My Accidental Marriage

Chapter 17| Cricket Match

3 week had passed since Khushi had entered Malhotra house. These past few days had been more peaceful for her then any of the days in the past few years. Her life had changed a lot in the past few days. For starter she now had a family who loved and cared for her. She had people around her who enjoyed her presence.

Her relationship with Shruti had grown so much in these past weeks. She had gotten the motherly warmth back in her life which she missed for the past 11 years. Even Shubham was like a father figure to her. He was Strict but caring towards her. He had treated her as a daughter. He would take her side when she lost a game of chess against Rohan.  He would ask her about her college days and even try his best to help her out whenever she needed. This accidental marriage had brought back parental figures in her life and she was more then grateful for that. 

Though in these past 3 weeks she had noticed a lot of differences between Manish and his parents. Manish didn't seem to have a good relation with his parents. In fact she had rarely seen him communicate with them directly. When with Dadaji and Rohan, Manish was a calm happy man, but whenever he was around his parents his whole mood would shift. It's not that she didn't notice the efforts Shruti made towards Manish, but he seemed to be ignorant towards it. What was the mystery behind their relationship was still something that Khushi was not able to understand.

Khushi had gotten close to Dadaji and Rohan as well. Unlike her own cousin brother, Rohan had became that brotherly figure in her life that she never had. He was that mischievous Little brother who would tease her yet always be with her as her supporter. As for Dadaji, He was a replica of her Dadi. The wisdom and calmness he held was remarkable. At the same time his childish nature with Rohan and Manish made her laugh wholeheartedly. This whole family had accepted her wholeheartedly and it was like a blessing to Khushi.

Lastly, her relationship with Manish had grown too. They had become good friends now and the awkward stranger phase had passed. Manish and her had also become habitual in their routine and time around one another. They would head to college together. Meet at the college canteen with their friends for lunch time and then come back home together. Some days Manish would go out in the evening while Khushi would spend time with the family members before they would have dinner together and then head to bed. Sometime they would study together at night as well as Manish helped Khushi in her placement preparation.

As if now, Khushi was in the kitchen heating up milk for Manish and Rohan. She was lost in the thoughts of how her life had changed when Rohan's voice pulled her back into reality.

Rohan:"Bhabhiiii... your phone!"(He yelled bringing Khushi out of her thoughts as she stood in the kitchen steering the milk to cool it down)

Khushi:"Oh.. did you download it?"

Rohan:"Yep it's all up to date. This weekend I'll teach you"

Khushi:(smiled)"Thank you Rohan"

Rohan:"No need Bhabhi.."

Khushi:"Here.. take your milk."

Rohan nodded as he drank his milk before he headed up to his room. Khushi took Manish's glass of milk in a tray as she grabbed her new phone and headed up. Few days back Manish had finally gathered up the courage to ask for Khushi's phone number. That's when he noticed her phone. Shock was an understatement of what he felt when he saw her phone's condition.

Khushi was embarrassed by his reaction and when he tried to ask her, all she did was avoid the topic. What would she say? Her Chachi didn't think she was worthy enough to spend money on, even if the item was of necessity? Khushi was lucky she had gotten a second hand phone which was at least functional for call purposes.