Threads of Fate

Distractions

Khushi nodded in agreement, her hands busy rolling out dough. “You’re right. And besides, we could all use a little sweetness today.”

Once the sweets were prepared, Aditi and Khushi packed them up and made their way to the Raizada mansion. The mood in the house was subdued, but Nandini welcomed them with a warm smile, clearly touched by their gesture.

“Badi Maa, we made your favorite sweets,” Khushi said with a grin as she handed Nandini the box. “We thought you could use a little treat.”

Nandini’s eyes softened as she accepted the box. “Thank you, beta. This is just what I needed.”

The three women made their way to the living room, where the floor was covered with an array of outfits—lehengas, sarees, and more. The conversation quickly turned to the important task of choosing the perfect outfit for Khushi to wear to the engagement ceremony.

“So, Khushi,” Aditi began, holding up a beautiful red lehenga, “how about this one? It would look stunning on you.”

Khushi eyed the lehenga skeptically, wrinkling her nose. “It’s too bold. I don’t think it suits me.”

Nandini, who was seated nearby, chuckled softly. “Khushi beta, you look beautiful in anything. Don’t be so hard on yourself.”

As they continued to sift through the outfits, Arjun appeared, holding his phone in one hand. “Hey, guess who’s on the line?” he asked with a teasing smile.

Before anyone could respond, he turned the phone around to reveal Arnav on a video call. “I thought I’d check in,” Arnav said, his voice carrying through the phone’s speaker.

Anjali’s eyes sparkled with mischief as an idea formed in her mind. “Arnav, we’re helping Khushi pick out her outfit for the engagement. Care to give your opinion?”

Arnav raised an eyebrow, glancing at the clothes strewn across the room. “My opinion? I don’t know if I’m qualified to—”

“Nonsense!” Anjali cut him off, grinning. “You’ve got good taste. Come on, tell us what you think.”

Khushi shot Anjali a glare, her frustration mounting. “Anjali di, I don’t think—”

“Try on that blue lehenga, Khushi,” Anjali interrupted, ignoring her sister’s protests. “Let’s see what Arnav thinks.”

Reluctantly, Khushi took the blue lehenga and disappeared into the adjoining room to change. When she reemerged, the room fell silent as everyone took in the sight of her. The lehenga was beautiful, with intricate silver embroidery that shimmered in the light, but Khushi’s expression clearly showed that she wasn’t pleased.

Anjali turned the phone so Arnav could see Khushi in the lehenga. “Well, Arnav? What do you think?”

Arnav’s gaze lingered on Khushi for a moment, his expression unreadable. “It’s nice,” he finally said, his tone noncommittal.

Khushi’s frustration boiled over. “Nice? That’s all you have to say?”

Anjali stifled a laugh, enjoying the banter between them. “Come on, Khushi, try something else. Let’s see if we can find something that gets more than a ‘nice’ out of him.”

Khushi rolled her eyes but complied, trying on outfit after outfit, each time feeling more exasperated by Arnav’s vague comments. “It’s okay.” “That one’s fine.” “Not bad.” His lack of enthusiasm only fueled her irritation.

Finally, Khushi threw her hands up in defeat. “I give up! You’re impossible, Arnav!”

Arnav’s expression softened slightly, a hint of amusement in his eyes. “I’m not trying to be difficult, Khushi. I just… I guess I’m not good at this.”

Khushi huffed, crossing her arms. “You think?”

Arjun, sensing the tension, stepped in to diffuse the situation. “Alright, alright, let’s take a break from the fashion show. We can figure out the outfit later.”

Anjali smirked, clearly pleased with herself. “I was just trying to help, you know. Who better to give an opinion than the person who’s not here?”

Khushi shot her a look that could melt steel. “You’re not helping, Anjali di.”

Before the conversation could continue, Nandini’s phone rang, and she excused herself to take the call. The atmosphere in the room gradually lightened as everyone began to joke and laugh, the earlier tension fading away.

As the call with Arnav ended, Anjali handed the phone back to Arjun, who shook his head with a smile. “You’re too much, Anjali di.”

Anjali shrugged, her eyes twinkling. “What can I say? I just wanted to see how far I could push him.”

Khushi, still flustered from the whole ordeal, decided she needed a moment to herself. “I’m going to get some fresh air,” she announced, heading toward the balcony.

As she stepped outside, the cool breeze helped calm her nerves, though her thoughts were still tangled in confusion. Arnav’s behavior had been frustrating, to say the least, and she couldn’t understand why he had bothered to comment at all if he wasn’t going to be honest.

But even as she stood there, trying to clear her mind, she couldn’t shake the memory of his gaze on her, the way he had looked at her through the screen. There was something in his eyes—something she couldn’t quite place.

Before she could dwell on it further, Nandini called her back inside, and Khushi pushed the thoughts aside. There was no point in trying to figure out Arnav. He was gone, and she needed

to focus on the present, on the upcoming engagement and the joy it would bring to both families.

As the day came to a close, the Raizada and Gupta families gathered for dinner, the mood light and filled with laughter. But even in the midst of the fun, Khushi couldn’t help but feel a lingering sense of frustration and confusion, the events of the day leaving her more conflicted than ever.

And somewhere in the distance, far from the bustling city of Delhi, Arnav sat alone, his thoughts on the day’s events. He hadn’t meant to frustrate Khushi—he had just found it difficult to express what he was really thinking. But now, as he replayed their conversation in his mind, he couldn’t help but wonder if he had made a mistake by leaving so much unsaid.

As the night settled in, both Khushi and Arnav were left with unanswered questions and unresolved feelings, their paths still uncertain as the days of celebration drew nearer.