"Khushi... I hope I'm not interrupting anything?" Arnav asked noticing her lost in her thought as he came and sat beside her on the chair.

"No... No Arnavji. I was just-" Khushi answered nervously

"You sure You're Okay Khushi?" Arnav asked concerned seeing her all nervous

"I'm fine" She answered

"Why aren't you with the rest of them...?? It's your sister's big day" Arnav asked

"I am not a big fan of gatherings... Marriage functions have never been my forte. I just wanted to be alone for a while" Khushi said weakly

"Its Okay... I'm no fan either. I can understand" Arnav said softly

"Jiji says... I wasn't like that earlier" Khushi said

"No... You weren't." Arnav said absently

"She said I used to enjoy marriages" She said

Arnav smiled

"I don't know Arnav... Its like I'm not me. I just don't know why I'm scared" Khushi said

Arnav held her hand comfortingly.

"Its Okay Khushi" He whispered to her

"I never open up much to people... I don't know what to say to them... About myself. I never find the right words. To convey what I feel..." Khushi said

"You can tell me anything. I'm there to listen" Arnav said

"Sometimes... I just wish someone hugs me tightly... Caressing my hair. Kissing my forehead. I just wish I have someone who's there whenever I need to confide. I wish... That I could ask anyone what is there that I'm missing... Someone who'll tell me what that dream meant..." Khushi said

Arnav held her in a tight hug. Stroking her hair softly "Happy?" He asked

She snuggled into him "Just a few more minutes... Please?" She said

"All my life if you want me to. I'm always there" Arnav assured softly while tightening his hold on her

"You know Arnavji... There was an emptiness for years... And I was not sure how to help myself, But now in this moment, I feel strangely complete. The moment I met you in Sheesh Mahal... That moment was one of the most precious moments of my life. I don't know why... I can't.. I can't explain... " Khushi said

"I know... Khushi I know" Arnav said softly kissing her hair

"Khushi, I love you" Arnav confessed

Khushi was not shocked. It was as if he was supposed to say that for a long time. Like this is exactly what was supposed to be happening. And all she did was close her eyes snuggling more and more into him

"Why does it not surprise me Arnavji? Why isn't this... Surprising? You saying I love you" Khushi asked innocently

"Maybe because you know it... You know me. You know I love you... That it was just a matter of time till I finally accepted it." Arnav answered

"We've met just a few months back" She said

"Hmm" He said while thinking how wrong she was. They were bound to each other for more than just a few months

"Then why does it feel like I know you for ages? Why did I feel like I truly completed my fast of Karwachauth after years... When you made me drink water. Do you know why Arnavji?" Khushi asked

Arnav smiled remembering the day, When he broke her Karwachauth fast by making her drink water

"I know... Maybe I do know" Arnav said

"I am boring you Ain't I?" Khushi asked

"No... You sometimes need to let it all out. I'm glad I'm helping you with this" Arnav said

"I love you" Khushi said in a bare whisper

And those three syllables from her did something to him. Her every word made his heart skip a beat, He felt like the luckiest person alive in that moment

"Am I dreaming?" Arnav thought to himself

"Not a dream" Khushi said shyly

"Did I day that out loud?" Arnav asked

"Loud enough for me to hear" Khushi said

Arnav smiled

"I love you too" Arnav said ever so softly

"Shall we go out, They'd be missing us" Arnav said after a few minutes

"Yeah, I think we should go" Khushi said

Arnav and Khushi got up to leave

"Where were the two of you?" Yash asked when he saw them coming into the hall

"Baba... I was just-" Arnav said

"He was just trying to help me with SOMETHING" Khushi said

"Oh... Okay, You people continue, I'll be right back" Yash said

"Dad... You were right" Khushi called

Yash turned around confused, But One look at his daughter said it all. She was holding hands with Arnav. "It happened?"

Khushi nodded and  smiled shyly

"Tripti is waiting" Yash said in a sing song before leaving

And Khushi blushed scarlet

"What was that?" Arnav asked

"A girl is always more close to Her Father than her mother, Though I do have Amma... But still I feel more at home when Dad's around. He always used to tell me... That whenever that special someone will come, It'll change everything. I'll be happiest. And it did happen. You succeeded in bringing me out of my shell, If only a little. I've never dared to come to places with huge gathering... There's always been an unnamed fear. But I'm here now. And all because of you" Khushi said smiling

Arnav smiled back

"Arnav... Waah yaar Apni dulhan ko fir se jeet liya tumne. I'm impressed (Arnav... Wow man, Won your bride back again I'm Impressed)" Tripti said

Arnav smiled... "She told you" He asked

"I'm very happy for you, I've never seen her so happy, She was beaming when she told me about you. Always keep my choti happy" Tripti said

"Promise"  Arnav said

"Khushi... You Okay? You're looking lost again" Arnav asked concerned, She was again back to staring into space

"I- I don't know Arnavji... Aisa lag raha hai... Kuch hua hai... Aise hi mahaul mein... Kuch bahut galat... I don't know... Kyu aisa lag raha hai... But I can't shake it off, Mujhe bahut darr lag raha hai... (I-I don't know Arnavji, It feels like, That something has happened... In just the same surroundings... Something that was very wrong... I don't know why I'm feeling like that... But I can't shake it off, I'm very scared)" Khushi said in a low voice

Arnav felt a sudden pain in his heart, He knew what exactly she must be going through... Arnav held her hand and squeezed it in assurance

"Do you want to leave? I mean-"

"Chote... Please go upstairs for a minute. I need you to bring Payal ji's shagun jewellery" Anjali said

Arnav felt Khushi's nails digging deep into his palm

Damn!!!

"Meera... Will you go upstairs for a bit, There in Anjali Di's room there's a box with Di's shagun. Will you bring it downstairs" Arnav said to little Meera who nodded enthusiastically and ran upstairs.

"Khushi... "  Arnav breathed as he felt Khushi going stiff

But Khushi was beyond herself now

"Khushi!!" Arnav tried to pull her out of the trance but to no avail

"KHUSHI!!!" Arnav screamed shaking her hard

AAAAHHHHH!!!!- Khushi let out a heart-Wrenching scream.

Everything was returning with full force. Was this small trigger enough? Just one incident?

I honestly don't know how that came out, But I guess that's what it is... Please leave reviews 

Love 

#Vinny