"Teri mangetar aaraha hei titliyaa" Bua ji said with a soft laugh.

Kushi froze for a moment.

She had no idea what Buaji was talking about.

For a moment she even thought they got her engaged without even asking her.

Then seeing the mischievous smile on Buaji's face, realisation dawned on her and she laughed

"Sacch mein? Why wasn't I told about this? How dare he not tell me that he is coming?" Kushi asked

"Now don't eat my brain. Eat his when he comes" Bua ji said

"When is he coming?" Kushi asked jumping around in excitement

"Tomorrow. He returned to Lucknow last week. He will be coming by tomorrow. And he is bringing your Amma and Babuji along with him" Buaji said and Kushi squealed in happiness.

"Amma and babuji is also coming. I'm so happy. I will go make jalebis for everyone" Kushi skipped towards the kitchen forgetting her heartbreak.

"Hai re nanda kishore. They will be here only by tomorrow evening. Why are making a mess of the kitchen already?"

"Because I'm so happy" Kushi said as she mixed the batter for her favourite sweets.

Buaji shook her head and walked out of the house calling for her payaliya.

Kushi kept on making jalebis not knowing that a certain someone has already made holes in the carpet with his continuous pacing.

****

Next morning.

"Di. Did you call Kushi? I have called her many times yesterday, but she didn't pick up" Lavanya said in disappointment

"I too tried Lavanya ji. She didn't pick my call either" Anjali said

Arnav's fingers tightened around the fork he held in his hands.

So he was not the only one being ignored

How dare she ignore his family too?

Doesn't she know that they love her so dearly. That they care for her too much.

How can she ignore their calls like that.

This is what you wanted. For her to stay away from you and your family, his brain reminded him

ASR ignored the voice and concentrated on the talk between his sister and Lavanya

"Why don't you try the landline number and check" the words came out of Arnav's mouth before he could stop them

The whole family stared at him in astonishment.

"What? I simply don't like my family being ignored. That too by a middle class girl" ASR said through his clenched teeth

His family shook their head at his behaviour

But Lavanya stared at the man.

The silly doubt that had formed in her mind the day before, poked its head again

Was ASR trying to call Kushi yesterday? She thought

She shook her head to dispel those thoughts

Where are these thoughts coming from all of a sudden? She thought to herself

'Sankatt ka azar hei Lavanya. Spending time with Kushi is turning you into a crazy like her' Lavanya thought with a silent chuckle

Anjali dialed the landline number of Gupta house in Laxmi nagar and the call was attended by Buaji

"Hai re nanda kishore. Who is this speaking?"

"Buaji. This is Anjali from Shantivan. I have been trying to get in touch with Kushi since yesterday, but couldn't get hold of her. Can you pass on the phone to her please?" Anjali asked and Bua ji laughed

"Since yesterday her feet has not touched the ground Anjali bitiya. Ever since she heard that her parents and her mangetar is coming to Delhi she is flying around driving everyone crazy" Buaji said stressing on the word mangetar as she saw Kushi coming out the room.

Kushi shook her head in disapproval and came and took the phone receiver

Anjali was momentarily shocked

"Magetar? Kushi ji ki sagai hogayi hei?" Anjali asked out loud and was snapped out when she heard the sound of the metal fork clanking against the plate.

They all looked up to see a frozen Arnav with a stricken look on his face.

"Hello Anjali ji?" Anjali was pulled back into the conversation when she heard Kushi's voice

But Lavanya kept staring at ASR.

His hands clenched and un clenched

A muscle ticking in his jaw indicating his frustration

Lavanya's heart thudded against her ribcage as she got the obvious hint of her upcoming heart break.

Because there was no more doubt.

Even if Arnav Singh Raizada is ready to tie the knot with her, she could never do that.

When she clearly knows that his heart is somewhere else.

Arnav stood up from the chair abruptly and briskly walked towards his room.

His every step felt heavy, his heart, an organ he thought he doesn't possess, breaking.

He felt breathless.

He rubbed his chest trying to reduce the burning sensation.

What is happening to him?

Why is he bothered?

So what if she is engaged? How does that matter to him

"Mujhe koi faraq nahi padta" he told himself loudly.

He looked into the mirror at his own reflection

"Suna tumne. Mujhe koi faraq nahi padta. Uski hone ya na hone mein mujhe koi faraq nahi padta" he repeated

Downstairs Anjali was on call with Kushi

"Kushi ji. Its been so long since we saw you. Do you mind dropping by for a moment?" Anjali asked unaware of the the storm brewing up upstairs.

"Anjali ji. My parents are coming home today. And we have a guest too" Kushi said

"Ah ha. Your mangetar? Buaji did mention" Anjali teased

Kushi laughed

"There is nothing like that Anjali ji. He was our neighbor in Lucknow. We grew up together. They moved to America when I was seven and he was twelve. Before going he told me that he would come back and marry me. You know the silly promises the kids make. Ever since Buaji has been teasing me with his name" Kushi said

"Kya pata agar unhone apne dulhaniya ko le jaane keliye aaraha hoga?" Anjali teased

"Kuch bhi Anjali ji. Aisa kuch nahi hei. Usko tho ab teen chaar girlfriends bhi hoga wahaan America pe" Kushi said

"Acha ji. If you have time, just drop by. Lavanya ji is missing her bestfriend. Nani too." Anjali said

Hearing Lavanya's name, guilt swamped her.

She did betray Lavanya ji by having feelings for her fiance.

And ever since that day, she has ignored Lavanya ji too.

Maybe she should drop by for a moment.

Her friendship with Lavanya ji is important for her.

"I will come Anjali ji. But I can't stay for long" Kushi said and Anjali nodded happily.