To say that dinner was awkward, was a total understatement. Kalavati had insisted that she and her mother should come along and that they'd try to get seats for them. In the end they won, the restaurant being okay with additions to their reservation. The entire time they were there, Arnav avoided talk with his Steps, and Khushi didn't say a word to her family. Instead, Arnav's family spoke with Khushi's family. It was through their conversation that the two learned of some things. For example, Khushi learned that her family had moved from Long Island to Brooklyn about three years ago and then to Queens one year ago, but Shyam stayed behind in Brooklyn. Arnav learned that Arhat was very much invested in the stock market. Arnav also learned that Khushi's brother had graduated with a degree in aerospace engineering. And Khushi learned that Anjali was totally hitting on her brother.
When dinner was over, they all headed outside, waiting for their car. Khushi's family decided they would just take the subway, even though Arnav insisted that he would have them dropped off. Before they left, however, Khushi's parents went over to her, who stood a distance away from the whole group.
"Khushi," her mother began softly, "I'm very proud of you."
Khushi just looked at her.
"You managed to prove us wrong and have gone so far on your own, to be successful on your own."
"We're very proud of you," her father smiled.
"Thank you," Khushi muttered, though she wanted to say something else.
"He's a good man," her mother said, referring to Arnav.
"I know," Khushi replied.
"It was sweet of him to invite us and get us tickets."
Khushi glanced at Arnav and then at them.
"I hope we'll see each other again," her mother said hopefully.
At that moment, Nigel arrived with the SUV.
"I have to go," Khushi said instead. "... bye."
She walked around them and headed towards Arnav, when her brother came up to her.
"Hey," he smiled softly.
"Hi," Khushi replied.
Both said nothing for a moment, and then he hugged her. Khushi was still for a moment, then hugged him back.
"I'm so sorry," he said, loud enough for only them to hear.
Khushi felt her breath hitch. "It's okay."
"No, it's not. I should have defended you. I should have-"
"We're past all of that now."
"Are we? Are we really?"
Khushi didn't say anything and he pulled back.
"If I wasn't stoned all the time, I could have said something."
"Shyam, don't," Khushi said, shaking her head.
"So many things could have been prevented-"
"Please Shyam, don't," she said, biting her lower lip to hold back her tears.
"Khushi-"
"I have to go. Take care of yourself."
Shyam nodded. "I will sis."
Khushi walked away and then paused. She then turned back and hugged her brother.
"I missed you," she whispered.
"I missed you, too lil sis."
Khushi pulled back. "Maybe we could meet up for lunch?"
Shyam nodded. "I'd like that."
"Is your number still the same?"
He nodded.
"I'll text you?"
"Sure," he smiled softly.
Khushi hugged him again, then left to join Arnav. She got into the SUV and looked back at her family as Nigel pulled into traffic. They dropped off Arhat, Anjali, Kaushali, and Kalavati first, then drove to the CitySpire. Khushi hadn't spoken a word to Arnav, not even during the ride back home. When they entered the penthouse, Khushi went straight into the kitchen and poured some wine for herself.
Arnav followed behind and set their stuff down. "Khushi-"
Khushi turned around and glared at him. "You invited them without even telling me?"
"I wanted to prove them wrong."
"Arnav-!"
"Khushi they doubted you. They wanted to stop you from the success you achieved all on your own. I wanted to prove them wrong and show them how low they thought of you, and how stupid they were."
Khushi shook her head. "Arnav-"
"They now know that they were wrong!"
Khushi sighed and looked at the glass full of wine. "I need a beer."
Arnav crossed his arms and cocked his eyebrow.
"Don't look at me like that, I need a beer. Preferably a Blue Moon."
"Khushi-"
"Oh don't you Khushi me, Arnav. I am so mad that you didn't warn me about this!"
"I just wanted to prove them wrong and show them how strong you are!"
Khushi wanted to retort, but she had no clue of what to say. So instead, she groaned and stomped, and walked out of the kitchen, and headed upstairs. Arnav followed behind until they were in his room.
"I'm still mad at you," she huffed as she took off her heels.
"It seemed that you were okay with your brother," Arnav said instead.
Khushi paused for a moment. Her relationship with her brother was special, especially after....
"He's my big brother," Khushi simply replied.
"True," he said.
Khushi wanted to change the course of the topic. "Anjali seemed to have an interest in him," she said as she walked into the bathroom while taking her earrings off.
Arnav followed in behind her. "What?"
Khushi pursed her lips. She could here could hear the 'overprotective brother' tone, a tone she was oh so familiar with thanks to Shyam. However with Shyam, it was annoying. When it came to Arnav, it was amusing.
"Yeah, she was totally into him," Khushi said nonchalantly.
Khushi looked up at Arnav's reflection and saw his jaw tense.
"How do you know," he asked.
"Uh, did you not see how she was flirting with him? Aerospace engineering? That's really cool," she quoted.
"So she finds it cool? So? That's not flirting."
This time Khushi couldn't hold back her amusement. She cocked her eyebrow and turned to look at him.
"Finds it cool? It would put her to sleep," she frowned.
"Maybe not for her."
Khushi couldn't hold back her scoff. "Seriously? Stop being so overprotective. She deserves a little romance."
"No," he said stubbornly.
Khushi tried really hard to stop herself form smiling, but failed. "Arnav, that's quite unreasonable coming from you, Mr. I-Have-A-Playroom-Slash-Kinky-Man."
Arnav grinned. "That's quite a unique name."
Khushi rolled her eyes. "Let her have her fun oh selfish one."
Arnav frowned. "I'm not selfish."
"Well you're being unfair. Everyone deserves their chance at love, and that includes Anjali."
"But-"
"End of discussion."
Arnav opened his mouth but Khushi walked away, causing Arnav to scowl. He followed behind her to the dressing room to say something, when Khushi stripped out of her dress. Arnav paused and admired her. No matter how many times he had seen her body, it always felt like the first time.
Khushi noticed Arnav gazing at her, but she wouldn't have any of it. "Don't get any ideas. I'm still mad at you for inviting them," she said, and she picked out one of Arnav's t-shirts and boxers.
"They deserved to see that they were wrong," he said, distracted.
Khushi put on the shirt and boxers, then turned to him."You are something else," she said, shaking her head.
Arnav grinned and moved before her. "Why thank you angel," and he went to kiss her.
Khushi pulled back. "It's not exactly a compliment."
"I'll take what I can get."
Khushi shook her head with a chuckle and let him kiss her.
"Now come on, to bed we go."
"Won't you change?"
Arnav nodded and Khushi helped him out of his clothes and gave him his PJs. Today was a long day and all they needed right now was to cuddle with the one they loved and fall asleep in their arms, wrapped up and protected from the outside world.
