52 Observation
Part 52 Observation
"Well... I'm glad you wanted to marry me, but I married you not for OUR daughter but for ME because I liked you," she said, meeting his eyes and making him swallow hard.
Arnav didn't know whether he should switch the light off or not.
"Thanks..."
"Thanks?" She chuckled.
It was indeed a tease and Arnav understood that. Arnav smiled without showing his awkwardness. He headed to the bed and was about to lie down, Khushi asked,
"By the way, how do you know Payal?"
Arnav smiled.
"She is my school mate"
"It's good to see you guys are still in touch"
"No... we met just five years ago," Arnav's voice lowered because they had only met two days before the incident.
"I see..." Khushi didn't dig more.
"Do you have any other friends?"
"Karan... my manager. He is my college mate"
"That's nice. When Payal wanted me to take over Amma's responsibility..."
Cutting her,
"Amma?" Arnav raised his brows as he didn't know Khushi started calling Ratna AMMA.
"Ratna Amma..."
Arnav was stuck and smiled.
"When Payal asked me to go to RM, I hesitated because I didn't like to visit anyone's house. My perspective changed utterly when Akash told me about you. Payal is your friend. It is no wonder that she provided you with a conduct certificate, but Akash did that, which amazed me. So, I agreed to come to your house, closing my eyes. Akash has huge respect for you..."
Cutting her,
"Khushi, actually, I spoiled your life..."
"Please, hold on, Arnav. I just am saying how I started respecting you. Why are you always ending up in something that makes you feel low?"
"It's because I'm feeling low..."
"No need... we both are equally responsible for what happened. In fact, we are not responsible for what happened. We were spiked, Arnav. We both were in the same state..."
"But you DID nothing but me..." He said in a feeble tone.
Khushi closed her eyes.
"So? Will you be repenting for your whole life?"
Arnav had no answer. He didn't know why he could not forget the incident. Khushi's VOICE that was echoing in his head tortured him like hell. He lived with the voice for five years. He didn't know it created such an effect in his heart. He didn't know how he would come out of it.
Without saying anything, Arnav lay down. Khushi sighed and switched the lights off. She took the left side of the bed and closed her eyes, but neither of them slept.
The next morning
Arnav opened his eyes, feeling his thigh heavy. He saw Khushi's leg on his thigh. Arnav raised his brows. What Aashi said seemed accurate. He smiled, remembering how cutely she giggled when she said that. His smile vanished when he looked at Khushi. He blinked his eyes slowly as a gust of wind caressed him. He closed his eyes thinking something. He slowly put her leg down while moving away slowly and got off the bed.
He got into the washroom, took a quick shower, and came. The washroom door's click sound disturbed Khushi's sleep. She opened her eyes and sat on the bed lazily. Arnav was stuck seeing her looking dashing in her sleepy avatar.
"You can sleep if you are sleepy... You have time to go to the clinic," Arnav said.
"Clinic? I hope you are not kidding."
Arnav looked at her plainly as he didn't understand what she was saying.
"Arnav, we just got married yesterday. Do you want me to resume my job today?"
Arnav was embarrassed.
"Do you have an idea of going to the office?"
"No... I... mean..."
"Dare you...! If you have an idea to go to the office, wipe it off... I don't know what will happen then..."
"Whaaat wi...ll happen?"
Khushi smiled at him mockingly and went to the washroom, leaving him in suspense. What would happen if he went to the office? He didn't get anything.
He called Karan and he attended the call.
"Hi, ASR... what a surprise! I thought you would be in an alien world after your first night. How do you remember me?"
"Shut up..."
"How could I answer you on the phone if I shut up?"
"I'm not coming to the office today..."
"Ohhhh... that sounds sweet. I will manage even if you take two or three days off. Enjoy your wedding ASR."
Arnav disconnected the call and Karan chuckled. Arnav came downstairs and called Hariprakash. He saw Ratna peeping from the kitchen, instead of HP.
"Good morning, Chotte..."
"Good morning, Mom..."
"Very good morning, Chotte..."
Arnav looked at her, who was suppressing her smile. Arnav rolled his eyes.
"Mom, can I get a cup of coffee?"
"Yes, sir..."
Arnav sat, keeping his hand on his head. Ratna brought coffee for Arnav and gave it to him. Ratna next to him.
"How are you Chotte?" she asked, adjusting his hair.
"Mom, please stop it"
"What do you want me to stop? What's wrong, I asked?"
Arnav sighed.
"It seems NOTHING happened..."
Arnav glared at her.
"You look annoyed...! That's why..."
Cutting her,
"Is Aashi still sleeping?"
"Yes..."
"Let me check", he said, keeping the empty cup.
Arnav walked to Ratna's room and saw Aashi sleeping, putting her leg on a pillow. He smiled. Like mother, like daughter...! He sat on the bed and caressed her hair lovingly. Sometimes, a horrible incident could give such a sweet outcome, like Aashi. He thought and kissed her cheek. Aashi slowly opened her eyes and smiled seeing her father.
"Dad..." She smiled.
"Good morning Ms. Smile", Arnav chuckled.
"Good morning Mr. Puzzle" She giggled.
Arnav laughed.
"Dad, I called you Mr. Puzzle at the beginning. Do you remember?"
"Of course, I do... you too?" he held her hand and kissed her knuckle.
"No... I won't..."
"Why?"
"I love to call you DAD not Mr. Puzzle"
Arnav smiled.
"I'm so happy you became my Dad." She circled his neck.
That was when they heard,
"He is your Dad from the beginning", Khushi, who had come, said, making Arnav embarrassed.
Arnav tried to get up from the bed but could not as Aashi circled his neck. Khushi came to the bed and sat.
"Dad, your LOVE LADY came..." Aashi giggled.
Khushi raised her brows and Arnav looked at her awkwardly.
"LOVE LADY? Really?" Khushi asked, looking at Arnav.
"Mom, you got married to Dad. So, you became his wife. So you are his love lady. Am I correct, Dad?"
Arnav looked at Khushi, raising his eyelids slowly.
"Is it, Arnav?"
Arnav smiled awkwardly.
"By the way, Ms. Smile, it's parent teacher's meeting today" Khushi said.
"Is it?" Aashi sat on the bed, leaving Arnav's neck.
"Yeah, I just checked the message. Are you scared?" Khushi asked.
"Why would I be scared? It's my teacher who should be scared because Dad is going to come," She giggled, and Khushi controlled her smile, biting her inner lip.
Arnav scratched his forehead smiling.
"Go and get ready for the school", Khushi said.
"Dad, don't come alone. Bring Mom also, Aashi said, making them awestruck.
"Oi, I always attend the parent's teacher meeting. You are talking as if it's always your Dad..."
"Mom, he is my Dad. So, he should come," She pouted.
"I will come..." Arnav said.
"Mom?"
"I will bring her"
"Hey... It's going to be fun," She hoped.
"Go and get ready", Khushi said.
"Ok..." She rushed out.
"What magic did you do on MY daughter that she became so fond of you?" Khushi asked.
"I just care for her... she liked it" Arnav said.
"Yes, women MELT in love and care..." She smiled.
"When is the parent's teachers meeting?" He gulped down.
"3 PM..."
"Mm..."
Arnav was about to leave, but his leg stumbled on the carpet. Khushi held his hand and tried to keep him steady, but both fell on the bed, losing balance. Arnav slowly lifted his head and looked at Khushi, who was holding his shoulders and closing her eyes. Arnav got up hurriedly and left the place, leaving Khushi on the bed. Khushi felt his detachment and opened her eyes. She understood something was disturbing him.
She came to her room and made Aashi ready for school. She brought her downstairs and fed her breakfast. Ratna gave her lunch box. Taking it from Ratna, Aashi bid bye to Ratna and walked with Khushi.
"Dad, you too come..." She held his finger and walked.
Arnav went with them. They waited for the bus. Khushi noticed Arnav avoiding looking at her. When the bus came, Arnav lifted Aashi and put her in the bus. Aashi sat in the bus and waved her hand at her parents. Arnav went inside and sat in the living room. Khushi went to the kitchen.
"Amma, I should prepare something, right?"
"It's all just formalities, not compulsory. Hariparakash has already finished cooking, including the sweet. Come, we will eat"
Clutching her hand, Ratna brought her to the dining room.
"Chotte, come and eat breakfast"
Arnav nodded and came to the dining room. He was supposed to sit opposite to Khushi, but waited hearing,
"Chotte, sit next to Khushi", Ratna said.
As Ratna said straight, Arnav had no choice but to sit beside Khushi. Khushi and Ratna spoke random things. Though Arnav ate silently, he got into their conversation if needed. After breakfast, Arnav stayed in the living room itself. Now, Khushi confirmed that he was in some tension. She decided to finish the issue that day itself. She didn't want to drag it even though it was a sensitive issue. She had faced many sensitive and challenging problems in her life. It was not a big deal for her to deal with him because it was a matter about Arnav. So, she would always be in a safer zone. So, she could PLAY freely, without tension and awkwardness. Khushi supposed.
To be continued...
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