Part 21 Declaration

Khushi was furious like hell. How dare he! Besides kissing her, he ordered her to marry him. What would he do if she hadn't married him? She threw the pillow angrily. Her question echoed in her mind.

WHAT WOULD HE DO IF SHE HADN'T MARRIED HIM?

Would he know her father's whereabouts? But how? If he knew his whereabouts, how did her father ask her to marry Dhruv? If Arnav had recently found her father, how could he do that? Did he TRULY know about her father? What if what he told was true? How could she take a risk in her father's matter? But how could she trust him? Did it even matter?

And what about his marriage demand? He didn't care about her trust but became ready to marry her. Did he want to marry her? What about Anu? Didn't he love her? Was what he told her true in Anu's matter as well? Did she hurry in judging him? She sat on the bed. However, how did he force her into marriage? That too, keeping her father as a hostage! Didn't he talk like a gangster? How dare he! She punched the bed.

Should she marry him? Did she have another choice? What would he do if she hadn't married him? Would he harm her father? She bit her nails. What would she do now? How would she tackle him? Could she? Didn't he seem powerful? Yes, he was not the same Arnav who had shown concern for her. He didn't know the alphabet of concern now.

She was stuck. Didn't he have concern for her? If he hadn't had, why did he give explanations to her? That was to make her trust him. How could she believe that would be true?

She paced here and there.

Would his words about Dhruv be true? She knew Arnav and Dhruv were more like enemies. Dhruv was the one who took her to the park and made her see him with Anu. Was Anu married to someone? Would it be true? Whom should she trust? Arnav or Dhruv? Was that Dhruv who talked to her in her father's voice? There was a chance because Shashi wouldn't force her to do anything she didn't like, but he forced her to marry Dhruv. Thank God, she didn't visit India when he asked her to. She didn't know what to do. Of course, she had no other thought in her mind to marry someone other than Arnav. But after whatever happened between them, she didn't think of marrying him, either.

She could not believe Shashi wanted to get Arnav as his son-in-law. Only Shashi could answer all her questions. If Shashi were in Arnav's hand, what would she do? Did she have a choice deny him? She was confused. She didn't know what to do. Whom to ask?

Khushi was confused like hell. She wasn't sure if she could trust Arnav. Her heart yearned to trust him, but her sharp mind wouldn't let her.

She sat on the bed and bit her lip. She looked at herself in the mirror and remembered the kiss.

"Don't you have shame, Khushi? How could you let him kiss you? What would he think of you? You talked a lot to him and said you don't love him. He proved you wrong with a single kiss. Where is your firmness? Until you see him, you were so strong. What happened to you now? What will you do if he forces you into marriage? He will do that, it seems. Did you forget what he said before leaving the room?"

Khushi closed her eyes. Where was her father? How could she find him? She had no idea. But she had to find him. How? She felt weary.

Khushi came out and saw Anjali going to the kitchen. She followed her. Anjali smiled at Khushi.

"Hi, do you want a coffee?"

"Yup..."

Anjali prepared coffee for both of them.

"Where is NK?" Khushi asked.

"He went to Bangalore for an interview."

"Oh..."

"Did Arnav leave?"

"Not yet, I suppose..."

"Oh... how is Anu?"

"Anu? She is not here but abroad. She didn't come here recently."

"Abroad?"

"Yeah, she's married to a big shot. Her husband is a Christian."

Khushi raised her brows in surprise.

"You know what? We thought Arnav would marry Anu."

"Why so?"

"They were so close to each other."

"Oh... then why did she marry someone, leaving Arnav behind?"

"It's because she got a big shot... Dhruv often said that they would marry one day."

Khushi became thoughtful. They didn't notice that Dhruv had overheard their conversations about Arnav and Anu. Before Khushi dug deeper into Arnav, he had to do something. he thought and headed to his mother's room. He peeped into her room and sighed in relief, not seeing his father in the room. He entered, smiling at his mother.

"Arrey, Dhruv, what made you come here? You usually won't come to our room..."

"Mom, I want to talk to you about an important matter."

"What's that?"

"What do you think about Khushi?"

"Nice girl... what else?"

"You are right. She is a nice girl. I would like to marry her, Mom."

Anjana was taken aback.

"Are you in your senses? She lost her father. She didn't know where he was! Instead of helping her find him, do you want to marry her?"

"Mom, we will definitely find him. That doesn't mean she should be single. If she marries me, I will help her find her father. After all, he will become my father-in-law. Most probably, I love her so much, Mom..."

Anjana widened her eyes.

"Do you love her?"

"A lot... please take the proposal forward... please, please..."

"See, neither can we ask Khushi nor your father. He will shout at us for having the marriage talks at this time. I will slowly start it. Just catch it..."

"But mom, do it in front of Khushi..."

"Done, thank you so much, Mom..." he rushed out delightedly.

Anjana was also delighted to know of his interest in Khushi. Khushi was a nice girl. Dhruv's life would be lightened if he married Khushi.

"Hey Devi Maiya, Khushi should become a Raizada Bahu. She should come to our family, please fulfil my prayer," Anjana prayed to God, and her prayer was heard.

All of them gathered at the dining table. Arnav also came, getting ready for the office. He didn't find Khushi there.

Sudhakar also noticed it and asked,

"Where is Khushi?"

"She should be in her room."

"Is she alright?"

"How could she be alright? Poor girl is searching for her father..." Dadi said.

"Shall I check?" Anjali asked.

"Go and bring her for breakfast," Sudhakar said.

Anjali went to Khushi's room.

"Khushi, Dad is calling you for breakfast."

Khushi nodded and walked with Anjali. All of them looked at her, including Arnav, who had a smile on his lips. Khushi turned her face, making an angry face. That broadened his smile.

Everyone ate silently.

"I had forgotten to tell you something," Anjana said.

Everyone looked at her.

"My friend Sakshi called me. She wants her daughter to marry Dhruv..."

All of them looked at Dhruv, whereas he looked at Anjana.

"What say?" She asked Dhruv, gesturing for him to open up.

"No way... I don't want to marry her..." Dhruv said.

"Why?" Anjana asked.

"I already made up my mind..."

"Means? Do you have anyone in mind?" Anjana asked as if she was shocked.

Dhruv nodded. Arnav shrank his eyes and looked at Khushi, who became nervous, understanding what was coming next.

"I would like to marry Khushi," Dhruv said.

All of them looked at Khushi.

"Have you gone mad? She is here in search of her father. Is this the time to talk about her marriage?"

"I said what I want to... I don't ask you to do it right away. I will wait, but I will marry only her."

Khushi gazed at him sharply and then at Arnav, who raised his left eyebrow meaningfully. She gulped hard.

"Khushi beta, please don't keep it in your mind. Just do what you want. We are with you," Sudhakar said.

Khushi looked at Dhruv and said,

"How do you declare this without knowing what I want?" She directly hit him.

"I just..."

She stopped him, showing her hand.

"My marriage will happen as I wish... with the man I like. It's not you," she said clear-cut.

Dhruv was shocked. He thought Khushi would agree to marry him if he had opened up in front of others, as she was angry with Arnav.

"Khushi, don't decide in haste..."

"I have already decided whom to marry,"

All of them looked at each other, and Arnav gulped hard. He could not predict Khushi. Dhruv was more nervous than Arnav.

"I will marry Arnav," She said and left the place, leaving all of them stunned.

To be continued...