Chapter 1

Arnav Singh Raizaada hated parties, wasn't particularly fond of Christmas either. However he had decided to drop by and wish the Kapoors. His modus operandi was to leave quickly but when his eyes fell on one girl at the Kapoors' lavish Christmas get-together. Well, maybe parties weren't such a bad thing after all. She was busy perfecting the decorations of the Christmas tree. She loved doing that didn't she? He smiled as he noticed her flicking her hair behind the shoulder. The same jet black hair. They were longer now and straightened. His eyes went lower noticing the red top she wore. As she stretched her top rode slightly up giving him a glimpse of her waist. He let out a breath.

"Arnav!" Hearing his name being called he spinned around. "Daksh, good to see you man."

"Merry Christmas. Honestly, never expected you to turn up. You were never the one for parties."

"Well, I still hate parties." Arnav chuckled, how he wished to turn around and see her. He wouldn't let go this opportunity. He had laid his eyes on her after three years. There was no way he was not going to talk to her.

"Then we Kapoors are honored to have you here!" Daksh grinned. "Beer?" He offered. "No, I am good." Arnav pressed a smile extending the gift. "This is for you! The gifts for others I have handed over to that man there." Arnav pointed at one of the many servants. Daksh smiled. "You honestly didn't have to. But now that you have I can't wait to see what it is." Saying that Daksh unwrapped the gift to find a watch. "Dude, your choice is ultimate. I love it." Saying that Daksh removed the watch he was wearing and replaced it by the one Arnav had just got him.

"Daksh.." someone called him. "Carry on." Arnav answered before Daksh could answer. Daksh gave him a smile, "Stick around for a while."

Arnav's lips curved into a smile. "I will!" Daksh disappeared to greet other people. The Kapoors always had a grand celebration during Christmas. Daksh's mother was a Christian who always, every year, organized this lavish party which was always perfect. Arnav turned around and frowned. Now where was this girl? Like always she was always on her wings. He started walking around to find a glimpse of her.

After a thorough search if the living hall and poolside he finally reached the lawn. The frigid air greeted him. Oh, he hated winters. Although, the temperature wasn't quite low, for him it was cold. He walked around his eyes searching for one particular person. There he found her. She was sitting alone by the fountain. With a plate of potato french fries next to her. He smiled pocketing his hand and walked over to her.

"Still don't believe in sharing your fries huh?" He spoke sitting on the bench beside her. He glanced at her when she didn't reply. She was staring at him as though she had seen a ghost. She blinked and her smile became wider. He leaned closer, "Hi!"

"You?"

"Yes me, Khushi!" He spoke picking one of the many fries on her plate, putting it in his mouth.

Khusi pulled her plate closer to herself. "How come?" She asked looking at the water from the fountain flowing down.

He shifted closer to her and she glanced at him, shifting slightly. "Well, maybe this is Santa's gift." He spoke his fingers reaching to her plate. "Don't." She warned. She hated sharing her potato fries. He grinned. "That rule is for others. So you better...be good and share okay? What was that song...." he tried hard recalling."

She giggled smiling at him. "You better watch out, You better not cry, You better not pout, I'm telling you why.." she sang.

"Santa Claus is comin' to town." He joined her at that. Their eyes met and they both broke into laughter.

"I missed you Khushi. I still ...miss you!" He confessed his face muscles drooping as the north from his face faded.

"Arnav, please don't do it again." She looked away as her heart twisted.

"Say my name again." He whispered his hand reaching out to hold hers.

Khushi stared at his hand that was over hers. "Arnav, please let's just, not talk about it. It's Christmas let's just be happy and enjoy, then go our way." She pushed her plate of fries towards him and got up. "They are all yours. Merry Christmas." She smiled walking past him. He held her wrist and she closed her eyes. He had to make it hard.

"Khushi, it's been three years. Stop this." He spoke tugging at her hand to pull her back. She refused to look at him. His gaze held the power to melt her heart. She was dead inside without him. She missed him so much. She didn't want to give in and complicate everything.

"Please stop it." She spoke glancing at him trying to get rid of his hold.

"I won't. Don't you miss me? Have you really moved on in life?" He asked staring at her.

Khushi pressed her lips and nodded in a no. "Leave my hand."

"If you can be stubborn, I can be too. I am not letting you leave. I refuse to be without you. I don't want all of those fries Khushi. I want to share them with you. The same thing for life." He spoke pulling her closer. His hand left her hand. His arms snaked around her and he hugged her. He was still sitting, his face against her abdomen. Khushi gazed up at the sky, biting her lower lip. She blinked furiously not wanting to cry. He was making everything hard. 

She placed her hands on his shoulders. Gently she pushed him away it was as though she was stabbing her own self. "I have moved on. It's best if you too. Nothing can change my mind Arnav. Nothing."

He stared at her crestfallen. How could she be so indifferent to his feelings? Why did she feel like the winters? He hated winters. He didn't want to hate her too. "Stop it Khushi. You're being.."

"You're the one who needs to stop this. You're the one who is still stuck in the past Arnav. Be mature about this and let things go. I hope your family is doing well. Merry Christmas to you all." Saying that she walked away without waiting for him to respond. Tears rolled down her cheeks. He spoilt her Christmas. He knew how much she loved Christmas spirit. He spoiled it all. She wiped her tears. Maybe it was Santa's fault. She didn't want him. But perhaps, Santa knew when she was lying and when she was not!

That night Khushi sat in his warm room, with photographs scattered all over the bed he picked up one. It was picture of Khushi and Anjali, his younger sister. He smiled, as flashes from the memory filled his mind.

"Bhaiya, please just a few pictures? Me and Khushi have our farewell party today." Anjali pleaded him, Arnav sighed leaving his laptop and walked out to be their photographer.

His eyes tilted when they landed on Khushi. Dressed in a yellow gown she looked breathtaking beautiful. Khushi's eyes met his and she smiled tucking her hair behind. Anjali stood beside Khushi.

"Smile ladies!" Arnav grinned as he took a picture. His eyes fixed on the lady in yellow. After a series of shots his sister was finally convinced. Khushi had dressed up as Aurora while his sister had dressed as Cinderella.

"Do you want me to drop you two?" Arnav asked his sister leaning down and straightening her gown that had fluffed up owing to her moving back and forth. Anjali smiled. "No bhaiya. Thank you so much."

"Have a nice day. Take care. Call me if you need anything." Arnav spoke and then placed a kiss on his sister's forehead. "Yes Bhaiya." Anjali spoke as she proceeded towards the door.

"Have a nice day Khushi." He spoke softly glancing at her. She smiled as her cheeks flushed. "Thanks!" She muttered carefully walking out following Anjali's trail. "Khushi..." she turned slightly looking at him. "You look beautiful." The crimson color flush on her cheeks deepened and she nodded moving out.

-Anami! ♡