"Dekhna, jis din woh ladki tumhaari zindagi mein ayegi na...jiske bina tumhaari dhadkane ruk jayengi...tumhe aisa lagega jaise agar woh tumhe na mili na...to tumhari saasein hi ruk jayengi" (You see, one day a girl will come into your life without whom your heartbeat will stop. You'll feel as if you don't get her, your breathe will stop.)

"Jab kabhi dil mein kuch aaye na, aise hi bol dena chahiye." (One should always speak out what's in their heart.)

Arnav recalled what Anjali had told him once and what she told him today as he watched Khushi walk upstairs. That's it. He never realized how precious time is. And how unpredictable life can be. And that's when he made his mind to confess his feelings to her. This was the time, he decided.

Aaj main Khushi ko batake rahunga ki mujhe kyun farak padta hai. (Today, I'll tell Khushi it matters to me.)

*

Khushi stared the fairy lights with a smile adorning her face as she thought about the Diwali incident, when Arnavji freed her out of these.

Her cheeks turned crimson red as she remembered the feelings of butterflies erupting into her stomach when he kissed her at the poolside few days ago.

She clutched the one strand of her hair behind while recalling how he opened her clutch to have her hair fall on the day of Sangeet. And of course how can she forget their passionate dance.

Her heart beat took up on pace as she heard the roof door being opened. She gulped once and took a deep breath before turning slightly to face him.

*

He recalled the scene in which he held her hand ever so delicately and helped her get out of the Diya circle. Of course, the almost kiss they shared wasn't far behind. That day he didn't know how Khushi would turn out to be the girl his Di always talked of. The girl without whom his heart will stop beating. How true she was.

That day when Khushi got into an accident and he thought he lost her, his breathe had almost stopped. His heart had almost skipped a beat. His mind had stopped working. It had felt like, he was paralysed. He couldn't even bear the thought of losing her. He had been puzzled as to why it affected him so much. The answer was clear now. He loved Khushi Kumari Gupta. And he'll tell her the same today.

He opened the door leading to the roof.

And that was it.

There she stood. With her back at him.

A smile played on his lips as he took in her form. She was so thin, so petite, so fragile. Yet so beautiful. And pure hearted.

"Khushi Kumari Gupta."

*

Shyam was standing into the hall talking to some guests but his eyes had been glued to one particular person. He waited for Khushiji to make her way to the roof. He knew she'll go there after reading the message on mirror. She'll assume it to be Arnav's and go there. He fisted at the thought of them both getting so close to each other. Everyone else may be blind but he was not. He did nothing but stalk Khushi all the time, and got to know something was going on between Saale Sahab and Khushiji. He can't let that happen.

Khushiji is only mine. I won't let Saale Sahab snatch her from me.

Just as he saw her going upstairs, he excused himself from the guests and made his way to follow her. But only at halfway he realized Arnav was going in front of him and their destination was the same. The roof where Khushi just went.

He halted and cursed Arnav in his mind. He couldn't just walk faster and go there before him. Arnav knew Khushiji went up and would become suspicious as to why Shyam is going there.

Damn you Saale Sahab...you might reach Khushiji before me, but I won't be Shyam Manohar Jha if I let you both be with each other.

*

"Khushi Kumari Gupta."

She felt a cold breeze hit her as his voice hit her eardrums. How melodic her name sound out of his mouth.

She gulped once and took a deep breath before turning slightly to face him.

He closed the door behind him before moving up to the decorated pavilion. In no time, both were standing there intensively gazing into each other's eyes. Smiles fixed onto their lips in ecstasy. The stars witnessed the silent confession between these two lovers.

Unfortunately that wasn't enough, Khushi decided. She had a vague idea for what Arnavji called her here. His eyes confirmed it. But he was the ASR. So she wanted to hear it from his mouth in form of words. She wanted him to tell her that he loved her. What if he hurts her later saying she dreamt of getting a rich man? No. He's changed, yes she noticed it. But just to avoid any kind of confusion she needed to hear it from him.

So when he touched her upper arm with his hand, she took it as an opportunity to ask him.

Khushi - You called me here...did you want to say something?

He looked into her questioning eyes. It was now that he realized he didn't know what exactly he should tell her? I love you? No. He can't do that. Although it's very easy, he knew he won't be able to say this so easily. He wasn't a man of words. So he attempted to make her understand.

Arnav - Erm, woh, Di told about, a girl.. breathe will stop...that girl, erm' heart' won't beat...

Khushi frowned as he struggled to build a sentence while looking away.

Laad Governor. Can't say a simple I love you. Hmpf!

Khushi - Arnavji, I don't understand. What do you want to say?

Arnav turned to her a little annoyed and glared at her in frustration. Why can't she bloody understand he loves her?

He grabbed her arms taking care not to hurt her and pulled her closer. She gulped and heaved at their proximity. To add onto it he whispered into her ears ever so huskily.

Arnav - Khushi, can't you understand what I want to say?...I...you, my heart, my breath...

Her hands went up to clutch onto his shirt as she sensed herself going loose into his hold. Oh God, why does this man affect her so badly? Why can't she compose herself when she is so close to him?

Khushi - Arnavji...

Say that you love me. Just once. Please.

He rested his forehead on hers and both shut their eyes taking in the fragrance of the other.

Arnav - Khushi...that day, when I thought I lost you...you wanted to know why it matters to me...it matters to me because...

Khushi - because...?

His warm breath hit her face as he whispered again, still holding her arms.

Arnav - because my breath gets stuck into my throat even at the thought of losing you...my heart beats crazily when you are near me...do you also feel that?

An unknown shiver ran through her spine at his words. That means he feels same for her as she does for him. And so she nodded slightly at his question. How eagerly she just wanted to tell him how much she loves him.

Khushi - Why does this happen Arnavji, that whenever we are near, our heartbeats become fast?

Her question was genuine yet on the same tricky enough that she could expect a confession. But alas.

Arnav - I'll tell you why...because our heartbeats become one.

She opened her eyes to see he was already looking at her. She wanted to do nothing more than just throw herself into his arms currently. A shy smile crept up her face as she thought about her and Arnav. Laad Governor with her. It was worth a chuckle.

He parted in confusion as he watched her giggling silently oblivious to her. Here he was confessing his feelings and she was laughing? A fear rose within him that she may not reciprocate and instead make fun of his feelings.

Arnav - What's so funny?

His tone was rude, making her jerk out from her daydream. She took a step back and blinked at him.

Khushi - Woh...I was thinking...you....and I...?

It was less of a statement, more of a question to him. Was she dreaming or is it all real? A relief masked his face before he smirked taking a step closer and pulled her grasping her waist. She kept her hands on his chest in order to maintain an acceptable distance between them as well as support herself.

Arnav - You and I...what?

She looked down as he asked her in a naughty tone. So now the tables turned. It was her who was expected to confess now.

But no. She wanted to hear it from him first. She won't give in. He's ASR. She can't take the risk of being misunderstood.

Khushi - You and I, what would be? Nothing.

She pouted as she looked away. He snaked a finger under her chin and turned her face back to him.

Arnav - Khushi Kumari Gupta, don't you know!?

Khushi - No. I don't know. You say. Is there something?

She eyed him innocently, the pout still adorning her face. He looked at her slightly annoyed.

Arnav - There isn't something!? You're that innocent!?

She nodded sternly at that making his anger reappear again.

Arnav - Fine.

He took a step back leaving her and turned flaring his nose. Her jaw dropped and she also turned her back to him.

When it's about giving a lecture about class and status, his tongue works like a gun. But when he has to say one word of love, he becomes speechless. Laad Governor!

As neither of them spoke anything for the next few minutes, Khushi felt stupid and took a step to leave, only to be held back.

After calming down and practicing in his head for a while, he had just turned to say 'I love you' to her. But noticing she was about to leave he immediately grabbed her hand.

Arnav - Khushi, I...

She stopped and looked at him with expectation clearly visible into her eyes. Her heartbeat rapidly took up on pace at sudden.

Khushi - Ji...?

Both stood facing each other and he cupped her face with has hands.

Arnav - l...l' lo' lo...

The Arnav who had matured in a matter of days after his parents' death and put himself in the disguise of a cold ruthless person was finally letting the damaged wall around his heart fall. He stood here now fumbling with few words of affection.

Khushi - You lo...?

Arnav - I lo'...lo'...lo...

She stared him dancing inside. He was struggling but he was trying. It took him awhile, but he had managed to say sorry to her. She was certain he'll say those three words to her today.

Taking a deep breath once, he opened his mouth to finally blurt out the love confession.

Arnav - Khushi, I lo-

"So here you are! I searched the whole house for you."

They both turned to see Shyam standing at the door, smiling ever so innocently. Arnav left Khushi's face and she looked at him.

Shyam - Your Di is calling you.

Remembering an injured Anjali, Arnav almost panicked as concern took over. Shyam smirked. They had been so engrossed with each other, they didn't even notice him standing there since a minute. Shyam had been fuming seeing them like that. He wanted to interrupt and prevent Arnav from confessing. And he knew how.

Arnav - Di? Is she ok? I'll just come.

He turned once to Khushi before walking away from there.

Arnav - We're not done yet. I'll talk to you later.

Khushi just stared at him sternly as he whispered it to her not audible to Shyam's ears.

Arnav went ahead with Shyam following him. Khushi felt uncomfortable and adjusted her dupatta as Shyam examined her lustfully.

She also got down and headed downstairs to get ready for the wedding. She couldn't help but blush all time thinking about Arnav, how he tried saying I love you to her. And he would have if Shyamji hadn't interrupted them. She cursed him under breath.

But that's ok, she thought. She'll gladly help him say those words to her. She giggled as she thought about it.

It'll be my pleasure.

.

.

.

Precap:

NK - Hey Jiju, have you seen Khushiji?

Shyam's blood boiled now. He wasn't oblivious to the fact that NK too liked Khushi and it didn't irk him less. After all, Khushi was involved with him too, even if in a friendly manner only.

Shyam - Now what do you want from her?

Ab kis kisko Khushiji se dhur rakhe hum. Jaise ki ladki nahi Prasad ho, har ek ko chahiye. (Whom all do I keep away from Khushiji? As if she's not a girl but prasad. Everyone wants it.)

__________________

So finally the first chapter is up! 

Never have I been this much excited to publish a story. Please do leave your reviews behind.

I really hope you liked it. Have a happy Valentine's Day peeps ❤️

Love,

Pari 🤗