Chapter 72

The winter breeze swayed aimlessly hitting the bare skin of the Stanford High students inside the campus, working on the drama competition that they were to take part in. The moment Khushi entered she knew the air smelled of excitement, determination and hard work, dozens of students bustling around to make that moment exactly three months from today perfect. But she knew they were the background stars, she, she with Arnav would be in the front with the entire audience in front of them, all the hard work of these guys would only be flourished if the two of them did justice to them. The school, here had confided in them, confided in what they termed as the chemistry between them, but she didn't believe so, she didn't know what chemistry was it that they saw between them, when in reality nobody could be at such edges as the two of them were.

Entering the drama room where she was supposed to practice her dance steps with Arnav she stepped in sniffing the air around that smelled pleasant, like, she tried to finger it out correctly, yes, it was the smell of cologne. She knew Arnav loved to put cologne, in those moment of intimacy that she had earlier with him she had realized he smelled of that. Her smile grew with every step she took, until her steps froze when her ears registered the faint strumming of guitar and an even magical voice. If she didn't know better, this voice was made for a stage, to sing and earn, she knew it wasn't Arnav in that very instant, he couldn't sing or so she thought, and with each anticipated step that she took forward the image of the guy seated on a stool became clear, coming to her as only a mild surprise that it was Nikhil.

With his sandy blond hair, brushing the collar of his t-shirt, the guitar ever so lightly placed on his thigh, she saw him singing melodiously, his back to her, in awe of how pleasant he sounded. She knew the song too for that matter, it was one of her favorites, but when she thought about him, it just appeared weird to her that he would want to hum a Hindi song. He really didn't look like a guy with that taste, but then who was she to say, she countered her thoughts, she had been wrong about people before.

Song: Chahun Main Ya Na

"Tu Hein Yeh Mujh Ko Bata Dein.

Chahun Main Ya Na.

Apne Tu Dil Ka Pata Dein

Chahun Main Ya Na

"

She started to sing, a awe struck smile playing on her lips, as Nikhil even though continued to strum his guitar turned around to face Khushi a small jovial smile spreading on his face. She showed no hesitance when she walked towards him, giving him one of those brilliant smiles that guys could die for, and he grinned, taking in the smooth melody that was her voice.

"Itna Bata Dun Tujhko

Chahat Pein Apni Mujhko

Youn Tou Nahin Aitibaar

Phir Bhi Yeh Socha Dil Ne

Ab Jo Laga Hun Milne

Poochun Tujhe Aik Baar

Ooo..ooo"

He put in the next set of lyrics, repeating the stanza as it appeared to him, his eyes lightening up with the satisfaction he got when he sung, and he knew she acknowledged it and knew how it felt, because he could see the same vibrancy in her gaze as he held right now. Her eyes twinkled when he sing, and he noticed her legs moved too in an odd fashion when she did so, causing him to almost smirk and break the tune that they had so perfectly managed to make, but he controlled the urge within him and only went with the tune his mind getting lost in hurricane of other thoughts.

Khushi he knew, was the kind of girl, for whom the poets would write, the one that could never be made again. She was like a fairytale, and he had acknowledged the fact the first day he had seen her, she was nothing short of breathe taking, but that was not what he liked about her, her personality was what strike him the most. She was dark in every possible way a girl couldn't be, and she was a women in her grace, but in the end when she talked he knew she was just a teenager girl with a not so ordinary life. Maybe, just maybe he though to himself, he didn't love somebody else already, there was a chance that he would really fall for her. As this thought struck him, he grimaced, his eyes going and cold and expressionless, re visiting his conversation earlier, and of the dangers he was battling with. She was a bait, a beautiful bait, he corrected himself, and as much as it hurt him to do this, he was just as helpless as anyone could be. He looked down unable to meet her eye for a second out of the impending shame that he felt, and then looked up back at her, relieved that she hadn't seen that moment of weakness of his, because as far as he could tell she sounded the same.

They were still enjoying their little duet, when Arnav had entered, completely struck by the sounds he heard and the music being played. He had no doubt it was Khushi singing, he had heard her far too many times, or well actually two times, that he could differentiate her voice from everyone else. At that moment he didn't know who the male singer was, but nevertheless spasms of jealousy flowed through him like they had always been there at the surface, and his body became tense when he walked to where the pair came into his view. If this could be any worse for him, it was Nikhil she was singing with, and he looked his eyes stone, seeing them two enjoying, together, jealous with the way Khushi was completely at ease around him. He couldn't miss the way her eyes sparkled, or the easy going smile on her face, something that he had failed to bring from within her when he was around. Everything was so intense and dreaded with her, he wasn't even sure anymore he would be privileged enough to get this side of her again.

"We are here to do serious practice. You can pack up your singing drama now." Arnav said in a throaty voice, almost like a low menacing growl directed towards Nikhil, and though his gaze flitted towards Khushi for a second he was most certainly only staring at Nikhil. All sound paused, when his sound reached their ears, both of them standing up from their tools looking at Arnav's sure and steady form in alarm.

"We were just singing." Khushi said in a vexed voice, clearly annoyed by the way Arnav had barged into their musical session like he owned their very souls.

"Since it's over, you can get the drama teacher now." Arnav said his voice steel, his gaze still fixed on Nikhil who was surprisingly not at all unnerved by the intimidating force Arnav was. Khushi looked at him now clean bowled with his aggressiveness, and giving him one hard look which he clearly choose to ignore, she stomped out of the room to get the drama teacher.

The moment the sound of her foot step's faded, Arnav lunged forwards towards Nikhil who was alarmingly still, his eyes boring into Arnav in the same manner that Arnav's were boring into his.

"What is it with you? What the hell is your problem?" Nikhil asked him, his voice robot, Arnav stopping only inches away from Arnav, both equally match in composure, and if just in case they got into a wrestle determining the winner would be quite a gamble.

"You. I have a problem with you. But I am not interested in sharing it with you, so here's the deal, you stay away from her and I'll stop acting like a creep with you, because I know that's what you think I am right now." Arnav said, his sentences coming out in a tone, as if a good warning from a book, his eyes holding that intense that he seldom ever got, much more intense than he had ever given anyone.

"Why?" Nikhil asked, and even though he knew the answer something in him told him to pull this far with Arnav, because well this is what he was against, he had to know how much Arnav was actually capable of.

"That's not important. Just stay away." Arnav said, his jaws tightened, palms bundles up in a tight fist, every inch of his body holding back to not pounce on Nikhil, because there was no denying, Nikhil's easy going calm annoyed him to the limit.

"It is. I don't understand why are you so bent in making such a great deal about this. Khushi is my neighbor, we study in the same school, and we are good friends. I don't see why any of those strikes you as a problem. It's not like I am trying to seduce her or something. I am doing nothing of that sort, if that's what you are thinking." Nikhil told him, in a relaxed voice, finding it easier to ease out the situation between him and Arnav, because technically if Arnav felt challenged by him, it wasn't really his fault. Good looks and an even better personality was not something he had been working to get, he just had it.

"I don't trust you with her." Arnav said in a voice that was clearly more like a growl, and he had not been proven human only, people might have just doubting the face of his very existence.

"Your trust is not what I need. It is her trust that I want. *pause* and I have that." Nikhil told him in a tone that was at the edge of being daring and challenging so either word would go well with the way he sounded. Arnav flinched ever so slightly hearing Nikhil's word and he knew it was trust, Khushi did trust him, and it was just that he didn't know if he should too.

"Good for you. Bad enough, that she is mine." Arnav said with pride and confidence, like he owned her officially even if he didn't he knew he would soon, and especially if Nikhil was anything near to competition to was better to lay it in the open that Khushi had all right reserved on her by him.

"Never heard her mention she had a boy friend. In fact I heard you rejected her." Nikhil said his voice eerily calm, instigating the beast within Arnav more, his eyes ore stone than they could ever be, body languages tenses, his reflexes taut.

"That is none of your business. What really is your business is this, you stay away from her at every possible instance that you can. Because you can't have her. Better luck next time." Arnav said, his voice dangerously low and threatening as he stepped away from Nikhil, stunned now that Nikhil let out a perplexed fit of laughter. His eye narrowed on the strange guy in front of him, not knowing how to exactly access this situation he was in. This was guy was competition, potentially better, and well, mental.

"You are just one bad line after another aren't you? (mimicking Arnav foolishly) She is mine. You can't have her. You could seriously do better than that without any doubt. Relax dude. (Nikhil keeps a hand lightly on Arnav's shoulder) I don't want her. (His voice dropping low to a monstrous silence whispering quietly into his ear) but my hands are tied too." He said, stealthy moving past Arnav with not even a hint of sound, surprising Arnav with how silently he moved. Without giving as much of a glance to Arnav he picked up his guitar and strode out of the back door, right at that instant Khushi entering in with the drama teacher from the front door. Arnav could see when she entered that worry lines were etched all over her face and they had certainly gotten deeper seeing Nikhil wasn't there. Even though he felt compelled to tell her that Nikhil would be back, he voted in his mind against it, and silently started observing the choreographers doing the dance steps for the first scene of the play.

After 2 hours of working on the same step they relaxed for a brief moment, Khushi in her mind plotting to find Nikhil and Vivek both of who seemed to have disappeared completely from existence, and as she began to walk away after drinking water, Arnav held her hand, and with a slight tug pulled her back to himself, standing up tall on his two feet.

"Where are you going?" He asked her softly, the numbness that he felt with Nikhil daunting appearing wearing away from him and guilt of his rough attitude with her earlier gnawing at him.

"Outside, to get some fresh air." Khushi said, smoothly lying, partially guilty for lying to hi, but she knew telling him the truth was going to make just completely mad, and handling a beast was the last thing on her mind at the moment.

"Fine. I'll come too." He replied back in a genuine voice, keeping the bottle of water on the small bench and slipped his t shirt over. She couldn't help but admire how sexy he looked, with beads of sweat all over his body, his muscles completely in shape, his broad chest heaving against the stretchy material of the grey vest that he wore. It was only surprising, that he had given her the pleasure of running her fingers through his bare arms, when in the winters that was feat next to impossible. He didn't feel cold, because he was so hot, she finally decided, when she snapped out of her drooling mood of Arnav Singh Raizada, and walked out of the drama room with him, draping her drool mood effectively with the one that was clearly pissed off at him.

Luckily for her, Karan was walking towards them from the other side, it clearly evident from the hoarse look in their eyes that the best friend hadn't gotten along after that day. She felt bad for them, she really did, because in actual after her and Vivek she really was inspired by Karan and his friendship and seeing them drift apart because of what she fingered was her, it was just really sad, and made her feel guilty for something she wasn't even directly responsible for.

"You should talk to him. He is your best friend after all. Whatever happened that day is somehow just gone." She said, struggling to find it in her to declare to him that she was getting past that incident, and he only looked at her strangely, because of the merry fact that he wasn't expecting her to say something like that, but quietly nodded, as Karan stood in front of them his eyes meeting with Khushi and refraining to look at Arnav completely.

"Hey. Congratulations. (looking at Arnav awkwardly) Both of you." Karan added in the end, extending his hand towards Khushi, who instead of taking it pulled him into a close hug, whispering secretively into his ear, that whatever happened that day was not his fault. If anyone was to be blamed it was Arnav and fate.

"I am still sorry. We never talked after that so I figured you were still mad at me." Karan said as the drew apart from each other, and though it was perfectly awkward to talk about this in front of Arnav, Khushi ignored the heightened awareness that she felt within her at that moment.

"Nope. I coudn't have stayed mad at you even if I wanted too. You are just so good (Karan blushes slightly) Besides, I would be only dumb to blame you, (her eyes looking at Arnav in deep grief) we both know who was to be rightly blamed. (releasing off the tension that had built) Anyways, its happened, so like whatever. (looking at Arnav) I'll be back in fifteen minutes maximum, so you have your time to fix things, don't just screw up again, you seemed to have mastered that art." She said in a bone shaking voice, and more tartly then she had intended too, walking past them, Arnav's eyes set on her until she disappeared out of sight, then concentrated back on Karan who was standing had turned his back on Arnav and was going to walk away, but a firm hand by Arnav on his shoulder stopped him.

"Let's go in." Arnav said in the commanding voice of his that he used to his advantage and Karan only nodded not in the mood to get into another tussle with Arnav after everything had been screwed between them already. They went inside the drama room, the warm air inside comforting Karan, and he sat on a bench Arnav who was closely behind him, seated on an opposite bench.

"How does she know, I mean, about our fight?" Karan asked him clearly surprised that Khushi knew about it when it was all a private session between the two of them. Arnav looked at him for a second than looked away, thinking about the same thing Karan had just asked.

"I don't know. She either heard or just guessed. *pause* She is good at that kind of stuff." Arnav said in a moderately etched conversational tone, the air thick between the two best friends.

"So? You catching up fine with her now that you guys are a lead pair?" Karan asked his eye brows arched at Arnav and he gave a good look at Arnav judging his gestures secretly in his mind.

"Yeah. I was hoping she would be Lindsey Dawson when the auditions began." Arnav confessed quietly, and nothing could stop a grin from forming on Karan's face who seemed at ease with the fact that his best friend was finally owing up to his feelings.

"Where are you going with this then? She looks like she is still mad at you." Karan inquired and Arnav knew it was time to let go of the buildings and boulders and whatever concrete material he had put u to hide the feelings within him, his best friend was finally here.

"Yeah she is. But she has agreed to give me a second chance . (Karan looks at him skeptically) I am going to make the best of it. (Karan still looks doubtful) You were right. All those things I felt, it meant what it showed me. I have truly fallen for her." Arnav confessed, putting his heart right out where he should have been honest in the first place, he knew if he needed someone to take his back, it was truly Karan and no one else. Maybe his siblings too but it could all wait for later, his best friend by his side was what he wanted. Karan keeps a meaty hand on Arnav's shoulder, sensing a feeling of pride flowing through him.

"I am glad you realized it now. It would have been so much better if you would have come around earlier (Arnav cringes Karan notes it) But anyways. *pause* So, how did you realize? I mean did lightening hit you or something?" Karan asked a light hearted humor evident in his tone, thought Arnav gave him a annoyed look that told Arnav clearly that the friction between the two of them had been restored.

"No. (long thought) Actually, I don't really know. It was just like someone kicked my but really hard and I knew she was the one I want. She is the only thing I want apart from all other things in my life." Arnav said honestly, trying to remember exactly that Eureka moment but he didn't really think it was just one moment, maybe just one kick my butt moment, but things had been going on with him for a long time now, he had to come around sooner or later.

"That is a no brainer situation than. What really happened this past month we never.." He stopped short not wanting to complete his sentence since he knew Arnav had already understood, that look of urgency added with a certain sharpness to it coming into his eyes.

"She was battered left right and center because of what I had done. It really did come out hard on her. That look of loathing and disappointment that she looked at me with, I don't think there could be anything more horrible than that. (Karan looks at him sympathetically) And Vivek he has been hell bent on making me come around pushing me to the limit. (Karan looks at him weirdly but then removes the look from his face) So I do owe a lot of this kick my ass thing to him. (Karan only slightly grins) This has been the worst month of my life." Arnav finally admitted too what Karan had really wanted to hear and had an empatic smile on his face as he sat silent, which was unusual because usually Arnav was the silent one and Karan would do the talking.

"You have nothing to say." Arnav noted, observing the tensed features of his best friend who he knew so well, he could tell easily that Karan was holding back something from him.

"I have been a mess after our fight. Kind of just screwed up my life. Screwed up things with Priyanka too." Karan said regret evident in his voice, and Arnav just continued to stare at him trying to find the right words to move the talk forward.

"You and Priyanka are official now?" Arnav asked skeptically not sure what other question would be appropriate to ask right now, since he had even missed out on the basics. Karan looked up at him surprise as if not believing what Arnav had said than calmed down reasoning out it to be expected.

"We are. But it's been pretty rough since last week. And since yesterday even more, since she has been upset on not getting the role. It's just been really difficult. I knew she had little chance considering the people she was up against, but I obviously couldn't tell her, girl issues you know. (Arnav seemed to not even though he had only a vague idea of what it meant) I don't know what am I supposed to do to pacify her." Karan said worriedly lost deep in thought, making Arnav only grin a little, because he did know how serious girl issues could be, after all he was stuck in one himself.

"Well, the female narrator hasn't been finalized yet, she can try her luck in that if she's a good reader. (Karan straightens and immediately nodded) I'll do what I can to get her the place, but no promises." Arnav told Karan comfortingly, plotting out a plan in his mind, maybe he could tell Khushi about it and she could help, since Vivek was the male narrator and the script writer he was obviously had some say in choosing the female narrator so he could fix a few jams over there with him.

"That would be great! (Slapping Arnav on the back) Thanks man! She is going to be stoked about it, even if she doesn't get it she can say she made it to the finals list or whatever. (Arnav nodded narrowly smiling)This is going to be cool." Karan told him his mood suddenly up beat and in that moment Arnav clearly realized how it was to be in love, and car for your loved one. It was just crazy he knew, but there was no denying being in love was definitely worth the risk.

At that moment Khushi entered looking wary and disappointed, but she managed to put up a smile on her face seeing Arnav and Karan getting along like they use to before.

"I can see Arnav managed to make things straight with you. Pretty cool. (Karan only smiles at her, Arnav is edged about her tone but doesn't say anything) If you don't mind Karan we should get back to practice you can wait here and give us a critic's analysis of how we are doing, and then we can all probably leave for home together." Khushi suggested with ease and Karan nodded, Arnav getting up from his seat and walking towards Khushi, his shirt on much to her disappointment, but she had learned the art of masking her emotions quite well because she didn't let it show on her face that something like that affected her.

They practiced their learned steps until their legs bent, and cramps began to form in their muscles Khushi practically leaning all into Arnav to avoid falling, not that Arnav would complain about it. He led her back to the bench Karan still seated in awe with their chemistry which he knew had always been awesome but at that moment it looked like fireworks in the air, so captivating.

"You guys are doing phenomenal. They chose you two together for a reason. (Khushi blushes faintly, Arnav grins) We might just have a shot at winning this thing this year." Karan said enthusiastically clearly believing what he had said. He could tell both Khushi and Arnav were stoked about his praises, and Khushi thought thanked him, Arnav like always didn't say anything much. It had been the first day of their practice and considering how they were it had went considerably good, Khushi flashed a pleased look at Arnav and he acknowledged welcoming the spirit of it that were to share, in this, from now on they were together.

******************************************************

Regarding The Title

Moonlight- This chapter was pretty eventful, yeah like some of the comments said the only chapter in which the plot seemed to move so fast. XD Hahaha mayn. You guys can be prepared for an adrenaline rush in the next few updates, so the stories has rapidly picked up pace, the slow subtle movements are now over, I can safely commit to that. As for the naming of this chapter like a flicker of moon light, a shadowy silvery lights illuminates the hidden objects and brings people ut of light even if it's only s streak like this, the characters are trying to push themselves out of the darkness and back to light, while some are following into the places un touched by this light. If Arnav has been placing victory stands everywhere, Khushi is dealing with a mystery of feelings, while Vivek is anything but fine. The darkness can take it all and bring it back it all just depends on how much light can fall.

******************************************************

Events In The Chapter

I feel like skipping this part for this particular chapter, because it just was so self explanatory I don't have anything to add. We can all see Arnav is mending his ife back and trying to get back normal after his 'kick in the butt' session, so the only and most important relationship now left to mend is that of his and Khushi.

Nikhil who has gone shady, will be a mystery for the rets of the story at least for the time being I intend to keep it that way, you know the special update is barely 3 updates away now. And I can safely this special update is going to be a million times more terrific than the last one so hold tight people. ;)

Also the disease that Vivek has, Lucas Scott of One Tree Hill has the same disease since many people asked me about it I thought it would be better if I mentioned it already.

********************************************************

Precap

"Stop lieing and tell me the truth." Khushi said her voice menancing, gaze gixed on him like laser, penetrating through him as he briefly looked up at her, and commented in an emotionless voice.

"Kiss. She wanted that." Arnav said in a non committal voice like he didn't care about it, though he couldn't hide the shaky feature from his voice, seeing Khushi next to him go stiff, as if all energy out of her had been sucked out.

"Where?" She asked coldly, blood thumping into her brain causing her completely to lose her sense of thinking and processing rational thoughts.

"Lips." He said, his eyes now fixed on her but before he could even meet it, she looked up fighting back the tears that were welling up in her eyes, and she looked away to the other side, outside the window, trying to figure out her conflicting emotions. She wasn't sure if she was falling in love with him for what he did, or hating him more for the price he had to pay for her.

*********************************************************

nav_bat2013-07-17 11:40:02