Part 23

Khushi got horrified hearing,

"Did she commit suicide?"

Her eyes brimmed straightaway.

Khushi: How do you know?

Sheetal sensed her mistake of blurting out her prediction.

Khushi: Tell me, Sheetal... Please.... I'm getting mad in Lavanya's matter. You are right she committed suicide. But everyone is thinking she died in an accident except me. I just came here to know about it. Please don't disappoint me. Please...

Sheetal (crying): I know this would happen surely. She could never forget VIKAS and she can't give his place to anyone.

Khushi: Vikas?

Sheetal: Yes... they were deeply in love.

Khushi's state could not be defined.

Khushi: LOVE? But we didn't know about it....

Sheetal: Because she didn't want your father to know about it until she finishes her graduation. She thought he will not allow her to continue her studies.

Khushi: Why didn't she think of telling me about it? Don't you know how close we were?

Sheetal: She so wanted to tell you, Khushi. But she was afraid of your teasing nature. It may spill the beans...

Khushi gulped. Lavanya; who she considered her soul sister had an unknown life.

Khushi: How long they were in love?

Sheetal: For three years. Lavanya joined MASTERS in Mumbai only for Vikas. As time passed, their love became so deeper. She spends in his clinic most of the time.

Khushi: Clinic?

Sheetal: He is a Doctor. She goes to his clinic every day. People thought she is working in his clinic. They took it in their favor as no one could doubt them. She was not blessed with the life she wished.

She pitied her.

Khushi: But why? Why did they get separated?

Sheetal: It's all fate.... Vikas came to me one day and asked for Lavanya... but I didn't say that she got married. Even though he was not wrong I didn't like to talk to him.

Khushi: Actually, what happened? Why she broke up Vikas's relationship?

Sheetal: She went to his clinic, as usual, to meet him one day. But, an unexpected shock was waiting for her there...

Khushi: What shock?

Sheetal: She found someone in his clinic...

At the same time, they saw a few ladies rushing towards them.

Woman: Sheetal, what are you doing here? Come fast. It's already late. Everyone is waiting. Come on...

They started dragging her with them.

Sheetal: Khushi... we will talk later... ok?

Khushi nodded OK disappointedly. Sheetal stopped in front of a man and beckoned at Khushi. Khushi rushed towards her.

Sheetal: Uncle, she is Khushi. My friend... from Delhi... Please arrange a room for her stay.

Man: Ok... I will take care of it.

Sheetal: Make yourself comfortable, Khushi.

Khushi nodded Ok.

Man: Are you alone?

Khushi: No... My husband is with me.

She looked for Arnav who was standing near a window and looking outside.

Khushi: Arnavji...

Arnav came to her taking bags.

Man: Actually, guests are occupied all the rooms already. Only one small room is remaining and that too with a single bed. Will you adjust?

Khushi looked at Arnav hesitatingly. He was a man who always wants everything comfortable.

Khushi: Is there any Hotel nearby?

Man (looking at Arnav): There is no good Hotel nearby but you will get it in half an hour distance. But... this is an AC hall you can be relaxed in the room.

Khushi: But you said it has a single bed...

Man: So what? You are husband and wife... can't you adjust for a night?

He frowned.

Khushi gulped biting her nail. Arnav smiled inwardly.

Arnav: We will manage in the room. Thank you.

Of course, Khushi was surprised and thrilled as well.

The man nodded yes and showed them the room. yes, it was indeed a small room with a single cot.

Arnav: You get changed. I will be waiting outside.

Khushi: I will get ready in the washroom. You get changed here.

Arnav nodded yes. Khushi went to the washroom taking her clothes. Khushi was changing, thinking about Lavanya. She couldn't believe Lavanya hid the biggest truth of her life. She not even hinted about Vikas at least for once. She was in love with him for three years. She had been meeting him every day. But no one from her family knows about it.

But... She didn't oppose it when Shashi searched Groom for her. Of course, she was not looking brisk like before but she readily agreed to marry Arnav. She said she was feeling sad for leaving her Mayka whenever Khushi asked. Khushi never get suspect on her because she thought Lavanya will never hide anything form her. Lavanya shouldn't have hid about Vikas. She might have been married to Vikas if she had told Khushi about him. Everything would have been changed. Maybe, she would not have met Arnav. She chuckled painfully. Sheetal was right. It's all fate. No one could understand, why it's happening.

Khushi was right. Arnav and Khushi were destined to be together. To get them in a straight line called marriage, Lavanya was used as a trump card. That's all.

Arnav was waiting for Khushi's arrival. His attention went to the washroom entrance when he heard bangles sound. He forgot his own existence seeing his wife. She was wearing a beautiful designer saree with suitable jewels. Her long loose hair added a gorgeous look to her beauty. She looked at him throwing a flawless smile on him. His frozen gaze chilled her nerves. She turned her gaze to somewhere)

Khushi (looking here and there): Are you coming with me or not?

Arnav: yeah... what I will do here?

Khushi nodded yes and headed to the hall. They took seats a little far from the stage. Khushi tried to concentrate on the rituals but her mind was not stable.

Someone served them coffee. Khushi was about to deny, Arnav took one cup and handed it to her. She looked at him surprisingly.

Arnav: Have it. You had nothing on the flight too.

Actually, Khushi had a sandwich when Arnav was sleeping. She plastered a grin.

Khushi: You too had nothing...

Arnav: Yeah...

Khushi (jerking): Are you hungry?

Arnav nodded yes.

Khushi: Did you have lunch?

Arnav nodded NO.

Khushi: But why?

Arnav: I got stuck with work.

Khushi: Damn your work...

Arnav smiled.

Khushi: Come on, we will have something...

Arnav: No... we will have it later.

Khushi: Arnavji...

Arnav: I heard, Tamilian's food would be tastier. Let's wait and have it.

Khushi: It may take time Arnavji...

Arnav: I can manage...

Khushi: Are you sure?

Arnav: Yup.

They saw another person distributing Almond milk. Khushi called him and took a glass.

Arnav: Will you drink Almond milk with coffee?

Khushi: This is for you.

Arnav: I should not have it.

Khushi: You can... as you had nothing since morning. It will get your sugar level balanced. I had seen such a scene in a TV serial.

Arnav: Ohhh...

Khushi: In that, Diabetic Hero gets dizzy because of low sugar. Heroin fed him sweet to get his sugar level balanced.

Arnav(smirking): Like the same, you are feeding me now?

Khushi: If you deny having this Almond milk, I will surely feed you.

She smiled.... So did Arnav. Taking the glass he sipped it.

Arnav: Mmmmm... tastes great...

Khushi: Really?

Arnav: Yup. You too have it. And I'm sure your coffee must be cold. Leave it.

Khushi nodded YES. Arnav called the Almond milk distributor and Khushi took one form the tray.

Khushi: It really tastes good.

Arnav: Yup.

They had it relishing.

Khushi didn't get the chance to talk to Sheetal. As she was busy with rituals, guests, and pre-marriage photoshoot. Khushi was waiting in the hall after having dinner. As Arnav said, the dinner was tastier and different. Undoubtedly, they liked it very much. It seemed the photoshoot won't be ended soon. Arnav was also waiting in the hall with Khushi. The hall almost got empty. Sheetal smiled at Khushi awkwardly. She knows why Khushi is waiting. But she couldn't give time to Khushi as of now.

Arnav: Khushi, what are you waiting for?

Khushi: I just...

Arnav: It seems it will take time. I think you shouldn't disturb the Bride as she has to wake up earlier in the morning.

Arnav was not wrong. Khushi nodded YES. They got back to their room and got changed.

This is a scene now... They looked at each other.

Arnav: Actually, I would have slept on the couch if this room had one.

Khushi: But, there is no couch...

She smiled.

Arnav: Yeah...

They talked illogically... about IFs and BUTs...

Khushi: I think we can adjust.

Arnav: Yeah... no choice...

Khushi: I will take the left side.

Arnav: Right side will be safer for you. You may fall if you lay on the left side.

Khushi (murmuring): you will fall if I lay on the right side because I will surely push you down.

Arnav: What are you saying? Say it louder.

Khushi: No on... I won't fall.

Arnav: Are you sure?

Khushi: Yes.

They got settled on the bed. For a while, they didn't get sleep. Khushi was thinking about Lavanya whereas Arnav was scared of Khushi's falling as she was sticking at the edge of the bed.

Khushi was the first, who dozed off. As Arnav didn't get the sleep he started admiring his wife's sleeping form. His eyes ate her inch by inch. She put her hand on his face. He kissed her knuckle gulping and kept her hand on her waist. It doesn't seem he will sleep today. At last, Arnav's fear came true. She flipped in her sleep and about to fall down from the bed. Arnav's steel arms circled her waist protectively. He dragged her close to him and made her head settle on his bicep. Arnav had no choice other than hugging her because the wall was on the other side. That's why he hugged her... we should believe it.

Khushi was in deep sleep. She didn't sense what's happening with her and what she is doing. But Arnav was not in the state to get sleep. He thought Khushi may fall. On the other hand, he was not ready to sleep, without relishing an amazing moment of his life. Fruit of waiting always tastes good. Arnav's waiting also gave him a tastier fruit. Yes... Khushi hugged him turning towards him. Is it easy to be hugged by a soft doll? No right? Arnav's eyes lost the sleep completely. He got to know what CLOUD number NINE is. Undoubtedly... he was floating on it... of course... with Khushi.

To be continued....

Today's Inkitt update

Jolly Butterflies

Khushi couldn't open her eyes from her sleep as she slept late. She felt a prickly sensation on her cheek and congested on her body. She slowly opened her eyes. Her eyes opened widely, seeing herself very close to Arnav. They were hugging each other like a mutual couple. It was his stubble which was pricking her cheek. Her heart drummed inside her chest by his nearness. She was bomb shelled seeing herself in Arnav's arms. She didn't know how to come out of his arms because it may disturb Arnav and make both of them embarrassing. She again closed her eyes.

To read the above update, use my inkitt link dearies...