A Few days have been passed, it was one fine morning, clock was showing 6am. Khushi was sleeping in her room when Anita called her. Rubbing her eyes, Khushi got up against her wish. Slipping into a pair of flip-flop, she dragged herself to door and opened it.

Khushi (yawning)- Mumma, are you going any where??

She asked seeing Anita all ready for going some where.

Anita nodded her head- Han.

Khushi asked leaning on door way, in a sleepy tone- Where..and so early??

Anita replied seeing cute frown on Khushi'd forehead- Me and your Baba are visiting to Radha Krishna temple, (lovingly tucking Khushi's hair away from her sleepy eyes, Anita added)- We will be return in evening, Ok??(Khushi nodded her head.)

Anita- Chotey has some early meeting; he will leave at 8am. Have your breakfast together. I have already asked him last night to return earlier today as he has to take Prasad to Anjali's place.

Khushi- Han Mumma, I'll remind him again.. Anything else??

Anita- Yeah.. And remind him too I have already ordered for some customized cookies for Kaira, he has to bring those from bakery shop, then remind him again to get some barfis for Anjali and ladoos for Karan ..they both love those.

Khushi- Mumma.. Give a break.. I don't know whether he will be able to remember all these, but I am definitely confused after hearing all these. (Anita rolled her eyes, Khushi laughed.) fine, don't make that face.. I will give you a call, you can tell me again. Ok??

Anita nodded her head, kissing Khushi's forehead she left from there.

Closing the door, Khushi again went back to bed putting alarm at 7 am, then she would get some time to prepare some food for her and Arnav as well.

It was sharp 7 when her ears buzzed with alarm tune, raising her face from pillow she annoyingly turned alarm off- I can't waste my morning hour preparing food for someone..especially for him..

She drifted back to sleep again. It's not even 10 minutes passed her eyes opened once again giving a quick glance at wall clock. It will not matter if she takes 5 minutes more and sleep. Covering herself in her soft duvet Khushi again went back to her dreamland.

It was finally 7.40, Khushi's sleep broke due to Nitya's call. She groaned, took her phone inside the duvet and spoke not coming out from her comfortable world under blanket- Kya hai... Why are you disturbing me now Nitu??

Nitya- Haww.. Did you say I disturb you?? Have you ever counted how many sleepless nights I have spent because of you..

Khushi giggled- Nitu, you told me this, but take my free advice never speak this in front of third person.. Tera to pata nehi.. Mera to band his baj jayega... Main to kisiko apne muh dikhane ke layak bhi nehi rahungi.. (she said dramatically..) In the end, I have to give away my little life not being able to hear taunt from society..

Nitya laughed- Jan-e-man.. Have not you heard?? People in love, always say we will live together, we will die together.. You don't be worried.

Khushi- Wo to hai.. If not me, then my spirit will not leave you.. My spirit will take revenge, but first tell me, who will love like a girl like you??

Nitya- Han.. You are right I think.. Waise bhi, tera dil to kahin aur hai.. It's your misfortune you lose someone like me..

Khushi- Tu humesha baat uski taraf kyun le jati hai yaar?? (Why do you always drag everything till him??)

Nitya- But did I take anyone's name??

Khushi made face- Don't I know you?? Chal, abhi phone rakh.. I have only..(her eyes fell on clock.. It was 7.45..) Oh Crap!!

Her jaw dropped seeing the time, how could she forget??

Khushi quickly hanged Nitya's call promising to call later and ran to downstairs to prepare breakfast. She quickly chopped onions, tomatoes and beat egg to prepare omelet. Arnav likes it, on other hand it can be cooked easily. Her hands worked in speed of light, preparing breakfast. Arranging toast, omelet and coffee on tray she quickly made her way to dining area. Arnav was by the time descending down stairs.

He pulled chair for him and asked seeing only two plates- Where others are??

Khushi replied while making a quick call to Anita- Mumma, Baba have been gone to temple, they will return in evening.

Arnav was about to ask something, Khushi moved away talking to Anita reminding herself the list Anita was telling her once again.

Arnav was noticing her busyness, her messy look proves she has just woke up and ran to cook. After finishing her talk with Anita, Khushi came back to dining area and said to Arnav while sitting on another chair for her breakfast- Do you remember Mumma was asking you to get something for Di, Kaira and Jiju?? If not, then listen.. (she did not even give chance to Arnav to speak..)

Khushi- Mumma said, first you have to come back early today before 5 pm as you have to visit Di's place.. and (she started counting her fingers..) She has already ordered for Kaira's cookies, get them for her..Then get some barfi for Di and ladoos for Jiju.. Ok?? Will you remember this or not??

She was sounding so serious, Arnav was trying hard to control his smile seeing her messy state. She herself is so confused. Finally he could not stop himself from saying- But why do Kaira needs those cookies??

Khushi looked at him confusingly- She loves those Arnav.. And Mumma has already ordered those for her.

Arnav asked getting up from chair, wiping his hands- Par uski Cookie to yahan hai.. (he smirked..)

Her jaw dropped- Shut up..

Arnav- But I am right, Are not I?? (Khushi glared at him..) But I was thinking something else??(his tone turned to a serious one..)

Khushi asked- What?? (she narrowed her eyes.)

He stepped forward towards where Khushi was sitting, bending his head a little, Arnav asked- Yehi ki.. ye cookie sweet hai ya phir salty??

Her eyes shot opened hearing him, she pushed him away- Arnav!! Leave..

Arnav only smirked seeing her facing changing it's colour, from crimson red to deep red, then his eyes followed downward when she bit her own lower lip. That smirk on his lips started vanishing slowly seeing that innocent yet sensuous gesture. Khushi was unable to look up, or she has lost that stamina inside her to meet him. She looked away knowing very well she was being watched..by him!!

Khushi gulped down her nervousness, she has noticed one thing after his return..Something so intense, so rich yet gentle pull between them. Some time either their bitter conversation or their cold behavior tried to suppress that fire between them, but that never happened. Something was always present there.. so desirable between them..

Standing on her feet she took two steps backward which Arnav noticed too. He was brought back from his world to present. Stepping away from her, Arnav looked away.

He is attracted towards her, everything thing relating to her impacts him deeply.. Trying to deny it 100times too, he can't turn his face away from this truth. Everything about her pulled him towards her which he does not want to happen. His insecure mind demands something so vast for him from her end which he did not known what to name..

He has kept himself away from her for so many years to suppress that impossible wish of his mind but at last found himself getting nothing. But now..He, himself was allowing her to cross that limit line he has drawn around him. Was that right?? Was he depending on her to fulfill his unknown emotions?? Was he waiting for her to make him understand what he feels for her apart from that childhood buddy?? But Why her??

He should not let anyone enter, play with his feeling, then one day leaves making him feel vulnerable!!!

He does not want to feel this attraction towards her!! But each time, he has failed to keep his promise. He wants her at the same time he is scared what if she goes away from him?? He wants her only for himself, at the same time he knows too that is next to impossible. His mind shrieked up each time he sees her sharing her feeling with others and he ends up hurting her and himself in that process.

This woman in front of is never perfect one like those perfect idol woman, but deep down he knows he gives a damn to this perfection when it comes to her. 

Childhood mistakes can be erased giving a name as childishness but not now??

He should keep himself away from her, from her life, from her sight. At least this would not trouble her or him in the process..

When he walked away, Khushi turned her face to see his retreating back. He left once again.. and she was again left with those unanswered questions!! Why could not she just pull him and demand why was he making her feel this way?? What was there between them sometimes feel so damn perfect and pure?? Amongst their anger, their big fat ego, their arrogance, their dislike for each other.. what is that things that still connects them together?? She wants to understand.. But she can't trust him, what if he plays with her feeling making her feel unwanted?? Her past life was a perfect example of this misfortune.. And she can't afford to give herself that life, that pain which her mother underwent..

This man in front of her has so many flaws, he irritates her, he makes her angry, her does everything to play with her nerves.. but at the end she knows nothing matter to her..

*******************

After almost 3 hours of journey, Aarav and Anita reached at temple. They both went inside, prayed to lord Radha Krishna. Anita's eyes roamed around for that person for whom they both have come to meet. Anita noticed an old man of his late 90s under a tree. She held aarav's hand indicating him towards that direction.

Aarav assured through eyes, they both went towards that way. They both were just behind the old man, heard..

"There is still 2 months, 2 days, 17 hours left.."

Aarav and Anita looked at each other surprisingly. How did he come to know about them not seeing them?? How did he feel their presence??

Old man opened his eyes, Anita touched his feet, he blessed her.

Anita said politely- We are afraid Panditji.. We are afraid what if this hidden string between them pushes them away from each other than pulling them towards each other?? How will they both react to that marriage of their??

Old man gave a smile- Leave everything on almighty, daughter.. He did not ask us before tying this bond, like this he himself will show them their path. Life is not bed of roses my child, none's life and relation is perfect as well.. It takes time and lots of effort to make it grow. This path might be complicated for them, but at the end they will find each other. Trust your children and trust your God .He has decided everything, so let him do everything.

Aarav asked- When should we tell them truth?? Is Arnav's life safe now??

Old man laughed- Till then she is with him as his, nothing bad will touch your son.. And about telling them the truth, you don't have to do that. The day he will complete 25 years, he will know everything.

Anita sighed hard leaning backrest in car, Aarav was concentrating on road.

Anita- What if after knowing that we get her married to Chotey, because we want to save our son's curse life... will Khushi misunderstand us?? Will she hate us, will she distance herself away from her??

Her eyes got teary..

Aarav looked at her- But she was never less than our own kid Anita.. Neither I have considered her anything than my own daughter nor you!!

Anita- What if she gets angry with us??

Aarav- Then we will bear her anger Anita. Beti hai humari, to naraj hone ka haq bhi hona chahiye na use..hum par!! (She is our child Anita, so she should have the rights to be angry and upset with us.)