Chapter 10

He had been stunned by her confession. He had always known she cared. But the intensity and depth of her love shook hi to the core.

What had he done to deserve it? Almost nothing, He had only given her a lot of heartache.

He had initially used her to get close to Lavanaya.

And then left her alone to deal with the consequences of their intimate kiss.

And yet this girl loved him to an extent, he never thought anyone would ever love him.

His heart had constricted with a strange emotion, he could not identify.

Love was not a word, he believed in.

But at that moment, he felt all those things people attributed to love.

Tenderness

Passion

Sheer joy

A top of the world ecstasy---

These plethora of emotions had hit him, when she had confessed. He had not been able to reply like her. He had not said an 'I love you too' or 'You mean the same to me'. He had replied by kissing her back with all the emotions his heart felt,

He continued to murmur 'Don't ever leave me Khushi. I can't live without you'

How long they had been in the park entwined in each other's arms, Arnav did not know.

It was Khushi who said shyly, without looking at him, 'We should get back. We will be in trouble if we don't get back on time,'

Arnav had pulled her back to him, 'You promise to see me right? And please Khushi. Don't ask me what I feel and where this will lead. We are too young for that.

Let's take each moment as it comes.

All we have is the present. So let's make the most of it.'

Khushi had tuned around and hugged him again, silently accepting his proposal.

And what followed were the most unforgettable days of his life.

He had never been so happy.

When Khushi gave, she gave with all her heart.

Of the two, she was more expressive.

She could not stay a day without staying him.

When they would meet in the morning and if they were alone she would kiss him three times and say

'This is for morning

This is for afternoon

This is for night

Just in case we don't meet'

And then when they met again any time during the day, she would still kiss him saying 'This is for the minutes I missed you

And if he forgot to call her if he went somewhere without her, she would be mad at him, throwing tantrums.

'What do you care?

You wouldn't even know what the anxiety is.

You think it is fine to disappear like that,

I think one day I will die of some heart ailment worrying over you.'

And then he would make it up to her, buying her ice creams and chocolates and flowers and kissing her till she couldn't breathe---

Ironic. A girl who could not live a day without seeing him, had lived seven long years without wanting to know how he was, without making any contact with his world.

How?

What happened to change her to this extent?

It could not be love for NK.

He could vouch she never loved him.

It could not be for La.

Khushi knew he cared only for her

He looked at Khushi sleeping peacefully. She looked tired. There were dark circles under her eyes.

Suddenly Arnav got up from the bed

'I know you are not going to tell me the truth Khushi.

And I can't force you because you are too frail to take the pressure.

So, I am going to do something underhand.

All is fair in love and war.'

Arnav looked around the room to look for her mobile.

Spotting it lying on a table, he picked it up and quickly skimmed through her contacts till he found NK.

Quickly he made a note of the number.

Glancing behind his back he made sure she was fast asleep.

The doctor had assured him, she would sleep for a while.

Stepping into the lobby, he walked further down and dialed NK's number

As he waited for him to pick up, he wondered what he could say to NK.

NK may lie, if he knew it was him.

NK may also not give him the truth.

So he had to be devious.

He was ASR and he did not mind playing dirty to get his way.

Finally his patience was rewarded, when he heard the voice at the other end say

'Hi. Nk here, Who is this?'

Arnav put on his expert Afro American accent which he had picked up over the years, staying in US;

'Hi, I am calling from US regarding an immigration issue related to your wife Khushi---'