19 The First HUG
Part 19 The First Hug
When Arnav came taking bath, he saw Khushi preparing dinner. Arnav also entered the kitchen, making Khushi dumbfounded.
"Why did you get the mortgage loan, giving your bangles as collateral? What's the necessity? You would have told me if you want money... I would have given you..." he asked hesitating and also stammering. That made Khushi more surprised.
"That's ok..." she simply said and started cutting vegetables.
"Oh...actually, I don't know you are lack money... I thought you have enough money... Is it necessary to buy provisions when we already have enough of it?"
Khushi was looking at him adoringly but not showing her emotions on her face,
"You allowed me to be in YOUR house... gave me shelter... that's enough for me. I won't make you feel awkward, breaking the silence of your solitary. As I promised you, I will keep my distance from your personal space. I can manage myself. I will cook for myself. You no need to worry about me. By the way, thank you for everything"
Arnav gulped down. Neither she said something he didn't know nor did she say that to hurt him. She just reminded him what she wrote in the letter. But, that didn't make Arnav happy. He didn't like what she said. He couldn't understand why.
Preparing her dinner, Khushi left the kitchen. Her mind was clouded with Arnav's words. At least, he asked her something. Is not progress? But don't know whether it continues. He is unpredictable.
The next morning
It was a Sunday. Khushi woke up earlier and washed her clothes. Even though there was a washing machine at home she didn't use it. Then she prepared breakfast and had it. Arnav came out of the room and saw her washing her plate. Why did she wake up so earlier when today is Sunday? Arnav thought she would sleep tight. That's what working women like to do on Sundays. Don't know what's there in her mind. After putting his clothes in the washing machine, he started doing his usual routine.
Arnav got confused not seeing Khushi at home. Her room was being locked from outside. Where did she go? That too, without telling him? He was fed up. He had breakfast, thinking about Khushi. Mumbai was new to her. In a very short time, she started getting familiar with the city. She goes to the office alone... got customary with the shops around this area... goes to the pawnshop and gets a mortgage without hesitation. She has enough guts to survive alone. She doesn't need anyone's help to manage her needs. Or... is she making herself to stand-alone, taking his mother's words seriously? Don't know where did she go...
His thoughts got broken by the washing machine's beep sound. Taking his clothes from the machine, he walked to the balcony to put them on the rope to get it dried. He began to clip the clothes with the rope.
That's when something dragged his attention. He saw Khushi in the park... with children. It seems she was solving children's problems. Arnav was right. Khushi went downstairs to buy vegetables. When she came back, she saw children playing in the park. As she needs a little relaxation, she sat on the cement bench and watched them playing. What else other than children's presence gives more relaxation to the mind?
While sitting in the park, she chitchatted with a few girls and boys... asked their names, whereabouts, schools, and classes. Now, there was a fight between two girls about playing in a swing. That's the problem Khushi was solving now.
"First five minutes, pinky will play and the next five minutes for Rinky... ok?" Khushi said.
"Ok... could you tell us the time?" Pinky asked.
"Sure..."
Pinky rushed to the swing and started playing. Rinky sat next to Khushi and waited for her turn. A few more children also sat with them.
"What's your name, Didi?" Rinky asked.
"Khushi..."
"What's your flat number?" Rehan asked.
"H wing 7th floor"
"Flat number?" Sonya asked.
Khushi hesitated.
"Don't you know?" Nishan asked.
"C3"
They frowned. Rinky beckoned Khushi to come close to her. Khushi raised her brows.
"That means, is that man your husband?" she asked.
Khushi controlled her smile biting her inner lips.
"Man? Won't you call him Bhaiya or uncle?" she didn't say Arnav is her husband even though they found it.
"He won't talk to anyone nor does he smile. We don't even know his name" Rehan said making face.
"He doesn't talk to anyone. It doesn't mean he is bad" Khushi took her husband's side.
"He shouted at us one day when we shouted at the staircase you know," Rehan said.
"Really?"
"Yes, that day we had a power cut. So, we used a staircase. He also used it at the same time. We climbed the stairs shouting. He yelled at us and asked to be quiet" Sonya said.
"Oh yeah... he told me about it. He was ill that day... heavy headache... he felt bad for shouting at you" Khushi said feeling sad.
"Really?"
Khushi nodded yes.
"He is not that bad..."
"Do you like him so much?" Rinky asked.
Khushi nodded yes chuckling.
"He is her husband after all... my Mumma also loves my papa very much," Sonya said.
Rinky looked up and saw Arnav watching them.
"Didi, uncle is watching you"
Khushi looked up and saw Arnav.
"He is going to shout at you for being with us," Rehan said.
Khushi nodded no.
"He won't shout at me"
"That means he should have to wait for you," Sonya said.
Arnav and waiting for her? She would be the happiest person in the world if it happens. She stood as the image she created in their mind about Arnav should not go in vain.
"Rinky, this is your turn... go and play. I will meet you later"
"Will you come again?"
Khushi nodded yes.
"Bye Didi..."
"Bye..." Khushi walked.
"Didi, come in the evening" One of them shouted and that was very much audible to Arnav.
Khushi nodded ok smilingly. So, Khushi will go to the park again... leaving him ALONE at home. Arnav who always wanted to be alone felt bad about being alone. He didn't like it at all. What if Khushi continues this? If she gets used to spending time with children in this apartment, the children will keep her engaged with them. Those children were naughty like hell... What if they take Khushi to their houses? Then Khushi will never stay at home. It will distance them more. It should not happen. He has to engage her with him. But how? What reason could he give her? Will she be with him? No... what if she asks the reason? He has to find a solution. Arnav's brain worked fast... his mind sparkled with an idea. He remembered how Khushi took care of him when he got affected by food poison. He decided what to do.
Before Khushi opened the door with the key, he opened the door. She got in without meeting his eyes. She went to the kitchen and started cooking lunch. Taking very little time, she finished cooking as she cooked simple food. She saw Arnav watching TV. She went to her room and took bath.
When she came out, she saw Arnav standing pressing his head. She got stuck. What happens to him? She could see him suffocating. Yes, this is his plan. He believed Khushi won't go leaving him alone if he was not well. Of course, he was cent present right. Khushi could not dare leave him if he is not fine. But he didn't think of the dangerous side of his plan. He thought Khushi will be staying with him at home. But as he didn't expect,
Khushi was horrified, seeing him swaying. Without any second thought... keeping all the issues aside, she rushed to him shouting,
"Arnavjiiiiii" and hugged him, circling his waist, in the fear of him falling down.
That was the big BLOW for Arnav. He felt like, a thousand watts of current passing in his body. He stood sensing a shiver running up in his spine. He closed his eyes tightly couldn't bear the sensation that was vibrating his inner parts badly. He got Goosebumps as he got the first-ever HUG of his life... that too, from his wife who was attracting him like anything. He acted like he was dizzy to keep Khushi stay at home but now, he really felt dizzy by her touch and felt like he could fall down any time.
To be continued...
The next update is available on inkitt
Warm-heartedness
Arnav stood closing his eyes, trying to bear the sensation. He gulped hard, being in Khushi's arms. Though the sensation was torturous one he didn't want to get rid of the torture. The warmness he got from her hug made his heart so fond of it.
Khushi looked at his face and she became more nervous. She thought he is suffocating with dizziness. Of course, he was suffocating with dizziness but not in the way she thought. He was suffocating in the dizziness created by HER and her nearness.
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