Next day, early morning, they both started for Lucknow. It was going to be a 3 days stay there with Nikhil's parents. Mohan, a trusted old driver of the Raizada family, was driving the car while Arnav, Khushi and Sanika were in the back seat. Sanika was in a chirpy mood while Arnav and Khushi were trying to wipe off the last remnants of sleep from their eyes! It was 6 am after all.
"Memsaab do you mind if I play songs?" Mohan asked trying to stifle a yawn, as it was barely dawn yet. He didn't want to take risk of dozing off while behind the wheel.
"Please call me Khushi, bhaiyya. And I love Hindi songs, papa plays it all the time."
He nodded smilingly and turned on the music player...
"pyar hua iqraar hua hain, pyaar se fir kyun darta hain dil" mohan started humming along with the singer and before a slightly awkward Arnav could tell him to stop, to his utter surprise, he heard khushi hum the next line:
"kehta hain dil rasta mushkil, maloom nahi hain kaha manzil."
Arnav smiled and sat back, deciding to enjoy the happy cheerful voices in the morning air...
--*--
They eventually stopped for breakfast at a food joint and Arnav took hold of Sanika, while khushi got off the car. It was a fairly upscale hotel with open air seating and deciding to enjoy the sun, Khushi insisted they took the table outdoors.
The duo enjoyed their breakfast amongst chatting about their Stanford days, their careers right now and their ambitions for their own businesses. The only matter both were still hesitant to ask was whether they were seeing anyone.
In between, khushi fed Sanika a mashed banana and then some formula. As she finished, Arnav looked at her trying to burp Sanika without success, and Khushi gave a sheepish smile, giving Sanika to Arnav.
"Wow. I still cant burp her." She said as she watched him do it.
"Don't worry. You will be fine when we have our own kid." he blurted out without realizing
"What? Eh-Our kid?" her eyes had widened to the size of tennis balls and Arnav realized his slip of tongue
"No, I meant your kids. You will be fine with your kids...Did you hear something else?"
"huh? no" she stammered, feeling embarrassed that she misheard him.
As they were settling the bill, the manager looked at this family with admiration. 'what a cute family and a cute kid' he thought and decided to openly complement,
"Aap dono ka baccha bohot cute hain (your baby is very cute), Sirji" the hotel manager commented, and before Khushi could correct him, arnav gave a big smile and said 'thank you', leaving Khushi confused once again...
--*--
They were warmly welcomed by Nikhil's parents, who were already very grateful to khushi for bringing their grandchild to them. They insisted that Arnav also stayed with them through these 3 days and when he looked at khushi, this time he read her eyes that said 'say yes'.
The 3 days were spent in a blissful warmth, Sanika had immediately warmed up to her grandparents given how cheerful baby she was, while they also pampered Arnav and Khushi like they were their own and arnav and khushi spent almost all evenings chatting outside the house or on terrace in evening breeze enjoying a warm cup of masala chai! During the days, Arnav made a few trips to his company's warehouse and a small production unit in Lucknow, as he had made an excuse of work to accompany her here! While he was gone, khushi worked on her laptop, taking care of any pressing matters in her company in her physical absence.
The farewell was an emotional moment, saying good-bye to sanika was bittersweet not only for khushi but also for Arnav. But they made a promise to her and Nikhil's parents they will always visit her on her birthday as well as she will always have them by her side while growing up...especially khushi as her maasi.
And now on their way back, as they were a few hours away from delhi, both were restless for yet another good-bye. Khushi's return flight to SF was next day and Arnav knew he had to say something to tell her about his feelings now!
"So umm Khushi, I actually wanted to say something." he said in a low voice, hoping Mohan won't hear and judge his 'saahab'.
"yeah?" she asked turning to him, and he lost his courage! Why did she have to look at him? Look somewhere else dammit! He mentally cursed.
"Arnav?" she snapped her fingers in front his eyes to get his attention
"yeah, woh main keh raha tha ki..do you...I mean I..i don't have a girlfriend." there. He said it. the message was clear right? Apparently not.
"oooohhkaayyy?" she replied in a stretched dramatic 'ok', suppressing a giggle. She was actually happy he finally broached the topic and knew what he was trying to say but it was so much fun to see him struggle and she loved teasing him
"yeah...and what about you?" he asked slightly irritated
"I also don't have a girlfriend, Arnav" she said with a sad face and he nodded, when he fully realized what she said. So madam was making fun of him? alright then.
"good. Good that you don't." he replied and turned to look outside the window. Meanwhile Mohan was also suppressing his laughter. His Sahab had indeed met his match!
"by the way, arnav?" Khushi asked after 5 minutes, deciding to end the teasing session.
"Hmm" he still won't look at her. 'don't fall for it Arnav, she will tease you again' he thought
"I wanted to tell you something too. Actually, I don't like hazelnut milk, but I don't mind hazelnut flavored coffee that much. Especially if you will accompany me?" he turned at that. did she just ask him out for a coffee? He gave an amused smile matching her playful one.
"not bad Ms. CEO!" he replied, "It would be my pleasure." he said reaching out to hold her hand and dramatically kiss the backside of her palm, the 'lady CEO' blushed!
Arnav turned to address his driver next, "Mohan, when we reach Delhi, why don't you drop off at your home and let me take your memsaab home?"
Mohan needed no further instructions...and that started the journey to their 'home'.
--*--
And they lived happily ever after, being each other's heartbeat (pic credit- sanaya, this photo suits this SS's title so much, couldn't stop myself from using it)
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I might write an epilogue later, on my blog, not certain.
--*--
A/N - there! finally completed my oldest incomplete ff, which was also my first ff ever! it will always be special, be it on kash or arshi ❤ And I hope one day i will complete my ross-rachel incomplete ff too and make it on arshi *fingers crossed*
