Part 47 Reason

Khushi found herself puzzled. Why did Arnav reject the offer? Was he not interested in doing the ad with her? She decided to call APT PR Santosh for some answers. He answered her call promptly.

"Did ASR agree to act, ma'am?" he asked curiously.

"Did you inform him that I agreed to act with him?" she asked to confirm whether Arnav knew it.

"Of course, I did, ma'am," Santosh confirmed.

Khushi was baffled. Santosh had told Arnav that she agreed to act with him, yet he still didn't agree. She felt disappointed and disconnected the call. She couldn't abandon the sandwich preparation despite wanting to know the reason for his refusal. So she proceeded with it.

The children happily gathered in the dining area to enjoy the sandwiches prepared by Khushi. Arnav took a seat alongside them. She served everyone, including Arnav, and tried to avoid looking at him.

"Khushi Didi, this sandwich is amazing," Aarav exclaimed, raising his hand in approval while taking another bite.

"Thank you, sweetie," Khushi responded cheerfully.

"We love the sandwiches. We're lucky to have someone at home who prepares them so well. Hai na?" Shali asked Shamli.

"Haan, will you make them for us often?" Shamli asked eagerly.

"Sure, baby. I'll definitely make them if you like it," Khushi assured.

"But Dad doesn't like sandwiches; he prefers pancakes," Aarav added.

"Who said I don't like sandwiches? Of course, I like pancakes a lot, but that doesn't mean I don't like sandwiches. I do like sandwiches, and Khushi's sandwich tastes great," Arnav stated as he took a bite.

Khushi glanced at him, and he smiled back at her. Although Khushi reciprocated with a smile, it felt forced, and Arnav noticed it.

"Khushi Didi, will you make this again tomorrow?" Aarav inquired.

"I'll definitely make it again, but not tomorrow. We shouldn't eat it repeatedly... Okay?" She asked politely.

"Mmm..." Aarav nodded in agreement.

"Good boy..." Khushi said, gently caressing his hair.

Arnav sensed Khushi was upset because she avoided looking at him. He had a hunch about the reason, but he wasn't entirely sure if he was right.

After breakfast, the kids were about to head to their room when they heard Khushi announce, "Guys, we're going to an exhibition this evening. Get ready!"

"Yay!" The kids exclaimed with joy, while Arnav looked at her in surprise.

"We're going to the exhibition..." They hugged Khushi.

"Exhibition?" Arnav asked, with a furrowed brow.

Khushi nodded.

"There will be a lot of people there..." Arnav said as if she didn't know about it.

"Of course, it's an exhibition..." She simply said.

"It's not safe to take the kids there," Arnav said.

"Chotte, the exhibition is for children, not adults," Nani said.

"Don't worry, I'll take care of them," Khushi said confidently.

"How will you manage them on your own?" Arnav asked restlessly.

"I will... because they are good children," Khushi said, looking at the kids with pride.

"No, I can't allow you to take them there."

"Arnav, when Khushi is confident about it, why are you bothering? Let them go" Dadi gave her supporting hand to them.

"No, Dadi...I can't... kids, we will go later, ok?"

Khushi looked at the disappointed faces of the children. She felt bad for making them disappointed.

"I'm sorry, Arnavji, but I'm taking the children to the exhibition. If you're so concerned about them..."

Cutting her off, Arnav replied,

"Yes, of course, I am concerned about them."

"Then you should join us too." She folded her hands.

"What? Me?" Arnav was almost jerked.

Khushi nodded,

"That's right."

"That's impossible... Me at an exhibition? Ridiculous..."

Khushi looked at the kids, disappointed, as they went to their room, feeling distraught.

"Why should I take them, Arnavji?"

"Khushi I told you..."

"Arnavji, they are kids. They would like to visit joy-filled places..."

"We will take them to Disney Land in their summer holidays"

"You will take them to Disney land and of course, to the space too... We are on leave. We will be busy if we start going to the office. I just thought to use it useful with kids. They will expect it from us..."

"They never expected it from me..."

Cutting him,

"It's because they knew you... they knew you wouldn't take them to the simple places. That's why they would not have expected it from you but my story is different. They would surely expect something NEW from me. They would have heard stories about the exhibition from their class friends. They too would like to visit such places. I just thought not to disappoint them. I don't think you will understand their simple desires..."

She went to the kitchen. Arnav rolled his eyes. He sighed and followed her.

Nani and Dadi exchanged smiles.

Khushi cleaned the grill with tissues.

"Are you upset with me?" Arnav asked.

Khushi looked at him and shook her head from left to right.

"Khushi, the exhibition will be crowded. I'm allergic to crowds..." he said making a weird face.

Khushi turned her face opposite to him and suppressed a smile.

"Oh, really? I didn't know that." She said managing herself.

"Ok... If you want to take the kids to the exhibition, Aman will take them." He tried to compromise her.

"No need, Arnavji. Forget it." She said making a face.

"All right, we'll take them... Happy now?"

"But you're allergic to crowds." She asked making a sad face.

"That's fine..."

"You've never been in a crowd before?" She asked with concern.

Arnav nodded no.

"If you have never been in the crowd, how will you manage then?" Her expression was the same.

"What do you mean?" He frowned.

"What if you get lost there?" She asked, barely containing her laughter.

"No no... I won't..." Arnav said, not realizing she was teasing him.

He caught on and looked at Khushi, who was stifling laughter. He rolled his eyes, understanding her.

Khushi burst out laughing and Arnav smiled biting his lip, raising his brows. Arnav was supposed to leave the kitchen, but stopped when he heard,

"I heard you refused to act in the Jewelry Ad with me," Khushi asked, could not hold herself.

Arnav looked at her, turning around.

"I refused to act in the Ads, not with you." He cleared.

"May I know why you refused the offer?"

"I didn't like the concept." He said plainly.

"What concept?" Khushi asked as she didn't know the concept.

"You are upset with me and I give you a jewellery set. You immediately forget the issue and become happy. What kind of concept is this? Rubbish..." he frowned.

"It's their Ad, so they try to glorify their product..." Khushi found a reason in the concept.

"Khushi, is this a way to promote their brand?"

Khushi folded her hands.

"Ok, fine. They can do it, but I don't want us to appear in it."

"But why?"

"This Ad makes you look silly... I can't let my wife's image down..."

Khushi smiled. She liked his concern.

"You could have told him the reason"

"Why should I? It's not my concern. This is their Ad. They can make as they wish..."

"It's just an Ad Arnavji. Why are you taking it so seriously?"

"Getting consoled for a mere jewelry set is not YOU. I don't want people to see you in that way. That\s why I denied" he said and he left the kitchen, leaving Khushi overwhelmed.

To be continued...