Chapter Sixty Four

Khushi really didn't want to be here, she really didn't. But it was necessary to be done, so she hated this torture of a wait as she waited for her mother to arrive. Khushi would glance at her phone every now and then, trying to figure out if she should just call her mom and cancel on her. However before she could even decide, she caught sight of her mother.

Garima was dressed casually in a top and a floral maxi skirt, clouding Khushi's mind of memories past. She reached her and Khushi got up. Khushi could see the hope and joy in her mother's eyes, and she wondered if her's showed the hate, anger, and her desire to leave.

"Hi Khushi," her mother smiled.

"Hi."

The two sat down and a waiter came over to them. The two placed their orders once they looked at the menu, and the waiter left them. For a moment, the two sat in quiet, Khushi looking around everywhere but at her mother.

"I was so happy when you called me," Garima said softly.

Khushi hummed with a nod.

"You look well... and happy."

Khushi looked up at her.

"I can see the love in your eyes, the love you have for Arnav."

Oh?

"It's really nice to see it," the woman smiled.

The waiter came with Khushi's passion tea lemonade and Garima's water, and went away. Khushi took a sip of her drink, really wanting this torture to end.

"Khushi... there's something I wanted to talk to you about."

This caught her attention and she blinked up at her. "Me too."

Garima nodded and took a sip of her water. "Well I wanted to talk to you... about what happened... back when P-"

"Don't."

Garima's eyes slightly widened.

"Just don't Ma."

She pursed her lips. "You haven't called me Ma since-"

"Since that day, I know."

"Khushi-"

"I'm not here to talk about that, and I would prefer not to."

"But-"

"What's been said has already been said and what's done is done, no more."

"But we've realized our mistake honey. And you-"

"Enough... please."

Garima tried to swallow back the lump in her throat and stop her tears.

Khushi looked away, not wanting to look at her mother anymore. "I'm here to tell you that Arnav has proposed...."

Her mother's eyes shot up to hers.

"...and I said yes."

Khushi held her hand up and Garima couldn't believe the size and number of diamonds on the ring. "Khushi-!"

"If you're not okay with it, I don't care. I don't need you or Dad-"

"Khushi-"

"And that's all I had to say."

With that, Khushi got up and left. She rushed down the street, her mind shrouded in a fog as she charged into the nearest subway station. When she got to the platform and found an empty seat on the bench, only then did her mind finally clear.

Not once had she expected her mother to mention anything about that. That was the last thing on her mind, the news of her marriage her biggest concern.

Some time later, the train had arrived and Khushi got on. She could only think of getting home and being with Arnav. As soon as she got into her apartment, her eyes darted to the clock. Arnav was at work, but she needed to see his face, so she grabbed Arnav's iPad and called him via FaceTime. It wasn't long until Arnav accepted the call and Khushi sighed at the sight of him.

"Angel? What's wrong?"

Khushi shook her head and ran her hand through her hair and placed her forehead in her hand.

"I take it that lunch didn't go so great."

Khushi shook her head. "No," she said in a light voice.

"Wanna tell me about it?"

She shook her head once more. "I just wanna forget about it."

Khushi's voice was still low and light, and Arnav didn't like it.

"So about tonight," Arnav began, changing the topic. "Wear something dressy, but not too fancy."

"Care to tell me where we're going," Khushi questioned, her eyebrows scrunched.

"A club."

"A club?"

"Yes. So that should make it easier for you to get ready."

Khushi simply nodded and Arnav found her behavior strange.

"Are you sure you're okay Angel?"

Khushi nodded. "I'm fine Arnav, I just wanted to see your face but you weren't home."

"The sight of me makes you happy, hmm," he teased lightly.

Khushi smiled, feeling her heart melt at the sight of Arnav's smile - his special smile which would only appear for her. "Always."

"You sure? You're going to be stuck with me forever."

Khushi couldn't help the grin on her face. "Forever is fine with me."

"Good, because I wouldn't let you go even if you tried."

"I never want you to."

Arnav smiled his special smile and Khushi swayed like a little, love-sick, girl.

"Come home quick," Khushi pouted.

Arnav glanced at his watch. "I just might be able to..." He rummaged over his desk. "In the meantime, get ready."

"Yes Sir."

Arnav smirked lightly and Khushi bit her lip, unable to help the grin that was plastered on her face.

"I love you angel."

"I love you too Arnav."

They ended their video chat and Khushi felt much better now. The uneasiness she had within her was now somewhat gone, lingering only at the back of her head to poke her. That would forever be a problem and Khushi knew it, so she chose to ignore it and decided to get ready. But just as she was about to head into the bedroom, the landline rang. Khushi looked at the caller ID and cringed - it was her mother.

Putting it on speakerphone, Khushi sat down on the couch. "Hello?"

"Khushi? Khushi, I'm sorry-"

"Why did you call?"

Khushi heard her mother sigh. "You met with me to tell me of your wonderful news... yet I ruined the mood."

Khushi didn't say anything.

"Congratulations sweetie, I'm really happy for you. Marriage is a wonderful thing and I really hope that you'll be happy."

"I am," Khushi nearly whispered.

"I could tell. I could also tell that he loves you very much. I'm happy you're marrying a man like him."

Again, Khushi said nothing.

"Khushi... marriage changes people. You no longer think about just yourself, but of your partner as well."

Khushi looked at a photo of her and Arnav which sat beside the phone. "I already do."

"Well... I guess that's because your situation is different. The two of you... live together, as much as I don't really like it, but... what ability do I have in it."

None, Khushi wanted to say.

"But still, your situation aside, marriage changes everything Khushi. Skeletons must be revealed, they can't be hidden in the closet anymore."

Khushi's eyes widened as she bit her lip.

"Does... does Arnav know about-?"

"No," Khushi said quickly.

"Oh sweetie.... As hard as it is Khushi, tell him," her mother said softly. "Reveal your secrets before you enter this commitment."

These words echoed in her mind, even after their conversation ended.

Reveal the skeletons in my closet? Tell him of my secrets? How on earth do I do it without pushing him away and send him running to the hills? How?

Muscular arms wrapped around Khushi, snapping her out of her reverie. Her eyes shot up to the mirror, seeing Arnav smiling at her reflection.

"What's got my angel so lost in thought," he smiled. "Curious as to where we're going," he teased.

Khushi nodded. "You're being very secretive about it."

Inwardly she cringed at the word. Just saying the word secret was making her skin crawl and made her mother's words echo in her ears.

Arnav rested his chin on her shoulder. "Trust me, it's worth it."

Pulling back, Arnav turned away and took off his suit jacket. He undid the buttons to his sleeves and he rolled them up. Khushi bit her lip, watching him as he did so.There was just something really sexy when men would roll up their sleeves, and Arnav was nothing different.

Arnav glanced at her and focused on rolling up his sleeve. "Care to share?"

"You just got hotter by 8000%," Khushi said absentmindedly.

The second the words left her lips, she bit her tongue. Arnav cocked his eyebrow and Khushi blushed. He walked over to her and when Khushi glanced up at him, she blushed harder, wanting to wipe his smirk off of his face.

"Is that so?"

Khushi nodded.

Arnav loved the blush on her face; he always did when she would blush. Placing a kiss on her cheek, he moved to her ear.

"Don't be so shy angel," he whispered. "I am your husband to be, after all."

The smile on her face couldn't be helped, but there was something that needed to be spoken on.

"Will you just be my future husband, or will you become my husband," she pouted.

Arnav caressed her cheek and kissed her forehead. "After tonight, you can decide."

She shook her head. "We decide, together."

Arnav smiled softly and held her to him. "Okay. Together it is."

Khushi rested her chin on his chest, looking up at him. "So will you tell me where we're going?"

Arnav shook his head. "You'll find out when we get there."

Arnav pulled back to finish getting ready and Khushi could only wonder.

Where is he taking me? Why is he being so secretive for? Could it be another secret he wants to reveal? Like another thing he used to do with his past subs? Or is he surprising me with something special for our wedding? Whatever it is, I really don't think I can wait anymore, the suspense is killing me!