Bikhre moti (Scattered pearls)

4.4 Tu mane ya na mane (pt4)

When Khushi reached downstairs after hearing Arnav's monologue, she was panting, trying to catch her breath. All the elders from Raizada and Gupta family had assembled there and tried to look behind her to see if she called Arnav yet.

"Are you ok khushi bitiya? and where's chote?" Nani asked

"Ji nani. and erm, wo, actually nani, Arnav phone pe the (arnav was on call)." she half lied, fumbling with words.

"Koi baat nahi Khushi bitiya, its his usual way of avoiding the festivities. Good that you are here. We all wanted to talk you about something." Nani said caressing khushi's head lovingly and Khushi looked at her and then rest all, with confused expression. Why were they all so happy?

"Bitiya, its no secret that our family and your family are no separate but one. And since many years we wanted to form a more strong relation between both the families. Your parents and I initially thought this for our chotte but he already....khair, so we thought if not chote, why not our Nand Kishor?" Nani asked and looked at khushi's parents as if seeking their say. It looked like they all had already discussed this but khushi was getting more and more confused.

"Nani, I didn't understand."

"Arre titaliya, we all want you and NK babua to get married. He is such a nice boy, kyun? " Buaji told her finally revealing the secret and Khushi was once again shocked. Why was Holi turning out to be 'lets shock khushi' day? What was she to say? That she thought she was falling for Arnav instead. And that he too probably liked her when he was dating her best friend? She couldn't so she just stood silent.

"Looks like khushi bitiya is not ready to answer." Manorama mami commented

"Sharma rahi hai nand kishor (she's feeling shy nand kishor)." Madhumati said with a huge smile

"Fir bhi madhumati ji. let Khushi and our NK take more time before answering. Thik hain na bitiya?" Nani asked, sensing khushi's hesitation.

"Ji, nani ji." Khushi said with a small smile but unknown to her, Arnav had heard entire conversation and left from there in extreme anger. This had to be the limit for him! He won't sit around and see her marry someone else, much to his own cousin!! No one noticed that he had left from there towards the front door.

--*--

Arnav was fuming with anger and irritation and was about to go out for a drive to cool his mind, when he met Lavanya at the door.

"Arnav! Happy holi." Lavanya said with a huge smile and came to hug him

"Not now, Lavanya, I have something urgent to take care of, I will meet you later." Arnav very rudely dismissed her and her eyes filled with tears.

Arnav realized his mistake almost immediately, it was not Lavanya's fault that he was annoyed. And he was about to turn back and go to her when he noticed Khushi!

--*--

Khushi had excused herself and decided to get some fresh air in the garden that Raizada mansion had. This was supposed to be a calm place as party was going on in the backyard. Her thoughts went back to what she was asked few minutes ago and what she heard. Could she see herself with NK? Was Arnav saying the truth about his love for her? But his behavior to Lavanya till now and his indifference to her had told a different story. What was the truth? And importantly, what did she want?

She didnt realize the subject of her thoughts was already standing near her until she heard him.

"How can you say yes to consider a relationship with NK dammit?" Arnav shouted as soon as he was standing near her.