SS: Breathless (Updated Part 11 & 12, 11/20) - Page 10

With each passing day and Arnav's conscious efforts, they were getting comfortable around each other. The weird awkwardness was plummeting but it was also becoming difficult to hide their feelings.

Despite all this Khushi was not able to get over what happened last time. Sitting in study , eyes closed she was lost in her thoughts, remembering what happened last time- 5 yrs back…

"Khushi and her family reached London. She could not believe that Arnav was being this helpful despite knowing about Shyam. He was not the type who forgives then what happened. Why did he not take revenge from her? Did he really believe that Khushi is innocent and it was all Shyam's fault? After lot of contemplation she called Arnav.

Arnav: This is Arnav Singh Raizada.

Khushi: This is me, Khushi.

Arnav: Why the hell did you call me? I sent you to London so that I don't have to see you or talk to you.

Khushi: I called to thank you for all that you did..

Arnav: (stopping her mid sentence) Don't thank me. I did not do this as a favor or anything. You were behind Shyam because you wanted money. All you want from any man is money and…(grit his teeth) you are no less than a wh**e… all you want is money and materialistic pleasures. I will give you that so that you don't break another Anjali's home. I will give you all the money you need just stay away from married men…

Khushi: (with tears in her eyes and shattered hearing his words) Mr.Arnav Singh Raizada STOP! Today you crossed all your limits. wh**e! How can you and I didn't know he was married?

Arnav: What do you expect me to say to a girl like you who… even if you didn't know Shyam was married how did you guys let a man stay with you knowing that two young girls lived in the same house. Was your buaji pimping you?

Khushi: STOP!!!!! Why did I not die before…. (with a deep sigh and tears) I will pay back all the money that you spent to send us here and mark my words one day I will become as rich and powerful as you and without anybody's help. I don't need a damn man… all you men are same…..callous

Tears rolling down her eyes, there have not been a single day when she did not remember this. How could she fall for a man like him? Reminding herself of who Arnav Singh Raizada is she softly said, "He is not capable of loving. Khushi don't fall in the same trap again, don't believe those innocent eyes because they deceive. HE IS JUST A BUISNESS PARTNER AND YOU DON'T NEED A MAN." She joined everyone for dinner where they again reminded her that Anjali has arranged for a picnic between the two families and she must come. Despite Khushi's refusals her mother insisted because Anjali especially planned this picnic around her schedule.

Anjali sitting with Arnav requested him to talk to Khushi about his feelings.

Arnav: Di Khushi is wounded and hurt. Scars are too deep and I don't want to lose whatever friendship we have. (Sighed)

Anjali: How long Chote? I know you have hurt her really bad. I know everything that you told her last time.

Arnav: (with a confused look) Who told you?

Anjali: Lavanyaji. After we realized your feelings for Khushiji I called her hoping she can help to get you two back together. It was then that she told me what happened. It took a long time to convince her to tell me where Khushiji was. I know you Chote. In anger you cross your limits and last time you crossed all boundaries. I was very disappointed with you…I know you love me a lot but you still did not have the right to treat Khushiji like that. After hearing all this I also decided that it was better that you two estranged but with time I recognized how much you missed her and loved her. I know that you have not slept in the last 5yrs, every night you wake up calling her name….you have not attended any function because everything reminds you of her.

Arnav: (with a fake smile) So you know what kind of beast I am. I am not worthy of her love and she may never forgive me after …

Anjali: (with a smile) you will be surprised to know how tolerant women are especially towards the one they love…she will forgive you when she will see what I have seen in the last five years. I have seen you punish yourself everyday for what you said. I have seen you crying in repentance. I cannot see you like this anymore. You deserve happiness just like all of us and your happiness is Khushiji.

Arnav: (with tears in his eyes) Do you think she will forgive me?

Anjali nodded her head and kissed him on his forehead.

Anjali: Go get some sleep. Tomorrow we are going for picnic with Khushiji's family. Her family and we have planned that we will send you two in one car and the drive is really long and beautiful.

Arnav: (with a surprised look) Her family?

Anjali: (with a smirk and raised eyebrow) What, you think that you two are the only smart people? Just like all these years you thought you were successful in hiding your pain from the rest of us, Khushiji also thinks the same. What you both forgot is that we know you better than you know yourself. After lot of insistence Lavanyaji told her mom and Payal about you two. It took me and Nani lot of persistence to finally convince her family that you are not bad and that you really love her. They should atleast give you a chance. So, don't blow this chance because this is your last chance.

Arnav hugged Anjali and thanked her. He was not going to blow this chance.

Next morning as planned everyone left early and Payal called Khushi to inform that in rush they forgot to wake her up. She must come with Arnav. Khushi insisted that she will drive her car but her mother yelled saying that it is a long drive and she will not allow her to drive alone. She suggested that she will not come but Payal started crying and after lot of drama Khushi finally agreed to come with Arnav.

Anjali had instructed him to wear jeans; with blue v-neck t-shirt and she left what she wanted him to wear on his bed. He dressed as he was instructed by his Di. He looked charismatic and attractive. Khushi came out and she looked gorgeous in a pink Patialavi salwar kameez. It was a tight fit salwaar with v-cut neck in front and deep square cut back. She had her hair open. She carried a box and flask with her.

He started driving and in pretence of checking traffic he was stealing glances and admiring how pretty she looked. She could not help but admire how striking he looked.

Arnav: What is in that box and flask?

Khushi: Garam pakora and ginger tea(with a big grin on her face).

Right after she said this they both thought of the Nanital trip where… Khushi checking her thought said,

Khushi: Do you want tea or pakora?

Arnav: Why not? Did you make these?

Khushi: Yes. (Pouting) Everyone left early so I thought I will make some pakora and tea for …what will we do for the next 4hrs? I thought we will sing and have fun (with a sad face) but what will I do now?

Arnav: Are you telling me I am that bad a company? Come on, you need to give me a chance before judging me.

Khushi: (with a frowned face) I didn't mean that but you only yell or scold and (eyes widening) if something goes wrong you will take all your frustration

Arnav: (Interrupting her, with a smile) So you suggest what we should do so that you don't get bored.

Khushi: Do you have any hindi songs?

Arnav: Songs? Check dashboard, Di might have kept some CD's.

Khushi: (with a big smile) YES! You have hindi songs. Let's play..

"Teri mer, meri teri prem kahani hai mushkil, do lafzon main yeh bayaan na ho paye. Ik ladka aur ek lakdi ki HAI yeh kahani nayi… do lafzon mein yeh bayaan na ho paye..ik dooje se huye judaa jab ik dooje ke liye bane…

Khushi moved her left hand to skip this song and Arnav held her hand and said, "Please…". His touch send thrilling sensation down her spine. She started breathing profoundly and quickly checking her breathing pace she tried to act normal.

tum se dil jo lagaya toh jahan maine paya. Kabhi socha na tha yeh milon door hoga saaya. Kyun khuda tune mujhe aisa khaab dikhaya jab haqiqat mein use todhna tha…

Khushi trying to hide her emotions looked outside. Whenever she heard this song it reminded her of him and listening this with him filled her heart with pain.

Har ehsaas mein tu hai, har ik yaad mein tera afsaana..saara din bit jaya, saari rat jagaye bus khayal tumhara. Lamha lamha tadpaye, yeh tadap keh rahi hai mit jaye faasle yeh tere mere darmiyaan joh hai saare.

Arnav stared at Khushi hoping she could read his eyes. Nothing could describe his feelings better than these lines but she never looked at him.

.Ik dooje se huye judaa jab ik dooje ke liye bane. Teri meri, meri teri. Baaton ka har lamha sabje anjaana "

She closed her eyes to conceal the love that she had for him. Her eyes might deceive her and show him what she has buried within herself. She was so glad that the song was over.

Kisi ko sapna lagey tu, kisi ko behti hawaa. Kisi ko bas baaton mein, kare pal mein yahaan wahaan. Kisi ke sau jhoot sun le, kisi ka sacch bhi gunaah

Arnav smirked realizing his Di must have put together this collection. Khushi cursed herself and murmured, "Kya zaroorat thi hume gaana sunna hai bolne ki?"

Kisi ka bas yaadon mein, kare hulchul saara jahaan. Te amo me te amo. Tu chhaanv hai, tu dhoop hai.Te amo me te amo. Tere hazaron roop hai. Koi samjha nahin, jo bhi hai bas khoob hai. Falling so crazy in love

Arnav looked at Khushi and was humming these lines. Khushi had turned crimson and not knowing what to do she started eating pakaroa's. Arnav smiled thinking, "Finally I have her flustered enough to start eating. She is not thinking. This is the time to talk to her…"

Kabhi lagey raaton mein main khwaabon se baatien karoon subah unhi Khwaabon ko main kaabu karoon. Kabhi lagey taaron se bhi, unche udaane bharoon, Kabhi lagey baadalon se jaibein bharoon

Arnav was humming with music and Khushi kept on stuffing herself with pakoras

Taare chunu tere liye, Khwaab saare bunu tere hi tere liye, falling so crazy in love

Arnav: (with a devilish smile and naughty tenor) How long will you hide it, more importantly how long can you hide it?

She skipped a beat hearing him..

Arnav: (to neutralize his intense words) I am talking about pakora. Shouldn't you offer me some?

Khushi(frowned) realizing her mistake. She extended her hand to offer him some pakoras and he purposely brushed his hand with hers before picking up one pakora. She gulped, his touch send electrifying sensation thru her veins ….

Kabhi lagey mili nahin, tumse main khwaabon mein bhi, Kabhi lagey kahin toh hai ristha koi, Kabhi lagey chhu tumhe, yunhi khayalon mein hi, Kabhi lagey nahin nahin chori nahin

Arnav realized that he was acting like a teenager who is smitten by his first love. So what if he was not a teenager, she is his first and last love and it was not worth hiding anymore.

Khushi finally turned off the stereo.

Arnav: (Innocently) What happened? Now you will say I am boring and you don't want to listen to songs. So, Khushi what should we do. It's a long ride.

Khushi with a frowned expression, "I don't know. I don't want to listen to these songs. Since when did you start listening to romantic numbers, anyways?"

Arnav laughed at her comment and replied, "Thanks for complementing me that I am an unromantic. But how do you know that I am not a romantic?"

Khushi: (getting agitated) "I did not say you are an unromantic and why would I care if you are … or not. I never thought you liked these kinds of songs."

Arnav: (looking into her eyes intensely) "I didn't until I fell in love. Huhhh"

Khushi was left flabbergasted and she didn't want to extend this conversation any further. She thought to herself, "He is again playing with my heart just the way he did that Diwali night". She looked outside trying to hide all emotions.

Arnav saw her eyes again filling with pain. He tightened his grip on steering wheel cursing himself for breaking her heart so ruthlessly last time that even the thought of love scares her now.