Arnav and Khushi had lead everyone into the dining hall so that food could be served and so people could have dinner.
Everyone took their seats and Arnav and Khushi sat together with important people from the fashion industry.
Arnav had introduced Khushi to everyone and had explained to her who they were and why they were important to them. But Khushi’s head really wasn’t in the conversation.
Her eyes were fixed on Akash and Payal. They were sat close together, heads close, in deep conversation. She had to admit, they looked super cute together and she couldn’t help but feel excited for Payal. She knew how Payal had felt about Akash when they were in high school and it was evident that those feelings were still there between then.
“Khushi?”
Khushi was brought out of her thoughts by Arnav’s hand on her arm.
“Is the food okay?”
“It’s fine.”
“You haven’t eaten much?”
“I’m just too excited to eat, to be honest with you.”
Arnav smiled and nodded and then went back to his previous conversation. Khushi too went back to her own thoughts. Would Payal and Akash get married soon? Would she be able to design Payal’s wedding gown? Khushi could feel the excitement bubble through her and she couldn’t wait for what was to happen next.
*****
Dinner was over and a lot of the guests had made their way over to the bar. A couple of their guests had hit the dance floor. Arnav and Khushi were still floating around, making sure that all their guests were well looked after.
As he watched his guests on the dance floor, Arnav realised he wanted to dance with Khushi. At least once.
He made his way over to her when he finally saw her alone.
“Hey.”
“Hi.”
“You enjoying the party?”
“Yes! It’s going great! Everyone seems to be really enjoying themselves.”
“Are you having a good time?”
“Of course I am.”
Arnav felt a little nervous, he didn’t know how to ask her. Realising that he needed to stop being so silly, her cleared his throat and held his hand out to Khushi.
“Can I have the honour to have at least this one dance with you?”
Khushi smiled a wide smile and took his hand.
“I thought you’d never ask!”
He led her onto the middle of the dance floor and when Aman saw them, he clapped, bringing everyone’s attention onto Arnav and Khushi.
“Everyone’s looking at us.”
“Well it is our party, so if they want to look, let them.”
Arnav placed his hand on Khushi’s waist and she placed her hand on his chest. They swayed to the music and the lights of the hall began to dim. The attention shifted away from Arnav and Khushi and people went back to whatever they were doing.
“I’ve enjoyed tonight.”
“I have too.”
“Thanks for being my date.”
“It was my pleasure.”
They danced, enjoying each other’s company. They talked about all the things that had gone well that evening and what they wanted to do next.
One dance became two dances and two dances became three dances. Soon they just kept dancing to every song that came on. Slowly guests began to leave and the hall emptied. Arnav and Khushi remained absorbed in each other. They were enjoying each other’s company, each other’s warmth…
*****
“Wow would you look at the time?”
Arnav and Khushi broke away from each other and looked around them. The guests had all gone and the staff were starting to tidy up. Khushi brushed her hair behind her ear and smiled shyly. They had gotten so absorbed in each and had dance the night away. She could see Akash and Payal, still dancing slowly to the soft music playing. They looked so happy together, so intimate.
Arnav moved away and went over to talk to Aman and that’s when it happened. Khushi saw Akash drop to his knee and he pulled a ring box out of his suit jacket. She rushed over to Arnav and pointed to Akash and Payal.
“Did you know about this?!”
“No! I didn’t know he was going to propose tonight?”
The scene that was playing out in front of Arnav wasn’t making any sense. He knew that Akash was interested in Payal but he never thought that they would get married. How could Akash be going this if his aim in life was to steal Khushi’s business. Unless… Maybe he’d realised that stealing Khushiyan for Khushi isn’t what he wanted. Maybe he’d realised that all he wanted was to settle down with a woman he loved?
His attention shifted back to Payal and Akash. Akash was on his knee while Payal had her hand clasped over her mouth.
“Payal… I’ve wanted to be with you for the longest time ever. We decided to call things off in high school before you left, but we always said that if our love was real we would find our way back to each other. Well look, we have found our way back to each other and that’s enough for me. Our love is real and is true. And because of that, I want to marry you. So, will you do me the honours?”
Khushi squealed with job and took hold of Arnav’s hand. She squeezed it tightly and she tried to contain her joy.
“Of course! YES. Of course I will marry you!”
Akash smiled and he slipped the ring onto Payal’s finger. Payal, with tears in her eyes looks over to where Khushi is standing and gestures her to come over. Arnav and Khushi walk over to where the newly engaged couple are standing. Khushi rushes over as fast as she can, whereas Arnav takes his time, trying to make sense of what’s going on.
Khushi hugged Payal and Arnav gave Akash a fist bump.
“Congratulations! I can’t believe this is happening!”
“You can’t believe this is happening? Think how I’m feeling! When we left home today I didn’t think I’d go home engaged.”
Akash laughed as he wrapped his arm around Payal.
“Let’s see the ring then!”
Payal waved the ring to Khushi. The ring was a big solitaire diamond on a white gold ring.
“Wow! It’s beautiful! Akash, you’ve really pulled this one off.”
“I’m glad you approve! I’m assuming we have you’re blessing?”
“Of course you do! I’ve been ready for you to propose to jiji since we were in high school.”
Khushi and Payal hugged and they both squealed with joy. Akash turned to Arnav and raised an eyebrow at the girls.
“I didn’t know you were planning on proposing?”
“I’ve been wanting to for a while but the moment didn’t feel right.”
“I didn’t know you had the intention to propose any time soon at all.”
“Well… What can I say, I wanted to surprise the family.”
Arnav nodded, not quite understanding what Akash was playing at. But he knew he would need to talk to his cousin. If he was marrying Payal for something related to Khushi’s business. He wouldn’t let him do that. He can’t play someone like that.
*****
Akash and Payal were on their way home. Akash wanted to talk to Payal’s parents before she told them on her own. Ideally he would have wanted to speak to them first, but if he had then the proposal wouldn’t have been a surprise.
*****
Arnav and Khushi were in Arnav’s car, on their way back to Payal’s. They were taking their time because they wanted Akash to speak to the elders before they got back.
Khushi spoke excitedly about what the future held for Payal and Akash but Arnav still couldn’t help but feel skeptical. It didn’t make sense. He wanted to steal Payal’s cousins business from her, but then he was also marrying Payal? How would that make any sense.
After speaking for a while, Khushi realised that Arnav wasn’t listening to her at all.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, its just… Don’t you think this engagement has come out of nowhere?”
“Not really. I mean they were so serious about each other in high school and now they’ve been getting to know each other again for the past year or so. It was bound to happen at some point so I guess Akash didn’t want to long the process out.”
“But doesn’t it seem weird that he hadn’t mentioned proposing at all?”
“I don’t know what you’re trying to get at, but they’re happy. However they have come to this stage, they’ve done it. And we have to be happy for them and support them.”
Arnav nodded, to show Khushi that he was taking what she was saying into account. But the truth was, he was confused as hell and he wasn’t going to rest until he had spoken to Akash and tried to work out what his game was.
*****
“Oh Akash, you’re already here? Didn’t take too long to convince the folks I see.”
“Nah they didn’t take much convincing. Once they realised that me and Payal loved each other and I flashed the Raizada name, they were so whipped, they would’ve gotten us married on the spot if they could.”
Arnav nodded as he poured two glasses of whiskey. He handed one over to Akash. He sat at the bar stool and lifted the glass.
“To your engagement.”
“To my engagement.”
They both took a sip of their drinks. Arnav, just a tiny sip, but Akash downed his entire glass in one go and then filled his glass again.
“But really bro, explain to me, what’s the reason behind this rushed engagement.”
“There’s really no ulterior motive, I want to marry Payal. So why wait?”
“Because how can you plan on starting a life with her when you want to steal her sisters business.”
“Very easily bhai. You just have to keep your eye on the prize. Here, I’ve got two prizes. The first, is a 50% share of Khushiyan and the second is Payal.”
“But won’t it cause a problem between you and Payal when she realises we’ve taken Khushi’s business.”
“Not if she never realises that we’ve taken the business.”
“But how can you…”
Akash stopped Arnav.
“Some plans are better left a secret until the time is right. For now bhai, just carry on the way they have been going.”
Arnav shook his head. None of this was making sense. Akash wasn’t making sense. What was his damn game?
Akash downed the last of his drink and got to his feet. He said goodnight and was ready to go to his own room when he turned to Arnav.
“By the way bhai, I saw how you were with her today. I can tell you want to get into her pants.”
“I don’t…”
But before Arnav could finish what he was saying, Akash was already gone. Akash was still ready to steal Khushi’s business, his aim, after all this time still hadn’t changed. Arnav shook his head, he couldn’t let that happen. He couldn’t let Akash take Khushi’s happiness away from her like that. He’d never been for this plan, and now, getting to know Khushi, he definitely couldn’t do it. But how was he going to stop Akash? Arnav may be the face of this plan, but Akash was the brains and Arnav knew, that unless something was done, Akash wouldn’t stop. He needed to do something, but how?
*****
Author’s note:
I have been really active over on my twitter account recently so if you have twitter please do add me, I’m @ganga16tr
I’ve been posting a lot over on there and have also been posting sneak peaks of what I’m working on! So if you’re interested, and have twitter, please do follow me!
Tanzeela’s Creative Writing Corner 