That crooked smile of yours

Chapter 5

A/N: Hey guys, I made some changes in this story. As I went on writing, I really couldn't portray Shyam Jha as Anjali's husband. Mainly because I really can't see him acting the devoted husband. I can't get into his character. I cringed as I wrote him. So I introduced Raghudev Sharma, a new character. I will be providing his background as the story goes on. I have plans for Shyam later on. 

ENJOY, thank you!

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Khushi stared ahead as tears streamed down her face. Her heart painfully constricted against her ribs. She took a deep breath and wiped her tears with her dupatta. She mentally reprimand herself for her easily flowing tears. She heard a sniffle to her left and saw that Nanhe Ji was quickly wiping his tears with his left hand while at the same time appearing unaffected. A giggle escaped from her mouth which made Nk turned towards her. He gave her a shy smile rubbing the back of his head with his hand, obviously having being caught. 

They looked back at the movie they were watching, resuming their concentration back on it.

Khushi and Nk were in the family room sitting side by side as they watched 'Hum Aapke Hain Koun', an old hit film of Salman Khan. Nk had asked Khushi for any Indian films showing Indian weddings. He did not want to be blindsided for Aakash's wedding. Because watching the movies was better than listening to the lectures given by the elders in the house about customs and rituals, he had reasoned. Khushi had screamed excitedly, randomly listing various movies names from her memory. 

"But first we have to start form Salman Ji movies". She clapped her hands excitedly at chance of watching Salman Khan's movies for any excuse. 

Nk, a bit unnerved at her reaction, had meekly said, "Okay?". 

The movie with its shocking turn of events had them still engrossed in it as Hari Prakash called out at them twice. 

"Khushi Didi? Nk bhaiya?"  

Their startled eyes turn at him, their movements synchronized. 

"Arnav bhaiya is calling everyone in the sitting room." 

Khushi frowned as she heard this. What does the Laad Governor wants now? With him, it is always a big thing since he hardly does something like this. She was still frowning when Nk's voice broke her train of thoughts.

"Are you coming?" He stood up ending the movie, the remote clutched at his right hand. "I will finish the movie later, I guess. Although I had wanted to watch it all with you," he admitted.  

Khushi looked up to see pink colored Nk's cheeks as he turned away to hide himself. She quickly stood up from the sofa to avoid an awkward moment with Nk. 

"Let's go." They walked together towards the sitting room. 

Khushi took a peek at Nk. They had become close after pairing for the Sangeet ceremony. With daily practicing for a week now, she found that Nk was quite silly and fun, crazy like her. With his mispronunciation of some Hindi words they had quickly bonded over her constant correction and teaching him how to pronounce properly. Unknowingly, she had found an unlikely friend in Nk. And of course, with Bua Ji constant praise for Nk and always inviting him to tea when he dropped them off at their house. It seems like Nk was slowly becoming a part of her life. She knew Nk sometimes stared at her a little too long for a friend to do so and that's why she had avoided any awkward uncomfortable moments regarding the non-existent romantic relationship with him. She considered him as a friend and only a friend. Besides she had already given her heart to..... NO! Khushi don't think about him right now. With Bua Ji always talking about love and marriage ever since Aakash's Ji and Jiji's scandalous proposal, her mind is filling up with flowers, stars and romantic songs buzzing at her ears every time he is around. Her heartbeat thudded loudly against her sternum as she rounded the corner to the sitting room. Her face flamed at the thought that others might hear it. She avoided everyone's gaze, mainly because of his strong presence that always made Khushi nervous. Why is it that she is always aware of him?