Why FEAR when Khushi is HERE(Charm AWARDEE)

The Awaited Phone Call!

Arnav POV
I entered Shantivan in a trance. Never ever in my life did I imagine such a day. Me ASR...for whom work was everything...wanted to just fly in the sky like a bird right now. My heart was not in my control anymore. And it has not even been a day...Khushi's magic has started working already.

Oh MY...I can feel my poor heart loosing control. Its not beating normally. I feel like in every beat there is no dhak dhak rather its calling out only one name...

Khushi..

Khushi..

Khushi..

I turned to move upstairs when a loud voice of Di brought me back from my stupor. Huhhh. What was she saying?

"Chotte...Chotte is everything alright? Why are you not answering me? Nani maybe he is sick or something. What if his sugar levels are low? What should we do? Shyamji...Akaash what is wrong with him today?" Di's troubled voice made me realize that the entire Raizada family was sitting in the living room. And all of them were giving me strange looks. Crap. I have to hide my emotions. I cannot reveal everything right now. Ughhh. ASR control the situation asap.

"Uhh Di...I am fine. I was just thinking about work. Dont panic. Now dont you dare start something. I will just freshen up and then we all can have dinner alright?" Saying so I quickly jogged upstairs to avoid the family's curious eyes. Pheww. That was close.

Sometime later at the Dining table

"I think it has been too long Akaash. Why dont I go and visit Lucknow? That way I can get all the necessary stuff for my Rani Sahiba's prayers and the sweets that Naniji likes." Jeejaji said.
"Yeah that would be really nice Shyamji. We will give you a list of things. Nani we will prepare one tonight. You tell me all the sweets that we will need okay?" Di asked Nani.
"Yes bitiya. This seems like a good idea." Nani replied.

My mind drifted to the flirtatious conversation that Khushi had with me this morning.

"Is my coffee that tasty.....mere rasgulle??" (My sweets)

"Oye hoye....laal to aap bikul gajar ke halwe jaise hojato ho."(Oh my...you turn all red like the carrot custard).

And then suddenly I totally forgot where I was sitting and just blurted out what was running in my mind..
"Di...whats more sweeter...rasgulle or gajar ka halwa?"
It seemed like my words startled everyone. Uh oh. I am diabetic. And now my question can raise suspicions in their minds. Crap!!!

"Bhai...are you alright? You never ask anything about sweets. And today out of nowhere you want to know which of the two mentioned sweets is sweeter?!?!?" Asked a baffled Akaash.
"Chotte you are ok right?" Di asked warily. Ughh. Do some damage control Arnav Singh Raizada. Orelse this family will kill you with their questions.

"Akaash I am fine ok. And Di I was jsut curious thats it. No need to get so hyper." I said in a irritated voice.
"Okay as you say bhai." Akaash said with a nod.
"Chotte by the way...both the sweets are extremely sugary but I like rasgulle the most since they are too sweet with extra juicy syrup. They are spongy and soft to chew. Very nice in taste too. I wish you could have them. They are just irresistable." Di said in a dreamy voice.

Everyone nodded hearing her explainations. Am I really 'irresistable' for Khushi Kumari Gupta...thinking about her I sighed. Rasgulle. Is Khushi the woman who has ensured that ASR will be off the market? Are my bachelor and single days gone now? I asked myself. And the answer was plain and simple.

YES.

MY HEART IS NO LONGER MINE...

"Di..I am done. Goodnight all of you." Saying a quick goodbye I left the table in a rush. I guess I was simply being desperate to hear my Khushi's voice.

I waited for what seemed like hours but it was only 20 minutes. Finally my phone rang...

I grabbed it quickly and went to the poolside.

"Hello.." I said softly.
"Hi..Arnavji." A chirpy voice greeted in return.
"Khushi..."
"Arnavji..." Both of us uttered at the same time. And then we laughed a silly laugh. Wow we are acting like teenagers.
"You go first." I said with a smile.

"Arnavji I discussed everything with my Buaji and Jeeji. I told them how we met co-incidently in the cab, how we became friends and how you turned out to be my boss. They were happy to know that you are so well mannered and a gentleman to drop me home safely." I smiled hearing her words. Wow seems like I dont need to create a good impression on my future family. Khushi is doing it all.
"Thats really nice of you Khushi. But do you really consider yourself my friend..?" I asked testing the waters. I wanted to see..was she going through the same thing like me? Is she feeling the same restlessness for me?

"Arnavji humne aaj tak humesha apni dil ki baat sunni hai. Aur ab bhi wohi krenge. Humara dil kehta hai ki aaj humara yuh milna itefaq nahi tha. Humara dil kehta hai ki koi dorr hai jisne humein aapse jod dia hai. Humein koi bhi baat dil mein rkhni nai aati Arnavji. Shuruwaat chahe dosti se hui hoi magar ye rishta bahut khas hai. Yeh shayad aap bhi jaan gaye hain. Isliye ye sawaal kar rhein hain humse."
(Aranvji I have always heard my hearts plea. And now too I will do the same. My heart says that today our meeting was not a mere co-incidence. My heart says that there is strong thread that has connected the two of us now. I simply dont know how to keep things to myself...I am blunt. Maybe the beginning stage is friendship but what we share is very special. I believe you have realized the same. Thats the reason for such a question you know.)

I did not know how to respond to her words. But my heart felt like bursting out of my chest right now. Wow. Right now I just wanted to shout form the rooftop of my mansion in joy. This is simply amazing. MY GIRL KNOWS IT..

SHE FEELS IT...

SHE HAS REALIZED IT....

Say something Raizada. Give her something to know that you are in the same boat as well. Anything. Come on.

"You are right Khushi Kumari Gupta. Koi dorr zaroor hai(there is a thread for sure). I can feel it in the depths of my heart." I said with a smile.

"Hayyye!!!!! iss waqt aap humare paas hote to jhappi aur pappi dono aapko dete hum(I would have hugged and kissed you...if you would have been here with me)...No problem I will give it to you tomorrow in office itself. I pay all my debts on time."
She said in a teasing tone.

OH MY....a...a HUG and a..a...a KISS. For ME?!??!? In the OFFICE TOMORROW?????!!!!????!???
I felt hot all of a sudden!!!!! I touched my face with my free hand only to find that I felt all warm. Especially my cheeks. With wide eyes I looked here and there to ensure that none of the family was around. I relaxed realizing that no one was here. Phewww.

"Khushi..." I said.
"Ok you keep blushing....humare gulab(my rose). Goodnight." And I kept standing at the poolside with a phone in my hand and eye brows raised till my forehead.

Did Khushi just declare her feelings for me in so many words...

Did she openly confessed that she will give me a hug and kiss in the office tomorrow??...

I am her gulab....

I slided down the wall of the poolside in shock, amazement and redness. I cannot wait for tomorrow.