Love For Her
1248 Words
Love For Her
"Naani, I will take you to mandir today." Arnav announced making his family's eyes turn to him curiously. The great ASR abandoning office to go with his Naani to temple was something never heard of. Well, never heard of until recently. The first time Arnav took Naani to temple was after she was admitted in hospital. She was adamant on going to temple and he was adamant on not leaving her alone. So, they both finally agreed on going together. Ever since, Arnav has been willingly taking Naani to temple on all Fridays.
"No problem, Chotey." Said Naani with a knowing smile. "Today Anjali is coming with me, so we will manage on our own. You don't have to come with us."
"Why?" asked Arnav promptly before holding himself together. He cleared his throat and said. "I mean why can't I come to make sure my sister and grandmother are safe."
"But, Arnav...." Before Anjali could say anything Arnav declared that he was going to accompany them to temple and it was not up for discussion.
"Isse kya hogaya Naaniji?" asked Anjali
"Come to temple I will show you why your beta is changed." Naani said with a smile
Arnav climbed the stairs of the temple two at a time displaying queer restlessness. Anjali looked at her grandmother questioningly who only smiled cheekily and asked Anjali to patiently observe Arnav. Anjali did exactly that. She saw her always prim and proper brother take off his coat, ruffle his impeccable hair and roll his shirt sleeves. If that act surprised Anjali, then his next move gave her a heart attack. Arnav walked towards a young girl with a goofy grin.
"What's happening?" asked Anjali shocked.
"Chalo, see for yourself."
Naani and Anjali moved closer enough to hear Arnav's conversation with the young girl.
"Arrnaavvv." The girl greeted him gleefully.
Anjali turned to her grandmother with wide eyes as if to confirm Arnav let a random girl call him by his name, because except his family he is ASR to everyone.
"Khushi, how are you?" asked Arnav
"I am good. Why are you late?" asked Khushi with a pout
"I am sorry. Just caught up in traffic." Arnav said making a sorry face.
"Did he just ask sorry to her? I thought Arnav's dictionary didn't have sorry." Anjali said.
"Wait and watch." Naani commented.
"I was waiting for you, then it got late for pooja and I carried this heavy Prasad plate all by myself." Complained Khushi pointing at plate containing laddus.
"Why did you carry any weight?" asked Arnav suddenly annoyed that she strained herself. Now he should appoint someone to do all her work? But will she accept it?
"No problem.'" She said smiling at his concern. "Let us go it is time for pooja."
Khushi was about to lift the plate when Arnav stopped her.
"Hey, don't. I will lift it. You don't strain yourself." Khushi graced Arnav with her beautiful smile making his heart skip a beat.
"Arnav..." called Anjali when he was following Khushi with smile.
"Di !!! What are you doing here?"
"Did you forget I came with you?:"
"No.... I mean...I... What are you doing here matlab you should be inside for pooja. It is about to start." Said Arnav
"Acha!! How do you know so much about pooja?' asked Anjali
"Why not? After someone is pandit's daughter's special friend."
Anjali and Naani expected Arnav to deny, but they were surprised to see him smile and....blush.
"You are my brother Arnav, right? Or are you some imposter?" asked Anjali touching Arnav's forehead to check if he was sick
"Di, I am fine." Arnav sighed. "Di, she... Khushi....Well, Di I want you to meet her."
"Now I definitely want to meet the girl who has made my chotey blush."
"Khushi beta, come here and sit with me." Called Naani after the pooja was over. Arnav excused himself to attend a call while Naani and Anjali were waiting for a chance to talk to Khushi.
"Namaste, Naani." Greeted Khushi touching Naani's foot for blessings
"Bless you dear. Sit with here." She said pulling Khushi between her and Anjali. "This is Arnav's sister." Naani introduced.
"Namaste, Anjaliji." Khushi smiled
"Are you studying, Khushiji?" asked Anjali
"Ji, BBA final year."
"Who all are in your house?"
"Me, amma, appa and my brother."
"Where is your family from basically?"
"Anjaliji why are you asking me all these questions? Do you want to find marriage proposal for me?" asked Khushi cheekily. Ever since she turned twenty all aunties in the locality does the same interrogation to her and always end up bringing prospective groom details.
Anjali smiled at Khushi's innocence. "Kyun, will you marry my Arnav?" she asked
Arnav who reached near the ladies wondered what they were all talking about. His sister was looking at Khushi with a smile, but Khushi was frowning. Looking at Arnav, Khushi immediately stood up.
"Arnav, do you want to marry me?" she asked directly
"What? Me? Marry?" Arnav looked at his sister and grandmother uncomfortably. They had an amused grin pasted on their face.
"Tell me, Arnav." She demanded innocently
"Yes... Maybe.... I mean... yes...." Closing his eyes and taking a deep breath Arnav finally answered. "Of course, I want to."
Khushi's frown deepened for a second making Arnav curse himself before she grinned at him.
"Okay." She said cutely
"What?" asked Arnav shocked
"I said okay. We can marry."
Even before Arnav could come out of the shock, Khushi turned to Anjali with unaltered smile. "Yes, Anjaliji, I will marry your Arnav." She hopped towards the temple giggling. Halting after a few steps, she turned to look at the trio, "Come and talk to my father, okay?"
Arnav couldn't believe what just happened with him. A girl who he fell in love with at first sight, taking him aback completely, almost a month ago, a girl who makes him like a carefree 25 years old that he should be and not ASR with weight of the world on his shoulder, a girl whose face and smile keep haunting him no matter where he is, a girl whose spirits gives him new energy, a girl who he spends all his nights talking to over phone, a girl who encourages him to see colourful dream in his monochrome life wants to marry him. Is he dreaming?
"Di..." Arnav turned to his sister with huge grin
"If it was up to you, I would never get a bhabhi let alone a pyaari bhabhi like Khushi. So, I took it upon myself to set you up with her."
"Di...." Arnav pouted. "I could have handled it."
"Yeah right! You wouldn't have even confessed your feelings for another five years." Anjali said
"Technically, even now I didn't confess." Arnav said
"I will get you two married. You play confession confession after that." Anjali said. "Haan, but don't delay to give me a neice or nephew."
Arnav chuckled at his lovely sister. "Thank you so much, Di." He said hugging her.
"Now, let me go and talk to her family. I want to take her home soon."
"Not before I talk to her and take her for a date. I want to propose her in my style. " Arnav said smirking
"Now you talk like ASR I know." Encouraged Anjali. She then saw her run towards where Khushi disappeared minutes ago. Anjali closed her eyes and offered prayer to god for her brother's happiness.
- Writer
