“Thank you,”
Khushi said barely audible. She was still trying to wrap her head around the
fact that the very person she loved, the person she wanted to marry was
standing in front of her congratulating her on her marriage. They looked at
each, not breaking their gaze for even a second as if it hadn’t been two years
but rather two centuries since they’d seen each other. A small smile crept to
Khushi’s lips as she noticed how Arnav hadn’t changed one bit. He still had his
all-to-famous stubble that he loved, his hair a medium length – not too short
and not too long - just the way she liked it and his three piece suit, of which
he would most likely ditch the coat and tie by the end of the day. “Khushi,”
Rohan said as he walked up next to her sliding an arm around her waist. Khushi
saw Arnav’s eyes move from hers to Rohan’s hand before he stepped back and made
his way over to Kajal. Khushi turned to Rohan and gave him a small smile.
“Kajal will take your measurements and show you some designs in their bridal
collection and if you don’t like any of them then you can give her your own design.
Okay?” Rohan asked her. Khushi just nodded her head in response and turned to
Kajal, “My room is upstairs. We can do it there,” she said softly. “Sure.
Wherever suits you,” Kajal said as she followed Khushi upstairs. She turned to
look at Arnav when she reached the bottom of the stairs and he nodded telling
her that he’d be alright even though Kajal knew he wouldn’t be.
Khushi’s mother,
sister and fiancée were taken aback with Khushi taking Kajal upstairs to her
room considering the fact that she doesn’t let anyone besides Aditya in. They
all stood pondering for a few seconds until they heard Shashi Gupta speaking to
Arnav. They left the two assuming they were speaking business as men usually do
and all got back to their own work. Arnav and Shashi chatted for a while about
AR and how the businesses were doing until one his questions caught Arnav by
surprise. “I’m sorry,” Arnav said politely, “I didn’t hear you.” Shashi smiled
at Arnav almost as if he had expected the reaction from Arnav Singh Raizada. I
mean it’s not like he was the most eligible bachelor in Delhi and girls were
lining up to marry him. That’s just ridiculous. “I asked if you’re married,”
Shashi said with a light laugh. “Oh,” Arnav said flatly, “No i’m not and no
girlfriend or fiancée either. Just in case you ask.” Shashi Gupta had a good
laugh at Arnav’s response and patted him on the back. “Thank you for the
clarification Arnav,” Shashi said before looking at his watch. “I’m sorry to
leave you like this. I’d love to stay longer but unfortunately I have a meeting
to attend. I’m sure you can understand,” he said to Arnav as he got up and
grabbed his briefcase off the table in front of them. “It’s no problem at all
Mr Gupta. Nice meeting you,” Arnav said as he shook his hand before Shashi walked
towards the door. Arnav sunk down into the couch and closed his eyes. Images of
Khushi flooded through his mind.
Khushi led Kajal
up to her room and waited for her to come in before she closed the door. Kajal
walked over to the coffee table and couch in front of the French windows in
Khushi’s room and put down her bag. She looked around the room admiring the
designs and colour schemes and glancing at the wall behind her assuming it
would be empty and turned to her bag to take out her sketch book when she froze
midway as realization hit her. She stood up and turned around to look at the
wall. She couldn’t believe what she saw. A life size photo frame of Arnav and
Khushi at her 21st birthday party two and a half years ago. She’s
never forget because they’d given her a surprise party and had done one of the
most beautiful, romantic dances she’d ever seen.
Arnav, Rohan and
the rest of the family were waiting for them when they came downstairs. Khushi
put on a happy face for her family and fiancée but her father could see right
through her even if no one else could. He could see it was just an act to make
everyone happy. “Have you decided what you want Khushi?” Rohan asked a little
too eagerly. Khushi to Kajal as if asking her for help. “She’s the bride. Of
course it will take time for her to perfect what she wants. That’s why I’ve
left the catalogues and sketch book here for her to play around with designs and
I’ll be back tomorrow to go through it with her,” Kajal said smugly. “And
there’s no need to be so eager about what she’s wearing because you’re next so
I’d get cracking on thinking of what I’m wearing,” she added before turning to
Arnav. “Shall we?” he asked Kajal. She smiled in return. “It was a pleasure
meeting everyone. I’ll send Kajal with a few assistants for the rest of the
week because I assume everyone would want to get their clothes made before the
wedding. Enjoy the rest of your day,” Arnav said politely before leaving the
two families. Shashi Gupta looked from his daughter to Arnav Singh Raizada and
noticed how Arnav had not even looked towards Khushi whereas his daughter had
been looking at Arnav the entire time she had been downstairs.
That night there
were two hearts that in turmoil. Neither could sleep nor think about anything
other than the person they had seen earlier that day. Arnav tossed and turned
in his bed unable to sleep. Every time he closed his eyes only one image
flashed in front of his eyes – Rohan with his arm around Khushi. After two
years of her memories haunting him, Arnav had turned off his emotions. Not
being able to feel anything made it easier. It made it easier not to care but
still... it wasn’t as if he had a humanity switch that he could turn off. If he
could stop feeling completely, what Rohan did wouldn’t have affected him as
much as it did. He would never be able to forget Khushi no matter how hard he
tried and he knew that. He knew she belonged to someone else now but the fact
that she wasn’t married rekindled hope in Arnav that maybe, just maybe she
might not have forgotten him and maybe she too wants to be with him.
Khushi on the
other hand didn’t even attempt to sleep. She was sitting in bed thinking about
what had happened that day. The chances of her seeing him again after what
happened two years ago was next to impossible yet it happened. The thought of
seeing Arnav again brought a huge smile to Khushi’s face. She couldn’t help but
feel joy for the one person she lives for. She also felt lighter, like a burden
had been lifted. It was good that Kajal had seen the picture because it made
Khushi feel better. At least know she knew she didn’t have to burden Adi with
her woes because there was someone else that knew. She was so happy to have
finally seen him after so long that sleep couldn’t find her yet on the other
hand there were a million questions running through her mind. Was he married?
Did he have someone in his life? Were they serious? How long had they been
together? But none of that mattered. Even if there wasn’t anyone she was
engaged to Rohan and they were getting married. Nothing could change that.
Khushi put her head down on her pillow lost in thought of could have been and
what is.
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