AK FF--keepthemoon--preview pg 56 - Page 35

The drive home was a long and silent one. Arnav did not speak to me and I did not speak to him. I had a few questions I had to ask yet I did not utter a word. What was the point? Up till now, despite all that had been, my marriage to a complete stranger, my assumption of his affair with Lavanya, I had always had this hope that somehow Arnav and I would remain together. That my love would find a way to his heart and then that is all there would be, love between us. Yet, his words, of only being with me for a little while, had hit me hard. The truth was he didn't want us together and that was that. He wanted his freedom and thought I wanted mine. I watched the trees pass by and let the tears escape my eyes; I knew well Arnav would not notice them. He was busy keeping his eye on the road. Turning my head I watched at him, and realizing just how much I love him. Words cannot express the feelings I get when I lay my eyes on him. So I won't try and capture my feeling in the bounds of words.

"Why did you marry me?" The words escape my mouth, feeling a little anger towards Arnav, for not understanding my feelings, and being so oblivious.

He turns to look at me a bit astonished and surprised, and instantly I regret the question. He did it to fulfill his grandfather's promise. How can I blame him for that, I would have done the same if I was in his situation. Seeing tears in my eyes his expression changes and fills me with hope once again. I tilt my head a bit and smile, it seems like he is about to tell me it was because he loves me. I wait for the golden words.

"For love!"

"For love?" I repeat instantly, still dreamily gazing into his eyes.

"Yah, if I didn't marry you Anupam would have to."

"WHAT?"

"Let me tell you everything from the start'"

What follows next is the complete and total truth. Anupam and Lavanya had loved each other since childhood. However, when LAvanya's father had died, her mother had blamed Arnav's father for the accident and broken the life long friendship their families shared. Being an adopted son, Anupam had obliged the family's wishes and broken his own ties with Lavanya, despite still loving her. Arnav was Lavanya's only connection to Anupam and therefore she always followed him around, hence starting rumours about a relationship between her and Arnav. Anupam being the older son had to marry me to fulfill the promise. However Arnav knew it would not be right, since Anupam loved Lavanya; therefore Arnav had decided to marry me instead. And this morning I had led Anupam to believe that there was something more than friendship between Arnav and Lavanya because of which he had yelled at her. Arnav loved Anupam and Lavanya a lot, and all he wanted was for them to be together again.

Suddenly I feel sidelined. This does not feel like my story anymore but the story of three people whose lives I have interrupted.

"Oh." I say as Arnav finishes.

"Khushi I have grown up with Anupam and Lavanya, and I know how they belong together. It just breaks my heart to know that they will just throw away their love because our families can't understand."

Okay this is my chance to decide. Will I just be a side character of my own story of will I change things and emerge as the hero, in my case heroine?... Heroine it is.

"We must do something Arnav." I say with a new hope and power.

"I have tried everything Khushi, I have tried talking to Anupam so many times, but when it comes to Lavanya he just won't listen."

"Then we just need a new approach to the entire thing. I mean, Anupam is stuck there at his office for hours. I am sure those old men that he works with definitely remind him of his beautiful days with Lavanya. No offence but that office is kinda really boring and dull. And Lavanya is stuck with you..."

"What do you mean stuck with me, I will have you know a lot of girls would love to be with me."

Trust me Arnav, I know, I am one of them. "You are right; whoever you choose will be one lucky girl." The moment I finish my sentence Arnav brakes and we arrive home. I open the door getting out, when Arnav catches my wrist. My heart skips a beat and before turning I calm myself, remind myself this is just for a moment.

I turn slowly and his eyes meet mine. He smiles at me. "You know who is even luckier than the girl I choose?"

"Who?"

"You are. I mean not just any girl sleeps with Arnav Singh Raizada. Don't forget your bragging about our first night to your friends, and how fit I am."

"Oh my gosh! Arnav!" I have never been so embarrassed, but I can't believe Arnav. Before I can pick up my hand to smack him he is out of the car, and in the house. I don't run after him, because I would hate to be caught by either Maya, Palak or worse my mother in law, the lectures that would follow are just not worth it.

As elegantly as I can I walk up the stairs and open the door to Arnav's room. I know he is there.

"Arnav? I lied to my friend you know. Arnav?" Where is he? I see the door to the balcony open and find him standing there, staring up at the stars and moon. "Arnav! You know you aren't supposed to hear other people's conversation. That was between my friend and me, you should not have listened." I say annoyed. "Arnav, are you listening?" I ask putting my hand on his shoulder. When he turns I nearly faint again. But I don't faint, so instead I start kicking and screaming.

"Khushi! Khushi! It is me, Arnav, this is just a mask."

"I hate you Arnav! That is so mean. You are so mean Arnav, I really hate you." Suddenly I realize how Arnav is just staring at me, smiling. It makes me wonder how I could fall for him, he is so weird. How can he just stare at me like that, he should be down on his knees apologizing for his stupid joke.

"You know who the luckiest person is? Not the girl who I will choose but the guy you will choose." ...Okay, there it is, the reason I fell for him. Why oh, why does he have to be so charming. *sigh* I quickly free myself from his embrace and go back into the room, change and go to sleep.