Chapter 8

Arnav immediately picked it as he looked at the name flashing on the screen distress took over his face.

Khushi noticed but he immediately turned off the phone and looked at Khushi who just awkwardly smiled. While Khushi was walking back to drop the kit into the drawer the phone rang again and Arnav again immediately cut it off.

She thought perhaps he was uncomfortable and needed some privacy. She started towards the door, she reached the door and turned around to look at him, and his eyes had been following her. She turned around and closed the door on the way out.

As soon as Khushi walked out Aranv's phone rang again. His palms began to sweat, and his hands shook. However he finally hit the answer key and placed the phone on his ears.

"Hello"

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"Arjun please calm down" requested his anxious mother as he impatiently paced the hall room.

Arjun Singhania was the son of Radha Singhnia who had been a single mother. Arjun's father had left him and his mother when he was ten. Daughter of Virender Singhania a leading industrialist in India after her divorce she had decide to move to Belgium and bring Arjun away from everything. Upon shifting to Belgium Arjun met Khushi, his best friend. In the Gupta's the mother and son found a family.

Radha was well aware of how Arjun felt about Khushi. But he had never opened his feeling to her fearing rejection or worst to leave the impression that his love was mere sympathy for her illness. He was dying each and every day along with Khushi. He was waiting for the day she will be cured and walk down the aisle in a white bridal dress into her arms.

He longed for her love, her arms and those rosy lips. How dare that Arnav come in between them and claim what was his, at least according to him.

"Mom you don't get it, she is too innocent" he spoke with concern apparent in his tone.

"Arjun why don't you tell her?" his mother demanded

"We have been through this mom" he replied sitting on the edge of the sofa.

His mother took his hand into hers and spoke to him.

"Arjun sweetheart, Khushi's is a smart young woman and I think she can decide what is best for her. You can't try to shield her from everything" she tried to reason with him.

"But I can't help it mom, if anything happened to her'" he choked on his words.

And suddenly the phone bell rang. The landline was lying next to Radha and she picked it up.

"Hello"

"Hi Aunty, its Khushi, Is Arjun there?."

"Ah thank goodness, I thought I was on my own today. One second baby" She smiled handing the phone over to Arjun.

Arjun immediately took the phone and he knew it was her.

"I am sorry" they both echoed at the same time and then burst into laughter. This was all pretty normal, standard routine for the last eleven years.

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A bit later Khushi came back to Aranv's room with a tray of food. She knocked on the door and Arnav opened it up. He smiled to see her. She had changed into a pink cotton dress and had black flats on. Her hair pinned on the side making her look like a little child. He pulled the door open and Khushi walked in. she placed the food on the table. He turned around to look at him and spoke,

"Gracie told me that you did not have anything since last night, so I made you a sandwich. I hope chicken is fine. " she questioned raising her hands to her side.

Arnav walked over to the table and replied,
"Well as long as there is enough for two we will be fine" he said settling in. Khushi was glad to see him cheery in fact he suddenly seem to be a lot more of himself.

"I just had lunch but it won't mind if I just sit with you" she replied settling on the bean bag on the floor.

Arnav took a huge bite out of the sandwich and closed his eyes and began to moan to indicate his appreciation.

Khushi smiled at his antics.

"This is so good, is there anything you can't do?" he questioned

"Well we can't be sure until we discuss that list of "things I have never tried before" she replied cleverly quoting him on his earlier episode at the club to which Arnav chuckled and swallowed hard.

They chatted away while Arnav finished his lunch. As Khushi got up to leave Arnav suddenly became serious and called out to Khushi.

"emm Khushi? I was wondering if I could just go and see you you dad I mean Mr. Ratan's office."

Khushi seemed a bit surprised and Arnav did not ail to notice.

"Have I told you I am business major and I thought you know it would be a great idea to see the best at work." He attempted to cover up.

Khushi's face immediately lit up.

"Off course, I will talk to dad and you can join him'"

"NO!" he almost shouted out startling Khushi.

"I mean , no need to bother him. I was only saying if you could take me and maybe show me around a bit. However understand if you have other plans" he threw in the emotional blackmail tactic.

"Oh! Sure why not. Why don't you get ready we can go right now if you like" she suggested.

"How about tomorrow morning?" he questioned

"Sure, but dad is leaving for London tonight. But I think you can still meet the rest of the staff" she replied.

She took the tray and started towards the door and Arnav took a breath of relief knowing it had all gone according to the plan. As soon as she left Arnav locked the door and ran to pull out his suitcase ripping through it in search of something.