It's Complicated

8.CHANGE ?

So sorry for going all MIA but finally I am here with a chapter. Hope you enjoy it!

Happy Reading!

************

Silence.

That was what ASR was greeted with once he reached the Raizada mansion.

His home would be anything but silent but now he could hear his own footsteps echoing as he entered the living room.

"HP.." Arnav shouted but no one came.

"OP.." Arnav again shouted but still no one.

Reluctantly he made his way to his di's room but again he was greeted by emptiness and slowly and gradually he searched around the house but still no one.

Where is everyone he thought?

They called him and told him to directly come home rather than Gupta's house then where are they?

"Hello, Aakash. Where are you?" Arnav called Akash who picked the phone instantly.

"We are about to reach," Aakash told and cut the call even before he could say anything.

"Oh so they have not reached but where are OP and HP he thought and decided to try his luck again.

"HP..." and there he came running.

"Where were you?" Arnav asked while hp finally replied.

"In the terrace. " hp replied and Arnav nodded before going inside his room to freshen up till everyone comes.

//////////

"I lied? But when? " Arnav said with confusion clear in his voice but none of his family members acknowledged that as they were busy glaring at him except for Shyam who had different thoughts running in mind the major one being,

How will Arnav react knowing Khusi has a boyfriend?.

"You lied to us that you love Khusiji and that she loves you back. " Anjali said with disappointment clear in her voice but before Arnav could speak nani cut him off.

"Yes, chote. How could you? Didn't you think once that your lie can cause so much embarrassment for us? "Nani said not expecting her chote to do so..."We asked her hand in marriage as you told us you both love each other. But she was shocked by the revelation. When she said she has known you for just 3 days and she does not love you, we didn't even know what to say?" Arnav seemed to be in a daze as if registering her words.

"Wait, You asked her hand in marriage? But didn't you guys go there for talking about Aakash and Payal's marriage? " he asked unsurely.

"Yes, we did. But, we thought suvkam me deri kyun , so we decided to talk about both of you too. " Nani continued to tell about everything that happened back in Gupta's house but as she finished Arnav had his hands in a fist.

Shyam could only mutter curses under his breath knowing what was about to come and he was quite right too.

"What the? She has a boyfriend... " Arnav shouted making everyone flinch at his sudden outburst but as they gained composure they all glared at him making him more confused than he already was.

"Yes, that's what she said and she also said, she will personally bring him to meet us." Akash filled the remaining things. And Arnav was fuming would be an understatement but his family member looked scarier at present.

"Now chote, tell us who is the girl you love?" Anjali asked seriously while all waited patiently for Arnav to speak. He opened his mouth to speak but again closed it.

Clearing his throat he spoke, "Di, it's Khusi. " Anjali went to cut him but he spoke hastily, " And di, she too loves me. I know it. It's just that she is angry with me so she told me that. "

"So you mean Khusi bitiya is lying?" nani asked with a tone stating her disbelief in his statement to which he nodded.

"Chote..." Anjali spoke softly and made him sit beside her, "You know right I believe you. I believe you when you say you fell in love and are still in love. I believe it because I see it in the way you smile more often. I see it in the way you become less angry. I see it in the way you get lost during a conversation and unconsciously a smile grace your lips. You changed for good Chotte and I am happy for you."

"But this time it's not just about you chote, it's about a girl's life. I don't know if you are saying the truth or Khusiji, but if she denies it then it must be something big. "

He knew where his di was going with this conversation but he didn't know she will directly come to the point without beating around the bush...

"How do you know Khusiji ?" Anjali asked him and he roamed his eyes around to look at everyone looking at him expectantly. He hesitated. 

"Saleshaab, I think it's time you tell them..." Shyam said placing a hand on Arnav's shoulder.

"You know?" Anjali asked to which Shyam nodded and replied,

"He met her for the first time because of me."

//////////////

"Since when do you have a boyfriend Khusi?" Garima asked her daughter who was distant since the time their to-be-in-laws have left.

"She doesn't. It was a lie." Payal replied from her sister's side while Garima and Shashi shook their head knowing if the sisters are supporting each other then there is no room for discussion. It was always like that, they were not just each other's weakness but also each other's strength.

"Khusi bitiya..." Shashi spoke calmly while Khushi turned to look at him, "We know you are strong enough to take your life decisions but don't make decisions that force you to change yourself."

Not getting a reply from Khusi, Shashi and Garima sighed and left the room but Payal stayed looking at her sister who looked so lost.

"Have I really changed Jiji ?" Khushi's voice quivered as she spoke those words.

"What do you think Khusi? If someone who used to speak non-stop starts speaking in just one or two words, have they changed? If someone who used to smile every time starts to give fake smile, have they changed? If someone who was always calm starts using anger as their emotions, have they changed?" Payal's words made her realize how much she has changed herself.

She realized if it were the old Khushi now she would be overthinking everything while making jalebis in the kitchen. Be it a serious tension or not, cooking jalebis was her solution but now she just sat by the window and stared at the life of others moving while she was still lost.

"I didn't want to change Jiji . I never did but it just happened." Payal noticed the scared tone in her sister's voice so she moved close to Khushi who snuggled in Payal's lap as if to seek the comfort of her sister who was her wall to lean on when her legs will give up.

"It's never to let to stop being someone you are not. You just have to try and I am always there with you." Payal spoke while stroking Khusi's hair.

"Is it possible?" Khushi peeked at Payal with that childlike glimmer in her eyes while Payal smile seeing her baby sister.

"Yes, it is. You just have to decide whether you want to hold on to what happened or accept fate and move on. And for that, you need closure." Payal said while Khusi hummed.

They fell in a comforting silence for a few minutes when Payal broke it,

"It's Arnav Sing Raizada right?" Khusi exactly knew what his Jiji was asking about so she replied without hesitation cause after her little stunt a few hours back in front of his family it was no big deal for her sister to know who was ASR..."Yes"

"And You still love him." It was more of a statement from Payal and Khushi thought of denying it but wouldn't it be she denying herself. Just now she decided to get closure then why not start from here. So she didn't reply to her sister but just made a decision.

"I am coming Mr. Raizada."