Chapter Sixty Nine

Before the alarm even went off, Khushi had woken up. It had become a habit now. It was almost 5:30 in the morning and Khushi started to get ready for work. She washed up, took a quick shower, and dried her hair. She put on some quick makeup and ate some breakfast, and before she knew it, it was almost 7. Khushi left the house and headed to the subway to catch her train.

This was Khushi's mornings now, going to work 5 days a week. She would always have to go one hour early to prepare anything for Arn- Mr. Raizada, and he would come in at 9.

Not only would Khushi do the normal things, like get his phone calls, help make his appointments, etc. but Khushi did more. Since they did have special arrangements, Khushi would also act as his submissive, moving to his beckoning. The other day he was on the phone and he had important paperwork to talk about and Khushi knelt to the floor, holding the papers in her mouth while Arnav read some points off of it.

This was her life now, and she loved it. Being able to spend more time with him, professionally or romantically, was all that mattered to her.

The day went on with the usual, Khushi loving every moment of it. At lunch time, the two ate together, and at the end of the day, both left together.

By working, Khushi had managed to earn and save some money for her paychecks to buy a ring for Arnav. It really wasn't so hard to do, since she never got to spend her paycheck, Arnav always beating her to paying for something.

Khushi had her eyes set on a black rhodium plated ring with small diamonds on it. It had stood out to her when she and Lavanya had gone ring hunting on her day off, especially because of the infinity loops accentuated in the ring. Of course, she hadn't told Arnav about it since she wanted to surprise him.

Khushi had finally gotten around to telling everyone about hers and Arnav's engagement, including Shyam. At first, Shyam wasn't as okay with it, but she told her brother that she didn't care what he thought. She did her duty of telling him that she would be marrying the man she loved, and that was it. So Shyam didn't push on it, respecting his sister's wishes.

Since then, the two hadn't said much, but Khushi felt bad and broke the silence between them. She planned on meeting up with him, inviting Anjali just to be safe. Unfortunately for Khushi, Anjali had to cancel on them, leaving just the two of them.

Khushi went to her brother's place so that they could go together. Shyam went to his room to get ready and Khushi waited for him. She looked around his apartment; it was very him with his simple sense of style. There wasn't too much, since Shyam would go down to Florida every now and then for his job.

Khushi looked at some of the pictures on the wall. There were old pictures of them, their parents, some of himself, and-

Shyam's phone began to ring.

"Bhai," she called out.

"Could you check and see who it is?"

"Okay."

Khushi went over to the counter to see who was calling and she froze. She felt her body turn to ice, numbing her.

It's... no... but... why?

Shyam came out of his room, ready to go. "Alright Khushi, let's-"

When Shyam got to the living room, he realized that he was alone; Khushi had left.

What-? Where did Khushi go?

*~*

Khushi walked down the streets, clinging onto her purse. She could only think of what she had just seen at Shyam's place.

After his phone had rang, a text had arrived and Khushi had seen it.

Sure dude, I'll see ya next week. BTW, thanks for her number.

Bhai gave him my number? But why-? Then again it's not like he knows....

Khushi heard her phone ringing, but she refused to pick it up. She knew it had to be Shyam trying to figure out why she had left. So she let it ring continuously, when the ring tone had changed. Taking her phone out,  it was just who she had suspected - Lavanya. Khushi had made sure to keep special ring tones for those of importance, like Arnav and her. Khushi took the call and before she could even speak, Lavanya growled.

"Ugh I hate men!"

Khushi was confused. "What happened now?"

"Aman's a pig head,  that's what!"

"What did he do?"

"Apparently his ex had been texting him for the past few weeks and I'm only finding out now!"

"No!"

"Yes! He said he thought it didn't matter because he wasn't replying to the desperate whore! Can you believe him," she shrieked.

Khushi pursed her lips.

"Like what is wrong with him? Doesn't he realize that keeping secrets breaks a relationship?!"

Khushi's eyes widened.

"Like how stupid can you be?"

It felt as if a huge lump had grown in Khushi's throat and no matter how hard she tried, it wouldn't go away.

"Anyways, how are you doing? Save enough money yet?"

Khushi found her voice. "Y-yeah.  Hey listen, something important just came up so I've got to go."

"Fine. Tell Arnav I said hi."

Khushi nodded and she hung up. Looking up to the sky, she shut her eyes and prayed for strength.

Lavanya was right; secrets broke relationships and Khushi knew it. She had though of keeping hers from Arnav, but now she realized that no matter which way she went, she would lose Arnav no matter what.

It just came down to making one decision - hide it from him and let it come out on its own... or tell him the truth and face him unlike a coward would?

Khushi felt a tear stream down her cheek. What do I do?

*~*

Arnav entered the apartment, back from his jog. He headed straight to the shower, ready to get the ick off of him. Once he was showered and clean, he came out to grab a bite. He decided in making a sandwich. There was a Tupperware filed with chicken salad so he took it out and got some bread. As he prepared his sandwich, the door unlocked and Khushi came in.

"Hey angel. Back already?" Though he was glad. He didn't know why, but there was something about Shyam that made him not like him.

Khushi didn't respond and simply headed to the bedroom. Arnav watched her with confusion and when he heard the bedroom door shut, he went over.

"Angel?" He knocked on the door. "Angel?"

Khushi didn't reply, increasing Arnav's confusion.

"Angel? Open the door."

But Khushi didn't and Arnav was beginning to get angry.

"Khushi! Khushi, you open this door right this minute or I swear I'll-"

The door opened, revealing Khushi in a different outfit. Arnav looked at her confusedly, looking at her scarlet floral dress. She wore black tights beneath it and brown combat boots.

"Wanna go for a drive," she asked.

Arnav was puzzled. He searched her face for answers, but he couldn't read it. So to get his answers, Arnav nodded. "Just let me change."

He changed into a navy blue button down and black jeans, taking his leather jacket in case it got chilly. Khushi took her denim jacket in case she got cold as well.

Arnav had called Nigel to bring the R8 over. When he arrived, Arnav gave him the keys to the Cadillac and Nigel gave him the keys to the R8. Nigel headed back to the CitySpire and Arnav and Khushi headed out.

"So where did you have in mind," Arnav asked.

"Long island."

Arnav looked at her with confusion as she put in the address in his phone on Maps, giving him the driving directions. He wanted to question her on it but chose not to.

He knew that the two of them were different when it came to telling their secrets.

Arnav followed the directions Google gave him, driving far out. They were about 3 hours into the drive when his phone told him that they had arrived to a small town known as Glendale. As he continued to follow the last few driving directions, Arnav couldn't help but to wonder why they were in small town like this. But then he remembered the file he had on Khushi, recalling that it had mentioned her coming from a small town.

Note to self: give Khushi that file.

It was only a matter of minutes until they arrived to their destination - Glendale High School

When the car stopped, Khushi got out first and Arnav followed behind. He stood beside her as she looked up at the high school in front of them.

"For a long time, I've always been asking you of your secrets," Khushi said softly. "And when the time was right, you did. I asked, you answered. ...yet I continued to hide my secrets from you."

Arnav reached out and held her hand, giving it a light squeeze.

Khushi took in a deep breath and looked up at him. "It's time I tell you mine."