Chapter 8

Chapter 7 – How Do You See Right Through Me??

The Next Day - Noon

Khushi’s POV

So you know that flutter in my stomach, the one I had felt when Arnav had hugged me in close into him, for the very first time?

I felt it again.

I definitely felt a lot of those flutters all over again, when he pulled me in for a tight hug last night at the beach.

I could sense something in the way he pulled me into him, and especially the way his arms wrapped tightly around my waist in the touch that almost felt possessive, as if it was supposed to mean something more than just a friendly hug.

And the fact that he didn’t let go off me, until I reminded him that it was time to leave or we would miss the bus.

There was something about it all.

Something that I cant really comprehend or explain, as I was anyway too shocked by the flutters in my stomach, because something inside of me had been kind off swinging up and down.

Up and down.

Up and down.

Over and over again.

Like how you feel when you sit on the Ferris wheel, and your stomach flutters when you are descending from the the top.

And then there was something about the way he’d just simply laced his fingers through mine, and held on to my hand on that bus ride back as we both enjoyed the view with our hoodies on ,and he’d shared one of his earphones with me for that playlist that we had been listening together for a the last couple of days.

And he’d held it that way until we reached that bus stop near his hotel, and we got off, because I had to walk to the other bus stop to take the bus back home and he had to go back to the hotel.

Why did he lace his fingers through mine and hold my hand the way he did?

And why did it have to feel like - as if all those flutters had now decided to flip around at the same time.

Why did it have to feel so right?As if it was the most normal and usual thing in this world for him to do??

It had felt different and it had also felt very good.

Never has something so simple like - holding onto someone’s hand - had this kind of erratic flutter reaction in the pit of my stomach.

I am not a big fan of hand holding actually but have obviously had mine held by Armaan, a couple of times in my two month dating adventure for brief minutes here and there , but I would always end up pulling my hand away because I’d get distracted by something or the other.

And that is why there was something about this that was making me nervous within.

Because even though I had a lot of distraction from the view,on the bus ride back, I did not pull my hand away from his grip, infact I was kind of in awe over how my hand fit into his as he gently laced his fingers through mine.

And I’ v definitely never held on to anybody’s hand or have mine gripped in there’s for as long as 25 minutes of the bus ride, and then of course the fact that when I did finally pull my hand away as we reached the bus stop and I sprang to my feet on reflex, I think I almost saw a flash of disappointment go through his eyes, before he gave me a warm smile and then followed me on our way out.

And im definetly feeling those flutters again in the pit of my stomach, as I find myself thinking about him as I eat my lunch in my break time, as I am revisiting all of the moments above in my head.

I think I am going a little crazy here, by probably reading too much into simple gestures that maybe are supposed to mean nothing more than a friendly touch.

But then why was I sensing this unsaid weird vibe in between of us??

I was surely reading too much into this for no reason.

I reminded myself that Iv really been dumb and clueless when it came to all this half my life and just a two month dating experience , definetly does not make me an expert at reading unsaid silent gestures related to this topic.

I think about it a little, and I realise in a minute, that maybe, just maybe it was all because of the fact that I had been vulnerable emotionally, when he’d pulled me into that hug, because I was remembering my little brother krish in that moment.

When he’d told me that it was his b’day, I really did want to give him a gift and because I didn’t have anything else prepared because it had totally slipped my mind, and it also did feel like what could I gift him anyway, I mean what materialistic thing could I have given him that he didn’t probably already have??But I don’t know why I did want to give him something for sure.

 I wanted him to have something to remember me by when he left, and because it totally felt right too - I gave him something that was very precious to me.

I wanted him to have krish’s favourite toss coin, it felt like I had paid a little tribute to my little brother by handing a memorable part of his life to his cricketing idol, I was sure he would be jumping up in the heavens above exclaiming how I was the best sister ever!(he’d often do that when he was alive -specially when I got him what he wanted, sneaking it under the eyes of mom and dad).

I smile at that memory in my head.

I was also very touched by the way Arnav had accepted my gift and then safely tucked the toss coin into his wallet.

It was a touching moment in time, surely.

I shrug my head foolishly as I tell myself -Yes that was what it was Khushi. The moment was a vulnerable one and that is why I was sensing this unsaid vibe because I wasn’t in the right frame of mind then.

But I restarted my brain and asked it to focus.

Focus Khushi.

Focus.

I mentally kick myself for my foolishness as I remind myself – Who Me?? And Who He??

This was Arnav Singh Raizada, the Vice - Captain of the Indian cricket team ,also the sole heir to a business dynasty back in India.He travels the world, and probably meets a lot of people every tour, and he probably has a couple of good friends in every country and city he tours.(An easy presumption – because he is such a cool guy, its amazing how hes nothing like the media potrays him to be, quite the opposite actually).

And because there was no denying the fact, that we did connect instantly and could be really good friends too – I was sure that id probably just be getting my name on his list of good friends, he’d catch up with when he toured or visited different countries according to his play schedule – if time permitted.

 And that is why he wanted to catch up tonight too after the game, because he was leaving tomorrow, and I wouldn’t probably see him again for a long long time.

Who knew when would I ever get to speak to him again too, after he left here??So it made sense to just go with the flow and spend some good time with him tonight to store up in my head as a fond memory.

A very special and a fond memory, indeed.

I smile to myself as I feel more comfortable now after processing that last thought and I resume eating my lunch.

Our different worlds had converged into this common point for a little short-while and I was really happy about the fact that I met him, it definitely proved to me that Dad was always right about the fact that one should never judge a book by its cover.

I was right in that thought when my phone beeped.

I picked it up to see a whatspp message from Arnav.

It read only one word though.

My Name.

Khushi

I read it again.And I quickly replied writing down what I truly felt.

What’s up hoodie guy?you are tensed about something aren’t you?

My phone beeped quickly within a second.He was online.

Him : Yes I am.But how do you know? How did you figure it out?

Good question hoodie guy.But I swear to god, I have no idea how I figured that out too.I just felt it.

I reply honestly : I have no idea how hoodie guy, but I just felt it.Anyways tell me whats up? Why are you tensed on your bday?? On that note – Happy Bday, Hoodie Guy.I wanted to message you earlier, but I didn’t , I mean what if I disturbed you.

I sipped on my iced tea and I waited for his reply.

It came quickly.

Him :  thank you so much khushi, and just so you know, a message from you can never disturb me.

I read that bit, and my stomach flutters again.

I nudge the stupid idiotic flutter aside and I reply : whats wrong Arnav?

Phone beeps.

Him : the physio has advised Cap to rest his back today too, just in case as a extra caution in order to avoid the spasm from turning into anything serious.

Ok. So now I knew.

I quickly reply : and obviously because it’s the final match today, you are now super tensed about leading the side, because you feel like the pressure for the win is very very high today especially after the loss the other day?

I was waiting for his message when my phone buzzed.

He was calling me.

I picked it up in an instant and I heard his voice on the other end as he spoke – “khushi…”

I smiled to myself as I answered – “ hey..you…”

This was the second time I was talking to him on the phone,the first time being the time the prank he played on me on the cafes landline, a couple of days ago.

Technically it had been a couple of days ago only, but in my head it didn’t feel like that.

In this moment, I don’t know why I felt like I had known him longer than just a couple of these days.

Weird.

Khushi – you are a idiot – I mentally scolded my self again.

Right then I heard his voice through – “ you gotta tell me how are you able to see through my unsaid…how did you know?? How are you able to always figure out whats on my mind??its..”

I chipped in – “ weird..i know totally weird, I told you na, I am a weirdo..”

I heard his chuckle over the phone – “ no it isn’t weird.its nice to have my unsaid understood khushi”

I smiled to myself as I answered, because I totally wanted him to ease it down – “ hey..dont worry, itll be ok…you got this totally…just stay true to your game, and most importantly enjoy yourself and you never know, the winning shot might just come off that fiery bat off your’s…”

His voice softened as he said – “ I have never lead the team in a final game of any series..the cap always steps in right in time for the finals..its the first time for me and we already lost the other day..its too much pressure and I cant talk to anyone because I feel like they will be critical and jusdgemental about it and wont understand where this is coming from..thats why I messaged you. Because it felt like I needed to talk to you, you understand don’t you, I don’t want to feel this way..i mean I know I shouldn’t feel this way because iv been a seasoned professional for almost a decade now…but..??”

I didn’t like the way the tension was flowing through his words, and I spoke – “ofcourse I understand, and why shouldn’t you feel this way Arnav??its totally ok to feel this way, you are only human even though the world likes to think of you as a run making machine…its ok to have insecurities Arnav…we all have them..you gotta stop being so hard on yourself all the time…you cant get mad at yourself because you are feeling insecured about something…”

I heard him sigh on the other end as he asked – “ I know you are working, but can I see you?? Is there anyway that I can see you now??”

I asked shocked – “ now???like now now??”

I heard him sigh – “ yes…but if it isn’t a problem, only then??”

I looked at my phone and I spoke – “ ok, so its 1215pm, and usually my lunch break is till 1230, I will just ask my boss if I can extend it by another one hour or so, should be ok since I never ask for extension anyway…but will you be able to step out??”

He answered quickly – “ yes, I can step out, we are done with net practice for the day and I have a couple of hours to myself to relax…”

I replied – “ hmm..ok then ill hang up now and go talk to my boss..and text you..”

“ok..let me know..”

I quickly walk to my boss and ask for permission to step out until 130, and thanks to my excellent record, he agreed in an instant and I quickly walked to my desk and picked up my sling bag, and texted Arnav the location of the place I wanted him to come too.

It would take me 15 mins in a uber and would take him 15 mins in a cab too.

………………..

Arnav’s POV

I looked out the window as the cab driver drove me to the location,Khushi had texted me to come too, and I couldn’t help but feel a little at ease at the thought that she had taken a little break to me right now, at such short notice.

So, after the warm up and practice in the nets earlier today, the cap and coach had gathered us all , and then revealed the information that Cap could not play today too, which obviously meant that I was going to have to captain again today, and I had never captained the team in the final of any series ever.

It made me super nervous – the pressure was huge.

I still don’t know how Cap, handled it all.

Captaincy probably just wasn’t my cup of tea.

And today was a do or die game, the expectations were very very high, and especially after that painful loss the other day, I was very anxious about how it would all unfold tonight.I mean, I was feeling like, if we lost today, I would probably not just let the country – Cap,coach or the team down, it was feeling like – id let myself down too.

Khushi was the first one to come to my mind as soon as I was alone in my room.

I had to talk to her.

It felt like she would understand.

And she did.

But I had no intention of disturbing her at her work, however once I had heard her voice and her words and the calming affecting they were having on my nervousness, I went with the flow of what I was feeling and because it felt like I needed to see her, I had asked her to on pure reflex.

The cab took a turn down a curb of alley, and I asked my driver on reflex, adjusted my cap over my head – “ are we here yet??”.So during the day, I usually kept a cap on too, and didn’t put the hoodie on until I felt it would be necessary. For my time venturing during the day I usually just wore my , casual half jacket with a cap and a hoodie ,over my round neck tee and jeans.

The driver – “ 2 minutes…”

I put on my hoodie and right then the car came to a halt in front of this really old looking building, and I looked closer and I got off anyway,and I started to make my way in.

And right when I was about to step in, I paused because I read the sign up and I couldn’t help but smile to myself.

Trust khushi to get me to the most fascinating of the places.

For I was just about to enter into an old school video-game arcade.

I hadn’t been to a videogame arcade in forever.

I grinned to myself as I stepped in.

I mean ofcourse I do get together with the boys to play games at our playstation etc, but this was an old school video game arcade, the traditional one, which had all those old machines of the different variety of games we used to play as kids, and it also had some new fancy machines, and I was just in awe of it all, totally feeling like I used to feel like as a kid lost in a candy store or video game arcade.

And it wasn’t very crowded too, because it was 1230pm

Which was great.

I stood at my spot grinning like a idiot , and right then I spotted Khushi walk up to me from and just the sight of her walking to me with that wonderful smile on her face with the twinkle in her eye, as she swayed two cards in her hands(which I figured were the swipe cards needed to play )– and all my worry instantly washed away.

She walked up to me and handed me a card in my hand – “ happy bday hoddie guy…”,and I took it grinning like a idiot and then she took out some coins from her backpocket and handed them to me as she spoke – “ some of the old machines still work with the coins…cmon now.. lets play some video games….”,and she dragged me by my hand to the air hockey table and she grinned – “ lets see if you can beat me on that..”

I grinned as I caught hold of her hand before she could walk to the opposite side of the table – “god khushi, this is amazing…I haven’t been to a video game arcade in forever, and this is so so so so kool…like the koolest place ever, its got the best mix of the old vintage games and some new fancy ones…”

Khushi grinned as her eyes glinted with mischief – “ I know right…and lucky us because not many people come here anyway since a lot of people prefer the more fancier ones in the malls with all those 3d and 4d virtual games…but I like this better..it has a different charm..and I knew it wouldn’t be very crowded at this time of the day..it usually gets a little busy in the evenings as some nostalgic gamers do come around with their kids…”,and she paused as she put on a super dramatic expression – “you know like they say you are never too old for some things in life, I feel a videogame arcade is one of them….cmon hoodie guy, get ready to see my super crazy side..dont tell me I that I didn’t warn you..”

I laughed at that dramatic act up of hers that made me want to pull her in a hug already, but I refrained because we were in a public place and I asked, now highly fascinated and amused – “ you like video games too??

She grinned as she placed a arm on her waist and answered in a dramatic tone again – “ofcourse, I love video games,  I told you that im still very much a tom boy at heart…cmon lets start, lucky for us its almost deserted right now, we might just be able to play most of them..”,and with that she immediately walked over to the other side of the air hockey table and slinged her bag around her body and got into a playing positing as she bent forward a little on the table and my eyes met hers across the table and she asked – “ you ready??”

I grinned – “ I haven’t played this in ages khushi..but yes lets go for it…”,and with that she aimed her shot and it was good, or maybe because I was still affected by her smile, that it immediately went through the duct and she gained a point and she grinned across, and her eyesbrows rose in a challenege – “ too bad hoodie guy..tsk tsk…”

I grinned as I picked up the disk and placed it in front of me, and winked back – “you just got lucky khushi..”

And she winked at me from across – “oh now, did i?”

And I grinned – “ you did..im gonna win this..”.She smirked back a challenge at me and I shot it back , now totally into the game.

…………………………

30 Minutes Later

I grinned in victory as I slammed the wheel of the car race machine, for I had just won the car race against khushi for the second time. We were playing this car race video game for the third time in the row and id won the first round and shed won the second one, and now I just beat her in this third round and I grinned as I spoke – “ there you go, I win this one…”,and I faked being sad as I spoke – “ I still cant believe you won over in the bike race and the wresting…”

She grinned as she chipped in – “and I scored better than you in the shooting game too..and also in the pacman smash..”

I laughed as I spoke – “and I scored better in the basketball..”

She laughed as she gestured me to follow her and I did and she now put her coin in one old toy vending machine, that you pick up toys from with the toy crane and she spoke , as she started to play– “ you know what..iv been trying to win myself that toy here, in a long long time..”,and I watched her aim for it , but it didn’t get it through.

I leaned against the machine and I watched her, as she continued to try over and over again, with such glee and excitement on her face , that it fascinated me, and everytime she didn’t get it, a frown and disappointment came up her face, and she almost made a gesture as if she was scolding herself mentally for it, but the minute it was time to have another shot, the concentration and excitement was evident on her face.

She really fascinated me.

How could she be so freaking adorable?

And I was falling for her.

Hard and fast.

She finally looked up after her seventh try to see my eyes on her and she gave me a smile as she asked – “ wana help me??”

I nodded  and I gave her a grin and she put another coin in and I walked over behind her and leaned in a little into her, and I placed my one arm on the joystick over her hand and I placed my other free hand on the other side of the machine, so that she stood in front of me in the circle of my arms and I spoke, helping her aim correctly and I watched the crane go in and I spoke , whispering in her ear softly – “ you were so lost in beating yourself because you haven’t got it yet , that you didn’t even realise that all you had to do was just shift your aim a little..you see it’s the same piggie, but in a different spot…”,and I watched the crane go in and it successfully picked up the little pink piggie she had been aiming for(the same one but from a different position in the bunch) and she turned back a little and the excitement was evident in them as if she couldn’t believe it that shed got it and she jumped up in glee two times and then she bent forward to pick up the toy and once she stood up , she turned to look at me as she placed a hand on the machine – “ thank you hoodie guy…iv been waiting to win this little piggie for so long..”,

 I chuckled at her expression as I placed my hand over hers on reflex , and before I could say anything to that, she spoke softly , clutching my hand gently from beneath my grip – “ all you need to do is just shift that perspective that you have for yourself within too Arnav…you gotta stop being so hard on yourself, specially on the days you have to step onto the field as captain, it’s the same you on that field, it’s the same Arnav who’s been in love with cricket ever since he could probably hold the bat..or throw a ball..its that same Arnav in the field,backed by the same team, everything is the same hoodie guy,  its just that the spot light you feel on you is different…but that doesn’t change anything now does it, the spotlight may just falling from a different angle, but I mean technically its still you – on that field..”, and she paused as she took a step closer into me, now keeping her hand over mine – “ you are human ok, you have to stop being so harsh on your insecurities and doubts , beating yourself up for having them in the first place, once you accept them as a part of you and not fight them for existing, itll get easier to wade your way through it hoodie guy..”

I was clean bowled.

How did she even come up with a analogy like that??

Because once again she had just said the words in the moment and in a way that it totally rang that bell in my head.

I asked on reflex totally intrigued and smitten by this amazing girl – “ how do you do that again??”

She grinned – “ do what??”

I asked – “ you know what I mean?? You know exactly what to say to me and how..your way is subtle but it hits the bulls eye”

She laughed at that as she said – “ good because if it hasn’t hit the bulls eye yet, I can talk more..”

And that made me laugh and she spoke – “ there have a dart game board too..wana play??”

I nodded, and I followed her through to it and right then her phone went off and she spoke – “ oops that’s my alarm…”

I looked at her – “ huh??”

She roller her eyes mischeviously – “ I told you na hoodie guy , time flies with you, I knew it would, that’s why I had to put a alarm to remind myself, I need to leave in five minutes to reach work on time..”

God.No.

Was it time already??

Why did she have to leave??

I was getting so drawn to her that it was insane.

She stepped forward as she touched my arm gently – “ you got this..ok…its going to be a good game…a nail biting, thrilling one,the fans on both sides are going to be on the edge of their seats..just enjoy yourself out there, and do what you love…the rest of it just add ons hoodie guy, the core of it all is still your game and your mind…”,and with that she placed her hand over my heart – “and your heart…”

She nailed a dart straight at a deep cord within my being – with that.

I stood speechless as she spoke with a wink now – “ no matter what the result, its still going to be still very busy for my uber today with equally interesting tales to talk about…”

I laughed at that, and I kept my hand over hers on my heart on reflex as I spoke honestly – “ thank you khushi…”

Her eyes locked with mine as I held her hand in mine for a minute and she gave me a small as she slowly pulled her hand away, much to my disappointment as she took out her phone and she spoke, now looking into her screen – “ this uber girl now needs to get herself an uber…”

I chuckled at that, and she tapped her screen and placed her phone back in her back pocket.

Did I mention how adorable she was looking in that skinny black trousers and a dark greay formal button down tee which was puffed up a little and fell off her shoulders in cap sleeves?

And she started to now walk out towards the enterance and I walked next to her and I spoke – “ ill see you later tonight tho right?? After the game??”

She nodded as she gave me a smile – “ sure, just message me, and uber girl will be at your service hoodie guy…”

I grinned as I asked – “ if I win tonight..will you make me that maggi again??”

She paused for a second and she turned to look into my eyes, in a gaze that was so honest and bare that it bore into me and she spoke softly – “ I will make you that maggi anyway, it doesn’t matter if you win or loose..”

I asked again on reflex – “ you still gotta tell me, how you see right through me?? How do you know..i mean how are you able to get your words right through me? How do you do this khushi??”

She smiled as she spoke , shrugging her shoulders – “ I honestly don’t know..ill tell you the day I get an answer to that..”

I was speechless yet again and right then the uber pulled in, in front of the shop and she started to step out the shop, and then she turned to look at me and she spoke, stepping backwards as I stepped a little forward so that I could hear her – “ theres always a first time for everything right? , just like it was the first time I unknowingly offered the vice captain of the Indian cricket team a meal of two minute maggi noodles, who knew then that wed be standing here in front of each other as two people who connect so easily that its almost suprising isn’t it??”,and she paused as she continued to step backward – “and It’s the first time for you to captain a game in the finals, maybe if you just lift all that worry aside only for just 180 minutes of the game..who knows what might happen…you might just be surprised by that commendable conviction that lies hidden beneath you..good luck hoodie guy..ill see you later now…”

And before I could say anything else, she got into the cab and the car drove her away, almost instantly.

And I just stood rooted to my spot.

Speechless.

And Awed.

And Shaken.

I wasn’t just falling hard and fast for her, I was also falling hard and fast for what she was making me feel within.

And in that one moment – I simply realised another simple suprising fact that stood clearly in my face.

And  the fact was that -for the first time ever, I felt like I wasn’t ready to go Home after a tour.

………………………….

Tada!! Let Me know what you guys think.

Pls excuse errors, haven’t proofread.

This one isn’t very long, but had to stand out on its own.

I will give another update tomorrow.

Much Love Guys

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