Part 34

Next Morning

This is the day which Arnav dreamt of. Blissful sleep... Waking up without stress and tension... with a heavenly assurance of life... As he wished, Arnav was sleeping in his bed peacefully. His sleep got disturbed by the knock on the door. He looked for Khushi who was in the washroom. He went to open the door.

It was none other than Ratna. She supposed to say something and stopped in the midway seeing his beardless face. Her expression changed into happiness. Arnav smiled at her. That's when something dragged her attention which made her face more and more bright.

Arnav couldn't get anything. He asked her by raising his eyebrows like "what?"

She questioned him back, in the same way, raising her thumb finger "up" like "done?"

Arnav was dumbfounded. How did she know? Seeing his expression, she dragged him to the mirror and turned his face to the right side. There was a lipstick mark. Arnav's face flushed like ever before. He composed himself and changed his face sadly.

Arnav: I just teased Khushi using this mark mom.

Ratna's face hung losing its charm. Next second, he took her hand and danced putting some steps.

Arnav(whispering): you will become GRANY soon. (He winked.)

Ratna's face brightened hearing that. She accompanied her son in his dance step smilingly. At the same time, they saw Khushi coming out of the washroom.

She looked different. They could see she was avoiding their gaze. Ratna was delighted seeing her like that.

Ratna(teasingly): Chotte, what's that on your cheek? It looks red?

Khushi looked at his cheek and it was lipstick mark which made her horror stuck. She rushed to him and wiped it hurriedly. They laughed at her and in no time Khushi hugged Ratna all blushing.

Ratna: Do you know how happy we are?

Khushi looked at her confusingly.

Ratna: You have regenerated my Chotte.

Khushi was stunned. Did Ratna know their issue?

Arnav(came behind Ratna and circled her neck): Mom knows everything. In fact, everyone knows.

Khushi: But didn't you tell me, "They should not know about our issue"?

Ratna: What if you go from here taking it in your favor? So we lied.

Khushi: I'm sorry aunty.

Ratna(touching her cheek): Forget everything. Be happy. ok?

Khushi (with fake anger): Forget? No way. You have no idea how he tortured me. I won't leave him that easily. He should payback.

Ratna(chuckled): I'm out of it. He is your husband. You are permitted to do anything.

Arnav(shocked): Mom. Don't give your word. You don't know about her Mom. she is Mahakali.

Ratna: Don't act like innocent. I know who you are.

She supposed to leave their room. Khushi caught hold of her hand.

Khushi: Thank you so much aunty. I never saw such a selfless soul like you. I'm so lucky to have you as my mother-in-law. I don't know what I can give you back.

Ratna: who said I'm selfless? I'm so selfish than anyone. I always want my children's happiness. I will do anything to make their lives cheerful. I want my family to live in peace. See, how selfish I'm. And about giving back, (she whispered in her ear making Khushi blush)

Arnav(overhearing it): Mom... such a sweetheart you are. I will take care of your wish. It's my responsibility.

Ratna(hitting him on his shoulder): Shameless.

Arnav: Mom it's you who wants grandchildren and you are blaming me? you should be happy that your son is desperate to implement your wish.

Ratna(chuckled): you are right Khushi, now I wonder how you are tolerating him.

Arnav(sincerely): Let me start processing. What do you want mom, girl baby or a boy baby?

Khushi and Ratna's jaws dropped.

Ratna: Chotte, have some shame.

Arnav: Then you will never become Granny if I have shame. (he winked)

Ratna(nodded no while smiling): I want little Khushi because I'm done with Arnav.(Arnav chuckled at her stance) What about you Khushi?

Khushi showed her thump finger bowing down blushingly towards Arnav who was standing beside her. Arnav was overwhelmed.

Ratna: My goodness. Do you like chotte that much?

Khushi( hugged her happily while nodding yes): I love you aunty.

Arnav: So, I have to work hard to fulfill both your wishes to get girl and boy then.

Ratna: My god this boy....

Arnav(hurriedly hugged them together): I love you both.

Ratna(breaking the hug): Are you both going to office today?

Arnav: Khushi will be at home. I will come within an hour after my job got finished.

Ratna(nodded ok): ok. come to breakfast. She left.

Khushi: Why should I be at home?

He drew her in his arms.

Arnav: Take rest. you must be tired.

Khushi: So you are.

Arnav: I will come soon. Then we will sleep cuddling each other.

Khushi(dropping her jaw): in day time? What aunty will think?

Arnav: My mom is a well-mannered woman.

Khushi: ohhhh really? Then what about you?

Arnav: Manners? What's that? from where I can get it?

Khushi(hitting him on his shoulder playfully): you are so shameless.

Arnav: I can achieve nothing if I have shame. By the way, why should I be shame with my wife?

Khushi: ok ok stop lecturing about shame. I know how expert you are. Now go and get fresh.

Arnav: Don't go until I come. We will go together.

Khushi: Ok. Come fast.

Arnav: Yes Ma'am.

Arnav closed the door after giving a flying kiss to her. She smiled nodding her head "No". She thought to wear a chain which was given by Arnav on the day of her "pehala Rasui". She got stuck for a second when she saw a file which was having DIVORCE papers. She slowly opened it. Her eyes welled up seeing those papers. What a big stupid she had been? What would have happened if she had missed him in the name of hatred? She was standing there thinking about her stupidity.

Arnav who came from washroom saw her spilling tears. He came to her throwing the towel which was on his shoulder and snatched the papers.

He understood what made her so weaker. He wiped her tears.

Arnav: You don't have to cry Khushi.

Khushi snatched the paper from his hand and tore it into pieces. She hugged him emotionally making him surprise.

Khushi: what would have you done if I didn't accept you? (Lifting her face) what if I would have went to my Mayka?

Arnav: I will pack my stuff and come to GH. I will spend my time with your father and brother. I know you won't like it and will drag me back to RM. (he chuckled so did Khushi)

Khushi: I got to know what you have done to my Bhabi and that Man (Shyam).

Arnav was stuck for a second.

Arnav(tucking her hair): Don't you think, your Bhabi deserves happiness and Shyam a chance?

Khushi: I'm not so lucky to think everything in a positive way like you do. What if I have missed you? (she hugged him again.)

Arnav(caressing her hair): I would not have let you go Khushi. Trust me.

Khushi: I know.

Arnav: what do you know?

Khushi: Everything about you.

Arnav(smirking): Then you should have known, if you hug shirtless me then I can't hold myself anymore.

Khushi looked at him bewilderedly with wide-opened eyes. She pushes him which she couldn't get succeeded.

Arnav(huskily): This is injustice Khushi. Don't do this to me after provoking my feelings. You made me starve all these days. Do you know how much I was longing for your touch?

He caressed his cheek with hers's making Khushi close her eyes permitting him to do what he wanted. Taking a chance, he drowned into the deep ocean of kiss forgetting that he should go to the office. Arnav broke the kiss and rested his forehead on hers.

Arnav: Do you know, "Yesterday was the last day of the sixth month?" As per our deal, I should have signed those papers.

Khushi: Only if I have submitted the evidence against you.

Arnav(smirking): But I the most valuable of my life in the exact date. (He winked.)

Khushi(pretending): Really? What's that?

Arnav: The one who is acting like she knows nothing. (He tapped her nose smirking.)

Khushi(pretending): I can't understand.

Arnav: If you can't understand then I have no problem in signing it again. (He winked.)

Khushi: you have to go to the office. Remember?

Arnav(rolling his eyes): I'm thinking of canceling it.

Khushi: Then?

Arnav: Then I will concentrate on my responsibility of fulfilling my mother's wish.

Khushi: No one will say, seeing your over naughtiness towards your wife that you didn't want to get married once. (Arnav chuckled) Why didn't you like to get married?

Arnav: Not so big deal. Just that I don't want. Because no one had the capability to steal my heart like you did. It's only you who made me flat. (He dashed his head with her's.)

Khushi(touching his cheek): After giving loads of hope, you will not do anything cranky right? I can't tolerate it Arnav. (She said worriedly.)

Arnav: Am I looking cranky? I just want to ask you the same. Maa Mahakali... (he stressed) please don't do anything cranky, I can't tolerate it. (pause) You won't leave me, right? please...

Khushi(cutting him): Don't you dare think so. Didn't I say it's your fate to be get tortured by me?

Arnav: Love torture?

Khushi(circling his neck): Absolutely.

Arnav: Waiting.

They smiled hugging each other.

To be continued............