Khushi walked out of the restaurant, fuming in anger, strangling her phone with her both hands as she headed towards a Black SUV parked in front of the restaurant as instructed to her.

She opened the door of the backseat and took her seat and in the next few seconds, the door was shut followed by a loud thud sound causing the owner of the car to turn his head in disbelief with her audacity to first take the backseat as if he was her driver and second to shut the door with such force as if she was the one who would pay for the damages if something happened to his car. 

"Why are you staring me like a shocked owl? Didn't your boss gave your order to take me to Shantivan?" Khushi frowned.

The man opened his mouth to speak but Khushi dismissed him, not interested in hearing what he had to say, "Listen.. It's okay.. I don't want to hear your explanations. My mood is already off because of your boss. So just take me to Shantivan asap!"

The man sighed hard silently, twisting the ignition key to start the car.

What does she think of herself? Idiot. I wonder how Nani and Di liked this badtameez girl for Akash. He thought, a deep frown adorned on his forehead.

"What does your boss think of himself? How could he cancel our first meeting to help a so called friend of his buy earrings for whoever's birthday party? If he's not interested in this relation, then why is he making me waste my diamond worth time with him?" Khushi spoke her heart out with the stranger driver who was akin to Jadoo of Koi Mil Gaya movie.

Diamond worth time! Like really? I just wasted my blue diamond worth time  by coming to pick a badtameez girl like you instead of sending the driver that Akash had asked me to. Arnav thought, rolling his eyes mockingly.

"I'm just tolerating this behavior of your boss because I'm well mannered girl," Khushi pouted, turning her head towards the window of her seat.

Ask my car's door first if he thinks that you're well mannered girl.

"And patience is glued to me like my hair is glued to my head. It's okay, sometimes I lose few strands of my hair like you can literally count the times I lose my patience but it's really rare you know.. as rare as the existence of rainbow eucalyptus!" Khushi added. 

Arnav couldn't help but roll his eyes, shaking his head.

Yeah right. That's why you've complaining about Akash since the time you entered in this car. It's just the first time he cancelled a meeting with you and you're exploding like this, imagine when you'll be his legally wedded wife.

"I told Amma that just because Nani is her best friend, kind hearted and religious woman doesn't mean everyone in her family is as good as she is. But no! Amma never listens to me. When I get back home, the first thing I'm going to do is wipe the dust off that mirror she used to see the reflection of her innocent and good man, Akash bitwa and show her the heartless and ill mannered man he actually is."

I'm going to show to Nani and Di first the spoilt brat you're. Arnav took a sharp breath, trying to control himself after hearing the girl bad mouthing  his brother.

"Tell me one thing.. Is your boss a good man? Do you also think, like Amma and Babu ji, that I should accept this marriage proposal?" Khushi turned her head to look at Arnav, curious to hear about her possibly soon to be husband.

Taking Arnav's silence as fear of badmouthing about his boss, she sighed: Let it be. It will rain fake praises from your mouth because you don't want to lose your job.

My brother is hundred times better than a spoilt brat like you. Arnav frowned.

"Achcha.. I'm sorry," Khushi spoke in low guilty tone after sensing his never ending silence, "I was angry with your boss.. but I'm much better now," she added the explanation of her earlier behavior.

Arnav rolled his eyes again while his hands clutched the steering wheel as he controled himself from turning behind and speak what he wanted at the moment.

"Let's make a deal. You can speak anything you want about your boss and I will share what I think about him with you. Then we will keep this conversation a secret, okay?" Khushi asked hopeful that he would at least now utter a word, but to her disappointment he continued in his creepy silence, that even the soft breeze of the wind that lightly touched her face through her side of the window, was making a chill ran down her spine.

"I'll start okay," she cleared her throat to gain his attention, "So Amma and Nani met each other in a temple they frequent together, they became great friends and once I accompanied Amma to the temple. That's where Nani and her granddaughter, Anjali saw me first. They instantly liked me for their grandson/cousin, Akash. So they talked with my mother to ask me if I was interested in this proposal. Amma first informed the elders of our family and that's my Buaji and my Babu ji. They also liked Akash and had no problem with this proposal. Then Amma showed to me his picture. He's good looking guy.. I mean he's handsome but not more than my Salman Khan. Amma said he's hardworking too. He works in his family company, AR. I heard his elder brother, ASR is the owner of that company. Amma even made me talk over the phone with Nani and Anjali, and both assured me that Akash is a good man and he'll keep me happy always. You see.. I have no reason to decline such a good proposal but-"

The car came to an abrupt stop when Arnav pressed the brakes making Khushi stopped her talks, her mouth slightly open as she looked at him wide eyed mumbling to herself, "Ajeeb driver (Strange driver)."

She looked at her side of the window and was welcomed by the view of the beautiful mansion with landscape, Shantivan.

He got out of the car and walked around to reach her side and open the door for her.

When Khushi got out of the car and started walking towards the main door of the Shantivan, she realized Arnav is walking by her side.

She looked at him, "It's okay. You don't need to escort me till the door. I can manage!"

He didn't reply to her and continue to walk. Khushi followed him, looking at him weirdly.

************************************************************************

At the living room

Arnav and Khushi reached in the living room making Anjali, Nani and Mami turn their heads to their direction with confused expression plastered on their faces.

"Chote what happened? Why are you here with Khushi?"

"Why isn't she with you, Arnav bitwa?

"Hello hi bye bye. Where's my son Arnav bitwa?"

"Di come to my room. I need to talk with you," Arnav said sternly.

Khushi gasped, her eyes widened and her heart skipped a beat when she realized the man by her side is Akash's brother and not the driver she thought.

She looked at Arnav's side with the intention to apologize to him, but he already left from there ordering his sister to follow him.

Anjali smiled apologetically for having to leave to attend her brother and politely asked Khushi to sit with her Nani and Mami till she comes back from Arnav's room.

"Khushi bitiya.. come!" Nani called her smiling yet worried, "Tell me what happened?"

Khushi walked to sit beside Nani nervously thinking about Arnav, biting her nails, "Oh DM.. What did I do? I was complaining about Akash to his brother only. What he must be thinking of me? And what is he talking with Anjali? I'm sure.. they will turn down this marriage proposal now."

"Shit! Why didn't I just stay quiet that time?" Khushi shut her eyes tightly.

"Hello hi bye bye.. Speak something my soon to be daughter in law," Mami patted Khushi's shoulder bringing her back to earth.

"Woh.. Akash couldn't come to the restaurant to meet me. He had to help his friend buy earrings for a birthday party," Khushi explained with a small smile, "That's why he asked the driver.. I mean, his brother to pick me up and bring me here."

"What? How could he do this to you?" Nani frowned.

"Hello hi bye bye Sasuma! See how my son is such a good person. He helps everyone in need," Mami smiled emotionally.

Khushi faked a smile, nodding her head slightly.

"Nani can I go upstairs? I need to talk with Arnav," she asked after few seconds spent in awkward silence.

Nani nodded her head, "Sure bitiya."

When Khushi left, Mami looked at Nani with suspicious look, "Hello hi bye bye. What does she want to talk with Arnav bitwa privately? What is cooking between these two?"

"Why don't you ask your son who's that friend of his that he cancelled the meeting with Khushi bitiya to help her buy earrings?" Nani asked sarcastically.

************************************************************************

Arnav's room

"So you're telling me Akash cancelled his first meeting with Khushi to help Payal buy earrings for her friend's birthday party?" Anjali asked in disbelief.

Arnav sighed fuming in anger, "Di that's not important right now. Listen to me this girl is not the right one for Akash. She's ill mannered, impatient, spoilt brat and talkative. She's not the perfect match for Akash. I don't understand why you and Nani liked her for him."

"You're exaggerating Chote. She's nothing like you described. We know her more than you. You're judging her in just a driving-meeting of few minutes. And that too when she was angry for being ditched by Akash. Anyone in her place would feel bad if their soon to be partner give more importance to another girl than their first meeting. Stop defending your brother and think from her point of view too. She doesn't even know Akash well, so it's obvious she will feel bad with this act of your brother."

Arnav sighed. His sister managed to render him speechless.

"I also scolded him for leaving a girl in a restaurant waiting for him. But he said Payal really needed his help. I thought it was wrong to send the driver to pick her up, so I decided that I would pick her up myself and apologize on behalf of Akash," he said in low tone, "But she really got on my nerves when she started talking bad about Akash.. she called him heartless and ill mannered."

"I'm sure she doesn't mean it.. She said it out of anger only," Anjali said assuringly.

"She thought I was the driver Di!" Arnav stated angrily.

The door was open so Khushi knocked the door once to gain their attention.

"I'm really sorry," she said to Arnav meekly.

Arnav looked at her intently, then at Anjali, he gestured his sister to leave the room but Anjali wasn't sure to leave Khushi alone with him, he nodded assuring her that he wouldn't scold or talk bad with Khushi.

When Anjali left, Khushi took a step forward, gulping and fidgeting the ends of her duppata with her fingers nervously, "I thought you were the driver.. because Akash called me saying that the driver would pick me up from the restaurant.. I didn't know you were his brother. I'm sorry.. I really am."

"Where did we stop our conversation?" Arnav crossed his arms, still staring directly into her eyes intimidating Khushi.

"Our conversation? I thought I was talking alone," Khushi mumbled confused.

"You were saying you've no reason to turn down such a good proposal but.. but what?" Arnav asked, raising his brows questioningly.

"But.. nothing," Khushi bit her lips, shaking her head.

"Remember our deal? We will keep this conversation a secret," Arnav said huskily, walking past Khushi to close the door.

Mami, who was listening to their conversations secretly, quickly ran to hide herself behind the near pillar when she saw Arnav approaching the door. She leaned against the pillow, her eyes widened as she mumbled to herself, "Hello hi bye bye! Deal? Conversation? What's going on between these two?"

"Great.. The thing I could've even share with Amma, Babu ji and Buaji, I will have to share with Akash's brother, Arnav!" Khushi thought to herself, sighing with closed eyes momentarily.

"Khushi," he called her causing Khushi to feel goosebumps by his husky tone, "I'm waiting!" he took a seat on his green recliner and gestured Khushi to take a seat as well.

Khushi complied sitting on the edge of his bed, caressing her arms to ward off the strange sensation she felt throughout her body when he called her name.

"So what were you saying?" he asked again, raising his eyebrows waiting for her to say something.

"See I know all of you have good things to say about Akash. Even my family liked him for me. But.. I don't think he'll be a good husband for me," Khushi confessed, biting her lips nervous to share her feelings with Akash's brother.

"Why do you think so?"

"Before our families fixed our first meeting, we talked with each other over the phone few times. He always sound cold with me. And he seems not interested to talk with me or in this relation. I sent him pictures with good morning and good night wishes on WhatsApp and he doesn't even reply to me. He might be a good family man, hardworking, intelligent and all.. but if he behaves like this with me, then I don't like him," Khushi ended with a pout and a slight frown adorning her forehead.

"And why don't you turn down this proposal if you're not happy?" Arnav asked.

"I've no good reason to turn down this proposal," Khushi sighed sadly, then quickly composed herself realizing that she's talking with Akash's brother.

"You already told me the reason Khushi," Arnav said.

"Isn't it a stupid one?" Khushi asked sheepishly.

"So what? If you're not happy with this relation.. then you're not. No matter how much the stupid the reason is. Your consent is the most important thing."

"So.. you're saying that.. I should turn down this marriage proposal? I should reject your brother?" Khushi asked incredulously.

"No! I'm saying that instead of opening up with a strange driver in a car, you should learn how to take decisions for yourself. Amma, Babu ji and Buaji will get a good, hardworking and intelligent son in law, but you'll get a husband who behaves cold with you and doesn't reply to your good morning and good night messages. So you should be sure of your decision."

"We can't always be sure of our decisions. DM already has plans for us and we're living in uncertainty every minute of our lives!" Khushi spoke with a serious unintentionally turned out cute expression painted on her face.

"Okay. Let's say at least you've to be 90% sure of your decision and leave the 10% to your DM," Arnav said, unknowingly a small invisible to Khushi's eyes smile marked it's appearance on his lips.

Before Khushi could say anything, she heard Nani calling her.

She looked at the door direction hearing Nani's voice approaching the room, "I'll have to go. Nani is calling me."

She stood up from his bed, now turning her head to him, "You didn't reply anything when I apologized to you. So I'm saying sorry again. Yes, I was angry that time but that doesn't justify my wrong deeds too.. I misbehaved with you and I spoke bad about Akash too. I'm sorry!"

"It's okay. I'm sorry too. You had to hear bad things about yourself from the mouth of someone who just met you for few minutes in your life," he said, guilty for his words. That time he only acted like a brother, trying to defend his brother's deeds. It was Anjali who opened his eyes and made him understand Khushi's point of view in this situation.

Khushi smiled, blinking her eyes assuring that she wasn't angry with him.

She rushed to the door when Nani continuously called her, but stopped at the threshold when she remembered she had something else to you to him, she turned to his side, "And.. double thank you! First for being a silent ajeeb driver and letting me speak about my feelings to you and second for listening to me and advice me to take my own decisions, instead of telling me what decision I should take."

Arnav nodded his head.

"You're welcome toh bolo!" Khushi pouted.

Arnav rolled his eyes, getting up from the recliner, he headed towards the bathroom.

Khushi opened her mouth in a perfect 'O' shape, "He called me badtameez.. Look who's the badtameez here!"

************************************

Next day.

Akash walked out of the same restaurant he was supposed to meet Khushi, he headed towards the car and opened the car's door, getting inside with a low mood, making Arnav who had been waiting for him, stare at him with a knowing look, yet he pretended to be unaware of what happened inside the restaurant, "So what happened?"

"She turned down the marriage proposal," Akash said.

"Are you upset?" Arnav asked examining his brother's face.

"Naa," Akash shook his head slightly, checking messages on his phone.

"Then why this long face?" Arnav asked.

"Payal's little brother, Aansh is sick. Yesterday night he had fever and today they're taking him to the hospital. I should be there but I couldn't ditch Khushi for the second time otherwise Nani, Ma and Di would kill me sure. I'm just worried for Aansh," Akash explained.

"Akash you better ask yourself if Payal is your best friend or more than that," Arnav looked at him suspiciously, before looking ahead at the road and start the car.

"She's just my best friend Bhai!" Akash whined.

"Yeah right," Arnav rolled his eyes, "That's why you're not even a bit upset that Khushi refused to get married to you."

"Khushi is not the only woman left for me to get married in this world!"

"Go on and let Nani find another woman so that you abandon her also in a restaurant because Payal needs to buy earrings for a birthday party!" Arnav said sarcastically.

************************************

One week later.
8:05pm.

Khushi's heart skipped a beat when she received a message from Anjali with Arnav's number. She managed to get Arnav's number from Anjali by making an excuse that her friend is getting married and she needed to talk with Arnav personally the kind of designed bridal traditional dress she wanted for her marriage.

Khushi: Thanks Di!

Anjali: You're welcome :). You better message him what you want now. He's free now!

Khushi read that message of Anjali biting her nails thinking, nervous and embarrassed, "Did Di find out that I was lying about my friend? Or it is just my imagination? But why did she say 'what you want' instead of 'what my friend wants'? Oh DM.. If she realized that I want Arnav's number for me.. then this is so embarrassing. Please DM.. let it not be what I'm thinking. Let Di believe in my excuse please!"

She shook her head, getting back to earth as she decided to not explain anything else to Anjali otherwise it would look suspicious.

Khushi: Okay Di.

She typed quickly and ended the conversation, thinking about Anjali's last message. So, Arnav is free now and she should use this opportunity to talk to him.

She saved his number and opened her Whatsapp to send him a message. She gulped, not knowing what to write or how to initiate a conversation with him.

"Khushi you can do it.. You don't need to be shy.. Come on! He's the same man with whom you felt comfortable sharing your feelings with," she shut her eyes tightly convincing herself to send Arnav a message, holding the phone in her hands, half-laid on her bed.

Come on. Just do it. Send him whatever comes in your mind.

Khushi: Hi Arnav!
Khushi: Khushi here :). Remember me?

Khushi hit her own forehead when she sent the message taunting herself, "Stupid me! Like seriously.. remember me? You're not any super model that he'll remember you after one week."

"DM.. Why is he taking time to reply? I shouldn't have mess- He replied. Yes.. Yes! He replied!" she sat straight on her bed excitedly staring at her phone screen where Arnav's reply was displayed.

Arnav: Hi Khushi!
Arnav: I'm lucky someone has decided to waste her diamond worth time to talk with me 😉

Khushi giggled reading his message for the third time. He didn't forgot her! Her heart warmed at the realization.

Khushi: Naa.. I'm lucky that someone has time to reply to my message 😜. Di told me you're a busy man.

Arnav: That I am.

Khushi: Hmm.. Are you so busy that you're going to turn down the invitation to go out to lunch with me?

Khushi waited for the reply eagerly.

Arnav: When do you want to go?

Khushi smiled widely.

Khushi: Tomorrow. Is it okay for you?

Arnav: Done. Send me your house address. I'll come to pick you up.

Khushi: Ask Di or Nani 😂.

Arnav: What the.. Why?

Khushi: I had to cook up a story to Di to get your number. Now it's your time 😉.

Arnav: Okay 🙄

Khushi: See you tomorrow then.. That is only if you find my house address 😂.

Arnav: It's not a big deal for me to find your house. See you tomorrow 😘.

Khushi blushed deeply. "Okay.. It's just an emoji.. Control yourself Khushi."

************************************

Shantivan.

Arnav descended the stairs, heading to the living room as he knew the ladies must be watching their favorite daily soaps at this time.
He reached and stood behind the sofa, with a serious expression plastered on his face, "Nani."

Nani looked at him, "Chote? What happened?"

Arnav cleared his throat feeling awkward as the ladies of his house shifted their attention to him, "I need Khushi's house address."

Anjali smiled mischievously, "Why Chote?"

"That's none of your business Di!" Arnav forced a sweet smile to her.

Anjali pouted.

"But I will give you her house address only if you tell me what you want from her?" Nani asked smiling.

"Nani if you want me to get married, then give me her house address," Arnav said kind of emotionally blackmailing her into giving him Khushi's house address.

Nani and Anjali looked at each and squealed in happiness while Mami fumed in anger.

"Hello hi bye bye! I knew it. Arnav bitwa stole my Akash bitwa's bride."

Seeing their reaction, Arnav smile a little, feeling little shy and awkward that he actually voiced out his feelings to his Nani, Mami and Di.

The End.