Me (nervous) - I am fine ma, I can walk slowly today without support. Also this aloo puri, I thought to have it with everyone here. I don't like having it in my room by myself.

Ma (smiling) - Okay beta, sit and have it. Your papa and I have already had breakfast, but we will try a bit from your plate just to accompany you. Also, beta did you want help shifting to your new room?

OH NO! I completely forgot that I would no longer be sleeping peacefully in my bed, it would now be with Arnav in his bed. This will be a complete disaster. I smile unwillingly to Ma pretending to still remember.

Me - that's fine, I will shift myself. I will just be moving, some of my clothes anyway... I will keep my room as my office room and both rooms are near each other so it shouldn't be too much of an issue. Let's try this food now. 

I stare at the dish and get ready to have my favourite dish ruined, however, to my shock... It's tasty. I watch as Maa and Papa smile and give each other a knowing look. After finishing the food, I clean the table and head upstairs to shift. This is going to be a very long day for me. I have just picked up my bag to put my clothes in when I get a call and text on my phone. I picked up the call from Payal first, ignoring the message from Arnav.

On Call

Payal - KHUSHIIIII!! Are you okay? How are you feeling? What am I asking, of course, you are not feeling fine. I am so sorry, I couldn't come to visit you after you got discharged. I have been so busy with all the non-stop shopping for my wedding that I haven't had time. Don't worry I haven't forgotten you, I am going to physically come in after 2 hours to check up on you and take you out. OH GOSH, Khushi, TALK... how are you? OMG, are you not well... Should I postpone my wedding?

I wait patiently for Payal to stop talking so I can answer her queries, but this girl isn't letting me talk. I even coughed a couple of times, but this girl was so excited and worried that she wasn't letting me talk. Finally hearing silence, Payal quietens down and now I have the opportunity to talk.

Khushi - Payal, calm down... I am absolutely fine now, just need to exercise more so my body goes into shape again. Yes, meri jaan I know your wedding is in a month and there is lots of shopping to do and don't worry I am not mad that you haven't visited me within the 2 days I have gotten up from my coma. I am free after 2 hours to go shopping with you. Where are we going? What are we buying?

Payal - Okay, I am glad you aren't mad and upset. Good news, I am not buying anything. I mean I am, but today will be your day. Look, my wedding is less than a month away now and you haven't gone shopping once or helped me with my wedding shopping. I know you were in a coma, which is why... jiju has given me permission to steal you from him and take you shopping and also to spend time with you. He told me you needed fresh air and that just being with me would make you smile. Wow, Khushi, you are sooo lucky to have such a good husband.

Only I know how lucky I am, but how can I tell Payal?

Khushi - fine, fine madam. I will see you at XYZ mall in 2 hours.

Payal hangs up the call while I check the message sent by Arnav.

Good morning,

Hope you are doing well and the breakfast I made was yummy. Don't stress too much, I can help you shift into our room afterwards. Payal asked me if she could take you out and I permitted her, hope you don't mind. I also asked her not to ask me, as you are an independent woman and don't need my permission to go out. Hope you don't mind. Anyway, have an amazing day.

Is this the same Arnav I know? He wrote the line, 'hope you don't mind' twice. He is never this careful. I am glad Arnav told Payal not to seek my permission as I shouldn't be getting anyone's permission to go out with my friends.

After an hour

With the help of HP and OP, I have finally shifted most of my stuff to Arnav's room. I can't believe I am going to be living in one room with this guy now. I head downstairs to let Maa and Papa know I am going out when I see no one is home.

Hp - Bhabhi, actually Maa and Papa have gone out to meet a friend. They told me to tell you but I forgot. Also, Arnav bhaiya told me to give this to you.

I stare at HP while he hands me a credit card, which has a note on it. Don't hesitate to spend money. I take the card and wave bye to HP and OP and leave the home. I am not going to use his card, I should have one that my parents gave me and it should have enough money for shopping. As I enter outside, I watch the driver ready to take me to meet Payal. I guess Arnav had prepared everything before he left.

Arriving at the shopping centre I am welcomed warmly by a very excited Payal who starts talking as soon as she sees me. I laugh hearing her stories and her drama. I feel so much happier being with her. It's strange how before I used to choose Arnav over her when I was younger... But now she is more precious than anyone. I would feel jealous seeing people around me have more than 10 friends or have a whole friendship group... but now, I am glad I have only one friend. Having one true friend is better than having 100 fake ones—quality over quantity. Suddenly, I feel Payal shaking me, making my thoughts disturbed.

Payal (annoyed) - Khushi, yaar what are you thinking?

I am about to open my mouth to reply when she starts checking my forehead and suddenly makes me sit on a nearby chair.

Payal (concerned) - Are you okay? Do you feel sick again? Oh gosh, I shouldn't have bought you here when you just recovered. I am so sorry, let's go back...

She is about to drag me but I stop on my track and just laugh.

Me - I am fine, you seem more like a sanka devi than me. I was just thinking about other stuff.

Payal (worried) - Khushi, don't mind if I say this... but are you okay in general? You have become much quieter than before...after your marriage, I barely heard from you and when we did talk... you were so quiet. I thought you were shy, but you just got quieter. Are you happy with this marriage?

I am shocked at the question. No one has ever asked me this question... not even my parents. All I wanted was to hear this question from someone and to explain the sorrows, but alas it was from Payal. I want to tell her everything, however, I have to keep the image.

Me - of course, don't worry. I have just been so busy with everything that I didn't get the chance to contact you and the last time we talked I was stressed about something... that's why I was quiet.

I answer her with a smile and a confident face, making Payal more at ease and we continue to look for clothes until we stop as we see two of the 'most' important people in my life.. My parents.

Precap - none