Chapter 5 - Radha on the dance floor...
Quick appreciation – this one is dedicated to our readers from Kenya, Japan, Poland, Nigeria, and Ghana. I feel so happy to see the diverse reader population this book has got. Thanks😇
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Khushi had never seen a godbharai before (Indian version of a baby shower) so she was very excited to be a part of it. They had reached Delhi just yesterday, and Lavanya and khushi were given accommodation in a guest bedrooms in Arnav and Akash's house, which had a fancy name 'Shantivan'. Khushi quickly thought of her own house in Lucknow, 'Gupta Niwas', which may not be as big as Shantivan, it still was one of the posh bungalows in Lucknow. Afterall it was the residence of city's leading confectioner, owner of most popular chain of sweet shops. Thankfully she convinced her parents that she would come to meet them after the function in Delhi. Her amma complained initially, but her babuji convinced her. She loved her babuji, he said never said no to her for anything or stopped her from doing anything she wished to.
It was the next day of their stay at Shantivan and a day before main function, when a jet lagged khushi joined the Raizada family for breakfast. Quickly glancing across the table, she saw the kind elderly lady from yesterday at the head of the table, arnav had introduced her as his nani, left to her were his Di and jijaji and to nani's right she saw Akash, Arnav and as she made her way to the empty chair next to arnav, Lavanya took it. Arnav had already started his breakfast, seemingly not even noticing what happened.
"khushi, come seat here, I saved it for you" it was NK, Arnav's cousin. Thats when Arnav noticed Khushi had come there, he was waiting to see her. Dressed in a simple kurta leggings, Khushi looked breathtaking this morning. Why was she staring at him with narrowed eyes though? What did he do? anyway, he hoped she would take the chair next to lavanya. Wasn't lavanya her university friend or something?
But she did go and seat besides NK. Arnav would have said something if he didn't feel a tug on his arm from the other side. It was Lavanya and she was asking him if he could help her go to shopping for tonight's function. She had never been to delhi before, and it was her only 3rd visit to India. Arnav didn't think there was anything for him to do today and he knew khushi already had her dress selected (which they both shopped together in Ney York, in Sabyasachi's showroom there. He couldn't wait to see her in that outfit, wishing he could kiss her when she wore that tonight). He assumed khushi and Akash would be tagging along too and he would then sneak out with khushi leaving Lavanya with Akash so he and khushi could spend sometime alone roaming on Delhi streets.
Amidst all his planning, he failed to notice khushi throwing murderous glances towards him.
"Khushi, did I tell you I play guitar in my band? In fact we have a big performance coming next week and we have practice run today. Will you join us?" Nk asked her. she would have refused 5 minutes ago but now she didn't have any reason to! looking at arnav and lavanya, she said
"Of course, I would love to" khushi said with a big smile, making arnav shift in his chair, trying to hold on his patience lest he created a scene there. Afterall it was his and khushi's decision to not disclose about their relationship just yet. They both agreed that their families would immediately start asking about setting the wedding date and their relationship was not remotely close to a wedding as of now. Although arnav hoped one day it will be...
Anjali was a smart woman. Besides she had seen her younger brother since the days he was in diapers. She could clearly read his eyes, his face and his body language which screamed he loved this Khushi girl. And if she was right, Khushi did too. Honestly Anjali too felt affectionate towards Khushi. She was simple yet elegant, modern yet traditional, smart and humble. Both her and nani were impressed when khushi had touched nani's feet the day they came to shanitvan. That was a surprising gesture.
