Chapter 25:
Uncomfortable Yet Familiar
The day of the wedding had finally arrived and everyone had
woken up at 5 am . The actual rituals
weren’t until 5pm but there was too
much to do, everyone had a role. Arnav and Amba had agreed not to do any work
today and just help out with everything.
Everyone and everything was ready and primed to go at 2:30 and that was great because the guests
starting arriving at 3. With everyone fussing around and greeting the guests,
Arnav thought it was the perfect opportunity to steal Khushi away for a while.
“Khushi.” He said as he approached her. He was happy to see
her wearing the red and silver saree that he had given her.
She stopped talking to the guests and looked his way. “Yes
Arnavji?”
“I need your help.”
She turned back to the guests. “Excuse me.” She then turned
to him. “What do you need help with?”
“Some of the lights are falling off and I don’t really know
how to hang them to make them look nice.”
“The lights are falling off! Hai Devi Maya.”
She followed him all the way to his room and out to the
poolside. Just like the rest of the house, there were fairy lights strung above
them, there were candles all around them and flower petals and diyas in the
water. She was reminded of Diwali because there were lights everywhere. She
looked around for a while and found nothing to be out of place.
“Arnavji, there’s nothing wrong here.”
She turned around to find him staring at her intensely. She
swallowed down the uncomfortable yet familiar feeling. Her heart began racing a
100mph and her palms became sweaty.
“I know Khushi.” He said in a husky voice.
“Then why did you call me up here?"She said irritably.
He moved one step closer to her. Khushi started to feel a
bit like a prey that was looking at its predator. She stood her ground and
didn’t move. He was surprised so he took another step and another until he was
just a step away from her. Khushi was beginning to feel uncomfortable with the
closeness of their proximity so she took a step back. Arnav smiled. Finally it
was just like old times. They kept doing their little game until Khushi’s back
was pressed against the wall and Arnav’s front was pressed up against hers.
“What are you doing Arnavji?” she whispered.
“Something I wished I had done a long time ago. And this
time my phone’s off.”
She was confused for a second until he cupped her face and
gently brought his lips to hers. They both sighed into it. It was slow and
sweet as if they were testing how well their lips fit together. Arnav’s hands
went around Khushi’s waist and Khushi’s hands went into Arnav’s hair. They
forgot everything in that moment and just basked in each other. Everything was
perfect.
And then Khushi remembered.
Arnav was the first person to break the kiss. He looked
lovingly at Khushi and she looked back with a blank expression.
“I’m sorry but we have to stop. There’s too many people
running around the place now and Neha’s wedding should be starting soon. As
soon as we’re alone again, I’ll become a romantic gentleman.”
Khushi was blanked face though all of this. He grabbed her
hand and led her out of his room. As soon as they were out of his room, Arnav
met a colleague of his and began to talk to him. Khushi let go of his hand and
made her way to her room. Once she was in, she locked her door, grabbed a vase
and threw it against the wall.
“How dare he?!” she screamed. “How dare he kiss me and act
like nothing happened in the past!”
Khushi grabbed her cloths and jewellery and began to pack
her bags. She didn’t want to be near the Raizada’s one bit. She had just
finished packing her bags when someone knocked on her door.
“Who is it?” she called.
“Mum it’s me. ”
Came the reply.
Khushi opened the door to find Amba standing there. She was
wearing a lilac off the shoulder choli with an ombre pink and purple lehenga.
Khushi smiled. “Aww you look so beautiful.” She said as she
pulled her daughter’s cheek.
Amba blushed. “Thanks mum. Look the rituals are going to
start in 10 minutes and I came to get you, so let’s go.”
Khushi’s smile dropped. “I’m not going to attend and neither
are you.”
Amba was confused. “Why?”
“Because I got my memory back.”
Amba’s jaw dropped. She couldn’t believe she didn’t notice
that her mother was speaking in perfect English until now. “You remember? Do
you remember everything?”
“Yes. Every little detail and we are not going to stay here
a moment longer. As soon as you and Karan pack your bags, we are going over to
my house and grabbing our things and going back to London .”
“Mum-”
“Khushi, Amba, come on.” Karan interrupted. “They’ve already
started the rituals.” He had come looking for the mother and daughter duo when
he found them outside Khushi’s room.
“We’re not going to attend. I got my memory back. Both of
you pack your bags and let’s go, I don’t want to be here longer than
necessary.”
“Are you being serious?” asked Karan.
“I’m speaking English, aren’t I?”
Karan pulled Khushi into a hug. “Oh God, how I’ve missed
you.”
Khushi pulled out of the hug. “I missed you too. Now let’s
get going.”
“Hold on Khushi. I know you hate the Raizada’s but we can’t
leave yet.”
Khushi was highly annoyed. “Why not?”
“Because there’s a wedding going on downstairs. If someone
sees us leaving, there will be questions. And if someone tries to stop us from
leaving, there will be a show down. Let’s not sink to their level. A girl is
getting married today, let’s not ruin the happiest day of her life.”
Khushi considered it. “Ok. But I want you guys to pack
still. We’ll stay for the wedding and reception but after the bidai we’re
leaving. Amba do you have spare shirt and trousers, a saree is really
impractical for carrying bags?”
“Yeah I do.” Amba replied.
“Great, give it to me and I’ll change later.”
The trio split up. Khushi went downstairs for the wedding.
Amba went to get the spare cloths and pack. And Karan went to pack to. Karan
and Amba came downstairs to see the 7 pheras.
Khushi spent the entire wedding reception avoiding people
from the Raizada family. Akash and Payal were helping with that since Khushi
had told them she got her memory back. However, no one noticed that anything
was wrong because everything was so hectic.
Soon it was time for the bidai. While everyone was having an
emotional goodbye downstairs, Khushi, Karan and Amba went upstairs to change
into more comfortable clothes for travelling. They made sure that all of the
guests had left before going downstairs with their things. Anjili was the first
to notice them trying to sneak out.
“Where are you guys going? I know the wedding’s over but at
least stay for the night and leave tomorrow after having breakfast.” She said
trying to convince them to stay.
“No thank you Anjili, we want to go home.” Said Karan
politely.
The family had come to see what the fuss was about and saw
Khushi, Amba and Karan packed and ready to go.
“You can’t leave now Khushi.” Insisted Arnav.
“I can do whatever the fuck I want.” Snapped Khushi.
There was a collective gasp around the room as people’s eyes
popped and mouths dropped open. It wasn’t just because of Khushi swearing but
also because of her suddenly talking in English.
Karan tried to save the situation. “We’re all really tired
and there’s no place like home so we-”
“Oh shut up Karan.” Said Khushi. “The only reason we’re
leaving is because I got my memory back and I can’t stand to be within 100 feet
of you people.”
She turned and started walking towards the door with Karan
and Amba following behind her. Arnav ran to stop them. He grabbed Khushi’s
shoulder.
“Khushi please-”
“Get your hands off me!” she spat.
“Not until you tell me why you’re walking out on me again. I
mean, don’t you remember all that you felt when we were spending time
together?”
A hand clasped around the hand that was holding Khushi’s
shoulder.
“I believe my fiancé asked you to get your hands off her.”
If you guys want to see visuals for the romantic poolside bit or neha's wedding:
