"Ow!" Khushi yelped as the needle pricked her index finger.
"Oh my gosh! Appi are you ok!?" Anjali yelled, and grabbed her Khushi's finger to inspect the injury.
"No...it's nothing..." Khushi muttered. She wiped off the spec of blood and got back to work. Anjali was in AMORE right now getting her bridal dress fitted.
"Appi...aap ka dhyaan kidar hai?" Anjali asked, noticing that Khushi has been busy in her own thoughts, which is why she did not pay attention to the needles.
"Kuch nahin..." Khushi lied, and pinned a few more places on the bridal lehenga, accenting Anjali's figure. In truth, Khushi was thinking about her dori moment with Arnav last night. Khushi cursed herself for losing herself in the moment. It was so...intimate. The way Arnav looked at her...there was something there...
'Mujh par sirf Payal ka haq hai!' Arnav's harsh words rang in her ears, and Khushi's spine stiffened. She won't fall for that again. Arnav can't come close to her whenever he pleased...and then push her away whenever he pleased. There was nothing between them...nothing.
Khushi stepped back and let Anjali look at the dress. "What to do you think?" Khushi asked.
"It's perfect appi! Thank you!" Anjali gushed, admiring the deep red lehenga with intricate gold work. After changing out of the bridal lehenga and back in her normal attire, Anjali sat across from Khushi at her work desk.
"How are you appi?" Anjali asked. She knew the conditions Khushi and Arnav got married. Payal's death was a terrible loss for the whole family. A part of her coming all the way to AMORE for her dress was to simply check up on Khushi herself.
"Everything is good. Ahaana is doing great as well." Khushi replied, putting away her pins and measuring tape.
There was no mention of Arnav. Anjali noticed, but decided not to point that out. She studied her older cousin...she wasn't happy. It was clear to see that Khushi was not happy and Anjali's heart went out to her. Not wanting to pry, Anjali changed the topic.
"Appi...I need to do some jewelry shopping. Can you come with me? I need an expert's opinion." Anjali asked.
Right when Khushi was about to respond, a knock on her office door interrupted the ladies. "Come in!" Khushi called out, and in walked Arnav with Ahaana in her carrier.
There was an awkward moment between Khushi and Arnav, until Khushi went around her desk and took the carrier holding Ahaana from Arnav. That awkwardness did not go unnoticed by Anjali either.
"Hi baby!" Anjali gushed and did not waste time in picking up Ahaana. "Oh my, aren't you the most gorgeous thing!" Anjali cooed. Anjali then turned to Arnav and greeted him with a one arm hug as she held Ahaana in her other arm. "Kaise hai aap jiju?" Anjali asked.
"All good Anjali. How is the wedding planning coming along?" Arnav responded.
"It's going great! Shyam can't wait to meet all of you." Anjali said.
"What does he do?" Arnav asked, making small talk.
"He is an RJ for Radio Mirchi...RJ Shyam? Have you heard of him?" Anjali asked.
"Oh yea! I have! He plays great songs...mostly oldies and I love that." Arnav replied, completely engrossed in the conversation.
"I'll pass on the compliment! He would be so excited to know that THE Arnav Singh Raizada listens to him" Anjali teased her jiju, causing Arnav to chuckle and brushing off the tease.
Khushi simply observed Arnav. She couldn't help but admire this easy-going side to Arnav. In recent times all she has seen is his heartbreak and his anger...but seeing Arnav talking so easily and smiling was like a breath of fresh air. A hint of the old Arnav flickered through and Khushi couldn't help but quietly admire.
"It's nothing like that...tell Shyam that I would love to meet him." Arnav replied humbly. "Are you done with most of the planning?" Arnav asked Anjali, completely oblivious to Khushi's thoughts.
"Most of it... I still have some shopping left. Speaking of which, I need to steal my appi for a few hours to go shopping. Is that possible?" Anjali asked, giving Arnav her best puppy eyes.
"I can't Anjali." This came from Khushi, "I have to watch Ahaana and Arnav has shooting he has to go to now."
"Oh come on appi! I need help!" Anjali pleaded.
When Khushi was about to decline again, Arnav cut her off, "Take Ahaana with you...I don't mind."
"Yes!" Anjali cheered.
Khushi hesitated. She never really took Ahaana out. It was always home and work. And she didn't want Arnav to agree to this unless he was really comfortable letting his daughter go to a crowded mall.
"Arnav...are you sure? Hum kya sach mein Ahaana ko apne saath le jaa sakte hai?" Khushi said, asking for clarification.
"Arre tumhari beti hai yaar...jahaan lena hai le jao." Arnav said without thinking, and then halted. Arnav and Khushi's eyes then connected and both simply stared at each other. Those words rolled off his tongue so effortlessly. 'Tumhaari beti hai...' Khushi always treated Ahaana as her own, but to hear Arnav to not just say it...but mean it...did something to her. She felt something shift inside her with those words.
Arnav read Khushi's eyes...and saw those green eyes flicker with some unknown emotion. He knew those words he said without thinking meant something to Khushi. He didn't realize that saying something so simple would affect her so. Arnav cursed himself for not showing Khushi the respect she deserved sooner...and he now wanted to try harder to gain her trust. The intense need for that surprised him. What was this? What was this powerful need to earn Khushi's trust? Earn her respect? It's like he needed it. What was this need? Yeh kaisi zaroorat hai?...Arnav couldn't figure it out.
Anjali looked from Arnav to Khushi...and then back. 'This is interesting...' Anjali thought to herself. She was definitely seeing sparks between them. Maybe...just maybe... this marriage wasn't such a bad idea, she thought to herself.
Arnav cleared his throat, breaking the moment between him and Khushi since they were not alone in the room. "Why don't I drop you guys off? The mall falls on the way to film city. I can pick you up after too." He suggested.
Anjali agreed immediately, and Khushi not trusting her own voice, simply nodded in agreement.
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After a few hours of roaming the mall. Khushi, Anjali, and Ahaana came out with multiple shopping bags. They shopped for not only jewelry, but accessories for the bridesmaids, trinkets for the guests, gifts for the wedding party as a 'thank you' from the bride and groom...and multiple shoes matching Anjali's wedding outfits.
They now waited outside by the curb, waiting for Arnav to come pick them up.
"Appi...thank you so much! I would have never finished all this without your help." Anjali exclaimed.
"You're welcome...waise Shyam ko patha bhi hai ke uska palla kis se para hai?" Khushi joked, making fun of Anjali's shopping addiction.
Anjali swatted Khushi's arm, making Khushi laugh in response. Khushi was extremely glad that she came. It felt so nice to be with Anjali and just have a good time. It was extra special because Ahaana was with them and Khushi did some shopping herself, buying multiple cute outfits for Ahaana. Sometimes, a girls' day out was just what you needed to uplift your mood.
As they waited, Khushi happened to glance at a home décor store they were standing in front of. She walked closer and saw a wall décor piece on display. It was simply gorgeous. The whole piece was carved in dark wood. The piece had swirls ending in leaves and flowers with two elephants with their trunks intertwined with each other. There were gold linings in certain parts of the carvings only making the intricacy of the craft pop more. It was clear to see that the art work was inspired from the culture of Thailand. Khushi simply loved it. It was so stunning...and it would look perfect over the fireplace in the library at home.
Khushi almost entered the store to purchase the piece but stopped herself. 'Iss ghar mein sirf Payal ka haq hai!' Every time...every time she lost herself in the moment those words reminded her of her place.
"Appi! Kahaan ko gayi aap? Jiju aa gaye." Anjali said, completely oblivious to Khushi's inner turmoil. Khushi turned to see Arnav already parked and strapping Ahaana into the car seat as Anjali put the shopping bags into the trunk of the car. Khushi didn't even hear him approach she was so lost in her thoughts.
Arnav then went to her and took the bags Khushi was carrying. He noticed that Khushi was staring at the home décor store. "Kuch lena tha?...Andar chale?" Arnav asked. He saw that Khushi didn't even notice him drive up since she was staring at one of art pieces on display.
Khushi then turned hollow eyes towards him. They were empty...and sad...so so sad. "Nahin." She simply said, and walked to the car not giving Arnav another glance.
Arnav felt that sting in his chest. He looked at the art piece hanging and then at Khushi's retreating back. Not knowing what else to do, he loaded the rest of the shopping bags and got in the driver's seat.
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A few days later, Khushi was home early from work. Arnav was still at shooting, so it was just her and Ahaana at home. She was currently in the kitchen making a sandwich when the door bell got her attention.
Khushi opened the front door to see a man in work uniform holding a wrapped item.
"Hello Ma'am, delivery for Mrs. Khushi Raizada." The man said politely.
Khushi's heart gave a thud at the title, but she covered it up and signed the documents. Once the gentleman placed the wrapped item on the floor, leaning in against the wall, he took his leave.
Khushi gave a confused look at the wrapped item. What could it be? She didn't recall purchasing anything this large. Khushi then started unwrapping the item, careful not to damage whatever was inside...and revealed the wooden carved artwork she was admiring a few days ago. Khushi stood back and simply stared...not sure what to think.
Her cell phone went off in that moment. Without seeing the caller, Khushi answered, "Hello."
"Tofa pasand aaya?" Arnav said from the other end of the line.
"Yeh aapne kareeda?" Khushi asked, stunned that it was Arnav who bought this.
"Haan..." Arnav confessed, not sure what else to say.
"Kyon?" Khushi simply asked. There was a pause until Arnav finally answered, "Kyon ki tumhe woh pasand tha..."
Khushi had that feeling again in her chest...like something shifted. She remained quiet, not knowing what else to say.
"Where do you want to hang it?" Arnav asked, sensing Khushi's hesitation over the phone. He hoped that this would nudge her a little towards him and get her to open up to him as well. He felt butterflies in his stomach in anticipation for her response.
"Humhe iss ghar par koi haq nahin hai...aap jab wapas ayenge...khud hi laga lena." Khushi simply said, and with that, hung up the phone. Khushi gave the art work one last glance and went back to the kitchen, not looking back.
Sitting inside his van on set, Arnav looked at his cell phone. He wanted to hurl that cell phone across the room in frustration. But more than that, he simply wanted to gather Khushi in his arms and say he was sorry...again...and again. He cursed himself for ever saying those words. Those words broke Khushi's heart...and he had no idea how to fix it. Defeated, he sank into his chair and kept cursing himself.
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That night, Khushi didn't bother speaking to Arnav. Knowing that he was not wanted, Arnav stayed out of Khushi's way and gave her the space she needed.
Later into the night, however, Khushi woke up from sleep and made her way to the kitchen for some water. She happened to pass by the library and stopped in her tracks. There...right above the fireplace...the wooden art work was hanging. It was exactly how she imagined it.
She couldn't help but melt a little at the sight. The gesture was sweet...Arnav didn't have to do this, but he did. However, it was still in her best interest to keep her distance. She couldn't forget what happened. Her feelings conflicted; Khushi made her way back to her bedroom...and was not able to fall back asleep for the rest of the night. And on the other side of the house...Arnav lay awake as well...trying to figure out what more he could do to earn Khushi's forgiveness.
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Here is another update because I feel so bad for making you all wait so long! Sorry again! Hope you enjoyed this chapter. But you have to comment as that keeps me motivated.
Also, below is a picture of the home decor piece I had in mind. I saw something very similar when I visited Thailand myself, but that piece had two elephants carved in as well and had flickers of gold just making the whole decoration look more stunning. So this picture is to give you a little idea of what I was trying to describe: