Chapter 8

-Archi-

@-Archi-

Hey guys,

Here is the next chapter. Thank you for all the wonderful comments - definitely enjoyed reading all your thoughts about Khushi's complicated past and Shashi-Garima's separation. I know it all sounds very vague now, but you will understand more in the upcoming chapters.

Silent Whispers

-CHAPTER SIX-

Adamantly Steadfast

Khushi stood rooted to the floor as she stared at the stranger in front of her. She examined his face, trying to absorb the sharp contours of his cheeks, the mischievous glint in his unyielding brown eyes and the soft lips that were on hers only moments ago.

God, he was handsome.

There was no other way to describe him. Whether it was his broad shoulders adorning a copper colored suit or his lean figure that emanated a certain aura of toughness - In Lavanya's words, he was downright gorgeous.

"I know I am irresistible," he said, when the silence stretched on. "But you can stop staring."

Color rose to Khushi's cheeks - a first for her - as she hastily cleared her throat, trying to maintain what little dignity she had left. "Who the hell are you?!"

The man raised an eyebrow. "A birthday girl with an attitude? One would think after such a beautiful surprise, you would be at least humble."

She didn't miss the unnecessary emphasis on what were her words. "How dare you?! That was meant for-"

"Akash - the perfect boyfriend. I know. But I'm surprised to see my little brother so popular around girls... Last I checked he kept to himself mostly."

Khushi let out a gasp. "Your little brother?!"

"Surprised?" he asked. "Clearly you don't know anything about him."

Khushi was incredulous to say the least. She racked her brains, trying to recollect the mention of this strange brother, but all she found was one vague memory of Akash telling her how much his family disliked his interest in painting.

They don't think it's even a career forget letting me pursue it. My father was hell bent on it, and after him Bhai...

She had assumed this Bhai' he mentioned was some distant cousin who took over the family once their parents passed away in a horrific car accident for such was Akash's tone. Never did she think, in her wildest dreams that the person in question would be his own brother.

"Hello? Earth to birthday girl!"

Khushi looked at the stranger, seeing for the first time his similarities with Akash. Both the brothers appeared to be around the same height, with almost identical figures. However, while Akash had friendly face with what she had termed soulful eyes', his brother's held an odd sort of glint that made her chest squirm in the slightest of ways. It was as if he could reach through the barricades around her mind and see her - It was very unsettling.

"I'm happy to be the object of your fascination, but it also has a certain kind of risk associated with it. I am in no way responsible for coming into your dreams tonight."

Khushi snapped out of their thoughts, his words sparking irritation in her already perturbed mind.

"Oh please," she finally said. "That will never happen... even if the world was ending!"

"Really? Even after... you know, the kiss."

She was outraged. "How could you? How could you kiss your younger brother's girlfriend?!"

"Oh honey - let's not forget the juicy details. You kissed me."

"Don't call me honey! I thought you were Akash."

"Which makes me think you both never really kissed before," he replied coolly. "Because you couldn't tell it wasn't him until I turned on the lights."

Khushi gritted her teeth. "That's none of your business!"

"Is it not? I mean my brother is dating a girl, who doesn't give two hoots about him. And is in fact, going around kissing other people. That is really worrisome."

"Of course I care for him! How could you even say that?! And why are you blaming me? Clearly you seemed to have enjoyed yourself!"

"Says who?"

"Says me! If not, why didn't you say something? Why did you just stand there and enjoy the show?"

"Where did you give me the chance to speak? You had this perfectly rehearsed monologue going."

Khushi's eyes flared. "It would have taken you two seconds to cut me off, but you didn't. So think twice before you point fingers at me!"

"I did. But since you don't believe me, how about we go ask Akash whose fault it was?"

"What?!"

"Why the shock? It's for the best - honesty is the way to go in every relationship."

Khushi tried to keep her building rage in check. With each passing moment, the stranger's good looks were quickly being exchanged into his irksome comments. "And what do you know about relationships? You don't even care how hurt Akash will be, when he finds out what happened!"

"So let's get it over with then."

Khushi couldn't believe her ears. She detested the arrogant grin on his face, as if he knew he was getting to her and was actually relishing in it. "Unlike you, I actually care for him. So it's in your best interest to keep your mouth shut."

"You know," he said. "That to me looks like guilt."

"And why would I be guilty?"

"Because you enjoyed that kiss more than you should. And now you don't want to face Akash. Accept it!"

She stared at him in disbelief. "You are so full of yourself! You actually think you are such a good kisser?"

"Yup - I have gotten some very good compliments for it."

"You are disgusting."

The man shrugged. "You would say the same, if it wasn't for your ego."

Khushi rolled her eyes. "I am done with you. Whatever happened was a mistake, so let's just forget it right here and right now."

And with that she strode out of the room, when-

"It was nice meeting you birthday girl!"

She turned around to glare at his smirking face and said, "Let's hope for your sake, we never meet again, because the birthday girl doesn't give second chances."

* * *

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" Lavanya yelled, pulling Khushi into a bear hug. "Where were you? I looked everywhere! And why do you look like you just ran for a mile?"

Khushi took a deep breath, trying to force anger out of her mind. She wished beyond hope that no one ever found out what transpired in that darkened room. Things were bad enough between her and Akash, without his flirtatious brother in the picture. Of course, it was another thing that her hopes were solely dependent on that irritating man's mood.

"Is everything okay?" Lavanya asked, watching her face. "And what were you doing upstairs? You do know that this party was organized for you?"

"Yes, Lavs, I know! I was looking for Akash... but I think I went in to the wrong room. There was no one there."

"Oh well," Lavanya said nonchalantly, grabbing her hand and pulling her into the hall. "It's time to cut the cake. People are waiting!"

The cake cutting was a relatively easy affair, with the usual loud chorus of happy birthday', followed by almost a brawl on who got to feed, or more accurately, paint Khushi with the icing. By the time most of the graduating class of FMS was satisfied with their work on the birthday girl, Khushi almost forgot her unexpected encounter upstairs.

"I didn't know you were interested in Anuj," Khushi said to Lavanya, once the evening started to wane and the crowd began to dissipate.

Lavanya gave her a pointed look that simply read Are you crazy?'

Khushi suppressed a giggle. It was a well-known fact that the nerdy Anuj Chopra harbored a deep crush on Lavanya and never let go of an opportunity to take a glance or two at her. "Well why else did he come, giving up his precious time studying?"

"Don't ask me," Lavanya said with a shrug. "It was Akash's idea to invite him."

They were interrupted, however, by the arrival of another final year student.

"And I am glad it was your idea to invite me babes."

Khushi let out a silent groan. She didn't have to look up to know who it was - she could recognize that voice almost anywhere.

"GAURAV!" Lavanya exclaimed, enveloping him into a hug. "You missed all the fun!"

Gaurav - a rich and popular boy at FMS - smiled. If Anuj Chopra crushed on Lavanya, then Gaurav was downright obsessed with Khushi. He seized every occasion to talk and flirt with her, something that Khushi considered nothing short of pure harassment.

"Well if the birthday girl is still here, then I am sure the party is on in full swing. Am I right?"

Khushi couldn't help but roll her eyes. "I was just leaving."

"Oh! Then let me drop you home - either way, I think we are overdue for some quality time together."

"Gaurav," Lavanya cautioned. "Don't make me regret inviting to you."

"Oh come on," he replied, not taking his eyes off Khushi. "I am just making a friendly gesture. After all, classes are done in two weeks. And who knows when we will see each other again?"

"That's a good thing right?" Khushi asked, mockingly. "Unless of course, you didn't take the hint all these years?"

A line appeared on Gaurav's forehead. "What's the problem Khushi? Is it really so hard for us to be friends?"

"I am with Akash..."

"For now."

"Exactly! The day you stop wishing me and Akash break up, I can consider being friends with you."

And with that she walked away, not wanting to create a scene. She dealt with enough messes that day to willingly put herself in the path of another. She was just about to join Anjali on the sofa, when she walked headlong into a strong pair of arms.

"Whoa - careful!" said Akash, catching her just moments before she hit the ground.

Khushi's gratitude vanished as soon as she regained her balance. "Where the hell were you?! The party is almost over. I even cut the cake!"

Akash nervously shuffled his feet. "I was a bit busy..."

"With what?"

When he didn't answer, Khushi let out an exasperated sigh. "You were never good at hiding things Akash. So whatever it is, just spit it out!"

"Okay, but don't tell anyone. Least of all, Anjali, okay?"

Khushi nodded.

"You know the painting workshop I was talking about last week?"

She nodded once again.

"Well, umm... I got accepted into it."

"WHAT?! SERIOUSLY?!"

"SHHH!" Akash said, clamping her mouth shout. "Keep it quiet!"

"B-but why?!" she spluttered, pushing his hands away. "This is such good news! You wanted to get into it for ages now!"

"I know... but Bhai will flip if he finds out that I still want to paint for a living. And Anjali can't keep her mouth shut, no matter how hard she tries."

Khushi fell silent. There it was again - the mysterious brother, who according Akash was nothing less than a father figure. But somehow, it didn't match the snarky man she met upstairs.

"Well, congratulations," she said, not wanting to discuss the said Bhai'. She then pulled him into a hug, and said in a quiet voice, "And thank you for putting so much effort into my birthday... the surprise was really unbelievable."

"Anything for you," he said, as they broke apart. "You are unbelievable."

Small beads of guilt began to fill in the pit of Khushi's stomach as she nervously cleared her throat. "So, how long is this workshop?"

"A month," he answered. "But it's in Jaipur... Do you think it's believable if I say I'm going for an internship in a textiles company?"

"I guess... but you have to be convincing. Find an actual textile company there and send them your resume, so it looks like you applied."

Akash nodded thoughtfully. "That's a good idea."

"When do you leave?"

"The day after exams. They wanted me to come earlier, but if I skip exams for no apparent reason, then it will become too obvious..."

"True... but are you sure about this? I mean, a month is a long time. If anyone finds out-"

"They won't," he said determinedly. "This is my dream Khushi... just like how your interview tomorrow is for you."

"Don't remind me... I'm getting nervous just thinking about it."

"I know you will get the job. Trust me!"

Khushi smiled. "I'm gonna miss you... I had so many plans for us once we graduated!"

"Well, it-"

His reply was cut off by the arrival of Lavanya. "Khushi!" she chided. "Why did you walk away from there?!"

Khushi glared at her. "You know how much I hate Gaurav. And you still invited him?!"

"You invited Gaurav Prakash?" Akash asked, outraged.

"Yes, I did," Lavanya said unabashed. "And you don't hate him Khushi. He-"

"Yes, I do!" she interjected, furiously. "All he does is try to flirt with me, even though I made it clear I don't like him."

"So, a little healthy flirting is a crime now? I agree, he is not the best person on this planet, but he is nice, okay?"

"And how do you know him so well?" Akash asked, his feelings mirroring Khushi's.

Lavanya let out an exasperated sigh. "I grew up with him remember? His dad and my dad are practically business partners."

"Right," he replied sarcastically. "Rich people and their spoilt children."

"Oh please! I am not spoilt."

Khushi raised an eyebrow.

"What?" Lavanya said defensively. "I'm not! And be glad I invited flirty Gaurav, instead of Little Miss Perfect."

"Who? Payal?"

"Who else? Akash was all for being the better person and taking the first step towards friendship."

Khushi turned incredulously towards Akash, who looked at the floor, avoiding her gaze. "You did what?" she asked in disbelief.

Lavanya crossed her arms triumphantly. "I told you she wouldn't like it!"

"Of course I wouldn't like it!" Khushi continued in the same tone. "Why would you even think I would want her at my birthday party?!"

"Come on guys," Akash said finally, losing his silence. "She is not that bad!"

"Really? Since when do you know her so well?" Lavanya asked.

"I'm serious! She looks so simple and sweet. How can you just assume she is a snob?"

It was Khushi who answered. "Oh please! Remember the fight she started in first year? As if me and Lavs were the reason her kurti ripped!"

"Everyone can make mistakes! Plus you two didn't really give off a good impression."

"So it's our fault that we have class?!" fumed Lavanya.

"Just think from her perspective! You both were laughing at her that day and were sitting directly behind her in class when it happened. Of course she would assume both of you did it on purpose."

"We didn't do it," Khushi said stubbornly. "And just like how she made an assumption about us, we made one about her too. So stop defending her."

Akash didn't know what to say. He stared at the two angry girls in front of him, realizing that there was nothing in the world that could convince them of another opinion, especially Khushi. He knew her well enough to understand that she would never change - not for him, not for her family, not for anyone. She was just too stubborn.

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No, I didn't say exactly who Khushi kissed simply because I like suspense . BUT you will know in the next chapter, promise!