Part 27

Khushi opened her eyes from her sleep and stretched her body. She stopped in the same position when her eyes fell on Arnav who was sleeping on the couch. She was surprised. His neck was tilted in an uncomfortable position. She understood that what made him come here. A lovable smile crept on her lips. She didn't get angry with him for staying in the same room, don't know why. He is a man of respect. He impresses her unknowingly.

That's when Arnav woke up from his sleep.

Arnav: Khushi, are you ok?

Khushi(nodded yes): Ji.

She got up from the bed and Arnav hurried to help her but she stopped him by showing her palm which made Arnav rooted in the same place. He thought that "Again BETHAL on the Tree".

Arnav: I just thought to help you. ( he cleared his stance)

Khushi: you should not touch me before I take a bath. (she told without looking into his face with hell hesitation.)

Arnav(confusingly): But why?

Khushi: it's a custom which I'm following for years.

Arnav(frowning): come on Khushi. We are in the twenty-first century. Still, you are following this kind of customs?

Khushi: We are in the twenty-first century, so can you call Mom as Dad? ( Arnav rolled his eyes) I was raised in that practice and I'll continue to follow it.

She started removing the bedspread and pillow cover to wash.

Arnav: Unbelievable. He said unbelievably.

Khushi: That's why I am saying, choose someone who's in your lifestyle. I will not fit into it.

Arnav: Let me fit into your lifestyle if you are not fit for mine then.

Khushi looked at him bamboozled.

Arnav: will you follow this after Marriage too?

Khushi: Mmm.

Arnav: How many days we should follow these things?

Khushi: Not "we" it's only me. In those days I will sleep alone

Arnav( shocked): what?

Khushi nodded yes.

Arnav: what will you do if I join you in midnights? He asked inflow.

Khushi(in the same flow): Then you should also take bath before touching anything.

Arnav: I'm ready to bath ten times instead of sleeping alone.

Khushi chuckled and got rooted. Her eyes popped out terribly. What the hell they are talking about? She closed her eyes and in no time she rushed inside the washroom closing the door behind. Arnav's state was also not less than Khushi. Doesn't she look comfortable with him? He smiled biting his lips. He came to his room all the way smiling thinking about that "imaginary days".

After that DISCUSSION Arnav didn't get a single glimpse of Khushi. He knows she was avoiding coming in front of him. She should have feeling embarrassment in facing him. But he wants to know what did she have her medicine or not. He called HP.

Arnav: Ask Khushi to attend the call.

HP: Jee.

Hp nodded and left to Khushi's room to convey the message. He dialed to his own landline from his mobile.

HP: Khushiji call for you. please attend it.

Khushi thought it was from Buaji. She lifts the receiver excitedly.

Khushi: Hello Buaji...

Arnav(cutting her): Are you ok?

Khushi was stuck hearing Arnav's voice.

Arnav: How are you feeling now?

What he is asking about? She remembered about their morning talks and she was embarrassed. It was not so hard for Arnav to find her state of mind from her silence.

Arnav: I mean... no pain right?

Khushi: Jee. I'm fine.

Arnav: Have you eaten the medicine?

Khushi: I will have it after breakfast.

Arnav(frustrated): Didn't you eat anything yet? What the.... Why are you so careless Khushi? Didn't the doctor insist you to take medicine on time? I'm sending your breakfast now. I won't leave to office until you finish it.

He cut the call didn't wait for her reply and shouted "Hari Prakaaaash" Which Khushi heard from her room.

In a few minutes Khushi finished her breakfast and also had her medicine. She saw him leaving RM after that. She smiled nodding NO. Suddenly her face drained thinking the reality.

In the evening.

Aman and Sara visited to RM. Khushi was happy to see Sara here. Obviously she liked Sara very much. But she got confused seeing Aman with her.

Sara: How are you feeling now Khushi?

Khushi: Too good because of you.

Sara: Not because of me it's because of Arnav. If he didn't bring you to my clinic then how could I cure you?

Khushi nodded yes bowing.

Sara: He is my son Aman.

Khushi's shocked hearing this. Sara and Aman also understood it from her expression.

Sara: No need to be shocked. He always stays with Arnav more than me. So, only very close people knows that he is my son. Most wanted piece he is. ( she laughed and Khushi joined with her)

Aman felt bad for Arnav to miss this smile on Khushi's face unaware of that he already was admiring it from the door step. Khushi stopped her smile seeing Arnav's admiration on her. Her changed expression made Aman and Sara looked at the direction where Arnav was standing.

Arnav: Hi Buddy, Hello aunty, How are you?

Sara: Thank God. At least now you felt to ask that unlike yesterday.

Arnav and Khushi both felt suffocated in the thought of yesterday's memories.

Arnav(composing): I was ..just ( he stammered)

Sara: I just am kidding. I can understand Arnav.

Arnav badly wanted to take bath. But he was not sure whether Khushi will stay here or not after Sara leaves. Who knows, she may hide inside the room again like she did in the morning. So he ignored his uneasiness and stayed there with them.

Khushi: I will bring you something.

She supposed to get up, Aman stopped her.

Aman: Khushi you just be with Mom. I will ask HP to make it for us. ( saying he went to the kitchen, didn't wait for her reply)

Sara: Khushi... Stop roaming unnecessarily. Ok?

Khushi: I'm getting bored aunty. How long can I sit like this?

Sara: But it's better than being like a prawn on the bed right? (Khushi looked at her shockingly.) Do you know how restless Arnav was when he said that to me? (Arnav faced tough time to be expressionless) sometimes rest is "must" and definitely a patient has no other choice.

Khushi(shockingly): what? patient?

Sara(chuckled): If you are under medication then obviously you are a patient. Ok, tell me do you take your medicine?

Khushi: JI.

Sara: Hope you got good sleep last night.

Khushi looked at Arnav swiftly. How could she say, she had that much good sleep that she didn't even know a guy also was sleeping with her in the same room? Arnav also looked lost. Sara shook Khushi to bring her out of her thought. Sara sensed something interesting should have happened.

Sara(purposely): Where were you lost Khushi? I asked you something.

Khushi: I had very good sleep like never before.

Arnav knew she is saying the truth. If she didn't get good sleep then she would not have allowed him to sleep in her room. A soft chuckle broke in his throat.

Aman himself brought snacks for them and HP brought tea. They started having it.

Arnav: Aunty I think to do a full general check up for Khushi.

Khushi didn't expect this. she was about to say something

Sara: Sure. I too want to suggest the same.

Khushi: But aunty, it's not necessary.

Arnav: Doesn't a doctor know what is necessary and what is not?(he said calmly but sternly)

Sara: Arnav is right. Doing medical checkup never can be unnecessary. (looking at Arnav) Send Khushi to the clinic after two days. I will do the entire tests.

Arnav: Sure.

After some general talks Sara and Aman took them leave.

Khushi: what's necessary?

Arnav: It is. I don't want to see you suffering lifelong Khushi.

Though he said LIFELONG but it's not irritating her instead she felt something different. She was feeling like It would have been nice if that unwanted engagement had not happened. She was stuck about her own thought. Really? From where this kind of thought came? Hey Devi Maiya, why are you making me weaker?

To be continued....