Chapter Sixty Two

Kaushali Das Raizada looked at the family in shock, while her daughter Kalavati Das Raizada appeared to be shocked, but as Khushi could tell, was hiding her anger beneath it.

What is her problem, Khushi wondered.

Kaushali set the bags down and slowly stepped forward. "You're getting married Chote?"

Khushi noticed Arnav slightly cringe when she called him Chote.

"Yes," he simply answered.

Her hand went over her mouth as she gasped. "That's wonderful news!"

Arnav pursed his lips and Kaushali turned to Khushi.

"I should have known you'd be Chote's life partner. Although I must admit that when we first met, I had this feeling within me. I didn't exactly understand it then, but now I do," the woman smiled softly.

Khushi glanced at Arnav and saw that he was looking away, annoyed.

"I-"

"Khushi we need to head back," Arnav said. "I have an important video conference in an hour."

Khushi nodded glancing at Kaushali. She noticed a hint of sorrow on the woman's face, which puzzled Khushi.

Arnav turned to his father and gave him a hug, surprising Kaushali and Kalavati once more.

"I'll see you around Pops."

Arhat chuckled lightly and caressed his face. "Some things never change."

Arnav shook his head. "I guess not," he smiled softly.

Arnav turned to his Di and hugged her. She hugged him back, tears pooling in her eyes. He looked at her, his expression telling her not to cry, but Anjali couldn't help it - she was just too happy!

"Bless you both," Anjali smiled through her tears.

Khushi hugged Anjali and when she withdrew, Arnav took her hand. Khushi looked up at him and held onto his hand. The two headed to the door and as they did, Khushi looked at Kalavati. She saw the woman seething, her eyes on their linked hands. Khushi didn't understand it, even as they walked out of the house.

*~*

As they drove back to Khushi's apartment, neither said a word. Khushi would glance at Arnav now and then, but Arnav never once glanced at her, his eyes focused only on the road. When they arrived to her apartment building, they headed up. Once inside, both of them placed their keys in the bowl and Khushi watched him as Arnav looked through his phone. She looked at him up and down, taking in the plain white sherwani he wore.

"It's not nice to stare Khushi," Arnav said, his eyes still on his phone.

Khushi's eyes darted to his as her lips parted. "What did you call me?"

Arnav looked at her and Khushi looked down at her feet. Hearing him say her name hurt Khushi. He would never say her name unless he was upset or was trying to get something through to her when she was being stubborn.

Arnav put his phone down and walked over to her. He took her hand in his and Khushi watched as he entwined his fingers with hers. She was confused and looked at him, puzzled.

"No I'm not mad at you Khushi, get that out of your head."

Khushi blinked. "Then why are you calling me by my name?"

"Because this is a serious matter."

"What do you mean?"

"You did this on purpose, didn't you?"

Khushi opened her mouth to explain, but Arnav cut her off.

"Thank you."

Khushi's eyebrows shot up. She expected a fuss out of him.

"You've helped to resolve something that needed to be done a long time ago. Thank you Khushi."

She tilted her head with a small smile. "I didn't do anything-"

"Wrong. You did a lot more than you think Khushi; you opened my eyes. You helped me to look past my ego and stubbornness. Thank you."

Caressing his cheek, Khushi leaned his forehead against hers. "I love you Arnav."

"I love you too Khushi," and he kissed her.

Khushi wrapped her arms around his neck and she couldn't help the tears that streamed down her cheeks. Arnav held her waist, bringing her body closer to his. She moaned into his mouth, twisting her fingers into his hair.

Pulling back for air, Khushi leaned her forehead against his. "Don't scare me like that," she whispered.

Arnav smiled slightly. "Oh? Did you get that scared?"

Khushi nodded. "You always call me your angel."

"And you are my angel. There's no way I'm ever letting you go, not ever again."

"Don't, please don't."

Arnav pulled back and caressed her cheek. "You'll always be by my side, angel. Forever. And if you try to leave me, I won't let you."

"I could never Arnav. I'm just scared that one day you might not want me anymore," she admitted with a whisper.

Arnav looked into her eyes for a moment. "Why would you ever think such a thing angel? Dammit Khushi, I love you. What on earth gave you the idea that I would ever leave you, or ever stop loving you?"

Khushi looked down. How do I tell you Arnav?

Arnav ran the back of his fingers on her cheek and Khushi nuzzled into his embrace. Arnav looked at her carefully, seeing the tumble of emotions in her eyes. He bent down and picked her up, taking her to the bedroom. Khushi buried her face into Arnav's chest and Arnav gazed at her as he placed her down in front of the bed.

"It's been quite an emotional day," Arnav admitted, his voice soft.

Khushi nodded, looking down.

"You should rest."

Khushi looked up at him and Arnav caressed her face, giving her a soft kiss. When he let go of her lips, Arnav reached down to the bottom of her kameez and helped her out of it. Tossing it aside, he loosened the strings to her salwar, letting them fall to the floor. Khushi stepped out of them and watched as Arnav rumaged through her drawer. He came back with one of her slips, a red one. Getting her out of her bra, he placed that on her. Once he did, he got her under the covers and Khushi looked at him. Arnav took off his clothes as well, remaining in nothing but his boxers, and slipped in behind Khushi. Bringing her back to his front, Arnav buried his face in her hair and sighed.

"Don't you have a video conference," Khushi asked.

Arnav shook his head. "It was an excuse to get out of there before Kaushali Devi said anything else."

There he goes again with that nickname. "Why do you call her that?"

Arnav sighed. "I'll tell you eventually, angel... eventually, in time. Promise."

Khushi nodded and felt him slowly fade off to sleep, but Khushi couldn't bring herself to sleep.

He promises to tell me these things when I ask him of his secrets, and yet I.... I can't do this for much longer... I can't.... I have to tell him, as horrible as it is.