FF: It's Not Right - Chapter 49

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Chapter 49

'Take my phone!'

'What?' Abhi looked down at the phone that Khushi had shoved at his chest.

'Take my phone! Arnav's going to phone and when he does, I want you to say I left the phone at work and... and you can't get it back to me until tomorrow.'

Abhi took the phone, still slightly confused as to what he was being instructed to do. 'Whoa, Khushi. There's already like 10 missed calls here. What's going on, did you have a fight?'

Khushi shook her head, 'no nothing like that! It's... difficult to explain.'

Her smile and unfocused eyes reassured Abhi that everything was okay between Khushi and Arnav and they were being their usual weird selves.

The phone rang, just as predicted and Abhi answered it hesitantly. 'He...'

'Khushi! Where the hell have you been? I've been calling you all morning. Forget the stupid deal, I was worried about you!'

'Oh right. Well erm see...'

'What the...? Who is this and why do you have my girlfriend's phone? Where is she?!'

'Hey, calm down Arnav! It's me, Abhi and Khushi is completely fine. She just left her phone at work that's all.'

'Oh okay. Wait, but where has she gone?'

'Oh erm... erm...' Abhi looked at Khushi for some assistance but she was enjoying herself far too much to be any help. 'Shopping! For Payal's wedding. I think.'

Khushi gave Abhi a thumbs up sign and then made some throat cutting gestures indicating he should end the conversation.

'So I'll tell her you called. Goodbye! What was that Khushi?'

Khushi giggled and hugged Abhi, 'thank you so much Abhi. Arnav just thinks he's so clever but he can't have everything his way can he? He needs to learn to be patient.'

Abhi shook his head in exasperation and threw Khushi's phone back to her.

---

Khushi managed to avoid talking to Arnav for the next two days and took great delight in imagining the temper he must have worked himself into by now. Everyone was preparing to meet the Raizadas at the temple, where they would offer the first marriage invitation to ensure the wedding went well. Payal wore a new dress they had bought only the day before and Khushi dressed with special attention as well.

There was no doubt in her mind that Arnav would be there today, no matter what his religious beliefs were.

Khushi's eyes gleamed when the taxi reached the temple and she saw a large white SUV blocking the entrance. She jumped out when the taxi had barely stopped, ignoring the sounds of Amma and Buaji rebuking her and straight towards Anjali who was standing next to the car. They hugged and exclaimed over their good fortune of having such wonderful siblings and Khushi only slightly stiffened when she heard the door of the SUV open and close behind her.

'Hello Khushi.'

Khushi turned in a manner that she hoped was dignified and greeted him politely.  'Namaste Arnavji.'

He was seething she could tell. There was something about the tough set of his jaw, it instantly changed his face and made him appear much older. She had the urge to tickle him and make him laugh but was saved by the arrival of her family from any further conversation.

The pooja and the rituals took nearly an hour and Khushi thought it was a miracle she hadn't melted under Arnav's intense gaze in that time. However she had anticipated Arnav cornering her much earlier than he actually did and so she was prepared for the firm hand at her elbow that led her away from everyone else while they were occupied with the proceedings.

When they had reached his car, Khushi pulled her elbow free and folded her arm. 'Yes?'

Infuriatingly Arnav folded his own arms and leaned against the car and smiled knowingly. 'Avoiding me won't help Khushi. You know I always win.'

Khushi almost ruined her carefully cultivated air of detachment by jumping up and clapping her hands together in glee. She had wondered how she would make her statement and still remain aloof but here Arnav had given her the perfect opportunity and raised the subject himself.

'Actually Arnav you're right. You do always win so I've decided I shouldn't bother wasting energy on delaying the inevitable. So I'll just go ahead and say it. Yes, I share your sentiments.'

Khushi had turned and was almost at the foot of the stairs again before Arnav could gather his wits and stop her, 'ex...Excuse me? What the hell was that?'

'I thought it was fairly obvious Arnav. You asked me to say something to you before the end of the wedding and I did.'

Arnav scoffed in disbelief moving them away slightly from curious strangers, 'you're saying you love me yes? And that's how you're saying it?'

Khushi shrugged, 'pretty much yes. Did you imagine something else? I mean I had imagined that when someone proposed to me he there would be roses and lights and everything would be so romantic but... what can you do?'

Arnav grimaced visibly before continuing. 'Oh. So Khushi Kumari Gupta knows how to be sarcastic as well does she?'

'Yes. And thank you. I'm glad you've realised that I won't be changing my name after all.'

This time Arnav wasn't quick enough and Khushi bounded up the stairs before he could compose himself from the shock.