Chapter 14: Engagement

Khushi looked around the room as she mentally cursed herself. Why did she have to say that now? She could've told Arnav later about Shyam, but she had to open her stupid mouth. After what she had said, Khushi had seen Arnav's face drop and he had quickly excused himself saying that he needed to go talk to someone. Not wanting to be left alone with Shyam, Khushi had excused her also with the excuse of needing to go to the restroom.

And now she had taken the place near the window as a way to seclude herself and not wanting to get involved in any conversation. She watched as Naniji conversed in a conversation with her mother while surrounded by some other women also; Mami was socializing with some of her friends, dressed in full on bright colors. Khushi chuckled to herself, what a character she was. Payal was being introduced to some family friends by Akash, and Di and Aditya were talking to some of the servants, but where was he? She hadn't been able to spot him and was wondering where he had disappeared off to.

She was about to head upstairs and see if he was there, but before she could even take a few steps forward a weight from behind was thrown on her and she heard a loud, "Khushi!!!"

Turning around from the unexpected hug, she saw Lavanya standing there with a bright smile, and NK right behind.

"Looking good," Lavanya said looking at her outfit.

"Thanks," she replied, "When did you get here?"

"About half an hour ago, but we couldn't find you," NK replied.

"Well I'm glad you both could make it," Khushi said.

"Of course we came, did you really think that we would miss it?" Lavanya added, "And now you have to introduce me to that fiancé of yours."

"I'm not sure where we he went," she said looking around.

"What do you mean you don't know where he went? It's your engagement and your supposed to be with him," she told her.

"I'll tell you what happened later," Khushi said.

"Hmm well th--," Lavanya was about to say but another voice joined the conversation, "Could you excuse us for a moment," he said.

******

Arnav was broken out of his thoughts when Anjali called him, "Chotte where's Khushiji? We should start the engagement ceremony."

"Uh yeah, I'll go get her," he said and turned back around to find her. After excusing himself earlier, he tried to get it out of his thoughts but couldn't. It was her past so it shouldn't matter to him, she had never questioned him about his past yet, even though she probably has heard rumors about it. It wasn't something that they had talked about or held a conversation over, but they would probably need to clear the air soon. But he shouldn't be quick to judge her based off of it and her relationship with Shyam. Although the fact that he was the one who left her on the day of the wedding did anger him. He ran a hand through his hair in frustration, they would need to talk about this, the sooner the better.

But now he'd have to find her first before Di asked again, he scanned the room but couldn't find her. Arnav went up to Payal and Akash asking them if they knew but they claimed that hadn't seen her.

"Hariprakash!" he called out as the servant walked by holding a plate of some food that needed to be served.

"Ji Sir," he replied.

"Have you seen Khushi?" he asked.

"A few minutes ago I saw her by the window that's near the back," he answered. After saying a quick thanks he left to go her her. And just like Hariprakash had said, she was standing near it, talking with a someone about the same age as her. He took steps closer to them and recognized the man as the one he had met at the art gallery last week. So that must be the other friend of hers that she had mentioned a few times.

"Could you excuse us for a moment," he interrupted their conversation after having spent a few minutes not knowing how to join it so he thought this was the best way. Arnav was now standing next to Khushi, after he had made his presence heard, she had turned to look up towards him.

"Di says that we should start the ceremony," he told her. Khushi didn't say anything and just nodded but she noticed that he hadn't made any movement to move and instead was eyeing her friends. Oh yes, an introduction between them was needed.

"Arnav this is Lavanya, my friend, and then NK who you met last week," Khushi said motioning to them, "And Lavanya this is Arnav."

"Nice to finally meet you," Lavanya said extending her hand and shook it with this, "I've heard a lot about you," she added while looking at Khushi with a grin. Khushi on the other hand just widened her eyes not knowing what her friend was going to say. Of course count on Lavanya to do something like this, and her stare was replied by a wink from Lavanya. However this exchange didn't go unified by Arnav who was watching them keenly, "Well I hope it was good things that you've heard about me," he added.

"Depends on who the source it was that I got it from," she replied jokingly, but Arnav's expression didn't show that he took it that way, instead Khushi saw his jaws tighten a bit.

"Shall we?" he asked Khushi after a few seconds of not knowing how to reply.

"I'll see you both around later," Khushi said as they both left from there. Arnav wrapped one hand around her waist as he moved them through the crowd and towards the stage that was setup.

"Don't take what she says seriously, Lavanya jokes around a lot," Khushi told him as they walked.

“It’s fine,” he said, “But Khushi I need to ta-”

“Oh there you both are!” a voice interrupted him and gazed up to see his sister walking towards them, “Nani has been waiting for you both,” she said and motioned towards where the small stage was set up, Nani was standing there, along with Akash and Payal to one side of her. Arnav nodded at his sister and went towards the front, with Khushi still by his side. He stepped up on the stage, then offered a hand to Khushi to help her up also.

“Good evening ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here on this….” Nani started but Arnav had toned out of it all and had other things running through his mind. He felt Khushi’s hand wrap around his arm as she moved closer to him while listening to Nani. Nani brought forward a tray, taking the rings out she gave one to Arnav and one two Khushi. As he was the elder grandson, it was his turn first.

Arnav extended his hand forward, and a somewhat shaky Khushi slid the ring on his finger and looked up at him with a slight smile smile on her face. He took her hand and held it with his right, then with the other slid on the on the ring onto her ring finger, to which Khushi's smile broadened and and the crowd erupted with applause. Then Akash and Payal exchanged rings, and Devyani closed off to the guests telling them to enjoy the rest if the evening.

Arnav helped her down and moved them through the crowd, introducing her to the folks as they congratulated the couple.

"Did you have anything to eat?" he asked leaning over her to which she shook her head, "Let's go."

They went over the the serving table and got their food, "You go sit down, and I'll bring the drinks. What do you want?"

"Just water," she replied and he went to get it. Khushi went over to the tables but was interrupted in her walking as someone came up to her.

"Khushi, nice to run into you, " Shyam said with a sweet smiled looked down at her, "Do you need any help?" he asked, "I'll carry your food for you," and offered.

"No, I got it," she said curtly and tried to move around him but he didn't allow her to.

"I'm just offering," he said stepping closer.

"I said I don't need your help," she said a little louder now attracting the attention of some around them, "And if you'll excuse me I would like to eat."

"Well then why don't you join me," he said.

"Thanks for the offer but my fiancé should be coming here any moment, and we were going to eat with some of our friends," Khushi said.

"As you wish," Shyam told her and moved aside to let her go. However this exchange hadn't gone unnoticed by a figure who was standing a few feet away.