He Loves Me Not - Part 53B

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Chapter 53B



AK Villa

Ayush got Revati down for the breakfast. Arnav was on call but he quickly winded it up when he saw them. His mother was back in form, in her usual attire though she hadn’t showered yet like she used to the first thing in the morning at Shantivan. That woman was very particular of her routine. Ayush pulled out a seat for her.

“You are leaving for work?” Ayush asked Arnav who took a seat opposite to them.

“A few meetings lined up but I should be back by early evening”

“Can you drop me to my Hotel?” Revati asked. “I need to get my luggage”

“That’s been taken care of” Arnav replied. “Your luggage will be here any moment”
Revati was happy. She couldn’t expect any less from Arnav. Without even putting her desires forth him, he had that fulfilled for her.

“Did you know Revati, your son was stalking you from past few days?” Ayush teased.

“Well…” she narrowed her eyes. “I don’t appreciate that, but like father, like son. You forgot how much you stalked me during our college days, Ayush?”

Ayush laughed recalling those days which brought back the smile on Revati’s face as well. Arnav remained quiet. He enjoyed watching them tease each other.

“Where is Aman? Why is he missing?” Ayush queried.

“He got some work. But he has sent regards to you” Arnav replied looking at his mother.

“I must thank him for being there for you.” Revati cringed. “All these years he did what we failed to do” tears pooled in her eyes. She herself didn’t know why she got so teary again and again but her heart felt so fragile ever since she joined her family. The past few days had been horrible for her. The burden of guilt was too heavy to carry.

Ayush read her face and tried to cheer her up.

“We have a news for you. Shashi Gupta has agreed for Arnav and Khushi’s marriage”

Revati put up a smile again but she didn’t look surprised as though she was aware this was going to happen.

“He told us you met him and cleared his doubts about Arnav’s identity”

“That’s the least I could do” she answered. “When is the marriage happening then?”

Arnav slowed down eating. The marriage had to happen but if it was with his mother’s approval, nothing could beat that joy. So, he decided to ask.

“You approve Khushi Gupta to be your daughter-in-law?”

Revati frowned. She hadn’t thought about it yet. She had many demands regarding how her daughter-in-law should be and all of them came from her selfish mind. She settled on Sheetal Mathur because of the perks she would get by that alliance. But soon enough Sheetal started showing her real colors and it became hard for her to tolerate Sheetal and her growing attitude. She was glad Arnav voiced out his denial to marry her. He didn’t deserve a Vanity woman. They would mess up as a couple.

“Come on Revati” Ayush interrupted her chain of thoughts. “Arnav asked you something”

Revati nodded at him and replied.

“It’s not that I can’t stand Khushi Gupta. I hardly conversed with her and was always to the point. But all that doesn’t count” she gripped Arnav’s arm over the table leaning ahead. “What matters is that you love her and she loves you back”

Arnav drew in a sharp breath, satisfied.

“Eight wonder of the world” Ayush muttered. “Revati agreed for Khushi”

Revati turned back to her husband and hit his arm.

“Stop making me villain every time” she snapped. “I want to meet Khushi, with your permission” she requested Arnav.

Arnav gave a quick thought about it and rose from his chair. He had finished the breakfast anyway and was ready to leave for work.

“I will bring her home tonight” he agreed.

“That’s wonderful” she leaned back relaxed.

“Just don’t scare her off” Ayush teased his wife again.

Arnav chuckled as the two argued over that. They looked cute together, even when they fought. He pulled his suit over the shoulder.

“We are having a Video conference today afternoon with the board of AR Group. Don’t skip that for romancing your wife” Arnav winked at his father.

“Thanks for reminding, son. I will be present”

“Much appreciated. See you soon, Dad. Bye Mom”

He strode out. Ayush turned back to his wife who seemed all lost and smiling.

“Did you … did you hear what he said?” Revati asked.

“About romancing” he palmed her cheek.

“After that” she mumbled.

“He said Bye”

“After that, Ayush” she groaned this time.

“After that he left” Ayush teased. He knew exactly what she wanted to hear from him.

“He called me Mom” she shuddered. The glow on her face was pleasing. Ayush rested his arm over hers.

“Yes. He called you Mom. He always did. But seems like you have started understanding the feelings behind that word now.”

She shook her head in agreement.

“You are his mother, Revati. And no one can change that”

Revati hugged him. Wished she had taken up her role of Arnav’s mother seriously years ago. Arnav’s life would have been easy and he would have smiled more often than he did now.

“Now come on, let me show you this house. Your son has built a lavish place to stay” Ayush dragged her away.

“Just like I prefer” she added.

“Like mother.. like son” he mocked with the same lines she used earlier for him.

“He is OUR son.. He is ours” Revati protectively muffled wrapping an arm around her husband as he showed her the Villa.

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

Arnav noticed Khushi fiddling with her bag. They were in the backseat of the car, driving to AK Villa after office hours. He told her about his mother’s arrival and everything that happened thereafter. She was very excited to know he and Revati reconciled but when he told her that Revati wanted to meet her, she got nervous. Arnav entwined their fingers and brought it to his lips.

“You okay?” he kissed her fingers.

“Trying to be” she murmured. “I know she has changed and even expressed her desire to meet me. She has given her approval for our wedding too which is nice. But …”

“But what?” he loomed closer.

“I don’t know.. It’s the first time I am going to meet her officially as your fiancée and that worries me somehow. Revati aunty is very classy, to the point and at times I don’t understand her talks. I hope I don’t mess this up”

Arnav laughed at her silly thoughts.

“You are laughing?” she scoffed.

“What else should I do then?” he pulled her closer and kissed her temple. “Just be yourself. It will be okay”

She hoped that too. As the car parked in the foyer, Khushi got down with Arnav and her breathing quickened.

“I forgot to tell you one last thing” he mentioned. “Mom has her own desires for our wedding”

“Like?”

“She wants the wedding to happen back in India. The first reception party will happen the same day in Delhi after the rituals. Then the second party will be in Mumbai, as we have some relatives there. The third party would be in London as we are growing our business here”

Khushi’s jaw dropped.

“Three reception parties for one wedding?” she scoffed.

“Hmm”

“That’s going to an expensive affair” she snapped.

“Not for the Raizadas. But yeah, the Guptas will have to bear too much expenses”

Khushi clenched her teeth. She didn’t want to burden her father. When she looked back at him, there was a faint smirk on his face which suddenly turned into a laughter.

“Look at that face” he laughed again.

“What the… you … you were teasing me? All this was a lie?”

She started hitting him on the chest and he didn’t restrict until the first few hits.

“I was.. I was almost counting my bank balance” she kept hitting him until they both heard a gasp from the other side. She stopped. Arnav’s parents were watching the two with horror. Oh Damn!! She couldn’t apprehend how to react?

“What is happening here?” Ayush muttered.

Khushi kept her hands off their son. She didn’t want them to scold her.

“Nothing dad, I was just teasing her” Arnav replied.

“Sure you were and since Khushi was hitting you, I assume it scared her off” Revati retorted.

Khushi bit her lip. Revati came forward and welcomed them.

“Don’t be gentle on him next time if he scares you off again” she advised.

Khushi wasn’t expecting this kind of support from Revati Raizada but now that she has got some, she thanked her with a smile.

“Let’s get inside, the dinner is served”

The four were seated at the dining table. So far Revati behaved well but Khushi was still apprehensive how this meet would end up. It felt like some kind of an interview and her skills would be judged. The expectations of Revati Raizada from Arnav’s life partner were always touching the skies and since Khushi wasn’t her choice but Arnav’s, this was not going to be easy to pass the test.

“Ayush told me you cook fantastic” Revati expressed. “Whats your specialty? Chinese? Italian? Mexican?”

Khushi swallowed the food and smiled.

“I can cook home food. Simple Indian dishes” she replied.

Revati cleared her throat. It was difficult to read whether she was happy by the answer or not.

“That’s enough” Ayush added. “Who wants to be a Chef? If a woman knows to fill her family’s stomach with delicious and healthy meals, that should suffice”

Arnav had no say in it. He was busy enjoying the dinner and Khushi’s state of mind.

“I don’t cook at all” Revati revealed. “Does that mean I am not eligible to be a good wife?”

Ayush laughed.

“Don’t take it to your heart sweetheart. This is not about us. It’s about Arnav and Khushi”

She agreed and looked back at Khushi.

“I hope you like partying and hosting kitty parties too”

“I like socializing. But I don’t think parties are the only way to do this. I attend the ones which are important though. But to be honest, I feel its waste of both time and money to throw a party without any reason”

Revati stared at her in horror.

“Shopping? What about that? Don’t tell me you like to shop only when your stuff is stolen or become old to use” she taunted.

“Well” Khushi sipped the soft drink. “I like to shop for others than myself. Gifting people whom I love is what I prefer than buying expensive things and stuffing my closet with”

Revati frowned and continued eating. Khushi took a sigh of relief that she stopped asking her silly questions. She hoped that was the last one. She didn’t understand why Revati Raizada had framed such irrelevant questions? Shopping, partying has nothing to do with marriage. But whatever her replies have been, didn’t seem like Revati was impressed by her.

“Will it matter if she rejects me?” Khushi whispered to Arnav who had almost finished his food now whilst she was still juggling to finish the starters.

He gave a mirthless laugh.

“It will just push our marriage date ahead” he replied.

“Why?” she gasped. “Are you telling me you won’t marry until I become exactly how she wants?”

Arnav lifted his shoulder in a half shrug. Her hands squeezed into fists. She was ready to argue with them loud and clear. She didn’t want to judge the other Raizada couple and their intentions, but Arnav? What was wrong with him? He loved her and he still wants to stick to his mother’s baseless demands?

“Dessert?” Arnav passed the bowl of Rasgullas towards Khushi. Khushi met his casual gaze. How can he be so cool and unaffected? Or was this all a prank? Probably!! The entire family was pretending to fool her around and if that’s so, she knew how to turn the game on them.

To be Continued. 

NEXT PART 

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