Part 21 

GH

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?

Garima: I think yes.

Shashi: Ok, we will go.

Garima: Shall we take Khushi with us?

Shashi thought for a while...

Shashi: Why not we send Arnav and Khushi?

Garima was glad as she wanted the same.

Garima: But...

Shashi: Situation didn't permit us to send them to honeymoon as we don't know Arnav's mind. Let them go. It will give them space alone.

Garima: You are right. But Arnav would be free...

Shashi: I will talk to him.

Garima(happily): Ok...

AR

Arnav entered his cabin, finishing a client meeting. He drank water and leaned on the seat. When he straightened himself, the phone demanded his attention by ringing.

"Father-in-law" was flashing on the phone screen. His face wore a smile. Shashi Gupta's talk always gives a pleasant feel to him. It's very rare to get such a relationship nowadays... he attended the call.

Arnav: Hello Uncle...

Shashi: How are you, young man?

Arnav: Yeah... doing well.

Shashi: I hope Khushi is not disturbing you too much...?

Arnav (smiling): Not at all, uncle...

Shashi(surprisingly): Really? But how? She won't sit without doing something for a while. It would be a punishment for her if she keeps herself quite. She keeps blabbering always...

Arnav: Yeah... but it's not disturbing me though.

Shashi(gladly): I'm so relieved...

Arnav: I think you miss Khushi and her blabbers a lot...

Shashi: Undoubtedly... She is not a kind of girl who drowns in social media ignoring the world around her. She keeps engaging her people and makes them feel her absence.

He is so right. She makes people search for her.

Arnav: Do you want her to stay in GH?

Shashi: No no... we will get used to it. We have to... it's obvious for all the girl's parents.

Arnav felt the helplessness in his words. It's a bitter truth. Every girl's parents have to face the stage.

Shashi: Actually, I called you to ask you something.

Arnav: Yes uncle...

Shashi: Lavanya's best friend is getting married. She sent her marriage invitation as she doesn't know about Lavanya's demise. Could you attend the marriage with Khushi?

Arnav was stuck. If she is Lavanya's friend, then the marriage would not be in Delhi. Going somewhere with Khushi? That will be interesting.

Shashi: I have an important deal to finalize. Or else I and Garima will attend the marriage. I'm unable to spend two days as the marriage is going to held in Mumbai.

Arnav(flipping his program diary): When is the marriage, Uncle?

Shashi: Day after tomorrow. That means you should go tomorrow.

Arnav: Tomorrow itself? But why?

Shashi: It seems a Tamil wedding. I think she is getting married to a Tamil guy. So, tomorrow evening is engagement and next day early morning, Marriage.

Arnav: Ohh...

Shahi: Yeah... so you should be there tomorrow evening then it will be easy for you to attend the marriage. What say? Are you fine with that?

Arnav: What about Khushi? Does she know about marriage?

Shashi: Not yet, i just want to know about your schedule first. She will be happy if she gets to know that she is visiting Mumbai as she never had seen BEACH. She hasn't got the chance to see a beach yet. Whenever Lavanya talks about Marine Drive, she makes a sad face.

He laughed.

Arnav(smiling): I will take her Uncle.

Shashi: So, you don't have any important schedule...?

Of course, he had. Taking a pen, Arnav cut the program schedule which was marked in his diary. What more important than taking Khushi to somewhere?

Arnav: No...

Shashi: That's great... you made me relieve. Thank you Arnav.

Arnav: My pleasure, Uncle.

Shashi: Actually, Marriage Venue is in KALYAAN. Arrange your stay regarding this.

Arnav: Ohh... I thought to book a room in Hotel Taj.

Shashi: It's an hour's ride from Kalyaan to Colaba. You first attend the marriage and then come to TAJ. I think Sheetal's family would have arranged for the guest's stay.

Arnav: It's fine. I will manage.

Shashi: Cool... take care Arnav.

Arnav: Sure.

They disconnected the call.

Arnav was delighted. He and Khushi are going to Mumbai. He called Aman and asked him to book a "sea facing" Room in Taj. Yeah... it's a pleasant feeling to see a SEA while having a hot coffee. Khushi will like it.

RM

Khushi hopped, keeping a phone on her ear as Garima told her Arnav agreed to take her to Mumbai.

Khushi: Really? Did Lard Governor agree?

Garima: Shut up... crazy girl... what's this... Lard Governor and all?

Khushi: You know Amma...? He can't talk without using English words even in a sad situation.

Garima: He may not like such a name...

Khushi(casually): He knows...

Garima: God... Did you call him so?

Khushi (chuckling): Frequently...

Garima: Khushi.... You are really crazy....

Khushi heard the foot-step sound.

Khushi: I think Lard Governor is coming. I will talk to you later.

She disconnected the call and sat on the recliner. She flipped the book which was in her hand. Arnav smiled at her while entering.

Khushi: Did the sun rise in the west today?

Arnav (puzzlingly): Whaaaat?

Khushi: You came so earlier....?

Arnav (rolling his eyes smiling): I didn't watch the sun today...

He removed the coat and threw it on the bed. Loosening the tie, he unbuttoned a top button of the shirt. Rolling his sleeves up, he sat opposite to Khushi. Khushi eyes were adamant not to off him. She swallowed the thing which rose from her stomach. Is he planning to kill her? Doesn't his stubble give him a hot look? Why he looks different today? She switched her gaze to control her Dhak Dhak, seeing his killer smile...

She stood. It will save her poor heart if she leaves the place. She doesn't want to get caught as well.

Arnav: What happened?

Khushi: I... I will bring you coffee.

Arnav: I will have later. Sit. I need to talk to you.

Khushi sat on the recliner. Talk....? She has no choice other than looking at him. She has to...

Arnav: Shashi uncle called me.

Khushi: Ohh...

Arnav: He wants us to attend a marriage in Mumbai.

Khushi: Ohh...

Arnav: We will go if you are interested.

Khushi: Ohh...

Her eyes were wavering on his features all the time while talking... correction... while uttering "Ohhh"

Arnav: Are not you interested?

Khushi: Ohh...

Arnav frowned at her.

Arnav: Khushi....

Khushi: Haannn...

Arnav: Where were you lost?

Khushi: Tie... stubble...

Arnav(frowning): Whaaaat?

He came to her taking two long steps and shook her shoulder. Khushi jerked widening her eyes.

Khushi(dreamingly): What happened?

Arnav: That's what I'm asking. What happened to you?

Khushi gulped.

Arnav: Are not you interested to go to Mumbai?

Khushi: Haan.... I'm... haan....

Arnav: Khushi are you alright?

Khushi sat on the recliner closing her face by her palm.

Arnav: What's wrong?

Khushi(standing from the recliner): This is why I said I will bring your coffee.

She pouted.

Arnav: Coffee? What's the role of coffee here?

Khushi: You know nothing... I will bring you coffee and that's final. Ok?

Arnav flinched. What's wrong with this girl?

Khushi stood at the doorstep and looked at him.

Khushi: You should be changed when I come with coffee. Go and get fresh.

She went to the kitchen. Arnav sulked, keeping his hands on his hip, not understand anything. He nodded NO widening his eyes and went to the washroom to get fresh. She may pounce again if she sees him not changed.

In the kitchen

Khushi: What's wrong with you girl? You are behaving like crazy... don't you know that your husband is handsome? Then why are you getting crazy seeing him? Because... he was with a loosened tie, rolled up sleeves, cute stubble... adding to it, a killer smile on his damn face. (She bit her nail) Khushi steady... this is a test for your strong heart... poor my heart...

She prepared the coffee and headed to their room.

What happened all of a sudden? Yesterday also he was the same man. Then why today?

It's simple. Didn't Ratna say, HE LIKES YOU SO MUCH? It's obvious if a girl gives extra attention to her husband after knowing about his involvement. Actually, Ratna wants Arnav to get caught by Khushi. But here, it seems, Khushi is going to get caught by herself. That she had fallen for her husband badly. Won't it be important? Being a possessive natured girl, Khushi should know what she feels for her husband.

Khushi extended the coffee cup to Arnav. He took it from her spilling a smile.

Khushi rolled her eyes as his smile caused something in her. She sat on the bed taking a book as she doesn't want to look at him. And she tried her level best to complete her mission of "not looking at him".

Arnav repeated what he and Shashi spoke. This time, Khushi concentrated on his talks but we can't say she didn't concentrate on HIM.

Arnav: Shall we go to Mumbai?

Khushi nodded YES simply which made him amazing. He thought she will jump off the bed.

Arnav: Uncle said, you have never seen BEACH...

Khushi nodded yes.

Arnav: Your wish will be fulfilled.

She smiled. Her silent approach hit his sense.

Arnav: I will cancel the program if you are uncomfortable.

Khushi was shaken. Because of your cracked mind, you are going to miss the great chance of finding about Lavanya. Her inner mind warned her. She dragged a volunteer smile on her face.

Khushi: Actually, I'm stuck...

Arnav: Stuck? in what?

Khushi(in mind): In YOU...

Khushi (composing): I can't believe I got a chance to visit a beach so soon. Thank you so much Arnavji...

Arnav: We have to start tomorrow afternoon.

Khushi: When is the marriage?

She asked, showing interest as if she knows nothing.

Arnav: Day after tomorrow.

Khushi: Then why we are starting tomorrow?

Arnav: Marriage timing is early in the morning and tomorrow evening is engagement.

Khushi: Oh...

Khushi: We will go to the beach if we reach earlier.

Arnav: No... there is no beach in the area.

Khushi(sadly): Ohh..

Arnav: We will go to the beach after completing the marriage.

Khushi (excitedly): Okk... (pause) did you say Amma about it?

Arnav: NO...

Khushi: I will say her...

She rushed out of the room. She huffed coming out. Don't know how will you going to be with him for a full two days Khushi. She pitied herself.

To be continued...

Today's Inkitt update

Chess Champion

Khushi searched for Ratna to convey about their Mumbai trip. As she didn't find her in the kitchen she walked towards her room. She saw her playing Chess with Arvind. She rushed to them and kneeled down in front of the chessboard excitedly.

Khushi: Amma, you play chess?

Ratna: Yeah...

Khushi: why didn't you say it before? We would have played...?

Ratna: I'm not so good at Chess.

Arvind: Yeah... she wins only against Chotte.

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