The room seemed catastrophic as Payal and Lavanya fussed over an impossibly irritable Anjali while Khushi sat on one of the bedroom couch chairs, pressing her temples with her fingertips. She was seconds away from duct taping the other three's mouths shut.
Firstly, she was dressed up in a lehenga. Secondly, she had make up on her face. Thirdly, the other three women were being...womanly. Fourthly, she was annoyed because she simply was!
She had been in that room for all of two hours and she had lost her cool within the first twenty minutes. She could swear that she was more patient than that. She'd found herself more irritable after returning to India. Somewhere deep down, she knew it was partly because of the severed relationship between Arnav and her that she was desperately hoping to fix. A big part of the irritation also stemmed from the damned feelings that kept hitting her in colossal waves.
Only she knew what it took from her to go through that dance practice with him and Lavanya yesterday and then again this morning.
Why was this happening again? Why now?
Why now, after she had spent the last two years telling herself that she was over him? Why now, when she had managed to put up strong walls around her heart to save it from further pain? Why now, after she had promised herself that she wouldn't let herself go through that pain again. Why now, when she was already--
"Khushi!!" Payal's hysterical voice brought Khushi out of her stupor.
"Huh?" Khushi glanced at them.
"Can you help me with the Dupatta?" Payal gestured towards the peach coloured length of the fabric in her hands.
Nodding to her, Khushi shoved her thoughts out of her mind and resumed helping the ladies in getting Anjali ready, ignoring the ridiculously hysterical cries of Payal, Lavanya, and Anjali over trivial unimportant things.
Khushi had just finished settling the Maang-tika on Anjali's forehead when someone banged on the door loudly.
"Di! How long is it going to take?" Akash's voice sounded annoyed.
Leaving Payal and Lavanya to take care of the final details, Khushi went and opened the door only enough for her to peep out.
"What?" She hissed at Akash and only then did she realize that Arnav was with him too.
As usual, her heartbeat raced when his eyes caught hers. Cursing herself for the way she still reacted to him, she focused on Akash again.
"What's taking so long?" Akash groaned. He desperately wanted to see Payal but the ladies had been locked up in Anjali's room for hours!
"Trust me Akash...I want to get the hell out of here more than you want Payal to step out but you know what your Di is like..." Khushi looked over her shoulder before turning back to the men. She ignored the fact that Arnav was looking at her face in a sort of...dazed manner. "Why don't you two go downstairs? I'll make sure they're downstairs in two minutes."
Akash nodded and turned to leave only to find Arnav rooted on the spot, still looking at the place where Khushi was seconds ago. Akash almost asked him whether something was bothering him but then he decided against it.
Though Akash didn't say much, he was hardly a blind fool. He was certain that the obvious changes in Arnav after Khushi's departure weren't simply the result of losing a best friend. Obviously Arnav's heart was involved in the matter. And whoever thought otherwise or didn't see that fact was an idiot. Arnav never spoke about it and Akash never found it in him to ask his brother whether he had feelings for Khushi. Even now, as he assessed the way Arnav was looking at the closed door, Akash's theory felt more solid than ever.
No! Akash decided with determination. I won't let Arnav go through any more of this torture. Let Di's engagement wrap up today...tomorrow I'll speak to him. If he has feelings for Khushi...I will help unite them. Arnav is always there for me and he has been a great help in keeping my relationship with Payal a secret from Mom...I owe him this much.
"Let's go..." Akash shook Arnav gently.
Arnav nodded absent-mindedly and followed Akash while his mind was focused on the pretty face he'd seen a minute ago. Meanwhile on the other side of the door, Anjali stood up, ready at last. Dressed in a blue lehenga with intricate silver embroidery and a peach coloured dupatta over her head, she looked every bit of a girl ready for her engagement.
Anjali's Outfit:
Her friends Lavanya, Payal, and Khushi, all three, were dressed in white-blue lehengas to match Anjali.
*The following are just how I imagined them...you guys can shuffle them around if you wish. Thank you Naina for helping with the picture-hunt.*
Khushi's Outfit:
Payal's Outfit:
Lavanya's Outfit:
*Thank you Sindu and Noor for helping me choose the theme*
Khushi checked herself in the mirror one last time to make sure that one particular tattoo was indeed hidden before joining the others as they made their way downstairs to the hall.
True to her promise, Khushi made sure that they reached the hall within the next couple of minutes. Lavanya ran in to let Rohan and Arvind know that Anjali would be making her entry soon. Ignoring nearly everyone else, she had pulled Rohan towards the stage and positioned him in his place. Giving her cue to Arvind, she ran out of the hall almost immediately.
Seconds later, all the lights dimmed and a single spotlight was flashed onto the entrance. A collective sound of gasps and murmurs erupted in the hall as the four ladies made their planned entry. Arnav's eyes lingered on his Di's happy face no more than a few seconds because the radiant face to her right had caught his gaze and held it.
He was at a loss of words, even in his mind, to describe the way Khushi looked tonight. No, she wasn't dressed too elaborately. Minimal make up as usual--kohl filled eyes, hooded with smoky blue eyshadow, and light lip gloss. A simple silver-blue necklace with matching earrings and bangles constituted her jewellery. She walked along Anjali with the grace that Arnav had finally gotten used to. She was smiling brilliantly as they made their way towards the stage.
Akash and NK stood on either side of Arnav, looking in the same direction with similar thoughts swirling in their heads. The four ladies and their coordinated dresses created a breathtaking sight. A sudden wave of possessiveness washed over Arnav, Akash, and NK.
Rohan, who was standing in front of the stage, directly across from the entrance, had been stunned into silence. He knew he was staring unabashedly at his finace as she walked towards him, smiling shyly but he didn't care. She was his, and he had every right to stare at her.
Khushi could feel a lot of pairs of eyes on her but there was one particular gaze which seemed to be searing through her very being and she knew exactly whom that pair of eyes belonged to. She methodically avoided looking at Arnav as the ladies collectively made their way towards Rohan. As Rohan reached out with his palm upturned, Anjali placed her hand in his and the ladies who had flanked her dissipated into the crowd, joining Arnav, Akash, and NK.
"Good evening ladies and gentlemen..." Arvind spoke into the microphone as the lights brightened. "Thank you for joining my family and my friends on this special day. As you all know, we're here to celebrate the engagement of my darling daughter, Anjali with this wonderful gentleman, Rohan."
Arvind took a short pause as everyone applauded. "I know that more than anyone else, these two are excited about this ceremony and so we've decided that we won't let them have their way that easy..." Arvind paused again as the audience indulged in a quick laugh. "Anjali and Rohan's friends have put together a few performances to celebrate...so ladies and gentlemen, until I bother you with my announcements again, enjoy the party!"
The crowd went back to their original mingling groups and a few minutes later, Arnav realized that he had somehow ended up in the group with Rohan's parents and Arvind.
"These kids I tell you..." Rajesh, Rohan's father, shook his head. "Do you remember how these ceremonies used to be in our times Arvind?"
Arvind laughed. "Yeah...the boy and the girl sat meekly and barely looked anywhere but their own hands..."
As they talked some more Rajesh noticed his wife, Rukmani, taken by something...or rather someone.
"What's the matter Mani?" He addressed her with his pet name for her. "I've noticed that your eyes are constantly looking for someone..."
Rukmani gave the gentlemen a wide smile. "Yeah! You see...I was going to talk to you and Mr. Raizada about this later but I can't hold it in anymore...I've been looking for Khushi..."
Arnav's interest in this conversation suddenly increased and he focused his eyes and ears on the elderly lady in front of him. Arvind and Rajesh exchanged a look.
"Do you need something from her?" Rajesh questioned.
"No...Actually...This thought occurred to me yesterday when I saw her...If she's not betrothed...then I think her and Aman would make a nice couple..." Rukmani's eye caught Khushi at the far side of the hall where she chatted away in a group.
Arnav's jaw clenched and his soft gaze suddenly turned into a wild fire, threatening to turn Rukmani's being to ash. His eyes followed Rukmani's hopeful gaze and zeroed in on Khushi. He felt his anger increase a bit more when he noticed that Aman was also a part of the group with which she was standing. With a colossal effort, he tore his gaze away from the rage inducing sight and looked at the wall behind Rukmani.
As soon as the words had left Rukmani's mouth, Arvind had turned to look at his son, knowing well what his reaction will be. Arnav hadn't disappointed him in the least. Arvind saw exactly what he was expecting to see: Anger. A lot of Anger. He shifted his gaze a bit lower to where Arnav's hand was clutching the glass of his drink too tightly.
"I'm sorry Mrs. Oberoi..." Arvind spoke up. "I believe someone else already has their heart set on her..."
Arnav looked at his father, feeling a wave of relief wash over him. His grip on the glass of juice automatically slackened and some of the anger ebbed away.
"Oh? Who might that be?" Rukmani questioned, clearly disappointed at having lost such a perfect alliance.
"Manorama Bhabhi has been thinking about Akash and Khushi's alliance." Arvind smiled gently.
"What the!" Arnav exclaimed, looking at his father with unmasked surprise.
Arvind shot him a warning glance to keep quiet and Arnav picked up the hint. Turning his attention back to the wall, he fumed to himself.
Why was the whole damned world against him? First that Nakul Kohli. Then Aman. Now Manorama Chachi?!?! Who next??
"Oh excuse me Mr. Oberoi...I should attend to Khushi and Payal's family...please excuse us..." Arvind gestured towards Arnav.
Forcing a polite smile at the Oberoi's, Arnav walked away with his dad but fired off almost immediately.
"Dad, what the fuck?!" Arnav frowned. "Akash and Khushi? Dad you know that Akash and Payal are together...and...You...you know...how I feel...about Khushi."
"I know Arnav, but you were seconds away from ripping the poor woman's head off of her neck...I didn't want you to create any scenes..." Arvind tried to calm his hot-headed son.
"So you lied?"
Arvind shrugged. "I did what was necessary to keep my son's path to his happiness as clear as possible without giving away your feelings."
Arnav paused in his stride to look at his father. When Arvind turned to look at him with a smile, Arnav had an urge to be a 5 year old again and gather the man in a hug.
"Thank you, Dad..."
"Ah...Don't thank me...if you do want to do something for me then talk to her as soon as possible, will you? There will be many women like Mrs. Oberoi who will eye Khushi as a prospective bride for some bachelor relative of theirs...She's too perfect for her own good..." Arvind turned his head in Khushi's direction with fatherly affection in his gaze.
Smiling to Arvind once more, Arnav walked away to join the group. Seconds after Arnav's departure, Manorama walked up to him.
"Hello hi Bhai Sahab...I've been looking for you..." Manorama seemed frantic.
"What happened, Bhabhi?"
"Nothing yet...and before it does...I want to talk to you about something..." Manorama looked around to ensure a clear coast before turning to Arvind again. "Now that Anjali bitiya is engaged...we have to think about Akash bitwa and Arnav bitwa...I know Arnav bitwa will marry the girl of his choice but Akash bitwa will marry only the girl of my choice...and I really like that Khushi girl, hello hi bye bye."
Arvind looked at his sister-in-law wide eyed. It couldn't really be happening, could it?? He had only made up that excuse in front of Rukmani because it would prevent a hurdle in Arnav's path...never had Arvind anticipated Manorama toactually come up to him regarding this!
Moreover, Akash and Payal have been together for years now! Arvind had promised Akash that he would help him out and convince his mother about Payal.
It was now or never. So Arvind mentally apologized to Khushi, thanked the heavens that Arnav wasn't here for this conversation, and began.
"Bhabhi...I thought you didn't like girls like Khushi. You do know that she is very modern, right?"
"She is?"
Arvind nodded. "Didn't you notice her tattoos? She has one on her hand, one on both of her feet, one on her shoulder..."
"Hello hi bye bye...is she is a girl or a canvas??" Manorama looked over with a slightly soured expression at Khushi, wondering how she had missed four tattoos! "But...but she's pretty otherwise..."
"Yeah, but she's been living in Australia for the past three years...her views are different from yours...don't you see how her and NK always stick together?...I don't think she'll make the kind of daughter-in-law you're hoping for..." Arvind took a strategic pause. "In fact...I've been thinking Payal will be perfect for Akash. They've been friends so they know each other. They even work together and Payal doesn't have any tattoos." Arvind smiled as Manorama's eyes shifted their focus from Khushi to Payal, who was standing near the stage.
To give the conversation a proper tone, Arvind added, "I wanted to talk to you about it after Anjali's engagement but I guess you beat me to it."
Arvind knew that past the superficial and trivial things, Manorama was kind at heart albeit a bit stern. As much as he hated manipulating her, in this particular case, he didn't feel guilty at all. Simply because Manorama should have moved on with the generation. If not that, then she at least should have given her son the freedom to choose his life partner. If Manorama wasn't hell bent on forcing Akash to marry the girl of her choice, Arvind wouldn't have to interfere.
Damn it, Arnav...hurry up. There's a horde of people after her and if you don't make your move, someone else will! Arvind glanced wearily at his son who seemed to be engrossed in something Khushi was saying at the moment.
Khushi checked herself in the mirror one last time to make sure that one particular tattoo was indeed hidden before joining the others as they made their way downstairs to the hall.
True to her promise, Khushi made sure that they reached the hall within the next couple of minutes. Lavanya ran in to let Rohan and Arvind know that Anjali would be making her entry soon. Ignoring nearly everyone else, she had pulled Rohan towards the stage and positioned him in his place. Giving her cue to Arvind, she ran out of the hall almost immediately.
Seconds later, all the lights dimmed and a single spotlight was flashed onto the entrance. A collective sound of gasps and murmurs erupted in the hall as the four ladies made their planned entry. Arnav's eyes lingered on his Di's happy face no more than a few seconds because the radiant face to her right had caught his gaze and held it.
He was at a loss of words, even in his mind, to describe the way Khushi looked tonight. No, she wasn't dressed too elaborately. Minimal make up as usual--kohl filled eyes, hooded with smoky blue eyshadow, and light lip gloss. A simple silver-blue necklace with matching earrings and bangles constituted her jewellery. She walked along Anjali with the grace that Arnav had finally gotten used to. She was smiling brilliantly as they made their way towards the stage.
Akash and NK stood on either side of Arnav, looking in the same direction with similar thoughts swirling in their heads. The four ladies and their coordinated dresses created a breathtaking sight. A sudden wave of possessiveness washed over Arnav, Akash, and NK.
Rohan, who was standing in front of the stage, directly across from the entrance, had been stunned into silence. He knew he was staring unabashedly at his finace as she walked towards him, smiling shyly but he didn't care. She was his, and he had every right to stare at her.
Khushi could feel a lot of pairs of eyes on her but there was one particular gaze which seemed to be searing through her very being and she knew exactly whom that pair of eyes belonged to. She methodically avoided looking at Arnav as the ladies collectively made their way towards Rohan. As Rohan reached out with his palm upturned, Anjali placed her hand in his and the ladies who had flanked her dissipated into the crowd, joining Arnav, Akash, and NK.
"Good evening ladies and gentlemen..." Arvind spoke into the microphone as the lights brightened. "Thank you for joining my family and my friends on this special day. As you all know, we're here to celebrate the engagement of my darling daughter, Anjali with this wonderful gentleman, Rohan."
Arvind took a short pause as everyone applauded. "I know that more than anyone else, these two are excited about this ceremony and so we've decided that we won't let them have their way that easy..." Arvind paused again as the audience indulged in a quick laugh. "Anjali and Rohan's friends have put together a few performances to celebrate...so ladies and gentlemen, until I bother you with my announcements again, enjoy the party!"
The crowd went back to their original mingling groups and a few minutes later, Arnav realized that he had somehow ended up in the group with Rohan's parents and Arvind.
"These kids I tell you..." Rajesh, Rohan's father, shook his head. "Do you remember how these ceremonies used to be in our times Arvind?"
Arvind laughed. "Yeah...the boy and the girl sat meekly and barely looked anywhere but their own hands..."
As they talked some more Rajesh noticed his wife, Rukmani, taken by something...or rather someone.
"What's the matter Mani?" He addressed her with his pet name for her. "I've noticed that your eyes are constantly looking for someone..."
Rukmani gave the gentlemen a wide smile. "Yeah! You see...I was going to talk to you and Mr. Raizada about this later but I can't hold it in anymore...I've been looking for Khushi..."
Arnav's interest in this conversation suddenly increased and he focused his eyes and ears on the elderly lady in front of him. Arvind and Rajesh exchanged a look.
"Do you need something from her?" Rajesh questioned.
"No...Actually...This thought occurred to me yesterday when I saw her...If she's not betrothed...then I think her and Aman would make a nice couple..." Rukmani's eye caught Khushi at the far side of the hall where she chatted away in a group.
Arnav's jaw clenched and his soft gaze suddenly turned into a wild fire, threatening to turn Rukmani's being to ash. His eyes followed Rukmani's hopeful gaze and zeroed in on Khushi. He felt his anger increase a bit more when he noticed that Aman was also a part of the group with which she was standing. With a colossal effort, he tore his gaze away from the rage inducing sight and looked at the wall behind Rukmani.
As soon as the words had left Rukmani's mouth, Arvind had turned to look at his son, knowing well what his reaction will be. Arnav hadn't disappointed him in the least. Arvind saw exactly what he was expecting to see: Anger. A lot of Anger. He shifted his gaze a bit lower to where Arnav's hand was clutching the glass of his drink too tightly.
"I'm sorry Mrs. Oberoi..." Arvind spoke up. "I believe someone else already has their heart set on her..."
Arnav looked at his father, feeling a wave of relief wash over him. His grip on the glass of juice automatically slackened and some of the anger ebbed away.
"Oh? Who might that be?" Rukmani questioned, clearly disappointed at having lost such a perfect alliance.
"Manorama Bhabhi has been thinking about Akash and Khushi's alliance." Arvind smiled gently.
"What the!" Arnav exclaimed, looking at his father with unmasked surprise.
Arvind shot him a warning glance to keep quiet and Arnav picked up the hint. Turning his attention back to the wall, he fumed to himself.
Why was the whole damned world against him? First that Nakul Kohli. Then Aman. Now Manorama Chachi?!?! Who next??
"Oh excuse me Mr. Oberoi...I should attend to Khushi and Payal's family...please excuse us..." Arvind gestured towards Arnav.
Forcing a polite smile at the Oberoi's, Arnav walked away with his dad but fired off almost immediately.
"Dad, what the fuck?!" Arnav frowned. "Akash and Khushi? Dad you know that Akash and Payal are together...and...You...you know...how I feel...about Khushi."
"I know Arnav, but you were seconds away from ripping the poor woman's head off of her neck...I didn't want you to create any scenes..." Arvind tried to calm his hot-headed son.
"So you lied?"
Arvind shrugged. "I did what was necessary to keep my son's path to his happiness as clear as possible without giving away your feelings."
Arnav paused in his stride to look at his father. When Arvind turned to look at him with a smile, Arnav had an urge to be a 5 year old again and gather the man in a hug.
"Thank you, Dad..."
"Ah...Don't thank me...if you do want to do something for me then talk to her as soon as possible, will you? There will be many women like Mrs. Oberoi who will eye Khushi as a prospective bride for some bachelor relative of theirs...She's too perfect for her own good..." Arvind turned his head in Khushi's direction with fatherly affection in his gaze.
Smiling to Arvind once more, Arnav walked away to join the group. Seconds after Arnav's departure, Manorama walked up to him.
"Hello hi Bhai Sahab...I've been looking for you..." Manorama seemed frantic.
"What happened, Bhabhi?"
"Nothing yet...and before it does...I want to talk to you about something..." Manorama looked around to ensure a clear coast before turning to Arvind again. "Now that Anjali bitiya is engaged...we have to think about Akash bitwa and Arnav bitwa...I know Arnav bitwa will marry the girl of his choice but Akash bitwa will marry only the girl of my choice...and I really like that Khushi girl, hello hi bye bye."
Arvind looked at his sister-in-law wide eyed. It couldn't really be happening, could it?? He had only made up that excuse in front of Rukmani because it would prevent a hurdle in Arnav's path...never had Arvind anticipated Manorama toactually come up to him regarding this!
Moreover, Akash and Payal have been together for years now! Arvind had promised Akash that he would help him out and convince his mother about Payal.
It was now or never. So Arvind mentally apologized to Khushi, thanked the heavens that Arnav wasn't here for this conversation, and began.
"Bhabhi...I thought you didn't like girls like Khushi. You do know that she is very modern, right?"
"She is?"
Arvind nodded. "Didn't you notice her tattoos? She has one on her hand, one on both of her feet, one on her shoulder..."
"Hello hi bye bye...is she is a girl or a canvas??" Manorama looked over with a slightly soured expression at Khushi, wondering how she had missed four tattoos! "But...but she's pretty otherwise..."
"Yeah, but she's been living in Australia for the past three years...her views are different from yours...don't you see how her and NK always stick together?...I don't think she'll make the kind of daughter-in-law you're hoping for..." Arvind took a strategic pause. "In fact...I've been thinking Payal will be perfect for Akash. They've been friends so they know each other. They even work together and Payal doesn't have any tattoos." Arvind smiled as Manorama's eyes shifted their focus from Khushi to Payal, who was standing near the stage.
To give the conversation a proper tone, Arvind added, "I wanted to talk to you about it after Anjali's engagement but I guess you beat me to it."
Arvind knew that past the superficial and trivial things, Manorama was kind at heart albeit a bit stern. As much as he hated manipulating her, in this particular case, he didn't feel guilty at all. Simply because Manorama should have moved on with the generation. If not that, then she at least should have given her son the freedom to choose his life partner. If Manorama wasn't hell bent on forcing Akash to marry the girl of her choice, Arvind wouldn't have to interfere.
Damn it, Arnav...hurry up. There's a horde of people after her and if you don't make your move, someone else will! Arvind glanced wearily at his son who seemed to be engrossed in something Khushi was saying at the moment.
As if on cue, the lights of the hall dimmed and the stage was alit brightly. Arvind recognized the couple on stage almost right away. Akash and Payal.
Arvind glanced at Manorama and found her watching them with new-found interest. He could almost see the wheels turning in her head as she considered the couple in front of her in a holy bond of matrimony. Arvind hoped ardently that she would see the fireworks.
Arvind glanced at Manorama and found her watching them with new-found interest. He could almost see the wheels turning in her head as she considered the couple in front of her in a holy bond of matrimony. Arvind hoped ardently that she would see the fireworks.
Arnav, oblivious to his dad and Chachi's conversation, stood flanked by Khushi and Lavanya as they watched Akash and Payal's performance on a romantic number. He would have been much happier, of course, if Lavanya wasn't standing next to him and NK wasn't standing on Khushi's other side! The two of them were constantly whispering away into each other's ears over the loud music.
Even as Arnav glanced at her out of the corner of his eyes, he found her giggling at something NK had said. Feeling agitated, Arnav shifted from one foot to the other.
"You better not be getting cold feet, handsome." Lavanya spoke into his ear.
Arnav groaned inwardly. The fact that his dance performance with Lavanya was in a few minutes wasn't helping his state at all. Arnav's mind thought back to the times when he had dated numerous women out of sheer stupidity, hoping to make Khushi jealous.
Somewhere deep down, he knew that had times been different now, he probably would have tried to rile her up by giving more attention Lavanya. The tables were turned now though. It wasn't him trying to make Khushi jealous...he was the one burning in jealousy every waking minute these days. Why the hell had he hoped for her to go through this all those years ago?
The applause following Akash and Payal's performance brought Arnav out of his stupor. Trying to get some space from the woman with whom he was being forced to dance, Arnav excused himself and set out to find his father.
Arvind, however, had sneaked around the crowd, away from Manorama's sharp gaze, in order to reach Akash and Payal as soon as possible. He had to let the two know that the idea of their relationship had been planted in Manorama's mind. He caught the couple in question near the stage as they spoke to some guests who were complimenting their performance. The young man and woman smiled at him as he walked up to them.
"You already know that your performance was great so I'm not going to waste too much time on it..." Arvind gave them a knowing smile. "I need to tell you two something important..."
Arvind relayed the conversation between him and Manorama while a wide eyed Akash and a suddenly nervous Payal listened.
"So you two just make sure you don't get caught...keep a friendly distance...as far as I can tell...she's already day-dreaming about your wedding..." Arvind chuckled.
Akash gave a nervous smile to Payal and turned back to his uncle. "Thank you so much...I...I can't tell you how much this means to me!"
"Oh shut up with the modesty Akash...you're my nephew and I will do everything for you that I would do for my own son." Arvind patted Akash's shoulder before leaving the couple alone.
Akash's mind was abuzz with thoughts as the two made their way towards their friends. He had been truly afraid of what his mother might think about an alliance between him and Payal. He had decided over a year ago that if he wasn't allowed to marry Payal, he wouldn't marry at all. He wouldn't make his mother unhappy by eloping with Payal, nor would he cheat his feelings for Payal by marrying someone else.
All of that, it seemed, didn't need to be considered now thanks to Arvind uncle. He could never repay the man...except...Unless...
The plan came to Akash within seconds. Arvind had helped him with the situation with his mother...now it was his turn to help Arnav win his lady back.
Akash's eyes instantly looked for Arnav and found him by the makeshift bar. Smirking to himself, he looked at Lavanya and secretly gestured her to meet him away from the group. Lavanya, although confused, nodded back discreetly and waited a few minutes after Akash had excused himself before she followed him.
Even as Arnav glanced at her out of the corner of his eyes, he found her giggling at something NK had said. Feeling agitated, Arnav shifted from one foot to the other.
"You better not be getting cold feet, handsome." Lavanya spoke into his ear.
Arnav groaned inwardly. The fact that his dance performance with Lavanya was in a few minutes wasn't helping his state at all. Arnav's mind thought back to the times when he had dated numerous women out of sheer stupidity, hoping to make Khushi jealous.
Somewhere deep down, he knew that had times been different now, he probably would have tried to rile her up by giving more attention Lavanya. The tables were turned now though. It wasn't him trying to make Khushi jealous...he was the one burning in jealousy every waking minute these days. Why the hell had he hoped for her to go through this all those years ago?
The applause following Akash and Payal's performance brought Arnav out of his stupor. Trying to get some space from the woman with whom he was being forced to dance, Arnav excused himself and set out to find his father.
Arvind, however, had sneaked around the crowd, away from Manorama's sharp gaze, in order to reach Akash and Payal as soon as possible. He had to let the two know that the idea of their relationship had been planted in Manorama's mind. He caught the couple in question near the stage as they spoke to some guests who were complimenting their performance. The young man and woman smiled at him as he walked up to them.
"You already know that your performance was great so I'm not going to waste too much time on it..." Arvind gave them a knowing smile. "I need to tell you two something important..."
Arvind relayed the conversation between him and Manorama while a wide eyed Akash and a suddenly nervous Payal listened.
"So you two just make sure you don't get caught...keep a friendly distance...as far as I can tell...she's already day-dreaming about your wedding..." Arvind chuckled.
Akash gave a nervous smile to Payal and turned back to his uncle. "Thank you so much...I...I can't tell you how much this means to me!"
"Oh shut up with the modesty Akash...you're my nephew and I will do everything for you that I would do for my own son." Arvind patted Akash's shoulder before leaving the couple alone.
Akash's mind was abuzz with thoughts as the two made their way towards their friends. He had been truly afraid of what his mother might think about an alliance between him and Payal. He had decided over a year ago that if he wasn't allowed to marry Payal, he wouldn't marry at all. He wouldn't make his mother unhappy by eloping with Payal, nor would he cheat his feelings for Payal by marrying someone else.
All of that, it seemed, didn't need to be considered now thanks to Arvind uncle. He could never repay the man...except...Unless...
The plan came to Akash within seconds. Arvind had helped him with the situation with his mother...now it was his turn to help Arnav win his lady back.
Akash's eyes instantly looked for Arnav and found him by the makeshift bar. Smirking to himself, he looked at Lavanya and secretly gestured her to meet him away from the group. Lavanya, although confused, nodded back discreetly and waited a few minutes after Akash had excused himself before she followed him.
"What're you doing here?!" Khushi exclaimed, her face an epitome of annoyance. "Arnav, we've been looking everywhere for you...it's time for your performance and Anjali is nearing a panic attack because she thinks you're going to cheat your way out of this."
Without any inhibitions, Khushi took his hand in hers and taking advantage of the fact that he seemed to be dazed--again!--started leading him out of the backyard lawns and into the great hall.
"Khushi? Where are you dragging him?" Garima chuckled looking at her daughter's antics as Khushi stalked past the Garima-Buaji-NK trio determinedly.
"Oho Sankadevi...don't rip off his arm!" Madhumati, Khushi's Buaji, chuckled along.
Arnav grinned at them for their comments but did nothing otherwise to stop Khushi from pulling him by the hand. When they reached the group, everyone turned to look at him accusingly, especially Lavanya. She was sitting on a chair, pressing her temples with her fingertips.
"What happened?" Khushi kicked into her doctor mode right away.
"She's feeling nauseous and dizzy...stage fright I guess..." Akash shrugged.
Khushi frowned at him. Stage fright and Lavanya? Hadn't Anjali said that Lavanya was a dance teacher and had taken part in many stage programs??
"No...I don't think it's that...I haven't eaten much today you see...I think I'm just weak..." Lavanya spoke.
Khushi reached over and closed her fingers around Lavanya's wrist expertly, checking the pulse.
"Oh...my head!" Lavanya exclaimed, trying to divert Khushi's attention.
"We don't have to dance if you're not feeling well!" Arnav said with a bit too much enthusiasm than the situation warranted and earned himself dirty looks from everyone.
"No!" Lavanya fired off at once. "Anjali is really looking forward to yourperformance...if you don't go through with it...she'll be really upset."
Arnav felt some of his excitement subside at the thought of an upset Anjali. "But what can we do? You clearly can't dance in this state."
"You and Khushi can perform, right?" Akash posed the question. "She's the only one apart from Lavanya who knows the entire routine..."
Ignoring the sudden leaps of her heartbeat, Khushi tried her best to seem nonchalant and shrug. "Arnav?"
Hell yes! Arnav wanted to scream, instead, he nodded thoughtfully. "Anjali will kill me if I don't give her this performance and you are the only one apart from Lavanya who knows the steps..."
Khushi shrugged again. "Alright then...let's go."
Reining his excitement in control, Arnav started following Khushi as the lights dimmed once again. Owing to the fact that that they had their backs turned to the group, Arnav and Khushi completely missed the exchange of winks and thumbs-up that transpired between Akash and Lavanya.
When the spot lights brought Arnav and Khushi into focus, there were multiple reactions in the crowd. Arvind, Akash, and Lavanya were happy. Anjali and Rohan were surprised. Payal, Garima, and Madhumati were apprehensive. The only person who had a neutral reaction to this was NK.
The crowd watched in awe as the perfect looking pair matched each other's steps gracefully. The chemistry between them was tangible. The way he held her with all the care in the world, the way she looked at him with an affectionate expression, the way they seemed to convey the lyrics of the songs to each other, the way the two seemed to be lost in each other was all no less than a scene from a romantic Bollywood movie.
Arnav, before this moment, hadn't realized how apt this song was for them. Their story was, indeed, complicated and couldn't be described in simple words. They had been separated even though they were two puzzle pieces made to fit together. Why hadn't he realized this during practice?
Khushi was a step ahead and had recognized these similarities between the song and their lives immediately. It was one of the reasons why the practices had been difficult because she just couldn't keep her mind from wandering off. Now, as she danced with him, it seemed no one else existed in the room. Something about his expression, some emotion in his eyes held all her attention.
Her eyes only saw him and his eyes only saw her. For the duration of their choreography, nothing was amiss in their world. There was love and happiness. They were where they wanted to be...where they needed to be. They were content.
As the song faded away, Arnav and Khushi stood facing each other; her body snuggled close to his, their faces inches apart. One of his hands wound around her waist while one of her hands rested on his shoulder. Their free hands held each other possessively. Arnav looked into her eyes as she looked into his. Their eyes spoke volumes about what was going on in their minds and hearts. Both eyes displayed love, pain, and guilt.
The lights flicked on, the audience broke out into cheers and applause, and the spell broke. Very reluctantly, Arnav let go of her but refused to let go of her hand.
Still hand-in-hand, Arnav and Khushi turned their attention towards the audience. Khushi took a curt bow and the two made their way off the stage. Much like Payal and Akash, Arnav and Khushi were surrounded by friends and family almost immediately, Anjali making her way to them first.
She threw her arms around her brother and her friend, hugging them both at once.
"That was amazing! Thank you thank you thank you!" Anjali pulled apart beaming a toothy smile.
"Happy now, Di?" Arnav asked with a gentle smile of his own, very aware of the fact that he was still holding onto Khushi's hand.
The feeling was natural. As if her hand belonged there. As if her hand had alwaysbeen there.
"Very happy! And I even got to see Khushi perform...it was a double treat!" Anjali giggled merrily.
"You guys were great." Rohan smiled, giving Khushi a side hug, smiling to himself as he saw her hand enclosed in Arnav's.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, May I please have your attention..." Arvind spoke politely into the microphone once again. "May I please invite Mr. and Mrs. Oberoi along with Anjali and Rohan for the ring exchange..."
Anjali and Rohan walked up towards Arvind and the Oberoi's fashionably. Arnav knew that Arvind would call on him next. He automatically took steps in that direction when he felt a tug on his hand. He turned to look at Khushi questioningly.
"My Hand..." Khushi pointed towards their entwined hands with her chin.
Arnav followed her gaze and let his eyes settle on the heart-warming sight. She had been surprising him with her changed attitude since she'd gotten here and now Arnav planned on surprising her by treating her like he had never done before.
By treating her like a lady.
With that thought in mind, he raised his eyes to her face as he lifted her hand towards his mouth. He watched satisfied as her cheeks turned a delicious shade of apple-red before he had even placed his lips on her skin. He caressed her slender fingers with his thumb before placing a gentle kiss over her ring finger, exactly where an engagement ring would rest eventually.
Khushi felt a thousand butterflies unleash in her stomach and she fought the urge to yank her hand back. He was being a perfect gentleman. He was treating her like a man would treat a lady after a dance at a party and she didn't want to be rude and push him away. Hell, she didn't want to push him away anyway.
He squeezed her hand lightly once and smiled at her. "Thank you for the dance, Khush."
He let her hand slide out of his delicately as he took backward steps away from her. With a ghost of a smile on his face, Arnav walked towards the engaging couple while Manorama brought the flower decorated platter with the ring boxes atop them. Arnav picked up the first box and handed it to Anjali.
Arnav's ASR mask slipped for a quick second as he smiled genuinely at his sister when she glanced at him gleefully.
She took the ring from the box and looked up at Rohan who was smiling widely, letting the world see just how happy he was. With the same enthusiasm, Anjali slipped on the ring onto his finger and the applause echoed again. Somewhere in the distant, she recognized Akash's cry of "Congrats Di!"
Rohan picked up the ring which held a central round cut ruby flanked by two smaller round cut diamonds. He slipped on the ring onto her finger and then raised her hand to plant a kiss. At the gesture, both Arnav and Khushi looked at each other as their minds replayed a minutes-old memory of their own similar exchange.
Khushi looked down at her hand, precisely at the spot where he had kissed her and her heart clenched painfully.
All of this was wrong. She shouldn't be doing this. She would hurt him and she didn't want that.
The rest of the night, Khushi mingled with her mother, her Buaji, Rohan's parents, Arvind, Akash's parents, NK...in short, with anyone who would take her to the farthest end of the hall from Arnav. Even though she maintained her distance from him, she could sense his gaze on her through the night and it unsettled her.
That night, while the rest of the occupants of the grand Haveli slept in peace, four individuals tossed and turned on their beds as sleep evaded them.
_____
Where the hell was she?
Arnav's eyes scanned the long row of the dining table which was occupied by Rohan-Anjali, Payal-Akash, Lavanya, Aman, and himself. NK and Khushi hadn't shown up and Arnav found that this knowledge had already soured his mood for the morning.
He knew that Arvind had left this morning to take a flight to London to attend some urgent business meetings. He also knew that all the other elders were out, yet again, on a tour of the famous temples and archaeological buildings. Where Khushi was, he had no freaking idea!
When they were halfway through the breakfast, Khushi and NK walked up to the table and took their seats, greeting everyone a 'Good morning'.
Taking in her appearance, Arnav frowned. She had clearly spent a sleepless night. She looked tired and exhausted. Some kind of emotion clouded her face but he couldn't decipher it. He tried to catch her eye, but every time she accidentally ended up glancing at him, she looked away.
Was she upset about last night?? But nothing major happened! It was a kiss on the hand, for heaven's sakes! Was everyone else blind? Did no one else see what he saw??
"Khushi...you look tired..." Akash noted at last.
Arnav wanted to sigh exasperatedly and clap Akash's back enthusiastically for noticing the obvious.
"Yeah...I kind of had a hard time sleeping last night." Khushi forced a smile.
Arnav's eyes narrowed. He got the strange feeling that she was hiding something. The stealing glances but not holding his gaze, the subdued and withdrawn expression...something was definitely on her mind but what exactly?
"Still adjusting to the time changes?" Lavanya questioned, taking a bite out of her toast.
Khushi nodded. "I think so...I think it had to do with that and with nervousness..."
"Nervousness?" Anjali raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah...There's something I need to tell you..." Khushi announced, sitting up straighter in her chair.
For some unknown reason, Arnav felt his throat go dry. Every head on the table was now turned to her, and she shifted uncomfortably under all the attention.
"Look...don't get mad, okay..." Khushi looked pleadingly at Anjali and Payal. "I know I should have told you earlier...way earlier but...but the last few days were supposed to be all about Anjali...I didn't want to take any of it away from her..."
If it was possible, Arnav's throat felt even more dry. He felt a thin sheen of sweat form over his nape while his heart thudded loudly in his ears. His breaths were short and painful.
Was she going to leave? Was she only here for the engagement? If that was the case, would she stop if Arnav spoke to her? What about the conversation they were supposed to have? Was this the reason why she had specifically chosen the time after Anjali's engagement to speak to him? So that she could leave soon after their conversation?
Did that mean that Khushi didn't see a possibility of their broken relationship healing? Did she not trust him with it anymore?
Arnav reached over to pick up his glass of water. His throat felt as parched as the desert sand.
Khushi took a deep breath and Arnav turned to look at her. She gave them all a nervous glance once before she lifted her hand from her lap and held it up for them.
The second Arnav's eyes zeroed in on the diamond shimmering arrogantly on the ring finger of her left hand, he heard a collective gasp of shock echo at the table.
To Arnav's ears, the sound was that of his world crashing down around him. His eyes remained fixated on the offending ring while his body had frozen into an ice sculpture. He couldn't be sure whose gaze it was but he felt like someone was watching him. He didn't give a damn about any of that.
All he could think of was that Khushi was engaged to someone. And that someone wasn't him. His Khush was technically someone's wife-to-be. Everything he'd wanted to tell her, everything he wanted to apologize for, everything he had envisioned in his future...in her future...in their future didn't matter anymore because she was a part of someone else's future.
Is this what she felt when Shanaya had announced the pregnancy? If this is what he put her through, he wasn't sure if he deserved to be forgiven! Even as his mind started filling with regret and guilt, he felt the stab of pain in his heart.
She had moved on...just like that?
Everyone else was in a similar state at Khushi's revelation. How come no one had noticed that ring on her finger all these days? Anjali recovered from the shock first.
"You...You...you're..." she stammered.
Khushi nodded. "I'm engaged."
Arnav tore his eyes away from her then and focused on the clear glass in his hands. He could see the water within its confines rippling as his hand trembled with a mixture of rage and agony. His knuckles turned white as his hands closed around the slender glass tightly.
"To who?!" Payal exclaimed, sounding hysterical.
Arnav closed his eyes, dreading Khushi's response. Somehow, he already knew what her answer would be. He knew it would hurt when she said it out loud because it would turn all of his theories and fears into facts. Even then, the pain didn't come any less harshly when she uttered the name.
"NK."
_____
Next Chapter's Super Early Preview: The Past from Arnav's Point of View
(*Gasp* That Rhymed!)
A/N:
I know I know! You all hate me for that last bit. I know that I will have a horde of my readers chasing me with Chappals, Belans, Brooms, Bats, and other goodies. For now, I just want to ask you guys to trust me with this. Like the preview hints, this engagement announcement is going to act as a trigger of sorts. Just imagine where Arnav's anger, frustration, and jealousy must have reached at this point...I'm sure you all know wherethat is going to lead.
Also, I know that this part may have seemed like it had a lot of unnecessary scenes but everything that happened today will play a role eventually. Take Arvind-Manorama's conversation for example...eventually it led to Arnav-Khushi's 'Teri Meri' magic.
What do you think will happen now?? I love reading your predictions and theories so do share them! I'm sure you can imagine how I felt when a lot of you were guessing that NK-Khushi are engaged because I had planned that back when I had started the FF...lol.
So yeah, let the theories/predictions unleash! Hope you all enjoyed the long chapter...I see another long chapter coming up!
Love,
Katie <3
Without any inhibitions, Khushi took his hand in hers and taking advantage of the fact that he seemed to be dazed--again!--started leading him out of the backyard lawns and into the great hall.
"Khushi? Where are you dragging him?" Garima chuckled looking at her daughter's antics as Khushi stalked past the Garima-Buaji-NK trio determinedly.
"Oho Sankadevi...don't rip off his arm!" Madhumati, Khushi's Buaji, chuckled along.
Arnav grinned at them for their comments but did nothing otherwise to stop Khushi from pulling him by the hand. When they reached the group, everyone turned to look at him accusingly, especially Lavanya. She was sitting on a chair, pressing her temples with her fingertips.
"What happened?" Khushi kicked into her doctor mode right away.
"She's feeling nauseous and dizzy...stage fright I guess..." Akash shrugged.
Khushi frowned at him. Stage fright and Lavanya? Hadn't Anjali said that Lavanya was a dance teacher and had taken part in many stage programs??
"No...I don't think it's that...I haven't eaten much today you see...I think I'm just weak..." Lavanya spoke.
Khushi reached over and closed her fingers around Lavanya's wrist expertly, checking the pulse.
"Oh...my head!" Lavanya exclaimed, trying to divert Khushi's attention.
"We don't have to dance if you're not feeling well!" Arnav said with a bit too much enthusiasm than the situation warranted and earned himself dirty looks from everyone.
"No!" Lavanya fired off at once. "Anjali is really looking forward to yourperformance...if you don't go through with it...she'll be really upset."
Arnav felt some of his excitement subside at the thought of an upset Anjali. "But what can we do? You clearly can't dance in this state."
"You and Khushi can perform, right?" Akash posed the question. "She's the only one apart from Lavanya who knows the entire routine..."
Ignoring the sudden leaps of her heartbeat, Khushi tried her best to seem nonchalant and shrug. "Arnav?"
Hell yes! Arnav wanted to scream, instead, he nodded thoughtfully. "Anjali will kill me if I don't give her this performance and you are the only one apart from Lavanya who knows the steps..."
Khushi shrugged again. "Alright then...let's go."
Reining his excitement in control, Arnav started following Khushi as the lights dimmed once again. Owing to the fact that that they had their backs turned to the group, Arnav and Khushi completely missed the exchange of winks and thumbs-up that transpired between Akash and Lavanya.
When the spot lights brought Arnav and Khushi into focus, there were multiple reactions in the crowd. Arvind, Akash, and Lavanya were happy. Anjali and Rohan were surprised. Payal, Garima, and Madhumati were apprehensive. The only person who had a neutral reaction to this was NK.
Arnav-Khushi's Performance:
The crowd watched in awe as the perfect looking pair matched each other's steps gracefully. The chemistry between them was tangible. The way he held her with all the care in the world, the way she looked at him with an affectionate expression, the way they seemed to convey the lyrics of the songs to each other, the way the two seemed to be lost in each other was all no less than a scene from a romantic Bollywood movie.
Arnav, before this moment, hadn't realized how apt this song was for them. Their story was, indeed, complicated and couldn't be described in simple words. They had been separated even though they were two puzzle pieces made to fit together. Why hadn't he realized this during practice?
Khushi was a step ahead and had recognized these similarities between the song and their lives immediately. It was one of the reasons why the practices had been difficult because she just couldn't keep her mind from wandering off. Now, as she danced with him, it seemed no one else existed in the room. Something about his expression, some emotion in his eyes held all her attention.
Her eyes only saw him and his eyes only saw her. For the duration of their choreography, nothing was amiss in their world. There was love and happiness. They were where they wanted to be...where they needed to be. They were content.
As the song faded away, Arnav and Khushi stood facing each other; her body snuggled close to his, their faces inches apart. One of his hands wound around her waist while one of her hands rested on his shoulder. Their free hands held each other possessively. Arnav looked into her eyes as she looked into his. Their eyes spoke volumes about what was going on in their minds and hearts. Both eyes displayed love, pain, and guilt.
The lights flicked on, the audience broke out into cheers and applause, and the spell broke. Very reluctantly, Arnav let go of her but refused to let go of her hand.
Still hand-in-hand, Arnav and Khushi turned their attention towards the audience. Khushi took a curt bow and the two made their way off the stage. Much like Payal and Akash, Arnav and Khushi were surrounded by friends and family almost immediately, Anjali making her way to them first.
She threw her arms around her brother and her friend, hugging them both at once.
"That was amazing! Thank you thank you thank you!" Anjali pulled apart beaming a toothy smile.
"Happy now, Di?" Arnav asked with a gentle smile of his own, very aware of the fact that he was still holding onto Khushi's hand.
The feeling was natural. As if her hand belonged there. As if her hand had alwaysbeen there.
"Very happy! And I even got to see Khushi perform...it was a double treat!" Anjali giggled merrily.
"You guys were great." Rohan smiled, giving Khushi a side hug, smiling to himself as he saw her hand enclosed in Arnav's.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, May I please have your attention..." Arvind spoke politely into the microphone once again. "May I please invite Mr. and Mrs. Oberoi along with Anjali and Rohan for the ring exchange..."
Anjali and Rohan walked up towards Arvind and the Oberoi's fashionably. Arnav knew that Arvind would call on him next. He automatically took steps in that direction when he felt a tug on his hand. He turned to look at Khushi questioningly.
"My Hand..." Khushi pointed towards their entwined hands with her chin.
Arnav followed her gaze and let his eyes settle on the heart-warming sight. She had been surprising him with her changed attitude since she'd gotten here and now Arnav planned on surprising her by treating her like he had never done before.
By treating her like a lady.
With that thought in mind, he raised his eyes to her face as he lifted her hand towards his mouth. He watched satisfied as her cheeks turned a delicious shade of apple-red before he had even placed his lips on her skin. He caressed her slender fingers with his thumb before placing a gentle kiss over her ring finger, exactly where an engagement ring would rest eventually.
Khushi felt a thousand butterflies unleash in her stomach and she fought the urge to yank her hand back. He was being a perfect gentleman. He was treating her like a man would treat a lady after a dance at a party and she didn't want to be rude and push him away. Hell, she didn't want to push him away anyway.
He squeezed her hand lightly once and smiled at her. "Thank you for the dance, Khush."
He let her hand slide out of his delicately as he took backward steps away from her. With a ghost of a smile on his face, Arnav walked towards the engaging couple while Manorama brought the flower decorated platter with the ring boxes atop them. Arnav picked up the first box and handed it to Anjali.
Arnav's ASR mask slipped for a quick second as he smiled genuinely at his sister when she glanced at him gleefully.
She took the ring from the box and looked up at Rohan who was smiling widely, letting the world see just how happy he was. With the same enthusiasm, Anjali slipped on the ring onto his finger and the applause echoed again. Somewhere in the distant, she recognized Akash's cry of "Congrats Di!"
Rohan picked up the ring which held a central round cut ruby flanked by two smaller round cut diamonds. He slipped on the ring onto her finger and then raised her hand to plant a kiss. At the gesture, both Arnav and Khushi looked at each other as their minds replayed a minutes-old memory of their own similar exchange.
Khushi looked down at her hand, precisely at the spot where he had kissed her and her heart clenched painfully.
All of this was wrong. She shouldn't be doing this. She would hurt him and she didn't want that.
The rest of the night, Khushi mingled with her mother, her Buaji, Rohan's parents, Arvind, Akash's parents, NK...in short, with anyone who would take her to the farthest end of the hall from Arnav. Even though she maintained her distance from him, she could sense his gaze on her through the night and it unsettled her.
That night, while the rest of the occupants of the grand Haveli slept in peace, four individuals tossed and turned on their beds as sleep evaded them.
_____
Where the hell was she?
Arnav's eyes scanned the long row of the dining table which was occupied by Rohan-Anjali, Payal-Akash, Lavanya, Aman, and himself. NK and Khushi hadn't shown up and Arnav found that this knowledge had already soured his mood for the morning.
He knew that Arvind had left this morning to take a flight to London to attend some urgent business meetings. He also knew that all the other elders were out, yet again, on a tour of the famous temples and archaeological buildings. Where Khushi was, he had no freaking idea!
When they were halfway through the breakfast, Khushi and NK walked up to the table and took their seats, greeting everyone a 'Good morning'.
Taking in her appearance, Arnav frowned. She had clearly spent a sleepless night. She looked tired and exhausted. Some kind of emotion clouded her face but he couldn't decipher it. He tried to catch her eye, but every time she accidentally ended up glancing at him, she looked away.
Was she upset about last night?? But nothing major happened! It was a kiss on the hand, for heaven's sakes! Was everyone else blind? Did no one else see what he saw??
"Khushi...you look tired..." Akash noted at last.
Arnav wanted to sigh exasperatedly and clap Akash's back enthusiastically for noticing the obvious.
"Yeah...I kind of had a hard time sleeping last night." Khushi forced a smile.
Arnav's eyes narrowed. He got the strange feeling that she was hiding something. The stealing glances but not holding his gaze, the subdued and withdrawn expression...something was definitely on her mind but what exactly?
"Still adjusting to the time changes?" Lavanya questioned, taking a bite out of her toast.
Khushi nodded. "I think so...I think it had to do with that and with nervousness..."
"Nervousness?" Anjali raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah...There's something I need to tell you..." Khushi announced, sitting up straighter in her chair.
For some unknown reason, Arnav felt his throat go dry. Every head on the table was now turned to her, and she shifted uncomfortably under all the attention.
"Look...don't get mad, okay..." Khushi looked pleadingly at Anjali and Payal. "I know I should have told you earlier...way earlier but...but the last few days were supposed to be all about Anjali...I didn't want to take any of it away from her..."
If it was possible, Arnav's throat felt even more dry. He felt a thin sheen of sweat form over his nape while his heart thudded loudly in his ears. His breaths were short and painful.
Was she going to leave? Was she only here for the engagement? If that was the case, would she stop if Arnav spoke to her? What about the conversation they were supposed to have? Was this the reason why she had specifically chosen the time after Anjali's engagement to speak to him? So that she could leave soon after their conversation?
Did that mean that Khushi didn't see a possibility of their broken relationship healing? Did she not trust him with it anymore?
Arnav reached over to pick up his glass of water. His throat felt as parched as the desert sand.
Khushi took a deep breath and Arnav turned to look at her. She gave them all a nervous glance once before she lifted her hand from her lap and held it up for them.
The second Arnav's eyes zeroed in on the diamond shimmering arrogantly on the ring finger of her left hand, he heard a collective gasp of shock echo at the table.
To Arnav's ears, the sound was that of his world crashing down around him. His eyes remained fixated on the offending ring while his body had frozen into an ice sculpture. He couldn't be sure whose gaze it was but he felt like someone was watching him. He didn't give a damn about any of that.
All he could think of was that Khushi was engaged to someone. And that someone wasn't him. His Khush was technically someone's wife-to-be. Everything he'd wanted to tell her, everything he wanted to apologize for, everything he had envisioned in his future...in her future...in their future didn't matter anymore because she was a part of someone else's future.
Is this what she felt when Shanaya had announced the pregnancy? If this is what he put her through, he wasn't sure if he deserved to be forgiven! Even as his mind started filling with regret and guilt, he felt the stab of pain in his heart.
She had moved on...just like that?
Everyone else was in a similar state at Khushi's revelation. How come no one had noticed that ring on her finger all these days? Anjali recovered from the shock first.
"You...You...you're..." she stammered.
Khushi nodded. "I'm engaged."
Arnav tore his eyes away from her then and focused on the clear glass in his hands. He could see the water within its confines rippling as his hand trembled with a mixture of rage and agony. His knuckles turned white as his hands closed around the slender glass tightly.
"To who?!" Payal exclaimed, sounding hysterical.
Arnav closed his eyes, dreading Khushi's response. Somehow, he already knew what her answer would be. He knew it would hurt when she said it out loud because it would turn all of his theories and fears into facts. Even then, the pain didn't come any less harshly when she uttered the name.
"NK."
_____
Next Chapter's Super Early Preview: The Past from Arnav's Point of View
(*Gasp* That Rhymed!)
A/N:
I know I know! You all hate me for that last bit. I know that I will have a horde of my readers chasing me with Chappals, Belans, Brooms, Bats, and other goodies. For now, I just want to ask you guys to trust me with this. Like the preview hints, this engagement announcement is going to act as a trigger of sorts. Just imagine where Arnav's anger, frustration, and jealousy must have reached at this point...I'm sure you all know wherethat is going to lead.
Also, I know that this part may have seemed like it had a lot of unnecessary scenes but everything that happened today will play a role eventually. Take Arvind-Manorama's conversation for example...eventually it led to Arnav-Khushi's 'Teri Meri' magic.
What do you think will happen now?? I love reading your predictions and theories so do share them! I'm sure you can imagine how I felt when a lot of you were guessing that NK-Khushi are engaged because I had planned that back when I had started the FF...lol.
So yeah, let the theories/predictions unleash! Hope you all enjoyed the long chapter...I see another long chapter coming up!
Love,
Katie <3
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