Chapter 31

Their impasse continued for a couple of days.

Neither were ready to give in and make the first move.

Khushi expected Arnav to make up to her, like the last time.

But he seemed to be fine working on his laptop and having long calls about his business.

It hurt that he ignored her.

It hurt that he did not propose the way she had dreamed of.

But she had not wanted to turn down his proposal.

In fact she had just postponed it.

She was upset he was not pursuing it.

And she was too proud to ask him.

He did not want to try again and face some rejection.

He would rather use concrete plans that worked.

God only knows what went through thick headed women!

He had not clue and did not have the patience to find out.

He was determined to have her and he would have her.

He wasn't wasting any more time being a sissy idiot.

He was not 18!

Jeez. Even at 18 he had never been cheesy.

Plans worked.

Cheesy emotions never did, he reasoned, feeling a lot better with Plan B firmly in place.

It was quite early in the morning of the third day of their fight,

Arnav was still fast asleep, she gathered, because the door to the guest room was closed.

Hurrying she opened the door and stood shocked.

On her doorstep stood her mausiji, Garima, who had not seen her for more than 2 years after her mother's death.

She had blamed Khushi for sending her mother to an early grave.

She had told her

'It's a pity that a wonderful person like your mom has a daughter like you.

What did she want from you?

To get married and settle down.

She never asked for more.

She did not want any jewels or fineries.

You were her happiness.

Seeing you vegetate before her, made her unhappy.

She would be alive had you changed your mind.

I never want to see you again, because if not for you, my sister would be alve.'

She had left after that.

Khushi had broken down, on seeing the only other living relation, who was equal to her mother, walk away from her.

She had tried to speak to Garima again, many times, in the two years.

But Garima had never accepted her phone calls.

Once she had gone to visit her and Garima had asked her cousin Payal to entertain her and had refused to speak to her.

After that Khushi had given up, going back to her bleak, empty life.

Seeing her brought back the rush of memories and associated pain.

It also shocked her to the core.

'Mausji' she said, acknowledging her after she got over the shock.

'Khushi bitya. How are you?' she asked softly.

Khushi was surprised, to say the least.

Why was her aunt so changed?

'I am fine.

Please come in,' she said.

Her aunt entered behind her.

'Can I get you something mausiji? Can I call you that or do you still not want it?' Khushi asked stoically, prepared for the pain.

'Of course you can,' her aunt said, smiling at her.

Khushi was still very surprised by her aunt's behavior.

What was wrong with her? Or rather what was right?

Why the sudden change?

After two years?

She had done nothing special.

She asked her directly,'Why are you here Mausiji?

After everything?'

Her aunt was quet for a while.

Then she said,

'Khushi bitya.

I am sorry for ignoring you for so long.

You are my sister's daughter.

I owe it to her to take care of you after she went.

But, in my anger and grief over losing my only sister so prematurely, I completely ignored my responsibilities.

So, Khushi bitya, I am here today with a wedding proposal for you.'

Tiredly, she closed her eyes.

So, they were back to square one.

Now, how was she going to explain about Arnav, who was sleeping inside?

What would her conservative aunt say?

'Mausiji I have not changed. I told you I can't get married. I am not interested,' she said.

'So, do you have someone in your life? Do you want to get married to him?' her aunt asked. Just at that moment, Arnav came out of the room, wearing nothing but a pair of shorts and a vest.

If the situation had not been serious, it would have been hilarious to see her aunt gaping at Arnav and Arnav looking at her confused.

'What the hell is this Khushi? Who is this guy?' her aunt asked, finding her voice back, resonating with fury.

'He---he I Arnav ---my ---my---' she stammered.

'Her fiance,' Arnav supplied helpfully, earning a glare from Khushi.

'Fiance!' her aunt sounded outraged,'Khushi you are living with a man. Og God! I am glad my sister is not alive to see this,' her aunt said dramatically, holding her head.

'Mausiji, nothing like that. Yes Arnav and I are in love and we want to get married, but we are not living in the way you think,' Khushi said uncomfortably, all the while glaring at Arnav, wishing he would just disappear.

'What will anyone think? They will think the way I think. A young man living with you, without a chaperone.

Oh God!

Please don't ruin my sister and jeeja's name.

Please Khushi.

If you want to be with him, get married right away,' her aunt commanded.

'Mausii, I need time----' Khushi began.

'It has to happen next week and no later.

I will not have anyone gossiping about my niece.

Even though our family does not live here, word can get around.

Who will marry you then, knowing you lived with a guy?

And what about your parents unblemished reputation?

How can you do this to them?

Promise me you will marry him in a week from now, if you are serious about him, for the sake of your parents,' her aunt said.

Khushi continued to be silent, hating this emotional blackmail. Her aunt turned to Arnav,

'Beta. You look very mature and a man of the world. You know what will happen to her reputation in a small community like ours. Please save her reputation. Marry her right away,' her aunt pleaded, grasping his hand.

'I have no objections. We can get a license in a week and have a quick wedding with immediate family. Please ask Khushi if she is fine with it,' Arnav said, magnanimously.

Khushi was furious with him. He had just contributed to the fuel of his aunt's plans and put her in a spot.

'Bitya. Please don't say no. Fulfill m sister's wish at least now. Who knows I may die tomorrow without seeing her wish fulfilled,' she implored, holding Khushi's hand now.

Finally Khushi said 'Sure Mausiji. Whatever you want.'

Elated her aunt hugged her. 'I will go now and ask your mausaji to make the arrangements.

We will have a small wedding right here and then you can register your marriage.

You have made me very happy tday,' she hugged Khushi. Turning to Arnav she said,

'Bless you beta. You have fulfilled all our wishes'.

With that her aunt left, leaving Khushi wondering what had just happened.

It was an hour after Khushi had left for work, as Arnav comfortably lounged on the couch with his laptop, that his phone rang

'Yes Mausiji.

Yes you did a fabulous job.

Thank you for coming at my request.

Though it was hard to find your number and other detail, I am glad I made the effort through investigators.

I was thinking I have to spend all my life convincing her.

The fact that you came made it easier.

I can't thank you enough.

Yes I know you were angry with her, but I also knew you cared and you wouldn't refuse.

Thank you Mausji. I am very grateful,' Arnav said, meaning every wor.

It had taken him a long talk with his aunt to tell her about him and Khushi and all that had happened.

Her aunt had cried for Khushi and wanted nothing more than her happiness.

She had readily agreed to help.

So, plan B was a success, he smiled to himself---Only the she-devil should never know about it, he chuckled.

'Why was her aunt here after two years?

Why hadn't she called first?

What had made her relent suddenly?

What had made her travel down so early in the morning from Madhapur to Pune?

The more she thought, the more puzzled she was about the events and her aunt's sudden change.

Deep down she could not shake of the feeling it was all pre-planned.

Was Arnav behind this?