You May Be Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Khushi was too shocked to register anything. She was feeling dizzy and suddenly things were getting black in front of her eyes. Just before Khushi could fall Arnav caught her in his arms and steadied her. Payal ran towards Khushi with a glass of water. Arnav made Khushi sit on the sofa as he knelt on one knee and made her sip the water until she was feeling better. Shashi was worried at first but now he had a fully fledged smile adorning his face as he saw the way Arnav was taking care of Khushi.

He closed his eyes for a brief second as he thought, Arjun we were right! They are made for each other, he hoped that his best friend Arjun was out there somewhere and could hear him.

Khushi looked up and saw Arnav's concerned face and she managed a small smile to let him know that she was fine now. And he understood her gesture. He leaned a bit forward and whispered in her ear, "If you want then we can talk later. You're okay now, I know but I guess you are not comfortable. We can talk when you are." The ball was in her court now and she had to decide. She felt so glad that he understood her so well and knew that she was not comfortable to talk but suddenly she was not scared anymore. She wanted t talk to him.

Arnav stood up and turned to shashi in an attempt to tell shashi that Khushi can rest now and they can talk later but was stopped by a tug on his wrist as he looked down and saw Khushi looking up at him. "We can talk."

He smiled at her and looked at shashi who nodded positively giving him permission to take her. Arnav walked ahead as Khushi followed him behind quietly. She was nervous, yes she was but she wasn't scared. She didn't know why but she trusted him too much to be scared with him when they would be alone. She was nervous because everytime he was around her, her heart would do summersaults and butterflies would do belle dance in her stomach.

Arnav wanted to make Khushi comfortable so instead of taking her to his room, he took her to her room. Khushi was too lost in her thoughts to notice that but as she entered her room she smiled realizing his sweet gesture of trying to make her comfortable. She walked in and sat down on the sofa beside her bed and he followed her and sat in front of her on the other sofa.

Arnav didn't know from where he should start so that he doesn't make her more nervous as his first aim was to make her comfortable so that she would understand his main message when he started to talk about their marriage.


"Your favorite color is purple?" he asked randomly looking around her room.

That one question put an instant smile on her face as she replied, "Yes I just love purple! When I was very little..." she said making a gesture with her fingers a gap of about 2 inches trying to show him how small she was making Arnav smile at her childishness and think who could be so small as she continued, "... then I used to buy all purple things- purple books, purple, pencils, purple rubber, purple bag, purple shoes, purple clothes... Payal jiji used to say that since I have only purple clothes everyone would think that I have only one pair of clothes and shoes and then I used to say that jiji the designs are different..." then she paused and asked, "But how do you know?"

Arnav smiled at her confusion then he stated the obvious, "Everything here is so purplish in your room so I guessed," he replied making Khushi scan her room and she knew he was right. Her bed-sheet was light purple which was contrasted with dark purple pillows, her cream colored sofa had dark purple cushions, her room had dark purple see-through curtains and many more accessories were purple and she smiled.

"You have good choice Khushi. Purple is a beautiful color." He smiled at her which made her smile wider and Arnav could see that his compliment made her face proud of her choice. Arnav couldn't help but notice how opposite she was from him. She was so lively and full of life and his dad was right she was bringing light into the darkness he lived in.

He smiled thinking that they were not even married yet and she was already affecting him.

He guessed now he could start his actual conversation with her. He cleared his throat as his mind quickly processed from where he should begin.





"Khushi... before you place your decision in front of everyone, I want you to think about it..." he looked at her and he could see a slight blush creeping up her rosy cheeks but she was listening to him intently and that gave him the courage to continue, "But before you think about it I want to give you the facts which you have to think about before making a decision. Will you let me tell you what is on my mind that I want you to know?" he asked sincerely.

"Yes." She replied looking down blushing away.

Arnav looked at her for a while as he thought how she had changed from a child moments ago to a woman who was blushing for him. For him? He really liked that thought of her blushing for him.

"So Khushi I want to make some things clear and be completely honest about how our married life would be." He paused looking at her surprised expression and spoke again, "That is if we get married."

"How will it be?" he heard her ask almost in a whisper and he knew instantly she was scared by the way he spoke and he instantly felt guilty for saying the last words.







"Khushi when I will marry you that will mean that I will be yours and you will be mine for life and in every possible way, physically and mentally... Once you say yes then there will be no turning back and I wont let you leave from my life and leave me alone ..." Khushi looked up at him shocked.

She had expected him to say something like she would just be an obligation and he wouldn't accept her but here things were completely opposite! She was bewildered he actually said that to her. I will be yours and you will be mine. Khushi couldn't help but smile at that as she wanted to hear what he wanted to say so she encouraged him to continue, "Hmm.." she said and that was enough for him to continue.


"Once we will be married don't expect me to walk around like a stranger around you, keeping distance and giving you occasional polite smiles. Trust me I can't do that." He admitted earning a confused look from Khushi.

"Then?" she asked.

"Khushi if I marry you then you will be the only woman in my life. That means that I will be giving love and all the rights only to you and expecting the same from you. Khushi you will be the one I will be returning home for, everyday!"



Khushi was so pleased hearing that as her heart was filled with the warmth. He was promising her the honesty and loyalty every relationship needs. She was ready to say yes now but when she looked at him she knew he was not done yet and he still had something to say.

He spoke again and this time his voice was low and husky, "Khushi I will buy you some really small nighties which I would want you to wear for me, only... and when I will be late and you will be asleep wearing those, I will lift the covers off you to look at you and admire you while you will be in your deep beauty sleep..." he paused as he read her expression, she was looking down and was breathing heavily. "At night I will pull you close and sleep in your warmth, I won't let you lock the bathroom door because I will be joining you whenever I have time, I will kiss you in the kitchen and I will hug you in front of the world."

Khushi looked at him as her gaze locked with his and she knew that his heartbeat was as fast as hers.



"I won't keep my hands off you Khushi because I too have dreams which I want to live with my life."



Arnav didn't want Khushi to think that he was just committing for the sake of physical relationship, he got up and walked up slowly to her and knelt down in front of her. Khushi looked at him and the sincerity in his eyes spoke volumes.

"Khushi...I ... I..." he stammered trying to make a sentence, "Whatever I just said now was just part of what our relationship will be like. In our relationship Khushi, you can scold me like a father, feed me like a mother, guide me like a friend because you will be my father, my mother, my friend and my wife."



Tears formed in her eyes listening to what he was saying, "Khushi you will have all the rights on me. I will listen to your antics, fulfill all your wants, pacify you when you are angry, I will be with you in every up and down. I will share what is in my heart and I will hold your hand all lifelong till I die bec..." and he was stopped Khushi's hand on his lips as she nodded negatively gesturing him not to talk about dying and he smiled as he kissed her palm making her blush at their first actual intended touch, "Because I will make this marriage work Khushi. For you, for me, for dad, for mom, for dii, for nani, for uncle and for aunty."




"Khushi will you marry me?"


To say Khushi was spellbound wouldn't be enough as Khushi let the tears she had been holding back, flow freely without any hesitation as she nodded positively making Arnav smile but he wanted to hear the yes from her mouth.

"Will you Khushi?"


"Yes. Yes. Yes! I will marry you..." she whispered.

Arnav closed his eyes in content and a smile found his lips as he spoke, "Think again Khushi once you say yes I will be looking at you with shameless want without any hesitation. My eyes will be for you and you only. Do you accept that?"

Khushi nodded as she blushed openly without even trying to hide it.






Just then Anjali walked in, "Oops sorry. Actually we were kinda running out of time but its okay. You guys take your time and I will just go.." she said turning when Arnav stopped her.

"No dii wait." He said standing up. "We are done."

Khushi walked up shyly to Anjali and she led her down as Arnav followed behind too eager to explore this new formed relationship.





As they walked down the stair Arnav could see Garima, Nani, Payal, Madhumati and Manorma sitting as curiousness was obvious as they all looked up with expecting eyes. Shashi on the other hand had bee pacing around the living room and as he saw the look on Arnav's face a smile was formed on his own lips because shashi knew that look too well. Arnav would only smile like that when he succeeded.


He looked down at his daughter who was not meeting anyone's eyes and the red tint on her cheeks was clearly visible. He sighed in relief as he knew the answer instantly but being a father his heart yearned to listen to her answer from her mouth. He wanted to hear her say yes. He wanted her to look up so that he could see the happiness in her eyes. He wanted to hug her and congratulate her.



"Khushi beta..." he said very calmly as Khushi looked up to shashi and his wish was answered as he could read the happiness in her eyes. "What have you decided?"


"Beta..."  Garima said to urge her to speak but Khushi's heartbeat was too fast to let her voice out of her neck. She was shivering as she was about to tell them the biggest decision of her life.


"Khushi ji... Sab aap ka jawaab janna chahte hain..." Khushi heard Anjali whisper in her ear and she was too thankful that Anjali was holding her by the shoulders or else Khushi would have melted with nervousness. She looked up and smiled at Anjali and took a deep breath.

"Khushi bitiya what have you decided?" asked Nani in a very soothing voice.


"Yes I will marry Arnavji."


And that was it! Shashi's heart leapt with joy as he practically ran to his daughter to hug her and he found some tears of happiness making its way down his cheeks. Garima joined in the hug as an excited Anjali and nani hugged each other. Madhumati and Manorma instantly ran to the kitchen to get some sweets to mark the auspicious occasion.


"Bitiya we are so happy for you..." Garima exclaimed as she kissed Khushi's forehead.


"Khusi bitiya..." nani came forward ad Khushi took her blessing and nani opened a small box she had been holding, "Bitiya these kangan belong to Arnav's mother. It has been passing down from generations. If she would have been here today then she would have given these to you from her own hands." Nani said making Khushi wear the gold kangans.

Arnav's eyes welled up as he heard nani talk about his mom. He really missed them today. He closed his eyes and sent a mental message to his parents. Ma, papa I miss you both, please bless us and always be in our hearts.



Khushi and Arnav were fed the sweets as shashi hugged Arnav and the couple took blessings from all the elders.

"Devyani ji I was thinking why not we have both the marriage together? Double celebration!" suggested shashi.

"Yeh toh bahut acha rahega. Both Arnav, Khushi and Akaash, Payal can get engaged together tomorrow." She replied as the happiness was evident in her voice.


"Humka make-upya ka double touch-apiya kareka padi for double celibresion..." Manorma said in her style while she meant celebration.







Khushi was getting ready for the welcoming ceremony. She was feeling too anxious as she thought, tomorrow at the same time we will be getting engaged! She was feeling very nervous yet wonderful especially about everything that Arnav had said. I will lift the covers off you to look at you and admire you while you will be in your deep beauty sleep. Those words were enough to erupt goose-bumps on her skin.


Khushi's heart leapt with unknown feelings as she thought how would things be after marriage. arnav had been very clear about his intentions after marriage and khushi couldn't help but blush at the thought of him lifting the blanket just to see her sleeping. She hid her face in her palms as she remembered all that he had said.

Khushi sat down in front of the mirror as she sighed.

 Arnav Singh Raizada, she thought, what have you done to me? Why have you evoked so many emotions in me that I never knew existed? Just yesterday we acted like strangers and today we are in a relationship and that too for a lifetime? It's not that I am complaining because to be very honest I have always had a crush on you and I always felt like befriending you. I always tried to stay away from you because whenever you were around I felt really self conscious and even your simple gaze would give me a dhak-dhak and today you are telling me that you are going to look at me and only me. How will I survive?


When we were little I always wished I could console for losing your mom and today you gave me the right to share all your grief. When we were little I wanted to be your friend and today you told me that I will be your only friend. When you came for a visit and were always busy in work I wanted to scold you for not spending time with your family and today you gave me the right to scold you like a mother. When your father left us I wanted to guide you through the darkness and today you gave me the right to guide you and bring light into your life. Thank you Arnav. Thank you! Khushi thought as she burst into tears but the tears were of happiness that he would give her everything she ever wanted.


She was more than happy to be his wife.


Khushi wiped off her tears as she did her make up and put on her earrings followed by her bangles. She was wearing a beige lehnga which was full length and covered her stomach but full back open and only had a dori on top and two hooks at the bottom where her U' shaped kurta ended. She tried to tie her dori a few times but failed consistently and at last sighing she got up to look for Payal or Anjali and ask them to do this for her.

Khushi walked out of her room and entered the room beside hers which belonged to Payal and found it empty and she walked to to the room beside that which belonged to Anjali and found that empty as well. She remembered that they were talking about going to the jeweler in the evening as she sighed heavily. Who would tie her dori now? Everyone was downstairs and she couldn't walk down like this!


As she stepped outside and looked to her left to walk to her room she saw right side once and breathed deeply. Khushi's room was the last one in the corner and the one right beside her room was Payal's and then Anjali's and after Anjali's room was Arnav's room. His room was two rooms away and Khushi was standing outside Anjali's room at the moment which meant if she turned right and entered the next door then she would be in Arnav's room.



It was a do or die situation. She knew he was the only one around. Khushi exhaled as she thought, Khushi you are his to be wife then why are you scared to ask him for help. Just go and request him. That's it!



Khushi took three steps and she was standing in front of his room as she lost her breath instantly at what she saw. Arnav was standing with a file in his hand signing some documents in a maroon kurta-payjama. He looked ravishing and handsome. Correction. Extremely handsome! Almost like a Greek god.

Just then Arnav closed the file and looked up. The moment he saw her Khushi's mind whispered, Uh Oh bad idea. Very very bad idea!



Arnav saw Khushi and his heart skipped a beat. Dressed in a beige lehnga with simple jewelry and her open hair flowing freely without restriction of any clip, she was looking breath-taking and gorgeous! He stood there as his eyes drank in her beauty without any shame just as he had said. He could see Khushi's hands fisted her lehnga at her sides breathing heavily.

Khushi gulped and stepped back to leave and as he saw her retreating without his permission he voiced, "Khushi.." and that was enough to stop her. "What happened? Please come in."

And as his mind started walking again, many questions paraded his mind. What happened? Is she okay? Is it about the marriage? Does she have a double mind? Oh god! He would die if she remained silent for one more second. He saw Khushi walking in with keen steps and stopping about one and a half meter away looking at the floor.



"Khushi how interesting is the floor to you?" she heard him ask and her eyes shot up to meet his caramel eyes.


"Actually woh.. woh... Arnavji... I... I..." she stammered moving her hair to the right side of her shoulder.

"Khushi I won't eat you. Pakka promise. Now please speak to me." He said in a concerned voice.

Khushi blushed and replied looking at the floor again. "Actually.. Jiji and Dii are not at home... And i.. I.. needed help..Umm.. Can you..Tie..my..my dori?" she asked as she turned around exposing her back to him. Arnav gasped audibly and Khushi closed her eyes tightly fisting her lehnga again.

she was looking so damn beautiful and she actually had the guts to ask him for help in such a situation. Didn't she know how hard it was for him to control himself looking at her bare back held by two small hooks at the bottom of the blouse!

Arnav walked slowly towards her in a trance, his heart-beating as if it could come out from his mouth any moment. For the first time in his life Arnav's hand trembled as he lifted it up in an attempt to touch her as if he was afraid she was too delicate and he would break her. He slowly placed his fingers on her back and Khushi gasped loudly.



She gulped as she felt his fingers moving away the few strands of her to her right shoulder. Arnav was too lost to in her touch as his fingers caressed her back in its own accord. The back of his fingers slowly caressed the expanse of her back. He gulped at the feeling of her soft skin  under his fingers. She was just perfect. Oh dear lord, why was he testing Arnav's patience and control?


We are not married yet! That thought made Arnav stop and tie the dori, Khushi opened her eyes half in relief and half in upsetness that he stopped.

She turned around still looking at the floor, "Thank you Arnavji..."


Arnav stepped closer and Khushi looked at him in awe. He held her hair and moved it behind her back so that her back was fully covered as she heard him mumble, "Better.." under his breath and in one moment he held her nape and kissed her forehead, he looked straight into her eyes and said, "You look beautiful Khushi. Thank you for being in my life."




Khushi was at loss of words and smiled and as she turned to leave he spoke, "Come to my room when you are ready and we can go down together..."




"Ji.." she replied and ran away blushing leaving a smiling Arnav behind her.