Arnav Pov

I couldn't believe the fact that she wished me good morning, Indeed it was a good start of the morning. My wife for first time wished me without any pressure.

Drowning in her new behaviour I forget to wish her back. Damn! 

And for the first time, she asked me something, to be away from here. Tagging me along with her itself a big change in her, I should fulfil it. If she was willing to change herself on that time being then what more I want? Love will not be gained easily, some adjustments and sacrifices should be done. Nothing will change if I sacrifice my few days with my family if she is willing to take forward this relationship. Even she left her family...Already I can feel little change in her, so fulfilling her wish will not be bad.

Determined I wiped out the remaining water from my face and got ready in jet speed. It's surprising to see her woke up early and not in the room. As far as I remember her earlier behaviour she'll not go downstairs unless it is needed. Her family is here maybe that's why this change. Or her mind was clear from confusions after yesterday fight. Is that be the reason?

Musing all the possibilities I descended the stairs, noticing everyone absence my feet automatically took a right turn towards the pooja room.

Like I guessed everyone was there, she too. Standing there with aarthi thaali as a bahu of the house, it gave me a proud feeling. If only everything was fine between us...

As soon as garima aunty spotted me she shouted turning everyone attention on me.

She asked me to fill khushi forehead with vermillion. I would glad to do that but what if she dislikes. Moreover surrounding with the family I cannot back out and I guess she too can't.

Gauging her expressions I stepped forward filling her partition. My heart swell with pride when her features screamed my right over her even though she denies it. Her closed eyes screamed her acceptance towards me. 

On the insistence of mom, we both together circled the pooja plate doing aarathi for first time as a couple. We were standing close to each other after that terrible fight, she was lost somewhere. When I murmured to distribute the prasad she snapped out of her dreamland.

After handing every one share of their prasad to them she came to me at last. Without delay, I extended my hands. The next instant I saw meera holding her arms and raising it towards my mouth. I did not expect this but nonetheless, I didn't show outside. I opened my mouth not wanting to make them embarrassed. At last minute meera withdraw her hands making khushi to feed me. Meera is trying hard to make us close, hope one day her wish fulfils.

Chewing the prasad I took my foot back to move from there only to stood back by a sudden intrusion which was none other than annika. She raised my arms to khushi mouth like meera did, maybe they both planned this. Unlike meera annika didn't withdraw her hand back. She'll not, I know. She's one naughty bubbly girl unlike meera. 

And true to her nature, she chirped making everyone smile even my kaddoos wife too. I think she didn't realize that.

After breakfast, I announced my relocation to goa. Mom and dad were shocked while my eyes fixed on khushi. I am doing all this for her, I want to see her happy at least now. But it didn't happen. She was lost in some other world, maybe siddharth... Even thinking his name I feel like to choke his throat. But it is not his fault if khushi loves him because I was not even there in her life then.

I should thank God for giving me a sister like annika. Sometimes her habits annoy me but at the end of the day, she is my sister, my cute doll. Once again she helped me bringing her bhabhi out of her lala land saying I scared khushi and asking me to take her with me.

I confirmed khushi too accompany me and this time I got the desired expression from her. She understood why I choose this, she has to know why I am doing this for her. At least she'll not give me false hope in future.

Dad asked me when am starting though I can feel his disappointment, even mom too. They didn't show anything but who else knows them better than me. They'll not like this, but I have to do it. Do it for my future and I was sure they'll support me if it was my wish. Have big task in hand..Mentally calculating the plan I followed them both to their room while khushi spent her time with her family.

"Mom, Dad..Are you upset with my decision?" I asked taking their palms in mine while they sat on the bed.

Mom nodded while dad sighed started answering "We were disappointed but we too understand, in the business world nothing is permanent. Innovation, expansion, creation is needed if we want to sustain in the competitive market. You're newly married, you may want to spend quality time with your new companion. Looking into Khushi's actions it's needed too. You two need space to sort out your problems"

Mom continued intervening dad "Arnie, I know you're disturbed about something and that something related to khushi..." I raised my eyes in shock, how does she know?

"I am your mother Arnie. A mother knows when her child is happy and when not? Something is keeping you both away and you want to solve the differences. That's why this sudden work, Am I correct?" I could only nod, already I feel half of my load was taken off from my shoulders.

"We always want your happiness. I trust my son, he can handle anything. I am sure while returning you two will be one soul, two bodies" Mom hugged me. Smiling I extend my other hand for dad to join.

"Meeee......" Not again...Annika jumped on my back hugging all them at the same time crushing me in-between.

"Glad, I will be escaped from her craziness" I said shrugging her from my back.

"Haan...Haan..I'll see. You're gonna miss me" She stuck her tongue out.

"In your dreams" I purposely teased her knowing I will miss her and her antics more than she knows.

"Daddy..." She whined like a kid earning everyone's chuckle. Oh God, I am gonna miss this...

Excusing from them I went to the office, the whole day my time was spent on winding up my current project.

Night after dining with family, entering our room I asked what I want to ask from her morning "Are you happy?" She nodded accepting being happy and her next statement rooted me to the spot.

She suggested me to sleep in bed, wow..What a change? Indeed it was a good change and it strengthens my determination when she said we can share bed and recliner on alternate days.

Maybe away from homeland will not be a bad decision, I mused.

Seeing her caring me for the first time I slept in no time.

Next day morning also she wished me, life was indeed changing. When I reached office the first file came to my table was of siddharth. His complete bio-data from birth to death was detailed in that. I clearly remember how I ordered aman to find the siddharth whom khushi loved first. Her college name was mentioned on her marksheets which I came across accidentally on my stay at gupta house. I want to find siddharth intentions before digging over the current siddharth matter. Like I wished here is the report.

Leaning back in my chair, I muddled over the given details. Siddharth sharma, single kid to his parents born and brought up in mumbai. He grows as a genuine, energetic man with a charming personality which attracts most of the girls. One of the girl was khushi and fortunately, he too fell on her charms. More than her personality her beauty attracted him. They both studied in same class and only they both are singles in that class. That distinct itself made them pair up. Due to family pressure on marrying him with another girl, siddharth decides to marry khushi. On the marriage he lost his life. There was no such bad mark or intention on his motives.

I couldn't decipher siddharth love is true or not. Only he has answers, if he's alive then I may get answers or else it will be secret always...

Sighing I ordered aman to collect personal details on the journalist.

Suddenly dad barged into the room, I stood up and met him halfway "Arnav, I think you should hurry up your travel" He said taking his seat.

I scrunched my eyes in confusion "Why?"

"Sooner you return back from there that would be better for our company. You know every year our participation in world fashion fest was important. We have six months in hand, your presence is needed for our company. It would be easy to work from the main office, you got what I mean"

I nodded hearing his reason, from past three years I was handling those fests. Dad slowly started withdrawing from the business. I cannot overlook the business for my personal issues. So I decided to wrap all the works in one week and informed the same to khushi.

Khushi...Still a puzzle for me. A puzzle has six months time to solve.

I wind up all the work in a week and in this whole week she spent her time with her family owing to the fact of settling away from homeland. She didn't call me in this week. I too didn't want to disturb her though I missed her.

Today we're flying to goa. Still few works are pending. Quickly finishing it, I remembered I didn't pack my bags. Till date, mom always does that so it slipped out of my mind. Hurriedly entering the room, I dumped all the clothes, things in a trolley.

From nowhere khushi snatched it with right and started arranging neatly in my bag. That was surely not her habit. I saw her after a whole week. Yesterday itself she came, but I was immersed in my work to notice her.

Rejoicing in her habit I stood there with a smile playing on my lips which turned into anger when she unnecessarily points at wife's duty which I clearly didn't expect from her. When did I treat her like a slave? I always give respect to her feelings. I act according to her wish inspite of my hurt. What else she wants?

Angrily arguing with her I left the room. Only after few seconds, I realised she'll be struggling to get her trolley down. Turning my path I realised I was indeed correct. She was on top of the stairs struggling with the trolley.

Throwing my hurt in the form of sweet coated words I helped her to stand when she slips.

She thanked me, that was the thing I least expected from her.

And I need to thank annika for her unknown support. By one or other way she's making khushi flush with her teasings. I would miss this. Today she told what I cannot tell directly to khushi. She does not need to thank me.

Finally, bidding bye to everyone we started for airport.

After check-in, we took the seat beside each other. These days she is so much to herself, her face always carries confusion. I am sure that siddharth would be the centre of her confusion. And her confusion is slowly rubbing on me too.

One thing is clear, siddharth is dead. But how does that will favour or affect my future? Being shrewd in business doesn't help me in personal.

Sighing I made her comfortable sensing her discomfort though I maintained my distance. Henceforth I'll never let my fingers touch her unnecessarily. She herself hugged my arms and put her head on my shoulder. I felt heaven. A new feeling rush through my veins. A new sense of responsibility seeped in.

She is mine, I am hers..., How good!

Sighing I closed my eyes waiting to know what future beholds for us...

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