Being The Missus

Chapter 2 - First Impressions

"This is amazing!" Khushi gave her a tight lipped smile for she felt no flattery from the compliment.

Mainly because Shanaya Oberoi was exactly what the press reported her as. A thirty year old supermodel with a figure that i********: fawned upon. Standing 5 feet 11 inches tall, the dusky beauty had rare blue eyes which spoke of her mixed descent that sparked bright with intelligence with intelligence.

Or because that woman had leaned into Khushi's husband, slapping her arm casually on his thigh. For the life of Khushi she could not remember a single moment when Arnav had seemed… casual.

"Khushi, you haven't eaten yet." Nani, Arnav's maternal grandmother, chided, returning back into a conversation that Shanaya had everyone engaged in.

"Honestly Nani ji,” Khushi’s frown deepened when Shanaya addressed Arnav’s grandmother as her own,

“-I hated my PR personnel who scheduled me to visit Africa post winning Miss Universe, but that experience changed my life. I realised how fortunate I was of my education to help such a poor country and talk with the African model- "

“Shanaya ji, which African model? Ethiopian, Nigerian, South African, Sengalese-” Khushi interrupted, exhausted from Shanaya’s holier-than-thou aura. “-because I thought Africa was a continent, not a country.”

All eyes on the table snapped to Khushi. Congratulations! You have officially created a scene. Shanaya raised a carefully threaded eyebrow, analysing the young wife. Jealousy, insecurity. It was easy to read someone, especially someone who wore their hearts on their sleeves.

"So Khushi?" Shanaya asked,

"Did you meet Arnav in Columbia as well? Oh wait, you’re some five years younger… " Silence fell over the table as Arnav cleared his throat "Seven. And she did her undergraduate in a government college here in India, not in the States."

"Oh! So how did you two meet?"

“She fell on my lap. First day while being my assistant’s assistant!” Arnav chuckled, eyes warm with the fond memory.

“And that’s how you snagged the most eligible bachelor off the block!” Shanaya chuckled. Khushi turned red, her face hot with embarrassment.

"If you’d call saying yes to a not quite elaborate proposal from a very persistent man who did not care much for the fact that I’m a tailor’s daughter then yes-" Khushi trailed off, watching Arnav gesture her to not say more.

"In-teresting. Well Arnav is known for being persistent." Shanaya stirred her fork, casting another glance at Khushi's fingers mixing the rice and yoghurt.

"So did you go back to Columbia?" Nani asked.

"You all know each other from before?" Khushi asked, unable to restrain her curiosity.

"Of course! I used to stay here when Arnav and I were dating." Shanaya exclaimed and stilled when the table felt silent with Khushi boring her eyes at her.

What in fu-oh God-forget it, what the f**k!

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Translations:

Ji - a suffix that is added as a mark of respect to anyone older or a guest.

Nani - grandma