Chapter 44

Probably a sight that will stay long in Kushal's memory to tell  their grandchildren... The great ASR at his sisters mercy and she lovingly feeding the great ASR.

"Khushi what happened? Kushal questioned with all concerns, putting aside his laptop, and other groceries he got.

"Laad governor, Look what he has done to himself. He has not slept, not eaten and no medicines, so his sugar is low.. to top all this, there was no sweet at home!! I took your chocy." Khushi replied with equal concern, 

Analysing the situation, Kushal fetched some soup from the kitchen, "Khushi, Give this to him now if you have finished the chocolate. He needs some energy. Any idea where his medicines are? " 

Fetching his coat, Khushi said "I will check his coat pocket, he normally keeps them in here.

Quick to recover (Obvious credit going to the one who fed!!), ASR was all back to his normal self, though both Khushi and Arnav a bit embarrassed with Kushal having witnessed all the unnecessary events. Khushi was further conscious of her extra concern when all was happening.

"Hey ASR, OK.. Kushal asked casually. With Payal having informed him about ASR's untimely travel arrangements, Kushal was expecting him, but half expecting this early. 

Nodding an ok, looking at Khushi, "I think I should make a move now. 

"You are not going anywhere. Are you planning on driving like this? No way, you stay put there, otherwise.. Khushi nearly shouted, with kushal gaping "Didn't know my sister could talk like this, daring ASR, and ASR obliged, seriously.."

"I think you should rest for a while before you can drive. Khushi show him the guest room.. Kushal told his sister but only to be refused by Arnav. When Kushal insisted, Arnav agreed to stay for some time, eat and go. 

With Kushal around, there was no alone time for the couple. When lunch was finished and in the two minute time they were given by the kind brother having to go for natures call, Arnav quickly moved to Khushi and asked.. "Khushi I asked you something... you never answered? 

Intoxicated by his scent and his closeness, Khushi stammered, "Aaa aa Arnav ji,  question? 

Coming more close, he whispered, "Khushi what if your Babuji chose a laad governor? she immediately looked at him. His eyes were twinkling expecting a quick approval, along with a hint of mischief. He added "Khushi, Nani and Di are waiting for my call. Before she could answer, her brother was kind enough to rescue her from any situation.

They quickly moved afar with Arnav exclaiming "what the...  " and Khushi turning away to cover her giggles. Picking up his coat Arnav said, "Think I should be gone now. Thanks Kushal,." 

Again there was no luck for the couple, since Kushal went to see him off at the door. However no sooner had he closed the door, Khushi received a text, "Call me later. Kushal heard his sister mutter something of the sort of laad governor looking at her phone with a gentle smile, when he closed the door and came in. 

Nothing was asked and nothing said between the brother and sister. Khushi was in deed tired after oh what a day!!' Day of confessions, day of apologising sincerely, day of proposing too.. of a sort... Tired she was, but sleep was nowhere near her, with all the events repeatedly running in her head. Falling from the ramp into the arms of a stranger, but having mixed feelings, safe and warm eyes, yet scared of his rude actions, how they shared an eye lock probably for the first time when she wore the sari for the photo shoot, saving her from the oncoming car in heavy rain, fainting into his arms at the guest house, working for him, his special attention to her during Payal's wedding and finally their separation, and now all culminating into  confession and literally leaving him unconscious!!

The conversation with his sister was quite reserved when Arnav spoke to Anjali later in the evening. After general enquiries about his medicine, food, etc. There was a marked silence filled with anticipation which was felt on both ends. However, Nani was probably more casual about it, who knew all good will happen in good time.

It was a surprise Arnav waited patiently for her to call. The much awaited call did arrive  in the evening when Kushal dropped Khushi at their nearby temple. The nap had made her good. She had loads to tell her Devi maiyya. How often she had cried at this place, because of the very same person. How she had missed him. And finally how she had consented to the families pressure of getting married. Now she was expected to give him an answer. 

Again she felt the intoxicating feeling knocking her senses off when she heard his husky whisper, "Khushi

 "Arnav ji " She had spoken to him before, but with the light of confession, it was different speaking to him now.

"Khushi, where are you? Are you with Kushal? Arnav wanted to know, to put her at ease.

"Arnav ji, he dropped me off at the temple, he will come in sometime to pick me again."

"Khushi, shall I come there now? too eager to see her again.

"No Arnav ji, he may come soon, Just called because you asked me to call?

 "Khushi, tum teek ho? (Are you OK?) 

(His famous words in the show!!) 

"Ji Arnav could imagine Khushi going all shy answering him. Arnav knew he could not discus on the phone, 

"Khushi what are you doing tomorrow?  Would you be able to come out with me? "

"I don't know, Kushal might have taken his day off, or working from home, I cant leave him if he is at home for me? Khushi voiced her hesitation.

"Ok, I will check, don't worry, take care Khushi. and  he cut the call. Arnav could easily sense her apprehension and shyness. 

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"Bitiya, what is this I hear? What is happening? worried Shashi was talking to Payal, who had called in at the Gupta House to keep them abreast of the latest developments.

"Babuji, honestly, I have not known anything till now. I don't know, but Dadiji (Remember Payal calls Nani as Dadi) was saying she has always known those two shared strong feelings. Payal had told them all that Nani ji had told her.

"Haan I remember a few occasions when I was not comfortable with his extra attention towards Khushi, now I understand Babuji recalled the incidents when he had felt Arnav was flirting with Khushi. 

Buaji also wanted to be heard, "Array, hasn't he always treated titaliya differently, right from the beginning? How much she had to go through because of him? Do you remember Payaliya, she used to call him raakshas. When did this change? I spoke to Kushal, he says she too is equally concerned about him? Hai re nand kishore, what kind of love is this? " 

"Buaji her raakshas has become her raaj kumar now. laughed Payal..

Garima finally remarked, "Payaliya, until we get a formal rista from your house we cannot come to any conclusion, so don't make any assumptions. I am only worried about my gudiya (doll)

Agreeing to his wife, Babuji remarked, "Yes we will see.

"Array, Anjali ji and Dadiji are just waiting for his one phone call to make a visit, you should be ready any moment. You never know with Arnav ji, he can tell them to come here at 12 midnight if he decides!! Payal told about the situation at Raizada mansion and continued

"By the way, Amma, we were all planning to go there for her Birthday. Don't tell her, let us give her a big surprise. Why don't you all come as well. Haan amma, after a long time we can all celebrate.. especially with Kushal.."

"This is a very good idea, aye Garima, what do you say? Buaji asked Garima. What could she say, she only nodded towards her husband..

"I will speak to Kedar about the sweet orders and then we will plan Babuji agreed.

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Khushi lay awake for a long time thinking of all possible ways of talking to him. How to tell him what she wanted, it wasn't much, but did she have the courage to say it? It was a day she would always remember.  It was easy for the men. And being ASR he always did whatever he wanted, with or without consent. But she? She was happy he wanted her to consent before the elders could take over, but was she allowed to give consent without her Babuji's blessings? Would it mean disrespecting them? Even though she knew she loved him, and she wanted to tell him, it was hard for a girl to become vulnerable, especially with her upbringing.

Same was the case on the other end. After laying his heart bare in front of her, it definitely was feeling a lot different speaking to her.  A sense of belonging, oneness and most of all, being loved in a way that could not be described in words.  He had known the love of his ma, his Di, his Nani, Mama, Mami and all the family members, but what he felt with her was out of this world. It was a love that made them stand on equal grounds, nobody was above or below anybody level. His heart sank, thinking of how he had often taunted her with her status and money.

Dinner at Sheesh Mahal the following day was a grand affair for Kushal and Khushi. Arnav had got all the best dishes made according to Khushi's taste. The roof top was delightfully lighted giving a romantic ambiance(Kushal obviously felt like a third wheel chaperoning his sister).

 For Khushi, though painful to think of certain events in this place, it still had finally resulted in all good things happening, well most of it except for the  slime part!! Because she was detained, Payal's marriage broke and Payal was so happily settled now. And this is where she met her Raakshas, opps sorry who turned into a Raj kumar. It was here where it had all begun. 

Being wise as he is, Kushal felt Arnav wanted a few minutes alone with his sister. Taking his phone he told them, "Khushi, would you mind if I pick you in half an hour to an hour. I have some phone calls to make and some errands to run across, I will be back soon to which Arnav agreed gladly. "I could drop her Kushal, you carry on..

No sooner had he gone, Arnav grabbed Khushi's hand and again asked, "Khushi tum teek ho ? (Are you OK) 

"Arnav ji, why do you keep asking this question all the time? Yeah, I am fine. Really. Showing her head, 

"See I told you, the wound was nothing, the big bandage has became small now", she was once again her bubbly self, but immediately her eyes drooped in shyness looking at Arnav's  intense gaze, with such passion filled eyes. He just couldn't get enough of her. How much he had missed her.

"I did not mean that!! I meant are you Ok ok?? Arnav whispered.

Though Khushi guessed, she looked confused and nodded shyly. "Arnav ji, this place is beautiful. Anjali ji did not do justice to its beauty when she told me. It's just wonderful. Thanks for calling.

Still holding her hand, he stood up saying, "Come Khushi, I will show you around

Khushi saw in amazement the rest of the house, which were recently refurbished when Anjali had visited a few times after the takeover. All this time, Arnav held her hand and Khushi too did not have the courage to take it away, after all she was enjoying too. 

Sitting in the terrace on a swing, still holding her hand, both were engrossed in enjoying the quiet solitude of the night as their parents watched them from above the sky... Khushi dreaded he might ask her the question again, but Arnav, though keen to know her reply, wanted to relish the current moment and did not want to put her in any awkward condition. He had rightly guessed her hesitation and apprehension in confessing or giving him any sort of reply. Being a good business man had taught him when to strike.

When Kushal came to pick her, Arnav asked, "Khushi, do you want to come with me for a drive tomorrow? Khushi looked at  Kushal, who just shrugged his shoulder saying it's your decision. It was agreed Arnav would pick her late morning. 

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The drive to his farm was a pleasant break from the hustle and bustle of the city. Though they were sad he would be leaving to Delhi soon after, they made the best of their time.

Khushi had never imagined Arnav would be so gentle and polite with her. Even though she had seen his behaviour with the family was most gentlemanly, with her it was as if he treated like a Goddess. All the ill doings were forgotten, they were in bliss. Arnav was in deed surprised how little Khushi spoke. Arnav did not want to be too elaborate, but took her to their farm which was located in the outskirts of Lucknow. Surprised that they had a farm, Khushi did enjoy nature at its best. 

While dropping her back, he could wait no longer and asked her, "Khushi,,

Even before he could continue, Khushi spoke while opening the door to get down, "Arnav ji, I will listen to whatever my Babu ji says

Meaning that he can proceed to talk to her  Babuji, Arnav gave her a heart felt smile. Looking at him reverse the car slowly, she went near his window, and said "I will also tell him he has to be a laad governor and ran inside.

"What the