Part20 

Next Morning

Arnav woke up, squeezing his eyes. He saw Khushi watering plant, keeping a toothbrush in her mouth. He chuckled. 

This is the same scene that made him flat. He sat on the bed, keeping a pillow on his lap. How lucky he is? His wife looks beautiful even while brushing. He was busy admiring his wife, in that he missed to observe that the door was unlocked and Ratna came inside. 

She saw him admiring his wife all smiling. She coughed making Arnav jerk. Khushi smiled at her.

Ratna (loudly): You are right Chotte...

Not only Arnav but also Khushi didn't know in which Arnav was right.

Ratna: Khushi looks really beautiful even while brushing.

Arnav got stuck and widened his eyes. He glared at Ratna but she didn't give heed to his glare. He switched his gaze to Khushi slowly and saw a cute shocking expression on her face.

Ratna: Do you know Khushi? Chotte doesn't like "make-up". No one will believe if I say the fashion king doesn't like faces with make-up. But he likes your natural beauty. I didn't believe when he said Khushi looks beautiful while brushing. I was curious to see you while brushing. He is not wrong. You look so beautiful. Hai na Chotte?

Khushi's expression was worth watching. She removed the brush from her mouth and hid behind her. Is it true or Ratna is framing? She so wanted to see what Arnav says. She looked at Arnav whose expression was double worth watching. He never faced this kind of embarrassing moment in his life. Neither he could say NO nor could say YES. What the...

Arnav looked at Khushi whose gaze was rooted at him. He gulped hard. How could he disappoint her? He nodded YES making her feel new feelings. She felt like falling down. She went to the washroom, plastering a smile, bowing down.

Arnav hit on his own forehead and glared at Ratna.

Arnav: What have you done Mom?

Ratna (coolly): What I did?

Arnav: You shouldn't have broken the egg.

Ratna: I'm feeling sad that I couldn't make an omelet.

Arnav glared at her.

Ratna: Did I say when you said that? No right? So, cool.

Arnav: Mom, please just stop this.

Ratna: Ok... then say her you love her.

Arnav: Give me some time, Mom... What do you think; I don't want to tell her?

Ratna: Then tell her.

Arnav: I don't know how she will take.

Ratna: She is so understanding and clever unlike you.

Arnav rolled his eyes.

Ratna: Every girl on the Earth would like to be loved.

Arnav was silent.

Ratna (self-talk): Ratna... keep going....

Without caring about Arnav's glare, she stood off the bed and started singing...

"Tere mere, mere tere, prem kahani hai mushkil"

She stood at the entrance, looking at Arnav who was still glaring at her.

Ratna: Face the fun, my son...

She left the place winking.

Arnav closed his face by his palms. Thank God, his mother didn't say the complete scene. He rolled his eyes gritting his teeth.

Inside the washroom

Khushi was standing in front of the mirror, keeping brush in her mouth. When did Arnav see her while brushing? Yesterday, she brushed inside the washroom then how? Did he really say that to Amma? Ratna ma is always exaggerates things. She makes everyone happy. Arnavji should have nodded yes just to make me happy. So there is nothing to fly high. Maybe, he would have weary of make-up faces as Ratna ma said. She shrugged the thought off and took a bath.

Arnav saw no difference in Khushi's gesture which made him relaxed. She looked casual. Arnav was hesitating, how to console her. He made himself up and looked at her. 

He got stuck, seeing her wiping her hair. Wet hair strands that were sticking on her marble neck, tickled his sense. 

She turned, putting her hair behind and saw him gazing at her. She asked "what?" raising her eyebrows. Arnav nodded NO and went to the washroom. Khushi frowned. Why he looked embarrassing?

Khushi came to the kitchen to help Ratna.

Khushi: Amma, give me some work here.

Ratna: You can help me when you are free. Not now.

Khushi: It's ok Amma...

Ratna (pointing the kitchen slab): Sit here.

Khushi sat on it chuckling.

Ratna: Have a strong coffee and then you can help me. Ok?

Khushi: Done.

Ratna gave her coffee Khushi sipped it. She thought something and laughed. Ratna looked at her smilingly.

Ratna: I gave you only coffee but you are laughing as if I gave you "Niters oxide"

Khushi: Wow... you know about laughing gas too...

Ratna (nodding yes): Tell me what made you laugh?

Khushi: If anyone sees us, they think I'm torturing my mother-in-law by making her work, sitting on the slab.

Ratna (laughing): Maybe...

Khushi: I'm so lucky to have you Amma. I never expected that a Mother-in-law can be so friendly with her Bahu. I had never seen such a down to earth person like you.

Ratna was doing her work, hearing her prizing words all smiling.

Ratna: Did you talk to Garimaji?

Khushi: Just yesterday I went there for paghperah...

Ratna: No... don't be like this. They have already lost Lavanya. They have no one other than you. You are their only solace. Call them daily and talk for a few minutes at least. You have no idea what difference it makes in a parent's heart. Ask them something like, what you eat, what are you doing, I miss you...

Khushi (cutting her): it seems, I won't miss them...

Ratna: Why?

Khushi: I will miss them if I feel bored or sad. How could I miss them if you are so good?

Ratna: Nice to here. But don't forget, no one could take parent's place. They are not replaceable. So, be supportive of them.

Khushi: Ok... I will call them every day.

Ratna: Done...

Khushi jumped off the slab and kissed Ratna's cheek.

Khushi: I love so much...

She saw Arnav standing at the kitchen entrance, hearing her confession. Ratna looked at him and smiled.

Ratna: Chotte, don't be jealous...

She chuckled making them embarrassed.

Arnav (stammering): I just came for coffee.

Ratna: I didn't say you came here to see your wife kissing me.

She teased.

Arnav: Mom... can I get coffee?

Ratna (looking at Khushi): Will you?

She nodded yes and prepared him coffee.

Ratna: Come in Chotte...

Arnav nodded No and rushed to the living room.

Ratna controlled her laugh, seeing him running.

Khushi: Why are you teasing him, Amma?

Ratna: Don't you like it?

Khushi didn't know what to say.

Khushi: Oh...he may get irritated.

Ratna: I don't think so.

Khushi: Doesn't he look a little moody?

Ratna: Just because he looks moody, we should not let him be like that. That's why I'm teasing him.

Khushi: Did he really say that?

Ratna: What?

Khushi(hesitatingly): oh...that, I'm beautiful?

Ratna: What do you think that am I framing?

Khushi nodded NO hurriedly and then YES slowly...

Ratna(chuckling): I only frame the content which already exists.

Khushi (hesitatingly): Does Arnavji like me?

Ratna: So much... just observe him. You will get to know.

Khushi nodded ok and Ratna smiled inwardly. From here on, Arnav couldn't hide his gesture from Khushi.

....

Khushi came to her room and dialed Garima. She felt excitement in Garima's tone.

Garima: Beta... you called me in the morning....?

Khushi: I miss you Amma...

Garima (smiling): Look beta, it will be a little tough to cross every phase of life. You cried when completing school. You will cry when your college gets complete. Like the same, this is also make you feel sad but you will get used to it.

Khushi: don't you miss me?

Garima: Like hell. Our house looks completely silent but this is the reality. We have to accept it. You called me it's enough for me. We will be happy if you are happy.

Khushi: Anything special?

Garima: Nothing.... (she thought something) Wait... yes, do you remember Sheetal...? Lavanya's friend?

Khushi(sparkling): Of course... yes...

Garima: She is getting married. She sent her marriage invitation to Lavanya as she didn't know her demise.

Khushi thought for a while.

Khushi: Shall I attend her marriage?

Garima: But why?

Khushi: I want to visit Mumbai. I like Marine Drive very much. I want to utilize this chance. Please... please...

Garima (hesitating): how will you go? Will Arnav take you?

Khushi was stuck. Garima was right. Lard Governor is an unpredictable piece. She thought what Ratna said. If Arnav likes her, he will take her to Mumbai. She can hit "two birs in one stone" checking Arnav and meeting Sheetal. She was excited.

Garima: Ok... I will talk to Shashiji regarding this. He will ask Arnav to take you. What say?

Khushi: What an idea... Thank you so much, Amma.

Garima: Let me talk to Shashiji first. Until then don't open it up with Arnav.

Khushi: Done.

They disconnected the call. Khushi was so curious to meet Sheetal. This meeting may help her to find about Lavanya. Sheetal should have known about her. But, Shashi should agree for it. Don't know what he will say.

To be continued....

Today's inkitt update

Mumbai Trip

Shashi saw Sheetal's marriage invitation on the tea table. Garima gave him coffee. He took the invitation while sipping the coffee.

Shashi: Whose wedding invitation is this?

Garima: Lavanya's friend Sheetal.

Shashi: Ohh...

Garima: She is unaware of her demise...

Shashi: Mmm... Do you want to go?

To read the above update, use my initt link dearies...