Part 38

Khushi called Buaji and recited whatever Arnav taught her. Buaji was happy hearing her returning.

Later

Khushi saw Arnav was getting ready to office. She got inside his room with his breakfast.

Khushi: Will you come late today? (She asked worriedly.)

Arnav(dragging her close to him ): seems like, my wife started missing me?

Khushi smiled blushingly.

Arnav(tucking her hair): I will try to come as soon as possible.

Khushi: I'm going to Lucknow tomorrow. (she pouted.)

Arnav: Tomorrow, I will be with you. ok?

He said arching his eye brows.

Khushi: When will you come to Lucknow?

Arnav: I need a little time to complete all  my work here. Otherwise I will also come with you tomorrow and bring you back with Amma Buaji's permission. On the other hand, i have  to come to Lucknow for a deal.

Khushi(in mind): Deal?  his concern is only on deal . That's why I don't want to marry a business man. He gives more importance to deal than me. (she pouted.)

Arnav: Did you say something?

She nodded no.

Arnav: Be careful. Ok?

Khushi (hesitatingly): Can't you postpone your meeting? (She asked worriedly.)

Arnav (smilingly): Do you think, I'm willingly going to office? I have already taken a  lot of leave due to my fever. I have to complete all the pending work here.  Then only can I come to Lucknow. Hope you understand.

She nodded yes.

Arnav: Take care. I love you.

Khushi smiled and he left to office. Khushi started packing her stuffs. She did not like to  do anything. She was not interested to pack her stuff. In fact, she did not want to go to Lucknow. She seemed to cry.

Khushi (self talk): This Lard Governor went to office leaving me alone. What husband he is? He was behind me when I didn't give any heed to him. Now, he is making me crave for his presence. Lard governor. What will I do after going to Lucknow? How can I be happy without seeing him?

She dialed his number and it was on voice mail. She was hell irritated. What so busy? That's when she heard calling bell sound. Her face glittered with happiness. She rushed down stairs and opened the door. It was Aman. Aman smiled seeing her. She volunteered a smile.

Khushi: You have spare key right? then why did you ring the bell?

Aman: When you are alone at home, how can I come inside without your permission? That's why. He smiled.

Khushi(stunned): Now you can come inside as you are permitted.

Aman(chuckled): ASR asked me to arrange it for you.

He gave her a cover. She opened it confusingly. It was her Air Ticket to Lucknow.

Aman: You are going  to leave tomorrow right? Be safe Khushi. Keep in touch. Hope you won't forget us.

Why he is talking like a friend who is in his "collage farewell party"?

Khushi: How will I forget you Baiya?

Aman: Because you are going to meet your Amma and Buaji. Don't I know, how much you love them? Who knows.. you may forget us in the joy.

Khushi gulped nodding yes.

Aman: ok Khushi I'm leaving. I have to be at office as ASR is in meeting.

Khushi nodded ok. Aman said bye and left. Khushi looked at the ticket which was given by Aman. She should leave tomorrow. Tomorrow... this time... she will be in her house... far away from Arnav....

Aman came out and started the car. That's when something caught his attention. It seemed that someone was hiding behind the Hedge of RM. He stepped down without turning off the car. So the person didn't  know that Aman was approaching him.

But the person behind the plants peeped and got alert seeing Aman was advancing him. Unexpectedly, the man jumped over the wall and fled.

Aman kicked the plant in frustration. What's happening here? Who he is? Perhaps a normal thief? Or spy? Who sent him? Whom is he spying on? me?? (pause) Or Khushi? He realized, what's mean by "fear" for the first time. He gulped his anger.

Whoever he is... His thievery must be answered. How dare he come inside ASR's vicinity? He called the security.... But he didn't get any reply. He saw the security coming from outside.

Aman(gritting his teeth): Where the hell were you?

Security: Sorry sir. A pregnant woman got fainted few minutes ago. I gave her water and helped her to get auto.

Something stroke in his mind. Could that be a drama to move him from here?

Aman(gritting his teeth): Don't you dare move from here. Do you know a man was hiding here. Seeing me, he jumped over the wall and ran away?

Security: Sir I'm really sorry. Arnav sir will kill me for sure. He always told me to stay alert. I won't let it happen again. Please don't say it to Arnav sir. Or else I will lose my job. Please sir....

Aman didn't sense anything wrong in his gesture. Aman saw the real regret on his face. And he knew he is one of the loyal employees of Arnav. He sighed.

Aman: Be careful. ASR will never forgive you if something wrong happen.

He didn't say "to Khushi" because he couldn't even imagine so. Aman got inside the car while removing his mobile. He dialed a number.

Aman: Rohan...

Rahon: Hello sir. How are you?

Aman: I'm fine. I want you back to the position.

Rohan: you mean Gupta house?

Aman: Yes. Tomorrow Khushi is going back to Lucknow. You have to continue your work until I tell you, this time more carefully. You should be more cautious. Nothing should happen to Khushi. And one more important thing, ASR should not know about it. Be careful.

Rohan: Ok Sir. I will be in Lucknow before Khushi Mam goes there.

Aman: No. I want you to be her shadow. Start your work from the Airport.

Rohan: Done sir.

Aman: That's it.

He cut the call and sighed. He didn't get any clear picture about what he witnessed few minutes ago. He may be someone who came to steal something. But he couldn't take risk in the matter of Khushi who became ASR's happiness.

Night

It was 7 pm and Arnav didn't return yet. Khushi was pacing in living room restlessly.

Khushi(self talk): Can't he pick my call at least? What so busy that he couldn't even talk to me once? What so big deal? If this is the case before marriage, what will happen after that?

Arnav: I will try my best to avoid such situations.

Khushi saw Arnav standing at the main entrance smilingly. She turned her face to opposite direction pouting. He came and touched her shoulder.

Arnav: Seems like, someone is very angry with me?

Khushi: Then what? (she started moving towards him and Arnav took back steps seeing her so angry) What husband you are? I'm leaving tomorrow and you didn't wish to spend your day with me. Is this what your Love? You roamed behind me until yesterday, now you are making me wait for the whole day. I won't talk you.

Saying she started going to her room. Arnav entered inside before she locks the door. He locked the door smilingly.

Khushi: Look, don't smile. I'm hell angry on you. Don't show your fake concern.

Arnav's expression changed in a jiffy. He clenched his jaws. He reached her and clutched her upper arms.

Arnav: Don't you dare Khushi.... don't you ever dare speak like this. My love can't be fake. Understand?

Khushi looked at him repenting.

Khushi: I'm sorry.

Arnav(calming down): I'm sorry. I got busy today. It was a hectic day.

Khushi got alarmed. If it was a hectic day then he might not get time to have lunch.

Khushi: Did you eat anything? (Arnav nodded no) What so busy that you didn't even eat anything? You should take care of yourself Arnavji.

Arnav was elated. Being cared by someone is really something he never got after his mother.

Arnav : I wanted to eat with you as tomorrow you are going to Lucknow because I don't know when will I eat your hand made food.

Khushi(emotionally): I will bring your dinner. Go and get fresh.

Arnav nodded yes. She rushed to the kitchen to bring his plate. This is what Khushi is. If she knows that he is hungry, her anger will disappear.

Khushi brought dinner to his room. She prepared his favorite items. He knew why. He is going to miss her cooked food from tomorrow. As usual, Khushi took the morsel and brought it to Arnav's mouth. Arnav pulled her beside him and started feeding it to her. Khushi got emotional and ate it from his hand.

Arnav: I will miss your food.

Khushi (leaning on his shoulder): Mmmm.

Arnav: Will you miss me?

She lifted her head from his shoulder.

Khushi: What do you think?

Arnav: I think you will forget me seeing your Amma, Buaji, friends....

Khushi(sarcastically): Wow that's really great that you understands me very well.

Arnav: Really?

Khushi raised her hand to hit him. Arnav raised his eye brows in surprise and chuckled.

Arnav: You became typical wife Khushi.

Khushi(pouting): Let me go...

Arnav: Arrey... I just kidding. I know you will miss me.

Khushi: Will you come to Lucknow soon na?

Arnav: What will I get if I come soon?

Khushi: Why are you always demanding?

Arnav: Because my wife keeps me hungry (pause) on her.

Khushi (stuffed a morsel in his mouth): Don't start again.

Arnav: when did I finish? Now answer me, what I will get?

Khushi: What do you want from me?

Arnav: My wife... Completely.

He looked at her with penetrating gaze. Khushi hugged him without saying anything. Arnav thought she was blushing. But he didn't understand that "that is what her answer is".

Arnav didn't want to make her more embarrass. He broke the hug and went to the closet. He gave her a box, she unwrapped the ribbon which was being tied the box. It was a saree. Khushi smiled at him.

Arnav: Do you like it?

Khushi: It's so beautiful.

Arnav: Khushi your flight is tomorrow morning. Go and take rest. Or else you will become tired.

Khushi was surprised. He really want her to sleep in her room? She was looking at him speechless. This man is beyond speculation. Don't know what he thinks and what's running in his head. She left to her room but she didn't get any sleep nor did she lock her room. Don't know when she slept. She woke up earlier than usual, prepared breakfast and lunch as well. She has no idea when she will cook for Arnav again.

To be continued...