Part 24 Unexpected...

Arnav got struck, seeing Shashi in his place and he was talking with Arvind. Shashi smiled at Arnav.

*Good morning Sir...* Arnav wished him.

*Good morning Arnav...* he said with the same smile which made Arnav confused. He thought Shashi won't talk to him smoothly.

Arnav sat in front of him. Ratna served Shashi a cup of coffee.

*Thank you jee...* Shashi said.

Ratna simply smiled at him.

*I would like to talk to you about an important matter.* Shashi said.

He came to the point, Arnav thought.

*I never shared my matters with anyone. But now, I think it's needed.*

Arvind and Ratna spared a glance whereas Arnav looked down.

*I failed to be a good father to my daughter... I missed asking her opinion about getting second marriage. I didn't know she doesn't like it. I got married only for her. But she hates me for that. She left India not to stay with me and Garima. she didn't like to visit India ever. She almost settled down in Switcher land. And then, I got a heart attack and she came back to India to meet me* he stopped with a painful smile.

Arvind and Ratna couldn't understand why he was talking about his personal life. Arnav was silently listening to him.

*Khushi doesn't even consider me as her father. She just stayed in India due to business commitments and she engages herself in that. According to her, she has no one in this world...*

*Can't you try to make her feel free with you, Sir?* Ratna asked.

*Do you think I wouldn't have?*

*She came here last evening. I don't think she is harder to mend...*

*No wonder if she moves with you freely...* Shashi said with a hidden meaning, looking at Arnav.

Ratna looked at him, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

*Nowadays, she looks different...*

*That's what I told* Ratna said.

*I can see a lot of changes in her... she smiles... looks happy and interested...*

*Ohh...* Arvind said.

*I got to know the reason for her changes...*

* That's so great...then you can easily keep her happy...* Ratna said.

*The reason for her happiness is someone...*

Arnav gulped hard.

*She loves someone...* Shashi said.

Ratna raised her brows. Khushi was in love...!

*I need your suggestion. What do I do now?* He asked them.

*What can we tell you...?* Arvind hesitated.

*I came here to get your suggestion... because I have no one to discuss it... you can tell me what you feel about It.* Shashi said.

*You are a reputed man in the society... we are just...* Arvind dragged...

Cutting him,

*What's there to think, Sir? She is happy... what else do you want more than that? You said she is already upset with you. You will get a place in her heart again if you get her to marry the boy she loves. Furthermore, she will be happy in her life with the guy she loves... isn't it enough for you?* Ratna stopped giving her opinion.

*So, I should get her married to the boy?*

*I think so...*

*Then accept her as your daughter-in-law...* Shashi said looking at Arnav.

Not only Arvind and Ratna but also Arnav were shocked. He thought Shashi will ask him to stay away from Khushi, mentioning their status difference. He never expected this turning point. He looked at Ratna and Arvind who were gazing at him.

*She loves Arnav* Shashi said openly.

*Chotte...* before Ratna asked Arnav anything,

*Not Arnav... only Khushi...* Shashi said.

*Sir, I...*

*I know Arnav. Khushi fought with me about it. She said you have not accepted her proposal yet.* Shashi smiled.

Ratna looked at him WHY DON'T YOU TELL ME?

*And she said she will make you accept her proposal*

Arnav scratched his forehead.

*I'm here to take the proposal further. Would you accept my daughter as your daughter-in-law?* Shashi asked Ratna.

Ratna looked at Arnav.

*Don't you like Khushi?* Shashi asked him directly.

*Actually, sir... I don't think of her like that*

*Until now, you don't think like that... * Shashi stopped not completing the sentence.

Arnav was silent.

*Khushi never liked anything, until now... she never wanted anything for herself, Arnav. Now...she likes you. She thinks she will be happy if you are with her. Don't disappoint her... she will surely leave India if you don't accept her proposal. Please make her stay in India...*

Arnav didn't know what to say.

*You make him understand. I have no doubt you will fulfil the mother's place in Khushi's life* Shashi said looking at Ratna.

Ratna looked at Arnav who was also looking at him. Arnav knew his mother's gesture very much. So did Ratna. She expected him to gesture something through his eyes. She expected him to node NO. But Arnav was looking at her without gesturing to her anything.

*Don't think I'm forcing you. If you don't accept her, she will never get married to anyone. I know her. Hope you understand my position* Shashi said.

*I will accept your daughter as my bahu* Ratna said, looking at Arnav, seeing his face become calm.

*Are you serious?* Shashi asked.

Ratna nodded yes.

*What about Arnav?* he asked looking at Arnav.

Arnav nodded yes.

*Thank you so much, Jee...thank you Arnav...*

*I don't know what to say, sir* Arnav hesitated.

*But, I have to tell you something very important* Shashi said.

The trio was curious to know what he wanted to say.

*Khushi should not know about this meeting of ours.*

*But why?*

*She wants to win Arnav by her own but I don't think Arnav will accept her until I'm fine with it. Am I right?*

Arnav nodded yes, making them wonder.

*I don't want her to get hurt at any cost. That's why I came to meet you guys.*

*I won't tell her* Arnav said.

*Just show her that you accepted her proposal ONLY for her*

Arnav nodded ok.

*You take care of her... I'm leaving*

*sir...* Arnav stopped him.

*I hope you don't misunderstand me...*

Shashi smiled.

*It's not that easy to trap my daughter. And I know how were you guys at the beginning. I know you. Khushi will be happy with you. I'm happy about her choice because you are a nice guy... in fact, my daughter made my job easier...*

Arnav smiled.

*Bye...* Shashi left RM.

*So, Chotte...?* Arvind said.

*Yes, Dad, she proposed to me. I didn't want to spoil the trust Shashi Sir has for me... so I denied...*

*This is why she came here yesterday?* Ratna asked.

Arnav nodded yes.

*Handle her carefully...* Ratna said.

Arnav smiled at her and went to his room to get ready for the office. He felt relaxed. He took shower thinking about what to do next. He wiped his wet hair, smiling like an idiot. He was nervous when Khushi proposed to him. He was in dilemma about her proposal. Though he was concerned about Shashi he was more concerned about Khushi. He never wanted to make her disappointed. Shashi was the only barrier between them. He so wanted to make her happy forever and it was going to happen. He got ready and left RM.

GI

Arnav checked Khushi in her cabin. She had not come to the office yet. Keeping the upcoming project report on her table, he went to his cubicle and started working. After a while, he got a call from Khushi.

*Come to my cabin*

*Ok*

Disconnecting the call, he went to her cabin. No need to say all the eyes were on him.

Arnav peeped in, pushing the door, slightly.

*May I come in?*

Khushi nodded her head.

*Yes, Khushi....?*

*Is that project report finished?*

*Yes...*

*When did you finish it?*

*Today morning*

*At home?* she asked wondering.

Arnav nodded yes.

*Good... by the way, you don't have to do the office work at home... maintain your privacy* she said while checking the file.

Arnav wondered as she had spoken so professionally.

*If you have any doubt, call me* Arnav said.

*Ok...* she flipped the page.

Arnav stood from the chair.

*How is your Mom?*

*Fine...*

*Did she say anything about me?*

*She said my BOSS is so nice...*

Khushi leaned on the chair.

*Really? Tell her that your Boss will be a good daughter-in-law too*

*How could I say that? he asked her calmly.

*Do you want me to say that?* she asked teasingly.

Arnav smiled without answering her.

*Your mother liked me... I know that...*

*Oh...*

*You too like me... I know that too*

*I never hid it from you. Of course, I like you...*

*You like everything... I don't want to be JUST liked by you*

*Mmm?*

*Yup...*

*I don't have a problem loving you... if you are fine with my conditions...*

Khushi raised her eyebrows.

*Conditions? Don't you know LOVE should be UNCONDITIONAL?*

*Love is unconditional but MARRIED LIFE...*

Khushi amazed. Was he talking about MARRIED LIFE? She was taken back and Arnav smiled at her.

To be continued...