FF: Temporary Insanity - Part 7

Read all previous parts of this series over here.


Please note I retain sole ownership of all the works of fiction on this blog so please do not reproduce or alter my work and claim it as your own.

Part 7


As expected Khushi had exactly the same expression on her face as Arnav had had earlier. Dhruv suppressed his excitement in case Khushi realised he wasn't worried about Arnav and Suhana. There was no point stressing about that, he knew it wasn't going to happen but he needed Khushi to keep thinking it would because there was no point counting on Arnav to tell Khushi how he felt.

'But... but can't you and Suhana just tell her parents that you love each other?' Khushi looked at Dhruv expectantly.


Dhruv sighed and shook his head as he took the back stairs towards his room and Khushi followed, 'Suhana was embarrassed to speak to her parents so she told her brother to do it for her but he couldn't remember my name and so just said one of the Raizadas. Now Suhana's parents are all excited about her marrying the great ASR, CEO of AR Industries so I doubt they'll be happy when they realise she's actually in love with Dhruv Singh Raizada who's never even had a proper job before.'


'No, no. We have to think of something. Arnavji can't marry Suhana because I... I mean Suhana can't marry Arnavji because she... she loves you obviously and not him. It's okay, it's okay, ' she said speaking to herself, 'they'll come and Arnavji will be his usual rude self to Suhana and then she can say she's not interested. Right?'

Dhruv pretended to look sympathetic as Khushi sat down on the bed next to him biting her nails and talking to herself for about 5 minutes about how wrong Arnav and Suhana were for each other which Dhruv thought was a bit much considering she'd never even met Suhana.


---


Arnav looked around the hallway unable to see them anywhere. Had they gone out somewhere? Gone upstairs to Dhruv's room to do some more kissing? He began to go up the stairs himself before he stopped and groaned in frustration. There was no point in talking to either Dhruv or Khushi, they both seemed stubborn and intent on marrying each other but he wasn't about to let that happen.


He walked behind Anjali and called her softly before helping her up and taking her towards the study.


'What is it Chote?'


'Di I want to talk to you about Dhruv and Khushi. I'm not sure they're right for each other, I mean... Khushi can be a little... and Dhruv is...'


Anjali sighed and sat down, 'Chote, what is this? What's wrong with you? Look, I know you and Khushiji don't really get on with each other but the rest of us love her. I really want Khushiji to be my sister-in-law Chote, please try and forget whatever differences you have with Khushiji for my sake, for Dhruv's sake.'


'But Di!'


'No Chote! That's it! I don't want to talk about this anymore. We have to talk about your wedding instead. Nani's found someone and they're coming to see you tomorrow.


'What the...?!'


'Her name is Suhana Sehgal, they sent a picture to my phone. Have a look,'


Arnav pushed the phone away without looking at it, 'Tomorrow? What the hell Di? I don't want to meet anybody!'


'But Chote, you said you wanted to get married! Why do you always do this? Why do you keep changing your mind?'


Arnav ran his hand through his hair in frustration. He was getting nowhere, 'Di I... yes I said I want to get married but not to some random girl Nani finds for me!'


'Then?'


'Di I want to... Khushi?'


'Khushi? You want to marry Khushiji?' Anjali looked at Arnav in shock before she followed Arnav's gaze and sighed in relief, 'oh there you are Khushiji. I was wondering where you'd gone.'


Arnav sighed and sat down cursing his luck. He had finally been about to tell Di and she just had to walk in didn't she? The look on Di's face when she'd thought he said he wanted to marry Khushi wasn't giving him any hope either. Di would be no help, Akash and Payal were too loved up to notice anyone else and if he told either Dhruv or Khushi they couldn't get married he knew they'd want to do it even more just to be contrary. Arnav felt like he was just falling deeper and deeper into a hole with no way of getting out.


It was time to go back to the original plan. Just tell Khushi how he felt, lay his cards on the table and then... and then what? What if she didn't love him? What if she didn't want to marry him? Or more likely, what if she continued to be obstinate and said she didn't have any feelings for him even though she clearly did?


'I think it's a great idea Arnavji.'


Arnav looked up to Khushi who had sat down next to Di, 'what?'


'You meeting Suhanaji, she's very pretty. I'm sure you'll get along great.'


Arnav scowled as he continued to look at her, 'what?'


'Khushiji, you'll come tomorrow won't you? '


'Of course Anjaliji... I mean Di, I'll definitely be here tomorrow,' Khushi smiled looking forward to watching Arnav reject Suhana.


Arnav grimaced at Khushi and Anjali in an attempt at a fake smile. Okay, out with the original plan. Telling Khushi he was in love with her would have no benefit if she didn't realise she loved him too. Which judging by her enthusiasm at him meeting potential brides she had yet to accept.


It had taken thinking Khushi and Akash were getting married for Arnav to accept his feelings for Khushi. That was obviously the best way to make Khushi do the same, 'Di can I see the picture?'


'Of course Chote, here you go. Although you know pictures aren't always an accurate representation you know so when you...'


'No Di, she's really pretty! Wow! What does she do? She could be a model you know.'


Khushi looked from Arnav to Anjali in shock, 'huh? You... What?' She leaned over to look at the picture herself and her face fell as she saw how pretty Suhana actually was.


Arnav suppressed a smirk at the astonished look on Khushi's face and continued to ask Anjali questions about the girl.