Restless and Anxious.
These were the emotions Khushi was feeling from last night. She wants to stop him from going away from her. She wants to order him to cancel his trip but she knows work is important for her husband. She doesn't want her husband to get fired from her favourite designer company.
It has been a few weeks since she developed a new goal and dream. She wants to work at AR Fashion House as a designer with her husband.
She wants to make him proud of her achievement. He has fulfilled her forgotten and incomplete dreams. So, she thought it was the only way she could pay him back by making him proud of her.
She giggled at the idea of working with her husband pushing her anxious feeling to the back of her head but it only lasted a few seconds as a car halted.
She crossed her fingers wishing it was Arnav but Aman walked out of the car.
"Hey, Khushi, Hop in" Aman waved, leaning on the driver's side door.
Passing him a smile, she settled in the car. She wanted to inquire about him but there was hesitation in her actions.
Aman glanced at her and grinned at her actions.
"My dear sister....." Aman hummed, gaining her attention. "We are going to send off your husband," He said observing her expression.
Khushi bobbed, gazing out with a pout causing him to smile. He knew she was sad as he saw Arnav's mood off from morning, causing him to yell at their poor employees. He knew his best friend and his new sister were crazily in love. He prayed for their happiness every day.
"I am going to miss your handmade food, Khushi" She saw a gloomy look on his face.
"Don't worry bhai, I will prepare it for you." She loved him as a brother and cooking lunch for him is not a big deal for her.
"Yeah, My sweet sister!" She giggled as Aman pinched her cheek.
"But, behana I am going to Paris with your husband"
Khushi's face fell and she hummed in response.
They reached the International Airport after a one-and-a-half-hour ride. Walking into the Airport her mind reminded her of the day she stepped in this land with her husband. A smile crept across her face. It was just two months back but her memories were fresh as it happened yesterday.
She stiffened as two arms swathed her waist pulling her into a bone-crushing hug. She relaxed as a familiar cologne hit her nostrils and her hands on their accord made their way to his back. She felt him nuzzling his face in the crook of her neck causing a weird sensation in the pit of her belly. Her first instinct was to push him but on second thought she didn't want to miss the zeal of his embrace.
Ignoring the surroundings and the time they stayed feeling their partner's warmth.
Arnav for the first time in his life was not excited about his Fashion show. The thought of cancelling the trip had been dancing in his mind since the moment his eyes fell on her saddened face. But, he knew it was not possible. He can't jeopardize his employee's hard work.
"My nights are going to be sleepless without you Khushi" Arnav whispered. She pushed her head into his chest to hide her red face.
A series of fake coughs rang in the air, making Arnav groan in frustration and pulling Khushi out of her husband's daze. She tried to push him but her husband's arms were no less than a cage.
"Why are you here?" Arnav shouted a glare at his friend, placing his chin on the top of her head.
Aman rolled his eyes as he clicked a picture of them. "Show some mercy on your unmarried and single friend"
Arnav raised his left eyebrow as he didn't miss the click of the camera. "I will delete it after sharing it with you" Aman hurriedly replied as he felt a heated gaze on his lovely lover. The Mobile.
"Wow, My son learned R from Romance" They heard a voice followed by a chuckle.
Khushi pushes Arnav after hearing the voice. "Papa" She brimmed with joy seeing her favourite person after her dear husband.
"My cute little daughter.
Is this man troubling you?" He asked, making a face to his son and pulling Khushi to his side.
Arnav rolled his eyes at his dramatic father. "Mr Raizada She is my wife" He pulled her to him.
"So, What!!!
Hurry up and get lost.
I will enjoy my time with my daughter" His eyes and smile never left Khushi.
A big smile appears on her face. "Papa, Are you going to stay with me?" She asked, clinging to his arm.
"Yes, My sweetheart"
The smile on Arnav's face disappeared and he also wanted to wipe off Khushi's smile. He knew he was sounding like a Psycho but he wanted her to feel sad on his departure.
And the way his father was addressing her sweetheart.
Never in his life had he thought he was going to be jealous by seeing the affection between his wife and father.
These days his father is treating him as a son-in-law. He even treats Shyam as his son.
He was the one who requested his father to stay with her till he was back as he didn't want to leave her alone in a foreign country but now he wished his father was thirty minutes late.
"You are still here.
Do you want a send-off ok then....." He patted his back. "Now Go, You are getting late" Arshad almost pushed him.
Aman giggled from behind. "Aman beta, Take your friend and leave the premises. I am exhausted from a long flight journey. So, I plan on visiting home and resting after eating my daughter's handmade food" Arshad was on a roll to scorch his son.
"Doors are on that way, Mr Father in law" Arnav pulls Khushi to him and walks to a distance to get some privacy from the two monkeys.
"Khushi, Dad is going to stay with you for the next fifteen days.
Dad will take you to college. If you need anything ask him if not call me.
Don't hesitate to reach me. I will be available for you at any time" He said cupping her face.
"Eat your food and take your medicines on time," She said gazing into his eyes.
Arnav smiled and pecked her forehead as he lingered his lips there for a long time.
"I am going to Miss You, Khushi" He engulfed her in a hug.
"Me too, Arnav ji" They pulled out of the hug unwillingly.
Coming back to Arshad. Arnav was pulled into a hug by his father. "Take care chotte"
Arnav nodded. "Take care of yourself and Khushi" He glanced at her. Arshad patted his back and walked to Aman. He was like a son to him.
After a series of goodbyes Arnav and Aman passed the security checks. A tear rolled down as she watched him walk away.
Fifteen days!!
Hoping for it to pass quickly she turned to her favorite person.
"Let's Go papa" She pulled his luggage and started walking out, Arshad followed her with a chuckle.
Arshad makes her feel the same parental love she received from her buaji.
*********
They were received by overjoyed Anya and Alex.
Anya rushed to Arshad and jumped on him. Arshad was also her best friend.
"What a pleasant surprise Uncle Arshad" Anya exclaimed, making Arshad smile at the bundle of joy. He always liked cute little children and he is patiently waiting for his grandchildren.
Alex barked, demanding attention from Khushi. She caressed his head and he sat down enjoying the attention.
"Papa, What do you want to eat?" She asked. She had a lot of different types of food she wanted to cook for him.
"I will feast whatever my daughter cooks for me," Arshad replied, patting her head.
She nodded with a smile and stepped into the kitchen after making sure Arshad settled in his room.
"Wow, what a fragrance! It's mouthwatering," commented Arshad as he walked into the kitchen.
"Do you want any help, Khushi?" He offered his big hand.
"No, Papa.
I am almost finished" She said, giving a last touch to her dinner.
Arshad opened the lids of bowls with amusement. He was eager to taste the mouth-watering food. Every day without fail at the time of lunch and dinner he remembers his son as he got lucky to eat his lovely daughter's heavenly food.
His eyes lit up seeing chana masala and kheer for dessert. In a flash, he held his phone and took a few shots of dishes.
"I am going to rile up my son with these photos" Khushi chuckled at his childish behaviour.
They moved to their rooms after a heartfelt dinner.
.
.
.
Khushi lay on the king-size bed after changing into her nightwear but the sleep was far away. Taking her phone from the nightstand she pondered whether to call him or not. He didn't land so she placed it back with a resolve to call him in the morning.
She rolled and rolled on the bed for two hours and at last fell by face on the floor. She groaned in frustration and pain.
She sat on the floor with a red nose and tears forming in the corner of her eyes. She punched the bed in anger which in return caused pain in her knuckles.
She signed as the clock showed one in the midnight. Making up her mind she walked into the closet and pulled out one of her husband's t-shirts and changed into it.
She lay on his side inhaling his scent from his pillow and soon sleep engulfed her.
Her last thoughts were of her husband's.
And, she realized she started falling for him.
But, she failed to realize the depth of her feelings as she was drowning in his love and fate started to make its move to test their love.
These tests may deepen their bond and it can also pull them apart.
The answer is known only to time.
To be continued...
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✍️Keerthana.