"You're blushing?!?!" Khushi exclaimed and some heads turned towards them. Arnav quickly placed his hand over her mouth, "Don't shout it out to the whole world! I have a reputation at stake. It was just a dare my friend asked me to do. And don't tell anyone in the family; otherwise they won't stop teasing me about it." Khushi nodded her head, but Arnav kept his hand on her mouth. He was staring into her eyes and moving slowly to the music. Both of them were lost in each other's eyes to realize when the song had ended.
Arnav suddenly felt a tap on his shoulder. Then again, finally he turned around to see who it was, removing his hand from Khushi's mouth.
"Is this yours?" A middle age women who looked his Mami's age held up a cell phone
"Um yeah, where'd you find it?" Arnav said taking the phone from the women's hand
"It was on the ground, must've fallen out of your pocket when you were dancing with your wife," she said
"WIFE?!" Khushi exclaimed, "No Aunty it's nothing like that, or even that---"only to be cut off with the women saying, "Don't worry beta, I know how these generations kids are," And then walked back to her table.
Arnav and Khushi stood their awkwardly not knowing what to say, "Should we leave?" Arnav asked finally breaking the silence.
"Yea, let's leave," Khushi said and followed Arnav towards the door. Arnav picked up his coat from their table, stopped at the counter to pay the bill and motioned Khushi to go out. Khushi went outside and waited for Arnav to come out. She looked at her watch and noticed that it was almost 9:30. The moon was shining in the sky and the wind was blowing a bit.
A few minutes later Arnav came out and found Khushi staring up at sky. He went behind and whispered into her ear, "Shall we go?" Khushi nodded her head and started walking towards that car and sat inside. Arnav went to his side and sat down. He started the car and started driving to her house.
"So, I told you about where I went to study, what about you?" Arnav asked Khushi
"I attended the Institute of Fashion Design and Mumbai and graduated this past year also," Khushi said
"Did you like it?" he asked
"Yea, it was fun. I met a lot of new people and it was a good experience," she said. The continued on with their simple talks while Arnav drove the car and suddenly stopped. They both looked ahead and noticed that the road was blocked. Damn it! Arnav thought. He turned the car around and took the other path. Arnav rarely went on this road and wasn't very aware of the path.
A few minutes later it started sprinkling, and that soon turned into heavy rain.
"Arnav, please drive slowly and take your time," Khushi said getting a bit worried looking at how heavily it was raining."I know Khushi, just stay calm," he said.
Could this get any worse, Arnav thought. Here he was on a path that he barely even knew, it was raining very badly and she was next to him very worried. Just then they hear a loud noise and then another one, the car jumped a bit up and down then stopped.
"What happened?" Khushi asked
"I think the car broke down," Arnav said looking back at her. Just then Khushi's phone rang and she picked it up.
"Hello?" Khushi said
"Khushi beta, where are you guys?" Sashi asked on the other side, "It's raining really heavily outside, are you guys fine?" he asked
"Yea dad we're fine. We already left the restaurant'." she said
"Where are you guys now?" he asked
Khushi looked at Arnav and nodded her head questioning him; Arnav looked out through the window and told her, "Tell him that we're near the dhabba that's on the intersection near the train station."
"Dad, the road we were taking was blocked, so we had to take a different path and then the car broke down. Right now, we're near the dhabba that's on the intersection near the train station," Khushi said
"I'll have the driver bring a car over and pick you both up," Sashi said
"Okay, thanks dad," she said and hung up. Then she looked up at Arnav and said, "Dad said he'll send the driver over with a car to pick us up."
Arnav nodded his head, "Ok, I'll just call my driver and tell them to come here so they can take this car over to get it fixed," he took out his phone and called them. The rain had changed to slight sprinkling right now. A few minutes later they arrived.
"Sir, should we take the car to the mechanic?" one of them asked.
"Yea," Arnav said and got out of the car. Khushi also got out and went to stand by Arnav. The driver took the keys from Arnav and hooked the car with his own then drove away.
"Arnav, let's go over there and wait at the dhabba while the other driver comes," Khushi said
"Khushi seriously? A dhabba? at this time?" Arnav asked her
"Do you have a better idea? Huh? I don't think so, so just come on," Khushi said. She grabbed his hand and led him towards the dhabba. Arnav sighed and followed her.
There were only a few people already eating there when they arrived. Khushi went and sat on an empty manjha (bed made out of yarn) and Arnav sat next to her.
A few minutes later the Sardar and his wife who owned the dhabba came up to them, "Tuhanoo kuch chaahida (do you need anything)?"they asked
"Nahi (No),"both of the replied at the same time.
"Asi kisse da intezaar kar de sighe (We are waiting for someone),"Khushi said
"Accha, tuhaadi dona da vyah hogaya (ok, are you both married)?" the women asked, "Jodi ta kamala di lagdi ya (because you both make a good couple)."
"Nahi ji Aunty, gal idha hai ki (No Aunty the thing is'.)" Arnav said
"Arre Manjeet, tenu aj ne nyaania da ta patha ya, pehlo pyar karde hun, phir vyah (hey Manjeet, you know kids these days, first they fall in love then get married),"said the guy. "Mera naam Jassa ya, ta aye meri vauti Manjeet. Je kuch chaahi da hove, ta sanu zaroor baaj maarni. Atai jadhohvyah hoya, ta sanu vil balona putta (My name is Jassa and this is my wife Manjeet. If you need anything then just ask. And when you both kids get married, do invite us)," the sardar said.
Manjeet leaned into Khushi and whispered into her ear, "Munda ta changa labiya ya tu, poora gabru Punjab da, ehnu hutho na jaaney dahi (The guy you have found is great, a complete gabru from Punjab, don't let go of him)."
Just then the they heard a car horn honk, and looked up to see the driver here. Khushi and Arnav thanked both of them and made their way to the car. Khushi was a bit ahead of Arnav and Jassa put a hand on Arnav's shoulder and said, "Kudi badhi sohni ya, dil vi saaf ya, sambhaal ke rakhi mundiya (The girl is really nice, she has a clean heart, keep her safe with you boy)."Arnav just smiled and nodded his head.
The driver first decided to drop Arnav off at his house, and then take Khushi home. When the car parked outside the Raizada Mansion, Arnav looked up at her, "Bye and see you tomorrow."
"Bye and see you," she said. Arnav got out of the car and made his way into the house. Everyone had already slept so no one would ask him any questions about where he was. He took a shower and was about to go to sleep, but decided to call Khushi to make sure she had reached home.
Khushi had just changed and was lying in bed when she heard the phone ring, she noticed it was Arnav's call and decided to pick it up, "Hello.."
"Hey," he said, "Did you reach home fine?"
"Yea, was just about to sleep, you?" she said
"Same. Took a shower and was about to go to sleep and decided to call you to ask if you had reached. And I'm sorry for all the problem today with the car breaking down," he said
"It wasn't a problem, I actually had a great time and it was fun," she said while yawning
"Oh, sounds like someone's sleepy. I'll see you tomorrow and goodnight," Arnav said
"Goodnight," Khushi said while drifting off into sleep.
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