Part 23 My Dear Half-Husband

Seeing Arnav's changed facial expression, Khushi looked behind turning her face. As of now, Raveena reached them. She was awestruck, seeing beautiful Khushi.

*What are you doing here?* Raveena asked Khushi.

Khushi looked at Arnav like, WHO IS SHE?

*She is my sister Raveena...* Arnav said.

It shocked Raveena because she didn't expect Arnav would answer Khushi simply.

Khushi smiled at her and touched Raveena's feet, bending down. After all, she is elder than Arnav.

*What will people think if you talk to Chotte so openly?* She questioned Khushi with a stern expression.

Khushi chuckled at her making her frown.

*You are right... we should not talk OPENLY, right?* she asked Arnav and he faced a tough time controlling his smile.

*And, I won't talk to him in person... because it's not advisable before marriage Di...* she advised Raveena.

Raveena was speechless. She was looking at Khushi like what type she is.

*I heard yours is a LOVE marriage... that's why you are giving us ideas... right? You are so sweet, Di...* Khushi hugged Raveena making her jerk.

She broke the hug smilingly. Arnav adored her with smiling eyes. Raveena didn't know what to say. She couldn't understand whether Khushi is mocking her.

As they didn't expect, Arnav answered her.

*It's me who called Khushi here...* He said firmly.

Khushi widened her eyes whereas Raveena shrank her eyes.

*You....? I can't believe this...*

*Believe it or not...that's the truth...* he said firmly.

Khushi couldn't believe that Arnav is taking her side.

*But why?* Raveena asked him again.

Arnav looked at her without answering. Raveena understood that it means, PERSONAL. But what he wants to talk to Khushi PERSONALLY?

That's when Manorama came there.

*Arrey... what are you guys doing here? Let's go...*

Clutching Raveena's hand, she started walking, dragging her. Khushi also walked with them. After a few steps, her steps slowed down. She took a back step and stood beside Arnav.

*What do you want to talk to me about?* She asked him.

*What?*

*You said you would like to talk to me.*

Arnav was dumbfounded. He composed himself.

*I said that to shut my sister's mouth*

*Lie...*

Arnav looked at her surprisingly and nodded NO.

*I hope you will say that one day* She said smiling and left the place.

Arnav stopped for a while looking at her with amazement. How does she know he wants to talk to her? He nodded no smilingly.

Aman and NK spared a glance, seeing him smiling.

*I think Nannav started to love her...* NK said.

*Now only you got to know that* Aman countered.

*I know yet I had a doubt...*

*He would not have agreed to the marriage if he doesn't like her...*

*Oh... yes...you are right... Nannav is a tough nut to crack*

*Don't bother, Khushi will break the nut into pieces*

*Yeah...*

*The Roka ceremony is getting started... let's go*

NK and Aman rushed to the stage. Raizadas and Guptas came on the stage. Ratna extended a decorated plate towards Arnav in which a RING had been kept. Arnav took the ring and Khushi forwarded her left hand toward him. Arnav inserted the ring into her ring finger without touching her hand and Khushi noticed it.

This is Khushi's turn. Taking the ring from Garima, Khushi inserted the ring into Arnav's finger, holding his palm. Arnav gulped hard at her soft touch.

*Nannav mere Bhai... you guys are half-couple now* NK said.

*In a week, they will become a FULL couple* Manorama countered.

All of them laughed including Khushi. Though Arnav's lips didn't smile his eyes did.

*Let's dance guys... join us...* Manorama cheered up.

Clutching Khushi's hand, she dragged her. Khushi clutched Ratna's hand and she followed them. They started dancing.

*Let's dance Aman* NK called him to dance.

And they too join them. Arnav was the only one who didn't dance. He was glad, to see his parents happy... and especially, Khushi. She looked genuinely happy. That's what made him gladder. Thank God, she didn't ask him to dance.

Manorama brought Arnav and Khushi for the lunch. She made them sit together.

*Mom, we shouldn't make them sit together before marriage* Raveena whispered in Mano's ear.

*Raveena, your brother like a kadoos needs this kind of push... You also try to do it. It will help them to get close* She whispered back to Raveena.

Though they ate together they didn't interact with each other. Khushi observed Arnav. He ate his favorite Almond Halwa, fried rice, and butter naan with mutter paneer. He didn't touch aloo puri and jalebi. No need to say, Aaloo puri and jalebi were Khushi's favorites. She smiled inwardly. Nothing is matching between them...

After finishing lunch, Khushi washed her hand and came to the living room. She turned, hearing,

*I want to talk to you*

She saw Raveena standing.

*Tell me, Di* she said.

*Alone...*

Khushi nodded yes and followed her. Arnav saw them going to the kitchen. He rolled his eyes in irritation and went to the kitchen.

*Why did you agree to marry Chotte?* She arrowed a sharp question.

Though Khushi understood the intention of the question she answered coolly.

*I like him... that's why*

*What do you know about him that you liked him?*

*Don't take me wrong... yours is a love marriage right?*

Raveena nodded yes.

*Did you start loving your husband after knowing everything about him? *

Raveena gulped hard.

*Our story is different...*

*So, is everyone's...*

*You know nothing about his past... or... maybe you were told very little about him*

*I know what you are hinting at... I know what happened in his life...*

Cutting her,

*Still you want to marry him?*

*Yes... because I like what he did...*

*Whaaaat! I have no doubt you are mad*

Khushi chuckled which irritated Raveena more.

*I want my husband to be loyal to me... I do not doubt that he will be loyal to me because he doesn't like cheating... simple...*

Raveena looked at her frowning. Before she asked anything more,

*My Amma would be searching for me... excuse me...* she left the kitchen.

Arnav who heard their conversation hid behind the pillar. Raveena came out of the kitchen and Arnav came in front of her with a stern expression.

*Chotte... you? I just...* she stammered.

Arnav stopped her showing his palm.

*I know who you are... and now, I got to know who Khushi is...*

He left the place in anger. He couldn't believe his sister could be so cunning. What's her problem with Khushi...? Or she has a problem with HIM?

Guptas were ready to leave RM. Raizadas gathered at the doorstep to send them off. Arnav came and stood beside Khushi. She smiled at him as if nothing happened. He couldn't hold himself from reciprocating her smile. He smiled.

*Don't smile in the public... I may faint...* she flirted openly.

Arnav's smile broadened. Khushi acted like fainting and Arnav tried to hold her, Khushi neatened herself and winked at him. Arnav nodded NO. Khushi pressed her lips to control her smile.

*Get ready to face such situations after our marriage...*

Arnav continued smiling.

*And you can't run away from me...*

How could she know, he will never think of running away from her?

Shashi and Arvind hugged before leaving.

*See you, my DEAR HALF-HUSBAND...* She said in a feeble tone and chuckled.

Arnav looked at her flabbergasted. More than the word HALF HUSBAND, the word DEAR affected him. He felt something in his heart as she is the first girl to call him like that. Khushi looked at him and raised her eyebrows. Arnav nodded ok.

To be continued...