Making Her Mine- An IPKKND story.

Chapter 81 - Superheroes

"Khushi, I need to talk to you!"

Arnav had stormed into her temporary room, and saw too late that it was filled with women. They all looked up at him with startled expressions.

"Alone," he muttered. Khushi was shooting daggers from her eyes. "It's important, come with me."

She huffed and stood up.

"Traditionally, the boy and girl don't even see each other after the haldi, let alone meet in private," Dadi said. Arnav hadn't noticed her, sitting away from everyone else, on the sofa. He opened his mouth to tell her exactly what he thought of tradition, but Di answered first.

"Chotay and Khushiji's wedding is unusual," she said, sounding calm but firm. "These things don't apply to them."

"Go on, Khushi bitya, see what Chotay wants," Nani added, ignoring Dadi completely, and turning to Khushi with a smile. The other women – Garima Aunty, Payal, and Buaji, giggled. Arnav met Nani's eyes, and gave her a small nod.

"You embarrassed me," Khushi hissed as she followed him to their room.

He raised his eyebrow. "What's there to be embarrassed about? I want to talk to you! What do you think I want you in the middle of the day for?"

She was blushing prettily. "I thought –you were – at the poolside..." she stammered.

"It's not my fault what you thought," he said smirking. "Is that why you followed me so fast?"

"I'm going if you don't have anything better–"

"No, Khushi, I have to talk to you."

She crossed her arms.

"It's about Sheetal."

She uncrossed her arms.

"Didn't I tell you to stop talking to her about me?"

"She – I – she was just –"

"Lavanya told me. That she talks about me and you listen. She makes you feel bad."

Khushi looked away.

"Khushi... were you feeling bad because of her?"

"I – she was just making conversation, there's no reason for me to feel bad. She started mentioning things about you in college, and I didn't say anything, and besides you were friends, so I – I mean I didn't know how to – I mean I shouldn't feel bad, I'm being silly–"

"Khushi, she was being mean." He set her down on the recliner, and crouched to meet her eyes.

"Di told me something once, about Shyam. She said he never did anything she could point at, but it would bother her. If someone does that, they're not doing it innocently. What did Sheetal tell you?"

Khushi shook her head, looking penitent. "You were right, I shouldn't have insisted on hiring her."

Arnav crossed his arms, trying not to look triumphant. They needed to stop trying to win with each other. She was feeling bad. "What did she tell you, Khushi?"

"Just small things. The things you like – movies, and books and songs. I've never heard of any of them. And things you like to do... I don't think I'd enjoy them very much. It just made me feel like we are so different."

"But, does that matter? I don't like or enjoy the same things as you either. I look like an idiot when I dance." She giggled. "Besides, that's how we make tease each other right? You make up songs about how I'm married to my computer and eat with a fork. It's not like you'll fall out of love with me just because I can't eat Jalebi."