Arnav and Khushi had only gotten back from Bay Ridge and as soon as Arnav carried her through the threshold of her apartment, Khushi sighed.
"I know we only just got back, but I really wanna be as far away as possible from this place," Khushi huffed.
The corner of Arnav's lips lifted as he walked into their room. He set Khushi down at the foot of the bed and turned her around to unzip her dress.
"I mean seriously, how dare they," Khushi exclaimed.
It was very evident that Khushi was still quite heated from conversation with her parents.
"I mean like... like... what the!"
Arnav couldn't help his chuckle and pulled Khushi's dress over her head, Khushi holding her arms up.
"This isn't funny," she huffed.
"I know, but they way you're flaring up is," he grinned.
Khushi turned around to him. "You should be mad too; they're totally against us getting married so quick."
"I am."
"...but...?"
Arnav placed a kiss on her forehead. "But my fiery angel has got it all under her control," he muttered against her forehead.
Khushi melted in his embrace and wrapped her arms around him, Arnav holding onto her as well.
"This isn't the end of it, is it," Khushi asked.
"Probably not," Arnav sighed before looking down at her. "But whatever comes next, we do it together."
Khushi nodded and Arnav placed another kiss on her forehead.
"Now then, time to get some shut-eye."
Khushi nodded and helped Arnav take off his clothes. After a long flight and the drama earlier, sleep was absolutely necessary.
*~*
Khushi's eyes fluttered open, feeling cuddly and warm. She looked to her right and smiled, gazing away at her sleeping husband. He looked absolutely peaceful and content, and Khushi didn't want to bother him. So slipping out of his hold, Khushi got out of bed and got ready for the day.
As Khushi prepared breakfast, Khushi noticed the clock and saw that it was almost 12.
Poor Arnav, he must be really jet lagged.
It wasn't long later when Khushi was done cooking that Arnav had woken up and joined her. Khushi smiled at him, looking at his half sleep daze and messy hair.
"Good morning husband. Did you decide now was finally the time to join me," she teased.
Arnav gave a lazy smile and went over to her. He hugged her from behind, nuzzling her neck.
"Mm mmm, no - breakfast is ready, go wash up."
"I'm comfy angel."
"And I'm hungry so please, wash up before breakfast gets cold."
"Hmm."
Arnav let go of her and Khushi kissed his cheek. He gave a smile and then left the room to wash up. As he did, Khushi set the breakfast bar and poured some orange juice for the two. It wasn't long till Arnav joined her and they dug in.
"You're not going to work, are you," Khushi asked.
"I don't plan to go to work for the whole week. After all, we did just get married."
"Oh? Is that so? Well that's good for me - turns out my boss just got married too."
"Well, isn't that a good coincidence."
"A very good coinky-dink."
Arnav grinned and Khushi winked at him.
"Someone's in playful mood today," Arnav teased.
Khushi shrugged. "I don't know; maybe its the affect of marriage."
"Hmm, is that so?"
Arnav moved closer and Khushi knew just what to expect. However, just as she was about to kiss him, the doorbell rang.
"What the?"
Arnav looked at Khushi, his eyes filled with humor. "Angel-"
"Don't even," but Arnav continued to grin as Khushi went to the door to check who was there.
"Who is it," she called out.
"Khushi, it's me," she heard Arhat called out.
Both Arnav's and Khushi's face filled with confusion. Khushi glanced back at Arnav, checked to make sure that the t-shirt and sweats she was wearing were decent, and then opened the door, revealing Arhat.
"Good morning," he smiled.
"Good morning Papa," and Khushi hugged him. "Come in."
Khushi led him to the living room, Arhat and Arnav giving each other a hug before sitting down. Arnav and Khushi sat down together, Arhat sitting across from them.
"What brings you here so early Dad," Arnav asked.
"Well, in the heat of how things went yesterday, there was something I forgot to do."
Arhat placed a gift bag in his lap, both Arnav and Khushi only acknowledging it now.
"What is that?"
"A present for Khushi," Arhat smiled.
"Oh Papa, you shouldn't have," Khushi smiled softly.
"Well actually, this was bought a long time ago."
Both Arnav and Khushi looked at him in confusion.
"This isn't just from me, but from Aisha as well."
Arnav's eyes widened. Arhat reached into the bag and removed several boxes of jewelry.
"You see, ever since Arnav was born, Aisha had planned on giving these jewelry to her future daughter in-law. Some of these include jewelry she had worn at our wedding, others we had purchased afterwards. She always looked forward to this day...."
Khushi reached out and lightly squeezed Arhat's hand.
Arhat smiled at her in return. "I am very happy, however, that this day has finally arrived. And I know that wherever she is, Aisha is really happy to have you join our family."
Khushi looked at Arnav and he gave her a soft smile.
"And so, these are for you Khushi," Arhat said, handing her the presents. "May you always be happy and succeed in whatever you do."
"Thank you Papa, thank you very much."
Khushi placed the jewelry aside and hugged Arhat before sitting back down.
"Of course dear. Now, there is something else as well."
Khushi's eyebrows met in the middle.
"You see, now that you're a part of this family, you have the right to know this family's secrets."
"Secrets," Arnav asked. "What secrets?"
Both Arnav and Khushi looked at each other before looking back at Arhat.
"Since you and I haven't had the best relationship Chote, there are some things I never got to tell you. Now that things are better, and Khushi has joined the family, it seems to be the perfect time to do this."
"So what exactly is this secret," Arnav asked.
Arhat looked down at his hands, toying with his ring. "It wasn't so long ago when I told Khushi about my ring."
Khushi glanced at it, watching Arhat toy with it.
"Ever since Aisha first placed it on my finger, I never once took it off. Even when she insisted on getting it cleaned and shine it up a bit, I denied. To this day I've never taken it off, and I never will."
Arhat stared at his ring for a moment, remaining silent, and then cleared his throat. "I know that me marrying Kaushali was one of the biggest reasons that split you and I apart," he said, looking at Arnav.
Arnav nodded his head lightly. "I... the though that you could just replace mom-"
"You know I could never do that-"
"I know that now.... But at the time...."
Arnav looked away and Khushi reached out and held his hand. Arhat nodded in acknowledgement and was silent again for a moment, before he spoke again.
"Well, the truth is... it wasn't really my idea to marry her..."
Both Arnav and Khushi looked at him in confusion.
"...it was hers."
Now Arnav was really confused.
"What do you mean," Khushi asked before Arnav could.
"Khushi, do you remember how I told you of a business rival? The bastard who led to Aisha...."
Khushi didn't need for Arhat to finish the sentence and understood.
"Well Kaushali is his ex-wife."
Both Arnav and Khushi looked at him in shock - and this was only the beginning.
