Chapter 17: The Engagement!

 

ASR: your engagement is day after tomorrow.. actually it’s tomorrow, it’s almost 5 am and I promise I won't let this wedding happen.. But.........

She looked at him confused.

Khushi: But what?

ASR: You will have to get engaged to Viren!

Her jaw dropped and her vision was blurred with tears! She couldn’t believe her ears. After all what she told him, he still wants her to go through this engagement.. Shock would not be enough, she was rather angry. Arnav knew the storm was coming his way. That’s his Kashish.. He knew what was going on in her brain! But he had to do this, the engagement was just in few hours, and it was impossible to stop this. As he waited for it, in all her force, she pushed him in anger and got off the bed.. She looked towards him fumingly and pointed to the door..

Khushi: Out! Out of my room now.. You bastard Raizada..

Arnav got off the bed and moved closer. Khushi was furious and didn’t hesitate to push him again. He fell on the bed and cried out..

ASR: Easy... woman!

Khushi: I said get out..

Arnav got up and tried to calm her down with his soft voice.

ASR: Listen Khushi.. try to understand my point....

Khushi: Nooo, how could you even think I would get engage... Today you telling me to get engage and tomorrow you’ll tell me to marry Viren..  You know what, just forget it.. Don’t help me, I’ll help myself...

She turned away to be pulled back and crashed into his chest. Holding her wrists tightly he looked into her eyes.. It had so much.. her eyes said so much.. She was still fighting.. fighting with herself! She had that fear that she might end up being her mother.. He brought his lips to her forehead. Giving her a comforting kiss, he grabbed her arms forcing her to encircle his waist.

ASR: You said that you trust me.. then why this fear Khushi! Have I ever let you down!

Khushi: Arnav...

ASR: Ssshhh.. No Khushi, you’ve talked a lot today and you cried a lot.. Please let me take care of you now.. I promise.. I’ll set everything right.. just do as I say.. it’s time for some actions.. Are you with me??

She brushed away the fear as she looked into the confident eyes of Arnav and nodded in affirmation. Arnav held her tightly while she laid her head on his chest.

ASR: That’s my girl!

He smiled and said..

ASR: Come on now.. you need some sleep..

Khushi pulled off his embrace and nodded amusingly while Arnav stared at her in confusion.

ASR: What?

Khushi: You are a hopeless case Arnav.. You still don’t know the rules of this house..

And realization struck him..

ASR: the morning prayers!

She smiled at him..

Khushi: Yes! Now go get ready.. and come at the temple downstairs..

ASR: Ok.

He pecked her lips and moved away when suddenly his steps stopped. He turned back towards khushi who was holding his wrist and looked at her questioningly.

Khushi: I love you Arnav!

As she left his wrist, instantly he grabbed her hand and brought it to his lips. Not breaking the eye lock, he kissed her knuckles.

ASR: I love you too..

And he winked at her mischievously before stepping back and disappeared from the balcony.

****

30 minutes later...

The sun was rising while the family was standing in the house temple. The prayers had started, and Arnav ran down the stairs. As he took his place beside Lavanya, the latter looked towards him and smiled sweetly.. But his mind and heart was focused on the melodious prayer by his lady love.

ASR thinks: Beautiful!

As she finished with the prayers, Arnav came back to reality when she turned and he saw her angelic face.. Her head covered with the dupatta, she walked to Nanaji holding the prayers plate. After Nanaji and Payal, she approached Arnav. Both stared at each other forgetting the surroundings. She smiled and picked the sweet(laddoo) from the plate. She handed him the laddoo when their trance broke as they heard...

Lavanya: Nooo

They turned to Lavanya. While Arnav was confused, Khushi was fuming. Fortunately the others were stepping out of the temple and missed the scene.

Lavanya: Arnav yo...

Khushi interrupted her words.

Khushi: Pata hai.. Yeh sugarfree laddoo hai.. (I know.. This is sugarfree laddoo..) You don’t need to repeat it again and again..

Lavanya: Sorry!

On the spot, Lavanya walked away, leaving the two love birds alone in the temple. Khushi shifted her look to Arnav who was amusingly glaring at her..

Khushi: What??

He nodded happily.

ASR: Nothing.. Just in love!

Her anger vanished and she smiled.

ASR: And if I knew you look irresistible in jealousy, then I would have search a Lavanya earlier.

He let a laugh, while Khushi’s smile changed into popped out eyes. She punched his chest irritatingly while Arnav cried out...

ASR: ouucchh..

Khushi: oh sorry.. was I too hard?

He nodded a yes with a puppy sad face.

Khushi: Then good for you.

And she grinned mischievously. Both looked at each other totally in love while Lavanya stared at them from far away in tears.

****

Time was racing. The whole day, people of the house were busy with the exciting preparations of the engagement. Payal was running from here and there while Anu followed her... On seeing all these decorations and the enjoyment of everyone, it disgust her so much that she stayed in her room. Payal thought that Khushi might be nervous and so she decided to give her some time alone. But the engagement was not the only worry that was crossing her mind. Alone in her room, it was almost midnight.. she muttered angrily...

Khushi: Where the hell is Arnav? I cannot understand this guy..

He says he loves me and in such a situation, he is not even with me.. After the prayers, don’t know where the hell he went away.

Irritated, she hit into the pillows before swearing at Arnav.

Khushi: Idiot, moron! I hate you Arnav..

ASR: But I love you..

Startled, she turned towards Arnav who entered through the balcony door. She threw some angry glares and in her sarcastic tone..

Khushi: Really! Prove it!

She turned her eyes away while Arnav smirked and approached the bed. He sat next to her but Khushi ignored him. He held her hand and brought it to his lips. As he kissed her knuckles sensually, Khushi looked at him from the corners of her eyes and not letting the anger vanished. Arnav smiled and brought his hands to his pockets. Her breath stop, her heart skipped a beat and she felt a shiver down her spine as Arnav took out a beaming diamond ring from his pockets. He smirked at her frozen reaction and without wasting more time he slid the diamond through her ring finger. Her eyes welled up and she finally met his eyes while Arnav smiled comfortingly.

ASR: Here! The engagement to Viren means nothing after this one! You are now officially engaged to Arnav Singh Raizada...

Tears fell down her cheeks while the happiest smile glowed on her face. Arnav nodded!

ASR: Unbelievable! Are you crying or smiling?

Khushi smacked his forehead lovingly and exclaimed..

Khushi: You dumb asshole! It’s tears of happiness...

And she jumped into his arms.

Khushi: I love you!