Part26

Arnav welcomed his in-laws who came to his home to give him a send-off. He looked at Ratna and gestured with his eyes. Ratna nodded ok as she was aware of the situation and also nudged Arvind. Arnav was glancing at the stairs again and again for Khushi's arrival. He saw she was approaching them with Anjali, avoiding her gaze towards Shashi and Shyam. She directly went to Garima and gave her a formal hug. Ratna asked men to make them comfortable in living room and she took the ladies with her to dining room.

Shashi: In which flight are you going Arnav?

Arnav: Morning 5:30 flight uncle.

Shashi: why not evening 5:45?

Arnav: It will reach London in midnight. So I choose morning flight. So that I can take rest and start my work the next day.

Ratna made Gupta ladies in the dining and called HP to serve them dessert. Arnav's eyes never left Khushi but not like before. His eyes were being filled with care and consciousness. But he felt that she was no more nervous. She looked comfortable with her beloved women. Khushi was stealing her husband's glance from time to time which surprised Arnav.

Garima and Anjali were pleased by Ratna and Khushi's comfort with each other.

Garima(to Ratna): I'm so happy seeing you comfortable with Khushi.

Ratna: She is not only my daughter in law but daughter. We are lucky to have such a loveable and caring Bahu.

Khushi already heard it many times from Ratna though she got emotional. Anjali consoled her by pressing her hand giving her a warm smile. But Khushi looked at Arnav, wanted to get the warmth from him who smiled at her hearing their talks. His full concentration fixed at his wife. The men who sat with him understood that when they didn't get any suitable answer from him. They didn't disturb him after that and left him in his own world.

Dining

Everyone assembled at dining. Arnav asked Anjali to sit beside Khushi and he took another side. Arvind and Shashi shared many things and Ratna and Shyam took part in it while Khushi's gaze rooted on her plate. Suddenly they heard Shashi,

Shashi: Arnav, why don't you take Khushi with you?

Khushi's hand stopped in the middle which had morsel. She inwardly appreciated Shashi's idea for the first time and waited for Arnav's reply.

Arnav: yah uncle I too wanted the same. But I'm not sure how long it will take.

His throat got stuck when Khushi turned her face swiftly glaring at him at his stance HOW LONG.

Shashi: That's what I'm asking, what if it takes longer?

Arnav(looking at Khushi who didn't break her gaze yet): I will be busy there and Khushi should be alone at home. She will get bored.

Khushi again looked down at her plate but after that, she didn't even eat a single morsel which was observed by Arnav. Shashi tried to talk with Khushi two or three times as that was the best chance to talk to her because she won't ignore him in front of her in-laws. But Shashi got answers for all his questions only from Arnav instead of Khushi. Shashi understands that Arnav won't allow him to take advantage of the situation against his wife. At one point, Arnav gestured Shashi in a warning manner knowing about his wife's real Avatar. What if she loses her control in front of everyone? No one could control her if she gets angry. Khushi was overwhelmed when she studied her husband's gesture towards his father.

Arnav and Arvind felt bad for Shashi while Ratna was firm in her decision of supporting her Bahu. Being Men, they could understand how it feels to be neglected by his own daughter. But Khushi was not wrong. Shashi himself was the root cause of his daughter's wound. She came so far from her father. She couldn't go back from her point nor could she forgive him. That is what Khushi. She is right. ALWAYS RIGHT.

After giving a send-off to Guptas, Raizadas took a seat in the living room. Khushi looked disturbed. Hell disturbed. She couldn't name this qualm which she was undergoing. She excused from them in the pretext of Arnav's incompleted packing and went to their room. She felt like crying, so that her heart's pressure may reduce. She saw Arnav getting inside, closing the door behind. She composed herself and tried to act like she was fine. Arnav gulped seeing her effort to conceal her real emotions which she couldn't.

Arnav: I thought that you already finished packing?

Khushi: I just am giving final check. By the way thank you for saving me from that man (Shashi)

Arnav: It's my duty to keep my wife away from the things which makes her uncomfortable. And I will do it forever. You should understand that.

Arnav took a brown paper packet and kept it in his suitcase. It looked "weightless" unlike his official one.

Khushi: Is that important one?

Arnav: More than anything.

He went to the washroom. Khushi waited until he locked the door. She removed the packet from the suitcase. She slowly opened it glancing at the washroom door confirming that Arnav was not coming. She was dumbfounded seeing the thing which was in the packet. She couldn't hold her uncontrolled tears as it was her SHAWL.

Arnav came out of the washroom and got rooted seeing Khushi was holding his packet. Neither Khushi hide it from him nor did she get panic. Arnav extended his hand asking her to give it back. She hid it behind her while nodding no.

Arnav: Khushi give it back.

Khushi: Why? It's mine.

Arnav: Your's is mine too. Because you are mine.

Khushi: But you are not taking me with you.

Arnav: Do you want me to cancel my trip?

Khushi(with fake smile): I will give my hundred shawls instead of agreeing to that.

Arnav: Then give it to me.

Khushi: What will you do with this?

Arnav: It's my wish, I may do worship too. Do you have any problem?

Khushi: Yes I have. I won't give my belongings to anyone.

She started moving backwards while hiding it behind. Arnav tried to take it from her hand. She was about to run that's when Arnav caught hold of her hand. She slipped her balance and fell on the bed dragging Arnav on top.

Still she was so engrossed in extending her hand from his reach without sensing that someone was eating her, that too lying on her.

She got confused when she didn't get any reaction from the opposite side. She looked at his rooted gaze. He looked lost. Totally. She was suffocating to come out. Arnav clutched her hands.

Arnav: If you don't like to give your things to anyone then why not you hold ME with you? Am I not your's?

Khushi: I hold things which never slip from my hand. But how can I trust you that you will always remain as

Arnav: That's what understanding is. You don't trust me because I'm looking Handsome. Then what about you? Do you have any idea How Beautiful you are? (Khushi forgot to blink) I never saw such an innocent beauty ever in my life. That's what made me break my own NO MARRIAGE policy. I fell in LOVE at first sight when I saw your photo. You can't even imagine what I felt in my heart, when you asked me for divorce. I felt my heart stopped for a while. Trust me Khushi. I want you in my life forever

Khushi not sensed that her eyes were pouring. Still lying under her husband, she didn't feel to come out. At last, Arnav gently took the packet from her hand and stood. He kept it in the suitcase and took his side on the bed.

As usual, he waited for Khushi to sleep. He could hear her soft sob. It stopped after some time. He thought to pull her for a hug. Before he does so, Khushi herself twirled and hugged Arnav. Arnav smiled taking her in his arms. He kissed her unusually.... forehead, eyes, cheeks, finally a strong peck on her lips as if he was equalizing his dose of kisses for a month. He cuddled her closing his eyes.

Khushi's lips curved with a cute smile. How did she get to sleep as she was going to miss her husband for a month? She snuggled more into his chest. Arnav thought she was in deep sleep unaware of the truth.

To be continued....