The Unwanted Bride

7 - She Said Yes

Typed: 06/12/2023
Chapter 7: She Said Yes

Author's POV:

It was just after twelve when Khushi stepped out of her office to grab lunch when Neha called her for the fourth time on the same day. Khushi groans, debating whether the call her friend back or not. If Neha has somehow found out the new 'events' in Khushi's life, she'd throw a fit and want every little detail.

Then there's a message from Neha.

Neha – Call me.

Khushi clicks her tongue, typing away a partial lie.

Khushi – Busy. At work.

"Where's your mug?" Pihu is an employee at Khushi's favorite café where she spends most of her lunch break buying coffee. Not only was Khushi a regular customer but would time to time give free legal advice to Pihu.

Khushi beams in an unfeigned manner at Pihu and hands over her mug so she could fill it with hot coffee which'll stay warm all day long. "Has it been busy?"

"A lot of your colleagues lost their case today, so yes." There's no sarcasm in Pihu's voice but charisma.

Khushi gives a 'oh really' look and glances over her shoulder, looking directly at the Court. "I bet you heard a lot of swear words too then."

Pihu nodded, pouring milk and coffee powder in the standard cup before pouring it into Khushi's mug. "Yes, I heard many, thankfully, none were directed towards me." There's much glee in her tone.

They fall into comfortable silence in the cold café when her phone notifies her of a message. She reads the name and her body tingles with a wave of unquestionable surprise. It's Yug.

Yug – I know you don't know your schedule until next week but I'd like to meet you. Does this weekend work for you? I'm flexible.

The smile that had washed over her face drifts slowly. She leans back on the barstool and nearly fell. Pihu was too quick to grasp her hand and steadies her on her seat. "You okay?"

Pihu doesn't know anything about Khushi's past, what she does know is that Khushi unique. She's both confident and underconfident at the same time. She's cautious with people, especially around men. Why? Pihu doesn't know and she doesn't bother asking.

Khushi doesn't reply instantly, just pays for her coffee and holds her mug. A moment later, "do you ever try to run away from a big decision?"

Pihu doesn't even think twice, "everyday. That big decision is turning up to work but," she sighs, "I need a job and my husband prefers it when I spend my money instead of his." Khushi giggles. Her giggles are limited to only certain ears and one pair of those ears is Pihu. "On a serious note, I would face whatever it is that helps me make that decision."

~

She took Pihu's suggestion seriously and reacted upon it too. Just an hour ago Khushi messaged Yug, asking if he could meet her outside the Court at one fifty today. It was one fifty and she stood on the right to the Court, glancing at her watch, waiting patiently for him.

He'd left work twenty minutes ago to reach on time and yet couldn't get there until five past two. "Damn it." If there's one thing he's sure about Khushi then it's that she values punctuality. She has to, her profession requires meeting exceptional deadlines after all. He'd let her down by being late.

He secured a park five minutes away from the Court. "I should never rely on a stupid GPS ever again." He's in his work clothes, white crisp shirt that hugged his build, paired with a blue tie, striding as fast as he could to find her.