Part43

Khushi got stuck hearing his confession. "Yes, you are right. I'm more and more weaker than what you really know about me. To lose my control, you don't have to come near me, your smile is more than enough to do so. And I have no problem in accepting that truth. Because I love you beyond your imagination Khushi...."

She smiled over her stubbornness. Men are beautiful when they leave their ego behind for their loved ones.

Khushi(in mind): If he is so weaker, then why did he go away from her when she got close to him? Really he loses his control if she goes near him? Does he love her to that extent? Let's see either he will keep his words or not.

As Arnav said, he didn't disturb Khushi nor did he do mischievousness which disturbed Khushi a lot.

Khushi was studying in her room. Arnav came from the office as usual. She was looking at him until he smiles at her. She turned her face after getting his smile like she didn't expect it.

Arnav got fresh and went downstairs. Khushi slowly followed him to see where he is going. She saw him entering the kitchen. Her face lit brightly as that's what she guessed. He will prepare tea for both of them.

As she expected Arnav came with two cups of tea. He extended one to Khushi. She took it from his hand without looking at him. He smiled at her childish act. This was their usual routine. Khushi became addicted to his ginger tea.

Arnav was keeping his promise like anything. But Khushi was not fine with Arnav's "don't disturb Khushi" concept. She felt bored seeing his saintly behavior. 

 Thinking about it, she slept sitting on the chair while studying. Arnav scooped her in his arms and placed her on the bed. When he covered her with a quilt, Khushi held his hand in her sleep not to let him go. Arnav smiled and lied beside her. Just one more exam left which was the next day. Arnav drifts into sleep thinking that. Khushi opened her eyes and looked at him admiringly.

Khushi(in mind): See how he is sleeping peacefully. As a saint, he is keeping his promise. Such a boar. Wait, just one more exam is there. I know you will come to me after that. I will show you who am I.

She thought about the RED saree which she bought with LA and Archana yesterday. She smirked inwardly. RED is Arnav's favorite color. Not just favorite it does magic on him. She knew it. She had witnessed the effect on her own on LA and NK's reception.

Next morning

Khushi was not wrong, RED did magic on Arnav. His breath ditched him, his eyes were rooted firmly on Khushi, His legs got clued on the floor forgetting to move. Khushi sensed his constant gaze on her. She smiled inwardly and refused to look at him at least for once.

Ratna became delighted seeing both of her Bahus in RED saree.

Ratna: Wow. Both of you looking gorgeous.

LA: Group photo will be taken today Amma. RED saree is our dress code.

Ratna: Nice. Will you be late?

LA: Today is our last examination. We will come a little late after helping Archana to vacate her room.

Ratna: Ok call me if you will be late.

Khushi: Sure.

Arnav was silently listening to them. His eyes were fixed on his wife who was killing him by wearing RED. Actually, he has a plan to surprise Khushi when she comes from college as her exams getting over today. He was not sure of how would he do that now. He thought to get Ratna's help to convey it to Khushi.

Khushi left for college with LA. She finished her exams and gave a send-off to Archana with tears. Khushi was excited to go home. She knows something would be waiting for her at home.

RM

Ratna was happy about Arnav's plan because Arnav told her about it already. She appreciated her son as he did what he said.

Ratna: That's great Chinna. Tell me now, where will you take my Bahu for your honeymoon?

Arnav showed her the tickets. Ratna's surprise was not estimated seeing the tickets to Port Blair. The place where Arnav and Khushi met years ago. She smiled at him pleasantly.

Ratna: So, Andaman beaches are going to hear my Doll's giggle again...

Arnav smiled at her dreamingly. They became alert seeing Khushi and LA entering. Khushi's Red saree took him to the dream world again. How this girl looks so beautiful in RED? He couldn't take his eyes off her. He stood forgetting himself. LA looked at the tickets which were in Ratna's hand.

LA: Amma, what's that?

Ratna looked at Arnav raising her eyebrows. He nodded yes. Ratna passed the tickets to her while gesturing Khushi through her eyes. LA hoped seeing the tickets to Port Blair and hugged Khushi.

LA: Trip to Andaman.... Wow Khushi, it's really great plan.

Khushi looked at Arnav surprised and he smiled at her. His face changed its expression when she didn't react to it.

Ratna: Khushi, only two days for you to get ready. Start preparation.

She plastered a smile and it alarmed Arnav. They haven't even patched up yet. How could he plan without knowing what she feels? How could he plan a honeymoon before he sorts it out? Why not thinks of convincing her once? By taking her to Honeymoon, is he thinking that he can coax her?

Ratna: We are going to a marriage. We will come tomorrow morning as Mr. Rao is close to Arvind and Shashi Bhai.

LA: But Amma, seems like, it can rain anytime.

Ratna: Yes, but we have no choice. (looking at Khushi) Khushi knew them very well.

Khushi nodded yes.

LA: ok Amma, you guys carry on. The weather is so awesome today. I'm going to sleep like hell as our exams are over...

Ratna: Eat before sleep. Everything is ready.

LA: Sure Amma, if I wake up.....

They heard horn sounds.

Ratna: I think Arvind arrived. I'm leaving. We will take Garima with us. Shashi Bhai will join us there.

Arnav: Ok.

Ratna rushed outside. Arnav looked at Khushi who was staring at him. He raised his eyebrows.

Khushi: This time also you didn't like to know my wish before planning this trip? What do you think, I will come with you if you plan anything?

Arnav sighed seeing her rushing towards their room. Arnav followed her. She kept her bag and about to leave the room, Arnav clutched her hand. She shrugged off his hand and went to the terrace where she always likes to see the sea when she was not fine.

Arnav wants her to relax for a while. He knew she would get calm down if she stays alone for some time looking at the sea. But it started drizzling and Arnav couldn't let her drench.

When he came to the terrace, Khushi was standing in rain drenching. Arnav came to her.

Arnav: Khushi, let's go...

Khushi was silent.

Arnav: Khushi try to understand. I didn't plan the trip to dominate you. I just did it to surprise you. (Khushi looked at him like "really?") Trust me. I have planned this trip one month before. I didn't say because I really wanted you to concentrate on your studies. (Khushi was about to say something but he stopped her by showing her palm) Yes, I underestimated you. I'm really sorry for that Khushi. I didn't want to go away from you. I never want to avoid you. I was afraid of losing myself Khushi. I really was... I couldn't hold myself when you come close to me. I struggled to keep my dirty desire inside me. You have no idea, how much I wanted to have you. but I didn't want to distract you by doing that. That's why I thought to run away from you. (he keeled down by his left leg and held her hand) Trust me Khushi. You are everything to me... my happiness, my strength, my dream, and most important... My weakness.

Khushi was looking at him awestruck by his open-heart confession. She wanted to pinch herself to confirm that she was not dreaming. Almost her body had frozen which was already got chilled by rain.

Arnav: Won't you give me the honor to be your husband? (pause) in every sense?

Khushi also kneeled down in front of him. She didn't ask him anything but to read his eyes.

Arnav: I know it will be hard for you to believe my words. Because I never confessed my feelings for you. but I got to know that there is no value for my feelings if I didn't utter it to you because it belongs to only you.

He lifted her by her shoulders and he stood with her.

Arnav: I know I hurt you a lot Khushi. I'm sorry... For every single time... I'm really sorry.

Khushi cupped his cheek. Arnav saw her eyes spilled tears over the rain.

Khushi: I had never seen such a weight-headed man like you. What if you say it to me? won't I understand? Am I that idiot or what?

Arnav: I'm sorry.

Khushi stood folding her hands pouting making Arnav relaxed.

Arnav: We will talk about everything. You just come inside. It's raining heavily.

Khushi: What if I won't?

She asked with attitude. Arnav sensed her anger was gone.

Arnav(smirking): Do you think I will let you do so?

Khushi's jaw dropped.

Khushi: Not again Arnav.

Arnav(with a lopsided smile): Again? When did I stop?

He moved towards her.

Khushi (pushing him): Don't you dare come close to me.

In a jiffy, he scooped her in his arms and strode downstairs while Khushi started swimming in Arnav's arms circling his neck.....

To be continued......