Khushi Pov

I saw him opening his mouth to tell about him. If I was like earlier I would've asked about it eagerly. But now I changed, I don't want to concentrate on others than Arnav that too on his birthday.

Travelling on the pricking thorns I reached here. Reached the place where I can easily put behind my past and willingly reaching out for future. As looking back I can only conclude myself as a stupid women. Uff..

"How did you come up with  engagement idea? And when did you bought the ring?" Asked he breaking my monologue.

I looked up at him "Do you think I'll feel happy after seeing the photos in the wall when it was screaming the reality at my face?" His eyes flinched.

"So are you going to remove it and replace new one's now?"

I shook my head in denial "I learnt the life hard way through my attitude. I learnt to read a person in twisted way and I want to keep it that way. That photos always show me the dark side of my life and the imperfections  screams perfection of your Love. I want to adore your love. So let's keep that way"

He shook his head "You always thinks in twisted way. Don't get hurt willingly"

I nodded accepting his genuine care.

"Shall we go back now? I have a meeting at 10. A.m" Asked he dropping the bomb on my plans.

I pouted in dismay. True that I didn't planned anything big as I don't have time. But can't we just enjoy in silence.

"Arnav why don't you postpone it" I requested him hoping to get more time with him.

"I can't Khushi. It's important, trust me I was more than desperate to spend some time with you. But for that I can't neglect my office works. It's about upcoming fashion week" He explained hard with worry, maybe he doesn't want to hurt my wishes.

"It's ok. I can understand. But after that you should not look after office works other than me" I ordered him pointing my index finger at him placing stone in my heart. I couldn't even made his day special.

"Okkkk..." 

And then his lips came fused with mine unexpectedly. Closing my eyes, I threaded my fingers at his soft shiny hairs accepting him. It become normal for us now. We came long away!!!

Breaking the fusion of lips he laid his forehead against mine panting heavily giving competition to my breathing "You didn't answer me still. How and when did you bought the ring?"

"Yesterday night, after departing from our home. That's a pure luck, only one shop is opened and I bought it in hurry. You like.. it?" I asked reluctantly.

"No..." My face lost it's colour.

"I love it" He finished after a brief silence.

Beamed at him I kissed the day lights of him. My first gift was loved by him and moreover the ring will be forever with him unlike other materialistic things.

"Oh.. Khushi.. what was the that?" He asked in excitement.

"For loving my gift" I winked at him in return.

The calm, excited eyes of his suddenly twinkled with mischief. Something is brewing up in his brain.

"Then what was the gift for loving you?"

So this is what he brewed up.

Sitting on my knees infront of him, I wrapped my arms around his nape.

"I am loving you, do you need more gift than this?"

For sure he was astounded by my answer and I welcome that.

Placing my lips on his forehead, I kept it lingering there for long than required. His forehead beneath my lips turned warmer than usual like mine in his proximity.

His arms wounded around my waist pulling me towards him. As a result, I felt his breath against my throat down. I shuddered when his each hot breath hit my sensitive skin.

"Khushi..."

I wiggled when he nuzzled the place where his nose tip resides against my skin.

"Hmm..."

"Sorry Jaan. We've to go now" He whispered breaking my trance.

Not having the heart to part away, I soundly kissed his cheeks before stood on my feet. I averted my eyes not able to look into his eyes as a strange uneasiness settled in. We crossed all the hurdles, aren't we? Then why the heck I am feeling restless now.

My chin was lifted. He gazed my eyes poring into my soul.

"What happened?"

As if the pistol released from the pressure I crashed against him circling my arms around his waist.

"I don't know Arnav. Something is not right. I.. I feel some uneasiness"

His palms rocked my back up and forth trying to soothe me.

"Everything is alright. There's nothing to worry" He assured me though the uneasiness still remained at a corner of my heart.

Arnav Pov

I don't know why she feel uneasiness. Is it because of not celebrating my birthday according to her wish? If not for my meeting I would've spend my time with her. Hell, only I know what I feel by the mere thought of leaving her for meeting after hearing her confession. After lot of self struggle between my mind and heart I decided to attend the meeting. But here she's feeling bad. Hope I had the power to postpone the meeting, but alas the show was nearing and we'll be able to finish it only if we start now.

"Come.." I guided her down the hills and safely made her sit on passenger seat.

Taking my seat behind the wheels, I carefully accelerated the engine out of the small path.

"How did you reach here at night?" I asked suddenly getting reminded of it.

"Booked a taxi" She replied in a small voice.

"How could you dammit? What was the need to travel in taxi at night? Don't you know it's totally unsafe for a girl to travel in midnight? I never expected this type of behaviour from you" I yelled at her in concern. How could she trust a mere driver at middle of the night? What if something bad happened? The way to hills was not crowded too. Damn it.

"I know how to safeguard myself. I learned tricks after that... that incident" She raised her voice.

I calmed my nerves satisfied by her answer, I know she's a strong girl. She'll fight for herself. But the possessiveness and the fear in me want an assurance from her.

"Be careful henceforth"

Sh nodded coiling her arms around my left elbow placing her head on my shoulder. Life could not be perfect more than this!

Parking the car I helped her to come down and we reached our flat in few minutes. Her eyes darted to the opposite flat before came still at our door.

I pushed open the door as already I called Maria to clean the house. Before I could step in she held my arms stopping me.

"Arnav wait let us enter by placing our right foot. Do you remember, when we first came here you said this is my house. Now I want to rephrase that sentence. This is Our home. I want us to enter here wholeheartedly, looking forward our future"

Do I need to argue after this? Slipping out of my shoes, I waited for her to come barefoot. When she was ready I held her palms in mine tightly.

Together we step inside our home placing our right foot accepting the new path of our life crossing all the hurdles in our way.

As soon as we stepped in I was stumbled back with the force of someone's hug.

"Arnieeee... I missed you" A smile bloomed on my face.

"Annika"

"Thank god, at last you remembered me" She feigned a sad face breaking the hug.

"Badamaaz.." I raised my eyes to see mom coming to us with a Aarthi thal and her trademark smile.

I took my foot forward to hug her, she stopped me from doing so eyeing the Aarthi plate "Mom.."

"When did you guys arrived? No one said anything to me" I asked in surprise.

"There is a word called surprise in dictionary my son" I saw dad joining us.

"Dad I was truly surprised" I exclaimed in joy. Fearing on khushi's reaction I almost forgot my birthday. Lest I'll remember my family never leave me alone on my birthday. Wherever I was they will always fly down or I'll fly back to home. Not a single birthday I celebrated without them.

"Haan Haan. Why not it'll be a surprise for you when you almost forget us enjoying your honeymoon here" I sighed at Annika teasing. There she goes all on her self. Just few seconds before she almost choked me to death with her hug and refused to leave my arm and now she was back to her mood.

"Chup Anika. Khushi beta come stand beside him" Mom told her and I eyed her to come beside me.

She nodded in denial "Maa today is his day. Do Aarthi for him, I want him to live long with your blessings" She said with a beaming smile. My chest swell in pride seeing her love.

Mom shared a quick hug with her before circling the thali. When mom raised her finger to apply Tilak, Anika jumped forward stopping her midway. I frowned at her and saw everyone wore the same expression as mine.

Anika come forward and stood infront of me. Raising on her toes she inspected something.

Next minute she squealed "Mom your son already celebrated his birthday. All your plans went vain" 

I frowned and realised next minute when she wiped off the lipstick from my forehead. Shit! I was damn embarassed and from corner of my eyes I captured Khushi reaction who stood examining the floor keenly biting her lower lips.

"Annika..." Mom eyed her sternly and Anika zipped her lips with a pout.

"Arnie today no office, no calls, no meetings" Mom ordered snatching my mobile which I took out from my trouser pocket to see the time.

I looked at her wide eyes "But mom..."

"No means no. This time we have khushi with us, the celebrations would be doubled" She declared strictly.

I tried to put my puppy face which always works on her. Being clever she averted her eyes and eyed my dad.

"Your Mom is right.. " Started dad and I cut him off knowing where the conversation was going.

"Ok I am not going to office and no office calls, happy"

Mom came forward pinching my cheeks fondly "That's like my boy" I smiled like a school boy who was getting praised for his achievements. It was always a delight to enjoy the warmth of parents especially Mom.

Hugging her I felt someone eyes on me. Travelling my lids I found out khushi's shocked face. Why was she shocked now? Racking my brain I hissed inwardly. When she asked me to postpone the meeting I denied her saying it's important. But now I agreed to Mom's wishes. Is she angry with me now? God, don't make her to think negatively.

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