Chapter Twelve

"They don't know what they missed."

That line just kept repeating in my head. I had already gotten home, showered and was ready for bed. I was out in the back putting my wet clothes on the clothes line. Up above, the stars were shining brightly. They twinkled and I leaned against the patio and gazed at them.

"And I look forward to tomorrow."

I snapped out of thought and stood straight. He looks forward to tomorrow! For me!

What in the world?!

I went running back in.

"Khushi," Amma called out, but I dashed away.

"Sanka Devi," Buaji hollered, but I had no time.

I ran up to my room, closed the door, and ran to my closet. I took everything I owned out of the closet. I put my red cholis in one pile, my red saris in another, and the rest in its own pile. I placed each choli over me and sari to figure out which one would look better on me.

"I think a sari would be better."

I jumped and turned and saw Buaji at my door.

I placed my hand over my chest. "You have got to stop doing that!"

Buaji chuckled and came in, shutting the door behind, locking it.

Why didn't I just do that? -____-

Buaji looked at the piles. "So red is his favorite color, eh?"

I looked at Buaji. "How'd you know?"

"By your piles." She sighed. "Its obvious, I mean come on, we've all done this before - me, your mother, etc."

"Even Choti Ma?"

"Everyone, even Garima. But it's okay - we understand from this that you're serious about him."

I blushed, which I usually don't do around Buaji. Buaji chuckled and I made a face.

"Well help me," I exclaimed.

Buaji chuckled even more. "If I were you, I'd go with a sari." She leaned forward. "Show off some skin and that hourglass figure," she winked.

I gasped. "Buaji!"

She laughed like a little girl and left. I shook my head as she shut the door and looked at the saris. I did have a sari in mind, so I guess I'll go with that.

I stood in front of the mirror and took a deep breath. "I hope this works."

Suddenly, I felt my heart beat.

Dhak-dhak! Dhak-dhak!

Dhak-dhak! Dhak-dhak!

Whoa boy! What in the world is happening to me?

*~*

The next day, Amma was on edge. She was asking everyone what she should wear and I find it funny because this is my proposal we're talking about, not hers. But she was like how she wanted to impress them so I guess it's understandable.

Buaji had already gotten ready and she came into my room. When she did, she widened her eyes.

"Sanka Devi, why aren't you dressed yet?!"

I was sitting on my bed and I looked up at her. "I don't know," I whispered.

Buaji came over to me and sat beside me. "What's wrong," she asked softly.

"I dunno... I'm just... I guess I'm... nervous."

"And why is that," Buaji asked as she grabbed my brush and began to brush my hair.

"I... I guess it's because... I don't know," and I looked down.

"You really like this guy, don't you?"

"Well... I guess... I guess I do like him."

"So then what's the problem?"

"Buaji... there's something I didn't tell you guys."

Buaji turned to see my face.

"Um... the truth is... Arnav, well... he's actually...."

"He's actually what?" She gasped. "Please don't tell me he's gay!!"

"NO! Of course not! Buaji!!"

Buaji sighed in relief. "Thank goodness. That would've been bad for you."

I shook my head, ignoring what she said "No, Buaji, it's not something like that. Actually... well, he's-my-boss," I blurted.

Buaji's eyes widened. "What?!"

I told her the whole story and she got lost in thought.

"So why did he do it," she asked. "It means he knew who you were from the start."

"I know." I sighed. "I don't know what to really think. But...."

"But what?"

"I don't know, he said that he looked forward to seeing me tonight."

"Did he now?"

I nodded.

"Then good. If you two get a chance alone, then you two can speak."

"Buaji, we already did, remember?"

"Hmm.... Well there's a reason why he met you," she looked at me with a sly expression, "and I get a feeling that he has an interest in you. Otherwise why dance with you?" She smirked slightly. "Get dressed fast - we don't want Prince Charming waiting too long," she winked and left.

I just blinked. What just happened?

Instead, I started to get ready. I did my makeup first and then worked on getting my sari on. I always had an interest in saris because I wondered how you actually get them on. Other than that, I also love cultural stuff, so yeah =)

When I came down, I saw Amma, Babuji, and Buaji waiting in the living room.

"Oh my gosh, look at my baby," Amma shrieked.

"Amma," I whined.

She came over to me and hugged me. "My baby looks so grown up and so beautiful!"

"Babuji, shes acting the same way she did when I went to prom!"

Babuji chuckled. "Let her have her moment."

Soon after Amma was done shrieking and shrilling, we left to Raizada Mansion.

Hmm, what a title.

When we got there, there were several cars there. Yikes! Many people? Oh no!

When we came inside, Nani found us instantly and came over to us. We greeted and I got her blessings and she introduced us to some people. Pretty soon, Anjali came and joined us. Thankfully, she took me away from the adults.

"It's no prob," she said. "Why should my sister in-law- sorry, soon-to-be sister in-law, have to suffer.

I blushed.

"I hear you work for Chote also."

I looked at her wide eyed and she giggled.

"I know everything," she winked.

And I blushed harder.

"Rani Saheba!"

Anjali turned an I followed her gaze to see a man coming our way. He walked over to Anjali's side and held her around her waist, protectively.

"Now you come," Anjali asked, pouting and looking the other way.

"Sorry, but it was a call from-"

"Hmph! I don't care," and she crossed her arms.

The guy leaned down and whispered something in her ear that I couldn't hear. Anjali's eyes widened and she looked at him.

"Really," she asked.

He nodded.

Anjali held his arm tightly. "Better." She looked at me. "Oh yeah, Khushi, this is my husband Rohan. Rohan, this is, fingers-crossed, Chote's future wife."

I put my hands together and he nodded his head.

"I think she's perfect for him," Anjali chirped.

"If she can get him away from that laptop, then yes," he chuckled. "Speaking of him, where is he?"

"Uh- look! Took his name, and he's here."

We looked up at the stairs, as well as did everyone else. There was Arnav, coming down the stairs, looking like his official-self, just like he did at work. All suited up in Armani with a royal blue silk tie, he looked jaw-droppingly sexy.

Had I not controlled myself, I'd be drooling like a bulldog.

I know, gross. Yet true O=)

Arnav came down the stairs and Nani stood at the end. He held his arm out and Nani held it. She gave a brief introduction to everyone and thanked them for coming to the party. For a brief moment, our eyes met and I had to look away. There was just this intensity and vibe that I would get from him and I don't understand it, let alone know how to handle it. When Nani ended her greeting, Arnav moved away from her and headed our way.

Dhakdhakdhakdhakdhak!

What in the world?!

Dhakdhakdhakdhakdhakdhak!!

What the hell is going on?!

Dhakdhakdhakdhakdhakdhakdhak!!!

Withe each step the man took, moving closer and closer to us, my heart acted even more radical.

Hai DM, what's happening to me?!!