Head over Heels

Chapter 11 - Khushi

🎶 Na Tum Jano Na Hum - Kaho Na Pyaar Hai

"Khushi... did you even hear what I just said?"

Rubbing a finger against her temple, Khushi gazed back at her sister seated next to her. The moving car did nothing to help ease the nausea. She slid the window down to let in the morning air. She inhaled deeply, it helped soothe her anxiety.

Ji-ji threw in the towel, deciding Khushi was a lost cause. She gently traced a finger over Khushi's throbbing ear, which had survived the full force of Bua-ji's enthusiastic affection earlier that morning.

"I just don't understand, talk to me Khushi, why are you so hell bent on not going to Shantivan?"

"Ji-ji, please," groaned Khushi, wincing and leaning away from her sister's prying fingers. "I'm here now, that's all that matters."

The impending breakfast with the entire Raizada family nearly made her feel faint. She had rehearsed excuses since last night for her horrendous behavior, what if he decided to accost her?

"Disgusting, you're such a weirdo! Who hangs around in someone's closet? Get out of my life!" roared Arnav-ji, pointing toward the door.

Khushi let out a soft whine, her imagination spiraling out of control, drawing a puzzled look from Ji-ji.

"N-nothing," said Khushi, as her chin wobbled.

***

"So glad y'all made it early," said Nani-ji, taking a seat at the breakfast table while Hari Prakash-ji served them poha.

Akash-ji had greeted them at the door, Ji-ji's radiant smiles had almost blinded Khushi, their love seemed so peaceful and wholesome, while hers...she shook her head morosely. She spooned the flattened rice as Hari Prakash-ji came by with the serving tray.

Arnav-ji's incoming footsteps resounded from the stairs, her heart rate sped up. Hai Devi Maaya, give me strength!

Khushi stared resolutely into her plate of pohe like it contained hidden text of the holy verse. She prayed to a mustard seed, transferring it from one grain to the other when she heard his chair drag across the sangemarmar floors.

"Nice...shirt, Bhai," came Akash-ji's puzzled voice. Khushi couldn't help but peek at the source of her discernment and gasped.

Arnav-ji nodded to Akash-ji as he took a seat and let Hari Prakash-ji supply him with toast. He wore a deep brown suit over the very shirt Khushi had repaired. The usually present tie was conspicuous by its absence. The gold threaded buttons stood out in stark contrast against the dark ensemble.

"I don't recall it being one of the AR designs..." said Akash-ji scrutinizing his brother like he was seeing him for the first time.

"It is...one of a kind," supplied Arnav-ji. The timbre in his voice seemed different; as though it was the businessman speaking, and not Arnav-ji.

"I actually like it," said Akash-ji with a slight shrug. "It could benefit our spring collection - Holi is just around the corner. I noticed the 'A' on there too, we could maybe customize the outfits based on customer preference."

"No customizations," interjected Arnav, curtly. "But yes, I agree with designing the buttons - it adds a good variation to our suit collection."

"Khushi-ji designed it herself," chirped Anjali-ji excitedly, she looked relieved for some reason. Nani-ji joined in with her approval while Akash-ji looked impressed.

Khushi's gaze was irresistibly pulled to Arnav-ji, as if he were a magnet drawing her in. Their eyes locked for the first time in weeks, his penetrating hers with an unrelenting intensity. Her hands trembled, wishing he would look away, but neither could break the moment. A silent conversation passed between them - unspoken, electric - yet her mind could make no sense of the words.