Khushi was with Anjali, who was busy talking to some guests. Khushi didn’t feel good wearing the choli Arnav had designed.
He made this for someone special. It was designed specifically for her. And now that I’m wearing it… I should give this back to him regardless. Maybe he can create something else or recreate it if he wants.
The people Anjali was talking to left and she looked at Khushi. She noticed Khushi was down and wondered what was wrong.
“Khushi? Are you okay?”
Khushi shook her head and looked down.
Anjali understood. “Is it about the choli?”
Khushi nodded.
“It’s okay Khushi. It was an accident, you didn't know. It just ended up happening. Maybe Avantika will finally realize that she should stop messing around like a kid at her age.”
Khushi looked at Anjali exasperatedly but Anjali shook her head.
“No, don’t start Khushi. The way I see it, Chote is okay with it. If he wasn't, well, you know how Chote is. He would've said something then and there. He’s just acting angry to get back at Avantika for messing with his stuff. Regardless, you look beautiful and I want you to stop worrying about it.”
Khushi shook her head but Anjali wasn't budging.
Anjali cupped Khushi’s cheeks in her hands. “Khushi it’s okay. I’m telling you, it’s alright. Now stop it and have some fun. The music has just started playing so go have some fun. And while you’re at it, go help Avantika. She looks like she’s battling death instead of partying,” she chuckled. “Okay?”
Khushi shook her head exasperatedly.
“Khushi please? For me? Everyone else thinks you look beautiful in this. And now that all of what Avantika and Chote said is out in the open, forget about it.”
Khushi looked down, still not okay with it.
Anjali sighed. “Fine. Since it’s bothering you that much,” she tilted Khushi’s chin up, “if you want, you can return it to him once the evening is over. Happy?”
Khushi smiled slightly and nodded.
Anjali shook her head with a smile. “Stubborn little girl,” she chuckled. “Now go and have some fun.”
Khushi nodded and she went after Avantika. She saw Deviyani busy in conversation with an elderly and Avantika looked like she’d fall asleep any second. Khushi quickly rescued her and they walked around the ballroom.
“Thanks so much for saving me Khushi,” Avantika said. “Now Bhai will definitely stop acting like Death, creeping all around me and ish,” she shuddered.
Khushi rolled her eyes with a smile.
“At least they finally put music on. Wanna dance?”
Khushi looked at the center of the dance floor. There were a few people who were dancing, mostly couples.
“Come on Khushi, it’ll be fun!”
Avantika dragged Khushi out onto the dance floor, who looked back at her with wide eyes. Khushi looked at the people around them and noticed some people looking at them.
“Who cares if people are looking at you Khushi! Now let’s have some fun!”
Khushi shook her head, but Avantika ignored it. Instead, she took Khushi’s hand and twirled her around. Arnav noticed the two and saw how nervous Khushi looked.
Still afraid of a crowd, he said in his head. Some things never change.
“Come on Khushi,” Avantika said. “Stop being stiff!”
Khushi looked at Avantika pleadingly and then around the room.
Avantika paused. “You know what, you’re right. This music sucks.”
Just then, the song changed and “Desi Girl” started to play.
“Now that’s more like it,” Avantika grinned.
More people joined onto the dance floor, now that the music was more upbeat. Anjali joined the two and started to dance. It took a while until Khushi got comfortable and started to dance. Arnav gaped as he watched Khushi dance away.
What the? Since when was Khushi a good dancer, he wondered. She couldn't even do the Cha Cha Slide when it was just the two of us!
Khushi danced away with Anjali and Avantika, becoming the center of attention. It was as if they were performing, all three in sync with each other as the song went on. When the song ended, everyone clapped and the three ladies bowed. Exhausted, they went over to a waiter to get a drink.
Arnav went over to them and grabbed a drink. “Khushi, I didn't know you could dance.”
“Well of course she can,” Anjali said to her rescue. “I’m the one who taught her.”
“You did?”
“Yes I did,” she said proudly. “I taught that one too,” she said, pointing at Avantika, who was hiding behind Khushi.
Arnav frowned at her and Avantika hid even more.
“Stop hiding will you! Chote’s gonna get you regardless.”
“Di,” Avantika whined.
Anjali chuckled and took a sip of her drink.
Arnav shook his head clear. “Khushi-”
“Khushi!”
All four heads turned to the person that was calling her. It was one of the maids who was waving her hands urgently, telling her to come.
“I guess that's your queue,” Anjali frowned.
Khushi nodded and Anjali took her drink from her. Khushi rushed her way over to the maid and followed her to the kitchen.
“Busy as ever,” Arnav said. “Some things really don’t change.”
“You’d be surprised,” Anjali sighed.
Avantika looked at her with wide, warning eyes.
“What do you mean Di,” Arnav asked.
“Nothing,” Anjali said quickly.
Arnav scrunched his eyebrows.
“Come Di, let’s go back and dance,” Avantika said, and quickly dragged Anjali away.
Arnav remained confused.
Something’s wrong. I just know it is.
Arnav looked at the door Khushi had left from earlier.
And they’re hiding something from me.
*~*
The party went smoothly, the music playing away, and the food tasty and served on time. Everyone had a blast and unfortunately, the night came to an end. The guests slowly left, bit by bit, until they were all gone. Exhausted, everyone called it a night, only cleaning up some stuff, and headed off to bed.
Khushi changed in Anjali’s room again, making it easier for her to return it to Arnav. She changed back into her clothes and headed off to Arnav’s room.
“You should reconsider it Khushi,” Anjali said softly.
Khushi looked down, but still not feeling right about it, she left to Arnav’s room. She made her way over there and knocked on the door. There was no response, so she knocked again. Once again, there was no response. Thinking that he wasn't here and finding it a good opportunity, Khushi entered. The room was empty so she quickly went in and placed the choli on Arnav’s bed. With a sigh, Khushi turned to leave.
“You can keep it.”
Khushi jumped at the sound of Arnav’s voice and whipped around to see him standing by the balcony door. She lifted her hand to her chest to calm down her racing heart.
“Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you,” Arnav said.
Khushi scowled at him, still trying to calm her racing heart.
Arnav entered his room and walked on over to the bed and picked up the choli. “You can keep it,” he said, holding it out to her.
Khushi scrunched her eyebrows.
“It looked good on you, to be honest….”
Khushi looked down.
“I want you to keep it.”
Khushi shook her head.
“Keep it Khushi. I’m telling you to keep it. It’s my present for you.”
Khushi felt bad. He hadn't planned on giving that to anyone. On top of that, he hadn't even planned on giving her a present and now she thought that he felt obligated to give the choli to her.
“It’s not out of guilt.”
Khushi looked up at him.
“I did get a present for you. But after seeing you in this… this is way better than what I intended on giving to you.”
Khushi felt down, feeling somewhat guilty.
“Take it Khushi. Stop being stubborn as usual.”
Khushi’s eyes widened as she gaped at him.
Arnav frowned. “Don’t make that face. You know that’s the truth. Everyone says it!”
Khushi twitched her lips and looked away.
“Oh come on! Don’t get mad at me.”
Khushi rolled her eyes.
“And stop giving me the silent treatment. I noticed ever since I arrived that you haven’t spoken a word to me.”
Khushi’s eyes widened.
“I know you’re most likely mad at me for not contacting you through the years but I’m sorry. I was busy with school and managing the company… I barely got time to call the family!”
Khushi bit her lip.
“So come on! Stop all this awkwardness and the silent treatment.”
Khushi looked side to side. What do I do?
“So what’s up Khushi? How have these last three years been for you?”
Khushi shut her eyes. Terrible… not that you care. I know what you said about me, so stop faking all of this. I know why you never cared to contact me.
“Well? Come on Khushi, talk to me.”
Khushi looked everywhere else but at him, hoping something or someone came to her rescue.
Arnav got irritated and went over to Khushi. He placed his hands on Khushi’s shoulder which had her looking up at him with wide eyes.
“Come on Khushi, talk to me.”
Khushi looked down, wondering what she should do.
Arnav shook her shoulders. “Come on Khushi!”
Khushi held her breath as old thoughts began to creep into her head.
Arnav shook her again. “Come on Kush, talk to me.”
Khushi shut her eyes and visions of the past played in her head.
Arnav shook her again. “Come on!”
Khushi shook her head, trying to rid her head of the memories.
“Come on,” Arnav said.
“Come on,” the voice said.
“Look at me Khushi.”
“Look at me sexy.”
“Why won’t you look at me?”
“Don’t be scared sexy. I’ll take good care of you.”
“Khushi?”
“Come here you sexy cunt.”
Khushi’s eyes shot open and she tried to free herself, visions still playing in her head. Arnav looked at her confusedly as she fought and struggled out of his hold.
“Khushi? Khushi what’s wrong,” Arnav asked. “Why are you acting like this? And why won’t you speak to me.”
Khushi clawed at his hands, trying to release herself. Tears came streaming down her cheeks as she struggled to be free.
“Khushi?”
Arnav and Khushi both turned and saw Anjali at the door. With Arnav’s grip loose, Khushi dashed towards Anjali and hugged her tightly. Her body shuddered and shook as the tears continued to stream down.
“Khushi, calm down,” Anjali soothed. “It’s okay, it was only Chote. See? It was only Chote.”
Khushi continued to shake in Anjali’s arms.
“There, there, Khushi. Everything’s alright. We’re at home and he’s not here. It was only Chote, see? Look, it was only Chote.”
Khushi peeked up out of Anjali’s shoulder and saw a confused Arnav looking at her.
Anjali saw Avantika down the hall. “Avantika,” she called out.
Avantika looked at them and seeing Khushi’s state, she quickly ran over to them. “Khushi? Khushi are you okay?”
Khushi was still shaking in Anjali’s arms.
Avantika looked at Anjali and then at Arnav. “What did you do,” she breathed.
Arnav opened his mouth to say something, but Anjali cut in.
“He didn't know, it’s not his fault.” Anjali stroked Khushi’s hair. “Khushi, look at me.”
She tried to pull back, but Khushi held her tightly.
“Khushi? Khushi look at me.” She tilted Khushi’s face up. “I want you to go with Avantika, okay? Tonight, you’ll sleep with her, okay?”
Avantika reached out to take Khushi’s hand but Khushi pulled away, holding onto Anjali tightly.
“Okay, okay,” Anjali soothed. “You’ll stay with me tonight. Okay? You’ll sleep with me tonight, alright?”
Khushi nodded as she continued to shake.
“Avantika, go tell everyone else what happened. And tell Bhromor that she’s staying with me tonight so that she doesn't worry. Okay?”
Avantika nodded.
“Come Khushi. Let’s go to my room.”
Khushi stood at Anjali’s side but kept her arms wrapped around Anjali. They slowly made their way to Anjali’s room, Anjali soothing Khushi with her words. Avantika looked at them worriedly until they turned at the corner. She looked at her brother, who was looking down, completely confused. Avantika was about to leave to go tell the others, when Arnav quickly grabbed her arm.
“What the hell was that,” Arnav said. “What is going on? What are you guys hiding from me?”
Avantika felt troubled, considering what she could say, but in the end she sighed, deciding that telling him the truth was the only way.
“Wait here,” she said softly. “Let me go notify the others and then I’ll come and tell you everything.”
Awesome. Pls update soon.
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