Part 26 Is he the one?

Khushi sipped the espresso with a clouded mind. Vinesh kept the empty cup and said,

"Shall we go?"

Khushi nodded ok and went with him. When she came out, she saw a girl gazing at her. Khushi didn't know who she was. At the same time, Vinesh got a call. He walked to the car while attending the call.

The girl rushed to Khushi and smiled at her. Khushi didn't know if she should smile or not.

"You are Khushi, right?"

Khushi's eyes widened upon hearing her voice. She could not forget the voice... ever...! How could she forget what the girl spoke to Arnav? Her every word was echoing in Khushi's mind. How aggressive she was when she talked to Arnav!

"This is not fair... How could you think of another girl when I'm dying for you?"

"Why did you choose her over me?"

She was none other than Arnav's neighbor Bapita.

Khushi smiled at her.

"Did you get your vision?" Bapita asked delightedly.

Khushi nodded yes.

"Really? That's great..."

"Thanks"

"I came to Mumbai for my cousin's wedding."

"Oh, I see" Khushi smiled. Her smile faded, hearing Bapita's question.

"When is Arnav coming from Abroad?"

Khushi looked at Vinesh who was going towards his car. Didn't Bapita see him? Yes, she would not have seen him. Khushi thought.

"You should have been eager to meet him, right?" Khushi looked at her with a horrible expression.

"I know what you are thinking. You would not have expected me to take it easy, right? Honestly speaking. I don't take it easily. Still, there is a wound in my heart, but I came out of it. Do you know why? It's because of Arnav's pure love. How genuine he should have been if he had loved a visually impaired girl? He even helped you to operate your eyes and brought your vision back. So, there is nothing to think about Arnav anymore." Bapita said in a go.

Khushi smiled.

That was when Vinesh called Khushi.

"Khushiiii"

Khushi and Bapita looked at him. Khushi looked at Bapita to see what her reaction was after seeing Arnav. Adding to it, Vinesh also didn't react seeing Bapita. He should have come to them and not let Bapita talk to her alone. Why was Arnav behaving like he didn't know Bapita?

Adding to it,

"Is he your BROTHER?" Bapita asked, making Khushi confused.

"Brother?" Khushi murmured.

"Oh, he should be your friend... I suppose"

Khushi sulked. Was she teasing?

"Ok, Khushi, your friend is waiting for you. Convey my regards to Arnav if he calls you..."

Khushi gazed at her as if she was a ghost.

"Bye..." Bapita left the place leaving Khushi in confusion.

What the hell was this? Why did Bapita behave like she didn't know Arnav? Why did she talk like he was someone? She saw Bapita waiting for an auto. Khushi rushed to her.

"One minute, Bapita"

Bapita looked at her.

"I would like to know something from you."

"What?"

"How does Arnav look like?"

Bapita smiled.

"Haven't you talked to him through video call yet?"

Khushi nodded yes.

"I think he wants to come in front of you surprisingly and see if you identify him or not..."

Khushi looked at Vinesh and noticed Bapita also looking at him.

"Please don't mistake me; anyone would fall in love with Arnav at first sight. He has those kinds of features. His face, eyebrows, eyes, everything is attractive."

Khushi deeply looked at her.

"I'm sorry if I crossed my limit."

Khushi nodded no, smiling nervously.

"Bye..."

Khushi stood looking at the retreating auto. She could not understand anything. Bapita didn't react like, the man with her was Arnav. She narrated what Arnav would look like. What was all this? Did Bapita intentionally confuse her? But why did Arnav not react, seeing Bapita? Khushi wanted to scratch her hair.

She closed her eyes and recalled what Bapita said about Arnav.

*Anyone would fall in love with Arnav at first sight. He has those kinds of features. His face, eyebrows, eyes, everything is attractive*

Vinesh was not looking like what Bapita said. Then who was Vinesh? What was happening here? Was not Vinesh Arnav? Then who was this damn Vinesh?

"Khushiiii..." Vinesh called her again.

Khushi looked at him with many questions. His voice, his new parents, his sudden high-class status—nothing seemed real.

She walked to him with a stern gaze.

"Who was she?" He asked.

"My school friend," Khushi said.

"Let's go. I have a lot of work."

Khushi got in the car. Vinesh drove the car. Khushi looked at Vinesh. He smiled at her.

"By the way, you haven't shared your abroad experience with me...! Tell about it," Khushi asked, observing him keenly.

"I really don't want to think about it. Whenever I think about it, I remember the accident..."

"Oh... Did you talk to Anjali Di?"

Vinesh was stuck. He composed himself as Akash already told him about Anjali.

"Anjali Di? Oh yes..." Vinesh stammered.

"I'm so eager to meet her... When you go to Goa to invite her, I will also come with you."

"No, no... I don't think I will get time to go to Goa..."

"Won't you invite Anjali Di?"

"Yeah, definitely, but not in person"

"Won't she get upset?"

"No, no... She is a nice person. She will understand me."

"I'm so excited about our wedding..." Khushi said that surprised Vinesh.

"Me too," Vinesh said gladly.

"Of course, you will meet all your college friends. After all, you and Akash are college mates..."

Vinesh smiled awkwardly without answering. Khushi's doubt strengthened. Something was wrong with this man.

Vinesh dropped Khushi at GH. Khushi smiled at Garima brightly.

"Amma, do you know how big his company is? I'm so lucky to have such a partner. Right?"

"Of course, Khushi. No one could get it easily. You are so lucky."

"Amma, I would like to invite my friends to my wedding. What say?"

"No, Khushi, no..." Garima said hurriedly.

"Why Amma?"

"Not everyone is genuine. They will get jealous of your new luxurious life. If you call them, you will get bad vibes. Please don't invite them, Khushi."

"You are right, Amma. I will not call them." Khushi went to her room.

Garima sighed in relief. She saw a difference in Khushi. She thought, seeing Vinesh's wealth, Khushi changed her mind.

Khushi lay on the bed, thinking about what to do. She waited for the right time, not wanting to hurry. Without knowing anything, she didn't want to make a move.

Night

Khushi came to Garima's room.

"Khushi, do you want anything?"

"I will leave you after my wedding. That's why I thought to sleep with you."

Garima was overwhelmed.

"Come," she said, spreading her arms.

Khushi hugged her and lay on the bed. For a while, she shared sweet memories of their life with Garima. Then, she waited for Garima to sleep. As she expected, Garima slept.

Khushi made sure Garima was asleep. She saw Garima's phone on the table. Taking it, she silently left the room. She came back to her room and locked the door. She called Lavanya, and Lavanya attended the call.

"Hello..."

"Khushi... Khushi, where the hell are you? Why don't you attend our calls?"

"I lost my phone."

"Okay, you lost your phone. What about your mother and brother? Did they, too, lose their phones?"

"Why?"

"Their phones are also switched off..."

"What do you mean? Their phone is working."

"No... Do you know how many times we tried their number? By the way, whose number is this?"

"This? Amma's number."

"Did she change her number?"

"No... It's her old number only."

"No... I have her old number. This is a new number."

Khushi was confused. Why did Garima change her number? Why didn't she tell her about it?

"By the way, why did you guys sell your house?"

"Sell? What do you mean? We just mortgaged the house."

"No, Khushi, your neighbor has demolished your house and started building a new house on your land."

Khushi was shocked to the core.

"Do you know how distraught your brother's fiancé is? Poor, she doesn't even know where you guys are."

Khushi didn't understand anything.

"Khushi, everyone is Goa gossiping about you betraying Arnav."

"Whaaat?"

"Why won't they talk if no one knows about your whereabouts? Did you talk to Arnav?"

"I'm with him only..."

"What are you saying, Khushi? I met Payal just yesterday. She said Arnav is searching for you."

Khushi gulped down hard. What three hells were happening in her life?

"Lavanya listen. Please don't call me on this number. I will call you. Ok?"

"Any problem?"

"Yes... Don't call me."

"Ok. Call me if you want my help."

"Of course, I will... Bye," she disconnected the call.

Khushi thought something. Lavanya said this was Garima's new number. She dialed Arnav's number. Khushi stood, holding the phone in her ear and holding her breath. The call was attended.

"Hello..." Hearing Arnav's VOICE, Khushi's eyes pooled. She bit her lip closing her eyes.

To be continued...