Part 28

After two days.

As Sara said, Arnav took Khushi to the clinic for check up. Khushi thought he would drop her in clinic before going to the office. But for her surprise he was with her until she was tested. Sara was not surprised since she knows their story. But she couldn't sit back quietly.

Sara: Arnav, you are still here?

Arnav: How can I leave her alone?

Sara: Alone? For your kind information, I'm here to take care of her.

Arnav: But you have many patients to take care of.

Sara: I just said that considering ASR's busy schedule. But I get to know that he give more important to Khushi than his work. (she smiled)

Arnav shifted his gaze to Khushi who was embarrassing.

Arnav: We are leaving.

Sara(looking at Khushi): Take care and follow your medicines. You will get your reports tomorrow.

Khushi: Jee.

Sara admired them until their figures disappeared. Arnav stopped his car in front of the Restaurant. Khushi didn't ask him anything. As she knew he didn't eat breakfast in hurry when coming to the hospital. She was also in hungry. She too didn't eat breakfast because some test had to be taken in "empty stomach".

Arnav: I'm hungry. Hope You has no objection to do lunch at the restaurant?

She nodded no. They entered inside. The manager himself welcomed them and took them to the table as that was a busy hour. He gave them a menu card. Arnav selected something from that.

Arnav: Mutter paneer, Butter Naan...

Khushi(hurriedly): But you shouldn't have Butter, it's rich in cholesterol. It will increase your sugar level.

Though Arnav was surprised but he didn't show it and continued.

Arnav: It won't harm if I eat one day Khushi.

Khushi: why are you risking Arnavji?

Manager: Your WIFE is right sir. Order something else.

Arnav wanted to laugh seeing Khushi's EGG like eyes.

Arnav: Ok fine. One butter less Naan. He smiled at her who looked discomfit.

But he wondered why didn't she deny when the manager referred her as his wife? Arnav was continuously smiling at her. At last she blurts out couldn't bear it.

Khushi: Don't think much that I care for you. I just am reciprocating. That's all.

Arnav looked at her plainly without argument. Sometimes action speaks more than words. In few minutes their ordered food has reached the table. Khushi started having it without looking at him. She sensed that Arnav was not eating. He was sitting folding his hands. She looked at him questioningly.

Khushi: Why are you not eating?

Arnav didn't answer.

Khushi: Arnavji we are getting late.

Arnav: we will leave right away when you finishes.

Khushi: You didn't even start yet but I'm half finished.

Arnav: I'm not going to eat. You go on.

Khushi: But why?

Arnav didn't answer.

Khushi: I'm asking you something Arnavji.

Arnav: What if I do not eat? You won't care right? Then you carry on.

Khushi: Don't behave childish. It's not good for your health.

Arnav(cutting her): It's not necessary to reciprocate all the time Khushi.

Khushi was numb. She knew he already skipped his breakfast. What will happen if he leaves his lunch in addition?

Khushi: Arnavji please don't make me guilty.

Arnav: you no need to be guilty. What is there to feel guilty when you are not care for me?

She closed her eyes while fisting her fingers.

Khushi(looking down): I agree I care for you. I didn't say it before because I don't want to give you false hope. Now please eat.

She looked at him with her teary eyes. Arnav started eating looking at her with his penetrating gaze who was spilling tears nonstop.

RM

Arnav and Khushi came to RM. HP saw and came towards them.

HP: Khushiji, I received a call from your Buaji. She wanted to talk to you.

Khushi(panicking): Anything serious?

HP: I don't know khushiji.

Khushi : Ohh. Thank you HPji. I will call her.

HP: Jee.

Khushi took the receiver and dialed buaji's number. Arnav stood there seeing her nervousness. Buaji attend the call in second ring.

Khushi: Buaji, is everything ok? Nothing is serious right? How is Amma?

Buaji: Nothing serious Sanka devi. Take a breath. Your Amma is doing very good.

Khushi sighed in relief and Arnav as well.

Buaji: Actually I called you to remember something.

Khushi: What's that Buaji?

Buaji: Tomorrow is...

Khushi(cutting her): Babuji's death anniversary.

Arnav who was about to go to his room got rooted. He could feel sadness in Khushi's voice.

Buaji: Garima is not in the state to do his "Shradh". That's why I want you to do that.

Khushi: I will do it in the temple.

Buaji: yes. I too want to say that simply.

Khushi: jee buaji. I will do it.

Buaji: Hey Thithaliya.. Wear saree while doing that.

Khushi thought for some time.

Khushi: jee buaji.

She cut the call and looked at Arnav.

Arnav: Are you ok?

Khushi nodded yes and went to kitchen. She didn't want to stay in front of him. She was already upset with Arnav as he made her confess something which she doesn't want. Hp was preparing lunch.

Khushi: Hpji I want a help from you.

HP: Jee Khushiji.

Khushi: Tomorrow is my father's death anniversary. I want to do his Shradh in Temple. I know we can't do it in all Temples. Do you know such a Temple? I'm asking you because I don't know about Delhi.

HP(thought for a second): Jee Khushiji I know but I forget it's exact location. Let me ask my friend and I will give you acute detail.

He went to call his friend. He came after finishing the call.

Khushi: Have you got the information HPji?

HP: Ohh Khushiji that Temple is little far away from Delhi, somewhat one and half hours from here.

Khushi: No problem HPji. I will go there tomorrow.

HP: Why not you ask Arnav baba? He will take you...

Khushi(cutting him): No Hpji. I don't want to disturb him.

HP: But transporting is not so frequent to that place. So return back soon Khushiji.

Khushi: Ji.

She went to her room. She searched in the closet and saw the only SAREE which she brought here. The same Red saree which was given by Arnav on his mother's Birthday. She sighed. Why Buaji wanted her to wear saree? Would she drape this? What will Arnav think? What if he takes it positively? She has no time to buy new one as it was next day.

She was confused. Why things that are not understood in her life are happening? After meeting Arnav she is facing those answerless phrases continuously. Circumstance was forcing her to do something she doesn't want. But she has no choice. Not that she has any choice. She was not allowed to choose what she likes. Sometimes it feels like she started liking those things which she didn't like before. Is she getting used to it? or she really started liking it? She has no answer.

......

Arnav received Aman's call.

Aman: ASR, tomorrow early morning we have a video conference in AR.

Arnav: was not it tomorrow evening? Why did it change?

Aman: Yah... Mr. Hitesh Rana has some personal work to do. So he requested me to change.

Arnav: ohhh

Aman(teasingly): Why ASR? Do you have any personal work? Like going to hospital for some tests?

Arnav(smiling): Shut up. I will be there sharp.

Aman: There you are. Bye.

He cut the call.

Next day.

Arnav left to the office little earlier as Aman said. Khushi was relieved as he will not see her in his saree. She collected every details about the temple like Bus number, bus stand name ect.,

HP: Khushiji I asked my friend to make all the preparations. Everything will be ready there. You just pay money and do pooja and return as soon as possible.

Khushi was pleased by HP's concern.

Khushi: Thank you so much HPji.

She took leave from HP.

AR

Arnav finished his conference and came inside his cabin. Aman followed him with coffee. He handed over the cup to Arnav as he badly needed one. Aman forwarded his hand towards Arnav for shake. Arnav looked at him confusingly like "what?"

Aman: Happy Valentine's Day Buddy.

Arnav shook hands chuckling.

Arnav: ohh is today feb 14th?

Aman: How is Valentine?

Arnav(smiling): yahhh.. she is... he stopped.

He remembered her previous day phone talk with Buaji. He took his phone and called RM. Hp received the call.

Arnav: How is Khushi? She ate breakfast?

HP: ohh Arnav Baba, Khushiji went to Temple to do "Shradh" for her father which is at out strike of Delhi.

Arnav(frowning): What? Is it today? When did she go?

HP: 8 o' clock.

Arnav: Why didn't she say anything to me? And how did she know about that Temple?

HP: She asked me yesterday and I told her about the Temple.

Arnav: What the.... Don't you know how remote that place is? Why didn't you say it to me damn it? (He cut the call) This girl....

He stood from the chair taking his car key.

Arnav: Aman I'm leaving. Take care of everything here.

Aman: Anything serious? Shall I come with you?

Arnav(smirking): Let me enjoy my first long drive with my wife.

Aman (shocking): Wife?

Arnav winked at him and left smilingly.

Though Arnav said playfully but he didn't know she really will become his wife in few hours.

To be continued....