Locked - Part 20A

PREVIOUS PART

Chapter 20A



Khushi’s POV


“Arnav Singh Raizada,” Arnav shook hands with Dad after touching his feet and taking his blessing. That one act was enough to prove his bonding with Dad will be good and I need not worry.


Dad completes the handshake and then gives him a hug just like he had embraced Akash a while ago. I watch the two interact. It’s said that a girl always wants her father’s shadow in her husband and as I gape at the two men, I love the most, I realize it’s true. Dad has never stopped supporting me in all my life’s decision and I believe Arnav is going to take on that legacy from my father. Dad is still engrossed in speaking to Arnav who keeps glancing at me. He smiles and raises his brow as if asking me why I am admiring them from so long. I shrug. He need not need to know. Can’t I gawk at my would-be husband being so good with my father?

We have dinner and I don’t see Maxi anywhere. Payal though tells me that when she was checking out Akash’s bedroom, Maxi was there but Akash handled the situation. So overall, we both have met Maxi and we still don’t get good vibes about our future with that dog in this house. But I know how much Arnav and Akash are doing their best to ensure Maxi doesn’t come before us much and spoil our mood. It pains me to see them do that. I hope with time, our fear for dogs will ease and we will accept Maxi as heartily as we have accepted the rest of the family members.


After dinner, we get the shock of our lives. Dad and the Raizadas have planned a surprise Roka for us. We are made to sit with our respective partners and the ritual is fulfilled successfully. I see Arnav and Akash turning to the stairs constantly throughout the ritual. I know they looking for Maxi.. They are missing him. I have heard from Di today how Maxi has always been in every tradition and event this family follows. He’s also there is every family picture they click and only because Payal and me are scared of dogs, the family is keeping him away. Not fair.


“You can get him out..” I murmur to Arnav who quickly turns to me with a frown.

“You mean Maxi?”

“Who else? He’s the only one missing in the family. He deserves to see you and Akash getting hitched with your partners..”


Though Arnav laughs at that comment, he then goes serious.


“Khushi, it’s fine. We really don’t want to scare you and Payal. It’s an important day for you two and..”

“Maxi is family and he deserves to be here.. Call him..”


Arnav’s lips twitch into a thankful smile. He turns to Akash who shows him the same surprise. Looks like Payal too has given her consent. So now that they have our approvals, Arnav asks Hari Prakash to get Maxi downstairs..


I quickly grab Arnav’s arm seeing Maxi coming down from the stairs. He looks hungry for love and the family’s attention. Sweat beads form on my forehead which Arnav wipes off.


“He’s a family. That’s all you have to remember to ease your fear..” he whispers.


I nod and close my eyes as Maxi first jumps towards me and Arnav.. Arnav pulls him away from me and rubs his back. My heart beats louder and I don’t dare to open my eyes at all.


“Maxi.. what did I tell you?” Arnav talks to the dog.. “Mumma’s scared of you… don’t scare her more.. You want to meet her… I will introduce but you got to sit here.. not on Mumma’s lap.. Okay?”


Mumma?? He calls me Mumma of Maxi which literally breaks my heart. If Maxi considers me as his Mumma, I should be cuddling him and not run away like this.


“He’s sitting away. Now open your eyes sweetheart.” Arnav insists and I obey.


Maxi is on the other couch, little away from us. With his eyes on me and tongue out, its like he’s waiting to pounce on me. I grip Arnav’s arm tighter.


“He won’t do anything.. He’s just admiring you.. Should he not?”


There’s pain in Arnav’s voice which kills me so I pretend to be okay..

“He can.. he can but..”

“Say hi to him.. He’ll like it..”

“What if he jumps on me?”

“He wont.. Just say it.” Arnav coaxes and all this while Maxi silently watches us exchange this conversation.


The family with dad are out in the lawn. So they don’t get to see this drama


“What if he barks? I …”

“Let me ask HP to take him away.. It’s fine.”


Arnav gives up and is about to call HP when I pull his arm again.


“I can say Hello…”

“Sure?” he grins.

“Of course.. I mean.. if I say hello and he barks, you tell him not to. That should be fine..”

“Okay”


I pass him a weak smile and turn to Maxi who’s breathing as hard as I am.


“He…ee…ll…looooo, Maxi..”


Maxi smiles and raises himself on his toes, standing like a human, with his arms curled. That’s his way of saying Hello? Aww!! Not bad.. My grip on Arnav’s Sherwani loosens.

“Saw? He doesn’t bark unnecessarily.. only when he is hungry he does and when some stranger comes in the house..”

“Me and Payal are strangers too for him..”

“No. We made sure to show him your pictures and that’s how he takes you both as a family..”


Good.!! I am glad they did this.. Payal also says a Hi to Maxi and he sways his tail. Soon he is off the room and I take a sigh of relief but he comes back kicking a ball and I realize he wants us to play with us. Of course not.. It’s too soon. Arnav and Akash play a minute with Maxi to keep his heart and then Hari Prakash takes him away.


To be Continued

NEXT PART

Note: Will post Locked Part 20B tomorrow night.

Connect me on Instagram 

Connect me on Twitter

__________________________________________________________

ALSO READ - SNEAK PEEK 1 - BACK TO YOU

________________________________________________________________

IMPORTANT NOTE - A Chance to win Signed Paperback copy of BACK TO YOU 

Hello Friends,

I am looking for those Indian readers who can read my eBook - BACK TO YOU and leave an honest rating and comment on Amazon website. The interested readers will get a Free copy of my book (BACK TO YOU) which they can take their time to read and once complete, leave a review of the same on Amazon.

Eligibility: 

1. Must have login to Amazon.in and be able to provide review on it. 

Note 1: 

Currently, this offer is open to only 10 readers. So Hurry!! 

So, if you think you can read my book and would like to provide a review for the same on Amazon, please mail me at mymadhu3@gmail.com

ONE of these readers will also get a chance to win a Signed paperback copy of the Book. 

Note 2: If you already have read the book - Back to You, please don't forget to rate and review the same. You can still get a chance to win the Signed Paperback Copy of this Book if you also post the review on any of your social media account (Facebook / Twitter / Instagram) and tag me. Just drop me the snapshot of this review on my email (myadhu3@gmail.com) or TAG me on the below accounts. 

My Twitter Id for you to Tag - @Madhuri0302

My Instagram Id for you to Tag - @madhuritamse

This Chance to Win the FREE SIGNED PAPERBACK COPY Of BACK TO YOU will end on 10th September. So if you interested, confirm me your enteries on my email id - mymadhu3@gmail.com or Instagram - @madhuritamse

Happy Reading!!

CAUTION - DO NOT SEND ME YOUR EMAIL ID HERE ON COMMENTS. SEND ME ON MY EMAIL ID AND PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU ARE REALLY INTERESTED IN READING THE BOOK AND GIVING COMMENT ON AMAZON.