As they walked inside, Khushi's eyes scanned the place remembering how calm Sheesh Mahal looked compared to the day when she first entered it. Arnav was by her side, holding her hand and walking by her side. They finally reached the big hall where the fashion show was held and where they met each other for the first time. It was a big empty hall and she saw a table in the middle of the hall. After taking the appearance of the hall, she looked at Arnav and met his eyes while Arnav started speaking.
Arnav: This is where we met. I was such a jerk to you since that day.
Khushi: I couldn't agree more. (she giggles and continues after a while) but maybe... I liked that jerk part of you too. You know after eating bitter guard for a whole week, I can savor the taste of jalebis even more.
Arnav (raising his eyebrow): and what do you mean by that?
Khushi held his arm and leaned towards his shoulder before explaining.
Khushi: that means, Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada, that you may be arrogant but you are sweet too.
Arnav: like your jalebis? (he asked with a smile)
Khushi(giggling): yeah, like my jalebis.
Arnav slowly comes out of her hold, making her face him and palms her cheek before speaking further.
Arnav: I am sorry.
Khushi understood what he was thinking and she saw him gulping like he was suppressing some sort of pain. She pressed her palm on his and leaned into his touch.
Khushi: I am here with you now without any imposed ties binding us together. I am with you now because we wanted this. That's all matters to me now. I decided to keep the past behind us, Arnavji. What matters to me is your true feelings and our togetherness.
Arnav leans down to kiss her forehead.
Arnav: thanks. (he whispers before pulling back)
He holds her hand and brings her to the table where dinner is arranged. The hall is illuminated just with some dim lights and candles. He pulls a chair for her and after she takes her seat, he moves towards his seat. Khushi observes a red rose which stands out from the dishes that are arranged on the table. She picks it up immediately with a smile and furrowed her eyebrows when her eyes fell on the chit which is tied to its stem. She looks at Arnav who signals her to go ahead and read it. So, she unties it and opens the chit.
"Your smile matters to me. Keep smiling always and if I do something which snatches that smile from your face, I am giving you the full rights to punch me or to do whatever you want to punish me"
A smile spreads on her lips when she reads that and she turns her gaze towards Arnav again.
Khushi: are you 100% sure about this Mr. Raizada? I can do anything to punish you? Soch lo. What if you can't do it and regret giving this right to me, later?
Arnav: I wouldn't give you that right if I am not sure.
Khushi: so you are ready to do anything on the name of punishment?
Arnav: yes. (he says firmly)
Khushi thinks for a while to give him some examples on what she can make him do.
Khushi: cut your ties with your laptop for a whole month? (she asks)
Arnav: yes. (he answers as if it doesn't matter)
Khushi narrows her eyes as if analyzing something and comes with another task.
Khushi: dancing for any Bollywood song that I select.
Arnav snickers before nodding his head with a smile.
Khushi: and what if I ask you to wear some floral shirts to your office.
Arnav gives an unpleasant look before nodding his head for that too. Khushi chuckles before speaking again.
Khushi: What if I ask you to stay away from me?
Arnav(smirking): I will make you stay with me. Don't worry.
Khushi: I said what if I ask you to stay away from me. It means, you aren't allowed to meet me or talk to me. (she stresses)
He knows, he would never want that but he thinks to tease her a bit.
Arnav: ok. If you say so, I had to follow right.
Khushi: for a whole week?
Arnav: yeah.
Khushi: for a whole month?
Arnav(shrugging his shoulder): yeah.
Khushi: for a whole year? (she asks getting irritated now)
Arnav(suppressing his smile): if you say so then, yes Khushi.
Khushi grits her teeth, holds the fork placed on the table and grips it tightly in anger.
Khushi: fine then. I will remember your words, Laad Governor(she grits out)
Arnav chuckles and holds her palm in his.
Arnav: I deserve everything which you throw at me, Khushi.
Khushi: which includes staying away from me. (she reminds)
Arnav: you are the one who asked that if I can and that's my answer. If I ever hurt you and if you choose that way to punish me, then I will accept it.
Khushi slaps on his hand with a frown.
Khushi: no you shouldn't. Even if I ask you stay away, you shouldn't do it. Understood?
Arnav(chuckling): then why would you even ask me to stay away?
Khushi: because I might be angry at you Arnavji but I might actually be waiting for you to resolve the issue. Not leave me and go. (she complains)
Arnav: ok ok. I understood. Calm down. I will resolve the matter instead of staying away from you. Happy?
Khushi: Ha. (she says while opening the lids of the items placed before her). Seeing the first item, her smile grows wide and she starts opening the rest of them to know what are all the other dishes. She looks at Arnav and smiles at him who is already smiling at her.
Arnav: Nainital trip is not a complete failure after all. He points to the dishes and lists their names.
Arnav: Kadai Paneer, thadke vali daal, sarso ka saag, Lahsun ki chutney, dhane ki chutney, jeere vale chaval, makhan vale naan. Nothing missed right? (he asks with a smile)
Khushi is overwhelmed that he remembered even these things. He didn't miss one item that she ordered that day and the list was obviously not small. She chuckles and answers him.
Khushi: one thing is missing.
Arnav: what?
Khushi: mineral water?
Both of them laughs at that and memories flood their minds instantly.
Arnav: You removed petrol from my car's fuel tank so that me and Lavanya could spend some time. (he says with a smile)
Khushi: ha and I got the biggest punishment because of that idiotic move.
Arnav: I left you in that dark room, not even caring that you don't have a blanket. I know. (he says guiltily)
Khushi's face falls seeing the change in his expression but she puts back a smile instantly before speaking again.
Khushi: arey no. I was telling that I got stuck with you. Tell me if there is any punishment bigger than spending time with an egoistic, stubborn and dominating person.
Arnav (raising his eyebrow): so right now, are you getting punished? Because I see that you are spending your time with me.
Khushi: ha. Sweet punishment (she taps his nose while leaning forward to which he smiles)
Khushi was about to serve when interrupts her by holding her hand mid-way.
Arnav: Our first date. I planned it. I will serve. (he declares and takes the spoon to serve)
Khushi: and here comes the dominating Laad Governor.
Arnav just smiles at her and starts filling her plate.
Arnav: that Nainital trip proved something Khushi. Something which I ignored. Something which I never wanted to admit. The way I reacted when that goon hit you and the way I didn't want to analyze why I reacted like that... (he sighs and sits back after serving her plate)
Khushi looks at him for few seconds before she also starts serving him.
Khushi: ha. You were totally giving those vibes that day. (she chuckles)
Now that gets him to talk.
Arnav: what vibes?
Khushi: those filmy hero vibes. Like you dared to mess with my woman and I won't leave you alive vibes. You even admitted that. (she chuckles)
Arnav: so what will you say? Am I better than your Salmanji or not? (he asks playfully)
Khushi: I pass this question. (she says and concentrates on eating)
Arnav shakes his head with a smile and he also continues eating.
Arnav: you are the definition of craziness, you know that right.
Khushi(with food in her mouth): you are the definition of anger, you know that right?
Arnav: but still you love me. (he shrugs and continues eating)
Khushi: but still you love me too.
Arnav(nodding his head in a no while chewing his food): nah. That's why I love you.
Khushi smiled at those words. She never even thought she could hear those words from the great Arnav Singh Raizada so casually. Not only for her. She thought he could never utter those words for anyone.
Khushi: Loving a crazy person don't exactly make you a sane one you know. (she mocks)
Arnav: yeah, who is sane here then. That too after meeting a woman like Khushi Kumari Gupta.
He smiles at her while saying that and Khushi just keeps looking at him. His smile is from his heart and she can say how much he is happy to have her in his life.
***
Both of them started walking outside the sheesh mahal while holding each other's hands after having the dinner. As soon as they came out of the building, Arnav moved towards his car first and returned with jalebis. Khushi had few happily and then they started walking.
Khushi: My parents will be back to Lucknow soon. My father is finally recovering now.
Arnav: I know and I believe he will recover completely, very soon.
Khushi: very soon, he will be back to normal again. Everything is falling back to its place. I am very happy.
Arnav: hmm...
Arnav falls silent while both of them keep walking. Khushi makes him stop after a while and turns him so that he could face her.
Khushi: what is it?
When Arnav still keeps silent, she speaks again.
Khushi: Arnavji... Tell me what is bothering you.
Arnav(taking a deep breathe): Your family won't like it when they know that you accepted me again in your life. Especially Payal. I too know that I don't deserve you but maybe I am just selfish.
Khushi cups his cheeks before speaking.
Khushi: you are not. And I know everyone will understand my decision. You don't worry, Arnavji. I am there with you now and I will be always.
Arnav nods his head and speaks after taking Khushi's palm and kissing it.
Arnav: I will talk to them once they come back to Lucknow.
Khushi: I will talk to them first. You don't have to...
Arnav(cutting her off): No Khushi. They deserve explanation and apology from my side. Promise me you won't open our matter until I speak to them personally.
Khushi: but...
Arnav: please.. (He cuts her off again)
Khushi agrees finally.
Khushi: Laad Governor. Always wants your decision to be final. The difference is that previously, you used to demand and now you are just making me fall into your trap of pleasing words.
Arnav chuckles.
Arnav: this way is better though. Don't you think?
Khushi: for you both ways work. Scaring me or pleading me to accept. I had to finally give in anyway.
Arnav: you are not exactly that type of a person who would back-off because I scare you. You know that right. So, those words which you just said aren't exactly true.
Khushi: whatever. But that doesn't change the fact that you scare people by just your presence.
Arnav: really? (he asks while moving closer to her)
Khushi takes a step back automatically but Arnav doesn't let her. He holds her by her waist and looks into her eyes. Her heart beat increases due to their proximity just like always.
Arnav: like this? But as far as I see, you are blushing right now. You are not scared.
Khushi opens her mouth to speak something but she doesn't know what to speak.
Arnav: or maybe this can scare you then.
Saying that, Arnav leans forward and captures her lips. It takes a while for Khushi to understand what is going on and when she does, she closes her eyes and gives into the moment. He kisses her tenderly and pulls back after few seconds. He searches her eyes and as if he got the answers he needed, he again captures her lips. He kisses her with so much passion like he never wants to leave her from his hold.
***