Chapter Sixteen

That night, Arnav slept over. In the morning I made him breakfast: pancakes, toast, an omelette, and a special glass of OJ, all made with love ^_^

"Babe, I love your cooking," Arnav complemented.

I chuckled lightly. "Arnav, it's not much," I shrugged.

"An omlette with scallions, chicken... and other stuff that I don't know. And it all came out delicious. Not to mention these red velvet pancakes."

I chuckled again. Actually, it's just red dye that I put in =D ;)

I chuckled again. Actually, it's just red dye that I put in LOL Wink

"Maybe I should let you cook time to time at my place. Make you my wench," he winked.

I blushed. Hmm... cooking in his kitchen... barefoot... and pregnant- whoa! Slow it down there girl, pregnancy can wait!

"What's wrong," Arnav asked.

I shook my head. "Nothing. Just... thinking."

"Of what?"

"Not important."

He made a face.

"It's okay, it's nothing. But...."

"But...?"

I sighed and looked down at the counter. "I'm kinda feeling nervous. You know... about tonight."

Arnav scrunched his eyebrows.

"Your family...?"

"Oh." He looked at his plate and then looked away and then back at me. "Don't worry. I know Di will like you."

"Di?"

"My older sister, Anjali."

"Oh, you mean the sister you'd buy the world for?"

Arnav was drinking his OJ when I said that. The minute the sentence left my mouth, his hand paused midair and scrunched his eyebrows at me, and I bit my tongue.

"I read that online," I whispered.

"Ah." He drank some more OJ and then placed it down. "I forgot: you did research on me," he smirked teasingly.

I felt my cheeks heat. "... yeah," I whispered.

Arnav got up and came over to me, cupping my face in his hands. "Remember babe, I like you for that."

"Yeah," I shrugged, looking away.

Arnav made me look at him again and bent down to kiss me, but paused. I looked at him, wondering why he stopped, and then he sighed and leaned back.

"You're still nervous aren't you? About my family."

I looked down and nodded. "What if they don't like me?"

He tilted my chin up to look at him. "It doesn't matter what they think."

"But-"

"It only matters what I think of you. Hmm?"

Aww.... I couldn't help but to hug him tightly and nuzzled his chest over his shirt.

"You're so sweet," I muttered into his chest.

"I know."

I looked at him and cocked an eyebrow. He just looked at me and then we both erupted into laughter.

He stopped first and tucked my hair behind my ear. "I'll see you tonight."

I nodded. "Tonight."

"Good. And you better cause it's a date."

I giggled. "It's a date."

He kissed me on my lips and then got up to change into his clothes. This entire time he was only in his boxers and a blue shirt he had left. That happened only because he had a meeting the morning after the night he had stayed, so he had told Etta to put some clothes in the car and when Nigel arrived, I had brought them up and he had changed into those, leaving the other clothes behind.

He came out and pecked my lips. "I'll see you later."

"'Kay."

Kissing me for another ten seconds, he left.

*~*

I stood in front of the mirror and looked at myself. Boy did I look different. And I mean different. I shouldn't have this dress. With the money I make, this is too expensive for me. Yet here I am, standing here in front of my mirror with a one-of-a-kind dress!

Suddenly my phone rang, snapping me out of my reverie. It was Arnav.

"Hey."

"Hey babe," he said. "Are you ready?"

"Mm hmm."

"Good. I'm waiting outside."

I went over to the window and saw the Mercedes parked. Going to the mirror, I made final checks and touch ups and took a deep breath.

Alright Khushi, you got this, I pepped myself.

Grabbing my clutch that I had bought to match earlier today, I headed out, grabbing my keys and phone and left. I went out and Nigel had come out and he opened the door for me.

"Good evening Ma'am," Nigel said.

"Evening Nigel," I smiled lightly.

No matter how many times I have told Nigel to call me by my name, he continues to say "Ma'am" because he prefers that instead.

As I got inside, I saw Arnav, in a sherwani =O In. A. Sherwani.

"Checking me out," he teased.

I shut my gaping mouth and came back to earth, as Nigel pulled into traffic. "No, I'm just shocked."

"Shocked?"

"I've never seen you in a sherwani before."

"Only cause my sister makes me."

"Hmm...."

"What?"

"You said 'sister'."

"So?"

I gave him a face, making him chuckle and he held my hand.

"Don't worry. How many time do I have to tell you that?"

"Until the night is over," I whispered.

He chuckled and kissed my knuckles. "Everything will be fine."

I hope so.

*~*

We arrived to the party hall. It was somewhere out on Long Island by the coast. I was too nervous to pay attention to where we were. We pulled up to the entrance and came out.

Arnav came to my side and held my hand. "Ready babe," he asked, kissing my knuckles.

I gulped and nodded. "Ready."

We walked inside and boy were there a lot of people! It was like there were a swarm of bees in here! Arnav led the way and I just followed behind, feeling anxious and out of place. All these people had money and the right clothes and accessories, not to mention stories to match. I had the right look, but no story and no league to be with them.

Arnav led us over to the bar and ordered a drink for himself. He offered for me, but I passed. But then anxiety kicked in, so I just asked for a Shirley Temple.

Arnav and I were in mid-conversation when someone held his shoulder. He turned around, revealing a woman, who was only an inch or two shorter than him. She was beautiful, wearing an orange choli, her hair up in curls.

"There you are Chote! I was wondering where you were," she said.

She held her arms out to hug him and Arnav hugged her.

"How are you Di," he asked.

Whoa, whoa, whoa! 'Di'? I'm dead. I'm done +_+

"I'm fine. When did you arrive?"

"A few minutes. Oh yeah, meet my date, Khushi."

She looked at me and I gulped, smiling lightly. Damn this chick is gorgeous! I'm so not in this league!

"Hi," she said chirpily.

She reached and hugged me and I was slightly taken aback, since she barely knows me. I looked at Arnav and he shrugged. She let go and looked at me.

"Wow, my Chote picked a really pretty girl for his date," she teased.

I blushed and looked down.

"Aww! She's so sweet! I like you Khushi!"

I looked back at her. She say what now?!

She chuckled. "By the way, I'm Anjali," she said, holding her hand out.

"Nice to meet you," and I shook hands with her.

She hugged me again and whispered "hopefully someday you'll call me 'Di', just like Arnav," and she leaned back, winked, and left, leaving me red.

"What's wrong," Arnav asked.

I shook my head. "Nothing!"

He scrunched his eyebrows and then shrugged it off. "Whatever, my sister's weird anyways."

Arnav took my hand and led me to a table. There was a man there, talking to some people. The people left and he turned and saw us.

"Khushi, meet my dad, Arhat," Arnav said sternly.

Hmm... I wonder why he said it like that.

I put my hands together. "Namaste."

Arhat did the same and looked at Arnav.

"This is Khushi, my date," Arnav said.

"Oh? ... oh! It's a pleasure to meet you," Arhat said, holding his hand out.

I shook his hand. "Pleasure to meet you too, sir."

"Please, call me Arhat."

I smiled timidly at him, when a woman came over.

"Arhat-"

She paused and looked at Arnav and I.

"Oh... I see Arnav has brought someone with him," she said.

"Khushi, this is Kaushali," Arnav said. "My stepmother."

He had stressed out 'stepmother', and it wasn't missed by an of us.

"Anyways, shall we sit," Arnav asked.

"Sure," Arhat said.

Kaushali just nodded. I realized that we were going to sit with them, and that made my head go woo-ha!

"Um, I'm gonna go refill my glass," I said, looking at my Shirley Temple.

"Of course," and Arnav took my hand and led me back to the bar.

I wanted to ask him why he acted like that, but I think it's better if I don't.

As the bartender worked on my Shirley Temple, I noticed Kalavati. She was talking to some lady and then noticed us. She started to come out way and I looked away and got my glass. Arnav and I were about to go back to the table, when she reached us.

"Arnav," she smiled sweetly.

Arnav looked at her and nodded slightly. "Kalavati."

She waved her hand. "Oh stop being so formal," she teased. Se looked at me. "Oh! It's you again."

I managed to lift the corner of my mouth. "Hi."

"Khushi, you've met my stepsister," Arnav said sternly.

"Y-yeah," I said lowly.

Arnav nodded once and held my hand. I looked up at him and he looked at me and lightly smiled. Kalavati looked at us and was about to say something, when Anjali came.

"What are you guys doing here? Come on! The music's about to start" Anjali looked at Kalavati. "Oh, Kala, I didn't even realize!"

Something in her voice tells me that there's something between them too... but I'm not gonna say anything.

"Now hurry you guys!"

Arnav nodded and we followed Anjali back to the table. I sat in between Arnav and Anjali, since Anjali insisted on sitting next to me. As everyone got seated, Anjali and I talked and honestly, I like her. She's really sweet and chirpy and friendly.

Soon the event began, Arhat welcoming everyone for coming. Sponsors spoke as well, and soon, music went off. People slowly began to move towards the dance floor and they were going crazy. They were handed dandiya sticks as they went and the dancing went crazy.

"Wanna go," Anjali asked.

At first I didn't feel so sure, but it looked like so much fun, so I looked at Arnav. He just smirked at me and I rolled my eyes and looked at Anjali.

"Let's go," I chirped.

Anjali grinned widely and took my hand and we went to the dance floor. They handed us our dandiya sticks and Anjali and I danced together. I can't even remember the last time I went to a navratri party like this! It was so long ago! And I miss being able to dance like this.

I snuck a glance at Arnav and saw him in daze. He was looking at me in amazement and I felt myself blush as I looked away. I was beginning to feel a bit super conscious, but I wanted to impress Arnav. Especially since he's the man I love, and since I want him to know. So I pushed the shyness away and remained comfortable.

As we danced in a group circle, I saw Arnav getting up. Please tell me we're not leaving! I don't wanna leave yet! But instead, Arnav walks our way and took a pair of dandiya sticks.

Wait, whoa, Arnav dances?

He came over our way and then stood in front of me. Anjali looked at him in plain shock. Clacking our sticks together a bit, we went completely off and were dancing on our own, leaving a shocked, yet happy Anjali. I noticed Arhat looking as well and he was I amazement, as well as many others as they looked at Arnav and I dance. And then I saw Kalavati's face. She was shocked, but something in her expression was off. I didn't know what exactly she meant, but I ignored it and had fun with Arnav, dancing the night away.