Arshi FF: Our Journey to Eternity - Note - Pg 14 - Page 8

So its been long since I updated. I know you guys want to hit me with chappals😂😂😂. But but I am here now. This update went longer than I expected its almost 2.5K words. I couldn't stop writing but I had to😅. So, bear with the length of this one. A biiiigg hug to all of you for sticking with me. Your kind comments and support are my true inspiration. Here goes the update. Will be sending out PMs shortly

Chapter 4

Arnav was working on his laptop when he heard hushed whispers outside his room. He wondered what his crazy siblings wanted now. He had discreetly slipped away from the hall after the departure of the Gupta’s to avoid their relentless teasing which would ensue the moment the front door closed. All had been peaceful for a couple of hours but now again they were here to harass him.

“What do you guys want now?” Arnav asked as he opened the door.

“Chotte we are here to talk to you about something really important.” Anjali whispered seriously.

Arnav looked at the mock serious expressions on both their faces and knew it was going to be something really silly but he decided to play along.

“You forgot the most important thing which needs to be done after your marriage is fixed.” Anjali said making a disappointed face while Akash shook his head mimicking his sister’s expression.

“Will you guys cut the theatrics and come to the point?” Arnav was getting annoyed now.

“You haven’t asked Khushi out on a date yet, Bhai.” Akash said.

Arnav shrugged and sat back down to work to which Anjali and Akash looked at each other signalling each other that they need to up their game.

“You guys came here to tell me this?” Arnav said nonchalantly.

“Chotte you have to ask her out, it is like a ritual. Otherwise how do you think you will get to know each other.” Anjali countered

“Di, I think we are old enough to manage this on our own.” Arnav said firmly.

“If we let you manage anything then you will be strangers till your wedding night.” Anjali said, knowing very well how to stroke her brother’s ego.

“Di I think, Bhai is scared to ask her.” Akash quipped to add to Anjali’s jibe.

Arnav glared at Akash who cowered and hid behind a giggling Anjali, pretending to be scared of him. Arnav rolled his eyes at his brother’s constant dramatics. Arnav knew these two weren’t going to leave him in peace till he agrees, so he did what he knew always worked with them, give in.

“So what do you both suggest I do, ask her to come to dinner with me like a college going guy? Isn’t that too cliché?” Arnav questioned.

“Well, if this is how you feel then we have the perfect excuse for you to take her out. Nani has asked you to get the engagement rings selected tomorrow so that the jeweller can get them ready on time. So you both can go and select the rings and then you could take her out to dinner.” Anjali finished, her eyes dancing with excitement.

“Bhai, you need not find an excuse to go out with her every time. She is going to be your wife and you need to be comfortable with her.” Akash explained, knowing how his brother was when it came to dating and women.

“Ok that seems like a good plan. If there is nothing else then may I get back to work now?” Arnav said, once again sitting back in front of his laptop. He could still see them eagerly looking at him.

“Aren’t you going to call her?” Akash asked.

“If you both are thinking I will call her in front of you then you are utterly wrong.” Arnav said smugly.

“You are no fun Chotteeee.” Anjali whined.

“Bhai at least let us see how it goes, after all we are the ones who gave you the idea.” Akash tried to convince him to which Arnav rolled his eyes at them.

“Anyway, why are you both sitting in my room at 10 in the night and harassing me instead of your husband and your wife?” Arnav said pointing to Anjali and Akash.

“And by the way where are those two? Didn’t join you two to pull my leg today?” Arnav asked amused at their eagerness to see him talk to Khushi.

“We are here to support you Bhai, just in case if you are nervous.” Akash said with a grin pasted on his face.

“I am absolutely fine and can talk to Khushi without you guys looking over my head. So now you guys go and sleep.” Arnav put his foot down and started pushing them towards the door. The siblings knew they had teased him enough for the day and scurried back to their rooms. Arnav closed his door, shaking his head at their antics.

Arnav settled on the bed with his phone to call Khushi. He contemplated if it would be appropriate to call her this late but suddenly her dull face from the afternoon flashed in front of his eyes. Both of them were having a pleasant conversation and when he started talking about how the three of them had built their house she turned silent, her earlier curiosity disappeared and her face had turned somber, so, he decided to check up on her.

Khushi was about to retire to bed after the exhausting day at the Raizada house when her phone started ringing. She wondered who was calling her this late at night. She picked up the phone to see Arnav’s name flashing on the screen and her lips automatically curved into a shy smile.

“Hello Arnavji. How are you?”

“I should be the one asking you this question Khushi."

“What do you mean Arnavji?”

“You seemed a little upset in the afternoon when we were sitting by the pool. Did I say or do something that hurt you?”

Khushi was surprised that he had noticed her sombre mood even when she had tried hard to mask it. She noticed that he was observant like her. But what touched her heart was that he directly asked her about it without making any assumptions. She realised he always spoke his heart ande never pretended to be something he is not.

“No Arnav ji you didn’t do anything. Actually it might seem stupid to you.

“Well let me be the judge of that. Tell me what’s wrong.” Arnav asked.

“Really Arnav ji it’s nothing, I feel silly now that I think about it.” Khushi tried to dissuade him.

“Well, okay then we will talk only when you are ready to tell me what’s wrong.” Arnav declared.

Khushi sighed at his stubbornness. She couldn’t decide if she should share her insecurities with him so early. At the same time she did not want to upset him over such a small matter. She told him how she felt when he was talking about his siblings. She had never opened up about her feelings of having a sibling to anyone, not even her friends. She didn’t know why she told Arnav everything but talking to him about it made her feel better.

“See I told you it was silly. I get upset for nothing sometimes.” Khushi said.

Arnav had listened to her entire explanation with rapt attention. He couldn’t help but feel bad for her. Though a little annoying at times, his siblings were his life and he couldn’t imagine a life without them. He understood that she craved for the bond that siblings usually share. He felt relieved that she trusted him enough to share her feelings with him.

“It is absolutely not stupid. I cannot say I understand because I don’t, but I assure you that I will always be there to hear whatever is bothering you and from now on you need not hesitate to tell me anything.” Arnav assured her, realizing her earlier hesitance.

“Thanks for understanding Arnav ji. But I must say you are a great manipulator.”

“I am not a successful businessman for nothing, Khushi.” Arnav said smugly, smiling at her innocent jibe.

Khushi chuckled at the easy banter they seemed to have developed. She figured that they could talk about everything with ease. She now knew she could talk to him about anything without the fear of being judged.

"Khushi actually I called for one more reason. Nani has asked us to finalize our engagement rings. She said it needs to be finished as soon as possible. So if you are free tomorrow then we can go to the jeweller in the evening." Arnav said waiting for her reply with bated breath.

"Yes Arnavji we can go tomorrow. I will ask someone to take over the closing of the cafe for tomorrow." Khushi instantly agreeed.

"I will pick you up at 7 then. Text me the address of the cafe." Arnav said relieved that she agreed.

"Okay Arnavji, will text you the address."

Their conversation flew from one topic to another till Arnav heard Khushi yawn while she was narrating some prank she had pulled on her friend as a kid. He smiled to himself at how she was still talking though she was sleepy.

"Khushi, you should sleep now. You can barely speak between all the yawning. We can continue this tomorrow when we meet." Arnav said sweetly.

"But I want to tell you this story." Khushi whined like a child.

"You can tell me tomorrow okay. But you need to rest too." Arnav explained.

Khushi was touched by his concern. Not wanting to look all tired tomorrow, she wished him goodnight and hung up the phone. She fell into a deep sleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. On the other side of the city Arnav couldn't sleep owing to a certain hazel-eyed girl who was always on his mind these days.

Khushi spent her entire day in anticipation of her not-so much of a date with Arnav. She was nervous as they were going to be truly alone for the first time. Earlier they had always been surrounded by their families. But this time it was going to be just him and her. She had zoned for out pretty much the entire day. Her manager had to practically shake her to break her reverie as he had been talking to her for 15 minutes and she hadn't responded even once. Khushi jerked at the sudden movement and noticed it was already 6 o'clock. She couldn't believed the day had passed by in a blur. She was getting even more anxious as the time neared. She heard her phone buzzing in her bag. She opened it to see a text from Arnav.

Stuck in a meeting. Will be a while. Have sent my driver to pick you up. Sorry :-(

The message was plain, crisp and to the point like him but the sorry and the smiley at the end made Khushi laugh as she looked at the clock. She still had 20 minutes to get ready. She rushed to her in-house vanity and changed into a beautiful cream coloured maxi dress she had brought with her in the morning. She slightly curled her hair and let them loose over her shoulders.

Arnav was drumming his fingers on the desk as his head designer explained the potential themes of the upcoming annual fashion show. He glanced at his watch every 5 minutes. He had never been this inattentive in a meeting. He was getting anxious with every passing minute. As the presentation reached the final theme Arnav's phone buzzed.

Good evening Mr. Raizada. Waiting for you in your cabin :-)

Arnav smiled at her text and wished the guy would stop talking so he could leave but he seemed more interested in explaining from where and how a certain fabric originated. By the time the meeting ended it was almost half past 7. He rushed to his cabin to see her flipping through a magazine. She looked radiant in an off-white maxi dress, her hair left loose with minimal make up which made her hazel eyes stand out even more giving her an ethereal glow. Arnav couldn't take his eyes off her.

"I am sorry you had to wait. Let's go." Arnav said extending his hand for her to take.

"It's okay Arnavji, work comes first." Khushi stood up taking his hand.

They drove for around 20 minutes before they reached thd jewellery shop. They entered the store and instantly the manager escorted them to the counter. He showed them an assortment of rings.

"Arnavji how about we choose rings for each other?" Khushi said enthusiastically.

"That is a great idea Khushi. Why don't you go first?." Arnav insisted.

Khushi looked at the rings in front of her. Her eyes landed on a plain gold band with a small diamond in the center. It was simple yet elegant. She picked it up and held it in front of Arnav. Arnav was shocked at her choice as his eyes had kept hovering to that same ring since they came in

"It is very elegant Khushi. I like it." Arnav said as he saw her curious eyes asking for his opinion.

Khushi beamed at him excitedly and asked the manager to keep the ring aside.

"Now its your turn Arnavji. Let's see what you choose for me." Khushi said rubbing her hands tohether in excitement.

Arnav shook his head and smiled at her innocent childish gestures. He gave a long look to all the rings in front of him. A beautiful gold ring, with a diamond in the center with vines surrounding the upper half of the band giving it the appearance of a flower, caught Arnav's attention. It seemed perfect for her. He did the same and held up the ring for Khushi to see.

"It is so beautiful and delicate Arnavji, I love it." Khushi said excited to find the perfect ring.

Khushi was surprised he picked a ring which was exactly the type she preferred, delicate and minimalistic. She smiled at him which he returned with his signature half smile which she had started to adore.

Arnav and Khushi reached for their cards at the same time on the billing counter. They both looked at each other and laughed.

"We both need to pay for the other's ring Arnavji. It's a ritual." Khushi cleared the air seeing Arnav's clueless face.

"Oh yeah right" Arnav said, realising what he was about to do.

They both paid their respective bills and walked out of the store. By the time they sat in the car, they both were famished. Arnav realised it was almost dinner time.

"We should have dinner as it will be quite late by the time we reach home." Arnav suggested.

"Are you asking me out to dinner Mr. Raizada?" Khushi asked wiggling her eyebrows at him with a smirk on her face.

"Well what if I am?" Arnav said with one eyebrow raised, a lazy smirk gracing his lips.

"Well then you better hurry up as all the restaurants will close in a while." Khushi said putting on her seatbelt.

So how was it guys? Do leave your comments in the feedback.😊 Waiting to hear from you guys😁.

It was a fantastic update .Just loving the easy camaraderie between Arnav and kushi. The siblings are leaving no opportunity to tease Arnav.

The siblings pushed Arnav for a date with kushi, coincidentally they both had to purchase rings for the engagement the siblings prompted him to use this opportunity as an excuse for a date and they could spend time with each other.

It so happened both were anxiously waiting for the time so that they could meet to select the rings .Fortunately both made the right choice of rings for their partners. They then proceeded to have dinner

Will wait to see how their dinner date proceeds.

Nice update they are making progress in their relationship n now khushi is comfortable sharing her life with him.

Great update and thanks for the PM! :)

So quite some progress they made right there. Waiting to see how they further proceed.

Amazing update!

Loved how khushi and arnav talk

They both are so cute

Loved the ring shopping

Awesome update, arnav's siblings are quite nosy but cute. It's good khushi opened about her insecurities to arnav. I hope after marrying arnav she will get siblings love by anjali and Akash. Their ring selection was apt, now looking forward to their dinner date.

Cute they are trying to get to know each other

Lovely story! beautiful indeed! Looking forward to read this journey of theirs to eternity!

Cheers

Lovely update... Looking forward for more...

For a story which has no apparent villains and dramas, it is really nice read. The understanding they were showing on each other was relaxing. They are strangers to each other and they are slowly learning about each other. They way you showed both paid for their respective rings was really a nice touch. No domination. I pay for your ring and you pay for my ring. As simple as that. I loved it.

Cheers.....