Chapter 3

"Oh this stupid id downstairs threw a water balloon on me. He doesn't have any manners. I'm so happy we don't have kids Khushi," Arnav said making Khushi drop the bouquet of roses from her hand and they landed on the floor.

And then he spoke again, "I would never be able to handle them." Arnav picked up the dozen roses and put them on the dresser. He came back to Khushi and looked at her, but she was frozen at the spot. He nudged her shoulder and asked, "What's wrong Khushi?" he shook her shoulder again and Khushi broke her trance.

"Arnav I need to tell you something," Khushi said, Arnav nodded telling her to say what she wanted.

"Arnav I'm---," Khushi said but was cut off by the knock on their door.

"Chotte, Khushiji! Please come on down, we're going to cut the cake!" Anjali said from outside and left.

"Khushi we'll talk later, let's got downstairs before Di gets angry," Arnav said.

"Ok, let's go," Khushi said, she looked back in the mirror and fixed the pallu of her sari; she turned towards him again and said, "Challo (come)."

Khushi put her hands around his arm; Arnav put his other hand on top of hers and they walked out the room. Khushi had really wanted to tell him now, but Di had interrupted. Maybe she should tell him after the party, she thought. They came out of the room and were walking down the hall, when Payal and Akash also came out of their rooms.

"Hey Bhai, got back from work early today?" Akash asked as they all walked down.

"Yea, you know Di," Arnav said.

"Khushi I like your sari, where did you get it from?" Payal asked.

"Oh, Arnav got it for me," Khushi said trying to smile, but Payal noticed that something was wrong. Khushi was behaving a bit strangely; she would have to talk to her later about it. They all made their way downstairs and the living room was filled with guests and kids.

"Come here guys," Anjali said when she saw them come down. They all walked to the table and stood there. Anamika, Anjali's daughter was also there standing in front of the cake.

"Ladies and gentlemen, can I please have your attention," Shyam said into the mike, "Could we all please gather around to cut the cake." Everyone moved around the table. Anjali lit the candles and Anamika blew them out while everybody sang happy birthday to you. She held the knife along with her parents' hands and cut the cake. Anjali took a piece of cake and fed it to her, "Happy 5th birthday sweety," she said kissing her cheek.

Shyam grabbed a piece of cake also and put it in her mouth, "Happy birthday princess," he said. Everyone in the family took turns and fed her cake.

"Where's my present Mom Dad?" she asked. Shyam went over and picked up a box from the die table and gave it to her. She ripped through the wrapping paper and found the doll she had wanted, "Thank you!!" she said hugging her parents.

Akash/Payal and Arnav/Khushi had all together brought a a baby convertible car for her in her size, that she could drive on the lawn. Nani gave her a golden bracelet and Mama Mami gave her new clothes.

"Om Prakash, Hari Prakash!" Anjali called out. The servants came to them and said, "Yes Anjaliji?"

"Please take all the kids outside to the tent where their party has been arranged for their enjoyment," Anjali said. Om Prakash and Hari Prakash round up the kids and took them outside, only leaving the adults in the house.

"Enjoy the party," Shyam said into the mike and the adults went back to what they were doing.

Arnav put his arm around Khushi's waist and rubbed her skin with his fingers. Khushi jumped a bit feeling his cool hands on her skin. She leaned into him and gritted through her teeth, "What are you doing Arnav?"

"Hugging my wife, why do you have a problem with it," Arnav replied back and started walking around, dragging her along.

"Arnav there are so many people here," Khushi replied back.

"So what? They have their own wives, why should it matter to them if I'm hugging my wife?" Arnav said.

Khushi was about to reply when someone approached them.

"Nice to see you here Mr. Raizada," a business associate said. Arnav shook his other hand with him and Khushi left, giving them some time alone to talk.

"Hello Mr. Khanna, nice to see you here also," Arnav said. Mr. Khanna was a man in his mid 50s, a very well know businessman. Nani had been friends with his wife, thus the reason they had been invited.

"Did you come here alone?" Arnav asked.

"No, this," Mr. Khanna said motioning to the elderly lady beside him, "Is my wife, and that's," another women standing next to them, "my daughter Anita."

"Nice to meet you also," Arnav said to the both of them. The girl eyed him up and down, he was good looking she thought. She had heard a lot about him and how he was every girls dream. Maybe she could get a chance with him tonight, she told herself.

"Enjoy the party," Arnav said and walked away, with a pair of eyes following him. Arnav looked around trying to find Khushi. She was nowhere in sight.

"Di have you seen Khushi?" Arnav went up to his sister and asked.

"No Chotte I haven't," Anjali said.

"I saw her go into the kitchen," Shyam who was standing beside Anjali said.

"Thanks Jijaji" Arnav said and headed towards the kitchen. He went in noticed Khushi standing there holding on the to counter tightly.

"Khushi are you fine?" Arnav asked.

"Khushi was a bit startled with by his presence in turned around shockingly dropping the glass of water she was holding.

"Arnav tum (you)?!" she said.

"Yea me, why did you think it would be someone else?" Arnav said putting his hands on either side of the counter, trapping her there. He moved his face forward and nuzzled his face into her hair.

"N..n..no," Khushi said her breath quickening.

"Then what are you doing here?" Arnav asked kissing her earlobe.

"I w..was f..feel'ing diz..zy," Khushi said losing breath due to his closeness, "So I c'came to drin..k some wat..er."

Arnav moved back and cupped her face, "Are you better now? Should I call the doctor? Maybe you should go rest upstairs."

"Arnav, I'm fine now, there's nothing to panic about. You're getting worried for no reason," Khushi said.

"No reason Khushi?! This is your health we're talking about, of course I will panic," Arnav said raising his voice a bit.

"I know Arnav, but I'm better now, so let's go back to the party," Khushi said.

Khushi stepped a few steps forward, forgetting the water that had spilled there and slipped. "Arnav!" she called out in a small shriek. Arnav automatically put his arms out, catching her. Khushi's hands went to his shoulders, holding on for balance.

She looked up into his eyes and smiled, "Thanks," she said.

Arnav smirked back at her, "It's my responsibility as your husband. I would never let you fall."

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