PHIR SE

Proposal

Chapter 18

PROPOSAL

Last night was a game changer for Arnav. He had let Shyam go with Khushi after telling him to do all kinds of awkward things which shall supposedly 'impress' Khushi - all that dirty dancing he did for her. He knew that once Khushi gets scared of Shyam's motive, she would surely try to run away. So Arnav decided to come to the restaurant at the right time and be her knight in shining armour.

But since when did fate start working according to the plans we make? Fate obviously had other plans reserved for Arnav and Khushi. Seems like when Arnav came into the scene to become a hero, Shyam had already become the villain by making Khushi drink something, maybe alcohol. Also the crowd and the loud music had triggered Khushi's anxiety attack.

So Arnav had to take a subconscious Khushi with him, who under the effect of god-knows-what spilled some beans to him about how much she admired her childhood friend, Dev. How her mother had forced her into believing that Dev might want to kill her although her mind suggested the contrary that he could never even think of harming her.

However due to her utmost devotion towards her mother, Khushi would never go against her mother'swords. Khushi hadn't asked about or taken Dev's name in the past 10 years although he occupied her thoughts majority of the time.

Arnav was left flabbergasted on hearing all of this. This meant that Khushi doesn't remember what she did to his mother. She had forgotten her offence and expected her childhood love to return to her.

Would it be right to blame one for the offence she doesn't even remember committing?

Utterly confused with the discoveries he had made, Arnav decided to change his strategy.

He took her to a nearby hotel and rented room for the night's stay. He couldn't take Khushi home in this state as it shall raise fingers on her character. Seeing khushi uncomfortable in her sequined blouse and saree he asked her to change her clothes but her intocicated self was adamant that he should help her to change her clothes. Arnav switched off the lights and helped her change making sure that he didn't touch her or see her inappropriately. He made her wear his shirt and sleep on the bed. Just to tease her, he too slept there.

And now he was here cupping Khushi's face asking her if she would marry him? He knew her answer would be no, being the Indrani 's puppet she was. In front of the whole world, she was a headstrong woman but when it came to Indrani Khushi would turn into the meekest character possible. But he knew the way to cut down this puppet's strings of control from Indrani's hands and take it in his own hands.

"Will you marry me, Khushi?"he asked making a hopeful face .

She gasped hearing this. She knew her heart beat was meant for him but agreeing would be defying the two people the two people she loved the most : First, her mother who has high hopes on getting her married off to Shyam who shall clear up all their debts. The second was her Dev, whom she was promised to since childhood.

When her marriage was announced, she had made a promise to the moon that may her body belong to anyone her mind and soul shall always be occupied by only him- Dev. But since the day this Raizada had come into the picture, Khushi's mind had diverted towards him. She feared that if she married him, she would completely forget about Dev!

" Sorry! I cannot marry you. I can't defy my mother for anyone."she stood up and moved away.

"Although you love me?"

She gulped hearing that. Do I love him ?

" That doesn't matter! I will do only that what my Maa says." she replied coldly hiding the tears in her eyes, in a choking voice.

"Is it a no even if I tell you that I harbour some feelings for you in the depth of my heart."

Khushi 's heart clenched at this. It was becoming more and more difficult to deny him.

"No!"she shuddered. She had almost reached the door of the room now.

" What if I tell you that I came here, from miles away, for the Sankadevi that you are? "

Khushi 's steps withdrew themselves from stepping outside the door. Her mind paused on hearing the word, Sankadevi. Dev's father used to use this word to describe her and her crazy antics. Dev had spent years teasing her with the name that she disliked so much. How does Arnav know about this?

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Indrani waited impatiently near the door. Where the hell is this Khushi? I haven't even seen that Raizada since last evening. What if what Manorama said was true? What if that Raizada actually is Khushi's boyfriend? Well then what Khushi 's life shall not be spared!

At that time, Khushi entered the Haveli with Arnav following her.

"KHUSHI!"

Khushi stopped in her way and stared at Indrani meekly. She turned towards Arnav who gave her an assuring look.

"Maa..."

Indrani took fast steps towards her and was about to give her a big slap when Arnav stopped her hand from harming Khushi.

"Indrani ji, what are you doing?" Arnav gritted his teeth seeing Indrani's action.

" You stay out of this! This is none of your business!"

"Whatever is going on is happening in my house! So it is my business. I hope you remember this is my house."

"Okay, fine! What were you and Khushi doing all night out? I hope you remember that my Khushi is not that type of a girl with a loose character! She is engaged to the son of a very prestigious family. I am sure you are trying to manipulate my innocent child..."

Khushi widened her eyes as Indrani tried to blame Arnav. "Maa! It is not his fault! I took him out of town to show him the night festival in the nearby town. Maa, he has paid for this tour I couldn't deny taking him there ."

Indrani gave a scoff and apologized to Arnav.

She then turned to Khushi.

"What about your phone? Does it take tax to pick it up?"

"No signal, no battery!"

" Shyam told me you left without informing him?"

"No, Maa! He took me to a room, left to talk to someone and then didn't return for a long time. He was the one who left without informing. I met Mr. Raizada on my way home and then we decided to see the town festival."

Indrani cast a look at both of them and left for her room.

Khushi gave a warm squeeze to Arnav's hand and heaved a sigh. Smiling to him she left for her room .

HAD SHE ACCEPTED HIS PROPOSAL?