Intertwined Fates -- An IPKKND FanFic

Last Letter

"It's alright. Because I can't stay away from you, either."

Khushi's eyes widened as he pressed a soft kiss to her cheek. Jumping back, she stared at him in disbelief.

Taking pity on her, he dropped her dupatta and stepped back. Heart thumping, cheeks burning, she fled.

He'd kissed her. He'd kissed her.

What-how-why?

Joining the others in the dining room, she tried to act like nothing had happened. But both Payal and Anjali noticed her flushed cheeks and flustered expression.

"What's wrong?" Payal asked.

Not trusting her voice, Khushi only shook her head.

Payal didn't believe her and resolved to ask her again in a more private setting.

***

While neither Devyani nor Arnav cared for Manorama's noisy relatives, Anjali enjoyed their chatter and liveliness.

She sat with them now in the living room. Anjali had supervised the cleaning herself and now there was no sign of the Mehndi function that had taken place there earlier this morning.

The children lay on the floor, watching a cartoon on Aarav's iPad, while the adults laughed as Mamiji related the story of how she'd recruited Payal to help find a bride for Akash, only to decide that Payal was the best option.

As Sajna wiped tears from her eyes, she said, "Speaking of arranging marriages, Didi, I have a question. That friend of your bahu's, Khushi, is she single? One of my friends is looking for a bride for her son."

Manorama shook her head firmly. "Don't even think about it. We're considering her for Arnav bitwa."

Anjali smiled in agreement, privately relieved that Naniji wasn't here to hear this. She definitely wouldn't have been happy about this.

Her smile faded as she looked up. Arnav stood on the staircase, astonished. Anjali's mind raced as she tried to figure out what she should say to him so that he wouldn't freak out. Should she say that Manorama was joking? Or say that he misheard?

But slowly, Arnav's expression began to change. Astonishment gave way to consideration and then he shrugged as if to say, 'Why not?'

Without a word of complaint or denial, he continued on his way.

Well, thought Anjali. That's a promising development.

***

"Say aaah," Khushi said playfully. Buaji had rubbed oil onto Payal's hands so that the color of the Mehndi would come out darker. As a consequence, the poor bride had to keep her hands splayed in the air in front of her like a child being punished.

Payal swallowed the bite that Khushi offered.

"Khushi?"

"Yeah?"

"What happened today?"

Khushi hesitated for half a second, but it was enough for Payal to notice. "Nothing."

"You're a terrible liar."

The words triggered a flashback to earlier today when Arnav said a similar thing. Khushi couldn't help the quirk of her lips. She really hadn't wanted to bring this up until she and Arnav had given a name to what they were, but she didn't think she could hold it in any longer. She had to tell someone, and who better than her best friend.

"Payal, Arnav, he..."

"He?"

"He kissed me today."

"He what?"