Chapter 39

“Did you know that you look gorgeous when you sneeze?” Akash said as Payal wrinkled her nose at him...she sneezed again into her handkerchief before glaring at him “That was not even remotely romantic Akash!....and how can someone look good when they sneeze?” she asked him as he shrugged his shoulders

“I don't know...the way your entire face scrunches up and your nose gets all red and puffy...its cute...but you always look gorgeous, so...” he said as Payal slapped his arm that was currently around her shoulder as they sat in the small cafe off the university campus

These few days had gotten them so close that it was hard to believe that Payal had almost hated him on their first meeting...there was something about him...that macho exterior which he showed to everyone, when she was the only one who could see the boyish innocence in him...his eyes...they spoke volumes yet had not completely opened up to her...as if he feared something; she hoped he will let her in soon..

Because believe it or not...pigs did fly and Payal Shashi Dinkaran was falling fast for the most unlikely boy she had ever imagined herself falling for....she loved the little things he did for her....like mixing the cane sugar in her coffee and stirring it for her...her name written randomly in his notebooks...something she had found out completely by chance...

The whole new feeling of being secured in his arms....something she had never experienced except when she was with her family...So, for once in her life...she had let go of the usual caution that she maintains with everyone and had embraced whatever life threw her way...

“Hey! Where are you lost babe?” Akash asked his beautiful girlfriend as she seemed to be staring away into space...he saw her look at him for a second before smiling that beautiful smile of hers that always made him think that the world was a much better place now...

“Nothing...Just, some stuff at home....” she said as he raised his eyebrow... “What stuff? All ok at home right?” he asked her mildly curious when she nodded and looked his way again “Yeah, everything good...in fact, I need to share something with you...” she said as she took a deep breath “See...the thing is...my dad...I think he is dating some woman” she said as Akash looked on wide-eyed

“What? Its just a hunch...but i see him smiling all the time...especially when he gets someone's texts...and he walks a lot...like he is always out of the house right after dinner...once I even saw him leaning against our upstairs gallery and laughing and giggling...I mean, which grown man...old man that too, giggles!” she said and blew her bangs that kept coming over her forehead

Akash snorted to keep his laugher at bay which made payal glare at him again as his face broke into a huge smile before he doubled over laughing... “Akash! This is not funny....there is a potential step-mother that might join our family soon! And what if she brings in step-siblings for us? What if dad suddenly stops loving us” she whined as Akash pulled her closer and dropped a quick peck on her frowning lips

“Stop being a drama queen my cinderella! First you need to analyze how you feel about him dating someone...someone, who like you said might be a potential step-mother..” he said as she closed her eyes and sighed “I don't know....see its weird that I was the one who encouraged him to get back into the game...you know, like date and find someone for himself...and now when he might be doing just that...I can't help but worry” she said as Akash smiled at her

“Babe...its his life too you know...just like we are dating and he may or may not have an issue with it, you too should analyze what you feel of this new phase in your dad's life...remember this payal...once you and your brother get into your own lives...he will be all alone...he too deserves to be with someone he can spend the rest of his life with...plus he's not that old! So why don't you cross the 'evil step-mother' bridge when you come to it?” he asked her as she nodded and snuggled in closer into him

“Hmm...you are right...and for all you know, i'm just imagining this...maybe there is nothing there....and if there is, I'll deal with it when its in front of me....” she said as Akash gave her a thumbs up, lifting the corners of her mouth “Yeah...and trust me, speculating will get you no where! Ask me...i've been trying to work out which new damsel bhai is dating since he too seems to be all secret texts and odd smiles” he said as Payal looked on confused

“Bhai? Who's that? Your cousin or something?” she asked with curiosity as Akash nearly bit his tongue off at the slip “Uh...yeah, kind of....one of my cousins...anyways, lets not get into all that....you tell me how your preparation for the exams are going?” he asked her as payal got into a detailed explanation of how she had planned her study schedule while akash kept finding himself getting deeper and deeper in the hole he had dug for himself.

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“So how is work going beta? I heard you and Khushi are working extra hard on that French project?” Yudhisthir Raizada asked his grandson as they ate their lunch in the latter's cabin, a roast chicken salad for Arnav and Butter garlic naan with extra-buttery butter chicken for his grandfather

Arnav smiled as he saw his dadaji enjoy his forbidden food “Its going well...Khushi is very hardworking and she's giving her best to this project...if everything goes well, it will open a whole new international market for us” Arnav said as the older Raizada licked his finger making Arnav chuckle

“You do know that Bua will first shoot me and then skin you alive if she knows i'm feeding you this right?” Arnav said gesturing towards his nearly empty plate...well, empty except for the chicken bones...Yudhisthir laughed loudly as Arnav shook his head “Arre beta...if it was up to your bua, she would keep me alive on my medicines only...at least your dadi was good...and your mother even better...she used to sneak me all the yummy delicacies she made” he said as both went back to those times...when things were much simpler

“So...Khushi...she seems like such a wonderful person...I always liked her and i'm glad you both are doing so well...in fact, just last week I suggested Mr Khanna's son, Vikram for her...” he said as Arnav stopped his fork mid-way...not quite understating what his grandfather was on about

“Suggested? For what?” Arnav asked as his heartbeats started beating very fast..the food that he was enjoying just a minute ago felt like tar now “For her hand...she is very much of marriageable age, plus Mr Khanna was asking about her during one of our club meetings...they have been actively looking for a bride for their son and he wanted to know what I thought about Khushi...since, you know...we know her personally” he said as Arnav kept his salad bowl down

“And what did you say?” Arnav asked him as his grandfather shrugged his shoulders...completely oblivious to the turmoil that was raging in his grandson's eyes “Well, I told him all good things off course...and then even connected him with Shaliniji...who by the way, seemed very glad about the rishta...so, maybe we will be hearing the shenai soon!” he said chuckling before adding “You better finish your project before that...you know how Indian brides get, don't you?” he said as Arnav took a deep swig of his water and got up to go and stand by his window

“Where are you lost Arnav?” his grandfather called out to him as he continued to stare out with a fire raging in his chest and hands clenched by his sides... “Are you upset that I'm not putting any effort in your marriage?” Yudhisthir asked him as he got up and burped loudly...making Arnav turn back with confused eyes “My marriage? You mean...mine and...” he started asking before his grandfather cut him

“Yeah, yours and Seema's...” he said as Arnav looked on in confusion “Seema? Seema who? What are you taking about....” he started saying when someone knocked on his door making them both look towards it as Khushi stepped in “Mr Raizada....sorry I was busy with some work so did not get to join you for lunch as decided...how have you been?” Khushi asked as she walked in with a sunny smile

Yudhisthir Raizada observed the beautiful young lady in front of him before giving a quick look at his grandson who seemed to be looking anywhere but at her...a tortured look in his eyes as he averted his gaze and looked back towards the windows...something very fascinating catching his eyes for sure

“Khushi beta...i'm very well...don't worry about it...we'll do dinner sometime...in fact, your grandmother has called all of us next week at your home...” he said as Khushi nodded “Oh yes, she did mention it few days ago...she's coming back today from her tour” Khushi informed him as he nodded and gestured her to sit next to him on the couch while arnav stood rigidly at the window making Khushi wonder what was wrong with him

“So anyways, before you came in...I was telling Arnav, how I found the most wonderful life partner for him...” he started as Khushi felt all the color draining out of her...the slight blush that had marred her perfectly smooth cheeks a second ago got displaced with a ghostly white as his grandfather continued to speak “Seema Jadeja is just the perfect woman for Arnav...and I know her family since quite some time...I was just discussing this with Arnav when you came in” he said as Arnav finally turned around

“Dadaji...can we talk about this later?” he said as his dadaji gave him a reproachful look “Arnav, don't be shy...its only Khushi and she's like family now...so as I was saying, at least meet the girl first...am i right Khushi?” Yudhisthir turned towards khushi who looked like she was about to faint

“Khushi? Are you ok? You don't look so well” he said as Khushi picked up a glass of water from the table and gulped it down...Arnav too turned concerned eyes towards her as she looked away from him “I'm ok...just feeling a little under the weather...” she said as Arnav came near to them “You should go and rest in the penthouse Khushi...I'll call for some medicine...” he started saying when she got up on wobbly feet and looked right at him

“I am perfectly fine Arnav...you need not worry for me...” she said before turning towards his grandfather “I'll take your leave now Mr Raizada...I really do have a lot of work to do today...hope you enjoyed your lunch” she said with a smile that did not quite reach her eyes “Oh yes! The food was wonderful....but unfortunately I don't get to eat all this at home...hopefully my new bahu will make it for me..right Arnav? I have heard Seema is quite a cook!” he said as Arnav glared at him while Khushi looked away

“Anyways...I too better leave now...I've taken enough of Arnav's time today” he said as khushi smiled at him and nodded “Yeah, me too...see you soon though” she said as she bid her goodbye without even looking once at Arnav...she walked straight out of his cabin...her throat too constricted to speak, her eyes tired holding in the moisture and her heart breaking into pieces.

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As soon as Yudhisthir Raizada got into the lift on the 7^th floor, Arnav turned on his heels to go and meet Khushi...He wasn't sure how he could go and explain his complete lack of denial to what his grandfather was talking about...but the truth was that he respected his grandfather too much to outright deny what he was suggesting, though deny he would.Period. But he still wasn't sure what Khushi felt for him...

But the way she reacted to what was being said in his cabin, he was hoping his assumptions were correct...he could not wait any longer now...there was too much at stake; the way his grandfather was going on about that Khanna guy, it wouldn't be too long now that her grandmother would bring it up...putting her in a fix....for the first time in his life, Arnav felt like he was too close to losing something so precious in his life that he would cease to exist if he did

He quickened his steps and barged inside Khushi's cabin, only to find it empty...he walked to the en-suite and knocked when the door opened and Aman came running inside “ASR? Khushi mam is not her...she...left...” he said as Arnav scrunched his eyebrows “She left?.....when? She was here a minute ago...” he said as Aman shook his head “No...I mean, I think she has gone to the penthouse....she didn't seem well” he said as Arnav without replying to him walked briskly back to the elevators before punching in his card to the top floor

He hardly wasted a second before he rushed into the apartment and called out to Khushi...only to find her standing at the kitchen counter with her palms holding onto the edge of it...her body went stiff as she heard his voice, but she did not turn around as he made his way up to her “Khushi?” he called out softly as she moved away from him, still not facing him

“Khushi...i'm sorry....I could not say anything to dadaji at that point...I respect him too much to straightway rebuff him..but I will....you just....” he said as she turned around making him stop midway....he felt his heart clutch painfully as he saw her reddened eyes...her cheeks a witness to the streams of tears that had run down their downy path... “Shit...I'm sorry baby...I made you cry” he said as he pulled her stiff body to him and ran his hands down her back relaxing her...he felt her resist at first before giving in and holding him tight...her shoulders shook as she cried into his chest

“Shh...Khushi....sweetheart, please....stop....No one can take your place in my life...please...I can't see you cry” he said as he felt his eyes fill up for her sorrow....she pulled back from him before holding his face in her hands “I love you” she said as he stared at her as if he was facing an alternate reality....he knew she had strong feelings for him..and here he had come to confess his feelings and hope to God that she felt something closer to what he did..but those three words she uttered made him feel as if he was dreaming... “What?” he asked her as if in a daze when she left him and moved away from him sighing

“I know, you might not have wanted to hear this Arnav....but I can't keep it inside any longer...I was a person who was always in control of my feelings....I never let anything and anyone affect me....maybe it was because I saw the true face of relationships very early in my life...if my own father could abandon me, why will anyone else want me?...this is what I always told myself and stayed away from forming lasting relationships...” she said as her eyes teared up again

“Then you came in to my life...we started off on quite the wrong foot...but that first time I met you in the club, and the kind of impression you had about me, I don't know...I wanted to prove you wrong...that look in your eyes haunted me all those years...” she started saying when Arnav shook his head and came forward “and then I met you again...but under completely different circumstances...I really did not know where things would lead to, but whatever happened was inevitable” she said as Arnav kept looking at her....his heart beating in a tandem

“I resisted you Arnav....I kept telling myself that this should not happen...because I knew that with you, it wouldn't be that easy to let go....and I now know that I was right....that I can never let go...” she said as she wiped her tears making Arnav want to take her in his arms but he waited...she had to get everything out

“I fell for you Arnav...and it wasn't that difficult...you were my only pillar of hope in my darkest time...and you continue to stand tall for me...but i'm not sure if I deserve it...and maybe that was why I did not want the world to know about us...the investigation was just a ruse...because I myself wasn't sure if you should be with someone who is as emotionally challenged as me....” she said as Arnav took a deep breath....of all the stupid things this girl could think of “Khushi...” he said as she once again flashed her eyes at him

“No...your grandfather is right...You deserve someone better than me...that...that Seema, seems like the perfect woman for you...and i'm sorry I blurted out my feelings for you....but I...I could not pretend anymore....I'm not a martyr who would sacrifice my love for someone I don't know...but I want you to think very clearly about what you want...and I will not keep anything against you if you..if you...” she started saying when Arnav pulled her to him startling her as she held his shoulders to balance herself

“Shut up Khushi....I have heard enough from you...now let me tell you what I think” he said as she continued to look into his eyes that were now blazing fire “How dare you tell me to leave you and go to someone I have never even met or have no intention of ever meeting...how dare you assume what I feel for you...how dare you think that after confessing what you feel for me, I will leave you and go...how dare you Khushi!” he said as his voice went up a few notches

“Don't you have any idea what I feel for you? All this time with me and you assume that my feelings for you are so fickle...that one day you tell me that you love me and the next moment ask me to 'think' about leaving you?...you are right Khushi Gupta...you are an emotional mess and I'm a fool to be with you...” he said as she closed her eyes to stop the tears from flowing out

“But you are my emotional mess....and I'll be a bigger fool if I let you go without telling you what I really feel for you....so here it is Khushi....something that I have been dying to get out since the past few days....something which I know I would only tell someone I was very sure to spend the rest of my life with....” he said as khushi opened her eyes to only gasp at the tenderness she saw in his eyes making her heart flutter aimlessly

“I love you....I love you so much that I cannot envision a second being away from you....every night I sleep with your thoughts in my mind...remembering every little thing that you said or did in the day and in the morning I wake up with the sole purpose of seeing you again...to make new memories with you....there is no one who has a hold over my heart like you do and there never will be....” he said as she looked up in awe as her cheeks flushed with the beautiful red color that he adored

“Be mine Khushi...forever...” he said as she smiled before pulling down his face for a much needed kiss...a kiss of love....a kiss of life....a kiss of being together forever....As their tongues met to taste the sweetness of each other, their hearts finally beat as one

Khushi smiled against his lips as he pulled her closer still before she angled her head to look at him “You really love me?” she asked him shyly as if she could not belive it “Its not that difficult you know....” he said as he rubbed his nose with her's“What isn't?” she asked as he sighed and kissed her lightly “Loving you” he said before hugging her tightly to his body as her arms wound around him...possessively...in love.