Harvest Moon

Chapter 11

The Raizada family sat down for breakfast on Monday morning. The weekend had flown as Anjali had invited the newly married couple and Manav to dinner and movie at her house. After the movie, they had stayed back at Anjali's and the following day Anjali had taken her for a much needed shopping spree. Later that evening, the four of them had driven back to Faridkot as Anjali had to attend a function.

Anjali spoke up. "Khushi, before I forget, do you think you will be able to work on that programme schedule I had asked you about? I have e-mailed you all the details."

"Yes Di I will check my mail today." She also had to look into her school work which was long pending.

"Oh my God!" Anjali said with a hand on her head. "Never mind. That was so stupid of me to ask you to do this Khushi. You both must have made honeymoon plans and here I am asking to you to work!" Anjali's sudden outburst was met with silence.

She looked at her brother. "You are going for your honeymoon, aren't you?"

Khushi's heart skipped a beat. Honeymoon?

"I don't think so."

Arnav's lips tightened at the look of relief on her face.

"What do you mean by that?" Anjali demanded, "Married couples are supposed to go on a honeymoon!"

"I don't think there are any such rules Di," Arnav shrugged his shoulders.

"It's not about rules!" Anjali was clearly surprised, "How can you let him get away with this Khushi?"

Before Khushi could say anything Arnav said, "She is the one who doesn't want to go."

As all face turned toward her, Khushi's face went beet red with embarrassment. It was week since that night of their argument and Arnav hadn't spoken a word to her, treating her with polite indifference and now out of the blue he had put her on the spot.

His behaviour was getting on her nerves. The outcome of the confrontation was not one she had expected. He had neither accepted nor denied anything. He had responded to most of her accusations with sarcasm and counter accusations. He had made it very clear that he expected her to continue the charade in front of his family members and she had no problems with that for she had developed genuine affection for these two women in the past few weeks. But a honeymoon would just be going too far.

Khushi racked her brain for something to say. "It's just that Nanaji isn't keeping well —"

"Come on Khushi!" Anjali exclaimed, "he was the one who wanted to you to get married. I don't think he would mind if you went on a honeymoon."

"It would be a better idea to wait until the real wedding rituals take place," Mamiji intervened.

Khushi mentally thanked the older woman who had unwittingly come to her rescue.

"Mami," Anjali addressed her aunt, "Arnav and Khushi are sharing a room." Anjali pointed out embarrassing Khushi even further.

"Anjali!" Naniji admonished.

"Anju, I think we are getting late," Manav said looking at his watch, "we have that meeting —"

"What meeting?" Anjali said, "I don't remember any meeting."

"I must have forgotten to tell you," Manav stood up, "Come on! Hurry up."

"Alright alright!" She looked at her brother. "You have to convince Khushi to go."

Arnav looked at Khushi and then back at his sister. "Di, you know very well that I can't go anywhere as the fields are being prepared for the sowing season."