Part 31 Firm in Decision

Khushi looked at Arnav in extreme shock. He had just proposed to her—he wanted to marry her. The man she respected more than anyone else had asked for her hand in marriage. She never expected this, and she didn't know how to react. Stumbling a bit, she stood before him, entirely at a loss for words.

Without saying anything, she rushed out of his room. Arnav gulped hard; he understood that she might have been nervous, which was apparent. Arnav didn't doubt that Khushi would not have expected such a proposal from him.

Arnav was correct: Khushi was incredibly nervous. Her mind felt scrambled and overwhelmed. Marriage? How could she even consider it? Didn't Arnav know what had happened in her life? Why would he think of marrying her? Was it for Aashi? She knew he cared for Aashi, but would he seriously propose to her for that reason? She couldn't come to any conclusion.

Meanwhile, Aashi finished her homework and put away her books before leaving the room.

"Aashi, where are you going?" Khushi asked.

"I'm going to Dad," Aashi replied casually, causing Khushi's stomach to churn.

One thing was clear: Aashi was firm in her feelings. She would not stop calling Arnav 'Dad'. Aashi would resent anyone who tried to keep her away from him.

"Aashi, wait, let me trim your hair"

"Noooo..." Aashi ran faster, making Khushi sigh.

.........

Arnav was leaning against the recliner, deep in thought about Khushi. He had expressed his interest in her but was uncertain about her answer. She didn't honestly know who he was or his role in her life. He wanted to share the whole truth with her, believing he could do so after she accepted his proposal and before their wedding. He was confident that Khushi would take him for Aashi if not for herself.

A mix of excitement and concern filled his thoughts. What if Khushi didn't embrace his proposal? What if she left RM, not wanting to give him a chance? The idea of her leaving RM killed him. Deep down, Arnav knew he couldn't imagine his life without her. He envisioned a beautiful future together, filled with love and happiness. His heart raced with anticipation as he realised how much he truly wanted to share his life with her, making every moment count.

As he contemplated his thoughts, tiny palms gently closed his eyes. A smile spread across his face, and he felt content.

"Who is that?" Arnav asked, reaching up to touch the small hands covering his eyes.

Aashi stifled a laugh.

"Who could it be? It can't be my mom because she wouldn't cover my eyes like this. So who is it? Could it be Hariprakash?" Arnav murmured.

Aashi stepped into view, laughing.

"You could not find me!"

Arnav smiled and nodded in agreement.

"But I'll find you next time," he challenged playfully.

"How will you do that?" Aashi inquired.

"I didn't know you would close my eyes so I couldn't guess," he replied with a grin.

"What would you do if I made Mom close your eyes?" Aashi teased.

Arnav was momentarily speechless. He wanted to say,

"I would be the happiest person in the world," but he smiled instead.

That was when they heard Khushi calling out to Aashi.

"Aashiiii..."

Aashi turned to Arnav, placing her index finger on her lips.

"Shhh..."

Arnav raised an eyebrow, surprised.

"What?" he asked quietly.

"Aashiiii... Are you coming or not?" Khushi called from outside, deliberately not entering.

Arnav realised she wanted to avoid their conversation.

"Khushi..." he called back.

With a deep breath, she stepped inside.

"Aashi, come here..."

"Noooo..."

"Aashu, if Mom calls you, you need to listen." Arnav adviced.

"But I want long hair," she insisted, pouting.

"Long hair?" He glanced at Khushi, frowning.

"She's going to trim my hair," Aashi complained.

Arnav raised an eyebrow.

"Don't you want to trim it?"

"No! I want long hair just like Mom."

He couldn't help but take a moment to admire Khushi's hair.

"Isn't her hair beautiful?" Aashi asked.

Arnav shifted his gaze from Aashi to Khushi and nodded with a small smile.

"Aashi, long hair is tough to manage. Mom will have a hard time getting you ready for school."

"Hmm..." Aashi whined.

"Khushi..."

Khushi gulped, avoiding his gaze.

"If she wants long hair, Mom can help her get ready for school," Arnav said, clarifying his point. This showed how firm his decision was.

The realisation struck Khushi, causing her to jerk her head up.

"Heeeyyyy... I'll ask Dadi!" Aashi exclaimed as she darted out.

Khushi attempted to catch her, but Aashi zipped past, tackling her. Arnav started to say something to Khushi, but she rushed after Aashi instead. He sighed and followed them.

Ratna was setting the dining table for dinner when she heard Aashi's excited voice.

"Dadiiiii...."

She turned to see Aashi rushing towards her, with Khushi in pursuit. Aashi quickly hid behind Ratna.

"Aashiiii..." Khushi tried to pull her out.

"What's going on, Khushi?"

"She wants to cut my hair," Aashi complained.

"Don't you want to cut your hair?" Ratna asked.

Aashi shook her head vigorously.

"Why not?"

Before Aashi could explain,

"She wants long hair like her Mom," Arnav interjected confidently.

"Is that so?"

"Mmm... I like Mom's hair," Aashi affirmed.

Ratna smiled at Khushi, appreciating the moment.

"Aunty, it's tough to manage long hair. I won't have time for that when I'm rushing in the morning," Khushi said pointedly, curious to see if Arnav would suggest Ratna help with Aashi's hair maintenance. After all, Arnav's relationship with Aashi had changed since she started calling him DAD, and Ratna might be seeing him in a different light now.

As Khushi didn't expect, Ratna approached her and said,

"What's the big deal, Khushi? I'm here to help." That left Khushi dumbfounded.

Khushi looked at her in disbelief. What did that mean? Did she want her and Aashi to stay in RM forever? Or had she said that without understanding?

She glanced at Arnav, who was smiling mildly, clearly pleased with Ratna's response.

"You know what, Khushi? I like girl babies. I admire how cute they look when they dress up. I couldn't experience that myself since I don't have a daughter, but I'll fulfil that wish vicariously with my granddaughter..." Ratna continued pinching Aashi's cheek lovingly, explaining how she felt Aashi was her granddaughter.

"You are so nice, Dadi!" Aashi exclaimed, hugging Ratna and looking at Khushi with her brows raised cutely.

Khushi frowned and narrowed her eyes.

"Mom, Dadi will take care of my hair. Please don't cut it," Aashi pleaded.

"Khushi beta, girls usually wish for long hair when they are kids, and then they want to cut it stylishly when they grow up. Let her do it now..."

"No, Dadi! I will cut my hair slightly to shape it just like Mom when I grow up," Aashi insisted like a big girl.

"It seems she's fond of your hair. That's why she wants to let hers grow. Am I right, Aashu?" Ratna said.

Aashi nodded enthusiastically.

"Okay, Mom won't cut your hair. Now, let's have dinner," Ratna said.

"What's for dinner?" Aashi asked.

"Rotti and potato curry."

"I like potatoes! Come on, Mom," Aashi said, taking Khushi's hand and heading to the dining area.

Khushi sat silently, not glancing at Arnav, who noticed her silence. He lifted Aashi and helped her sit at the table.

"Are you going to feed me?" Aashi asked excitedly.

Arnav smiled and replied,

"Yes, DAD is going to feed you." He took a piece of rotti, dipped it in the curry, and extended it to her. Aashi ate it with genuine happiness.

"Mom, did your Dad ever feed you?" Aashi asked, chewing her food.

Khushi halted eating, and Arnav was taken aback. It wasn't hard for them to understand she was comparing Arnav with other Dads.

Khushi shook her head and looked at her plate.

"See, my Dad is feeding me!" Aashi boasted.

"Aashi baby, we shouldn't talk while eating, okay?" Arnav interjected.

"Mmm," Aashi nodded and fell silent for the rest of the meal. Once she finished eating, she turned to Ratna and asked,

"Dadi, will you tell me a story today?"

"I'll tell you a story every day," Ratna replied.

Aashi then looked at Khushi and asked,

"Mom, did your Dadi tell you stories?"

Khushi again shook her head and went to wash her hands.

"Aashi beta, why are you asking Mom about her Dad and Dadi?" Arnav asked softly.

"Because I have a Dad and a Dadi," she answered, raising her hands.

Arnav smiled and nodded.

Ratna took Aashi to her room to tell her a story while Khushi headed to hers.

Feeling restless, Khushi realised she was at a crucial phase in her life. She had no one else but Arnav, and she felt a sense of protection under his shadow. More importantly, Aashi was extremely happy with Arnav and Ratna. Arnav was genuinely a gentleman. But could she marry him?

She glanced at the clock, which read 9:00 PM. Deciding to check on Aashi, she went to Ratna's room and saw her sleeping on Ratna's bed.

"She's asleep," Ratna smiled.

Khushi approached the bed.

"Sit, beta," Ratna said, motioning for her to join her.

Khushi sat on the bed with a slight smile.

"Beta, may I ask you something?" Ratna said.

Khushi felt nervous, fearing that Ratna would ask her about her husband. Gearing up to tell her the truth, she was stunned when Ratna asked,

"Will you marry Arnav?"

Khushi gazed at her in disbelief.

To be continued...