Chapter Twenty Four

Much to the annoyance of Khushi, she couldn't back out from Arnav's plans of her going to the gym. So without a choice, Khushi headed to the mall to get some activewear. She browsed around, picking up a few items here and there from different shops. However, she still hadn't bought any activewear yet, not exactly sure of the items she had seen. Khushi was now in another store, browsing among the clothing.

Crap, what do I get, Khushi thought to herself, picking up two different pairs of leggings.

One was just a simple black, the other with mesh-trim, which would expose parts of her legs.

Which one do I get? I mean at least we'll be in the house, but I'll be with Arnav the entire time.

Khushi looked at the tank tops beside her.

The question is, do I want to expose much?

"Khushi?"

Khushi turned around at the sound of her name and saw Sheetal. Instantly, she became insecure, taking in the sight of Sheetal's toned body, Sheetal wearing biker shorts, a sports bra, with a cropped mesh hoodie.

"Hey, how are you," she smiled.

Sheetal came forward and gave her hug, Khushi still somewhat stunned, but she hugged her back.

"Planning on working out, hmm?"

Khushi glanced at the stuff in her hands. "Yeah, Arnav says its important."

"Sounds like him," Sheetal chuckled. "There was a time when all he did was go to the gym with his frat buddies."

"You went to college with him?"

"Nah, I went to visit once during my break, and boy oh boy was it something," Sheetal smiled, reflecting back.

Khushi looked at her for a moment. "You guys are pretty close, huh?"

"Yeah, I mean we've known each other for years so...."

Khushi nodded in acknowledgement.

"Oh! This is cute!"

Sheetal picked up sleeveless muscle tee with a twisted cutout back design.

"You should get this," she beamed.

Khushi looked at the top before looking back at her. "I, uh... umm... I...?"

"Oh come on Khushi, it's cute!" She held the top in front of her. "You'll totally rock it!"

Khushi pursed her lips, looking away. Sheetal noticed it, wondering about it. She then thought that maybe Khushi wasn't so comfortable yet with being so exposed in front of Arnav yet. She knew that her best friend and his wife still hadn't reached that level yet, so she understood Khushi's hesitation. So she put the top back and picked up another one instead, this one a heather gray top with long sleeves and a twisted hem.

"This is cute too, and its light and loose, so if you're pouring sweat, you'll be just fine."

Khushi looked at it, feeling better about this top. "Um, thanks."

"No problem! And oh! Those olive leggings would make a perfect outfit," she smiled.

Khushi smiled in return, picking up the pair of leggings.

"Well, I gotta go, my trainer is waiting for me. I just quickly came in to here to get a new bottle since I dropped mine and it exploded into pieces," she said, rolling her eyes. "Then I got distracted by the clothes and I saw you, so I had to say hi."

Khushi smiled at her lightly.

"I was thinking of dropping by soon; I can't wait to hear about your trip home! So I'll see you later, 'kay?"

Khushi nodded with a smile and Sheetal came forward again, hugging her, giving her a cheek-to-cheek kiss before leaving.

Khushi watched as she walked away and left the store. She looked down at the clothes in her hands before looking at the top Sheetal had first pointed to. Khushi picked up the muscle tee, looking at it briefly before she caught sight of her reflection in one of the many mirrors in the store. She immediately looked at her scars and then noticed someone look at her. The woman immediately flinched away, as if she hadn't been staring at Khushi. Khushi put the muscle tee back and only took the gray top, a random sports bra, and olive leggings, purchasing it, before quickly walking out of the store.

All she wanted now was to go home.

*~*

When Arnav came home later that day, he noticed that something was off with Khushi. He tried to approach her about, but someone always came in between, taking Khushi's attention away.

So when he made his way to the gym, he intended on having that conversation with her. However the moment he saw her, his brain came to a complete halt. Khushi had her back facing towards him, so she hadn't see him come in. But Arnav was getting a full view of her, and by full view, I mean that due to the lighting and the lightness of the fabric, Arnav was able to see the outline of her body, as well as the sports bra she wore underneath it.

Arnav looked away, clearing his head. "Ready?"

Khushi turned around, her ponytail swaying as she moved. "No," she frowned.

Arnav couldn't help his grin. "Let's get started."

With stretches out of the way, the two got right down to work, and Khushi felt a strong desire to kill him. As she ran on the treadmill, Arnav stood beside it, keeping track of the time. For some moments he had her run, and for a brief moment he had her walk. Khushi was absolutely sick and tired of it, and no matter how much she pleaded, Arnav wouldn't listen. Instead he told her to continue and if looks could kill, well, you get the idea.

"And... 40 minutes, you can stop now," Arnav said.

Khushi slammed the stop button and the moment her feet touched the ground, her legs felt as wobbly as jello. She leaned back against the wall and slid down to the ground. She huffed as she caught on her breath, Arnav going over to her to hand her a bottle of water. Khushi glared at him as she took it, Arnav only chuckling in return.

"How come... I'm the... only one... working out," she huffed.

Arnav went over to the weights and began lifting. "Now you're not."

Khushi chugged down on her water bottle. "That's not the same!"

Arnav shrugged with a grin.

Khushi continued to scowl at him, drinking her water.

"Uh, Khushi, there was something I wanted to ask you?"

"Hmm?"

"Well... earlier you seemed to be a little... down."

Khushi looked away.

"Is everything alright?"

Khushi didn't say anything. She thought back to her shopping trip, remembering Sheetal and her outfit. Sheetal had looked absolutely amazing while she... didn't. Sheetal was like a goddess while she... wasn't.

She's beautiful... and I'm not.

"Khushi?"

Khushi snapped out of her thoughts and looked at Arnav. "Hmm?"

He looked at her with concern, but Khushi shook her head.

I can't tell him about that. "Um... while I was shopping... I caught a woman staring at me."

"Oh... um...."

Arnav went over to her, leaving the weights behind, and sat down next to her. "Wanna talk to me about it?"

Khushi shook her head. "There's nothing to say. ...people will always judge, it's nothing."

But Arnav knew better than to believe her. He wrapped his arm around her, bringing her closer to him. Khushi laid her head on his shoulder, remaining silent. Neither said anything for a moment, just sitting their in silence.

"It'll never stop... will it," Khushi finally whispered.

Arnav looked down at her. A few strands had escaped from her ponytail, so he tucked it behind her ear.

"They'll always stare... people will always stare at me."

"Mmm, well I would hope not."

Khushi looked up at him in confusion.

"I don't like the idea of other men staring at my wife," he winked.

Khushi let out a sigh. She couldn't help herself but to smile, which was exactly what Arnav wanted.

"You know that's not what I mean," Khushi grinned.

"Oh? Do I need to compete with women too?"

"What-? No, Arnav!"

She hit his arm lightly, Arnav chuckling, Khushi soon chuckling as well.

"You know that that's not what I'm talking about," she tried to frown.

"I know, but it lifted your mood, right?"

Khushi smiled away him softly; yes he had lifted her mood slightly. "Thank you."

Arnav smiled at her softly and then placed a kiss on her forehead. For a moment, they just sat there, but then Arnav had Khushi get up to continue her workout, resuming the fuss and the fun.