Locked - Part 23

PREVIOUS PART

Chapter 23 (LAST PART)



Arnav’s POV


The condition of the pandemic is improving everywhere and countries have opened their borders which is why finally after 3 months of our marriage, we have planned a short honeymoon. It was obvious Payal and Khushi wanted to go to a common destination but me and Akash were strictly against it. We were going on a honeymoon not a family trip and wanted all the ‘intimate we’ time with our partners as much as we could. Though it took a while to convince our respective wives, we did that and quickly booked our tickets. Everything at AR Group was slowly getting better workwise and so was the case with Gupta Sweets and snacks too which is why we planned for a two-week honeymoon. Akash and Payal were flying to Mauritius and me and Khushi to Maldives. Whilst everyone in the family were going to miss us badly and vice versa, the most surprising fact was that our wives were going to miss Maxi the most. The two had developed quite a good bonding with Maxi in the course of three months of their stay here. Khushi, just like a good mommy was particular about Maxi’s food and health. The last time Maxi had his regular checkup the doctor told us he had gained weight which never happened in the last few years. And whilst I pointed Khushi’s extra pampering as the reason, she said I wasn’t paying good attention to Maxi’s fitness like I did before. That was not true. At least not completely. Earlier before marriage I took Maxi for walks, drives almost every day but now that’s not the case. Being married has piled my responsibilities towards Khushi and her father too which is why me and Akash had split up Maxi’s time of outside walks. We did it on alternate basis.

Locked - Part 22

PREVIOUS PART

Chapter 22



Khushi’s POV


I touch the marital chain on my neck and blush recollecting how Arnav made me wear this during the wedding rituals. We didn’t have a grand wedding as the present curbs in Mumbai strictly mentioned of not having more than 50 people for the wedding. Neither we booked any hotel for this occasion. No destination wedding plans either. The wedding happened in our Gupta mansion in the most traditional and simplest way. The guests were asked to perform the tests before attending the rituals and fortunately no one complained. Despite me dreaming of a big fat wedding, I enjoyed this low budget event too and it will always be close to my heart. Me and Payal hugged Dad and cried straight for no longer how many minutes during the Bidaai and if Arnav and Akash hadn’t intervened, I don’t think we would have even been ready to leave our home and shift here. Dad is alone now but Buaji has plans to shift Mumbai and stay with him. That should work for all of us.

Locked - Part 21

 

PREVIOUS PART 

Chapter 21


Khushi’s POV


It’s been a week more since we met the Raizadas for dinner. It also means from past seven days I didn’t meet Arnav personally. Wish the pandemic wasn’t there and like normal days, me and Arnav could see each other in restaurants, go on long drives without worrying of the night curfew in place and enjoy our Me time without worrying of the masks and sanitizers. All thanks to the Video calls that we can still see each other and speak for hours whenever we want. To be honest, Arnav and Akash are busy handling their business and me and Payal too have hectic schedules in managing the Gupta Sweets and Snacks. Online deliveries for our sweets have been pouring in and we are falling short of staff in the factory for both manufacturing and packing. Though the workers are allowed to come at factories and work, there are few who don’t want to take that risk neither we can force them. A few who showed symptoms, we asked them to get the test done and also stay home quarantine until they feel good. So, handling all of this is keeping us very busy.

Locked - Part 20B

PREVIOUS PART

Chapter 20B



Khushi’s POV


The family is back inside and Dad is so busy laughing and chatting with everyone as if he knows them from years. Akash and Payal are missing from quite a few minutes.


“They are upstairs…” Arnav whispers and my eyes turn wide.

“Why?”

“You don’t know?” he teases.


My cheeks flame at this comment and more when he grabs my arm and gets up.

“Di.. Khushi wants to see my plants. We will be right back.”

“Sure” Anjali Di probably understands but my father is oblivious why Arnav suddenly wants to show me his plants?

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?

Locked - Part 19B

PREVIOUS PART 

Chapter 19B



Khushi’s POV



Payal and I get down the car as it parks at the large foyer of Shantivan. This is going to be our future home. I turn to Payal who is as nervous as I am at the moment.


“Girls, where are your smiles?” Dad asks and it surely brings smiles on our faces.


He stands between us and soon we stride to the main door. I’m keeping my fingers crossed from not being welcomed by a barking dog!! If that happens I might scream and run away which is the last thing I want to do coming this close to the man I am going to marry.


Hari Prakash opens the door for us and soon the Raizadas welcome us with open arms. Payal and me take Nani’s blessings then Akash’s mother hugs us kissing our foreheads. Akash’s father is next and he looks overexcited to meet Dad and they quickly gel together. The two have spoken a few times on phone calls recently which is why they don’t need to warm up. Arnav’s elder sister Anjali embraces Payal and then me.

Locked - Part 19A

 

PREVIOUS PART 

Chapter 19A



Khushi’s POV


It’s so confusing. It’s weekend already and I don’t know what to wear for the Dinner at Shantivan. It’s been 5 days since we are back to our respective families. Dad is so happy seeing his daughter’s back. We spent hours talking to each other about our Dubai trip and the quarantine period which we spent with the Raizada men. Dad looks happy. He seems to have done his research on the Raizadas already and is very impressed with what Arnav and Akash have achieved in these few years.


Video calls and messages has been our only survival mode in our relationship now. There’s a lot which Arnav has to handle on his work front too which is why he’s mostly unavailable during the day time. He only texts me during the day and at nights we see each other on video calls. And in these five days he has kept telling me infinite times how much he misses me and loves me that’s enough to keep me boosted throughout.

Locked - Part 18

 

PREVIOUS PART 

Chapter 18


Day 13


Khushi’s POV


“Excuse me? I didn’t know you would make me do all this..” I tease Arnav who admires me as he removes the rest of his clothes from the wardrobe.

“It’s not a compulsion,” he answers. “I can help you pack your bags too if you would like.”


I am embarrassed at that idea. Arnav packing my bags, seeing all my stuff, right from my clothes, toiletries and all. No way.!! As if Arnav reads my mind, his thumb strokes my cheekbones, driving my gaze back to him. I didn’t realize when he reached me and is standing so close that he can hear my erratic heartbeats.

“Will that be too personal to share?” he asks.

Locked - Part 17B

 

PREVIOUS PART 

Chapter 17B



Arnav’s POV


I have no idea how to react. I am blushing like a teenage boy who just got to kiss his crush. So what if it was just a forehead peck. It was still beautiful. After Khushi confessed she wants to marry me too, we ended up just admiring each other for no idea how many minutes until a phone call from her father intruded us. Though I was so against her to answer it, I didn’t want to snatch her away from her father. So, as she left to talk to her dad, I cleared all the chores without her help.


“Oh God, you did everything?” Khushi asks, returning into the kitchen after the call.

“Pretty much” I scan the kitchen once, which looks as neat and clean as it should be.

Khushi reaches me and her smile widens.

“You know when I first met you here, you didn’t seem homely types. I mean, someone who could show so much interest in assisting a woman do the household chores.”

Locked - Part 17A

 

PREVIOUS PART 

Chapter 17A



Khushi’s POV


“What is this?” I ask.

“That’s Maxi asking you to say Yes to my proposal”


His lopsided smile burns my cheeks forcing the blush to creep all over my face.

“Arnav… this is really..” I go speechless for a few more seconds. “This is really cute and very thoughtful of you to propose but you know I hate Dogs, don’t you? And yet you are giving me a Dog-shaped greeting card, convincing me to say Yes?”

“That’s not just a dog,” Arnav replies. “It’s Maxi.. And he is more like my baby.. my son.. You can’t hate my son.. You will love him the day you meet him..”


I laugh at his smart reply.

Locked - Part 16B

 

PREVIOUS PART


Chapter 16B



Arnav’s POV


I hadnt expected Akash to intrude me in my room when I was doing the most important work of my life – arranging a dinner date with Khushi Gupta. There is no place in this Bungalow where this could be arranged secretly apart from my bedroom so I had set the dinner table for two in my room, with all candles and balloons and flowers. This was supposed to be secret but Akash’s interruption in my room makes me worry if this will be a surprise anymore or not.


“What… what is all this?” Akash screams scanning the most romantic looking bedroom he must have seen in his lifetime.


I rush to the door and shut it close before turning to him.


“keep your volume low. I don’t want Khushi to know I am doing all this.”

Locked - Part 16A

 

PREVIOUS PART 

Chapter 16A



Arnav’s POV


“If I could look just in your eyes so far, ever since I have stepped in this bedroom, despite all the bodily reactions going inside me right now…. you can trust me I won’t make you feel embarrass by admiring you lower than your face.”


Khushi bites her lower lip and I am transported into a different world altogether. Ever since I saw Khushi in this thin strap satin gown, my mind and body were both on fire. I wanted to take her in my arms that very instant when she opened the door for me and kiss her but all of this had to wait considering she was yet to say a YES to my proposal though mentally we both knew she was mine.


The door knocks and this time Khushi and me both know its her sister Payal. Khushi puts distance between us while I open the door for her sister who is surprised to see me in Khushi’s room.

Locked - Part 15

 

PREVIOUS PART


Chapter 15


Arnav’s POV


Di is laughing nonstop and I don’t understand what’s so funny about it?


“Di, come on? You are embarrassing me.” I snap.


We are on a video call at night and we are waiting for Khushi to make an entry in my room. I have messaged her already that my call to Di has begun but she needed 10 minutes which I unwillingly have given her. And during that ten minutes, I told Di how Khushi and Payal both are scared of Dogs and the entire fiasco that happened when we shared about Maxi to them.


“Oh my God, I have never laughed this much..” Di adds, holding her laughter.

“You shouldn’t be making fun of other’s fear.”


I am always on the receiving side of advices, but today I am giving her one which finally makes her stop laughing.

Locked - Part 14 B

 

PREVIOUS PART 

Chapter 14B



Khushi’s POV


I find Payal blushing alone and I cannot wait to tell her about the very important member of Raizada family – Maxi.


“Payal, I have something to share…” I say.

“Me too.” She giggles. “But I will take a long time to share so you tell me first..”

I don’t wait a second more.

“The Raizadas have a Pet dog..”

“WHAT?” Payal shouts in a voice louder than I have ever heard her shouting.

“Yes..” I flop on the couch, feeling totally helpless. Last night after Arnav proposed me, and even if I hadnt straightaway accepted his proposal, still everything was going well. His family seems great and I would really love to be a part of them.. But a Dog? That too such giant one? Never!!

Locked - Part 14 A

 

PREVIOUS PART 

Chapter 14A


Khushi’s POV


This is the best way Arnav Singh Raizada could start to woo me, by introducing me to his family. Not directly to his family members, but through their photographs and videos. Today morning, after breakfast, Arnav called me in his room to talk and this is when he played the pen drive on the Laptop, which has all these photos and videos saved.


“That’s Di..”


A smile creeps on my lips recalling how the other day I barged into this room looking for my Dupatta which Arnav had hidden, not knowing he was doing a video call with his sister that time.


“I had seen a glimpse of her the other day. She is beautiful.” I reply.

“Very” He grins. “Di has got looks from my mother and me from my father.”

Locked - Part 13

Chapter 13



Arnav’s POV


“There was no alliance between you and NK ever, Khushi. And I didn’t lie to him. Just gave him the forecast of our future.”

“FUTURE?” she snaps and then goes silent for a second. “Are you even in your senses Arnav? Do you know what…”


I don’t let Khushi speak but pull her to me and kiss her cheek. She freezes at the contact of my lips on her cheek. I pull away leisurely admiring her stunned face.


“Now THIS.. is what I call an alliance… and our Future.” I declare.


As if reality pinches her hard, she pushes me away and steps back in anger.

Locked - Part 12

 

PREVIOUS PART 

Chapter 12


Arnav’s POV


Akash and Payal completed the test after me and now it’s Khushi’s turn. She sits on the couch, shutting her eyes tight. She is scared and its kind of cute to see her gripping my arm tight while letting the nurse perform the test. She didn’t realize it yet nor I stepped away. Not just my support, I am willing to offer her my everything, I want her to know.


The swab samples are collected and the results will be out tomorrow. As soon as they leave, Khushi leaves my arm and gets up from the couch, rubbing her nose to ease the prickly feeling after the test.


“Sorry. Did I hurt you?” she innocently asks as I check my arm where her nails have left a mark.

“I am honored.” I mock, making her embarrassed.

“Show me.”


She holds my hand and checks the soft bruises on my wrist.

“These look bad. I am really sorry Arnav. I don’t fear injections but even the thought of swab tests gives me goosebumps.”

Locked - Part 11

 

PREVIOUS PART



Chapter 11



Khushi’s POV


I have never felt this happy soothing someone’s pain. Maybe because that someone is Arnav Singh Raizada. As I massage his neck, he shuts his eyes and is completely lost at my touch. I hope this makes him feel better. I made him sleep on the recliner last night and he got this neck sprain. If we had slept together, he wouldn’t be in pain. After almost 5 minutes, I pull away and he turns around, craning his neck, stretching it softly and smiles at me.


“Payal is right. Your fingers have magic,” he mentions.

“Anytime.” I smile at his compliment.

“Really? Any time?” He repeats and my smile drops.

I look away unable to comprehend how to react.

“Seven days Khushi.” Arnav says getting down the bed. “And then we will part ways. Will you like being in touch with me or..?”

Locked - Part 10

 

PREVIOUS PART 

Chapter 10



Khushi’s POV


My stomach does a somersault. Did he just say that?


‘I am a very traditional man, doting on its family’s culture and values. If I am ever sleeping with a woman, she will be my wife. So just shut your silly thoughts and get on the bed.’


Arnav has still pinned me on the Recliner with his arms on the armrest and his eyes on me.

“I. I am fine here.” I swallow.


Sleeping on the recliner is a better option than taking the bed with him.


“It’s not that I don’t trust you but, I can’t sleep on the same bed as you.” I add.

He gives me a pained look.

Locked - Part 9

 

PREVIOUS PART 

Chapter 9



Arnav’s POV


It’s pouring outside so heavily. I am watching Mumbai rains live. I don’t like rainy season much and the only good thing about it for me is the hot tea and pakoras which Di usually made while we enjoyed it sitting inside the house. Akash has gone to sleep and so has Payal. Today even Payal seemed very disappointed and low. She didn’t speak much to Akash and I won’t be surprised if Khushi is the reason behind it. She must have brainwashed Payal too. After our argument on that Nandakishore this morning, we hardly talked. I didn’t see her busy on the phone again, thankfully and I hope she had taken my words seriously to stop her chat with NK seriously. But why would she do that until I tell her what I feel for her? But am I sure about she knowing my feelings? We have hardly met and though I had a deep attraction for her right from past 3 years, is it enough to spend a lifetime together? Me, Arnav Singh Raizada had always taken decisions tactfully, after much consideration and thinking from every angles of ifs and buts so far. Only this time, I wanted my heart to decide.