Part 19 Beloved one

Dinner table

*Akash called me in the evening. He is coming to India the day after tomorrow* Manorama said.

*That's great...* Arvind said.

*Yeah... Aki will also join in the marriage preparations* NK said.

*Arvindji, we have to stitch Lehanga for Khushi* Ratna said.

Hearing Khushi's name, Arnav raised his head. Ratna and Manorama observed it.

*Someone should take her to the shop to give measurements* Ratna said.

*Manorama can do it* Manohar said.

*No no... we have a lot of work tomorrow. And we are going to Raveena's house to invite her and her in-laws to the marriage.*

*Yeah... it's important... Then take her to the shop day after tomorrow* Manohar said.

*We don't have enough time to delay* Ratna said worriedly.

*I will take Khushiji to the shop* NK said.

Arnav stopped eating and looked at him frowning.

*That will be a good idea...* Ratna said

*I will inform Shashi about it* Arvind said.

*Where is the shop?* NK questioned.

*It's in the next lane from AR* Arvind said.

*Ok, then... I will go to GH and Pick Khushiji up* NK said.

*By the way, you guys haven't said anything about Khushi?* Arvind asked.

Arnav was looking at his plate, listening to them.

*I like her very much... she looks so beautiful when she smiles* NK said before anyone said anything.

Arnav raised his eyelashes towards him with an unnamed expression. Why not he bothers him? Khushi and NK, both are talkative... and they will get attached easily. Tomorrow this idiot is going to accompany her to the shop... he sighed irritatingly.

*I too like her so much...* Manohar said.

*Though she is a small girl her thoughts are so wise* Manorama said.

Arnav looked at her surprisingly. Did Manorama talk to Khushi? About what?

*But I'm not satisfied... I won't trust anyone easily... I will keep noticing her activities. But don't worry... they will not get to know about it.* Manorama said looking at Arnav.

Arnav said nothing and finished eating. Without waiting there, he went to his room. He removed his mobile from the charger and checked. There was a missed call from Khushi. He saw the time of the call. It had come twenty minutes ago. She should have called him when he was in the dining. Without thinking of anything, he dialed her. Khushi smiled, seeing Arnav's number. She attended it right away.

*Hi...*

*Did you call me? There is a missed call on my phone from your number*

*Of course, there would be a missed call only if I had called you...*

*Tell me...*

*It seems you have saved my number...*

Without answering her,

*Tell me why you called me?*

*In what name you have saved my number?*

*What's your name?*

*Now, Khushi Gupta... and I'm going to be Mrs. Khushi Raizada soon...*

Arnav bit his lip. This girl is unbeatable...

*Tell me, Khushi... why did you call me*

*Wow... my name sounds so sweet when you said you know...( she chuckled.) Ok Ok... don't get irritated. I just wanted to ask you something in the morning. But I have forgotten.*

*What?*

*When you met me in the temple for the first time, how did you identify that I'm Khushi?*

Arnav got struck. He didn't expect this question from her ever. It seems she will get everything from his mouth. As she didn't get an answer from Arnav, she shouted,

*Hello... hello... hello... Arnav...*

*Mmmm*

*Tell me... had you seen me before?*

Arnav got the point to escape from her.

*Yes... I had seen you a few years ago...* he lied.

*I didn't expect you would lie...*

Arnav scratched his forehead.

*You are lying...*

He bit his corner lip.

*You didn't come to our sweet shop opening ceremony. You came to our house only one time that too you didn't come inside the house but were sitting in the car. You never had seen me and I know that... am I right?*

*Mmmm*

*Like a good boy, tell me how you know me...*

*Mom gave me Shashi'so uncle's phone number...*

*Oh...*

*I saw your family photo in his Whatsapp profile*

*What's there to hesitate to tell the truth?*

Arnav gulped.

*Have you had dinner?*

*mmm*

*won't you talk opening your mouth?* she asked frowning.

Arnav closed his eyes and couldn't understand what to say.

*Stand in front of the mirror and practice answering... Because you can't escape without answering me after our marriage... understand?*

*Are not you feeling sleepy?* he changed the topic.

*Thank God.... you asked me a question... I'm not sleepy. Will you feel sleepy when you are talking with your beloved one?*

Arnav felt something rolling inside his stomach. He knows that the BELOVED ONE mentioned by her is HIM. Why this girl is so fond of him? She has chosen him even though she has a lot of choices. But why?

*Arnav... are you there?* she sighed.

*Don't know how much I have to put effort to make this man speak...* she murmured intentionally.

Arnav smiled biting his lip.

*I'm listening*

*Thank God...*

*NK will come to GH to pick you up at the Lehanga shop*

*Ohh... Nanne? He is so sweet you know?*

Arnav rolled his eyes.

*He talks a lot*

*just like me...right?* she laughed.

*Mmm*

*Ok... I will take care of your cousin's brother... you do not need to worry*

Arnav punched his forehead, fisting his fingers.

*Ok, Arnav. Good night... sweet dreams... sleep tight... ta... bye bye...*

*Bye* he disconnected the call chuckling.

Manorama said she spoke wisely. But with him, she always behaves childishly. Arnav smiled. He liked the combination of a child with maturity. He lay down on the bed, keeping his hand under his head. He looked at his left side. The space, beside him, will be occupied by Khushi soon. The thought gave him Goosebumps. He flipped on the bed and closed his eyes to get to sleep.

The next day

Khushi welcomed ANK inside the GH. He saw KNK coming downstairs.

*Hi, NK...* ANK greeted him.

*You here?*

*He is here to take me to give the Lehanga measurement.*

*I would have taken you there if you had told me...* KNK said.

*No, they have to do that...* Shashi said.

*Ohhh...* KNK said.

*Have something, Nanne...* Shashi said.

*Yeah... I'm going to...* KNK said.

*I asked him...* Shashi pointed at ANK.

KNK nodded his head like, NO, and went to the dining.

*I had breakfast, uncle...* he said looking at Khushi.

*Babuji, shall we leave?*

*Of course... you can...*

*I will drop her back, uncle* ANK said.

*Ok* Shashi said.

Garima came with coffee and extended it to ANK. Taking it from her hand, he drank the coffee.

*Excellent coffee, Aunty. I wish I could get it every day* ANK said.

Garima smiled proudly.

*Shall we go Khushiji?*

*Yeah... see you Amma* she waved her hand and left GH.

In the car

*Nannav is a good guy, you know?* NK said.

*I know...*

*You are so lucky to have him as your husband, Khushiji*

Khushi nodded yes.

*He had faced a worse in his life... I hope he will forget everything in your company...*

Khushi nodded yes.

That's when NK got a call. It's from Aman.

*Yeah, I picked her up*

*Bring her to AR* Aman said.

*Yeah... after giving the measurement, I will bring her to AR*

*I will be waiting...*

*Yeah*

They disconnected the call.

*Are you going to take me to HIS office?* she asked not showing her excitement.

*Are you scared?*

*Why should I?*

*That's it...*

*Does he know about my arrival?*

*No... surprise...* NK smiled.

Khushi became excited to meet her would-be husband. They headed to AR, after giving the Lehanga measurement.

To be continued...

The next part is available on Inkitt

Tackled

Khushi reached AR with NK. Aman welcomed them with a smile.

*Hi, Khushi...*

*Hi, Aman...*

*How do you know my name?*

*I'm Shashi Gupta's daughter... don't forget that.* she chuckled.