Chapter 37

"What took you so long?"

The impatience in his voice took Khushi by surprise and it made her feel good too. He was waiting for her. This was not new anymore; yet it always spread a feeling of warmth across her. She felt .. needed, wanted, desired .. waited for .. if not loved.

"Buaji & I were just catching up." She replied smiling.

"Oh!" Arnav paused. "You want to call later?"

"Nope. I am already in bed. Buaji is fast asleep I think."

"Oh."

Khushi waited for Arnav to continue. Since he remained silent, she probed.

"You said you have something to talk about?"

"Hmm. Yes." Arnav paused. "You invited Di and all to your sister's wedding."

"Yes." Khushi frowned. "Any problem with that?"

"No. No problem. It is just that they are very excited about it."

"They are? So am I! It will be so much fun to have you guys attend Di's wedding."

"You have not invited me."

"You need an invitation?" Khushi asked incredulously.

"What made you think I will attend Payal's wedding uninvited?"

"Oh." Khushi paused, a bit taken aback.

Did Arnav mind that she invited his family? Should she have asked him first? Was he offended? Or did he not like the involvement of his family with her?

Khushi's heart sank slightly.

"Arnav .. I am sorry .. I .. I should have asked your first.."

"Forget it." Arnav brushed the topic off. He had something more important to discuss. He was not sure how Khushi was going to react but he had to do it. It was the best thing to do. For all of them.

He took a deep breath and gathered up his thoughts.

"Khushi.. would you like to get married to Akash?"

"What?" She sounded confused as if she had not heard clearly what he had said.

"Akash. My brother." Arnav explained patiently. "Would you like to get married to him?"

The question was followed by sheer silence from her side. Arnav waited with anticipation for her reaction and he finally heard her after an eternity.

"Arnav Singh Raizada."

Her voice exuded such chillness that Arnav instinctively sat tight on his recliner.

"If you are trying to be funny, let me tell you that that was the worst possible joke you could have made. And if you meant it, I have only one thing to tell you. Go. To. Hell."

Arnav was not surprised that she hung up on his face.