Part 21 Feelings and Emotions

Khushi was suffocating like hell. She didn't expect she would get to know about Abhi's father one day. And more than that, she could not believe his father was none other than Arnav who recently proposed to her for marriage. Arnav was already fond of Abhi. If that was the case, what would he do if he got to know that Abhi was his son? Thank God, Sushma insisted her husband not tell Arnav the truth. So, there won't be any problem because of Sushma and her husband. But, what about Preeto? Did she also know Arnav? Maybe, no... there were hundreds of donors coming to the fertility center every year. There was very less chance for Preeto to remember Arnav. She was not related to Arnav like Sushma. Khushi didn't sleep as her mind was not at peace.

Arnav's side will get stronger if he got to know the truth. He will propose to her for a wedding daringly. Why not? Didn't he already dare? How daringly he said that he wanted to sleep with her every night for the whole night...! She felt a chilling sensation in her spine. How dare he talked about sleeping with her without any hesitation! More than the day Arnav talked about sleeping with her, she felt about it deep down in her heart on the day she got to know the truth. She is Abhi's mother and Arnav is his father. Then, who was Arnav to Khushi? She gulped hard. She felt difficult to face Arnav for the first time. He and his thoughts tickled her sense. She doesn't know why. She never felt like that so far.

The next day

Khushi felt extreme level of hesitation to enter Arnav's cabin. She came to his cabin and avoided seeing his face.

"Hi, Good morning," Arnav said with a smile.

That's when Khushi got her sense that she hadn't wished him yet.

"Goo... good morning, sir"

"We are going to a meeting today, right?"

"Yes, sir"

"Get ready at 12'o clock"

"Yes, sir"

She walked to the door.

"Khushi..." Arnav called leaning on the seat.

"Yes, sir"

"Are you all right?"

"haaa.....nnn I'm alright"

Arnav smiled at her seeing her stammering. Khushi rushed out.

They got ready for the meeting. Arnav started the car. Khushi was looking outside as she continuously thinking about the man beside her. Arnav was also glancing at her again and again. Why did she look different? Didn't she talk to him bravely the previous day? Don't know what happen to her.

They came to the Five Star Hotel where the meeting had been arranged. It was an official businessman's meeting. So, there was no food for thoughts. They came out finishing the meeting. Mr. Avinash Rathor, a senior businessman greeted Arnav formally and asked about his experience in Canada. Arnav told him about how he worked in the Canadian company. Khushi was also listening to him keenly. She got horrified as her eyes caught someone's sight. Sushma was crossing the huge reception of the hotel with her husband. Khushi moved from the place and hid behind a pillar.

As she expected, Arnav also saw Sushma. In no time, he shouted

"Didi..."

Sushma stopped hearing a well-known voice. She looked here and there. Her face brightened seeing her brother. Arnav excused himself from Avinash and rushed to her.

"My Goodness... What's this? When did you come from London? Why didn't you call me after coming to India?" Arnav asked.

"Take a breath Arnav..."

Hearing the name Arnav, her husband raised his brows.

"Is he Arnav?" He asked.

Arnav looked at him and then Sushma.

"He is my husband John Mathew."

"Hello..." Arnav extended his hand for a shake.

"Hi," John shook hands with him.

"You said you will never come to India?" Arnav asked Sushma with a smile.

"I don't want to... But he likes India and its culture"

"Oh..."

"Yeah... I like roti and subji, Holi, Diwali, Temples of India etc., etc.,"

Arnav chuckled getting amazed.

"Why didn't you call me?"

"We just came to Delhi yesterday after visiting Tamilnadu."

"Oh..."

"Yeah, we are going to Agra today. We will be there for three days. Thought to call you after coming from Agra"

"You should have stayed in my place. Why are you staying in a hotel?"

"You are a busy man. Our hectic schedule will surely be a disturbance to you. That's why..."

"This is not done. Take your things and come to my place"

"We are going to Varanasi straight from Agra... Then Haridhwar... We are busy Arnav..."

"Won't you come to my place? ( Arnav looked at John ) come to my home sir"

"No... We won't..." John said.

Arnav looked at Sushma who was looking at John confusingly.

"Call me Jeejaji. Then only I will bring your sister to your home" John demanded.

"Unbelievable..." Arnav chuckled.

"Yes, Arnav... I too can't believe how he became so fond of Indian culture..." Sushma smiled.

"Ok, jeejaji, you are invited to my home"

"We will surely come after coming from Haridhwar," John said.

Sushma could not hold herself from thinking Abhi... Arnav's son. Even John remembered Abhi.

"By the way, when are you going to marry?" Sushma asked.

Arnav smiled contently.

Sushma and John spared a glance.

"What does your smile mean?"

"Very soon I will invite you for my marriage"

"Are you in love?" Sushma asked with hesitation.

Arnav nodded yes.

Sushma gulped down hard. Arnav looked behind. He didn't find Khushi at the place where she was standing with him.

"She was here with me a few minutes ago... She should have gone to meet someone I suppose. Wait, I will bring her"

"Did you guys come here for lunch?"

"No no... We came to attend a meeting. She is my PA"

"Oh..." Sushma looked here and there curiously to see the girl with whom Arnav was in love.

That's when the cab driver came to call her.

"Madam, how long should I be waiting?"

Arnav searched for Khushi who was noticing them from the washroom and hid again.

"I'm sorry Arnav, we will meet her some other day," John said.

"It's ok... Don't forget to come to my place."

"Nerve..."

"I will be waiting for you"

"Will surely come" John said.

They left the place. Arnav stood, looking at them smiling.

Khushi peeped from the washroom and huffed in relief. Thank God, they went. She came to Arnav.

"Where were you, Khushi?"

"Washroom..."

"Ohh... My sister was here. I thought to introduce you to her"

"Sister?" She pretended like she knew nothing.

"Yeah... We belong to the same HOME"

"Oh... You might have asked her to wait for a while..." She wanted to know why they left urgently.

"They were going to Agra. Will come back in a week. She will surely ask me to meet you." He said smirking.

Khushi became horrified.

"Why will she ask you to meet me?"

"Just to see you," Arnav said with a smile.

"Did you tell her anything?"

Arnav shook his head and walked. Khushi followed him.

"What did you tell her?"

"About my love... about you..."

"Whaaaaat? Why did you tell her so?"

"She asked me about my marriage. So, I left with no choice other than telling about you"

"How could you do this without my acceptance?"

Arnav opened the car door for Khushi.

"Sit in the car..."

She sighed and sat in the car. Arnav started the car.

"You will accept me" he answered her question while driving.

"What will you do if I resign my job? "

"It's your wish to do job after our marriage"

"I'm talking about now"

"If you think you can stop me by resigning your job, try..."

Khushi looked at him bewildered.

"I don't need you in my office to marry you. I will do it anyhow"

"Won't you understand?"

Arnav stopped the car and looked at her.

"I surely can't understand why are you adamantly hiding your feelings..."

Khushi gulped down hard.

"You too have feelings Khushi... You too have emotions... You are busy in your life now. That's why you don't get a chance to realize it. But, the future won't be the same. When you realize you too have feelings, you can do nothing. You won't have anyone to share your emotions with. Don't take life lightly. It's hell to be alone. I have experience in it. Hold my hand and walk with me." He said with a serious expression.

Khushi sat straight, said nothing. She didn't know how to tackle Arnav. More than that, how would she tackle Sushma who was going to meet her after a week? She won't hide the truth after knowing the truth that Arnav was in love with her. She sighed inwardly.

To be continued...