about your visit. Welcome, Rihanna…" Arnav astonished seeing Aakash at his doorstep & Rihanna's visit also made him confused.

After a quick welcome with a smile and hi, Khushi opened the door for them to enter and Arnav joined them after parking his bike.

"Rihanna Di… I'm surprised by your visit. Arnavji also didn't inform me earlier." 

Rihanna smiled hesitantly and entered in behind Khushi. Aakash who's about to follow has been stopped by a pull on his neck.

"What's the issue Aakash? You haven’t uttered a word about this visit even in our office hours."

"It's emergency Arnav," Aakash spoke in urgency dragging Arnav inside.

"Aakash bhai… Anything serious? Why Rihanna di and you both are looking tense?" Khushi asked as soon as she saw him entering the living room with a tensed face.

Aakash eyes quickly went to Rihanna and then to Khushi.

"Are you both in Love?" Khushi asked immediately guessing the reason behind their visit.

"Omg! Khushi you're so smart." Rihanna indirectly accepted her query & Aakash also nodded confirming it earning a slap from Arnav in return. 

"You idiot. You hid this all these years." 

Aakash smiled at him sheepishly, "I didn't hide in purpose Arnav. It's just, I didn't get the perfect time to inform."

"Stupid." Arnav punched his stomach playfully, "Now suddenly how the perfect time arrived?" Arnav asked giving pressure to each word.

"Rihanna parents begin to search for a prospective groom. They're conservative so she's scared to inform our love to her parents."

"So?" Arnav shrugged casually drooping on the sofa.

“What so? You should help them Arnavji.” Khushi came forward in support of Aakash. Aakash looked at her with pride and sat beside Arnav, “Learn from my sister. She’s sharp.” Arnav glared at him.

With a sheepish smile, “What do you think about runaway marriage Arnav? It must be a thrilling experience.” Aakash said blinking his eyes in a teasing way.

“Great. Now you are also following the footsteps of your friend. This generation lads never care about anyone feelings. Their happiness is restricted and relyed only upon them. Who are we to take part in your biggest decision of your life? You want our raw care and love but you don’t consider us when we look upon your important decision of life.”

“Rekha… Do you come all the way to lament this?” Raj scolded Rekha. Apart from them, other occupants are shocked by their sudden visit and Rekha’s outburst wiped out the earlier tranquillity.

“Stop blaming me. I’m stating the reality. We’ve only one son to love and pamper but see we’re alone now.” Rekha said with a sharp glare.

Raj also mirrored her expression and turned towards Aakash, “Aakash first let your parents know about your love and wish. I’m sure your parents will not hinder your wish. And let them handle this in her home too. You should not conclude without informing the concerned person. All will be well.”

Aakash nodded his head in acceptance and escaped from there with Rihanna gauging the raising temperature.

“Namaste amma, papaji. Please sit down. I’ll be in a minute.” Khushi welcomed them hurriedly and ran inside to get some water for them.

As soon as she went, Arnav looked at his mother with tired eyes, “What is your problem mom? You know in what situation I married Khushi and why I left our home too. Yet, you’re not ready to accept us but blame us each time when we meet.”

“As if your father is not enough now you also started the blame game. For father and son, I’m the troublemaker. I’m like the vamp of those soap operas.” Her voice broke at the end with a drop of tear collected inside the white vicinity yet she gulped it forcefully and went out.

“Where’s she going?” Khushi asked coming out of the kitchen taking a tray.

“Leave her Khushi. She’ll be fine. I thought she’s changed when she asked to accompany me.”

“Don’t pressurize her much papaji. She’ll accept us on her own without any compulsion. We wish that too.” Khushi said firmly giving a cup to Raj and took another one outside to hand it to Rekha.

Rekha stood staring the clear sky with a myriad of emotions playing inside her mind creating a storm.

“Amma…” Khushi called her in hesitation.

It’s only fourth time they’re meeting face to face. During their marriage, they met twice and once during Lavanya issue but they haven’t spoken those times. After that, it’s now they’re meeting and Rekha came there for the same. She knows she cannot keep ignoring Khushi which affects her relationship with his son. She has to mend it for their wellness. She has to put a full stop to the gossips regarding their family. Khushi identity is still a gossip talk in their surrounding which also affects her badly. If she cannot take a strong stand it’ll never cease. So to put an end to those talks and their separation she came here for her son’s happiness. 

***

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