Part 18 Something Different

RM

Ratna rushed towards Arnav and hugged him happily.

"What's wrong mom?"

"What a mind-blowing drama, Chotte...!"

Arnav laughed.

"But my heart skipped its beating when you tried to tie mangal sutra on her neck," Arvind said, descending the stairs.

"What about you, Mom? Didn't your heart stop beating?" he asked laughingly.

"I didn't get panic because I know you."

"What do you know?"

"Your taste... what you want... everything."

"Ohh... really?"

"Yeah... you like only what you can't get."

Though Ratna said that teasingly Arnav's expression changed and Ratna noticed it.

"I will get it by hook or by crook if I like it."

After hearing that, Ratna's expression changed.

"Yes, you will get if it is a THING..." she left the sentence without completing it.

"I will get even if it is not a THING but SOMETHING," Arnav said firmly.

"You can't get it if you will be like this."

"Then how should I be?" Arnav frowned.

"Girls don't like a man who is not looking serious. They need security... and loyalty."

"Am I not looking serious?"

"Are you?"

"Don't I?"

Ratna nodded NO.

"Go and get fresh. We will talk later." She turned to leave, stopped hearing Arnav calling her.

"Mom..."

"Mmmm?"

"I love Khushi."

Ratna was stunned as she didn't expect it even though she knew it. She thought it will take time.

"I know." She said nodding her head.

"I'm serious, Mom."

"Show your seriousness in action instead of words."

She went to the kitchen. Arnav frowned at her. He thought she would make him sit and started advising. But she is not taking it seriously. Why?

He was about to follow her, Arvind stopped.

"Go and get fresh, She will talk to you later."

Arnav nodded yes and went to his room. But Ratna didn't talk anything like Arvind said which irked Arnav.

Ratna went to her room, after completing dinner and slept. But Arnav couldn't sleep. He went to Ratna's room and knocked on the door. Ratna opened the door with sleepy eyes.

"Chotte, do you want something?"

"I want Khushi..." He said sternly.

Sleep fled away from Ratna's eyes. Clutching her hand, Arnav dragged her to his room. They sat at the poolside. Ratna was looking at him who is looking at pool water.

"What do you want....? Khushi? Neither is she chocolate nor a toy." Ratna warned.

"She would have been in my hands as of now if she is a chocolate or a toy."

"So? What's the point?"

"You said I'm not looking serious. Won't she like me if I'm not serious?"

"Not even in your dreams," she said seriously.

"What should I do?"

"Stop making fun. Start understanding her. Give her the warmth she needs."

"But she doesn't share anything with not only me but with anyone."

"It's because she doesn't think you guys are worth doing it."

Arnav glared at her.

"Don't glare at me Chotte. It's a truth. You have to accept it. Instead of getting upset, realize the reason."

"Have you realized it?"

Ratna nodded yes.

"She missed her parents even when they were alive. She lived a robotic life which she never liked. And, she will never get into the same lifestyle again, no matter what. Make her understand that she is the most important person to you. Once if you give comfort, she won't care about your career but only you."

"Really?"

"I'm not sure..."

"I thought she likes my approach because she is casual with me."

"Being casual and being emotional is different. Anyone can be casual with you. But emotional...?"

Arnav nodded yes.

"You know I love her then why didn't you sleep without talking to me?"

" It's you who is in love, not me. You should come to me if you want an idea. I don't want to give ideas forcefully. Understood? I just want to see how interested you are."

Arnav sighed.

"Go and sleep. Wake up with new ideas."

"Good night mom."

Ratna nodded her head and left the room. Arnav slept well that night and woke up with a fresh mind.

Next day

Arnav visited Khushi's make-up room like always but Khushi sensed a difference in his behavior. He behaved totally in reverse... No teasing words...No love dialogues...

He handed the sweet box to Khushi and left the room said nothing which made Khushi perplexed. What happened to him? Finishing her make-up, she rushed to the spot. She saw him memorizing the dialogue of the next scene. Without disturbing him, she concentrated on her dialogue.

For more to her surprise, Arnav talked to her completely in a new manner. He asked her about her schooling and about her parents. As Arnav didn't expect, she started to share all her experience with a lot of interest which she never showed before. Maybe, it's because she had no one to share things before.

Arnav thanked his mother inwardly. It's true, only a woman could understand another woman's need. Showing his gentle side, Arnav brought Khushi's hidden side out. He almost stopped talking about his LOVE doesn't mean Khushi has forgotten it. She really missed that blabber Arnav. At the same time, she was getting close to him heartedly... unknowingly... She started mingling with him openly. Unit people witnessed them together all the time. And their surroundings looked always delightful. Their laughing sound echoed all over the spot which made everyone work briskly. The shooting spot became lively and it became news in the magazines.

Arnav and Khushi's name was being chewed by each and every person in the industry. Media people roamed around the "WHAT SHALL I NAME THIS LOVE?" spot. They boldly wrote Arnav and Khushi are in love. And Arnav and Khushi didn't care about it.

Gupta House

Khushi got fresh and came wiping her silky face with a soft towel. Laxmi served her juice. Khushi sipped it relishing with a smile. Lavanya noticed it.

"Seems like, someone is in someone's memory."

Khushi took another sip with the same smile, without answering.

"Are you in love with ASR?"

Khushi looked at her and continued drinking juice.

"Have you changed your mind, Khushi?

"I didn't get you."

"Are you ready to marry an actor?"

Khushi nodded NO.

"Then why are you getting close to Arnav? Don't you know how passionate he is?"

"I know."

"Do you think he will quit acting for you?"

"I don't think so... and he doesn't want to quit the field for me."

Lavanya sighed.

"Khushi, I know you love him...."

Khushi gulped.

"I know you. Don't' lie..."

"I don't deny..."

"What that means, Khushi?"

"I like Arnav. Doesn't mean he should leave the field. At the same time, I can't marry him."

"What rubbish...?"

"I'm happy with him... and I know this is not permanent. He loves me. For that, he doesn't have to give up his career."

"But he loves you Khushi..."

"So what? He thinks he can change my mind which will never happen. It's not my fault though."

"You are confusing me."

"He will forget me if he started working with another actress. That's all."

"What if he doesn't forget you?"

"He is a busy man. His career will keep him engaged. He will not get time to think of me."

"What about you?"

"I have already planned my future. Arnav's memories are enough for me to run my life."

"Have you gone mad, Khushi? This is totally pathetic."

"Let it be..."

She left the place leaving horrified Lavanya. she felt bad for Khushi. But we can never predict what stored for us in the future. Life may turn the table anytime we couldn't imagine...

To be continued...

Next part on Inkitt

Feelings

Akansha was bowing down in front of Rohit.

"You should have let him tie the mangal sutra the other day."

Akansha looked at him helplessly.

"Being an actress, is that a big deal for you or what? Just can't you think of it as acting? Can't you just throw it away after making Arnav fail in front of the media?"