Moments (IPKKND Secret Romance #2) (aka Our Moments)

Chapter 6: Arnav

9th December

*****

Dekha hai pehli baar saajan ki aankhon mein pyaar, [I've seen love in my beloved's eyes for the first time,]

Ab ja ke aaya mere bechain dil ko karaar. [Now my restless heart is at peace.]

*****

Arnav drummed his fingers on the steering wheel, waiting for the numbers on the display to flash 9:00. He'd been eager to see Khushi this morning, so eager that he'd arrived fifteen minutes earlier than he usually did.

The last fortnight had been Hell; staying away from Khushi had gone against his every wish and desire but he'd managed it, for her. He'd been tempted, countless times, to send Mohan in his stead and take a reprieve from the daily water-torture - he'd been rendered powerless by her request for time but her presence continued to seep into him drop by excruciating drop. This car had ever been their sanctuary, however, and no matter how things deteriorated between them, he found solace in the familiar territory: him in the driver's seat and her next to him. He couldn't help but feel that their relationship had played out here.

Jealousy had surprised Arnav yesterday, stabbing through him at the sight of his Khushi, dressed in red and gorgeously made up. He'd been standing next to his car, mentally plotting the destruction of whoever she'd dressed up for, when she'd carefully placed her hand over his. His envy had instantly been replaced with relief as he'd read the silent permission in her eyes.

She dressed up for me. She must know how much I like seeing her in red.

Arnav had dressed carefully this morning - maroon shirt and tie with a black suit - and had spent an aeon on his hair. He'd felt absurd when he realised what he was doing – who'd believe that Arnav Singh Raizada had been anxious about how he looked ... for a girl? And yet, he checked his reflection in the rear view mirror before getting out of the car.

"Arnav-babua! Come in, come in," Khushi's Bua-ji answered the door in an unexpected break from their routine.

Arnav's expression betrayed none of his surprise or disappointment as he declined her.

"I won't hear it," she smiled at him, "Khushi is running late and you cannot wait outside."

He cut an awkward figure on the edge of the couch, glancing around in discomfort as Bua-ji bustled in the kitchen. A thought strayed into his mind - the word 'in-laws' reverberated at the edge of his consciousness - but he stamped it out hastily.

Always be willing to walk away, Arnav.

The key to a successful negotiation, he knew, was the absolute willingness to walk away with no regrets. And yet ...

Am I still capable of walking away from her? Have I ever been?

He took the tray from Bua-ji when she returned, carefully placing it on the coffee table before resuming his seat. She hadn't just brought tea; biscuits and snacks were piled onto the tray. She politely asked after his family, especially Nani and Di, before bringing up the wedding plans. In turn, Arnav asked about Khushi's father and was relieved to hear that his recovery was progressing well. He and Garima-ji were at a healing retreat, Bua-ji informed him. Arnav, who'd always found small talk uncomfortable, wondered if his short, precise answers were too stiff and formal.

When Bua-ji waxed lyrical about Aakash, exceedingly happy with her future son-in-law, he felt a shiver of apprehension.

Would she accept me as wholeheartedly if ... Shit. Arnav, get a grip. Focus on the goal, this is not helping ... Where the hell is Khushi?