Part 37 Angered Khushi

GH

Khushi came from the college all upset. Garima saw her face and sensed the difference.

*Khushi...* she called.

*Haann...? *

*Are you alright? *

Khushi got alerted.

*Haan...*

*You look disturbed...* She questioned.

*Headache...* Khushi lied.

*Do you want coffee?* Garima asked.

*Please...*

Garima nodded yes and went to the kitchen whereas Khushi went to her room. Garima knew Khushi is not fine and the headache is an excuse. Preparing coffee, she went to Khushi's room. Khushi was sitting on the bed, looking at the floor blankly, without even washing her face. After coming from college, she always goes to the washroom to get fresh, unlike that day.

Garima touched her shoulder. Khushi looked at her raising her head.

*What happened, beta?*

Khushi nodded no taking the coffee cup from Garima's hand.

*What's bothering you, Khushi? *

Garima sat in front of her. Khushi nodded no and sipped the coffee.

*Do you like Arnav?* Garima asked.

Khushi stopped drinking coffee and looked at her startlingly.

*I know you like him...*

*It does nothing...* She said.

*You can talk to your Babuji...*

Khushi nodded no.

*Why?*

*The reason Babuji had given is a valid one. Could we say he is wrong? His fear is justified, Amma* She said sighing.

*Will you marry someone other than Arnav?*

*No...* the answer came quickly.

*Then?*

*I will always be single...* she kept the cup, finishing the coffee.

*Have you gone mad?*

Khushi turned her face astonishingly.

*I ask you something*

*Amma... Arnav is a changed man now but I can't stand for him going against Babuji. If Arnav loves me sincerely, he will get my hand from Babuji*

*Won't you see him in college?*

*Why not? I will meet him... I have to ask him whether he loves me or not...* she said gritting her teeth.

Garima nodded her head from left to right and sighed.

*You and your father...* Garima left her room, taking the cup.

RM

Arnav was laying down on the bed with his eyes open. He didn't even sense Ratna's presence until she touched his shoulder. Arnav looked at her shaking.

*Mom...*

Ratna sat on the bed, next to him, looking at his face.

*Anything wrong, Mom?*

*You lost your charm and Arvind is not at all eating properly. I don't like all these, Chotte...*

Arnav looked down.

*We have to do something about it* she said.

Arnav looked at her plainly.

*You have to get a place in Shashiji's heart. He should be left with no choice other than to give her daughter's hand to you...*

Arnav smiled painfully.

*There is nothing that we can't achieve, Chotte. You love Khushi and she also has feelings for you. Shashiji is not wrong. Any father in his place would do the same because the father needs his daughter to be not only happy but also peaceful...*

Arnav nodded yes.

*Prove him you will give his daughter a peaceful life*

*What do you want me to do?*

*Protect her...drop her home every day... keep her securely*

*So?* Arnav asked confusingly.

*Study well and take over AR. Make Shashiji the main agent of our company... Appoint Khushi as your PA after she completes her studies. simple...*

Arnav looked at her excitedly.

*So, Shashiji will think you are under his radar. Khushi also will be with you... so, there won't be any chance for you to date anyone other than Khushi. Shashiji will trust you then*

Arnav hugged Ratna happily. And they heard,

*What a plan, Ratna...!*

They saw Arvind advancing them. He sat next to Ratna and hugged her happily.

*And... promise me, you will never make Khushi and Shashiji repent...* Ratna extended her hand towards him, asking for his promise.

Arnav clutched her hand.

*I promise. I will be loyal to my wife and will make my father-in-law proud...*

Ratna cupped his face and kissed his forehead.

*I'm hungry... I hope still Gobi Monjurian is there...* Arvind asked curiously.

*It is there... but it is not for you but for Chotte and me* Ratna said.

*Why? * Arvind asked shockingly.

*It's because you don't like it...*

*Who said?*

*I saw you eating with disinterest...*

*I was upset in the afternoon...*

*So?*

*Please, please... are not you *my dear* wife? * he cupped her face.

*Dad... let me go. Then you guys can do romance...* Arnav said smilingly.

Ratna stood from the bed and rushed out.

Arvind hugged Arnav happily.

*See, how my Ratna solved our problem...*

*Dad... she just gave me ideas. Implementing them is not an easy task...*

*It's not easy... doesn't mean it's not possible... go ahead and conquer it* he punched Arnav's bicep gently.

Arnav nodded yes.

*who is going to leave her?* he smiled.

*That's my boy...*

*Let's go... you have to butter Mom. Or else you won't get Gobi Manchurian* Arnav teased.

*Yeah... you are right. I didn't eat properly at the time of lunch. She would have cooked it for me curiously. I spoilt it. Let's go*

Arvind rushed out and Arnav followed him smilingly.

The next day

Arnav decided to follow Ratna's instruction to pacify Shashi. But handling Khushi is different. He wanted to know her stance. He planned to stay out of her sight until the last bell of the college. So, he decided to have lunch in his class just like the previous day.

Khushi didn't see Arnav and she waited till lunch break. She searched for him in the canteen. As he was not there, she came to his classroom and saw him having lunch with his friends. Arnav was dumbfounded, seeing her in his class. Arnav's friends were also amazed. Anger danced on her face. Aman gestured to Akash and NK.

*I think ASR is going to be beaten up...* Aman said teasingly.

Khushi glared at them and they stood, taking their tiffin boxes, and left the classroom silently. Neither Arnav stopped them nor did he ask them to stay.

In no time, Khushi reached him angrily. Arnav was looking at her without an expression on his face.

*What do you think of me, haan?*

Arnav raised his left brows contently.

*Will you leave me if my Babuji wouldn't like to give my hand for the marriage?* she sneered.

*What do you want me to do?* he asked folding his hands.

*What the hell question is this? Would you roam behind me to ask this question?* she asked yelling.

*What can I do if you are not interested? Didn't you say I CAN'T MARRY YOU?*

*You said you will do anything if anyone challenges you... that's why I told you that*

*What does that mean?* he asked as if he didn't understand.

Khushi gritted her teeth.

*Do whatever... I will kill you if you come in front of me...*

She left the place, slamming the floor. Arnav smiled, looking at her retreating figure.

But he had no idea, someone heard their talks. The person was none other than Stella.

To be continued...

The next part is available on INKITT

Arnav and Shashi

Stella left the place silently and dialed Simi. Readers would not have forgotten who Simi is. She is Vikas's friend'sndna's sister. She attended the call as that was lunch break for her also.

*hi, Stella... don't you go to college today? * she asked as she knew it was Stella's college hour.

*I'm in college only* she said.

*Oh... tell me*