OS: One Halvai to Another Part 2

This was originally meant to only be an OS But I had a lot of requests to continue it so here you go!

Background Information: Suraj's mother (Bhabo) takes a challenge of some sort that she'll get her son married within 15 days and the girl has to be less educated than Suraj who has studied to the 9th Standard. (I'm not sure of the exact circumstances on the actual show since I don't actually watch it but I see occasional bits of pieces but I think this is right.)

Part Two

Khushi woke up early, feeling completely rested in a way she hadn't done in months. She hadn't realised just how much she missed waking up every morning and going to her father's store and preparing all the sweets for the day, tasting everything herself to ensure that they were all perfect.  It was still only 5 but she was sure Suraj would already be awake and at the shop by the time she got there and so she bounded out of the bed and into the shower.

The hallways were empty, she had only encountered a few of the housekeeping staff on her way down and she was biting her nails wondering if she'd even find a taxi so early in the morning when her path was blocked and she ran into a hard, muscular chest. Her hands flew up to the chest, trying to prevent the impact as his grasped her waist and did the opposite, pulling her close until her chest collided with her hands and his chest.

'Are you okay?'

She nodded not meeting his eyes, trying to control her breathing so he wouldn't know he still affected her. She wriggled slightly trying to move backwards but his arms tightened around her.

'Where are you going?'

'Out,' she replied succinctly after a pause. She didn't owe him any explanations, like she'd said the day before; he wasn't her father, her brother or her husband. He was just a man. The fact that she wanted an explanation from him for his early appearance needled her and she ignored the urge to ask if he'd even slept.

'You won't find a taxi so early; I'll take you in the car.'

She hesitated before nodding again as he released her. His new found politeness and calm over the past month still disconcerted her. Only on those rare occasions when she saw him clench his jaw and fist, to control his anger reassuring her that he was the same man underneath did she relax slightly. The anger had been more than evident last night, as she'd briefly recapped her day with Suraj and Chotu to Payal and Akash over dinner. She'd noticed he'd taken maybe two bites of his dinner and spent the rest stabbing at his potatoes as if they'd personally attacked him.

'Where to?'

'Where I was yesterday. Surajji's shop.'

His mouth stretched into a firm line as if he was only just stopping himself from openly frowning but there was no caustic or sarcastic comment as he began to drive.

---

'Are you sure everything's okay Khushiji? You've been a bit quiet all day.'

Khushi looked up from the jalebis she was frying and smiled as she shook her head, 'I'm fine Surajaji, nothing's wrong.'  She had been trying to fathom why she felt rejected somehow, why Arnav's lack of jealousy, lack of obvious reaction to her spending time with another man bothered her so much. The past two months had been so confusing for her. She'd spent weeks and months trying to hate him during their sham of a marriage but she had never quite managed it and then it had come to an abrupt end with Shyam's unmasking before she had been able to fully understand her feelings for him and now she was constantly in a state of limbo.

There were days when she didn't remember him even once, lived her life as she had done before, albeit more cautiously, more quietly. And then there were days where she did nothing but remember him; every touch, every conversation, every act of kindness and every act of immense cruelty.

'Didi, can I ask you something?'

'Hmm, of course you can Chotu.'

Chotu looked from Suraj to Khushi and bit down on his bottom lip to stop himself from grinning. 'How far have you studied?'

Khushi eyed him quizzically before she answered, 'well actually I dropped out in 8^th, Babuji was really busy at the shop at that time and I wanted to help. He was really against it but I begged and begged him to let me work in the shop and finally he agreed.'

'Oh so you definitely didn't even 9^th? Hmm... interesting.'

'Chotu!'

Khushi looked from Chotu to Suraj who was now blushing and trying to convey something to Chotu with just his eyes. 'Is something wrong Surajji?'

'Oh nothing's wrong Didi,' Chotu interjected, 'I just really think you should meet Bhabo! You're just the type of girl she's looking for.'

'Looking for...?'

'Chotu, stop it! Please ignore him Khushiji, he 's just talking nonsense.'

'You mean you don't want me to meet your mother? But why not? Parents and elders always love me,' Khushi said with a pout.

'Erm... I... no that's not what I meant at all Khushiji...' His curiosity got the better of him then and he had to ask, 'have you really only studied until 8^th?'

'Well then it's sorted!' Chotu said at her nod and put down the broom he had in his hand and raced to the front of the shop, 'I'll go and call Bhabo right now!'

---

Khushi stood still under the intense stare of the formidable older woman. She had greeted Bhabo politely and respectfully but all she had gotten in return were monosyllabic answers as the woman continued to appraise her.

'So. You've only studied until 8^th?'

'Erm... yes,' she nodded hesitantly after a glance at Suraj wondering why this family was so concerned with her education. Before she had met Arnav, the abrupt end to her studies had never bothered her but the inferior feeling he always seemed to bring out in her began to creep up again until she saw Bhabo's mouth twist into what she assumed was supposed to be a smile.

'So tell me more about yourself Khushi. Chotu says your father is a Halvai like my Suraj?'

'Oh yes, we had a shop in Lucknow that sold the best sweets! My Babuji makes the best ladoos and my jalebis are just out of this world.'

'Is your Babuji here with you in Rajasthan?'

Khushi had been about to reply when she caught sight of the car in the corner of her eye. Her heart leapt stupidly as the door opened and he stepped out. His suit and his sunglasses just as out of place in Rajasthan as they had been this whole week but his presence commanded attention and she watched as people instinctively moved out of his way allowing him space to move, closer and closer towards her.

'Sorry Bhabo? What did you say?'

'Your parents? Are they here visiting with you? I'd love to talk to them.'

'Talk to...?' She lost her train of thought as she watched Arnav come into the shop and quietly take a seat after giving her a small nod of acknowledgment.

'Don't be shy Khushi. That's a good quality of course but there's not much time right now. Chotu says you're only here for another week? I had planned on the wedding for the week after but everything could be arranged quickly.'

'Wedding?' She forgot Arnav briefly as she wondered why Bhabo would want her and Babuji to make sweets when Suraj himself was a Halvai. 'Won't Surajji...'

'No no, don't worry Khushi. Suraj will listen to whatever I say. You're perfect, just the type of girl I want for my Suraj's wife.'

The clattering of a chair as it fell to the floor and the rapid movement of its previous occupant drowned out Khushi's shock and she had a few precious seconds to compose herself as Bhabo, Suraj and Chotu turned to deal with what they thought was merely a disgruntled customer.

She heard him reply in clipped tones. The anger and jealousy she had thought lacking this morning so clearly evident as he ignored their offers of assistance and picked his chair up again and sat down, his gaze boring into Khushi's.

'I can't... I can't marry Surajji,' she said quietly with her head down after the suggestion had been repeated again. Her heart ached as she caught a glance of Suraj's disappointed face, she wished her answer could be yes. It made so much sense. Suraj made so much sense. He was straight forward, honest, respectful and of her status. But she couldn't.

'Why not? Of course you can. My Suraj is a perfect catch, you won't find anyone better.'

She shook her head in refusal again and there were stern words spoken while Khushi remained silent, refusing to answer any further questions, her mind teeming with memories of another demand for marriage, which had been just as unfeeling, just as clinical.

Bhabo left with Suraj following behind her after quickly spoken words of apology and understanding and still Khushi stood mute.

Slow footsteps intruded on her thoughts until they stopped a foot away from her and his husky voice replaced the sound of clattering shoes, 'why did you refuse?'

'She would have taken back her offer eventually anyway,' Khushi said quietly before she looked up at him. His questioning gaze had her resentment increasing and bubbling over. 'I'm a 19 year old divorcee Arnavji. Not exactly the perfect candidate for marriage, am I?' She picked up her bag, said goodbye to Chotu and walked to the main road as Arnav followed behind, dumbstruck.

'Khushi, I'm so sorry Khushi, I...'

'I'll see you back at the hotel Arnavji,' she said with false brightness as she hailed an Auto and sat inside.