So before starting with the chapter, please play the video and listen to the song in the background while reading the first section about the confession. Use headphones to hear the high and lows of the song and get the feel.

Happy Reading.

https://youtu.be/rGepfbeg4Cs

"I CARE BECAUSE I LOVE YOU DAMMIT!!!"

She stood there dumbfounded under the weeping upper atmosphere; those same words echoing into her ears as the images of each and every incident since their first encounter flashed into her mind. How it all started with her falling straight into his arms. The almost kiss on Diwali, something which never left their heart or mind and appeared repeatedly in their dreams. His challenging kiss and her accidental one. The memorable winning dance performance of theirs.

Every time he's barked at her in fury, it had been to put her down in agony. It didn't occur infrequently that she was left in melancholy after a dispute with him. Never had his words slipped her into a state of absolute euphoria, the kind of she witnessed presently.

A shiver ran down her spine; her heart thudded in ecstasy. It would be an underestimation to say she felt being on cloud nine. The ground under her feet so empty as if she was hovering into the weightedness. She appeared to herself as if all the happiness of this world was put at her feet.

It felt too much of a sweet dream. A dream she never wanted to wake up from. Never.

The sound of thundercrack forced her to return back to the blissful reality. Yes. This wasn't a dream. It was nothing but pure reality.

Her lips curved up expliciting indescribable joy as in her blurry image she recognized his masculine shape shrinking bit by bit. And in the blink of an eye her feet themselves rapidly and flowingly moved towards him causing a collision of her soft front against his damped stiff form.

He stopped in the passage as her skinny arms surrounded his torso from behind.

"Hum bhi aapse...I love you dammit!"

An electrifying chill passed through his body as the declaration of her love happened under the dark celestial cotton sheets. Despite the cold atmosphere an unusual warmth spread inside his body. It took him few minutes to face her heaving form and wrap it in his own hands.

He rested his left arm around her waist while the other hand cupped her face. Her face which rested on his back before it was raised up to meet his eyes now.

Only the thundering and wailing sky in the grey afternoon witnessed the silent promises of this newly formed couple, the ones he sealed with a kiss on her forehead; the rainy shower not bothering at all.

*

The curtains waved into the air as strong wind entered the Gupta house through the open dormers. Madhumati shut the windows before sitting down on the sofa with a scarf tied around her head. Garima walked into the living room and took place beside her holding a plate filled with dal.

Garima - Jiji, Khusi is out in the rain. I'm worried for her, she must have gotten wet. Now she'll catch cold and fall sick.

Madhumati - I am also worried Garima. Why don't you call her? Ask her to come home right now.

Garima nodded in agreement and moved to the telephone kept on the dining table. She dialed Khushi's number while her eyes stayed on her troubled sister-in-law.

The phone wasn't answered for long and just as she kept the receiver down, there was a knock to be heard. Garima hurried to the door and opened it to see her damped daughter standing there.

Garima - Hey bhagwan, you're all wet. Come in.

She stepped aside to let Khushi in while Garima herself quickly got a dry towel from inside and wrapped around her shoulders. Khushi was completely wet from toe to head. Her clothes sticking to her slim.body.

Madhumati - Haye re Nand Kisore, now this girl is for sure going to get sick.

Garima - Go and change now. I'll make ginger tea for you till then.

Khushi nodded without any argument and rushed into her room. She closed the door and opened her window fast. A wide grin appeared on her face as she took in the man she loved, sitting in his car and having his eyes directly at her. Her motioned at her with his eyes. She frowned but eventually understood he's asking her to change. In return she nodded with a smile and waved at him. He blinked his eyes looking delighted and finally drove on and out of Laxm i Nagar. Her followed his car until out of sight and with a deep sigh she shut the windows again.

*

Khushi came out into the living room to see her Amma keeping two cups of tea on the table. With a fresh towel she pulled her daughter down onto the couch and started drying her hair with a fresh towel.

Garima - What was the need to stay out in this weather? Already you are weak and keep fainting and falling sick.

Madhumati - I was already saying that the weather is not good, so don't go out. But how can Sanka Devi ever listen to anyone!?

Khushi took a sip of the delicious tea made by her mother and put on a genuine smile at the concern of these two women. Not that her smile ever disappeared ever since her confession. Just the mere thought of it gave her goosebumps. Their hug, their confessions, the kiss.

Khushi - Amma, Buaji, I'm fine. Don't worry. And Buaji, you tell me but you yourself suffer from serial headache.

Garima and Madhumati exchanged a distressed look and then looked at her again.

Madhumati - Ey Parmeshwari, you had gone to look for work. So did you find something?

Buaji's tone was so soft and loving that Khushi felt overwhelmed with guilt. How can she tell them that she'd lied to meet Arnavji at office? She can't tell the truth now either.

Khushi - Erm' no...I couldn't find anything.

Gulping, she quickly took a sip of her tea and avoided looking into the eyes of any of the women. That way she completely missed the melancholy in both the ladies' eyes.

Khushi - Is Babuji sleeping?

She wasn't ready to meet their eyes yet, too ashamed of her deed of lying, so averted the talk.

Garima - Yes. He had his medicine and is sleeping now.

She gulped down the last sip and got up taking the plate of lentils.

Khushi - Amma, you sit down. I'll make lunch fast.

She disappeared into the kitchen leaving the two sisters-in-law alone. Madhumati grabbed her head with a sigh.

Madhumati - As much I hate to have her earn again but I had hoped that if she finds a job again we could pay the rent and pending bills. Haye re Nand Kishore how will we manage now?

Garima - Don't worry Jiji. We'll do something, but don't ask Khusi to work now. Ever since she's come to Delhi Khushi bitiya been working and earning. Even in Payalia's wedding she managed so much work. I don't want her to take all the responsibility on her shoulders again.

Buaji could understand Garima but she was equally worried about their financial situation. Already the bit of pension she received wasn't enough to manage their monthly expenses and even though Raizadas had been kind enough to take up most of the expenses, some costs are inevitable in a wedding. With the wedding having been a priority, the house rent had been neglected. Shashi's medicines and groceries also required money. Khushi and Payal weren't made aware of the financial crisis. The elder ladies of the house thought it's better to not spoil things for them. Payal was going into another family and Khushi had already done much for them. This time they wanted to handle it all alone.

*

Shyam just wanted to retire into his quiet room and plan some strategies to keep Arnav and Khushi apart in peace when he overheard the ladies talking about Arnav's marriage. Arnav and Mama were at work, Akash and Payal were 'resting' in their room and NK was out at some friends place. So only Nani, Anjali and Mami were sitting in the lounge at the staircase and engrossed in a discussion about the elder son of the house's alliance.

Nani - I will talk to Arnav Bitua in the upcoming days after Akash Bitua will leave for honeymoon.

Shyam's curiosity grew and he eventually joined them with his usual fictitious smile set on his face.

Shyam - About what are you going to talk to my Saale Sahab?

Nani - About his marriage Bitua. It's high time he settles and starts a family. There were some unpleasant things to be heard by guests.

Even though she hadn't let it affect her during Akash's wedding but she wasn't able to ignore the comments about her grandson anymore. From questioning his fertility to his character, many speculations were thrown into the light by the gossip-hungry women.

Nani - People had a lot of nasty things to say because we married the younger son first.

Mami - Sasuma, so many men so many mouths. Now how can we just marry Arnav bitua without his agreement? We can't force him after all.

Manorama wanted nothing but the best for Arnav but she very well knew it's impossible to force her nephew for marriage. He will marry only when and whom he wants to. And she's happy that at least his choice is modern and she'll get at least one modern bahu.

Anjali - Mami is right Nani. We can't force Chote. Let's wait until he himself wants to marry.

Anjali wasn't going to have her plans spoiled by an overly emotional Nani. Both had been aware of Arnav and Khushi's mutual feelings but her brother was slow in such matters and needs time. Cornering him may only spoil it all.

Shyam - But Rani Sahiba, Naniji is right. Arnav is successful and young. Girls are after him just for money and fame. Before he chooses a wrong girl for himself, why don't we arrange someone for him?

Anjali - No. Chote doesn't like all this. He won't marry anyone other than his own choice.

Shyam didn't like Anjali being so defensive about Arnav's marriage. And he was aware why but neither Nani nor Anjali is going to talk about their choice in front of Mami. So he'll take advantage of the situation.

Shyam - First listen to me Rani Sahiba. He will marry his choice only but we can at least shortlist some girls for him.

The three women glanced him attentively for reasons of their own.

Shyam - Saale Sahab will not marry any traditional girl. His choice is modern and educated, open-minded and progressive thinking. But we all want him to marry a girl who's able to become a good bahu.

Mami - Yes yes bitua. You are rightwa.

Anjali recalled the kissing scene at the poolside. She wanted none else but Khushi to be his wife but sighed thinking everyone here wanted nothing but Arnav's happiness only.

Shyam - And I have some girls in my mind. I'll inquire about them and then talk to you all.

Shyam left for his room after receiving a nod from Nani. Manorama also left to get her beauty sleep. Anjali immediately turned to Nani with a frown.

Anjali - Nani, I thought you also want Chote to marry Khushji!?

Nani - Yes of course bitiya. But this time I won't wait for several months before Chote agrees to marry her. In fact what if everything we saw was just because of the wedding and their frequent meetings? Now Khushi bitiya won't be coming home like she used to and I'm afraid Chote will again get some model and will want to live with her without marriage. And I won't let that happen. Already people are talking much.

Nani stood up passing Anjali a look of determination and exited from there leaving her perplexed granddaughter alone.