She closed her eyes to get some rest but the words spoken by Khushi kept revolving inside her head. She felt uneasy. Many people before Khushi have talked about this in front of her but she had never felt so uneasy ever before. Maybe because Khushi is a family. Anjali tried pushing the thoughts to the back of her head and started chanting Devi Maiyaa's name until the sleep took over her.
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On the other side, Khushi was sitting in front of the mirror, removing her jewelry but her mind was lost in thinking about the incident which happened a few hours ago. Her thoughts were interrupted by the door and she looked up to see Arnav coming inside. His eyes fall on her and they continued to look at each other before averting their eyes to look somewhere else.
Khushi walks inside the restroom to get fresh and change her clothes and Arnav walks to the wardrobe to bring out his clothes for the night. After Khushi walks outside, Arnav looked at her and wanted to say something but they both passed each other silently and Arnav went inside the restroom whereas Khushi settled on the bed.
A few moments later, Arnav comes out to see Khushi sleeping on the bed. He knew she is not sleeping, she is just acting to avoid him, he lied down on the sofa and keeps looking at her and his mind drifted to what happened just a few hours ago.
FLASHBACK
Khushi and Payal were sitting in the hall, dressed in lehanga's given by Anjali with their faces covered in a veil. Guests were admiring the new brides and showering them with gifts when two ladies started talking with Anjali while looking at Khushi. "Anjali bitiya, why this sudden marriage of Arnav? I mean there was no news of his marriage before Akash Bitwa and suddenly on the day of Akash's marriage, we get to see both the sons getting married."
Anjali smiled ignoring the sarcasm in their words before replying "Actually, Arnav suddenly told that he wants to marry Khushi and we all know that how much he hates these rituals. So he told me that he'll marry in the same mandap without going through all those rituals like Akash and we were so happy that he, at last, agreed to marry that we didn't want to wait either, so we agreed."
The woman scoffed and looked at Khushi who was by now keeping the gifts aside as the ritual was now completed. "Whatever you say bitwa but the marriage happened so sudden. I agree Arnav bitwa wanted it to happen but why did the girl and her family agree?" Khushi was listening to everything as the lady was loud enough but ignored it. Her eyes fell on Arnav who was standing on stairs, it seems like he was going somewhere but stopped midway.
Anjali faked a smile as she tried to divert the topic "Because they love each other. So why should families come between their happiness?" Khushi and Arnav looked at each other, hearing about love before averting their eyes instantly. "Exactly Anjali bitiya and today's generation forgets everything in this love. Have you tried to know that they haven't already......." The lady keeps her sentence hanging for Anjali to understand and Anjali looks at Nani for help.
Arnav curled his fingers into a fist, he didn't want to his sister and grandmother by creating a scene but the lady is getting on his nerves now. Khushi gulped her tears at the hidden accusation and walks towards Anjali to save her from this awkward discussion. "Di, Can you please help me with these gifts? This dress is too heavy and then these gifts." Anjali smiled and nodded taking some of the gifts from her hands but the woman wasn't done.
"Are, We were talking about you only. Why are you always in a hurry? First in marriage and now for this? You can keep these gifts later also, spend some time with us." Khushi faked a smile and nodded as the lady started introducing herself and another woman beside her with lots of attitudes. "So Khushi, we asked Anjali bitiya also but she seems clueless. Why don't you tell us, how did you manage to make Arnav bitwa for marriage overnight? The lad used to run miles away in the name of marriage and suddenly he was so eager to marry that he didn't even want to wait."
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MOMENT OF DESTRUCTION
FanfictionShort story on request based on my OS: Moment of Destruction.