MEHBOOBA

Part - 10

Hi friends!
I just published the next chapter of my SS - Mehbooba. After so many twists and turns Khushi and Arnav have found the right path for themselves. How will the story move forward now...? Read and review.

After the alarming incident, everyone remained shell-shocked. Khushi remained in the backyard for a long time. She was still not able to digest the fact that a disaster had occurred at her best friend's wedding. Her eyes took in the grand farmhouse which now looked like a haunted house. All her hard work and efforts to light up this place had gone in vain. From the corner of her eye, she observed the elders of the family trying to breathe after inhaling the pungent acrid.

A medical team was busy assisting people who were in dire need of attention. She was aware that a few of Payal's relatives suffered from Asthma. Khushi herself had arranged for a few inhalers as a backup plan before the wedding events. And amidst the messed up situation, with a sweeping glance, she noticed the one man who stood aloof from the rest of the crowd, leaning against a tree, staring ahead towards nothing in particular.

Doubts streamed in her veins like a potent liquid used on lab rats for research purposes. Arnav Singh Raizada was an enigma. A perplexed human being, to say the least. The man who once broke her heart into millions of shards had done something that made her awe-struck. Khushi never even dared to imagine that one-day Arnav would be the one to save her bestie in a life-threatening moment. Earlier when he had asked her to get away from the blazing living room, she assumed that he wanted to keep her safe. The thought had somewhat melted her anger. But tonight's act had made Khushi see him in a new light. He was no longer a nosferatu hell-bent to destroy her peace. The man had potential. Arnav Singh Raizada simply needed the right kind of guidance in life. She wanted to understand him better.

Somehow her feet advanced in his direction. And at the same time, the man turned his gaze toward her form. His eyes widened as realization dawned upon him. Khushi knew that he knew that she was about to have a word with him. Unfortunately, her timing was not good, because, at that exact moment, an excited Rajeev walked in her path. Her gaze did not waiver from Arnav though.

"Khushi!!! Payal is awake! She is asking for you. Jaldi chalo."
(Come quickly).

"I....umm...I..."

"Come on Khushi. Payal is up. Were you not worried for her? I know you better than you. Chalo."

That was enough for her to come back to reality. The spell between Khushi and Arnav broke. She did not eye him again, rather, she chose to see her best friend. They are not leaving this place anytime soon. Maybe she could find a suitable time to talk with Arnav since at this point Khushi is still trying to process her thoughts regarding Mr. Raizada.

It did not take Khushi too long to reach Payal. She was resting in a corner of the backyard, on one of the three-seater sofas that Khushi, being the wedding planner, had placed outside the farmhouse in hopes of enjoying a friendly game with the family post the wedding rituals. However, the sudden fire altered Khushi's plans. And now she doesn't even know if a wedding will happen anytime soon. Payal's health is the main priority at this point. Her bff clutched her hand in her own as Khushi kneeled before her.

Payal's eyes were not open completely. An oxygen mask was held in place to help her breathe properly. She was trying to say something but the mask did not allow her to do any kind of talking. Frustrated by the obstacle she pulled the mask aside to Akaash's annoyance. However, that did not deter her from speaking with Khushi. Exasperated, Ms. Gupta, shook her head watching Payal Sharma's stubbornness.

"You need to rest Payal. We can talk later."

"Shut...up. I...am...fine."

Khushi rolled her eyes in response. Of course, she is fine. The woman cannot even utter a word properly. She could see Payal's parents chastising her friend from behind the sofa. Agreeing with her family Khushi, tried to step away but her hand pulled her down by the wrist. This time the woman did not move away from Payal's side. She heard Akaash muttering something like a 'crazy woman' from beside her. With a small smile Khushi Kumari Gupta, leaned closer to her friend's face, so she could whisper in her ears.