Khushi gazed at the man in front of her. Who's he? From where did this man land on her life out of nowhere? How did he turned so much important to her within less than 78 hours? Why she feels so much happiness oozing out from her heart, which never happened before? Why she feels everything is perfect in her life?

She let her eyes clash against his. So much serenity, so much essence, so much love. Love? Really? Is it possible? To fell in love with a mere timid girl who’s no match to him by any sense? Haven’t he dreamt of having a life partner according to his taste who matches every steps he takes? Will she fit on those shoes? How much can he bear her inabilities to match his world? Will she turn into a mere responsibility if ever he fed up of her blatant behaviour?

“Hey, where are you lost?” He lifted her chin up gently by placing his index finger under her silky smooth jaw.

She was startled by his question. Drowned in her worries, she hadn’t realised her unblinking stare thrown at him.

“Feared of our life or me?”

Unknowingly her grip on his shirt got tightened. Her lips parted but voice failed to express her emotions. Her lashes lowered automatically and she begun to fumble with his shirt collar out of reflection completely giving him ideas about her current state.

His lips automatically lifted up in smirk seeing her innocence. How much he loves to see her innocence? He traced her jaws with his tip of finger sending her heart to dance in jig.

“What are you doing?” She stuttered roaming her eyes over the area.

“You didn’t answer me? Are you scared of me?”

“No, it..it’s not like that… I…”

“Why are you stammering?” He whispered huskily pulling her close to him.

She gulped at their proximity. The more he comes close to her, the merrier her heart gets. She surprisingly loving it yet she isn't ready to accept it openly. All the hairs in her skin stood straight in alert. She wandered her eyes around the surroundings “Please. Leave me.”

He sighed heavily & left his hold sensing her discomfort. He doesn't want to scare her with his advances. And a chuckle escaped out of him next instant seeing a sense of dislike crept up on her face. So all her whining was just a facade, he mused with a naughty glint. Not wasting any minute, he leaned forward & brushed his lips on the side of her lips.

Her breath hitched. Her heart galloped vigorously against her blouse & she felt it would burst at any moment. Something clenched inside her stomach. Her toes curled & her grip on his collar tightened. Her chest brushed against his by its heaving. Not having that strength to bear more of his closeness, she buries her head on his chest, circling her arms around his waist. Her cheeks turned lateritious hue & he can feel it through his fabric. He blow a whistle in pride of making her knees go weak. And she hid her face on his chest as much as possible. He secured her in his embrace in no time. Air would choke between them as they never left any distance between them.

***

“Come inside Meera.” Aakash called her inspecting Abhay from head to toe. After Meera declared about her love being known to Khushi, he didn't have anything in his sleeve to question her further. Whom is he to question her? But he mentally noted to discuss this matter with Arnav asap.

“Wait… Don't ask this to jiji.” Said Meera in haste. Aakash frowned at her sudden request and got sceptical about it too.

Meera sensed his glare & butted in to clear her stance “Jiji just entered into her new life. I never seen her glowing with happiness like she's now. I do not want her attention to shift on any of us other than jiju. She deserves it. Please…”

“But what's there to get disturbed by this. If she already knows this then why will her attention shifts?” Aakash asked not getting what Meera is trying to do.

“Haan.. I mean…” Meera stammered, trying hard to come up with an answer which could shut Aakash for time being. Aakash doubt manifested and Abhay smartly covered up the situation.

“She wanted to keep our relationship status hidden until Meera finishes her studies. And moreover she ordered us to not meet often. But… don’t you know these things bro.. it's been really long time last I did saw her. That's why…” Abhay smiled sheepishly.

Aakash had no choice but to buy whatever he says. He mentally noted to speak about this to Arnav. Lest he want his friend married life get affected by this teenagers.

Meera eyed Abhay & quietly followed Aakash.

Khushi who has seen the duo coming towards them, broke their hug earning a displeasing grunt. He tugged her arms & ready to pull her again into his chest. But Khushi was quick enough to clutch his jaw & showed Aakash to him.

“Who asked him to come soon?” He muttered under his breath which was clearly heard by Khushi who has nothing but to blush at his words in reflex. Not only he, she's also already missing his warmth.

Aakash stretched a chips pocket & juice bottle to Khushi. Arnav quickly grabbed it before Khushi could get hold on it “What makes you late? She's starving man.” Arnav scolded Aakash & opened the pocket for quick access. He handed it to Khushi who is staring at him like alien. Just a second back, he cursed Aakash for coming soon & now when aakash reached he's scolding him for coming late. Seeing her stunned form, Arnav bit his inner cheeks & he himself took a slice, forwarded it to Khushi lips.

Khushi chewed the slice & quickly grabbed the remaining in her hands seeing Meera & Aakash teasing stare.

“Where do you went Meera? How did you come with aakash?” Arnav asked diverting his attention from his wife's luscious lips which is attracting him like a moth to the flame. The little contact of having her lips just an inch away from him is already creating havoc in his senses.

“I saw my friend outside, so went to meet her & Aakash bhaiya came there at the same time.” Answered Meera calming her nerves. But to her bad luck, it didn't last long.

“But… it isn't holiday for all right?” Arnav threw next question remembering how he asked her to take leave for today on this morning. Aakash took a sigh of relief sensing Arnav's clarity in keeping relationships at check.

“Oh… yes… she's also took an off today.” She somehow replied conveniently.

Arnav nods in acceptance & Khushi stood awwing at her hubby's care for her sister.

Their little moment was disturbed by Riya who came there searching for them “You four are here. Our turn is next & amma called you all.”

“Yah. Coming.” Aakash replied whereas Arnav averted his vision back to Khushi “Do you need more? Shall I ask Aakash to buy another flavour?”

Khushi eyes wide open in realisation. Instantly she took a piece and pushed it into his closed lips which opened automatically by the push “Why didn't you ask me? You also must be hungry na. I am a stupid.” She blabbered feeding him without giving him a chance to reply. Whenever he opens his mouth to say something she used to feed slice by slice & it continued till the pack turns empty.

“I never know we've that capability to go invisible.” Riya whispered keeping her hand on forehead in a dramatic way.

“That only happens around lovers. Uffoo.. I never imagined a day would come when Arnav could ignore me like a trash.” Aakash replied back dramatically keeping his hand on his heart feigning hurt.

Arnav hit his forehead “Shut up dramabaaz… And do come inside fast. I need a witness to sign on papers.” He ordered in no nonsense tone grabbing Khushi palms in his.

Aakash made a face at him but nevertheless followed inside. He knows Arnav needs someone on his side when his own parents disowned him. He's somewhat glad that Arnav is distracted by Khushi in most of the times which could possibly lessen the hurt given by his parents.

The registration went without any fuss & they all enjoyed the whole day with teasing, chatting each other. As the night forward to proceed Smita ordered Aakash & Riya to go home as she has one important work left to finish.

“Haha.. amma I know why you're eager to send us home.” Riya winked applying blush on Khushi’s already pinkish cheeks.

“Shameless youngsters.” Smita muttered placing the veil on Khushi head.

“Bhabhi, bhai is going to be clean bowled.” Riya winked at the beautifully decked blushing bride.

Khushi had hard time controlling her blush by all the teasing and so she was desperate to change the topic & when she got one she didn't wait to voice out “I am younger to you di. Call me Khushi like always.”

“Naah… now you're wife of my Arnav bhai who's also like Aakash to me. So stop this thoughts and better you start to learn tricks to keep your hubby at your fingertip.”

Khushi’s eyes widen like saucers. Words failed to form on her brain as it was busy imagining how it would be having her husband on her fingertip like Riya suggested. Him accepting her every wishes, showering loads & loads of love that she would be left with no time to think about her insecurities, him keeping her in his embrace always, showering uncountable kisses time to time teasing her... And her thoughts halted with a jerk. She was horrified with the way her thoughts are travelling.

“Khushi.”

She jolted up on her seat. Smita who called her in alarm seeing the way her face gone pale, cupped her shoulders.

“There's nothing to fear Khushi dear. I know Arnav. He'll keep you happy, trust me. Unknowingly your unexpected marriage gave you a unexpected genuine husband. I must say actions speak louder than words. You would've already seen how Arnav is. I could only say this now, as much as you're his, He's yours too. Stay transparent to each other. Life has given you a perfect opportunity to live. Don't waste it and don't even dare to do anything stupid if your useless father come & threaten you. He's closed chapter of your life.” Smita uttered the last sentence with pure disgust.

“But…”

“No if and but… you're not going to meet him. Understood. How dare he? He should be thrown behind the bars for trying to ruin your life.” Smita said bitterly. The more Smita spoke about her father, the more his thoughts begin to haunt her. How much she yearned for his love? How much she wished to be treated like his daughter if not as princess? How much she craved to get a smile from him like he gives it to her sister? But he...

“He almost sold me.” Khushi hiccupped at the mere thought of what would've happened if Arnav failed to interrupt them.

“I wouldn't have got you if not for his act.” They both snapped up from their stance hearing the new voice.

Smita moved aside giving space for him to stand beside Khushi. Khushi raised her heavy lashes which is brimmed with tears.

His insides churned at the mere sight of teary eyed Khushi. Hadn't only today morning he promised himself to keep her happy always? Then what's this tears doing in her eyes now? He took sauntered steps towards her & stopped in front of her.

With quivering lips, she blinked back her tears. She doesn't have the dare to look into his eyes. She doesn't want him to see her miserable state and certainly doesn't want him to feel sad because of her. She bit her lips hard from breaking down into tears. But everything went in vain when he placed his hand on her head & caressed it gently. She couldn't hold back from turning around and throw her arms around him & bury her face on his manly chest which is the safest place she known till now. Smita quietly slipped from there giving them enough privacy. A sob erupted from Khushi’s throat which turns muffled as she buried her face completely on his torso.

“It's ok Khushi.” Arnav smoothed her hairs & was about to break the hug but she held onto him tightly refusing to let him out of her hold.

“Nahi…” She bobbed her head negatively. He sighed strengthening his hold. If she needs him & his support he'll gladly give them to her.

 
_____