Head over Heels

Chapter 13 - Khushi (16+)

🎶Mere Mehboob Mere Sanam - Bad Newz

Khushi made her way toward Shantivan's entrance. Her poor heart struggled to grapple with the enormity of the situation. She couldn't help but glance at the man beside her, matching her fumbling stride.

She was engaged to Arnav Singh Raizada.

She was to marry Arnav Singh Raizada.

She was to spend the rest of her life with Arnav Singh Raizada!

"Khushi?" murmured Arnav-ji, placing a warm hand on her shoulder when she had slowed down, clutching her chest and drawing in a labored breath.

"Nothing," gasped Khushi. He looked alarmed as he turned her to face him. She shook her head reassuringly, a smile tugging her lips.

Khushi mouthed, I'm just so happy!

Arnav-ji's answering smile took her breath away. Me too, he mouthed back. She couldn't help but raise her head, drawing closer to his face.

His hand tightened on her shoulder and gently held her in place, his head cocked toward the ring camera on the door.

Khushi blushed and straightened, she heard a low chuckle as she stared resolutely at the mahogany wood while Arnav-ji rang the bell.

"Nannav, mere bhai!!"

A young man stood at the door with a grin so broad, it nearly closed his eyes, giving him an almost cartoonish look. He bounced on the balls of his feet looking excited.

Khushi felt Arnav-ji go rigid at her side. Akash-ji joined them at the door, with an apologetic look on his face, a silent exchange passed between the brothers.

"Surprise, surprise! I just landed this morning," exclaimed the stranger in a stilted accent. "Gosh, I missed you guys!"

The man suddenly caught Arnav-ji and Akashi-ji in a tight hug. A resounding clank echoed as their heads butted together. Arnav-ji jerked away with a wince while Akash-ji drew back, massaging his forehead.

"Bhai...important meeting, s-shouldn't we get going...," said Akash-ji with a grimace.

"Damn right you are," muttered Arnav-ji.

The brothers said "Bye Khushi/Khushi-ji" in unison and strolled to the car, their stride a little too swift than strictly necessary.

The stranger finally met Khushi's gaze and gave a wide, eye crinkling smile. She couldn't help but return one with enthusiasm.

"Nand Kishore," he said, extending a hand. She took it and felt her entire arm jerk up and down. "NK for short, but you can call me Nanhe too!"

"Khushi, Payal's sister," she replied, extracting her hand with difficulty as the muscles on her arm twinged.

"Please come in, I want to hear about all that I've missed!"

Nanhe-ji turned out to be a lively addition to the family, giving his awestruck responses all the way from the decor to Hari Prakash-ji's shoes. His stilted Hindi was a great source of entertainment, as the family constantly corrected him in unison with loud bouts of laughter.

Khushi soon got comfortable in Nanhe-ji's presence, he followed her around - helping with what he could. She began to see him as an oversized puppy. It was a surprise someone like him was related to Arnav-ji, no matter how distant.

The engagement ceremony was only a week away now. Anjali-ji kept them on their toes - the wedding planner would fumble often, taking notes feverishly as the former relayed instructions non-stop.