Part 41 I Know...

"I can't hate you, Khushi," Arnav said.

Khushi stood smiling, no turning back.

"You know why?" he questioned her even after knowing that she won't answer him.

She looked at him turning towards him.

"It's because you are not a CHOICE but ONE and ONLY OPTION of my life" he gulped hard, making her dumbfounded.

Khushi gazed at him like why he is changing the TRACK now?

"Do you remember, what you told Garima aunty when she asked you to marry me? You said, *I'm not a CHOICE... I don't want to be a CHOICE...* do you remember that?"

Khushi was looking at him. Yes, she said that. yet, she had no intention of answering him. she just wanted to know his stance on it.

"I was unable to answer you that day... but I so wanted to... my situation was not in my favour to answer you. Now, listen to me. I had ONLY ONE OPTION in my life about my wedding. Even after you got almost engaged to someone I have never changed my mind. You know why?" he again asked her.

Khushi didn't answer for that question too.

"I never wanted any choice because I was FIXED"

Now, Khushi questioned.

"Means...?"

"Means... I didn't think I can replace a girl who occupied my heart completely" he said the truth.

Khushi swallowed down hard.

"Khushi... I just was kidding taking our honeymoon. I thought casual conversations will erase the distance between us... I just..."

"So?"

"Are you scared to come to London with me?"

"Arnav, we are staying in the same room... sleeping in the same bed... I don't think this room and London has any difference... According to me, both are same because this room gives us the same privacy as London"

"Then why don't you come to London...?"

"I'm coming to London..." she said firmly.

Arnav was taken back. He was gazing at her with confusion. She said NO to London in front of everyone. And now, she tells she is coming. What's there in her mind?

"I wanted to talk to you about it..."she said.

"What?" Arnav asked raising his brows.

At the same time, Khushi's phone rang. She smiled seeing the caller name. It was Ratna.

"Aunty is calling me... I will be back" She rushed out.

Arnav sighed. Her work started. As she and Laila promised, Ratna started engaging her daughter-in-law. And, Khushi says she is coming to London... he sighed annoyingly.

Khushi came to Ratna'a room. She saw Arvind and Laila were with Neerav there. Before she asked anything,

"Khushi, beta... you don't have to cancel your ticket... as per Chotte's plan, you too go with him." Arvind said.

"Haan, Khushi... Laila doesn't want you to cancel your program" Ratna said smiling.

Khushi looked at Laila who nodded yes.

"No aunty, how can I go when you are in this condition?" Khushi said making Laila nervous.

"Khushi, we are here... we will take care of Ratna..." Arvind said.

"Haan, Khushi. you don't have to do that. It's a very big program and you would have worked hard for it. Please don't spoil it without your presence. Complete what you started" Laila said.

"Laila... you are a girl who born with silver spoon. What do you know about treating a bed patient? How could you do that alone?" she asked with a hidden mockery.

"I will manage Khushi... I will take care of aunty..."

"But, a few minutes ago, you want me to be with you...what happened to you suddenly?" She intentionally asked.

"Yeah... but I analysed the issue..."

"Oh..."

"I understood what is right"

"Oh ho..."

"Please go to London and complete the event"

Khushi looked at Ratna hesitatingly.

"Do you think Laila will take care of you, aunty?" Khushi asked.

"She says, she will..." Ratna said.

"But, my heart is not accepting..."

"Think about your husband, Khushi. your heart will accept..." Laila said making everyone wonder.

What happened to her all of a sudden? Was she sitting under the BODHI tree and attained enlightenment? She has changed utterly opposite...

"I don't know what Arnav is going to say. I don't think he will agree to go to London because he was thinking to cancel his tickets too." Khushi said feeling sad.

"But, why?" Arvind asked shockingly.

"Don't you know how much he loves aunty?" Khushi asked him.

"I will talk to Chotte... he is working on the event for one month. I won't agree to cancel the trip. You and Chotte are going to London and that's final" Arvind ordered.

Khushi nodded ok sadly.

"Before Chotte, cancel the tickets, go and let Chotte that you are going." Ratna said.

Khushi nodded ok and came out, controlling her smile. She got stuck for a second, seeing Arnav standing, leaning on the wall, folding his hands. He looked at Khushi suspiciously who walked crossing him casually as she understood that he heard their talks. Arnav followed her with confusion and Khushi came to their room smiling.

"What's this, Khushi?" he asked.

"As per our plan, we are going to London for the event" she said.

"I know that... why do I think there is something beyond our thinking?"

"What do you think?"

"What happened to Laila all of a sudden? She intentionally stopped you from going to London a few minutes ago. And now, she voluntarily sending you to London. I don't think she would have analysed as she said. Something should have happened and I know you are behind that"

"Me? I'm innocent, Arnav... trust me" she chuckled.

Arnav rolled his eyes.

"Khushi..."

"Ok, promise me you won't get angry"

"Angry? Why would I?"

"Promise me..."

"Ok, I promise..."

"Laila was the one who made aunty fall down"

"Whaaaaat?"

"Yes, she intentionally did that"

"Did you see that?"

"Yes... I saw her spilling coconut oil on the floor. Aunty came from the Pooja room and stepped on it..."

"She should have intentionally done that to stop you from going to London"

"Mmmm"

"Why didn't you tell me about it before?"

"I just wanted to know her intention. I got to know what's in her mind when she voluntarily said I and she will take care of Ratna aunty"

"Then, how does she ask you to go to London now?"

"I threatened her..." she said casually.

"Whaaaat?" he asked unbelievably.

She nodded yes.

"Youuuuu.... threatened her??? really?"

"Don't under estimate the power of a woman..."

"Oh..."

"Before my marriage, someone told me, instead of running away from the problem, I should face it... and gave me lecture about GIRL power... I just am doing the same... I just am showing what he asked me to do..." she shrugged her shoulders.

"What did you do?"

She showed the video to Arnav. He gritted his teeth furiously.

"She should be thrown out of RM" Arnav said gritting his teeth.

"Of course... we should not allow such a person in RM who is a pure poison but not now... she should look after Ratna aunty. That's the punishment for harming her"

"But, we are going to London... what if she became free after we went to London?"

"I have a plan"

"What?"

"I'm going to bring Buaji here"

Arnav looked at her surprisingly.

"She will take care of Laila"

Arnav chuckled.

"Are you planning to make her run out of RM?"

"It will be good for her if she does that" Khushi said casually.

"I think I should be careful with you... you are quite dangerous..." He chuckled.

"Stop wasting time and start packing..." She said and about to go from there,

Arnav blocked her way and closed the door. Khushi raised her brows jerking.

"I like what you said"

"What?"

"You said according to you, this room and London are same..."

"So?" she folded her hands.

Arnav also folded his hands.

"So... I think we don't have to wait to reach London to reach the next level of our wedding... what say?" he asked teasingly.

"Ok..." she said meting his eyes.

Folded hands of Arnav got down. There was an unbelievable expression on his face.

"Whaaat did you sayyyy?" he asked.

"I said Ok..."

"Are you kidding?"

She didn't answer him but looking at him. Arnav scratched his forehead, gasping.

"Why are you silent, Arnav?"

Arnav looked at her said nothing. He didn't know in what means she is talking. He don't know whether he should talk it seriously or not.

"What's your problem Arnav? You were behind me teasing... and now, you became tongue tied... didn't you expect this?" she asked with a smile.

"Stop playing with me Khushi" he sounded low.

"Why should not I, when you have all the rights to play with me?"

"I will take it seriously..." he said in a warning manner.

"Don't you take it seriously?" she asked casually making him gulp.

She turned to leave, Arnav clutched her hand. Khushi stopped not turning towards him. he pulled her close to him and Khushi banged on his chest.

"I'm damn serious..." he said.

"I know..." she said without thinking.

"What do you know?" he asked huskily.

As Arnav didn't expect, she palmed his cheek and pecked his forehead. More to his surprise, she leaned on his chest circling his waist.

To be continued...