'Can't Help Falling In Love' : Part 6

Khushi was unsure how long she stood outside the porch, initially watching as Arnav made his way to the car. She continued to study him as he slipped into the driver's seat and then turned to get his bluetooth and place it in his ear. He looked up at her and winked. His lips curved into a smile. Khushi immediately sensed her cheeks going hot and looked away though only for a few seconds. Her eyes longed to drown in his sight. He had the most adorable smile that seem to make him even more attractive, if that was even possible!

Thank you Devi Mayaa. She took a deep breath and relaxed.

As she watched his 4x4 drive off, she turned and sat on the stairs staring at the sky. She could see two stars twinkling and immediately felt a sense that her parents were watching over her as always and this time they were happy.

Amma, Babuji, I know I have not done the formal introductions but that is your son-in-law to be. I know I call him Lard governor but I too dont know when I started falling in love with him. Her thoughts flashed back to the first time they met when she fell into his arms after being clumsy on the stage. Did part of her know then that he was the one?! Did you know Devi mayaa, amma and babuji? Is that why you kept ensuring that our paths would collide? Her smile grew.

Well Amma and Babuji, back to introductions. His name is Arnav Singh Raizada and we did not meet on pleasant terms. Actually safe to say, I hated him at the start and I'm sure the feelings were mutual. Were. Now I'm madly in love with him. I know you may be worried that he is easily irritable. He gets angry too quickly and he comes across as arrogant. But he also has a lovely heart and when he lets you in, he is really sweet. She blushed. Images of him caring for her, being there for her at the hospital and laughing flooded her thoughts
I know its still far from a perfect fairytale ending since he is technically still due to marry someone else but how can I not give him a chance? My heart wants to give him a chance and as you used to say Babuji, listen to my heart and it will guide me on the right path. So today, I'm listening and hopefully, you will look over us as we travel along the path I've chosen. Please look after him and his family as well as Babuji, Amma, Buaji and Payal. I love you Amma and Babuji and for the first time after a long time since you left, I actually feel that there is someone that I can call mine. Thank you. Khushi was so engrossed in the stars that she was unaware that she was crying. She wiped her tears with her left hand as she kept her right firmly on her chest.

She stood up and tried to look normal. Come on Khushi - look angry. Pretend he upset you. You cant go in with a grin. Buaji will eat you up!!!! She paced slightly and was grateful that today was Diwali and most of her neighbours were in their homes celebrating with their family. When she felt herself calmed down slightly, she made her way back into the house.

Buaji and Ammaji were chatting about their recent visitor. Amma was telling Buaji that she was unaware that Arnavji was a nice individual and how did buaji get him wrong by thinking he was a rakhsas before.

"He was definitely one. Garima, he is nice but there is also a nasty part to him. Remember Khushi how he barged in to the house and demanded you return to RM after the way he shouted at you. Remember how he offered you money as though you could be bought?"

Khushi watched as Ammaji, Payal and buaji's attention turned towards her. What should she do? If she agreed, he would definitely look bad and right now she wanted him to look good. She wanted for her family to like him so that when they finally announced that they were together, it will not come as too much of a suprise or shock to them. But she could not lie either. He did treat her bad at the start but maybe he was just trying to push her away so that he did not have to deal with his feelings. This was definitely the case earlier this evening when he was about to kiss her. But it all changed within 3 hours. She pinched herself. Is that possible?!

"Hare Nand kishore. Are you going to stand there quietly?! I asked you a question Sanka Devi." Buaji again interrupted her thoughts.

Khushi was reaching the end of her tether with buaji and felt that any moment now she would snapped. She took deep breaths in to calm herself down. Is this what Arnavji does?

"Well Amma, that was just a misunderstanding. I had spoken abit too much and as you can see,he is a man of very few words. So he got angry with my unneccesary chatter. So when he remanded me, I retaliated and left. Yet Amma, he came back to ask me to work at RM and increased my wages. So he is not all that bad."  Khushi spoke, carefully controlling her emotions. She could see Payal studying her closely. "Also Amma, he helped pay Babuji's healthcare bill and has not asked for a penny since."

"Well that is true khushi. You do speak alot at times and not everyone can be as understanding as we are." Her mother smiled. "And he appears nice. Isnt that so Shashiji?" she looked at her husband who tried to smile.

"Shyam is also nice Garima." Buaji returned to her favourite topic. "He definitely would have helped us pay the bill but he didn't as he did not want to insult us. How thoughtful isn't he?" She continued.

"Of course he would have but the fact of the matter is Buaji, Arnavji paid the healthcare bill whilst Shyam didn't." Payal finally spoke up. "Besides, why are we talking about them. Its nearly bed time and we still need to tidy up." Payal worked her way around the table, picking up the cups, saucers and plates.

Khushi helped her and they made their way to the kitchen.

"Jiji, can you do the washing and I'll dry the plates?" Khushi asked as she caressed her right hand.

"Are you sure Khushi. You normally like doing the washing?" Payal asked as she studied her. "What is wrong with your hand? Did you hurt it in some way?" Payal approached Khushi and tried to grab her right hand.

Immediately khushi stepped back. "No jiji. Dont. My hand is fine. I've just been working all day at RM and wanted a break from the dishes. That's all."

That's all. Khushi Kumari Gupta is that the best you could come up with?! What other options did she have? To tell jiji the truth that she was not going to wash her hand because he had kissed her. What if he had kissed her else where? her thoughts again raced as she imagined him kissing her on her lips, moving slowly down her neck and then making his way down. Khushi!!!! Stop!!!!

"Are you ok khushi?! Why is your breathing so rapid?!" Payal asked, wondering what was actually happening with her younger sister. She knew that Khushi was normally strange but tonight, since Arnavji had come, her weirdness had reached new levels of ridiculousness. Payal stopped for a moment and contemplated if something else was happening between the two of them. She made a mental note of keeping an eye on Khushi the next time when Arnav was around as she did not know how to broach the topic.

"Khushi, Payal, come here quickly." They heard buaji shrieked.

"What's happened now?" Payal remarked as she turned off the tap and wiped her hands dry. "Khushi, come on" She tugged at Khushi.

They both made their way to the lounge but no one was there besides babuji and Shyam.

"Happy Diwali Khushiji." Shyam spoke sweetly. "Happy Diwali Payalji"

"Ammaji? Buaji? Where are you?" Khushi shouted, ignoring Shyam.

"Outside!!!"

Payal and khushi rushed outside to find a huge gathering in front of their house.

"What is it?" Khushi asked, her voice barely a whisper.

"Looked at the wall." Buaji shouted. "Where are we going to hide our face now Khushi?"

Khushi's attention turned to the wall where there was a graffiti of Shyam and her name on the wall.

"When was this done?" She panicked. She was sitting out here less than an hour ago and there was nothing written on the wall. So how did this happen? What is Arnavji returns and sees this. Please Devi Mayaa, dont let it happen. He will flip and then I wouldnt know how to make it better. Would he believe me?
"Khushi, this is all your fault." Buaji continued. "Because of you, look at how insulted we all are."

Khushi stared at the gathering. She was confused but she was also fed up. She was fed up of being accused of things that she did not have a hand in and this mess was certainly not hers.

She closed her eyes, took a deep breath and then opened her eyes to face buaji directly. "How is this my fault Buaji? It was not me who asked you to keep Shyam as a paying guest. You did it. Did you not for once think something like this would happen when you have two young women living in your house under your care?" She spoke clearly and her voiced was controlled. Part of her was rejoicing and yet part of her was shocked with her outburst. "So why should I take the responsibility for this, buaji? Why should I?"

She turned to the gathering. "There is nothing happening between Shyam and I. Just because something is graffitied on the wall, does not mean anything. Besides, I'm always at work. So the next time, my name is associated with someone else, I'm in a relationship with them too? How many of you go to work? I'm sure you work with the opposite sex. Are you suppose to be linked to them?" Khushi asked. Most of the gathering nodded.

"You are right Khushi." Someone spoke within the gathering.

"Someone's just playing a prank. Ignore it."
There seemed to be an agreement amongst the crowds.

"Thank you" Khushi smiled. "Go home and enjoy the rest of the evening." She was pleased with how she handled the situation. She was about to turn to buaji when she heard her father struggled for breath.

"Babuji?" khushi whispered.

They all returned to find her father slumped in his wheelchair struggling for air.

"Babuji, babuji?" Khushi pleaded.

"Payal babua, please go and get water." Ammaji commanded. "Please call the Doctor."

"Garima, Shashiji's health is deteriorating."

"Dont say that buaji." Khushi pleaded as she started to cry. She couldnt see her father in this state.

"So how do I say it? It's because of you that your father's health is deteriorating. It's because of you and the shame you have brought to this family that's affecting him. Its because of you that we have been a laughing stock."

Khushi felt on her knees. Her eyes continued to flood with tears. Was she responsible? How? Why? Why her?"What do you want khushi. Cant you not give your father just this little wish." Buaji continued her torment.

Khushi watched as the man she called father struggled for breath. What was she to do? Marry shyam? She was not in love with him and now she couldnt. She had already given her heart to someone else and she could not hurt Arnav at any cost. She was unaware of the reason why he had shut love out of his life but he finally allowed her in. She did not want to hurt him that way. She couldnt. He was her life and she knew deep down, she was his. So what was she to do? She watched as Payal returned with a glass of water. As they fed him, khushi contemplated what her actions could be. Could she watch her father deteriorate? How could she be that heartless? All he wanted was for her to get married. Isn't that what all father's want for their daughters. For them to settle with a man that would look after them. So why was she resisting what her father wanted?!

She struggled to make a decision. She looked up at Shyam, Buaji and then her father. What kind of daughter would she be to not give her father his wish. Would she be able to live with herself if Babuji's condition deteriorated? she did not have the strength to lose him. Not after all that she had been through. Arnavji had only recently come into her life but here was a man who had raised her like his own even though there was no blood connection. He had never made her feel like an outsider ever. In fact he had given her more love than Payal and made her feel like she finally belonged. How could she not obey him? What was her happiness to his? Nothing. She wiped the tears as she made her mind up. Arnavji will have to understand her decision. She will make him understand and she will bear with the consequences if he chose to hate her for it.

"I'm ready." She finally spoke. She saw the shocked look in her father, ammaji and especially payal.

"What?!" payal asked.

"I'm ready. Babuji you want me to get married. I'm ready for marriage." Please Devi Mayaa help me.
Immediately Buaji was smiling and congratulating Shyam. Khushi turned to study Shyam and saw a slight smirk.

Not once did he voice the fact that she did not want to get married and because of that, he didnt think this was a wise decision. He just stood there smirking and she actually thought she may have been dreaming when she had a sudden sense that he was smirking at her father. Did he have a hand in the graffiti outside? She was pretty sure that there was no graffiti when she was out there with Arnavji and it had to be less than an hour after she had come in. Maybe it was just a coincidence. Was it also a coincidence that he was alone with her father when babuji became poorly? Didn't ammaji say that he was also alone with babuji when babuji first became ill. She knew her father was not supporting marriage then. Was that it?! Oh Devi Mayaa. What am I thinking?


It was an hour later before they retired to bed. Babuji's breathing had improved. Khushi, Ammaji and Payal had remained by Babuji's side until his condition improved. They then tucked him into bed and watched him as he slowly dozed off. Khushi thought his eyes were trying to communicate something but she failed to understand what it was. She could also see that Shyam was hovering by the door and thought she would try and communicate with babuji tomorrow morning.

Her conscience kept nagging her, telling her that something was not right and how did she not see it before. But now that the can was open, she was definitely going to tease out each worm. But she would need help. Payal? Possibly but would Payal believe her. Arnavji? Definitely but how would she tell him her suspicions. She needed guidance.

Khushi waited for Payal to enter the room before she closed the door and ensured it was locked shut.

"Khushi?" Payal asked suspiciously.

Khushi grabbed her hand and both of them sat on the bed.

"Khushi, why did you agree to marriage with Shyam? Is that what your heart is telling you to do?" Payal motioned for Khushi to sit on the floor as she unplatted her hair and combed it.

"Jiji. Who said I agreed to marry Shyam?" Khushi whispered.

"Khushi!!! You agreed outside. Have you lost your mind. Are you in shock?" Payal continued to comb Khushi's long brown hair.

"I know what I said Jiji. I agreed to marriage. But I didnt say who with." Khushi stated as a matter of fact.

"If not Shyam, then who'" Payal immediately let go of the brush and joined khushi on the floor. "How many guys do you know who have proposed or brought a proposal, Khushi?" She studied her sister and then it hit her. "Lard governor??!!!" She questioned excitedly. "Seriously?!"

Khushi could only nod, finally allowing herself to smile.

"Is that why he was here? Oh my gosh, Khushi. I knew it. Something was happening between the two of you. He never took his eyes of you and you were stealing glances at him." Payal reasoned. "Are you sure you will be happy with him? You are always moaning about him being this or that."

"I know Jiji. But he also does treat me very well. And he does love me. And I do love him too." Khushi then went on to give a run down of everything that had happened between the two of them that evening. She watched as Payal's eyes glistened with happiness.

"Khushi, I'm so happy for you. I know he still has loads to do but if you think he is right and your heart tells you so, then I'm 100% behind you."

"Thanks jiji."

They both hugged each other and then laughed as they tickled each other like when they were children. When they were close to tears with so much laughter, they stood up and rested on the bed, staring at the stars above the bed.

"Jiji, remember a while back we said that we would get married to two brothers so that we could stay in the same house?" Khushi asked.

"Hmmm."

"Well, there is Akash?" Khushi turned to look at her sister and was shocked that Payal was blushing all over. "Jiji?! Seriously?!!! Since when?"

"There is nothing Khushi. Maybe just a slight attraction. But I dont think it will go anyway so there is no use getting my hopes high. Besides he is very rich and look at me?"

"Well that has not stopped Arnavji liking me? And they are a lovely family jiji and I dont think they place that much emphasis on social status. Especially Akash."

"Possibly. But can you imagine Hello Hi Bye Bye approving me?" Payal asked as she mocked her potential future mother-in-law.

"Well we can work on her. I dont think she is our main problem." Her thoughts returned to her suspicions from this evening. "Jiji, can I ask you something? What I am about to share, you wont think I'm mad would you? You will keep it to yourself."

"Khushi, nothing can suprise me after your confession about you and Arnavji liking each other. Can you imagine that? You too could not stand each other. But then, maybe there was something all along since you only thought about him day and night since you paths crossed. Also that night when he carried you in after the guesthouse incident, he handled you with so much care. I should have seen it then but I too was just so mad with him. Enough of me rambling about both of you." Payal turned to face Khushi. "What was it you wanted to tell me now?"

Khushi then shared all her suspicions about Shyam to Payal. She was suprised that Payal had also sensed that something was not quite right. They made a sisterly pact that night on 3 decisions:
1. They would keep Arnav and Khushi's relationship a secret to give Arnav time to sort things
2. They would go ahead with the illusion that khushi had agreed to Shyam's proposal to keep buaji quiet and to gather more information on Shyam.
3. That Payal and khushi would take turns to be with babuji at all times.
With that off their chest, they both dozed off to a restful sleep after a long time.