Making Her Mine- An IPKKND story.

Chapter 16 - Arnav 2 , Khushi 0

Between half a bucket of water in the bathroom and a full one he had carried in, trying not to slosh it all over the house, Arnav managed a fairly decent wash and found the rest of the family at breakfast.

Khushi looked like a cat whose cream had been snatched away.

"You took so long, Khushi; Arnav bitwa had to fetch water from the pump," Garima Aunty said.

"He could have washed there," she muttered. Arnav shuddered again at the idea of joining the skinny man and his son to wash himself in public.

"Hai Rey Nandkishore, how can damaad-ji wash at the public pump, Sankadevi!" Buaji said, scandalized.

"Why not? Everyone does."

There was no more healthy food for him at the table, thank goodness. It was a peaceful breakfast, the women passing him food companionably as they chatted, occasionally feeding morsels to Shashi Uncle.

Khushi was mostly quiet and looked a bit grumpy.

"The kurta and sarees you got are so beautiful, babua," Buaji gushed. "You didn't have to bring them. But truly, they are so beautiful!"

Arnav glanced around uncomfortably and saw Khushi watching him with an odd expression on her face.

"Uh, I think I'll go to the office for a little bit," he said, flailing for something else to say. The warmth and affection from Khushi's family, unexpected, was making him uncomfortable for some reason he couldn't explain.

"Ok, son," Garima Aunty said after several beats of silence when Khushi did not say anything.

Back in the room, however, she cornered him.

"You are accepting defeat then; you couldn't stay in this house for much longer!" she crowed.

"No, I'm just planning to go for a couple of hours; that doesn't count. Why? You don't want me to go?"

"I didn't say that," she backtracked. "I want you to go away. But you lose if you can't tolerate being here."

"You can't make up random new rules. I can leave the house for a little bit if I mean to come back. That doesn't count. Unless you want me to stay here with you," he added slyly.

"I didn't say that," she said hastily.

"It sounds like you're making excuses so I won't go."

Khushi, who had been putting clothes inside her wardrobe, slammed the door aggressively.

"Or you are scared I'll win. Again, like I always do," he said.

"When did you get the gifts for them? You didn't have to do that."

"Why are you mad?" he asked.

"You can't give gifts and think you'll win them over," she said instead of answering.

"That's not what— I think they already like me."

She harrumphed, and glared when she saw his smile. He was winning.