Part 40 New Gestures

Khushi was hiding under the quilt. She had no guts to see Arnav. Even though she was covering herself with a quilt she closed her face with her palms. She was nervous like never before. Her body shivered when she thought about the incident. her heart was beating like a drum.

Arnav's condition was also not less than Khushi's. Both were almost in the same state. She tied a friendship band just a few days ago. Though he didn't accept her as his friend she might have. The feelings in his mind will never let him think in the way she thought. Things happening between them would never let him think of her as his friend anymore. For the first time, Arnav felt something weird in his heart as well as in his body.

Slowly turning his face, he looked at Khushi. He saw the movements inside the quilt. He knew she was hiding from him. He turned his face to the laptop screen immediately when he saw Khushi making a small hole, rolling the corner of the quilt, and looking at him through one eye. He faced a hard time not smiling, seeing her antic. He turned towards the pool and smiled closing his eyes.

Khushi again closed herself when Arnav stood from the recliner. He left the room, giving her space. He decided to get back to the room after she slept. But Khushi was not in the state to sleep.

Khushi got off the bed and came to the kitchen. Ratna saw her and was shocked.

*Why did you come downstairs?* she asked in a strict tone.

*I just....*

Stopping her,

*Where is Chotte? How did he let you come out of the room?* her voice sounded with disappointment.

*He is not in the room, Amma*

*Whaaaat! Where is he roaming? Why did he take an off today? I asked him to look after you...*

*Amma, I felt to have a coffee. Can I get it?* She asked to stop Ratna from blabbering.

Ratna sighed.

*You could have asked me through the phone...* Ranav sighed.

She boiled the milk.

*Hariprakash...* she called HP who was filling water in a jug from the water purifier.

*Jee, Maji...*

*Bring a chair for Khushi*

*Jee...*

HP came with a chair in a few seconds.

Khushi sat on the chair hesitatingly. Ratna prepared coffee for both of them and poured it into the cups. She extended it to Khushi. Taking it from Ratna, Khushi sipped it whereas Ratna had it, leaning on the kitchen slab.

*Amma... did you see me only on the bed...?*

*Haan, beta... I was shocked seeing you without a moment... Thank god, Chotte saw you slipping down when you came out of the washroom... what would have happened if you slipped down inside the washroom? Thank God... it didn't happen...* Ratna said with relief.

Khushi gulped down uncomfortably. Ratna frowned, noticing it. Khushi was wearing a nightgown when she saw her in bed. Usually, Khushi won't prefer nightgown in the daytime. Ratna never had seen her in a nightdress. Ratna was right. Khushi didn't like to wear nightgowns but tops with pants. Ratna became thoughtful. Somewhat, she guessed it right.

At that time, they saw Arnav rushing into the kitchen searching for Khushi. He sighed in relief, seeing Khushi with Ratna. Khushi turned her gaze from Arnav unusually and Ratna noticed it. Ratna's doubt strengthened.

*Where were you, Chotte? Is this how you look after your wife? See, how tired she looks...*

*I'm alright Amma...* Khushi said.

*Because of you he is careless, Khushi... try to bring a husband out of Chotte...* she said observing their facial expressions.

*I just went to the study room, searching for a reference book. She came here in between...* he said looking at Khushi.

*Khushi, beta...go to your room...*

*I'm bored of resting, Amma*

Arnav looked at her dissatisfaction.

*Oh... come with me... Chotte, bring her...*

*That's ok, Amma...*

Ratna stopped and glared at Arnav.

*Mom...why are you glaring at me? What can I do if she wants to come by herself? Do you want me to pick her up in my arms?* he asked sighing.

*You will do it if you are a good husband...* Ratna teased.

Arnav stopped and looked at Khushi who was listening to her MIL and husband's talks. As the duo didn't expect, he picked her up in his arms and walked towards his room. Ratna was surprised, seeing that whereas Khushi was shocked. What he tried to convey through this act of his? Was he a GOOD HUSBAND? The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law were debating within. Khushi couldn't move her eyes from his face. Though Arnav knew it he didn't react to it.

Arnav put her down on the bed, looking at her face.

Ratna sat on the bed, next to Khushi.

Taking the remote, Ratna switched the TV on. She changed the channels one by one. She stopped, seeing her favorite movie... FANAA... The movie was half-finished already.

Ratna's face lit, seeing a girl in the movie.

*Chotte, look at that girl. Is not she looking like our Khushi?* she asked.

Arnav looked at the girl and nodded yes. He had seen Khushi's old photographs when he went to GH. She looked the same as Sanaya.

*She is SANAYA IRANI Amma...* Khushi said.

*I know... do you watched the famous series, Iss Pyar Ko Kya Naam Doon?* She asked Khushi.

Khushi nodded yes.

*I like the serial very much... the only serial I have ever watched. Barun and Sanaya's chemistry looks awesome...*

*Mom... the serial was telecasted nine years ago...*Arnav said sarcastically.

*So what...? It will live in our hearts forever... and now I have another reason to like the serial. Our Khushi looks ditto like Sanaya...*

*My friends also say the same...* Khushi said.

*And...Chotte also looks like Barun a little...* she laughed.

Arnav rolled his eyes.

*Watch the movie...it's my favorite movie...*

Ratna also watched the movie with them. Though Arnav was working on his laptop his concentration was on the movie as it was a LOVE story.

Suddenly, Ratna remembered something.

*Oh my God...*

*What happened, Amma?*

*I have forgotten the milk I kept on the stove...*

*I think you turned the stove off* Khushi said.

*No-no...let me check...* she rushed out.

Exactly, at the same time, the song DHEKO NA started. Khushi got horrorstruck as that was a consummation song. She looked at Arnav who just switched his gaze from the TV to the laptop screen. He was also equally uncomfortable just like Khushi. She searched for the remote to change the channel. She searched under the quilt and pillows but she couldn't find them. Arnav controlled his smile and his face told us that. He enjoyed her helplessness inwardly. The romance between the leads and the lines of the song gave them Goosebumps.

*Why this distance between you and me? Just touch and feel it...*

The song got over and Khushi sighed in relief. She got thunderstruck when she saw Arnav smiling, looking at the laptop screen.

Why was she suffocating with him again and again? How sweet their relationship was until yesterday...! All of a sudden, it became difficult. She sighed.

By the way, where was the remote? They saw Ratna coming with the remote. Khushi sighed whereas Arnav rolled his eyes.

*I took the remote with me in the tension...* She kept the remote on the bed and sat with Khushi.

Khushi nodded ok awkwardly. It was a break in between the movie.

*Is DHEKO NA song over? It's a very good song...* Ratna said.

She looked at Khushi who was bowing down, without answering.

*Arrey... why don't you answer me? Is that song over?*

*It just got over...* Arnav said.

*Oh God... I have missed it...* she said sadly.

*Mom... it's not a song to watch with your children... but with Dad...* he said controlling his smile.

That statement made Khushi's stomach churn, understanding the statement whereas Ratna laughed wholeheartedly not just because Arnav started countering like before but because she knew what kind of song that was. That was why she left the room, living the young couple alone, taking the remote with her intentionally not giving them a chance to change the channel because she sensed new gestures between them.

To be continued...