Our Arranged Love Story

Part 6

The whole night, she tossed and turned, sleep was far away from her eyes for two reasons. First,  her heart was pounding like a drum roll, and second, every time she closed her eyes, she kept seeing the image of a certain Raizada. His face kept flashing behind her eyelids. His intense gaze, his smirk, it was as if his face had imprinted itself in her mind, not allowing her to find any peace. Khushi was nervous and was looking for the reason why her always so obedient heart was certainly behaving like this, and in the end, she came to the conclusion that it was due to ''acidity''...

This morning, Khushi finally felt a little calm after taking some medicine to relieve her "acidity." But her peace was very short lived as her mother suddenly screamed 'Khushi, get ready bitiya! Arnav babua is coming to pick you up!..' .

Khushi's eyes went wide, 'Arnav-ji... is coming here? To pick me up? Why?' she stammered, feeling her "acidity" make a strong comeback.

'Ratna-ji just called and invited you over to celebrate Diwali with them. So she's sending him to bring you to there house.. Now go, get ready!'

Khushi looked at her gulping, 'Amma... do I really have to go?'

Garima gave her a soft smile, 'Beta, Ratna-ji invited all of us so warmly. I really couldn't say no. We're attending the pooja in the neighborhood, and your bua ji is also not at home.. so we'll come a little later in the evening with Pranay. But she's looking forward to having you there earlier. You should go..'

'No no.. I will go with you..' Khushi said biting her nails nervously.. For some reason being with Arnav again was making her feel restless..

Garima shook her head gently, 'No, Khushi, it wouldn't look good if we say no now. I've already agreed, beta.'

Khushi frowned, 'But... why didn't you ask me first?'

Garima frowned , 'Arre, I'm telling you, beta, I couldn't refuse Ratna-ji. She was really very excitedly inviting you to come early.. She would have been upset na, if I said no...  Now stop overthinking and get ready!'

Khushi sighed, realizing there was no way out of it. She nodded slowly and move towards her room, her heart started to race again at the thought of Arnav coming to pick her up..Hai, how would she explain this ''acidity'' to her Amma...

Garima watched Khushi's hesitant steps and let out a soft sigh. She followed Khushi  to her room, thinking how Khushi's nervousness was completely natural. Her niece whom she considered as her first born child is so innocent, It's only natural for her to feel nervous, she reassured herself. After all, every girl goes through these moments when meeting her future in-laws, especially in an arranged marriage. There's nothing unusual here. It's just part of the process...

Garima stepped into Khushi's room holding out a beautiful red saree, 'Beta, I think you should wear this today, It's the first time you're going to Raizada house, after all. A saree will be perfect...'

Khushi looked at the saree and the memory of the last night flashed in her eyes, her cheeks turned a beautiful shade of red giving the red sharee a competition and that didn't go unnoticed by Garima... She chuckled and left the room giving Khushi some privacy...

.......................

'Jija ji aa gaye! Jija ji aa gaye!' Niv shouted so loud that Khushi was afraid, whole neighborhood was hearing him..

She shot him a warning look, 'Niv! Stop screaming and stop calling him that!!'

Niv put his hands on his hip and said, 'But it's true! He's your jija ji now! We should call him jija ji...'

Khushi frowned, ' What? Niv,  he's not my jija ji!'

Niv looked at her, a bit confused. 'Then what is he to you? Amma said he is our jija ji...'