Chapter 7 : The Closeness

The sound of the gate clicking shut behind them felt strangely familiar. Khushi unlocked the front door, the familiar scent of home greeted her immediately. As she walked inside, she noticed he wasn't following her inside. When she looked over her shoulder, she saw Arnav frozen at the door step.

Arnav stood at the entrance motionless. His eyes were inspecting his surroundings. His gaze drifting across the living room, the staircase, the photo frames adorning the walls. He took them all, like he was seeing something precious or something he had forgotten when he was too preoccupied with his inner conflicts.

"Aren't you coming in?" Khushi asked softly.

Arnav blinked at her call, his thoughts returning back to him from somewhere far away

"Yeah." He stepped inside slowly...almost hesitant and clicked the door shut behind him.

Khushi only then put her bag down and turned once again, only to see Arnav standing awkwardly in the middle of the living room. She stared at him weirdly.

He stared back. "What?"

Khushi folded her arms and said sarcastically. "Home sweet home at last!"

A ghost smile appeared on his face which she almost missed. Almost. Seeing that, a tiny smile graced her face.

"Tea?" His answer came immediately. "Yes."

Khushi froze. "But you don't like it."

"Who said I don't?" He immediately got defensive.

"You complained every time I make tea."

"I complain because you put enough sugar to cause diabetes."

Khushi's jaw dropped. "How dare you!." She gave a glare before huffing her way to the kitchen. Arnav looked at her retreating figure with a twinkle in his eyes.

The moment she entered, memories attacked without warning. This kitchen, the counter and that stupid kettle. How many times had they argued here? Whenever she invited him to her house. Too many to count obviously. A smile tugged at her lips despite herself.

Suddenly Khushi wasn't just standing in the kitchen. She was twenty years old again, arguing with Arnav, getting on his nerves and pretending she wasn't waiting for him to break out and smile. And somehow, despite everything, she still was hoping.

~

A while later she returned carrying two mugs.

Arnav was staring out through the window. And for some reason, that sight made her heart skip a beat and awakened a long suppressed flutter. Home clearly looked good on him.

She cleared her throat softly and handed him the tea. He took a sip and immediately frowned.

Khushi pointed at him triumphantly. "See? There it is."

"What is there?"

"The complaint."

"I haven't even said anything." He looked at her aghast.

"You made a face." She pointed at him.

"I always make this face."

"No...That's your annoyed face." Khushi insisted.

"Khushi."

"Arnav."

"Stop analyzing my facial expressions." Arnav tried to make her understand but Khushi just stuck out her tongue at him before drinking her tea.

Arnav wrapped his hands around the warm mug and for a while neither spoke. Neither seemed willing to disturb the strange peace that had somehow found them. Khushi stole a glance toward him, then immediately looked away. Five entire years and somehow her heart still reacted the same way.

"You are staring again." Arnav's voice broke the silence.

Khushi nearly choked on her tea. "I am not." One eyebrow lifted at her words and Oh God, she hated that eyebrow which she feels like was exposing her vulnerability.

"Your cheeks are red." The words escaped him before either of them could stop them. A sudden silence filled , a dangerous one.

Arnav looked away first. Khushi lowered her eyes toward her mug suddenly very interested in the brown liquid, because neither of them knew what to do with the truth sitting between them.

"Let's get some spare clothes for you" She gulped the remaining tea in one go and stood up, walking upstairs muttering under her breath. "Laad Governor."

Poor Arnav had no idea about his damnable nickname as he finished too and followed her shortly.

~

Arnav stared dumbfounded. "What is all that?"

Khushi frowned. "What does it look like?"

"It looks like you're opening a clothing store."

"Haha very funny." She rolled her eyes, dumping everything on the bed.

Currently, Khushi was standing on a stool, which was already a bad sign. Arnav looked up at her. "What are you looking for? Are these shirts not enough"

"The extra blankets are on the top shelf."

A pause.

"Get down." He immediately said.

"Don't worry, I can reach." Her stubbornness only made him sigh and he began pinching his nose bridge.

In her too eager determination to prove him wrong, she stretched her hand trying to reach the blanket very deep inside the shelf. In all this, the stool wobbled while creaking slightly and both of them froze as the stool tumbled backwards.

For one horrifying second she thought she was falling. Khushi gasped as she squeezed her eyes shut, bracing herself for the ugly landing straight on the floor.

But then Arnav was already moving, and instead of feeling the cold floor, strong hands caught her waist before she could lose her balance completely.

Arnav was holding her firmly and Khushi's breath hitched. He seemed to realize their position at the exact same moment. She was still half-standing on the stool, his hands were still on her waist and their faces were far closer than either of them was prepared for. Neither moved and neither spoke for a while. The room suddenly felt very quiet.

Rabba ve...Rabba ve...

Rabba ve, Rabba ve...

Kyun khwaboon pe tere saaye hain?

Dil kyun hai tanha mera?

Kyun khaamoshi hai zuban meri

Ashkon se keh paoon na

Their eyes searched for each other quietly, before he gently brought her down, still holding onto her.

"Got you." He murmured finally, his voice slightly hoarse.

Khushi averted her gaze slowly, her heart drumming violently against her chest due to staring straight into his deep eyes. "Mm...thanks."

But she got a heart attack again when his hand lifted almost instinctively, brushing a strand of hair away from her face reverently. She stared at him long, her lips parting slightly and subconsciously.

It didn't go unnoticed by him.

His eyes travelled down to her slightly parted lips making her freeze. Their breaths mingled as he leaned towards her, as if acting onto something he could have controlled until this very moment.

She looked at his approaching face, her palms planted flat on the wall as she closed her eyes waiting for something which she didn't dare to wish for out loud.

Kyun dard hai itna

Tere ishq mein?

Rabba ve...Rabba ve...

Rabba ve, Rabba ve...

Arnav paused for a tiny bit, his eyes taking over her face which was radiating both nervousness and anticipation. He let out a tiny smile before leaning completely now.

Her eyes snapped open as she felt his lips on her forehead. Immediately a wave of disappointment washed over her.

Arnav observed her deflated look with quite an interest. "What's with that look?" His hand brushed over her cheekbones gently. Khushi quickly caught upon his teasing tone and immediately got flustered. "W-what are you talking about?"

"C'mon I know you are disappointed...you were expecting something else hmm?" His eyes twinkled with slight mischief while his hand firmly but gently gripped her chin to make her look at him with those eyes which were clearly avoiding looking into his.

Her obvious flustered glare only fueled him more. He kissed her forehead again before stepping back slightly as if nothing had happened, as if his heart wasn't racing just as fast as hers.

Khushi then literally flew away from him and jumped on the bed, before hiding her face under the blanket, clearly embarrassed. Arnav hid a smile before grabbing the clothes she took out and went to the bathroom to change.

~

When he finally stepped back into the bedroom, his gaze lingered on her sleeping form and his expression softened. The tension that rarely left him eased, if only slightly.

For the first time in years, Arnav felt something he had almost forgotten exist.

Peace.

And for one fragile night, despite everything waiting beyond those walls, Arnav allowed himself to believe that maybe he didn't have to fight every battle alone anymore.

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A special chapter for the special show for completing 15 years a new update with keeping our beloved Arnav and Khushi in mind. Enjoyyy and do comment your thoughts