Part 26 Arnav and Suman

Arnav was tapping a pen on his forehead, closing his eyes, and thinking about Khushi and Suman. He literally felt bad for Suman. How hard his life was! He didn't kill anyone, nor cheated anyone.! Yet, he was hiding... inside himself. Poor him. Glad that, he had Khushi like a wise girl as his friend. His lips curved into an adorable smile. The next second, his smile vanished. How great Khushi's love for him was. Would any girl dare to make such a decision in her life just because she didn't want to marry anyone? Did she think about the consequence? Would not this world taunt her for not having a kid? Was she ready to face anything for him?

How dare she? On the other hand, Arnav felt proud because he was the owner of the love. He lost her once... Not anymore. He could not lose her once again. He had to find a way to grip her. Before that, he had to make a way to walk away from Sheetal. He thought to meet the lawyer regarding this.

Evening

As usual, Khushi was sending kids with their parents, waving her hand at them with a smile. Baby Khushi was the only one, waiting for her Daddy lastly. Khushi looked at her wristwatch and then at the pathway. She saw Arnav coming. She stood up from the chair, taking her bag. Arnav stood blocking the entrance.

"Khushi beta, go to Daddy's room. I will just come" Arnav said to baby Khushi.

She nodded ok and ran to his room, taking her bags. Khushi looked at Arnav to know what the matter was.

Arnav was standing staring at her not uttering a single word. Khushi became embarrassed. She rotated her bangle gasping. She thought to leave the place and moved. Arnav blocked her track taking a step to the right side. Khushi moved the left side and he again moved the left side. She looked at him frowning, understanding that he was intentionally doing that.

Arnav smirked at her which appeared different.

"Excuse me..." she said.

"You are not excused..." he spoke huskily.

"What if anyone sees us...?" she asked restlessly.

"Is it ok, if no one sees us?" he questioned, making her perplexed.

"Behave yourself" Pushing him, she moved out quickly.

Arnav smiled and came out coming to composure.

Khushi came to the staff room, thinking about Arnav's sudden changed behavior. She could not understand anything.

"What's wrong with him?" she murmured within.

Khushi saw Lavanya thinking something.

She tapped her shoulder. Lavanya look at her and smiled.

"What are you thinking about?"

"I am thinking about getting Shyam's undivided attention..." She chuckled.

"I think you are already doing that not disclosing your love... poor him, he is putting all his attention only on you" Khushi smiled.

"Khushi, do you know anything about Arthanareeswara?"

"You mean one of the manifestations of Lord Shiva?"

"Exactly... do you know about the concept?"

"Yeah, I read it somewhere but why are you asking about it suddenly?"

"My neighbor aunty is sincerely worshipping Ardhanareeshwara..."

"Oh..."

"She said, even a separated couple will patch up and will live with a good understanding if we worship Arthanareeshwara..."

"Is it?"

"Yes..."

"So, what's your point? Are you going to worship after your marriage?"

"I have already started worshiping a week ago. See, Shyam confessed to me" she said exactly.

"Is it?"

"Yes... I believe Shyam and I will become the best couple"

"By the way, do you have Arthanareeswar's photo?"

"No... But, saw on the net and read about it"

"Oh..."

"Arthanareeswar is one of the sixty-four manifestations of Lord Shiva, the man, and a woman form with Parvati constituting the left half of Shiva. In this factor, Lord Shiva draws the feminine into his own self. He is half man and half woman. It is believed that the God is Lord Shiva and the woman part is his consort, Goddess Parvati. The Ardhanareeshvara represents a constructive and generative power and also equally"

Khushi listened to her silently.

"How great...! Isn't it, Khushi?"

Khushi nodded yes. People worship God no matter if he is half man and half woman but in reality, they won't accept such people and think they are sinners Khushi thought.

Evening

Khushi came home and got stuck as an amazing smell of Biriyani spice hit her nose. She rushed to the kitchen and saw Suman frying the spices.

"Sumi... What are you doing?" She asked inhaling the smell.

"Guess?"

"What's the big deal...? You are preparing Biriyani..."

"No... You are going to prepare it for my friend."

"Friend? Who is your friend? You didn't say anything about your new friend to me?"

"That's what I'm going to do today. I have invited him to our house. You are an expert in preparing biryani. So, I thought to Amaze him with biryani"

Khushi dropped her bag from her shoulder and sighed.

"If you are tired, I will prepare it no problem."

"That's ok, Sumi. Won't I do this much for you?"

"That's my sweetheart" Suman hugged her.

"Let me get fresh first"

"What do you want me to prepare for you, tea or coffee?"

"Coffee..."

"Strong strong coffee will be ready for you"

"Okay..." Khushi took a step and stopped.

"By the way, how your friend looks like?"

"What so urgent Khushi? You are going to see him in a few hours..."

"What so suspense, Sumi?"

"Nothing is like that Khushi... I don't want to increase your excitement"

"I am not excited" She went to her room.

"Let me see, Khushi. How won't you get excited, knowing who is my friend" Suman smiled.

Everything was ready. Khushi arranged the table. Prawn Biriyani, Chicken sixty-five, fish fingers, and fruit custard, were kept on the table. She kept tulip flowers in the center of the table, which Suman already brought.

"The table is looking good," Suman said.

"Thank you"

"Go and take bath... Don't you want to be fresh?"

"Hello... He is your friend. Why should I be fresh?"

Suman looked at her tilting his head.

"Ok, ok, don't look at me like that... I'm going"

"That's my Sweetheart" Suman smiled.

Khushi went to the washroom. Suman called Arnav. He attended it and was in the way.

"Hi, Sumi"

Suman smiled, hearing SUMI from Arnav.

"Hi... Where are you?"

"On the way... Will be there in fifteen minutes"

"Ok... I want to say, I won't be here when you come"

Arnav smiled.

"Is it ok?"

"Where are you going?"

"Nowhere... Will be in the next shop..." Suman chuckled.

"Thank you"

"Always... But please don't be over-emotional"

"Ok... I will try to play VILLAIN" Arnav laughed.

"I'm out of this game" Suman disconnected the call laughingly.

Khushi came out of the washroom and got into a descent and simple suit.

"Khushi, I will be back," Suman said.

"Where are you going?"

"My friend is lost it seems. I will bring him"

"Send him our location"

"He didn't bring his mobile"

"Then how did he call you?"

"He called me from someone's mobile. I will just come" He rushed out and kicked his bike.

Khushi sighed and locked the door. Within a few minutes, the door was knocked. Khushi opened the door with a smile and got stuck, seeing Arnav standing with a penetrating gaze. Khushi gulped down.

"Arn... You...?"

"Shouldn't I come to your place?" He stepped in.

"Actually... My husband's friend is coming"

"Oh..."

"They will be here anytime"

"So?"

"What do you want Arnav?"

"What I'm going to ask you, Khushi???"

"Arnav, please try to understand and leave..."

"Don't I have any right on you, Khushi?"

"Right? What right are you talking about?"

"The rights you gave me at the time of our college"

"It's all over"

"I don't think so, Khushi..."

"Think whatever. It's not my concern. Now, please leave"

"Do you think I came here to leave?"

"What's wrong with you Arnav?"

"From the time you forgave me, I am not getting sleep... my mind and heart are full of you. Why not you come to me leaving your Sumi?"

Khushi looked that him shockingly.

"I am ready to come to you leaving everything behind, Khushi"

"Arnav, this is not a time to talk about all this. Try to understand my situation. Suman may come anytime"

Cutting her,

"So what if he comes? You no need to worry about him. I will take care of him"

"Arnav, this is the limit... don't test my patience..."

"I will leave only if you say, you will come to me forever..."

"Have you gone mad? Are you in your sense?"

"I am opening up my heart and you are doubting my sense?"

Khushi looked at the entrance restlessly.

"It's been a long I kissed you..."

Khushi's eyes widened in shock. What the hell he was talking about?

"Just a kiss... I will leave..." Arnav took a step close to her.

In no time, Khushi slapped him with anger. Arnav stood closing his eyes. Khushi panted hard with shivering lips. Arnav looked at her smiling.

"This is what I wanted you to do for deceiving you... But, you never thought of doing that. I will gladly sleep tonight" Arnav smiled making Khushi confused.

To be continued...