Part 36 Parents

Sitting on the bed, Abhi was talking non-stop with Arnav. He was asking many useful as well as useless questions. He dragged Khushi in between their conversation. Khushi responded to it with Patience which was liked by Arnav.

An unknown nervousness occupied Arnav's heart. Khushi was going to be with him from here on. He had no idea how their relationship progress going to be. He was with his wife and son. Khushi agreed to marry him. That was more than enough for him, as of now.

Taking her dress, Khushi went to the washroom to get changed. Arnav smiled mildly. It seemed new to him... Family... Wife... Son... This circumstance...everything gave him a pleasing touch.

Khushi came out of the washroom and sat on the couch. She started checking her mobile.

"Abhi, go to sleep... You have to go to school tomorrow." Arnav said.

"Yes, dad... You too sleep with us"

Arnav and Khushi spared the quick glance as they understood what the US meant. He wanted Arnav to sleep with him and Khushi.

"And, I'm sure you can't run away anywhere else like you did last night because this is the only place where you could hide. We occupied it too" Abhi laughed, teasing his father.

Arnav smiled scratching his forehead whereas Khushi controlled her smile biting her lip.

"Shall I drop you at your school tomorrow?" Arnav asked.

"No, Dad... Not tomorrow. You just stand outside when my school bus comes here..." Abhi said.

"Oh... Then when do you want me to come to your school?" Arnav asked.

"Saturday..."

"Why Saturday? Anything to be noted?"

"Parents and teacher's meeting is going to be held on Saturday in our school. You come with Mom."

Arnav again looked at Khushi who also looked at him.

"Don't worry Dad... My teacher won't complain about me..."

"Ohh... Really?"

"I'm a good boy, Dad..."

Arnav chuckled.

"Don't you trust me? Mom, tell him I'm a good boy" Abhi said.

Khushi thought something and asked,

"Is it, Abhi? Are you a good boy?"

"Mom, this is not done. Don't you know I'm a good boy?" He pouted.

"In recent days, you didn't listen to my words, didn't obey my orders, then how could I say you are a good boy?"

Abhi looked at Arnav making face who raised his brows, pressing his lips together. Abhi laid down, circling Arnav's waist, burying his face in his chest. Arnav was dumbfounded at first. He caressed his hair lovingly, managing himself. Khushi felt something in her stomach, after seeing the scene. Arnav looked at Khushi and pleaded through his eyes to console Abhi. Khushi rolled her eyes and smiled.

"Khushi, Abhi wanted us to be together. That's why he would not have listed to you... am I right, Abhi?" Arnav asked.

Abhi raised his head and nodded yes.

"Didn't I say?" Arnav said to Khushi.

Abhi looked at Khushi, turning his face. Khushi nodded affirmatively. Abhi sat on the bed delighted.

"Do you agree with Dad?"

She nodded yes. Abhi rushed to Khushi and hugged her.

"Thank you, Mom"

Khushi kissed his forehead.

"Go to sleep"

"You too come" he pulled her hand.

"You sleep... I will join later"

"You don't have to sleep. Just be with me"

Khushi came to the bed and sat on it. Abhi lay in between his parents happily. He dragged their hands and kept them on his stomach together. Khushi avoided looking at Arnav whereas Arnav could not avoid looking at her.

Abhi slept quickly and turned towards Khushi. Putting his leg on her, he hugged her. Arnav smiled at him. The situation was so embarrassing. He didn't know whether he should stay in the bed or should leave. He was supposed to get down, but he stopped hearing,

"I wonder, how Abhi got attached to you so quickly. He never got close to anyone so far. You are an exceptional" she said wondering.

Arnav smiled.

"I too never got attracted to anyone other than Abhi even though I wanted to be in touch with everyone around me," Arnav said.

Khushi looked at him with concern.

"You know what, I never believed in fate before but I could not be without believing it now. There were many children roaming around Delhi. Why did only Abhi need my help that day? Why did I pass the same way at the right time when Abhi got into trouble? Why would I meet you in the restaurant and why should I get captivated by your optimistic thinking?"

Khushi nodded yes.

"Everything is happening for a reason, right?"

"What would be the reason for my struggles? Why did my own parents give up on me? Why did I get married to a man who only needed an heir through me? Why did my in-laws think of dropping my child in the orphanage after that man's demise? Can anyone answer those questions?" she asked with a painful smile.

"I don't know whether my answer will satisfy you. According to me, all of them happened to unit Abhi with his REAL parents. We both experienced many struggles in our life. I don't want my son to face such a phase in his life. Likewise, there would be a purpose for your struggles too."

Khushi nodded yes.

"Make yourself comfortable with Abhi... I will be on the couch" Arnav was about to get off the bed, he stopped, hearing,

"I'm already comfortable with Abhi..." he looked at her to hear the complete sentence.

"Making myself comfortable on this bed with Abhi and his father is what I have to do now," she said clearly.

Arnav gulped down.

"I'm not a guest here but going to be here for my whole life. How many days will you be on the couch? We should understand the reality" she said practically.

"Actually... I thought you may feel embarrassed"

"When we are clear about our current relationship, there is nothing to get embarrassed I think"

Arnav knew very well she was hinting about their FRIENDSHIP talks. He nodded yes gladly. When Khushi was tension free about their relationship, there was nothing to be bothered about. He lay on the right side of Abhi. Khushi made Abhi lay down properly and closed her eyes.

Within a few minutes, she dozed off and that really wondered Arnav. It seemed she was stress-free. Or else, she would not have slept peacefully. Arnav admired his wife and son with a smile. He enjoyed the phase so much.

That's when his phone beeped with a message tone. The message was from Karan. Arnav opened it and read it. His lips curved with an adorable smile.

*Hope you are enjoying your FIRST NIGHT*

Arnav looked at Khushi who was in the deep slumber. Without disturbing her sleep, he removed the hair strands that were falling on her face. He closed his eyes to get some peaceful sleep. After a while, he too slept.

The next morning

When Arnav woke up, he didn't find Khushi on the bed. He got down and came searching for her. He found her in the kitchen. she was trying to take a sugar container from the top shelf. Arnav came to her and removed it while telling her,

"Good morning, Khushi"

He extended the box towards her.

"Good morning," she said, taking the box from his hand.

"Started preparing breakfast?"

"Lunch too... Abhi has to go to school... I have to pack his lunch"

"Do you need my help?"

"No thanks..."

"Shall I wake up Abhi?"

"Not now. He will wake up at 6:30 automatically"

"Oh..."

"Coffee?"

"Yup... I will just come getting fresh"

"Ok..."

Arnav came to his room all the way smiling to get fresh, feeling pleasant. After getting fresh, he again came to the kitchen. Khushi gave him coffee. Leaning his back on the kitchen slab, he drank the coffee, watching Khushi's cooking style.

As Khushi said, Abhi woke up on his own and got ready to the school without making a fuse. Arnav and Khushi sent him off. Abhi got on the bus and waved his hand at them.

Arnav and Khushi got ready and started to the office. When they crossed Khushi's old house, her facial expression changed into a horrible one. Arnav also looked at her house and saw an old age couple standing there. He saw Khushi who looked disturbed.

"Khushi, do you know them?" Arnav asked.

Khushi nodded yes.

"I think they are here to meet you..."

She was silent.

"Do you want me to stop the car?"

Khushi nodded no.

"Are you sure?"

She again nodded yes, looking down.

Arnav continued driving but he noticed the sudden change in her. He didn't know who were they. Why were they at her house?

"Shall I ask you something, Khushi?" Arnav asked.

Khushi looked at him sternly.

"I mean, as a friend..."

Khushi nodded yes.

"Who are they? Are they related to you?"

Khushi nodded yes slowly.

"Who are they?" he asked.

Khushi's answer made him speechless.

"They are my parents"

Arnav looked at her dumbfounded.

To be continued...