Part 36

Seven years later...

Arnav and Aashi were sitting in the living room; Arnav was helping Aashi in her project work. Obviously they led very good companionship with each other. Aashi was an intelligent and understanding girl like her father. One of the best entertainments of her was, teasing her mother. Arnav was an admirer of their fight because "HE" was the "TOPIC" which Aashi uses to tease her mother. Undoubtedly Arnav enjoys it because nowadays Khushi turned possessive like Arnav. Aashi saw Khushi was coming from washroom finishing her bath.

Aashi: Dad, your big baby is coming.

Arnav chuckled at her comment. She circled Arnav's neck and started talking. Arnav was not surprised as he understood the situation by Aashi's gesture. He smiled inwardly knowing that what will be coming.

Aashi: Dad, you like me sooooo much right?

Arnav nodded yes smilingly.

Aashi(pointing at Khushi): More than anyone Right?

Before Arnav answered,

Khushi: Stop comparing me Aashi. I'm incomparable, mind it.

Aashi: Mind you tell me why?

Aashi started arranging her "shuttle kit" as that was her Shuttle class time.

Khushi: Because I'm his wife.

Aashi: I'm his only daughter. So I'm more special than you. And more than that if Pranav uncle had not kidnapped you then you would not have married to dad. Don't forget it.

Khushi's jaw dropped. She glared at Arnav who nodded NO hurriedly like "I didn't say anything".

Aashi: Mom, don't glare at my baby. It's Nani (Garima) who told me your Love story.

Khushi (frowning): Disgusting. How could everyone be the same, the one who gave birth to me and the one whom I gave birth?

Aashi: because we are same blood.

She gave hi-fi to Arnav. And Arnav received a hot glare from Khushi.

Khushi: My mind is collapsing just because of this one tiny ghost.

Aashi: Mom it's not because of me. Don't you know "OVER STUDIES" causes BRAIN DAMAGE?

Khushi: I was too fit when I completed my Ph.D.

Aashi(chuckled): Who knows?

Khushi: Don't forget, you must get my help next year when you are in intermediate.

Aashi: I'm not going to choose Math.

Arnav (shocked): Why baby? You are so skilled in math...

Aashi: What's the necessary to be stressful Dad? And who will take care of AR after you? So I will choose arts & science and enjoy my life without stress.

Saying she went from there bidding bye, taking her cycle leaving laughing Arnav and pouting Khushi.

Khushi: She talks too much these days Arnav.

Arnav: What about you? Sometimes I doubt who is a mother and who the kid is. (he said arching his eyebrows smilingly) Thank god Aashi is more understanding than you.

Khushi: Ooh really?

Arnav (pulling her close to him): Then what? Don't you think you look over-possessive?

Khushi: My husband. What's wrong if I'm possessive?

Aashi, who came to take her new cock roll which she forgot to take, witnessed the scene. She took it without making noise and left tip-toed.

Arnav: Nothing is wrong. But sometimes it looks childish.

Khushi: what to do? We hardly get time for each other. We are busy with our jobs. Aashi takes our remaining time. I'm tedious Arnav.

Arnav sat on the couch and dragged her on his lap. Khushi leaned on his shoulder which they always like a lot.

Arnav: That's why I made her join in Sunday's "shuttle coaching" class.

Khushi lifted her head and looked at him awfully who was smirking.

Khushi: Really?

Arnav: Or else how can we get time for each other? These two hours will help us to relax, I suppose.

Khushi: what will Aashi think, if she gets to know about your plan? She asked worriedly.

Arnav: See, you both care for each other more than fights. Right?

Khushi: After all, she is my daughter.

Arnav: she also says the same "after all she is my mother" he smiled.

Khushi: Tiny Ghost. She said pouting.

Arnav: Are you going to waste our precious time by scolding my princess? He smirked.

Khushi: I'm sorry Arnav. I'm not in.

Arnav lifted her in jiffy and started heading to their room.

Khushi: Arnav, I have a lot of work to complete.

Arnav: This is the topmost of everything. He winked.

Fifteen years of blissful journey.... but nothing changed between them. Same Love, same affection, the same passion... That's the proof of their unconditional love. Love is not a matter of twenties. It should be stable even after crossing sixty years. Love never gets enough of each other. That's what happening here. No matter how many days and nights they spend together. They still were waiting to get a chance. After a pleasurable lovemaking, Arnav dragged Khushi on his chest.

Khushi: I can't believe how quickly time has passed. It feels like we just met yesterday.

Arnav: But you didn't even change. Still, you look so young. No one believes that you are a mother of fourteen years girl.

Khushi: But you changed a lot. No more possessiveness. She pouts.

Arnav: It's still there. I'm not showing it doesn't mean it's not there.

Khushi: I never thought that everything would go in reverse. It was you who told that "Even our children should not take your place in my heart". Now it looks upside down.

Arnav: Honestly, it would have happened if Aashi is close to you more than me.

Khushi: What to do? You stole my place because of my job.

Arnav: You should be happy about that. At least there is someone to take care of our child.

Khushi: What would have I done if you were not there for me?

Arnav: But I'm here for you darling. Don't stress your mathematical brain. It's already got filled with "assumptions" Like X, Y, Z, etc., etc., They chuckled.

They heard a phone ring and Khushi hurried to receive it.

Khushi: yah. (pause) this is Khushi Arnav Singh Raizada. (pause) Jee. (pause) Jee. She cut the call.

Her eyes welled up and couldn't control. Arnav who came there was panicked seeing her crying.

Arnav: Khushi... What's the matter?

She hugged him and cried on his shoulder.

Arnav: What the hell damn it? You are making me nervous Khushi. Tell me what the matter is.

He pulled her from the hug.

Khushi: I have been selected for "National Teacher Award" Arnav. She smiled while crying. She again circled his neck.

Khushi: Thank you so much Arnav. Thank you for coming into my life. It's possible only because of you. I would have been rolling roties in someone's house if you were not there for me. I love you Arnav. I love you so much. She kissed his check strongly without breaking the hug. Arnav was thunder stuck by the sweet shock. No doubt he was the happiest person in the world. He broke the hug.

Arnav: Because you deserve it. It's not possible for everyone but for you. That's why I don't want to cage you at home. I'm happy that you touched the peak.

Khushi: Yes it's true. It's not possible for everyone to make their wife proud in her CAREER but you did it. I had seen many, whose talents were buried just because of silly reasons. You saved me. Thank you for everything.

She touched his cheek lovingly and Arnav kissed her palm. Aashi, who came back from her Shuttle class, looked at them.

Aashi: Guys are you still in the same pose, from the time I left? She asked teasingly.

Arnav: Hey, do you know what your Mom has done?

Aashi: Don't say that she beat you. She giggled.

Arnav(chuckled): Did I say that ever? I know how to hide secrets. Your mom has been selected for National Teacher Awards.

Aashi(excitedly): Really mom?

Khushi nodded yes. Aashi rushed to Khushi screaming in joy and hugged her with passion.

Aashi: Dad, didn't I say, Mom, will achieve big things one day?

Arnav(smilingly): when did it happen?

Aashi: Agree Dad. It happened. Dad, we should celebrate it what say?

Arnav: Sure. Why not? Tomorrow evening we will go shopping. Ok? He said circling his hand around Khushi's shoulder.

Aashi: Wow... That's great ...

Khushi dragged Aashi close to her.

To be continued.........