Khushi heard Lavanya stir on the other side of the room and noiselessly slid back under her bed covers. She managed to fall asleep in the wee hours of the morning. The day broke and the family crowded in the living room to demolish the mountains of puri aloo Buaji kept replenishing and dissect the previous evening. Everyone concluded the evening had gone very well despite worries about Akash’s mom causing some drama.
Mehndi and Sangeet were to be a week before the actual wedding which was a month away. There was shopping to be done and actual wedding purchases to be made. The home hummed with cheer and happiness.
Anand had tried to reach Lavanya and finding she had changed her number, decided to call on Khushi to find out what happened. What he had not been prepared for was an onslaught by the entire Gupta family. He fled tail between his legs and Lavanya heaved a sigh of relief. Apartment hunting had started in earnest and she found one not far from the AR office but it was available only three weeks later. Khushi’s family persuaded her to stay on with them till that time.
With a few weeks to go for the next ceremony, Shashi and Garima decided to return to Lucknow to invite family and wrap up their affairs for the next couple of months. Payal seemed to have developed a new-found ability to be the first to pick up the phone when it rang. She looked forever dreamy and became as klutzy as Khushi much to Bua’s consternation.
Between Anjali and Khushi, shopping trips were planned and wedding plans made. Payal was content to let them take charge and used her evenings to meet Akash who seemed to have finally found his voice and loved to regale Payal with tales of his Bhai and Di.
Lavanya and Khushi sat in the yard with cups of tea in their hands.
“Lavanya,” Khushi began hesitantly “There is something I want to talk to you about.”
Lavanya looked at Khushi expectantly. It was not often that Khushi gave a preamble before she started a conversations.
“The day the Raizadas had come to our home to ask for Payal’s hand in marriage, Arnav had come too. He came to the kitchen when I was getting tea and snacks ready. He left me a note.”
Khushi paused.
“It said. Can we start over? As friends.”
Lavanya’s face registered an unknown emotion. Khushi looked at her.
“Aren’t you going to say something?”
Lavanya mulled her reply for a bit and said hesitantly.
“Khushi, what was between Arnav and me is in the past. It never had a future. If you are worried that I might be hurt, please do not worry. No matter whom he eventually loves or marries, there will be a part of me that will wonder what went wrong.” She paused to look at Khushi and continued.
“I think it is OK to share with you now. I have known for a while now that ASR loved you. When ASR and I broke up it was because I finally realized he would never feel for me the way he seemed to care about you. What you say and feel matters to him Khushi. I have never seen any one else get so much under his skin. I don’t think he himself realises it Khushi. He has been in love with you for a long time. I only hope he understands his feelings for you before it is too late.”
Saying that Lavanya relapsed into silence.
Khushi looked at her with bewilderment. She had expected Lavanya to feel pain. But this? This she had not expected.
She reached out to hug her best friend.
Lavanya hugged her back and her eyes twinkled.
“Make him woo you Khushi. It’s payback time.”
Beyond words 
Haha this was awesome… Yeah make him pay 😝
Oh boyo Pay back time huh !
Imagine Khushi and La dimaag combined , Arnavji better watch out !