HWGA Chapter 26: Make Popcorn

Hey Guys, thanks to everyone who liked and commented on the last chapter. Now before you read this part, I recommend you read: I will love you till the end of time and things that keep me away from you, in that order. Trust me, just go back and refresh your memory if you didn't do it already last time I asked you. As always, the purple bits are meant to be Hindi. The bold bits are the past. Oh and you might want to do what the title says and make some popcorn. Enjoy :)

Chapter 26: Make Popcorn

Khushi looked over at the person who had grabbed Arnav’s hand and stared at him for a moment in disbelief before she flung herself at him.

“Oh my God! I have missed you so much.” She said. She then proceeded to kiss him.

Arnav stared with a broken heart as the love of his life passionately kissed another man. It only got worse as the other man was the man who he was collaborating with on the biggest project AR had ever done, Logan Lawson Sr.

Payal looked over at Akash and they both silently agreed that Krish and Nandani should go to bed now. Things were about to get messy and they were too young to understand it. They grabbed the twins and headed for their bedroom.

Mamiji and Mamaji had gone to bed early because of their old age. And thank God, otherwise there would be a constant stream of inappropriate comments added to the confusion.

Anjili, Viren, NK and Diane were all hanging around feeling awkward and not knowing what to do. Anjili knew she had to stay to support her brother and her husband stayed to support her. Whereas NK stayed to support Khushi and Diane stayed to support her husband.

As for the kids; Priti had ordered one of the servants to make popcorn. Max, Jake, Sanjay and Sachin had gone off to get some chairs so they could watch the ‘show’ in comfort. Tara and Aarav were the only people who were uncomfortable with this situation. They tried to leave but the rest of the kids made them stay to watch as the drama enfolded.

Khushi and Logan had finally broken the kiss.

“How are you here?” she asked trying to catch her breath.

“Karan told me. I would’ve come sooner but I needed to make sure that LJ could handle the business before I left. Also I couldn’t find any flights later than this.” He replied.

Arnav turned to stare at Amba accusingly. “You never told me that she was engaged!”

Amba shrugged. “Ok, A: I thought the constant warnings would be enough. B: it’s none of your business. And C: you never asked.” She then looked over at where the kids had sat down and chose to sit down with them. She saw no reason in being extra uncomfortable in this uncomfortable situation. Plus she knew that this was going to take a long time.

Even though Karan hated Arnav, he felt sorry for him. “Arnav, that’s why I’ve been giving you countless amounts of warnings, I didn’t want you or her to get hurt.”

“Karan, you don’t need to give him an explanation. Lets just grab our things and go.” Said Khushi.

“Khushi the man loves you-”

“No he doesn’t!” she yelled. “He only ever wanted to own me. He never really loved me and he said so himself.”

“I never said that.” Protested Arnav.

“Oh really? I have a dvd that says you did.”

“What?”

“One day I was sitting at home minding my own business, when a letter comes addressed to me. I open it and find a dvd.”

Khushi held the dvd in her hand. She couldn’t understand why anyone would send her a dvd. She looked inside the envelope and she finds a note. The note said, ‘Watch the dvd if you really want to know how Arnav feels about you.” She’s sceptical but she puts it in the dvd player tentatively.

The video starts, showing the Raizada house and its occupants. Naturally, Khushi is confused. She watched as the events unfolded.

“Get out.” He said in an eerily calm voice.

(That sounded like her Arnav. Always telling people to get out.)

Garima froze. “Beta-”

(For some reason, he was addressing her mother.)

“I said, get out!” He turned towards Payal. “You too.”

(And her sister.)

Payal was confused. “Arnavji?”

“You heard me. I don’t want any of your filthy family in my house. You’re all gold diggers and home wreckers. First your sister and now your mum. How do you expect me to trust you Payal?”

(Khushi gasped. She couldn’t believe that Arnav had called her family filthy. Or the fact that he had called her and her mother gold diggers and home wreckers.)

“Arnavji, how can you say something like that about Khushi and my mother?”

“Because it’s true! She seduced my dad and your sister seduced Shyam. I think this kind of thing runs in your family. It’s disgusting! But what else can I expect from a low class family with desperate women. Get out of my house now!”

(Khushi was beyond hurt at this point. She clutched her chest and tears began to fall down her face.)

“Arnavji, that’s not true and you know it. How can you say these things about Khushi, especially when you know all that she’s been through? I thought you loved her.”

“If I really loved her Payal, why haven’t I gone to look for her and brought her back?”

It was true. It was all true. She didn’t want to hear anymore. She turned off the dvd player, curled up into a ball and sobbed her heart out. From that day on, she promised herself that she would never go back to India and definitely never go back to Arnav Singh Raizada.

Arnav was speechless. “Khushi-”

But Khushi held her hand up to stop him from speaking. “What? Are you going to tell me that it wasn’t you? That it was someone else? Are you going to tell me that you didn’t mean it and that you said it because you were angry?” Arnav stared at the floor in shame. “I know you too well Arnav. Unlike you, Logan is very reliable, he never says anything that he doesn’t mean and that’s one of the many reasons why I love him.”

Arnav looked stung when Khushi mentioned that she loved Logan. “Khushi please.” He begged.

Khushi looked hurt. “I loved you so much Arnav. So much that I didn’t want to leave you and when I did leave I wanted to come back straight away.”

“Why didn’t you come back?”

“I got pregnant, I’m sure Amba told you how. I didn’t want to travel in my condition and I didn’t know how you’d react. Plus I received that dvd, I even called Jiji to confirm that you did actually say all of that and it wasn’t edited. I loved you but you didn’t love me. So I moved on. I raised my daughter and I went on dates. I don’t know if Amba told you but whenever someone proposed to me, I’d always say no because even though I wanted to believe I was over you but I wasn’t. Slowly, Logan made me forget about you. Now I don’t feel anything for you. Not love or hate. I had forgiven you for all that you ever did to me.”

“Who sent that dvd?”

“I don’t know and I don’t care. Come on Amba, we’re going.” She bent down to pick up her bags.

Arnav was desperately grasping at straws. He did not want to let go of Khushi. “But you said that you didn’t want to leave. Why did you leave?”

Khushi put her bags down and turned to look at the person who made her leave. “Because Anjili wanted me to.”

Alright guys, my college is going to start again this week so it means that I'm going to be updating this story a lot less, once a week or once every two weeks. AHEA will be updated every day because it's a short story. I really need to concentrate this year because I didn't get the grades I wanted. I'm sorry but this is how it is. I will try and get another chapter of HWGA before my college starts but no promises. 

IAL Chapter 26: Day 5

Chapter 26: Day 5

 

The kiss didn’t last that long and it was mainly because of Arnav. He didn’t want her to think he was trying to take advantage of her. Plus he didn’t want any of the neighbours seeing because the talk would upset Khushi and her family.

 

He broke away. “Goodnight Khushi. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

 

All Khushi was capable of doing was nodding as she watched him walking away. She then quietly snuck into her own home. You see, her parents knew she was going to see a movie with a friend. What they didn’t know is that friend was a man or that she’d be wearing the outfit she was when going to see him. Khushi had somehow managed to convince them to go to the Mandir just before Arnav came to pick her up and rushed to get ready.

 

Once she got in her house and changed, she couldn’t sleep. She kept replaying the perfect date and that perfect kiss. And then she started thinking about the future and about how any of this would work out. She knew he firmly didn’t believe in marriage and after what happened to Lavanya, she thought he probably didn’t want to go down that road again.

 

Just enjoy now Khushi and worry about the future later. After all it’s better to have loved and lost then never to have loved at all. And when this is all over, at least you’ll have some beautiful memories.

 

With that thought in her head, she fell asleep with tears on her face.

 

 

 

Meanwhile, Arnav had just walked through the dark Raizada Mansion with a spring in his step.

 

“And what time do you call this young lady?” asked a voice from the darkness.

 

Before Arnav could answer, the light of the Mansion turned on and before him stood NK with his hands on his hips.

 

“NK I’m not a ‘young lady’, I’m a grown man and I can do what I want.”

 

NK put on a baby voice, “Of course you can, and you can do anything you want.”

 

“Do you know what? I’m not going to let this bother me. I had a great day.”

 

NK had a great big grin on his face. “Oh really? Pray tell.”

 

“No.”

 

Arnav began turned off the lights and walked towards his room with NK following behind him.

 

“I know you want to.”

 

“No I don’t.”

 

“Yeah you do.”

 

“NK!”

 

“Nanav!”

 

Arnav signed and sat down on his bed and NK joined him.

 

“It was perfect.” He said with a smile.

 

NK punched the air. “Woop! I knew it. And now some more good news.”

 

Arnav turned to face NK. “You found the bangles.”

 

“I found two.”

 

Arnav’s face fell. “Damn it!”

 

“But after talking to Payalji, for too long according to Akash, I got them.”

 

Arnav’s face lit up. “Great give them to me.”

 

“You can’t have them.”

 

“NK be serious.”

 

“I am. I sent them to be polished and put in a nice box so when you propose to Khushiji, you can give it to her then.”

 

Arnav smacked his head. “Damn it! I forgot to buy a ring.”

 

“Why fear when NK’s here? I knew you’d pull a rookie move like this so I have a plan. Let her pick out the ring for herself and give her the bangles instead.”

 

“NK, you’re a generous. What would I do without you?”

 

“You’d crash and burn. Now I want something.”

 

Arnav frowned. “What do you want?” It just seemed really suspicious.

 

NK had an evil smile on his face. “I want a hug from you.”

 

Arnav’s face turned to a look of pure horror, as if NK had asked him to murder his sister and eat her whilst dancing to Mahi Ve.

 

“No!”

 

“Come on Nanav. You said you owe me and I want a hug.”

 

“Can’t I just buy you a really expensive car?” he asked hopefully.

 

But NK stood his ground. “Nope. I want a hug and nothing else.”

 

Arnav thought for a moment before he sighed. “Fine.”

 

“Great!”

 

NK lunged at Arnav and hugged him tightly enough so he couldn’t escape. He then let go after a very long minute.

 

“Night Nanav.”

 

“Goodnight NK.” Arnav forced out.

 

 

 

The next day at work Arnav approached Khushi and tapped her on the shoulder. She turned around and gave him a smile that just made everything ok.

 

“Khushi do you want to grab lunch?”

 

“Sure but it’s only 11.”

 

He smiled knowingly. “Just trust me ok.”

 

“Always.” She said with a sad smile.

 

He discreetly led her towards his car. Well he thought he was discreet but everyone in the office could see their love. They just didn’t say anything because they didn’t want to face the wrath of Arnav Singh Raizada.

 

Arnav and Khushi had been driving for a while, talking about anything and everything, when Khushi saw where they were and screamed out loud nearly causing a crash.

 

“Khushi!” scolded Arnav.

 

“I’m sorry Arnavji, I’m just really excited. It’s the dubba we found when we were trying to get to Nanital right?”

 

Arnav smiled. “That’s right.”

 

Arnav hadn’t even fully stopped the car before Khushi jumped out and ran towards it.

 

“Auntieji, Uncleji, do you remember me?” she asked the couple.

 

“Of course we remember you and your short tempered husband.” Said uncleji.

 

Arnav had finally caught up with Khushi and greeted the couple. They both sat down and had a nice meal together. After they were finished, Uncle and Auntieji approached them.

 

“So are you two love birds going to spend the night again?” asked Auntieji.

 

Arnav laughed whilst Khushi felt a sharp pain in her heart. She knew the pep talk she had with herself last night but it still hurt to know they’d probably never have a honeymoon or a wedding night.

 

“No, we should really be getting back to work now.” She said getting up.

 

“Loh, you’ve turned your wife in to a version of you.” Uncleji said to Arnav.

 

Arnav laughed again. “What can I say? Married couples generally pick up each others habits.”

 

Khushi was getting annoyed now. Here she was going through slight turmoil because of there relationship and where they stand and he was joking about them being married. It just seemed a little cruel.

 

“Yes, anyway, we should get going.” She said hurriedly trying to get out of there as quickly as possible.

 

“Oh come on Khushi. It won’t hurt to stay a little longer.”

 

“You should listen to your husband.” Said Auntieji.

 

“Yes listen to your husband.” Agreed Uncleji.

 

“He’s not my husband!” snapped Khushi and strode off towards the car.

 

Everyone went quiet and looked around awkwardly.

 

Arnav forced out a chuckle. “My wife can get so temperamental when she doesn’t get her way. Women.”

 

Uncle and Auntiji laughed and the atmosphere went back to normal. Arnav walked to the car.

 

“Khushi are you ok?” Arnav asked with concern.

 

“I’m fine. I just want to go back to work.”

 

“Ok.”

 

The ride back to AR was silent and the air was full of unasked questions.