Chapter Ten

Before I start...
Remember how I asked if you guys know why Khushi was surprised? Well, Penrith was the first to get it!


Khushi opened the door and without even thinking, went in. She couldn't believe what she was seeing with her own two eyes.

Arnav Singh Raizada was also doing namaz.

Arnav finished and looked up to see Khushi. "Khushi, what are you doing here?"

Khushi realized her intrusion. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have come in like that. It's just that, I was so surprised."

"Why?"

"You were doing namaz... but, I thought... I mean your name-"

"A name is a name Khushi - it doesn't make us who we are. What we do makes us who we are."

Khushi slightly smiled, liking his little quote.

"So what can I help you with," Arnav asked as he put his janamaz away.

"I'm kinda hungry...."

"Oh, okay. Come, I'll show you to the kitchen."

Arnav led her down to the kitchen and helped her up with a sandwich. Khushi ate in a jiffy, surprising Arnav and herself by how hungry she was and how she gobbled up the sandwich.

"How about I give you a tour," Arnav said.

Khushi nodded in agreement and followed Arnav around the mansion. It was big and spacious, no doubt, but it was very empty. With the numerous rooms that the mansion held, Khushi would've thought that Arnav had a big family living here. But yet the only people she'd seen all day were Arnav and his Dadi.

As they were heading to the dining room for dinner, Khushi couldn't help but to ask.

"Arnav?

"Yeah?"

"Where's the rest of your family?"

Arnav scrunched his eyebrows.

"I mean... you live in such a big place, and I've only seen you and your Dadi here so...?"

Arnav looked away. "There's only the two of us."

Khushi was confused. "What do you mean?"

They were near the dining room, so Arnav didn't bother answering Khushi and quickly slipped into the room. Khushi watched Arnav in confusion as he sat down. She went over to him and sat beside him, looking down at the table in front of her.

Why is Arnav dodging the topic, Khushi wondered.

Dadi came in a few moments later and dinner was served by the workers. Unlike at home, dinner was quiet at the Raizada home. Khushi ate, feeling really awkward in the silence. Back at home, the kids always had to say something, sometimes even singing, and Ammijan would yell at them for not listening to her.

It felt like forever for dinner to end. Once they were finished, workers placed bowls of water before them. Khushi looked at it in confusion and noticed Arnav and his dadi dipping their hands in to wash up. Khushi did the same and found it odd.

They sure are fancy, Khushi said in her head.

All washed up, she dried her hand with the cloth napkin provided. The workers took the bowls away, and Arnav and his dadi got up to go back to their rooms. Khushi followed Arnav, going back upstairs towards their room.

"That was kind of uncomfortable," she muttered to herself.

"Sorry about that," Arnav said.

Khushi looked up at him. She didn't think she had said it that loud. "Sorry," she blushed.

"It's okay. I don't like the silence either."

Khushi scrunched her eyebrows. Then why don't you say something to engage a conversation?"

Arnav paused and Khushi stopped behind him.

"Things aren't the same as they used to be?"

Khushi tilted her head. "Meaning?"

Arnav shook his head and faced her. "Nothing. I hope you'll be alright your first night here?"

Khushi glanced into her room, which they had stopped in front of. "I think so."

Arnav nodded. "And if you need anything, you know where I am."

Khushi nodded. "Okay."

Arnav smiled lightly. "If I may; can I say good night?"

Khushi's eyebrows scrunched. "Of course."

In the blink of an eye, Arnav was on his knees. Khushi gasped and was about to step back by instinct, but Arnav held her hands. Khushi froze and looked at him wide eyed, but Arnav wasn't looking at her.

"I don't know you so much, but I know something good will come out of us," Arnav said softly.

Khushi looked at him confusedly.

"Within time, I hope we bond. I definitely want you in my life and I hope you'll feel the same."

He wants me in his life, Khushi wondered.

"I can't wait to meet you," Arnav smiled.

Wait what?

Arnav softly placed his hand over Khushi's stomach and her eyes shot down to his hand and then to his face.

"I can't wait to hold you in my arms," Arnav said softly, stroking Khushi's stomach.

Feeling Arnav's fingers on her body sent tingles up Khushi's spine. She even shivered slightly, which Arnav felt. He looked up at her and then pulled his hand away.

"Sorry," Arnav said as he stood up.

Khushi shook her head. "It's okay," she said, tucking a tendril of hair behind her ear.

Arnav looked away, slightly embarrassed. "Good night."

"Good night."

Arnav turned away and disappeared to his room. Khushi stepped into her room and shut the door, leaning against it for a moment.

He's very caring, Khushi said in her head. Maybe he really does care for the baby.

Khushi placed her hands over her tummy. I guess your father does care.

*~*

A couple of days passed and Arnav and Khushi were getting along well. Arnav could still be annoying now and then, but Khushi didn't mind as much as she used to. She was liking how things were going. In fact, she was liking him more than before.

One morning, Khushi was ready for school. She stepped out of her room to go to Arnav, only to see him coming her way. Khushi couldn't help but to ogle him down, wearing black skinny jeans, white v-neck, and a navy blue varsity jacket. As Arnav approached Khushi, he was checking his phone. When he looked up, he paused.

"Whoa," was all Arnav could say.

Arnav paused and looked Khushi down, her in black skinny jeans, white tank top, and a navy blue varsity jacket.

Arnav placed his finger to his lips. "I didn't know we were matching today."

Khushi hadn't even realized and looked down at her clothes and then at him, flushing. "I'm sorry, I didn't know."

Arnav chuckled. "There's nothing to be sorry about. I think it's cool."

"Really?'

"Yeah. Plus this will let people know that we're very much serious about all of this."

Khushi felt a pang in her chest. "You care about what people think?"

Arnav could tell that she took his words the wrong way, so he went up to her and placed his hands on her shoulders. "No, I don't. But if it helps them to stop annoying you and not stress you out, then I'm fine with it."

Khushi just looked at him. "You're that worried?"

Arnav nodded. "Yes. You're the mother of my child - why wouldn't I care?"

Khushi looked down and nodded.

Arnav smiled lightly and tilted her chin up so she'd look at him. "Hungry?"

Khushi nodded. "Very much," she slightly blushed.

Arnav smiled. "Let's go."

Taking her hand in his, Arnav led them downstairs to the kitchen. There was a breakfast bar and both of them took a seat. They were served waffles and Khushi feeling very hungry, ate waffle after waffle after waffle! Arnav gaped at Khushi as she ate her 7th waffle.

"That hungry," Arnav asked.

Khushi looked at him. "You have no clue," she said in the middle of chewing.

Before Khushi could grab her 8th, Arnav stopped her. 

"I think that's enough for one morning."

Khushi was going to object, but Arnav cut her off.

"We're going to be late."

Washing up, the two headed out. One of the workers pulled up with a white Audi and got out, handing the keys to Arnav.

"How many cars do you have," Khushi asked, once she and Arnav were seated.

"A couple," he said, pulling out and past the gates.

"You're such a guy."

Arnav winked and Khushi rolled her eyes.

"You have your appointment today, so I'll meet you outside of your class," Arnav said.

Khushi smacked her forehead. "I totally forgot."

Arnav came to a red light and looked at Khushi. "Khushi you have to remember these things."

"I know! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to."

Arnav sighed. "I know. Just try to keep these things in mind."

Khushi felt like a baby. "Okay," she slightly pouted.

Arnav chuckled and began to drive. "You're so cute when you pout."

Khushi blushed and looked at Arnav. She felt her heart flutter and she looked out the window, smiling lightly.

*~*

When they arrived to the school, all eyes had turned on them. It was the usual thing, and now they really didn't care. Arnav got out of his car and went around to open the door for Khushi. She came out and both walked in to the school together. Everyone around them muttered, their eyes glued to the two.

Walking in to class, they took their seats, and were in conversation, when two unwanted pests came strolling in.

"My, my, my, what have we here," Sheetal said. "A matching couple."

Arnav and Khushi rolled their eyes and ignored her.

"No girl, they're not a couple but a duo," Lavanya said. "Remember that they don't go out and she's just knocked up."

Arnav bunched his fists and was about to say something, but Khushi held his hand. He looked at her and she shook her head. Only because of Khushi, he didn't say anything but shot a nasty glare at the two. Feeling scared, the two went away to their seats.

The day went on and Khushi couldn't wait for it to end. Ever since she remembered the appointment, she had become very anxious. She was now very curious about her baby and she wondered if she would be able to see it at the doctors.

The day soon came to and end and Khushi was grateful. She put her notebook away in her bag and placed it over her shoulder. Handing in the assignment they were doing in class, she headed to the door and paused. Arnav was there, leaning against the doorway, looking as sexy as ever.

Khushi took in a sharp breath and let it out. Dancing hormones, she wondered. I believe so.

She walked towards him and Arnav smiled. "Ready?"

Khushi nodded.

Wrapping his arm around her shoulder, they headed to the main exit. All eyes were on the two and for the first time, Khushi felt good. She didn't care about everyone looking at them. She didn't know where the sudden confidence came from, but she straightened up and walked with Arnav towards his car.

They drove to the clinic and Arnav registered Khushi in. They waited a while, when the nurse called. Khushi went in alone and came back out after a few minutes, and waited for the doctor. Khushi was grateful that she had Arnav with her because the waiting was torturous. It was a matter of time when Khushi was finally called. Both Arnav and Khushi were led into Dr. Thomas' room.

"Hi, how are you two," she smiled.

"We're good," Khushi smiled.

The two sat in front of Dr. Thomas while she looked through Khushi's file.

"So how have you been Khushi," Dr. Thomas asked.

"I've been okay. The morning sickness isn't as bad as it initially was. I've been hungry a lot and eating a lot."

"No kidding there," Arnav teased.

Khushi playfully hit his arm. 

Dr. Thomas smiled. "I see you two have gotten closer."

Arnav and Khushi looked at each other.

"That's good," she smiled. She turned to Khushi. "We'll have to do some blood work again today and then we'll take a glimpse of what's going on with the baby."

Khushi took in a sharp breath. "Really?"

"Really," she smiled. "So let's get the blood work done; I'm sure both of you are anxious to see the baby."

Both Arnav and Khushi nodded.

Taking Khushi for a moment, a nurse dealt with the blood work. Dr. Thomas was busy setting up everything so that they could check up on the baby.Once Khushi's blood work were done, both Arnav and Khushi were taken to another room, where all the equipment was.

"Ready to see your baby," Dr. Thomas asked.

Khushi nodded.

"Then sit right here and let's see this baby."

Khushi nodded and did as she was told. Pulling her shirt up, Dr. Thomas placed a cold jelly-like substance on her stomach. Arnav was standing beside Khushi the entire time, completely anxious. He couldn't wait to see his baby.

Dr. Thomas did what she did and all eyes were on the screen. The duo grew antsy, wanting to see their baby already.

"Ah, there we go," Dr. Thomas said. 

The monitor displayed an image and Dr. Thomas zoomed in on it.

"That right there," she began, "is your baby."

Arnav and Khushi stared at the screen. They couldn't believe their eyes.

"You're at about seven weeks, it seems," Dr. Thomas said, zooming in a bit more. She pressed some buttons and wrote some stuff down in Khushi's file. "Everything seems to be okay and your baby seems fine."

"I can't believe it," Khushi whispered, her eyes never coming off the screen.

Dr. Thomas could only smile.

"That's our baby," Arnav asked, totally stupefied.

"The proper term is embryo but yes, yes it is," Dr. Thomas chuckled. "Your baby is starting to form," she said, pointing at the screen. "There's the baby's head and it's face its forming. The ears, eyes, nose and mouth are forming. And you see these," she asked, pointing at something paddle-like. "That's your baby's hands forming."

Khushi went into tears as she gazed at the screen.

"The embryo is about half an inch long."

"Half an inch," Arnav questioned. "That's about half the top part of my thumb!"

Dr. Thomas chuckled. "Yes, it's half an inch tall."

Arnav couldn't believe it and just gazed at the screen.

Dr. Thomas continued on showing them their baby, when the embryo moved slightly.

"Fidgety, are we," Dr. Thomas joked. "That's perfectly normal."

"When will I start to feel it moving," Khushi asked.

"Not until four months."

Khushi nodded in acknowledgment.

"I'll print out some still shots of the baby for you to keep, okay?"

The two nodded.

Dr. Thomas worked on printing the pictures while Arnav and Khushi looked at the still shot on the screen.

"I can't believe that's the baby," Arnav said.

"Me neither," Khushi replied.

The two looked at each other for moment, smiling softly.

*~*

Khushi's next appointment wasn't for another four weeks. Sitting in the car, the two were still blown away by the sight of their baby.

"Arnav?

"Hmm?"

"Can we visit Ammijan? I'd like to show her the pictures."

"Of course," he smiled.

It wasn't a long trip over and Ammijan was excited when she saw the images.

"It's so small," she sighed. She placed a kiss on the picture. "Bless it's soul," she smiled.

Both Arnav and Khushi smiled.

*~*

When Arnav and Khushi got to Arnav's place, they went to their rooms to rest. Khushi took off her varsity jacket and went to her closet. She looked around her stuff and found what she was looking for - a scrapbook. A while back, she had gotten a few scrapbooks because she wanted to keep the memories alive of her ending high school years. Since there was a sale, she bought three all together. Taking one that was black with white polka dots, she took the copies of her sonogram and placed it on a page. She labeled it, indicating the parts of the baby.

Once she was done, she smiled. 

Things just might get better, she said in her head.