Part23

Khushi was getting ready to office. Arnav came in front of her.

Arnav: Khushi this is for you. Wear it. (he gave a box with a funny step)

Khushi(controlling her smile): what's this?

Arnav: open it up and see by yourself.

Khushi opened it and it was a beautiful saree.

Khushi(plainly): I don't want.

Arnav: But why?

Khushi(with fake concern): You will kill the person if anyone will eye on me. I don't want my Birthday will be a death day for someone.

Arnav(controlling his smile): Khushi.. I just teased you that day.

Khushi: Ohh really? Then let me tease you today.(she said with attitude and went)

Arnav smiled at her. He knew she was hitting back for yesterday's act. Let it be.

Khushi took blessings from Arvind and Ratna. They gave her jewelry set as a birthday gift. Khushi was hesitant to accept it but she has no choice at all.

Arvind: Chotte what did you gift her?

Khushi looked at Arnav who was numb. It confused his parents.

Ratna: It must be secret.(she came for his help)

Arnav(making face): Khushi is angry on me. She won't accept if I give her anything.

Khushi was horror-struck.

Khushi: Nothing like that aunty. He is lying ( she retorted for dragging their issue in front of her in-laws)

Arnav(coolly): Am I lying?

Khushi: Yes.

Ratna: What's happening here? Chotte if you are not lying then where is your gift?

Arvind: Yah chotte. What's wrong?

Arnav: what's the use? she won't like it....

Ratna: she will. I know my Bahu. Hai na Khushi?

Khushi plastered a smile at Ratna and nodded yes.

Arnav gave her a box smilingly.

Arnav: Happy birthday Wiffy. He winked.

Ratna: What was that?

Khushi(sighed): Saree aunty.

Ratna: Great selection Chotte. Khushi, go and change. It will look awesome on you.

Khushi went glaring at Arnav who suppressing his smile.

Ratna: Chotte take Khushi to her Mayka she will get blessing from her parents.

Arnav nodded yes though he was not sure that Khushi will wish to go to GH. He took his mobile and dialed Garima and conveyed his idea and she readily agreed. He went to his room to take his laptop bag and car key. At the same time, Khushi opened the door and Arnav was like aweeeeee.

Arnav voluntarily had fallen into the pit by gifting Saree. She looked stunning. Damn RED. He didn't know red can be this much rich on someone. Poor lad. That someone is none other than his wife. He was gone. Totally.

Khushi looked at him who was lost in her. After a long time, she had seen this rooted gaze from her husband. It was not a teasing one nor mischievous. He seemed really lost. It churned her stomach deeply. She switched her gaze to somewhere gulping, couldn't spare the heat.

Arnav started advancing towards Khushi and she started moving backward. She was stuck when she got hit on the wall. She looked at him who was like he will swallow her in one go.

Very first time, Khushi heard her own heartbeat. She felt like it will burst at any time. Arnav tucked her hair stance lovingly. He caressed her cheek which made her close her eyes clutching her pallu. This closeness was the evidence that how they really are close to each other by heart. Arnav cupped her face and brushed her cheek with his lips. Khushi clutched his coat tightly and her nail pressed into his chest which brought Arnav out of the spell. He was stunned by his own uncontrolled act at the same time surprised seeing Khushi was standing there closing her eyes allowing him to kiss her. Kiss her???? She looked so lost. She may feel low if he takes advantage of her weakness. He gulped.

Arnav(calming himself): Better you change this saree. Don't blame me if I continue the task which I left at GH that night.

He recalled the hug, by drawing line in her waist with his index finger. His "finger touch" on her bare skin had created havoc in her body. The time he touched her, she felt, her soul bloomed inside. She remembered the hug which made her shiver to the root. That "waist hug"... that too in saree? She opened her eyes and got horrified about their closeness. She pushed him and ran out of the room.

Arnav came following her. She didn't look at him at least once. Arnav was right, she was uncomfortable. She couldn't come to the conclusion to her own mind. What's happening with her? She was fine when he wanted to kiss her. She didn't try to go away from him. What the HECK? He never misses the chance to tease her, now she herself had given him a chance. Ratna's voice brought her out of the thought.

Ratna: My god, you look like Goddess Khushi. Hai na Chotte? (Arnav looked at Khushi who was gulping her uneasiness.) Your Mayka people also will feel happy to see you in this saree. She said excitedly.

This sentence made them conscious. They forgot their previous encounter. Arnav understood Khushi's nervousness. He came to her and slowly closed his eyes gesturing like "don't worry, I'm here". She smiled at him as she was really relaxed. She feels comfortable with him these days. She believes him without confusion. Arnav also knew her changes.

Arnav started the car. As Khushi expected, he didn't tease her nor did he give mischievous look. Khushi got mesmerized, a man who always teased her was now didn't even utter a single word. That made her respect him more. He is a pure gentleman. He knows when and where to make fun and this is definitely not a matter to make fun of. It was which she is trying to veil. In fact, it was which she couldn't identify. He knows what stops her. He should do something to make her realize. He became serious.

Khushi(looking outside): I don't like to go to my Mayka.

Arnav(calmly): Where will you go after six months then?

Khushi(glaring at him): I will go alone but not with you.

Arnav: Ohhhh.. You are saving your husband? He asked sarcastically yet his voice was pretty serious.

Khushi(stammering) : I told you something.

Arnav: We are going to meet your mothers.

Khushi(frowning): Mothers? I have only one mother.

Arnav: You will repent for your word.

Khushi: Won't you say anything without beating around the bush?

Arnav: As if you accept everything right away?

Khushi(sighed): Hey Devi Maiya.....

Khushi got stuck for a second and looked at Arnav with wide eyes. At the same time, they reached DEVI MAIYA TEMPLE. Arnav looked at her teasingly and Khushi blushed accepting her defeat. Yes, Arnav invited Garima to the Temple.

Arnav: Go and take blessings from your Devi Maiya and also from Garima Maiya.(he smiled at her)

Khushi: Won't you come?

Arnav: Do you want me to come? (he asked smilingly)

Khushi(faltering): Mom will ask you.

Arnav(gulping): what will you say, when she asks about me, after our divorce?

After a long, He is using this word DIVORCE. She is the one who initiated that. But why it's pricking now? Does she realize the meaning of DIVORCE? That she will get separate from Arnav forever if she gets a divorce? She could not see him every day? She could not talk to him? He won't dare to tease her? She will him? Tears rolled from her eyes which were rooted at his face forgetting to blink. Arnav wiped her cheek gulping. What he guessed was right. She was changing. She doesn't want to get a Divorce. Khushi hurried inside the Temple, where her Mothers were.

Arnav (in mind): This is high time to take decision. Or else she won't open her heart up. She is not realizing what she really wants. So you do it Arnav. Make her realize. You are running out of time.( He closed his eyes and thought something. He opened his eyes as something clicked) YES. You should do that if you want her forever.

Arnav came inside the temple. He saw Khushi was talking with Garima and Anjali.

Anjali: Hi Arnav.

Arnav: Hi, hello aunty.

He dragged Khushi to take blessing from Garima. They touched her feet.

Garima: Live together, forever with happiness.

Arnav and Khushi looked at each other. Arnav could sense that she was not out of her crying mode yet.

Arnav (looking at Garima): will you take care of Khushi in my absence?

Khushi was shocked while Garima and Anjali were perplexed.

Garima: In your absence? Are you going somewhere?

Arnav: I mean I just thought to send her with you on her birthday.

He said observing Khushi's expression. She looked distress who was looking at him sternly. Why he asked so? Is he preparing himself? Will he get used to live without her? Will it be easy for him? She got panicked by the word "absence". She couldn't imagine his absence around her. It will be a vacuum. Will she be happy in his absence? She was not brave enough to say.... YES.....

To be continued......