ArHiFF: Tears, Pillow & You! Chp 15 - Pg 82 31/05 - Page 14

Meeting Khushi again, was like a slap in the face for Arnav, both literally and figuratively. He had only dreaded coming to Paris, only because he was afraid of the memories that would be rekindled by his visit. Unknown to him, something entirely different had been planned for him. Not only his past memories were rekindled, he was now standing face to face with the person, who was responsible for them.

The nerve of this girl! He never really understood her. There were times she was as lively and light giving as the sun, other times when she was nothing short of dark clouds ready to burst any moment with thunder and lightening in tow.

The Khushi, he had bumped into today in the "mother of all" of unexpected encounters was the later one. Sure things had ended on good term in between them, but they were never again comfortable with each other. He could sense Khushi's coldness towards him back then. It was to be expected, but not it was as though the coldness hand turned into a full-fledged blizzard. He had save her life and she slapped him. What in the world had he done to deserve that?

Due to his hectic work schedule, he had not been able to get back to Khushi when she tried to keep in touch as they had agreed that they would. Certainly, her anger was to be expected, however not expected, was their encounter.

Arnav did not want to deal with this right now, as a matter of fact he did not know how. He had taken her icy words with a smile, but the slap had pushed him over the edge. "Was she not grateful at all for him having saved her, forget that, for at least seeing him? Last he checked she was madly I love with him. What happened to that? Oh right, I broke her heart," he mentally slapped himself. He should not expect hugs, kisses and garlands. Regardless, the slap was indeed too harsh.

Now, if fate had brought them together again, he figured it would be best to make amends. Atleast he would try. Perhaps that would help ease his guilt a bit. He could only hope for the best.

After making her matter of fact statement, Khushi had not said anything and Arnav was not sure how to respond, so he said the first thing that came to his mind, "Espresso Khushi?."

Most unexpected event yet of the night was Khushi's reaction to Arnav's offer. It was one of those moments, as rightly put in hindi, "Bas sun'ne ki derri thi'" and she burst out into laughter. It was a gregarious laugh, not a sinister one, just genuine laughter.

After a while, when she still hadn't said anything Arnav decided to make an assumption in his own favour, "I'll take that as a yes!" And before Khushi could respond, he held her by her hand and dragged (figuratively, not literally) down the stairs, to where his SUV was parked.

Arnav knew Khusi was an avid lover of coffee. She relished the taste of a good made espresso. He knew just the right place to take her. He and Khushi had been there many times before. He just hoped that it wouldn't bring out a negative reaction in her.

Khushi at this point had given up her fight. She did decided to move on and not let Arnav Raizada affect her in any manner. Now that she was face to face with him, she would prove that to herself. She needed to more than anything for her own sanity's sake! Besides an espresso would be delightful after the tonight's events. She knew she wasn't going to get any sleep, so to hell with that. Espresso it was.

The drive to "Le Select" was a quite a one. A beautiful blonde waitress greeted them at the entrance, "Bonsoir. Bienvenue vers "Le Select". (Good evening, Welcome to "le select")

"Tableau de pour deux s'il vous plait (Table for two please)," the words floated out of Khushi's mouth like music. Arnav stood their watching her in awe. French was beautiful language. The beauty was enhanced, when the speaker was beautiful too.

Unfortunately for Arnav, he had only spent one semester of his studies in Paris, so his French was not all that great. Besides he had taken all his classes in English.

The greeted quickly escorted them to a private booth. Khushi quickly ordered 2 espressos along with a rich carrot cake with cream cheese icing for both. She knew for a fact it was one of Arnav's absolute favourites.

While they waited for their order to arrive, the awkward silence between them was killing Khushi.

Khushi being Khushi, could not say put as she finally broke the silence, "So, what brings you back to Paris?"

Arnav looked out of breath for a minute and sighed, "On business."

"I really didn't want to, but you got to do what you got to do," Arnav bit his tounge was soon as the words rolled out of his mouth. "S***, he hadn't meant to say that, alas it was too late.

"I see. How long are you here for?" Khushi replied completely ignoring his displeasure of being in Paris.

"Just till Saturday, I fly back on Sunday. I finish up my meeting tomorrow, but couldn't get a return flight immediately."

"Hmm" was all Khushi managed to as their order arrived.

The atmosphere was tense once again, as they quietly sipped on their drinks. Both could tell it didn't feel right. They had a never ending list of things to say to each other but both were afraid of how the other would react, leaving silence as the only choice. A choice, that both of them did not quite like.

"Tell me, how have you been?" Arnav asked.

Khushi let out an incredulous laugh upon hearing his question. How in the world was she supposed to answer that?

"How have I been?" she repeated. "Fine. Just fine," she said as if she was convincing herself. "And you?"

"I have been alright."

They both went quite again as they nibbled on their cake. Arnav could passively remember the conversations they used to have. Khushi could never stay put for a minute. To be honest he had enjoyed listening to her, sometimes mindless, talk. The sight of her sitting quietly did not seem right.

"You have changed a lot since I last remember. Itni quite kab se?" he flashed her his most dazzling smile.

Khushi was fazed for a moment before she spoke, " Sach batau Arnav? Or do you want to hear a lie?"

"Sach," he smilled.

"Sach to yeh hai ki' I really don't have anything to say. Kahun bhi to kya? I am not sure what you are expecting."

Arnav could not understand what her meant exactly. She had spoken more then a couple of words and they would do for him.

"Acha, itna acha mazaak karna kab se seekha? I don't quite remember you being so funny."

Khusi let out a whine internally, "WHY IN THE WORLD had she agreed to this again? Right, because she was an idiot, woh bhi aval darje ki, tip top, first class, aka Khusi K Gupta. She wasn't going to let him win this one over her."

"It seems you don't seem to remember a lot of things Arnav," Khushi hit it on the mark. That did shut him up for a while. He wasn't sure how to reply to that one. Of course he remembered, but he'd rather not bring that up, nor did he want to.

In the mean time both had finished their meal. It was time for them to go. Arnav had insisted on dropping Khushi home. He still clearly remembered where she lived. Khushi, on the other hand had clearly refused and was hell bent on taking the Metro. She'd had enough of his gentlemanliness for the night. She couldn't digest anymore of it.

Before they finally parted and said their good byes. Arnav yet again and very unexpectedly, engulfed Khushi in a hug. It was the second in the night. Khushi stood there awkwardly with her harms to her side, extremely surprised and unsure of what to do. What was up with the hugs? She couldnt understand.

"It was really nice seeing you," he breathed in her luscious hair, breathing in a mixture of lavender and citrus.

The final blow of the night for Khushi came as he spoke again, "See me again? Dinner? Tomorrow night? I am here for another day. I don't want to be lonely'," her trailed off. He had already said too much.

Up Next: "Parting Ways"

Tada :D.. How was it? Do let me know. Hit like and your views are like carrot cake with creme-cheese icing for me.

Much love

-R

Chapter 7