Part 2
arnav knew that he once had to try to see what was in khushis heart. He decided that he wouldnt just go and tell her. Or ask her. He would see how she reacted to him, his changed jesture towards her. Is she appreciative or is she repelled. He was hoping for the best. Tom at school. Yes that is what I will do. I will talk to her at school. He was never around her. Always studying or with his best friend aman. He would look at her from far. But never to near.
Khushi was busy doing her assignements when the phone rang. It was a call from india. Her granmother had just passed away. Khushi was her grandmothers angel, her favourite. Her life. Khushi didnt cry because her parents were devestated. They felt all alone here, but only remembered their dear friends mm and prakash. They called mm and prakash over. The girls had school and couldnt travel all of a sudden. Shashi and garima managed to get a few days off of work so they could attend the burial rituals. Mm had told them that she would take the girls over to her place. Khushi packed some of her and her sisters clothes and all of their necessities. Mm was amazed to see how well composed khushi manged to keep her self and was handling everything, her mohter, her home, her sister, their packing. Khushi also managed to pack her parents suitcase. She was in high school, but was more mature and responsible for her age. Khushi always shouldered the responsibility of her family. She wasnt their daughter, she always believed to be their son.
Prakash dropped off shashi and garima to the airport and told them not to worry. Payal fell asleep in the car as it was late at night. Khushi silently looked out of the window. She didnt usher a word. M tried to talk to her, to make her feel a bit less heart broken, but khushi only managed to give half smiles. And continued staring at the stars. All she could think about was which star was her grandmother.
Mm had called arnav who was waiting up for them at home. She told him what had happened and to set up two more beds in anjali's room. The girls will be staying there in her room. Arnav quickely got up and did as his mother had asked him to. But all he could think about was khushi. He knew how much her grandmother meant to her. Eveyone knew. Khushi was very attached with her relations. Any relation she had, she loved to the ends. And her grandmother, khushi was her heartbeat.
The bell rang. And prakash was holding a sleeping payal in his arms. Mm went up stairs to make sure eyerthing was set for the girls. Arnav was stadning behind the door when he say khushi bringing the suitcase in. he immediately went over and tried to get the suitcase from her. As he put his hand around the handle, his hand softly brushed against her soft skin. Khushi immediately let go of the suitcase. If fell on the ground. She looked up at arnav and nodded his head and gave her a soft smile. She looked down. Unable to give a smile back. She quietly walked infront and went upstairs. She saw mm fixing the sheets on the bed and immediately went over to finish the work. Mm smiled and put her hand on khushis head.
Mm: soo gao, raat kafi hogae hai. You should get your rest. You have to go to school as well tom. Right. She smiled and walked away.
Khushi: gee aunty. She tucked in payal. And tried to sleep as well. But she couldnt. She got out of bed to get a glass of water. She went downstairs, and saw the stars shining in through the window outside. She went and stood infront of the poolside window and looked out. She silently stared at the stars. Not blinking, not thinking. She just stared. It must have been around 2 in the morning. But she didnt realize the time. Time was standing still for her. She felt someone walk in from behind her. She saw an arm raise from her side and point at the largest shining star in the sky.
I bet she is that one. Shining upon you. Giving you light.
Khushi turned her head around and saw arnav standing there. His brown eyes showed compassion. A tear finally made its way down. She turned her head and looked outside again. She didnt know why, but his words made her feel better. He reassured her that her grandmother was happy and shining bright. Just for her. She turned her head back to look at him, and gave a small smile. She bowed her head down and went upstairs. It was not right to be seen with a boy in the middle of the night alone. As she was slowly passing him. She wiped her tear and quietly whispered 'thank you' . And left. She was finally able to sleep. This was their first time that he mended her broken heart. It was as if he knew what she needed. And he was there for her.
The next morning, khushi handled all of the chores required for payal and her self. Making sure that they never left anything messy or undone. She also helped out mm aunty with eveyrones breakfest. And lunches. And quickely made her way to school with arnav and akash. Arnav was standing a bit farther in the bus with akash while the girls were sitting sperately. Arnav wanted to know if khushi was ok. But wasnt able to go and ask her. He didnt have the guts, but his same gut was eating him up from inside to ask if she was ok. He kept his eyes on her. She looked up sensing that he wanted to talk to her. She looked up. And saw a question on his face. His eyesbrows were bent, eyes looked a bit worried. He slowly moved his lips to ask " u ok?" from across the bus, she could understand what he said. And nodded her head with a small smile. He felt relieved. A sense of life was broght back into him seeing her smile. Akash noticed his brother feeling a bit better. But didnt pay much heed into it. He asked arnav, why did khushi and payal spent he night at their place. Did their parents throw them out for being to desi. He laughed. At his own jokes. Arnav was not amused. Akash took a gulp and asked him seriusly. Arnav told akash about their grandmother and that khushi and payal will be staying over at their place for a few days. Akash was thrilled but didnt show it. He got a chance to be with khushi. He developed this huge crush on her while they always faught. The bus stopped and they all got off. Akash stopped at the bottom of the door and told arnav that he would meet up afterwards. As payal and anjali first got out and later followed by khushi.
Akash: hey desi girl. I know why you are staying at my house.
Khushi turned towards him with a raised eyebrow. Expecting nothing nice to come out of his mouth. She folded her arms infront of her, and stared at him.
Akash: I can understand why aunty and uncle did what they did. But payal... I mean. Shes a good kid. You I can understand.
Khushi did not know what he was talking about.
Akash: kya. Like you dont know. Come one desi girl. They couldnt stand the smell of the oil you put on at night. The typical typical indian things you always do. They just left you and went back.
Khushi was fuming with anger. She raised her index finger
khushi: listen you stupid angraiz... dont bug me today. Devi mayya ki kasam chorongi nahin.
Akash: finally, the normal desi girl. I hated you being soo quite and gloomy. Keep fighting, kill me if you want. Hehe. But dont be that dead gloomy kind. Achi nahin lag thi yaar.
Khushi let out a small laugh. She understood that that stupid angraiz was just trying to make her feel better in his own weird way.
Akash: see, smiling is good. Shayad koi bewakoof phas gae. He winked at her and left. Feeling a sense of accomplishment of making her laugh. Khushi just rolled her eyes and went to class. Anajli saw this from far and mistakened that maybe they BOTH like each other. She cornered akash in the hallway.
Anjali: hey k bhai. Wait up. Listen, I needed to ask you something. Its kinda personal. About a boy.
Akash opened his eyes.: who do I have to beat up. Tell me his name. And hes dead. Just tell me his name. That son of a gun. I will shot him with one. Bol. Jaldi bol.
Anajli just laughed.
Its about you air head. Hehe. I needed to ask you something. There is this friend of mine, and I think she likes you. A lot. I was thinking maybe. You also like her.
Akahs: me and like a girl. Yeah right.
Anajli: just covered her mouth trying not to laugh. Its khushi!
Akashes eyes widened. He got this huge smile on his face.
Anajli: I knew it. I knew it. I knew it. Yes yes yes yes yes. You like her. HA HA HA. I am soo going to blackmail you with this. You know I can help you guys get together if you want. She said with this huge huge smile on her face.
Akahs: I dont know what you are talking about.
Anjali: fine, waisay bi. This other guy was asking her out, and she said no. she likes someone else. (anjali was making this up, just to provoke him)
akahs: what. Which Bas**** is he. I will break his legs.
Anajli: caught you again. There is no one. Just nod once and I will talk to khushi. See if she also likes you. It would be cool if you two were a couple. I mean my brother and my best friend. Soo much fun.
Akash knew he wouldnt get a better chance than this. Fine he said. And ran away.
Anajli clapped her hands together and knew that she had to get them together. Poor anjali didnt know that her elder brother, the quiet one, felt strongly for her best friend as well. And slowly khushi was also starting to like him, but akash was the one who displayed his emotions. Soon, a triangle was about to be set up.
When all of the kids went home. Mm was preparing hot dogs for everyone to eat. Khushi went their to help her out. She set up everyones plate but noticed one less plate. She asked mm, and mm told her that aranv doesnt like to eat hotdogs. He just hates it. She will make something for him afterwards. Khushi helped her the youngsters and akash. Arnav as usual was in his room studying and refused to come out.
As mm went to the kitchen to prepare something for arnav, a phone call came and mm before busy with that. Khushi noticed this and quietly went to the kitchen and prepared a veggie sandwhich for arnav. She knew he wouldnt come downstairs so she set it up on a tray and poured a glass of juice as well. She took the tray upstairs and knocked on his door. He told them that it was open.
He was busy typing on his computer. So didnt notice who it was. She placed the tray on his side table and left. Closing the door behind her. Arnav was famished with hunger. His stomach was about to growl. He turned his head around and noticed the food. He took a bite out of the sandwhich and knew his mother didnt make it. It wasnt her style. He never liked veggie sandwiches bu this one tasted very good. It was refreshing for him.
He took the tray downstairs to the kitchen. And thanked his mom for the sandwich.
Arnav: mom, the sandwich was very very good. You should make those more often.
Mm: sandwich. What sandwich. I didnt make any sandwich. Zaroor khushi nay banaya hoga. She wsa the only one who also knew that you didnt eat. I was probably busy on the phone, and she prepared it for you. Sweet girl. Meri fav ban chuki hai voh ab. She smiled and went off to clean up the rest of the kitchen.
Arnav was in shock. And pleased. That khushi made something only for him. But why. He didnt care why. He was just happy. A huge smile formed on his face. He wasnt able to hide it. Placed his hands in his pockets and slowly walked up the stairs. The smile just wasnt going away. He left his door open to see if khushi might walk by so he could thank her. He wasnt able to concentrate. He closed his book and just sat on his chair. Hands behind his head. And a smile on his face. Looking up at the ceiling. Taking deep refreshing breathes each time.
Khushi was sitting with payal and anjali. Helping them do their homework as well as complete hers. Akash sat beside anajli. And poked her with his elbow. What did she say???
anjali whispered that she didnt get a chance to tlak to her. Payal was with them.
Akahs: payal lets go and play outside. Take a break. Otherwise you will become like this desi over here. Pointing at khushi.
Khushi just raised her eyebrow. Payal looked at khushi and she nodded her head in approval.
Khushi: but behave. Not fighting ok payal. She smiled and payal went off.
Anjali: so khushi... can I ask you a question.
Khushi: hmm pocho.
Anjali: ok.. umm... I have a feeling that someone likes you.
Khushi didnt like where this was going. Hoga koi. Lets finish our work pleas.
Anjali: its my brother.
Khushi dropped the pencil. And gulped. Did she hear anjali right. That arnav gi liked her. She looked down and tried to control the temperature of her body but couldnt. Her cheeks started to turn red. She tried to hide them but anjali saw.
Anjali: I knew it. I knew it. You also like him. I am going to go and tell him right now. He wanted to know how you felt before he could ask you out. Omg. This is going to be soo cool. My brother and my best friend.
Khushi just smiled. And was in disbelief. Arnav wouldnt tell anyone. But maybe he did. If he liked her that much. Then he must have.
Anajli: I know how thrilled he will be.. man akash owes me one big time.
As soon as khushi heard akashs voice she looked up. Unable to say anything. She wanted to stop anajli but didnt know how. She just ran off to akash to tell him. Akash jumped with happiness. And started to yell.
Mm was too busy. And thought that the kids were just having too much fun and ignored them. Aranv ran out of the room. And went downstairs to stand beside khushi. She was the only sane one there at the moment. All of the other people were jumping for joy.
Arnav: stepped closer to khushi. And asked: what happened. I have never seen my brother soo happy. And jumping like this. Is everything ok. Do I need to call a doctor?
Khushi just stood still. Not responding. He sensed something was up with khushi. Maybe she just missed her parents, and grandmother.
Arnav turned around to go upstairs, but stopped. Looked down but turned his head a bit towards khushi.
Arnav: thanks for the lunch... Desi girl. He thought that if he called her that just like akash she would also become a little less reserved around him. He gave a smirk.
Khushi didnt know whether to be happy with the flirty smirk that arnav gave or cry for calling her desi girl, it reminded her of akash and what just happened.
She abruptly turned her face away and ran up the stairs.\
aranv was confused. Did she not like him. Why would she make him lunch. He knew they shared a special connection, but why did she just do this. He heard akashs yelling again and again. And looked at them. Akash ran over to aranv and took him upstairs to arnavs room.
Aksh: bhai. Bhai you wont believe what just happened. The girl I really really really like, likes me too. I am going to ask her out. And we will be dating, and we will be a couple. I am damn excited bro. Damn exicted. I cant tell you. He hugged arnav in excitement.
Arnav had a huge smile on his face. Who is she... you wanna tell me her name or is she a ghost. Hehe.
Akash: its my own … desi girl. And hugged arnav again.
Aranv felt his heart drop and shatter into a million pieces. Akash looked at him, and asked if he is excited for him.
Arnav: forced a smile on his face. Yeah man. Defiently. You two like each other. So yeah. But I thought you guys always faught so didnt like each other.
Akahs: behind all of that fighting, was our actual feelings. You have to help me ask her out. You knw her and the types of things she likes and doesnt like. You have to tell me eveything to do. You have to help me. You have to. I am counting on you bhai.
Arnav nodded his head. He had his fake smile on, but was in disbelief. They way khushi left. And was looking at them when they were all happy. Even when she faught with akahs. It didnt make sense. But if akahs liked her, they he would do anything for his brother. Anything.
Akahs left and arnav crashed on his sofa. Closed his eyes and leaned his head back on the rest. Folded his arms on his lap. Tears began running down from the side of his eyes. He needed to cry, let it all out. For his tears meant happiness for everyone around him. Akash, anjali, and ….khushi. Khushi... how was he going to forget her. How.
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