Part39
Arnav and Khushi were looking at each other, lying on the bed, very close. They were facing each other. Arnav tucked her hair smilingly. He palmed her cheek softly. Khushi kept her palm over his, not wanting him to take it away.
Arnav: We have to go to the temple tomorrow morning.
Khushi: Mmm...
Getting close to him, she snuggled into his chest. Arnav wrapped her in his arms.
Arnav: It's very hard to be close to you, you know?
Khushi: Do you want me to be in distance?
Arnav(tightening the hug): Not at all.
Khushi: Then?
Arnav: What if we reconsider our decision?
Khushi: Which decision?
Arnav: Can't we pre-pond our first night to tonight?
Khushi: Could you wake up tomorrow morning?
Arnav: I'm not sure...
Khushi: Then sleep.
Arnav: I'm not getting sleep.
Khushi: I think we have to change the place.
Arnav: Place?
Khushi: Instead of me being in your chest, you have to come over mine. So, you could sleep, hearing the lullaby.
She chuckled.
Arnav: I don't think it works...
Khushi raised her head and looked at him.
Arnav: It will make the condition worse.
He winked.
Khushi punched his chest.
Arnav: Hey...
Khushi: Mmmm...
Arnav: Is it necessary to go to the temple?
Khushi: Of course.... Why?
Arnav: We will go another day... what say?
Khushi: No...
Arnav: Why?
Khushi: This is the punishment for avoiding me, calling school kid.
Arnav: Ohhh... What about tomorrow night? Won't you get punished for making me wait?
Khushi: It's tomorrow's problem. Talk about now.
Arnav: What if I take it now?
Khushi: Will you?
Arnav: Won't I?
Khushi (thinking): Mmmm... I'm sleepy.
She turned the opposite side. Arnav turned her to face him.
Arnav: Answer me.
Khushi: You are sooooo good Arnavji... you are a goooood boy Arnavji.... you are a gentleman Arnavji...
Arnav rolled his eyes high.
Arnav: Ok... then I will try to be gentle. What say?
Khushi: Try to be gentle tomorrow. Now sleep.
Arnav(whining): Are you sure....?
Khushi(chuckling): Yeah...
She pinched his nose.
Arnav lied on the bed, folding his hands across his chest, making face. Coming over him, Khushi cupped his face.
Khushi: Ok... we will go to the temple tomorrow.
Arnav: That's ok...
Khushi: Mmmm...?
Arnav: Yeah... Our first night will be tomorrow.
Saying he flipped her, underneath him. He lied on the crook of her neck. Khushi sneaked his head smilingly.
Next Morning
Both of them were ready to go to the temple. Hari Prakash carried a bag towards the car.
Arnav: What's that?
Khushi: Lunch.
Arnav: But we can have it on the way.
Khushi: You said it's a village. What if we don't get good food there?
Arnav(chuckling): Mmmm smart.
Khushi saw Uditha coming.
Khushi: Udi, maybe, we are late today evening. Don't forget to go to Lucknow to bring Preeto.
Udi: Don't' worry. I won't forget.
Khushi: Thank you.
Udi: Enjoy your trip.
They shared a formal hug.
Arnav was waiting for Khushi in the car. She took a seat and buckled the seat belt.
Arnav (while starting the engine): I like long drive very much...
Khushi: Yeah... especially when you are angry and upset. Right?
Arnav: Right...
Khushi: I hope your mood is good now?
Arnav: of course... I'm so glad as this is our first long drive.
Khushi chuckled at him.
Arnav: Why? what happened?
Khushi: I remember how you brought me from Lucknow...
Arnav's face hung.
Khushi: What did you say, when I asked: "who are you?"
Arnav glared at her.
Khushi (mimicking like Arnav): Your husband....
She laughed.
Arnav: Stop it...
Khushi: So soon? What will you do when I share all your atrocities with our children?
Arnav: What the...
Khushi: Including your "what the".
She again laughed.
Arnav: Don't you dare, Khushi...
Khushi: I have a lot of future plans with our children.
Arnav: Are you.... mad?
Khushi: Not now... but I was... because of you. How arrogant you were?
Arnav: Because you ignored me.
Khushi: What would I do if you marry forcefully?
Arnav: But you got to know I'm not arrogant.
Khushi: After a biggggg struggle.
Arnav: Whatever...
Khushi: How badly you examined me....? It's my honor. I'm sure our grandchildren also will enjoy our story.
Arnav: Will you share with our grandchildren also?
Khushi: Then? We will have a lot of time at that time. This generation of children is spending their time uselessly. If we want to get their attention, we will give them worthy stuff.
Arnav: For that, will you make me a villain?
Khushi: No no... you are not a villain but antihero.
Arnav started murmuring.
Khushi: What are you talking?
Arnav(making face): Nothing.
Khushi: Then why are you murmuring?
Arnav: I never know you could break my image.
Khushi: Are you thinking so?
Arnav: Then what?
Khushi: I don't think so...
Arnav: Means....?
Khushi: I feel very special...
Arnav frowned at her.
Khushi: Is it possible to get married as we did? Groom changed at the last minute... Groom carried the bride to take phares... brought the bride to Delhi keeping my stepmother in gun point.... Made her eat by giving TWO OPTIONS.... What nail-biting moments...?
Arnav(confusingly): Khushi.... are you really appreciating me or mocking at me?
Khushi(chuckling): It depends upon the person's take.
Arnav: Are you giving me the options?
Khushi: Not at all... you also think like me. Why are you thinking negatively about yourself?
She asked laughing.
Arnav(suppressing his smile): Stop teasing me.
Khushi kept her index finger on her mouth, like a good student.
It was nearly 10km to the temple. Arnav stopped the car, seeing a jalebi shop. He got down from the car and went inside to buy jalebis for Khushi. That was an old traditional sweet shop of that area. Ratna always buys something whenever she comes to her village. Khushi smiled.
But they didn't observe that another car followed them and it overtook their car.
Arnav handed the jalebis to Khushi. She started eating, relishing as if she took birth to taste it.
They have crossed five more kilometers, that's when Arnav felt the car was wavering. He stopped the car and got down to check what's wrong. The car was a puncture.
To be continued...
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Heart feel
Arnav annoyed, seeing the punctured tyre. It was a remote area. None was there in that area. He looked at the surroundings whether anyone is there. Khushi got down from the car.
Khushi: I'm sorry Arnavji...
Arnav: Why are you sorry?
Khushi: Because of me, you got stuck in this village.
Arnav: Tyre can be punctured anytime. So don't blame yourself. In fact, I too thought of coming here since I came to India. So relax.