||His Fake Wife|| °ArShi°

Chapter 4

Arnav, Khushi and Lavanya decided to tell Arnav's mother that Lavanya is Khushi's cousin sister. She seemed happy that someone from Khushi's side could attend the marriage.

Stepping inside the Marriage registrar office Arnav's eyes fell upon Khushi, who was seated across the room draped in a beautiful red anarkali. She looked so radiant, but for other reasons and not for the fact that she was getting married today. Lavanya was smiling next to her, a forced smile, well which girl would be happy attending her boyfriend's marriage with her girlfriend? She held Khushi's hand and squeezed it to tell her that they were here. Khushi's eyes lifted to see Arnav and his mother enter. Arnav looked into her eyes and acknowledged her presence, as did she. They waited for their turn and eventually walked in to sign away their freedom. Lavanya took photographs when Arnav's mother told her while Arnav and Khushi forced a smile. Arnav's mother dipped her hand into her bag and brought out a little gold pot. She also grabbed a little pouch and laid it out on the table where they had just signed their papers. She opened the lid of the gold pot to reveal it containing Vermillion (Sindoor) . The pouch revealed a simple black mangalsutra. Khushi closed her eyes, under no circumstances did she want this marriage to mean anything more than one of the contract. Parading around with vermillion in her forehead, and wearing a sacred black thread was not keeping it detached from her emotions. Arnav knew Khushi was uncomfortable with the idea, but for some reason like a reflex action he pinched the sindoor to run it down her parting to her forehead. Khushi cringed as she felt his hand, but she had no choice but to put on facade in front of his mother. And immediately Arnav brought his arms around her neck to lock the mangalsutra in place. Khushi thought Arnav was almost too happy and pleasant with everything that was happening, he was relaxed and not nervous like her. 

"My son is a carefree boy, Khushi. " His mother said to her when they returned home. "I know you'll take care of him but also, forgive him if he makes any silly mistakes."

"I understand, Aunty... I mean, Maa." Khushi replied.

Maa. That made Arnav drift his face toward Khushi. He knew that they have had a fake marriage and he didn't know how long it was going to work but her calling his mother Maa, shook something inside him. His mother was everything for him and he loved everyone who lived his mother.

Will he love Khushi the same way?

He brushes away the thought that very second. She was his employee and it was against his morals to think about a relationship with her. But no, she was his wife now, although a fake one, he had accepted her by filling her hairline in front if his mother. He knew this marriage meant nothing to her and he was ready to let he free whenever she demanded to, but for him, his mother's wish was on top. He had seen the love and admiration she had for Khushi in her eyes. At some corner, he wanted to give this marriage a chance, because he had seen the belief in his mother's eyes.

Days passed like arrows and Arnav could not deny the attraction he felt towards Khushi. Though his mother had left after a month of their marriage, nothing really changed of what they had always been used to during her presence.

Khushi made breakfast and they left for office together. Lavanya was always ready with lunch till the time they came back. Luckily, no one in the office talked behind their back because they were professional in work. He was the boss and Khushi behaved as a normal employee. Though she had taken his name few times during meetings, she would cover it up instantly with Sir after his name.

The only thing that changed was Khushi had shifted to other room. Arnav wanted to stop her but being Lavanya around, he always kept his emotion under covers.

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Khushi knocked Arnav's cabin door, avoiding the curious glances of the staff members. She never went to his cabin when he was alone. But when he called he today, she felt nervous.