Chapter 8

Chapter 8:

Anjali was stunned, very happily though. She had just been promised the gift of a new Tissot watch. She had been demanding this watch for months from her brother and he had always refused saying 'Anjie you have hundreds of watches in your collection. I am not buying you any more watches.' Actually, Anjali loved collecting watches. It was her hobby, and whenever her Dad or Bhai went abroad, the only thing she ever demanded, was a watch. As she happily sauntered into her room, she wondered why Bhai had been in such a good mood. What had she done to deserve such a reward?

Arnav had been extremely upset with himself about forgetting to ask for Khushi's number. There was something about her, which made him act like a love-struck teenager. He had cancelled his plans to go out with Sumer. There was no point in being somewhere else, when his mind was focused on Khushi. He would have to visit Ashadaan soon, to meet her. Arnav would have preferred to speak to her, before actually meeting her. However, his stupidity had left him with no choice, but to go there. He had also noticed that something had bothered her, while she was in his room' something that had suddenly made her uncomfortable and silent. He wanted to know her better, know about every little thing that made her happy or sad. With all these thoughts buzzing in his head, he had walked back into Shantivan.

He saw Anjie, who was talking on the phone, walking down the stairs. Arnav did not want to speak to anyone at the moment, so he just looked down and started climbing the stairs. However, something that Anjie said made him halt on the spot. He was pleasantly surprised to hear Anjie talking to Khushi. He immediately changed his direction and followed her into the hall. He overheard her apologizing to Khushi for leaving her alone in the room. He also heard Anjie telling Khushi to keep visiting them, as she would love to spend time with her. This conversation made Arnav extremely happy... Khushi really had won over everyone in just one meeting. He couldn't wait to meet her again. As soon as Anjali cut the call, he asked, "Anjie, was that Khushi you were talking to?" As she nodded in affirmation, he said, "Give me her number... I need to discuss some Ashadaan work with her." An innocent Anjali right away gave Khushi's number to him. His heart was ecstatic at this little victory. He wanted to do a little jig, at that moment, but he did not want Anjie to get even a hint about his feelings. She would annoy and tease him to no end. He thanked her with a serious face and started walking towards the staircase. He looked back at her once, and said "Anjie, I will buy you the Tissot watch this weekend." Before she could ask anything else, he strode up the staircase, leaving a bewildered yet happily squealing Anjali behind. And that is how Arnav gave in to his dearest sister's wish!

The next day arrived, with Arnav in a fever of anticipation at the thought of speaking to Khushi. He wanted to call her, first thing in the morning. Then he decided against it. He did not want to sound too desperate. He had already goofed up things. Now was the time to use his smart brain and smoothly put his plan into action. He went to work with thought of a pretty face, that he had seen at a traffic signal almost two weeks ago. He got immersed in work as usual, and soon, the fast pace of business took over.

Khushi too, had tried to get busy with her work. She acknowledged the fact that she had been very distracted since the past few days and it was time for her to focus on her dreams. Yesterday's reality check had been very necessary for her, as she remembered a dialogue from her favourite TV show, 'asli duniya mein toh sirf dil tootate hain'. She knew that Arnav and she were very different in their lifestyles, upbringing and personalities. There could never ever be any future together, even if she had ever hoped for it. Thankfully, to take her mind of all these things, today was her lunch with Akash. She would be meeting him after almost three weeks. That busy man, had been in Mumbai, meeting a few contacts and signing new deals. She was proud of her best friend and what he had achieved at such a young age.

As Khushi waited at their favourite Haldiram joint, her stomach grumbled with hunger. She could not wait anymore and she decided to place the order. She called a waiter, scanned through the menu and started placing the order, when she heard his voice, "Khushi ki bacchi, you cannot wait for a few minutes? Food has always been more important to you than me!" Akash stood in front of her, wearing a checkered maroon shirt over blue denims. He adjusted his spectacles over the bridge of his nose, as Khushi crashed into him. He hugged her warmly. He had missed her, her non-stop chatter, her crazy antics, which always brought a smile to his face. As she pulled away from him, she could not help the huge smile that formed on her face. "Mr. AR!! I am so happy you are back! Payal and I really missed having you around. And yes, I love food over you, anytime. You should be used to it by now" she joked, as they both burst out laughing.

They settled into their seats and placed their order for food, that could easily feed five people. Both of them were foodies. Akash told her about the latest developments in his business and the future of his company. This was typically Akash -- hardworking, boring and very dedicated. He knew almost everything about anything. He was a walking encyclopedia. His spectacles were his 'medal' for being a voracious reader. He had helped Khushi and Payal immensely, in various situations and she would be indebted to him forever. Khushi did not want to know about any of these things, at the moment. She asked him excitedly, "Did you go to the beach, AR? How was it, how did it feel to see the ocean?" Akash could see her eyes twinkling with childish excitement. Her innocence, always made him feel very protective of her.

As they hogged the delicious Choley Bhature, Raj Kachori and Gol Gappe, the conversation drifted from Akash to Khushi and the past few days. She told Akash about Payal's fashion show and he promised to come home, the next day, for dinner. She could not help but think of Arnav, while narrating the events of the previous two weeks, because he had occupied most of her thoughts and time. Akash noticed a blush rising up her cheeks, and he was surprised to actually witness something like this. He was about to ask her what exactly she was thinking of, when her phone rang.

It was an unknown number and Khushi pondered for a few seconds, whether she should take the call, or call back later. She looked at Akash, who urged her to take the call and she pressed the accept button. "Hello, kaun?" two simple words from her, had spread a sense of calm through Arnav's tense mind and body. By lunch time, he could not wait anymore to call her and ask her out. He had been anxious, worried and terrified of her refusal. So he had quickly dialed her number and when it kept ringing at her end for a long time, he had been extremely dejected. His shoulders slumped and he was about the cut to call in frustration, when he heard her 'Hello'.

She was waiting for the person at the other end to speak, and was getting restless to eat the remaining food. That was when she heard him speak, "Hi, it's Arnav, naam toh suna hoga?" She had opened her mouth to eat, and it remained open that way, for a few seconds. She could not believe that he was calling her. And then she smiled... smiled at the memory of their conversation at the party. A thousand thoughts rushed through her confused brain. Nothing registered, except the fact that he was on the line, calling her and how! She heard him clear his throat and speak again, "Hello, Khushi? You there?" The way he had said her name, made her blush. Akash had been observing his friend's face, which had been displaying a multitude of emotions in a matter of moments. He wondered who was calling her, as he had never seen her look so flustered.

Khushi looked at Akash who was scrutinizing her every reaction. She immediately composed herself and spoke, "Hi Arnav, I was just surprised to receive a call from you. How did you get my number?" He breathed a sigh of relief after hearing her voice. A voice that made him crave to hear more. He spoke quickly, "I took it from Anjie... I mean Anjali. Actually... ummm... I called to talk to you about Ashadaan." Her ears perked up and she urged him to go on. "Khushi, maa has given me the responsibility to develop the Ashadaan project and I wanted to discuss a few things with you. So I was thinking, if we could talk through things, over a cup of coffee, today evening."

Arnav held his breath for her response. He did not want to sound desperate, yet, in his head, he was pleading for her to accept his offer. "Ermmm... Arnav.. Actually I am kind of busy in the evening. I have to submit my article today and would be working till late." She heard a dejected sigh from the other end and immediately added, "You can come over to Ashadaan by one o'clock tomorrow. It's my lunch hour and I can show you around the place, so that we can get a few ideas."

Arnav was a little disappointed as he had wanted to spend a little time alone with her. At Ashadaan, she would only want to talk about work. Yet, something was better than nothing - so he replied, "Ok Khushi, I will be..." Before he could finish talking, he was interrupted by Khushi yelling at the other end. "AR!! Stop eating my food... that is my kachori." For a moment Arnav wondered if she was talking to him... those were his initials. Then he heard a male voice in the background, urging her to finish the conversation quickly or 'that man' would finish off all the food. What the...! Khushi was having lunch with some guy? Was she seeing someone? What if she already has a boyfriend? All these crazy thoughts started cramming his brain. He completely failed to hear her talking to him on the other end. "Arnav? Are you there?" Her question cleared his hazy mind a little. He felt an unknown anger surge through him, as he quickly spoke, "Yeah Khushi... I shall be there by one tomorrow. I have to go now. Bye, see you." And before she could even respond to him, she heard the click of the phone at his end.

She looked up at Akash, confused, who asked her through a mouth stuffed with food, "Who is this Arnav, Khush? And why did he affect you so much? Look at your face. Anyways, don't answer me right now. Just finish your food that has already grown cold, then we will talk." Khushi had lost her appetite, though. Arnav Singh Raizada had called her to ask her out for a coffee... not actually asked her out... but he had called her. And she would be meeting him tomorrow. Her stomach grumbled, but not with hunger. It was a weird sensation to actually anticipate her meeting with him. Till now, it had always been accidental. She tried to swallow some food, but could not finish even half of her share. She blabbered non-stop with Akash about all that had happened at Ashadaan, very deliberately leaving out the phone conversation. He too let it go. She would have told him, had it been something very important, he thought. But he could sense her excitement about whoever this Arnav was, that she was to meet the next day.

Arnav was fuming at the thought of Khushi having lunch with some unknown guy. He felt jealous at not being the one to share her time. How he wished, she had accepted his offer for a coffee this evening. How was he to survive the day and the night, thinking about her? He tried to immerse himself in work and he managed to make everyone around him work till late that day. Arnav tried to finish his work for the next day too, so that he could spend a little more time with her.

Khushi on the other hand, submitted her article and drove home on her Dhanno. Her heart was thrilled at the thought of Arnav calling her but her mind was worried at their actual meeting. For the first time in years, she was thinking about what to wear to work. Payal had called her up to tell her that she would be working till late in the night. So Khushi finished her dinner and started cleaning the kitchen. Knowing that no one would hear her, she sang her favourite song, loudly, freely and happily.

Yeh sama, sama hain yeh pyaar ka, kisi ke intazaar ka
Dil na chura le kahin mera, mausam bahar ka

Basane lage aakhon mein, kuchh aise sapne

Basane lage aakhon mein, kuchh aise sapne
Koi bulaye jaise nainon se apane,
Yeh sama, sama hain deedar ka, kisi ke intazaar ka
Dil na chura le kahin mera, mausam bahar ka

As Khushi cleaned the dishes, she could not stop thinking about how Arnav had asked her if she liked the ocean... 'Arnav' meant the ocean. Her cheeks flushed red at the mere thought of his double-meaning question. She wondered if he had really called her only for Ashadaan work, or he just wanted to speak to her. And what had happened, that he had ended the call so abruptly? She finished washing up and headed to the bedroom to get her clothes ready for the next day.

Mil ke khayalo mein hi apane balam se

Mil ke khayalo mein hi apane balam se
Neende gawayee apni maine kasam se
Yeh sama, sama hain khumaar ka, kisi ke intazaar ka
Dil na chura le kahin mera, mausam bahar ka

She looked through her closet to check what she would wear. Nothing seemed to be good enough anymore, and suddenly she felt she was short of pretty clothes. Finally after creating a mess in the room, she managed to decide on a pair of white pants and an aquamarine colored top. She kept humming the song repeatedly, as if it was running on loop in her head. Clearing the mess slowly, she got into bed and sent a silent prayer to her Devi Maiyya.

Main to hoon sapno ke raja ki rani

Main to hoon sapno ke raja ki rani
Sach ho na jaae ye jo thi kahaani
Yeh sama, sama hain iqaraar ka, kisi ke intazaar ka
Dil na chura le kahin mera, mausam bahar ka

She wished really hard for sleep to take over, but it was difficult with images of Arnav flashing in her mind. She twisted and turned in bed uncomfortably, waiting for Payal to come home. Things were no different for Arnav at Shantivan. Sleep eluded him, as he sat by the poolside working on his laptop. He thought of making use of his time, by finishing off some work. Yet, his mind kept thinking about that unknown man, whom Khushi had been having lunch with... some AR! Tomorrow, he wanted to be relaxed and carefree, and wanted to savor every moment spent with Khushi.

The morning dawned on these two over excited people, who had been playing peek-a-boo for the past two weeks at the hands of destiny. Both of them took special care with their appearance, as they set out for a day that would alter the course of their lives forever. As Khushi tried to concentrate on teaching the children, Arnav tried to finish all his urgent meetings and correspondence by lunchtime. Arnav left from work, a little before twelve, as he wanted to be at Ashadaan, before time. He could not wait to see her. As he parked his car at the parking lot of Ashadaan, he pulled off his suit and threw it in the backseat. He hated to be all formal, while meeting Khushi.

Khushi had just finished her class, and was headed to the Director's cabin for some discussion, when she saw Arnav Singh Raizada walk towards her, in his full glory. He was wearing a light grey waistcoat and grey trousers. He seemed to have taken off his coat and she kind of liked this attire. His handsome face, as always, made her heart flutter crazily. And then he smiled, his thousand watt killer smile! Hayye!! She knew she was a goner!

Arnav had seen Khushi come out of a classroom and had started walking towards her. He took in her appearance admiringly. Her white pants and greenish blue top again reminded him of white sands and the ocean. Her angelic face, had a pristine aura around it. He saw her intense gaze on him, admiring him from top to bottom. He could not help but smile at her open admiration. As he walked towards her, she smiled back at him and greeted him, "Hey! Good Afternoon."

After exchanging basic pleasantries, Arnav asked her, "Khushi, where can we sit and talk quietly? There are children all around, and teachers might disturb us, time and again." He was hoping that she would agree to go out with him, but no such thing happened. Instead, she showed him around the various sections of the orphanage and then started walking to a secluded classroom to talk. "No one will disturb us here, Arnav. I have shown you around this place, so we can now discuss everything that you have in mind."

Arnav chuckled internally. Did she really want to discuss what was on his mind? Then they would surely have to discuss her. His mind had started plotting how to take her out, and then a very filmy, yet brilliant idea struck him. He swayed a little, as they walked into the room. Khushi rushed to his side and held him by the arm, "What happened, Arnav? Sit here. I will get some water for you." He felt terrible, pretending like this, but as they say -- all is fair in love and war! He spoke in a low voice, "No Khushi, its fine. It's just that I haven't eaten anything since morning and I am feeling a little weak. Do you mind if we go to a restaurant close-by and discuss things over food?" Khushi stood speechless for a few moments, contemplating if she should go out with him. Looking at his state, she agreed. Thus, Arnav and Khushi set out on their first lunch date, on her Dhanno. Yes, Arnav Singh Raizada sat pillion, as the decade-old Vespa made it's way, through the streets of Delhi!

Chapter 9

Hello guys! I really hope that you enjoyed the update...
Now that the stage is all set after a little peek-a-boo. From next chapter onward, we will get to see a lot of Arhi interactions, fun-filled Sumer-Payal banters and the lots of family moments. Both Arnav and Khushi getting a peek into each other's lifestyles and trying to know each other better... So keep reading!

Thank you so much for all your kind and encouraging comments.

P. S. I Love You... Vandy and Chits!

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