Three: A Friend in Need

A/N: Thank you for taking time and commenting on the updates. It really meant a lot for any writer to hear what the readers has to say about the progression of the story. I'm so glad to have you all around after all these years. I request you all to spread the word, share this story with your friends. That would really be appreciated.

We were not making love, we did not even kiss, but the inexplicable intimacy we shared left us wordlessly and hopelessly locked into each other’s gaze.

~~ Jasmine Dubroff ~~

Year 2007

“How is your training going on?”

Ever since Khushi decided to take up the offer a month ago, that was all her family members seemed to ask her. It would start early as a new day welcomed her, with her mother reminding her to be in her best behavior – something Khushi had been hearing for about three years now. Why Garima Gupta couldn’t let her eldest daughter be without her hour-long lecture on manners and morale, Khushi wouldn’t know, and she wouldn’t dare to question which, if she were to go by her experience, only led to another hour and half of why it is important for any person to do his or her best and how one’s character can tarnish a family’s reputation. So, with a nod and a promise to hang onto her mother’s every instruction, following her rulebook, she would bid goodbye for the day only to come to a quick halt when her father repeats the shorter version.

If that were not enough, as they sat down post dinner to fill each other of their day’s happenings, Varun’s teasing, as he always would regarding her goals and dreams, ensured she lost whatever little resistant she had. Their arguments were all the same. While Varun tried to convince her that she was too young to take her career as seriously as she was now, Khushi held firmly onto her ground, insisting she needed as much training she could to reach her destination. Shobna Ahuja, whom Khushi grew fond of as her own Bua – ignoring the little voice in her head that insisted she called the woman as Bua just because the man she was crushing after did so – was the best Architect in the state and it was fortunate to have known her and be a part of her group of trainees. The fact that Khushi was youngest of the lot didn’t bother her as much it did whenever Varun pointed it out.

As a token of gratitude, her Dadaji had invited the Raizada and Ahuja clan for dinner one week after the party which, much to Khushi’s surprise turned out to be one of the best dinners ever. Varun and Anuj, Arnav’s younger cousin, hit it off as soon as introductions were made, while the rest spent most of the night playing various indoor games with Arnav participating every now and then, otherwise being immersed in a conversation with Aryan. Old acquaintances shaped into a strong bond and new friendships were formed, so much that the three families often had impromptu gatherings and get-togethers.

As much she loved their company, Khushi was painfully aware of Arnav’s movements the whole time they dined. To her utter disappointment, that was the only time he had been therewith his family, missing out every gathering in the past month, leaving behind a wondering Khushi. The distance, though, did not assure her of her awareness of the man. No, her natural ability to be observant, the trait she considered as her blessing, proved to be a bane for her ears perked up every time Shobna Bua mentioned his name in a passing with her employees, friends or family. It was novel, to be conscious about a man, it frightened her as much it excited her. At length she wondered if this was the case with two brief encounters, what would be the case if they were to share a roof.

That thought rendered her sleepless, and no sooner it crossed her mind, she was now forced to experience the very same thing. Why, Khushi pleaded silently, willing her prayers to reach heavens the moment her Dadaji informed her about the very person picking her upon his way to his Bua’s office, was she being cruelly tested by fates? Her quivering heart, the furious echoes of its beats, refused to offer its help as she fixed her gaze on her lap, fingers cold and fiddling, refusing to either look at the man beside her, or acknowledge his effort to punctuate uncomfortable silence clouded thickly on them. Her usual need to dignify with a reply long forgotten, crushed under his curious gaze.

If Garima Gupta came across her eldest daughter’s insolent behavior towards the nephew of the woman who took it upon herself to train her, Khushi would have long been dead. And her mother would have suffered from a stroke if, by any chance, she had a peak in her mind which, at the moment, all but wondering about the kind of life she would be having if Arnav decided to pick her on his way for the rest of her training,

“Baby?”

Her head snapped involuntarily, her eyes flashing ablaze, ignoring the soft edge in his husky timber. She was about to give him a piece of her mind when she noticed the mirth shining in his eyes. Was that? Her brows narrowed dubiously, as were the curls of her fingers closing over her palm at the sight of his face, the flush of his cheeks and the thin line of his lips that failed to hide the upward curls at the corner in a suppressed grin. Was he... teasing her?

“Don’t baby me!” She hissed under her breath, glad that her tone was loud and harsh as intended, as she glared at the unwilling, unfriendly object of her crush. Why was it that he, out of all the male population in Mumbai, stirred an unhealthy attraction in her? Eyes lively, nose straight, jaw squared and lips... Khushi turned away. He was sinfully handsome in a masculine way that reminded her of historic figures while she was plain, not either skinny, or curvy like girls her age. The fact that she never thought of her physical appearance, least bothered about the diet plan all her girl-friends seemed to be interested in started to trouble her now that she had accepted that she was a lost case when it came to this man beside her. That knowing for certain of the hell that would break loose when her family realized her growing attraction for a man, no matter how impressed with the man in question her family were, did not discourage her. For the first time in her life, Khushi wanted to ignore the rational side of her mind that had been warning of the consequences, the logical voice in her head promising of the disappointment she would surely witness in her parents’ eyes and dive right into knowing Arnav Raizada in everyway possible.

“Kind and polite towards the elders, but standing your ground and never letting anyone ridicule you,” Arnav stated with a hint of smile as he arrested her gaze, “you’re not just any other kid whose company I happen to enjoy, Khushi.”

Khushi stared, taken aback by his display of honesty. Or was it another way of teasing her? She considered his words, savoring its taste as she studied him, only to find him smiling back at her as if he had expected her reaction. Or worse, a small voice whispered at the back of her head, as if hearing every thought that rooted in the safety confines of her mind.

“So naïve, you can’t understand a compliment from teasing.” Arnav teased; his voice considerably low in a hushed whisper as if he was trying to solve the puzzle that she was.

Khushi shook her head, deliberately avoiding looking at him as the vehicle came to a smooth halt. She was no puzzle for him to solve. She was no one to stir his curiosity. She was just… her. Plain. Boring. Ignoring a pang of hurt stirring in her heart knowing that she was someone he considered as a child, she grabbed her bag from the back seat and made a quick exit. She hurried towards the elevator to escape the fast-approaching footsteps in sync with her quivering heartbeat. It was not until they were in the elevator, she allowed to lift her gaze, only to lock with his.

“You know, if I don’t know you, I’d say that you’re running away from me.” Arnav stated lucidly, grinning at her expense. “Why is that baby? Why do you feel my presence nerve-wrecking?”

She considered her options for a second. She could easily flip the moment with her nonsensical blabber. She could deny the truth thumped in his confident, challenging stare. She could admit, albeit half-truth, that he scared her. But she was told to speak her heart, to never hide behind a façade and to embrace reality, irrespective of what the reality is. So, she heard herself speaking, her mouth having a mind of its own. “You make me want to feel things I shouldn’t feel.”

“What?” His surprise rang through the elevator, his voice a mere whisper. His brows knitted together in a stumped silence as he regarded her. “Khushi, you don’t know what you’re…” the warning in his timber was unmistakable as Arnav shook his head, running a hand in his mane.

That irked her like nothing else did in her short span of life. “I know I’m so younger and all, but I know exactly what I’m talking, Arnav.” She snapped, anger and hurt laced in her musical tones. “You make me want to promise that I’ll be therefor you and Arnav, I take my promises seriously.”

What she thought would bean embarrassing confession turned to be a cheerful admission as Arnav grinned at her with a wink. If she was to hazard a guess, she could easily draw the conclusion that he didn’t take her words as seriously as she would have liked him to. There was nothing but mirth as his frame shook in suppressed laughter.

Of course, she thought dejectedly, why would he take her seriously when he could have anyone he wants while she is just another plain Jain pining after someone she has no business crushing

“Then promise me baby.” Arnav said just as they were about to step out of the elevator and part ways – Khushi towards her workstation she shared with another trainee two years her senior and Arnav to meet his Bua. His palm rested on her shoulder as he peered down at her with a soft, teasing smile. “Promise that you’ll be there for me.” He continued, words slurring jovially. Dramatically. “Does this promise accommodate your silent support too in everything and anything I do in the future?” 

The thought was too tempting to smack that grin off his face. Yet, his huskiness and liveliness encouraged her to promise him just that. So, when she whispered the two words, not knowing its depth that would forever change the course of her life – and his – Khushi smiled at the stunned face in front of her, her smile widening as she winked playfully and turned around, making her way to her assigned workstation.

“I promise”

__________

“I can’t, Mom. I’ve a hearing on Monday.” Arnav said clasping the back of his neck, massaging it after a sleepless night. Eyeing warily at the files and books around his bed, he pushed himself off its comfort, making his way towards the sparsely stocked kitchenette in hopes of having some milk left. “I’ll try to drop in on Tuesday. Does it sound good?”

“I remember hearing the same so many times, I lost its count, Arnav.” Vasudha Raizada uttered coldly; he could imagine his mother’s glare shooting at his father with a hand on her hip.

It was the only issue, for as long as Arnav could remember, that seemed to agitate his mother endlessly. When he voiced his desire to move out, Arjun Raizada nodded his agreement nonchalantly, much to his mother’s chagrin. And his inflexible working hours added to her mounting frustration, something Arnav understood but left with no other choice than to endure her anger and disappointment.

“I know Mom, I’m sorry.” He knew he was taking her for granted. But between cases he was assigned to, Lavanya and Khushi – if and when he could squeeze some time in his schedule to pick her and drop at his Bua’s office – he was left with little time which was catered to accompany his father and Uncles regarding the latest developments in business. As much he disliked being a part of it, Arnav was asked to, on various occasions by each of his family members, to shoulder his responsibilities as its heir. Why can’t his elders take care of it while he tries and find his footing in the law field, he would never understand. It was not like he was going to be the next CEO when time came. He would rather stay as far away as humanly possible from something that rooted all the disturbances in his family.

If work was taking up most of his time, he managed to grab a coffee with Lavanya almost every day since they both worked for the same firm along with Abyan. It was not easy to keep up with their coffee dates, as was called by her, but she made sure they spent at least half hour together in their busy schedule. In the past couple of months Arnav had been going out with her, he couldn’t help but feel like he was leading her on. Sure, he liked her – she had been his friend first for a longtime – but he was not emotionally invested in her. It was simple and comfortable; he couldn’t deny that. Yet, it was not what he would want to settle down with. No, Arnav sighed as he grabbed a mug, filling it with coffee from carafe, silently thanking his friend for being considerate. He didn’t want to settle down for something so normal and… boring. He would prefer toe-curling passion with his girl.

Abyan had suggested to give his relationship with Lavanya some time to see where it led. After all, it was all relatively new and they hardly managed to go on actual dates, away from all their work load.

Only if he could manage to have a proper date and give himself a chance to work on it, he thought with awry smile, shaking his head at the bickering between his parents. “As much I love you,” he teased, laughing as he could see his father’s narrowed brows while his mother glared right back, “I think you should grow up, guys. It’s not cool to witness your lovers spat every second day when your son is all set to explore his wings in this field.”

“Oh really! And here we’re waiting for you to officially introduce Lavanya.”

Arnav cursed at his father’s dramatic comeback. And then he cursed some more, directing every colorful profanity at Aryan and Abyan, the forever devil friends that they were. “Why is it that I never hear you asking Aryan about Anjali?” He shot back as he plopped on the couch, knowing the reasons even before his father’s reply.

“That’s because he approached Anirudh in order to ask her parents for her hand in marriage.” Arjun said coolly.

“And Uncle refused to be his son’s cupid.” Arnav pointed out, grinning foolishly. “He will do so, only after Aryan proves his worth. Seriously Dad, you should learn from him, to not interfere in your son’s love life. And for the record, no, there is neither love nor commitment. Lavanya and I… we’re…” Arnav exhaled in agitation as he searched for a word to voice his feelings. “Still experimenting, I guess. I’m planning to take a break and take her out on a proper date once we’re done with our cases.”

“Come home, Arnav.” Arjun asked earnestly, his voice low and even. “There are few things Anirudh wants you to help Rahman with. Even the Gupta’s are coming tonight.”

At the mention of the family his mother couldn’t stop talking about, two pairs of identical hazel eyes flashed in front of him – one wise and experienced and the other, innocent yet mature. He could count every encounter with Khushi on his fingers in the past six months, and yet, they were significant for she never ceased to surprise him with her understanding and constant support. If he all but teased her that fateful day, Khushi, true to her promise, never disappointed him with her lack of support. Oh, she was there, all the time, a constant fixture at his home. Never asking. Never bothering him. She was simply there at a distance, her lucid gaze always trained on him, albeit discreetly.

“Okay,” he said finally, wanting to meet the girl he came to like over the past months.

__________

Khushi Gupta seldom did things against her will. The fact that she was never asked to do something she was not interested in was something she would have proudly accepted on any other day. Her days and nights were compressed between schoolwork and her training – one she wasn’t needed at such an early age. It might have something to do with her need to have an organized life or her need to prepare herself for everything she was about to face once her admission to one of the three Architecture schools she was interested in was confirmed. But she would like to think that the months of training under Shobna Bua would be a great contribution to secure a seat. And that, Khushi agreed reluctantly, was one of the reasons why she could never say “no” to these family gatherings, the other being Aadhya Raizada – who happened to be her classmate and later, her best friend, since such gatherings always bestowed them with an opportunity to stay awake until wee hours.

Like everyone in Raizada and Ahuja families, Aadhya was compassionate soul. Her chocolate browns almond eyes were soulful, her silky midnight tresses cascading, curling at the edges that reached her spine and her laughter musical and contagious. Khushi found herself liking the youngest Raizada cousin’s company more than she’d ever thought possible. Also, Aadhya, as their friendship grew stronger as days passed by, became the only informant to her pretended nonchalant queries about the girl’s cousin.

In the past months, it had been palpable that Arnav Raizada was not the kind to spend his weekends leisurely with his family. He was – for the lack of better words – a workaholic. If she were to believe Aadhya, and the girl had long earned Khushi’s trust, it had been more than two months since Arnav paid the family a visit. Last she heard, he was interested in nothing but his cases and a woman who – as she was told, much to Khushi’s disappointment and a sharp twist in her heart – happened to be his girlfriend.

That took Khushi off guard. She always knew that Arnav could have anyone he wanted but never in the past months had she considered the possibility of him being in a relationship. It was not that she had expected him to notice her. No, Arnav made sure, every time they met as though the meetings were few and far in between, that she was no more than a child and often treated her just the way he treated Aadhya. Yet, it hurt. At times, she wanted to scream but her need to hold onto her dignity was more profound than her want to be noticed by him as a girl worthy of his affection. That, however, didn’t push her back from forming a bond with each of his family members.

So, she pushed back that inner voice that tempted her not to accompany her family that night and found herself standing in front of Raizada Mansion. She was happy she decided to come even though she felt a strange unease. The dinner was eventful, most of which Khushi forced her attention to Anuj and Varun as they bickered with Aadhya about one of the recent cricket test matches. She agreed to stay back for the night to have a girl’s night-out. After a movie and some games, Khushi found herself wide awake in the dead of night, her eyes fixed on the ceiling of her friend’s bedroom even as she heard her friend’s peaceful, even breathing.

Giving up her attempts to find a peaceful slumber for the rest of the night before Varun picked her up later the next morning, Khushi tossed the sheets aside and jumped off the bed. Her warm feet steady on cold marble flooring, making little noise as she easily found her way out of the room and down the stairs. A few minutes of mindless wander in the garden was what she needed to let sleep engulf her, she decided, wishing fervently that the back door should be easily accessible. So focused on her thoughts, Khushi didn’t notice the lean frame settled on head chair of dining table with a younger man standing by the table with taut shoulders.

Khushi halted in her spot, wondering whether to let her presence known. Her brows frowned as she looked on. The room was dimly lit by a lone hanging light, its glow casting a vigorous ring atop, highlighting a thick blond mane. An instant glow adorned her face as she smiled at the sight. All thoughts fled away as Khushi glided her way towards him, chuckling silently at the tired timber of his tone as he ordered, who she now noticed as, HP, the family’s ardent helper. 

“I can manage HP! You don’t need to wake Mom or stay here.” His voice was rasp, tired and stressed.

“But Bhai, it is a strict order to inform Ma-Sa of your arrival…”

“I’ll not leave without meeting her, okay?” Arnav sounded as frustrated as he was tired. “I can’t believe Mon has so little faith in me. Tell me, HP, what did I ever do to lose her trust?”

Khushi suppressed a grin as she imagined a very pissed off Vasudha Ma with hands on her hips while a scared Arnav stood with his head hung low. Though she was not sure if that were the case with this certain mother-son duo – like she had always seen Varun and her Bua – the possibility of anything that scared Arnav was hard to believe for Khushi always heard of his unabashedly brave and courageous tales both from Aadhya and Shobna Bua.

“When you failed to keep up your promises of visiting her, Bhai. Constantly.” HP stated plainly, the hint of sarcasm obvious as he stepped away, bowed his head dramatically, and left the area as per his employer’s orders.

“Unbelievable!”

This time, a low laughter bubbled in her throat and echoed in the room, finally gaining his attention. Khushi shook her head, still laughing, as she covered the distance and plonked on the seat to his left, her hands resting on the table as she fixed her gaze on him. Satisfied at the surprise marred on his features, Khushi assigned herself to fill his empty plate with Vasudha Ma’s mouth-watering dishes.

“It’s way past your bedtime, baby.” Arnav pointed out, his eyes training on her even as she raised a brow before shaking her head once again. Somethings would never change and no matter what she says or does, he wouldn’t stop calling her with one she despised with an emotion she couldn’t describe. “Don’t tell me you are here for midnight snacks.”

Khushi narrowed her eyes dangerously, her hands hugging her frame consciously. “Do you not approve midnight snacking?” she asked instead, maintaining her voice inaudibly low. “I never pegged you as hypocrite.”

Arnav threw his head back, laughing as he leaned back in his chair. “Girls these days are painfully conscious of their diet. So yes, it’s a good change to finally know someone who isn’t worried about her physic.”

Anger flashed red in her face as Khushi slammed her fist on the table, its suddenness and force unsettling the contents, yet Arnav sat there as immobile as stone except for the mirth in his eyes. “Are you calling me fat?” she demanded, disliking the very idea of him ever considering her fat.

With a soft, assuring smile, Arnav leaned in, reaching out for her fist and easily opening her palm. His fingers sliding into hers naturally, as if they were holding hands forever. Instinctively, she welcomed his warmth seeping through the contact, their hands interlinking without their conscious effort. “No,” Arnav said easily and for some unknown reason, Khushi wanted to believe every word he uttered. “I’m saying that I like girls who don’t shy away from being honest with their inner self, who is brave enough to embrace their nature and who can understand that being fit and healthy is better than being skinny and sexy. And no, you are, by no measures, fat. Or too skinny. You’re perfect the way you are.”

As a shiver ran down her spine, Khushi wondered if that was due to chillness in the air or the warmth in his voice. Her pulse quickened and her heartbeat echoed as she stared into his eyes. She could feel the shift in their shared dynamics, the change of something between them. She knew from the moment she saw that she liked him –probably more than she was allowed to. She knew she was eight years younger and that the chances of being noticed were slim to none. She was also sure that she was signing up for her heart to be broken in the long run – that if she didn’t turn around and run as far away from him as she could, she wouldn’t be able todo that later. Yet, for all the certainty she seemed to have, she couldn’t help but fall in love with him at that moment. Not because he was a good looking, up and rising advocate with a promise of a great future or her instant liking towards him but because he – as he spoke – reminded her why she was intrigued by him in the first place. He reminded her of the dreams that tickled her heart every night when her Dadaji narrated Indian myth as her bedtime stories. And he reminded her that he was the kind of man her Dadaji would want for her.

But there were two major road blockers that she couldn’t, even if she wanted to, ignore.

He had a girlfriend.

She was still considered as a kid.

“Is that why you like her?” The question was out before she had time to embrace the moment of her first love or consider her blunt approach to poke her nose in his business. With whatever little dignity she had, Khushi gathered with utmost care and looked up at him, readying for herself of his disapproving for spying on his life, only to be taken aback by his rather amused smile.

“Why did I even expect Mom and Dad to keep it low?” He wondered quietly as he shook his head, leaning back as he withdrew his hand from hers. Tucking a spoon in a bowl of butter chicken and savoring its taste, Arnav groaned inwardly. “Does your whole family know about Lavanya too?”

So, she has a name! Khushi thought warily, disliking the woman she hadn’t even met. Knowing her name did not, however, made the hurt she felt any less.

Khushi shook her head. “Aadhya whines about not meeting your… girlfriend.” That tasted bitter than she had thought, and it took all her might not to gag. Yet, as he extended his hand with spoon, Khushi couldn’t help but feel a flutter in her heart beat, even as she leaned in, savoring his mother’s special recipe. It was delicious, she closed her eyes for a moment as she let out a soft moan. Whether it was the curry or the fact it was Arnav feeding her that made it so delicious, was up for debate.

“We’re still testing the waters, Khushi.” His voice was low as he looked directly into her eyes.  A minute later he continued as if noticing her inner dilemma. “It’s not like I’m going to marry her.”

Khushi felt the corners of her lips curving upwards, the mask of indifference slipping away. “You don’t love her?” she asked, way too cheerful to her liking as she waited, suppressing the urge to throw her arms around him when he nodded. “Why?” She asked again, curious as to what was it that made him not to marry a woman, he was dating for months now.

With a deep sigh, Arnav looked away, tucking a piece of roti dipped in curry. Taking his time to consider her innocent ‘why’, he was lost in his thought as he fed her and eating alternatively. It was only when they were half way done and Khushi filled the bowl with more curry did he took a deep breath, letting his thought take a form. His voice was barely audible as he looked at her, not surprised at the ease with which he seemed to be sharing his insecurities with someone so young and mature – someone he considered as his friend. “Sometimes, I feel like I’m so lost, I don’t even recognize myself anymore, Khushi. I’m constantly fighting for something I’m not even interested in, not knowing why I am partaking in a battle that is not mine, without a desire to win. How can I fall in love with someone else when I’m not even sure what I want from life?”

Khushi stared; her eyes wide as she tried to understand the depth of his emotions. She was aware of the problems his family had with the youngest son-in-law and yet, the technicalities were unknown. It also felt as if she was prying into a family’s personal issues, where her interference was absolutely unwanted and unwelcome. But the need to reach out for him, to lessen his pain was so much, Khushi reached for his free hand.

“Lavanya,” he continued after a brief pause, “we went to the law school together and I’ve known her for a while now. A good friend of mine. She is smart, beautiful and can make any lawyer run for his money in the courthouse. She’s also someone I dearly care for so dating her seemed only natural. But we have a long way to go before I bring her home.”

Khushi knew she had no right to be upset about his love life. Yet, she felt a sharp, shooting pain in her heart, so strong she felt hard to breath. Closing her eyes, she willed for her tears to not make its appearance as she felt his hand taking hers, forcing her to look at him.

His touch still held its warmth but it lacked the intimacy she felt when he did the same a few minutes ago. This time, it felt more like a friend reaching out for something to hold on to.

Arnav let out a wry chuckle, shaking vigorously as he pushed the plate away. “I wanted to come home to see you tonight, but I was asked to investigate something pertaining Dad’s business. I mean, it’s like life is snatching away everything I wished for, even the smallest of insignificant wishes like having dinner with you.” His vision was clouded with confusion as they sought hers for answers to the questions neither of them knew, “I still don’t understand why Dadaji wanted me to take care of this when he could easily entrust his responsibilities to his sons or even his son-in-law.”

Khushi blinked, not knowing how to respond to his openness. She squeezed his hand while Arnav shut his eyes, his face marred with agony, the likes of which she never witnessed any person experiencing, let alone the cheerful man in front of her. The need to comfort him in whichever way it takes was so much, Khushi found herself pushing her chair away as she threw her arms around his neck, burying her head in the crook of his neck.

“Do you want to know what I think?” she said softly, wishing for his happiness. “I think Dadaji knows that you are not interested in his businesses. I think he would have supported and guided you in anything you wished to be. And he would have been very proud of you for marking your success as a lawyer. I am sure you know this too, Arnav. Yet he entrusted his responsibilities to you. It’s not because he wants you to suffer with this uncertainty. I think it’s because he wants you to do something for him, on behalf of him.”

She smiled as she felt him relax against him, his hands responding to her hug as they rested on her slender frame, pulling her closer. Khushi stumbled but smiled when she felt Arnav holding her securely in his arms, tugging at her as she stumbled as graciously as she could and settled on his lap. “How can you be so sure of this, Khushi?” He asked, one arm around her slender waist while he played with the strands of her waist length hair.

Her smile widened as she remembered the late nights she spent in her Dadaji’s room, listening to his bedtime stories of Ramayana and Mahabharata. Of materialistic pleasures and spiritual enlightenment. “Because my Dadaji once said that dharmic duty is of highest order a man can entrust with in his life and I’ve heard so many great things about yours, I’m sure he wants nothing less than the best there is for you.”

If they were not lost in their own thoughts, they would have noticed the possessive grip of her hands around his neck as Khushi hugged him, while Arnav buried his head in the crook of her neck, feeling truly seen and heard for the first time ever since he lost his Dadaji, both letting go of their inhibitions and being there in the moment.

__________

A/N: Please do like and comment :)