They got to her house and Arnav parked the car outside. He got out then went over to her side to open the door for her. Khushi went to the door and took out her keys to open it; her Dad was at the sweet shop and didn't come till later, and Payal and her Mom had gone out. She opened the door then switched on lights, Arnav followed her in.
"Do you want something to drink? Coffee, water?" she asked him walking into the kitchen.
"I'll just have some water," he replied.
Khushi took out a glass from the cupboard and poured some water in it. Arnav was looking around and stood by the window that led to their backyard. Khushi came next to him and handed him the glass of water.
"Thanks," he said taking the glass from her and drank some water out of it.
"What are you guys growing?" he asked pointing out to the backyard where they had some vegetables growing.
"Dad usually likes to grow tomatoes, corn and eggplants," she said.
"And the flowers?" he questioned motioning to a few sunflowers that had blossomed on the other side, with smaller roses next to them.
"Those ones Payal and I grow, she like sunflowers but I like roses, so we grow both of them," Khushi replied.
"They're blooming quite nicely," he said. He placed the finish glass of water in the sink and Khushi led him to a where they had most of their important documents. Walking into the room, sunlight peered inside from the big window that was on one of the walls; there was chair in the corner, a table next to it and a shelf that was filled with paperwork. Khushi asked him what he needed and he told her, she went over the table and started looking through the files.
Arnav looked around the room and noticed some canvases sitting along the walls on a table, with some paints lying near them. He moved towards them trying to get a better look; two of the canvases were already painted on, a scenery on one and an abstract piece of art on another one, but one had a painting that was in process. He could make visible a half of a face and a forest in the background. Extending his hand forward he attempted to touch it but a voice interrupted him.
"Don't touch that yet!" Khushi said from behind, and he turned around towards her.
"Woh actually I applied a texture to it this morning, and it's still not dried yet," she said and he nodded.
"Is it supposed to someone?" he asked.
"Not specifically, it's just a child," she said.
He looked back at the painting, and was truly amazed by it. The cautious face of the child was painted realistically, the lines of worry being visible. He would be lying if he told himself that his to-be-wife wasn't talented, but why was she working in a bank? And not selling her art to others, she could make great money from it, that not being the main reason; but others would be able to see her talent of art.
"What are you going to do once you're done with it?" he asked her.
"Do with it? What do you mean?" she replied confused.
"Yeah, once you're done are you going to give it away and sell it or something?" he said.
"I've never sold any of my paintings or art work before, I usually just keep them, and repaint over them to do another one," she said.
"But why don't you find someone so you can get your artwork in a show or something?" Arnav told her, "Didn't you say you volunteer at an art gallery?"
"Yeah I do, but that ones for more renowned artists who have fame and artwork that people want to see," she said.
Arnav was about to reply something return but his phone rang and he picked it up, "Hello?"
It was Aman reminding him of some papers that he needed to be signed before tonight since the company needed them soon as possible.
"I'll be there soon," he said and then turned the phone ff. He turned back towards her and said, "I have to leave now, need to go sign some papers."
"Oh okay," she replied, "And here are the papers you needed," she said handing him a file filled with documents.
"Thanks," he took the papers from her.
**************************
It was Saturday, and Khushi walked into the art gallery. She had gotten stuck in traffic due to a major accident that had occurred, therefore arriving very late. NK had already started the art classes with the kids and they were painting on the canvases. The class was of about 15 students, who came every weekend.
"Hey Khushi!" NK said seeing her enter and walked up to her, leaving the kids to work on there own. NK was the owner of the art gallery and had started it a few years back. Khushi had met his girlfriend, Lavanya, at an art show and they had become great friends. Lavanya had introduced them and over time, they had also become great friends. Khushi began volunteering at the art gallery only a few months back due to her passion for art and she had nothing else to really do on the weekends.
"Hi NK," she replied putting her purse on one of the counters.
"So I heard you're getting married?" he said.
"How do you know?" she asked.
"Lavanya tells me everything," he replied smiling.
Khushi then remembered her phone call with Lavanya two days ago. She had asked her what was new in life and Khushi had told her that she was getting married in the next two months. Lavanya had been so happy for her and screamed into the phone, but before she could even ask to whom Khushi was getting married to, she had to leave.
"Well nothing stays in her stomach does it?" Khushi asked jokingly and NK also laughed.
"But you both better come to my wedding and all the other rituals," she said.
"We definitely will, and Lavanya is already very excited for it," he replied.
"Any plans of you two getting married soon," Khushi said nudging him.
"No no no, not yet," he said.
One of the kids had their hands raised, "I'll go see what it is," Khushi said.
Khushi went over to the girl and asked her what she needed, and she had run out of red paint.
"NK do we have anymore red paint?" she asked from across the room.
"Yeah, a lot of it, I'll get it," he replied and then went to the back storage to room to get it. He came back a few seconds later with a big gallon sized bottle filled with paint.
"Here I'll do it," Khushi said taking the bottle from him. She took off the cap and seal off of it, then pursed some into the girls palette, "There you go."
"Thanks," the girl replied.
Khushi put the cap back on the bottle of paint, getting it all over her hands in the process. She placed it on the counter that was nearest before she got it anywhere else on her.
"You better wash your hands," NK said looking at the mess.
"Yeah, I'll go wash them," she said turning around not paying attention to where she was going.
"Khushi!" NK exclaimed but she didn't have time to turn around completely because she had already bumped into something.
"Oh My God! I'm ..I'm so..sorry," she said looking at the mess she had made on a white shirt, her hand print visible with the red paint. She looked up to see who it was and her eyes made contact with other familiar ones, Arnavs.
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