Part 35 Big Blow

"You can take your time, Khushi," NK said.

Khushi looked down, said nothing, and was shocked by NK's direct proposal.

"You are so lucky, Khushi. you are going to get your FRIEND as your life partner" Aman said.

Khushi glanced at Arnav who was choking.

Arnav could not understand what he was going through. He felt an extreme level of nervousness. It felt like he was losing everything completely. He was suffocating and could not understand anything. He didn't know what kind of feeling that was. For him, who was Khushi? He didn't know.

But, Khushi's answer made all of them mute.

"My BEST friend is Arnavji," she said gulping down.

Arnav looked at her getting stuck. All of them looked at Arnav who was gazing at Khushi. He was not sure what means she said. Aman and Nani glanced at each other.

"Yeah... your best friend is ASR... more than that, he thinks of you as his BEST friend he never did before. It doesn't mean we can expect him to marry you, Khushi..." Aman said smilingly.

"Our Chotte is not lucky enough to have his best friend as his life partner because he doesn't have faith in relationships" Nani sighed.

Khushi switched her gaze to Arnav who closed his eyes.

"One more thing, Khushi. We will continue as friends no matter what your decision is. I always need your friendship. Don't forget that" NK said.

Khushi nodded ok.

"What does that mean Nanne? Do you think, Khushi will deny your proposal?" Nani asked.

"How can I say what will be her decision, Naniji? It's all in Khushi's hands" NK said.

"I don't think she has any reason to deny your proposal."

Nani looked at Khushi.

"Khushi, you won't get such a nice person in your life. He might not be your best friend now, but in the future, he will be the best husband. mark my words"

Khushi smiled slightly.

"I need some time," she said looking at NK.

"Yeah, sure... take your own time. Tell me your answer before I get old" he smiled.

Khushi smiled, nodding ok.

"Khushi, you will always be smiling if you marry Nanne. He will make you happy for every small thing... anyone will be happy with him. Am I right ASR?" Aman asked.

"Then why I'm not happy with him?" Arnav asked without thinking.

All were dumbfounded.

"You are exceptional, ASR" Aman laughed.

"You said, anyone, will be happy with him?"

"I talked about Khushi"

"She is the one who should decide it," Arnav said.

"That's why we gave her time to decide," NK said.

There was silence there.

"Will you guys resume your recording tomorrow that was canceled yesterday?" Aman asked.

"Nannav should decide it," NK said, looking at Arnav.

"I will tell you later," Arnav said.

"Ok, then, let's go, NK. I have some work" Aman said.

"Yeah, see you soon Khushi" NK stood up.

"Bye, guys," Aman said.

Khushi and Nani nodded ok whereas Arnav was silent.

Aman and NK came out of RM.

"Do you think it works?" NK asked.

"Surely works"

"But I don't think Nannav will break his shell"

"This is not a test for ASR to break his shell but to know about Khushi's mind..."

"Whaaat? Is it?"

"Yeah, I have no doubt about ASR. He surely has feelings for Khushi. I saw that on his face. But I don't know about Khushi. she didn't show anything on her face"

"What if she accepts my proposal?"

"It will never happen... ASR won't let it happen... because he will kill you if it happens"

NK widened his eyes in shock and Aman laughed.

"Don't be in the dream of marrying Khushi"

NK nodded no hurriedly.

"Let's go..." Aman walked with a smile.

............

Arnav saw Khushi squeezing her hands. Nani was observing them.

"What are you thinking, Khushi?" Nani asked.

"What do you want me to do, Nani? Won't you guide me?"

"This is your life, Khushi. Think about what will be good for you. Do what your HEART wants but Nanne is a good boy. Your life will be happy with him. Think with a clear mind and decide" Nani left the place.

Arnav looked at Khushi who didn't even turn in his direction. She stood up looked somewhere and walked to her room. Arnav tightened his jaws as he didn't expect it. He thought Khushi would ask him to guide her just like she asked Nani. But she didn't. He didn't know what was there in her mind. Her action made him more restless.

For the very first time, he felt a distance between them even though she was in front of him. he could not say how helpless he was. He felt the pain of separation right away. He could not even imagine that he will have to bear the pain of separation for his whole life. He didn't know why he was so worried... he could not understand why he felt the ache in his heart. Because...

He didn't know what he feeling in his heart was nothing but love... he could not understand the fear in his heart that was not letting him feel the truth.

He saw Khushi's room is locked. He rolled his eyes and went to his room. he didn't know what she was going to decide. His mind lost its peace.

Night

Arnav came downstairs for the dinner, expecting Khushi to be there but she didn't come for the dinner.

"Where is Khushi, Nani?"

"She is not coming. She said she is not hungry"

"And you let her starve?"

"She will have if she is hungry..."

Arnav walked to her room and Nani didn't stop him. Arnav knocked on the door. Khushi opened it and her face was calm.

"Why don't you come for dinner?"

"I'm not hungry"

"But why? What did you eat?"

"Nothing"

"Then why, Khushi?"

"Leave me, Arnavji... I will eat when I feel hungry"

"Ok... call me when you feel hungry. I will be waiting" he walked to his room.

Khushi was stuck. She rushed to him and blocked his way.

"Arnavji, don't you eat?"

"I will eat with you when you feel hungry"

"Are not you hungry?"

"I'm..."

"Then you should eat, Arnavji"

"I will... with you"

Khushi sighed. Arnav tried to walk again. Khushi clutched his hand. Arnav looked at his hand and then at Khushi.

"Let's eat," she said.

"You don't have to eat for me... I will wait"

Without saying anything, she walked, dragging him with her. Arnav followed her as if he was powerless not to shrug her hands off. There was a slight smile on his face. Though Khushi didn't see the smile as she was walking before him Nani saw it. What he was trying to prove? That was the only question that was raised in Nani's mind.

Khushi left his hand and sat beside Nani. She looked at Arnav who was still standing.

"Do you want me to feed you?" she asked that blew not only him but also Nani.

He sat on the chair and started eating with a smile. Nani smiled inwardly. After having dinner, Khushi went to her room. She was about to close the door, and she stopped, seeing Arnav getting in.

"Khushi..."

"Jee?"

"Have you decided?"

"About what?"

"About the proposal..."

"Do you want to tell me anything about the proposal?" she questioned him instead of answering.

"No... I just asked..."

"Yes, I decided..."

"What?"

"I have decided to say YES," she said sternly.

Her answer shocked Arnav.

"Whaaaaaat?"

"Mmm..."

"Do... you... like NK?" He asked, wanting to assure it.

"I like him... It doesn't mean I would like to marry him nor want him as my life partner"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean I don't want to marry him..."

"But you said you are going to say yes..."

"Yes... I'm going to say yes to the proposal"

"Have you gone mad? You don't want to marry him but you are going to marry him... What the hell? I think you lost the ability of thinking... What's wrong with you, Khushi?" He asked losing his patience.

"I'm going to say yes because I don't want to be a burden on your shoulder"

"Did I ever say you are a burden?" he asked gritting his teeth.

"You didn't... Maybe, in the mere future, you may think so"

"Why are you doubting me all of a sudden?"

"Situation may turn against you if I stay here. That's why I want to go away from you"

"You don't have to be scared of your Jeejaji. I will manga him. Or, do you think NK will handle him better than me?"

"I'm not thinking about handling my Jeeja. What I'm thinking is, you may not handle me in some days"

"What are you talking about? Why can't I handle you? Tell me clearly"

"I'm scared, Arnavji..."

"Scared? Why?"

"I'm scared of your hatred. You may hate me if I stay here. I don't want it to happen"

"Khushi, I don't know what made you talk irrelevantly... Why would I hate you?"

"You will..."

"No damn it..."

"You don't like the word LOVE. If I stay here, I will fall in love with you... That's what makes me scared" she said making him thunderstruck.

To be continued...