Head over Heels

Chapter 15 - Khushi

--Note--

Fallen Angel (One-shot) is now available on my other thread - Transgressions. 
It's a reimagining of Arnav and Khushi involving angels and demons. Reader discretion is advised. For 18+ mature audience only.

Link: https://www.wattpad.com/1481482282

Now back to Arshi!

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🎶 Ay Hairathe (Tere bina) - Guru - A.R. Rahman

"Why are you both so late! Come in, dinner is getting cold," greeted Bua-ji as Khushi and Ji-ji entered their home. Ji-ji briefly turned to wave at Akash-ji, but her tender expression dropped the moment she closed the door.

They had dinner in relative silence, true to their word; they didn't disclose the reason for the Raizadas' visit tomorrow at Lakshmi Nagar. Bua-ji berated them with questions, but soon gave up when Khushi and Ji-ji relented with unhelpful one word answers.

Khushi's heart twinged guiltily as Ji-ji roamed about their bedroom post dinner - not meeting Khushi's eye as she freshened up and changed into her night clothes.

"Are you upset?" said Khushi in a small voice as Ji-ji slid into the bed next to her. Ji-ji fiddled with her kameez and took a moment to respond.

"I've known you since you were eight—you were my closest confidant, just as I was yours. But after you were rescued, I noticed a change in you. I suspected he had something to do with it, but I chose to give you the space you always gave me."

Jiji took Khushi's hand gently and continued, "I know I'm in no place to complain, especially since I kept my own feelings for Akash-ji hidden from you and the rest of the family. I did try to talk to you, but after Teej... you were like a ghost in a shell, and it unnerved all of us. You were so defensive about him that I thought it might be something else. I pieced together enough of the truth, but I didn't want to push you. Still, tonight... it did slightly hurt that you didn't think to give me a heads-up."

Khushi stared at Ji-ji, her eyes stinging. Her sister was right, a small sob tore through her lips as she hugged her.

"I'm sorry I should've been more transparent - I wasn't sure myself when A-Arnav-ji confessed. It took me weeks to come to understand his feelings and my own. I was also worried about how our families would react - you seemed so happy with Akash-ji that I didn't want to drag you into my mess in case things didn't work out between me and Arnav-ji."

"But Ji-ji," Khushi couldn't help but flash a watery smile. "I'm just so happy!"

"Pagli [Stupid]," said Ji-ji, tears rolled down her face as she pulled Khushi into a tight embrace. "Next time don't worry about me and just be honest - I can't imagine how stressful it might've been for you. Spending all that time at Shantivan in his presence. I am very surprised though, not in my wildest dreams did I think I'd see the day when Khushi Kumari Gupta and Arnav Singh Raizada decided to tie the knot."

Khushi giggled, she easily relented when Ji-ji asked for more details. She crossed her legs and began to recite her story, she blushed and hurriedly edited out the parts that involved the pair of them in clandestine situations. During the pauses, she began to wonder about that aspect of Ji-ji's relationship with Akash-ji.

Ji-ji listened quietly, her eyes were wide open and filled with intrigue, there wasn't an ounce of suspicion in her demeanor when Khushi blushed nor did she read too much into Khushi's embarrassed silences.

"And then what happened?" urged Ji-ji.

"H-he proposed," said Khushi shyly and covered her face in her hands.