Chapter Sixteen

With the electricity back up and running, everyone decided to call it a night. Khushi had changed up into her nightwear and was reentering her room, her eyes landed on Arnav. He was sitting up and leaning back in bed, laptop in hand as he checked through some emails. Khushi simply stood there in pause, taking in the fact that this was the first time a man would be sleeping beside her in her bed. Yes she had realized it before, but now, seeing him in her bed, was only making the matter seem more real.

"Is something wrong?"

"Huh?"

Khushi snapped out of her thoughts and saw Arnav looking at her curiously.

"Um, nothing, nothing really," and she went over to her vanity to comb her hair.

As she combed her hair, Khushi noticed in the mirror that Arnav was watching her. She felt a bit odd, but then again, this wasn't really much compared to that one night before.

"Your hair is really long," Arnav eventually said.

"Mm hmm," Khushi nodded.

"Have you always kept it long?"

Khushi timidly shook her head. "No, only after the...."

Arnav looked down and nodded in understanding. "Why," he asked softly.

"Um... well I try my best to cover up as much as I can. I make sure that from the back, my sari is high enough so my scars can't be visible. But as an extra measure, my long hair can cover up better."

Arnav looked at her for a moment and watched her as she opened up the wardrobe and went through it.

"Have you ever wanted to keep it this long? Before I mean, like when you were younger."

"I hated my hair with a passion when I was younger," she said, pulling out what she would be wearing tomorrow and setting it aside.

"Why is that?"

"It always annoyed me and I would always keep it up."

"Why?"

Khushi turned to him. She could see that he was really curious and really wanted to know. The way he was asking all of these questions reminded her of Maya and how their little niece loved to ask why about everything, bringing a small smile to Khushi's face. She went over to the bed and sat down on her side.

"I was a bit more active in high school. Whether it was dealing with drama or fooling around. And just... I don't know.... I used to always have my hair up in a messy bun. Of course, if I tried to do that now, it would only be hair-suicide," she chuckled.

Arnav chuckled lightly as well and he set his laptop aside on the bedside table. "Tell me more - about you before we got married."

"Um... like what," Khushi asked anxiously.

"Anything. What you did for fun, where you would go out to eat with your best friend, stuff like that. You know, like past relationships or anything."

Arnav found himself surprised by his own words as soon as it left his mouth. Khushi's eyes widened as he looked at him in surprise too.

"Sorry, I overstepped things, I'm sorry."

"Don't be," Khushi said softly. "You have a right to ask."

"How?"

"You're my husband."

It occurred to Khushi then that she had never really said those words out loud, not to Arnav, that was for sure. So like Arnav, when the words left her mouth, she was surprised by it. As for Arnav, he was a bit surprised too. This was the first time, after all, that Khushi had addressed him as her husband.

"I don't think that really gives me a right, does it?"

"Why not," Khushi countered. "We are married; you have aright to know me, my past and all."

"I guess.... We really didn't get a chance to really speak to each other properly before we got married, given our circumstances."

Khushi's mind instantly transported her back to that night in the hospital after her accident, how she had met him, how he had proposed to her, how he had kissed her hand.

"But I guess we can get to know each other as the days go on," Arnav said.

Khushi looked up at him and then down at her lap. She nodded slightly, entangling her fingers.

"I've never been in a relationship with anyone before," she admitted.

Arnav's eyes widened. "Not even once?"

She shook her head, glancing up at him. She noticed his eyebrows were raised and that he was in shock, puzzling her.

"Oh, I don't mean any offense," Arnav said, straightening his expression. "I'm just surprised a beautiful woman like you was never involved with a guy in a relatiosnhip before."

Khushi's eyes widened as she went into shock. Beautiful?!

"Wow... I guess... I don't know, I'm just a little surprised. I'm afraid I can't say the same for me."

"Oh?" Khushi hoped that this would help get his comment out of her head.

"Yeah," he admitted, messing with hair. "I never dated anyone until college though. I was just always very determined in being the best for dad, so I didn't care to be in a relationship, though I had my fair share of girls that I did like; just didn't want to date them. It was when I got to college that I finally did it."

"She must've been really pretty," Khushi said, feeling jealousy bubbling within her.

"Well I guess, given that I dated her, I had to have been attracted to her. But I didn't date her cause of her looks. I dunno, college is stressful as it is and I was overseas. I was influenced by some of my friends and I just ended up doing it. I've only dated 2 women in my life - the first one was for only, I think, 4 months. And the other was... about 7 months."

"Wow that's pretty short - none of them lasted a year."

Arnav shook his head. "No, they didn't. It just wasn't working out with either of them."

"Why not?"

"Well, don't get me wrong, they were great girls..."

Again, Khushi felt jealousy bubbling within her.

"...but none of them had the thing that mattered the most."

"Which is?"

"My father's acceptance."

Khushi looked at him in confusion. "Meaning?"

"Meaning once I knew they weren't the type of girl my father would accept, I ended it with them. If they weren't someone my father could accept, then it just wasn't worth it to me."

"That's why you married me - because Papa loved me so much."

Arnav nodded. "The only time I ever saw Papa accept a girl was when Adi Bhai told Dad about his relationship with bhabi. He loved her, so he accepted her. With those girls... it just wasn't going to work, and I could never upset my father. So when I saw how much Papa loved you and wanted for you to be a part of our family, I did it for him."

Khushi couldn't help but to look at Arnav in awe. It was very sweet to see how much Arnav loved and respected his father. It wasn't everyday that you would see a man like - many like Arnav don't exist in such a day of time, her father would say it himself too.

Arnav noticed the way Khushi was looking at him. "What?"

"Nothing... I'm just in awe. Men like you are a rarity in this generation."

Arnav scoffed lightly. "So I've heard - from your father actually."

Khushi nodded. "Bapu used to always worry - wondering how he would ever find a nice guy for me to marry to. But after seeing him with you today, I can tell that he's really happy that I married you," she smiled softly.

"And you?"

Khushi looked at him with confusion.

"Are you happy? ...being married to me?"

Khushi's lips parted in surprise. She didn't know what to say, looking down at her hands in her lap.

"Well?"

Khushi met his eyes for a brief moment before looking away. "Um... well, I'm not... not happy."

Arnav said nothing and waited for her to continue.

"I just... um... I... um...."

"There's no need to hesitate Khushi," Arnav said softly. "Everything you say now, I won't take it personally. I just want for you to be honest, that's all."

Khushi looked at him and gulped.

"From the moment we met and got married, up until now - tell me how feel and tell me the truth."

"Um... okay.... Well... it's been slightly uncomfortable- not because of you or anything you did," she quickly added when she saw Arnav arch his eyebrow. "It's just that... I was always very confused why you quickly decided to just marry me, even though you said why, I was still unsure. But now I truly realize that it was because of Papa that you decided to marry me."

Arnav nodded. "Go on."

"Um... well... it's just that... i feel like... things have been awkward... between us," Khushi nearly whispered.

Arnav arched his eyebrow.

"Bhabi and I have made a connection, even Adi Bhai has become the big brother I've never had. Papa and I get along quite well, and never does he make me feel like an outsider but like his daughter, a member of the family. But the reason why I'm a member of this family to begin with is you but...."

Khushi looked down at her lap and Arnav looked away.

"We've been married for a few months now, and yet it still seems like I'm married to a stranger."

"I understand your feelings," Arnav nodded. "I guess, when it comes to getting to know each other better, I haven't done such a good job."

"I haven't either," Khushi nearly whispered.

Arnav looked at her.

"I've mostly been acting like a shy bride," she blushed, looking away.

Arnav looked at her for a moment before leaning closer to her. Khushi looked at him in surprise as his hand reached up and caressed her cheek, his thumb tracing over the scar on her cheek. He didn't say anything, watching his thumb trace over the scar. All the while, Khushi watched him as he did, remaining silent.

"How about this," he began. "During this week that we're here, we'll get to know each other better. We've already started to learn a few things about each other, we can just go on from there. My goal for this trip was to learn more about you, but I guess you also need to learn more about me as well. So how about we make that the goal of this trip, hmm?"

Khushi nodded. To be honest, she would like that very much, indeed.

Chapter Fifteen

As Arnav said, the following day, he told Sameer of his plan and his father absolutely agreed.

"You two should definitely go," Sameer said. "You two still haven't gone anywhere after your wedding."

"But don't think of this as your honeymoon," Mona said. "This is just a visit to your in-laws, you still have to decide where and when you will go on your honeymoon."

"Right," Sameer agreed. "This is just a trip."

"Okay dad," Arnav grinned.

Later that day, Arnav made a call to Nayan and Nayan was very happy that he and Khushi would be coming to visit for the week. It was decided that they would arrive sometime Monday afternoon and the plan was settled.

Khushi couldn't believe that she was actually going home, after all these days. She was really excited to get home - to be in her room once again, to eat her mother's cooking, to help her father with his business, to go through the roads of her town. She truly couldn't wait to go home, but at the same time, she didn't want leave her home. Although they had only been married for about 3 months, it was strange how quickly this place became her home. But that was probably just one of the wonders of marriage, and she didn't want to leave her in-laws at all.

"I have to admit Khushi, I don't want you to go to your mother's," Sameer said. "Who's going to make me those wonderful jalebis," he pouted.

Everyone else chuckled. Just like that, it was Monday morning and Arnav and Khushi were packed and ready to go. With the family there - except Abhay - to bid them off, they all exchanged their farewells and led the couple to the car. With all their bags put in the trunk, Arnav pulled away from the house and set out to Khushi's home.

The drive took a few hours, and before long, they arrived to Khushi's town. Khushi truly couldn't believe she was back, memories of the old days playing before her eyes as they drove through town.

"I bet you're really happy to be back," Arnav smiled softly.

Khushi nodded. "I'm so excited," she grinned.

Seeing her be so happy made Arnav smile. He turned his attention back to the road and after a few moments, they arrived to Khushi's home. At the door stood Nayan and Sumitra and the second Khushi got out of the car, she ran to her father and hugged him, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Pagal, why are you crying," Nayan said, though he was choked up as well.

"I missed you both so much," Khushi sniffled.

She reached for her mother and hugged her as well.

Sumitra wiped her tears away. "Now's not the time to cry, laado. Now let me greet you and my son in-law into our home."

Arnav came besides Khushi and Sumitra greeted them into their home, Arnav taking blessings from both of them. Nayan leaded them into the living room, the workers bringing in their luggage.

"I hope the trip went well," Nayam said.

"It went perfectly well," Arnav smiled softly.

Sumitra came into the room and placed a tray of sweets and sherbet.

"Amma, you can't feed him that, he can't have sugar," Khushi exclaimed.

"Pagli, I already know that he can't," Sumitra said, shaking her head. "You only told me that maybe 50 times on the phone last night."

Arnav glanced at Khushi and Khushi leaned into the couch, feeling slightly embarrassed. Sumitra noticed this and she couldn't help herself but to wonder.

*~*

Taking them upstairs, Khushi's parents left them to get settled. Arnav looked around the room, taking it in. He stepped out to the balcony and looked down below, watching the busy streets.

"So this is where you grew up."

Khushi looked up at him and nodded. "Mm hmm."

She went over to him and stood by his side, looking down at the familiar surroundings. It was strange how it all felt so foreign and yet so known. The place she called home for so long felt slightly strange, yet so normal, but all in all, it felt good to be back.

"I can't wait to see the place," Arnav said.

"Well to be honest, there isn't too much to see. The town isn't so big, so there's not too much."

"Maybe for you - after all you grew up here. As for me, this place is foreign, simply the place my wife grew up."

Khushi's eyes shot up to his. He called me his wife.

"I'd like to get to know this place, if not as well as you do, just enough. Hmm?"

Khushi couldn't find her voice, so she simply nodded. Arnav smiled at her softly and went back into the room. Khushi watched as Arnav began to unpack and she quickly snapped out of her trance and helped him. As she put their belongings away, Khushi only realized the reality then.

For the first time ever, the room she had to herself her whole life, was now to be shared with the man who was her husband. For the first time ever, a man was going to sleep in her bed beside her.

Realizing this, stunned Khushi.

Hai DM!

*~*

Later that night, after they had all had dinner, Arnav, Khushi, and her parents were out on the terrace, the electricity having gone out.

"You must not be used to this," Nayan said.

"No, its alright," Arnav replied. "You can actually see the stars up in the sky like this."

Khushi looked up at the sky, admiring all of the shiny stars.

"You know, when Khushi was young, she used to  try her best to count all of the stars," Sumitra said.

"Amma," Khushi whined. She really didn't want to hear any of her embarrassing childhood stories.

"Really," Arnav said.

Khushi looked at Arnav and then at her mother in horror. No!

"Mm hmm. There was a time when she didn't know any number past twenty, so no matter how many she counted, she always said that there were twenty stars in the sky."

Khushi inwardly groaned - she really didn't want to hear any of these stories.

"Is that so," Arnav chuckled lightly.

Khushi blushed slightly. "I was only five."

Arnav chuckled and so did her parents, causing her to frown at them.

"Oh don't make that face laado," Nayan chuckled. "There's a lot more to share of your childhood."

"Bapu," Khushi whined.

"Come Khushi," Sumitra chuckled, "let's go get some drinks from the kitchen."

"Anything to avoid anymore embarrassing stories," Khushi said, twitching her lips, causing her father to chuckle.

Khushi followed her mother down to the kitchen and prepared some sherbet.

"Laado?"

"Hmm?"

Sumitra stopped her for a moment and turned Khushi to her. For a moment, she simply looked at her daughter. It still pained her to see the scars on Khushi's face, reminding her of the tragedy. She pulled Khushi in for a hug, giving her a tight squeeze. Khushi was confused by her mother's doings but she hugged her back.

"Are you okay Amma?"

Sumitra nodded and pulled back, wiping away her tears. "I just missed you, that's all."

Khushi smiled softly, wiping away her mother's tears. "I'm here now."

Sumitra nodded. "That you are," she smiled. "Tell me, how's everyone back there?"

"Papa is fine. Bhabi has become like my best friend and Maya is just a sweetheart. Adi bhai is like the brother I never had and Abhay-"

Khushi stopped herself and Sumitra looked at her curiously.

"Have you ever spoken to him," Sumitra asked.

"Not really," Khushi replied, her voice low. "He barely stays at the house, he has his own apartment that he stays at."

"Does he bother you?"

"No," she said, shaking her head. "He rarely acknowledges me, which makes sense given that he's barely home."

"Hmm.... And what about you and Arnav?"

Khushi looked at her mother.

"By the looks of things... I'm assuming you two have yet to consummate this marriage."

"Amma!" Blush came flooding into Khushi's cheeks.

"What? I am your mother after all."

Khushi shook her head. "I don't want to hear you say that ever again."

"Okay fine, as you wish. But as your mother, I have to ask - are you happy with him Khushi?"

Khushi looked down. She thought of all the time she had spent with Arnav, of all the moments she had shared with him. "I am."

Sumitra sighed. "Then that's all that matters." She placed a kiss on Khushi's forehead. "So long as you're happy, that's all that matters to me. And hopefully some day, I pray, you will fall in love with him."

Khushi looked up at her mother, and then down at her hands.

"Unless... you already have?"

Khushi glanced at her and then looked away.

"Oh, laado...." Sumitra caressed her daughter's cheek in her hand. "Have you told him?"

Khushi shook her head.

"Why not?"

At first, Khushi said nothing and then looked up at her mother. "Amma, I... how can I Amma? With this face- I just-" Khushi turned away and sighed. "Who could ever love me?"

"Khushi, don't say that, you're a beautiful girl-"

"Was Amma. Was a beautiful girl. Now I'm a monster."

"Hush, don't say that! You're still as beautiful as you once were."

"How," Khushi asked, flipping around to her. "How, Amma, how? Not with these scars! Not with this face, not with this body! It's a wonder how he can even be looking at me!"

"Don't say that Khushi. Arnav is a very sweet man, and it's obvious how much he cares about you. In fact, I would even say that he loves you."

Khushi scoffed. "Right, sure he does."

"I think he does Khushi, I really do. You mustn't doubt yourself."

Khushi rolled her eyes, a tear escaping and rolling down her cheek. Sumitra hated to see her baby girl like this, so she pulled her into her arms.

"I wish you would realize how beautiful you are, laado. Truly, I wish you would."