Chapter Fourteen

Unlike last time, where the two had been awkward from their encounter, this time there was none of it. At breakfast later that day, the two passed a few glances and a few soft smiles at each other - something that the whole family had noticed.

Even Abhay, who had come home early that morning. Abhay would come home now and then from his apartment and his father never said a word about it. Although he was happy that the relationship between Arnav and Khushi was going well, he was still disappointed by his middle son's behavior on that night. But Sameer felt no need to talk about it because it was pointless. Khushi was now married to Arnav and that was all that mattered, so there was no point in arguing when she was now his other son's wife.

*~*

Arnav's high school reunion was on the upcoming Saturday and Arnav decided that he would go with Khushi, due to Sheetal's persistence. Although Khushi was happy about it, she was nervous. Not because it was the first time the couple would be going out in public, but because she was afraid of what people would think of her face. There was no doubt about it, she knew people were going to judge her the moment they saw her. She just didn't know if she could tolerate being an embarrassment to Arnav.

Saturday arrived sooner than expected, and both Arnav and Khushi headed of to the reception hall the reunion would take place. Khushi's nerves were still on edge and she didn't know how to she was going to deal with it. When the couple arrived, they went to the desk right by the entrance of the hall and received passes. While Khushi received a guest pass, Arnav received one with his name and his yearbook photo on it. Khushi had seen the photo before, several times at the house, and thought that Arnav still looked the same, only much more mature and with facial hair. One thing for sure, he was still as handsome as he was back then.

Entering the hall Khushi glanced around. There were quite a number of people around and as Khushi had expected, the moment people's eyes met her, their expressions gave away what Khushi worried about the most. 

"Hey! Arnav!" 

Both Arnav and Khushi turned to see Sheetal coming their way and Khushi felt instantly insecure. As she came closer to them, Khushi took in the sight of Sheetal's silver mini dress. It was off-the-shoulders and full sleeve, and it looked like she had wrapped herself up in silver spandex enough to show off her long legs and silver stilettos. Khushi glanced down at the red sari she wore and felt her heart pit. 

"Hey you guys! Isn't the place just looking fab?"

Khushi had to agree, it really did. The theme of the event was starlight night, stars and a crescent moon hanging down from the ceiling. They had made lamps to look like clouds, which put the perfect mood lighting for the setting.

"Does it look good," Sheetal asked nervously.

"Why wouldn't it? You were the one in charge of the decoration committee," Arnav said.

Khushi looked at Arnav and then at Sheetal. Sheetal let out a squeal and hugged Arnav, causing Khushi to feel jealous and insecure once more.

"Thanks yaar, means a lot," and she pulled back. "Now enjoy yourself and make sure Khushi doesn't get bored, okay? I'm gonna go mingle," and she left the couple to themselves.

Khushi held her hands together and looked down at the ground. Arnav glanced around and found an empty table for them to sit at and led her there. A server passed by, offering them some hors d'oeuvres, another offering drinks. As they ate, Khushi glanced around and looked at Arnav in confusion.

"What's wrong," Arnav asked, noticing her expression.

Khushi shook her head. "It's nothing, just.... Aren't you going to say hi to your friends?"

"Um... well...."

Khushi noticed the way Arnav's cheeks heated up, and she became curious.

"See, the truth is... I didn't really associate with many people in high school. I was more of a loner, well, except for hanging out with Sheetal. I just wasn't interested in anything."

"Oh?"

"High school wasn't my thing," Arnav shrugged. "It was just loaded with drama, no matter where you looked. I just didn't care for that kind of nonsense."

"Really?"

Arnav slightly arched his eyebrow at Khushi's tone.

"Sounds kind of boring," Khushi teased playfully, not knowing where any of it was coming from.

What am I doing, she exclaimed in her head.

"Is that so," Arnav smirked lightly, leaning back in his chair as he crossed his arms. "Well then, what about you?"

That sudden burst of confidence Khushi had, faded away. "Me," she gulped.

Arnav nodded. "Tell me about your days in high school."

"Uh... well...."

Arnav continued to look at her, waiting to hear what she had to say and Khushi gulped.

"Um... well I went to much rather smaller high school than yours. Everyone basically knew each other, it was difficult not to know one another, given our little town that we lived in. And since everyone knew each other, it was kind of hard to avoid the drama that came with high school," Khushi chuckled lightly.

"Oh?"

"Mm hmm - it was just impossible. My best friend and I always seemed to find ourselves caught in it, whether we were involved or not."

"Who's your best friend?"

"Her name is Payal. She was at the wedding actually, and she's also my cousin."

Arnav nodded in acknowledgement. "So I'm assuming that if we were to go to your high school reunion, there would be a number of people that you would be saying hi to?"

"Yes-!"

Khushi looked down at her lap and Arnav looked at her in confusion.

"What's wrong," he asked.

Khushi shook her head. "Nothing," she said softly.

Khushi looked away and Arnav could see that she was upset. At first he couldn't understand why, but then he did. So he reached out and took her hand in his, making Khushi meet her eyes with his.

"Talk to me," he said softly.

For a moment, Khushi said nothing, looking into his eyes in surprise. She could see that he meant it and that he wouldn't push her. His eyes were genuine, showing that he cared, and Khushi was surprised by it - not in a bad way, but she was still surprised. She looked down at their joined hands and then she looked down at her lap.

"I don't think I could face those people again," Khushi nearly whispered. "Not like this."

"Why not?"

Khushi looked up at him.

"You're still you Khushi. Regardless of what happened, you're still you."

Khushi looked back down.

Arnav reached out and caressed her cheek. He tilted her face up to him and Khushi looked up at him, her eyes slightly wide.

"There's nothing to be afraid of Khushi. If you're worried those people would judge you, then they were never your friends to begin with. But if they are, they'll accept you however you are, just like I do."

Khushi was shocked - not just because of his words, but because of how was holding her face, out here, in public.

Arnav glanced over her shoulders and then back at her. "It looks like they're serving dinner already. Hungry?"

Khushi snapped out of her thoughts and nodded.

"Great, I wanna get out of here as quick as possible," he chuckled lightly. "And make sure that when we do, Sheetal doesn't notice us. She'll kill me if she does."

By the mentioning of her name, Khushi felt something within her bubble. "Okay."

The couple stood up and made their way to get food. They quickly ate and with careful watch, the two sneaked away, avoiding Sheetal. When they arrived home, it was pretty late, so everyone was already in bed. Normally Khushi would get her wounds treated before bed, but since they had plans to be out late, she had it done before they went to the event.

Ready and settled for bed, both Arnav and Khushi laid down, the lights turned off.

"I'm sorry the reunion was boring," Arnav said.

Khushi shook her head. "I don't mind."

"Hmm... well, if there's ever a college reunion, I promise that'll be more... eventful."

"Oh?" Khushi turned to her side, facing Arnav.

Arnav turned to her as well. "Yeah. Unlike me in high school, I had a little more fun in college."

"A little or a little," Khushi teased.

Again, Khushi didn't know where it came from.

Arnav chuckled. "Okay, I guess a little. But nothing too crazy."

"And what's too crazy?"

"Hmm, good question."

Khushi couldn't help herself but to giggle and Arnav found himself stunned. He couldn't remember a time Khushi laughed like this, not this genuinely. Hearing it made something within him feel content.

"So high school was, as we used to say back then a dub..."

Arnav's eyebrows shot up.

"So what was college," Khushi asked, arching her eyebrow.

The corner of Arnav's lips curved up. He had never seen Khushi so relaxed before, and he liked it. For the first time in their marriage, he truly felt like he was now with the real Khushi.

"College was... well, it was full of booze," Arnav admitted.

"Ah, so there were drunken nights," Khushi grinned.

"More like blackout nights."

Khushi gasped. "No!"

Arnav nodded. "Too many parties, way too many parties. Especially all of those frat parties."

"It must have been fun for you, being in New York City all those years."

Arnav sighed and laid flat on his back. "It was. The reason why I went there was just to learn everything I needed for business so that I could help dad."

Khushi looked at him with a soft smile. "You love him so much, don't you?"

Arnav nodded. "After Ma passed away... everything I did was for him. We both lost something big in life, only it was harder for him. He really loved Ma, so it nearly broke him when she passed away."

"I heard papa had fallen ill?"

"Yeah... and I did whatever I could for him to get better. Ever since then I've stood by his side and supported him. I worked hard in school to make him proud of me, to bring a smile on his face. I did everything I could to help him, studied abroad so I could help his company."

"That's very admirable of you."

Arnav looked at her.

"I understand the feeling. I was very close bapusa and I did what I could to make him proud. I always took care of him, helped him... I wanted to make him proud."

Memories of her father flashed in Khushi's mind, as well as of her mother. The thought of them brought tears to her eyes and they rolled down her cheeks. But before she could wipe them away, Arnav reached out and did it for her, causing Khushi to look at him in shock.

"You must miss them."

Even though it wasn't a question, Khushi nodded.

"Talking with them on the phone every day must not be enough. How about we go visit them for a few days?"

Khushi's eyes widened. "Really?"

"Of course. After all, your parents are my parents now too, hmm?"

Khushi looked down and nodded.

Arnav reached out and caressed her cheek, tilting it up so that she would look at him. He didn't say anything, confusing Khushi.

"For the first time, I finally met the real Khushi tonight. And I quite like her."

Khushi's eyes widened.

"And I'd like to get to know her better."

Khushi didn't know what to say.

"I think the perfect way to do that is to take her back home, where she came from. So if you don't mind, I'd like to call bapusa tomorrow and ask him if it's okay if we come and visit for the week."

Khushi couldn't beleive what she was hearing. "Um... okay."

Arnav smiled softly and placed a tentative kiss on her forehead. "Go to sleep."

Letting her go, both got comfy, and Arnav dozed off first. As for Khushi, hard as she tried, she simply couldn't fall asleep - she was too stunned.

Khushi turned to her side, nuzzling into her pillow. 

Whoa.