Harvest Moon

Chapter 10

Khushi opened her eyes and was shocked out of her wits to see Arnav sleeping on the bed next to her. Then it dawned on her that she was actually in his bed. The steady rise and fall of his chest indicated he was deep in sleep. For the first time she saw how long and thick his lashes were, the sharp patrician nose and lips that were soft and kissable. Kissable? She rushed out of bed shocked with her train of thought. How could she even think of such things after what she had heard the night before?

She pulled on her favourite denim jeans and matched it with a printed t-shirt. Since it was still early she decided to go on walk. As she walked on the sidewalk, she made a call to Payal who told her that her grandfather had made the journey without any hiccups and that he had been admitted to the hospital in Wilmington. After a round of preliminary tests, a date for the surgery would be finalised. She sent a silent prayer for her grandfather hoping that the surgery would go well.

Her mother spoke next. "I can't believe I am attending a wedding here when I should have been there for yours."

"Amma, please," Khushi implored softly, "You know why this had to happen this way. Don't beat yourself over it." She paused.

"It must have difficult to explain to people there, isn't it?" Khushi said in a small voice. Buaji would have had a field day blowing the whole thing out of proportion.

"Don't worry about all that, titli" Her mother said fondly, "I will handle everything."

"How is dad?"

"He will come round, eventually," Her mother assured her. "You know Khushi, after having met Akash I realised that Raizadas are good people. He is such a sweet boy — so well-mannered and helpful." Khushi listened as her mother praised Akash, "I am relieved that you are in good hands." Khushi listened to her quietly. What could she say? She wasn't in a position to tell her mother anything when she herself wasn't completely clear.

"The most important thing is that you are happy."

It was obvious that her sister had told her that she was in love with Arnav. Khushi's eyes filled with tears as she hung up.

What the stranger had told her yesterday only confirmed the doubts she had about Arnav's deceit. She could confront Arnav about everything but would he be truthful about it? Would he accept that he had ulterior motives in marrying her? It was highly unlikely. He would probably come up with some kind of an explanation to cover up for all the deceit and she wouldn't have enough information to contradict him. She could hardly tell him that a stranger had given her the information, could she?

"Khushi!"

Arnav's tone startled her. "You scared me!"

"You scared me!" He exclaimed, "why did you step outside the house?"

"Is that a problem?" she demanded.

"How can you ask this question after what happened?" He was worried that she would be kidnapped again.

"I can't just be cooped up in the house all the time now, can I?" she said, "I stepped out to make a phone call."

"Who were you talking to?" He demanded.

"To my mom."

"Really?" He looked at her his eyes rife with suspicion.

"You don't believe me?" She asked him.

"You were gone from the party for a long time last night."

Khushi racked her brains to find something to say. She couldn't tell him that she was talking to a complete strange man. Then she remembered something. "Hold on for a second," she said raising her hand, "if I am not mistaken, you were the one who left the party with friends."