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part 4
arnav slowly paced back and forth in his room. he agreed to talk to khushi. but how. he knew what was bothering her. but, he never spoke to her. they just exchanged smiles. understanding each others silence is what made them connect. how was he to break that silence? how?
the next morning all of the kids went to school. akash tried to walk up to khushi, but arnav, for the first time stopped him. he saw khushi reaction to akash trying to come close. akash knew his brother well enough to know that arnav was stopping him for a reason. never questioned him, just obeyed his elder brother.
akash: kya hai bhai. baat agay kaisay bharay gi. you said that you would help. fine, i wont go right now. but you have to help me afterwards ok.
arnav: akash, listen, just wait. i need to talk to her about something first.
akash: you.. and khushi... whats up bhai. tell me, i ll talk to her.
arnav: no akash. i'll manage. dont worry. just stay a bit bit away from her right now. ok. he gave a small smile of reassurance.
akash nodded his head and moved away.
all of the kids went into their classes. when khushi had her break, off period, she usually went to the library. she had this secret cornor where she always studied. none of her friends knew about it. it was her time, and no one bothered her at that time. no one ever knew where she use to go. she would just quietly go to that secret hiding spot of hers. but she did not know, that arnav, knew where she use to be. he would see her from a far. but never approach her. he respected her place, her spot.
he needed to talk to her, alone. he didnt want anyone to know. once the bell rang for her free period to begin. she walked over and opened her bag. she had forgotten her wallet in class.
khushi: hey devi maiyya. mera dimag kahan hai aj kal. jaldi say lay ati hoon. sab yaheen par chor day thi hoon. kitabain hi tho hain.
arnav had a class, but he for the first time,, bunked it. he saw khushi leaving, but her stuff was still there.
arnav got out a paper and pen and wrote a note. quickely put it on her desk before she got back. and dissappeared.
khushi returned to find a note on top of her books. she looked around but saw no one. she sat on her chair. put her wallet into her bag and opened the paper.
"khushi, i need to talk to you. if it is ok with you, meet me by the pool after dinner. please. arnav"
khushi gulped. she was shocked. arnav, wrote her a note. arnav. the serious guy, who was always studying. never spoke much to her. wanted to talk to her. but she had this feeling inside that she could trust him. he understood her unspoken words. he was there for her the night that her grandmother passed away. he knew what she needed to her. once is all that he asked. only once he needed to talk to her. it was probably about something important. akash. how was she to speak to arnav about akash. could she explain the situation. maybe he could handle it. he could help her out of it. but why would he help her. he loved his brother the most. and she was related or anything. his brother and his brother's happiness always meant everything to him. she couldnt say anything. she tried to reassure her self taht no, maybe it is about something else. maybe their stay was becoming a bit of a burden or something.
the day ended, dinner was eaten by everyone. khushi helped mm clean up the table and dishes. mm told khushi she should go and rest. it had been a long day. and there was school tom as well. khushi nodded and excused her self. wishing mm good night.
khushi went into her room and made sure that payal and anjali had both fallen asleep. she got up from her bed and walked to the poolside. as she stepped down the staircase, the tinkling sound from her payals echoed the room. arnav had placed his head back on the chair outside. and closed his eyes. as he heard her, a tear escaped his eye. he wiped it and sat up straight. he would need all of the courage her could get to speak to her. but he needed to. for her sake, his mothers sake, and ofcourse, his own sake as well. he could not bear to see her in stressed. it killed him from inside.
khushi looked down. fidgetting with her duppatta in her hands. she looked here and there, but tried to keep her eyes lowered. she was scared. petrified to say the least. arnav tilted his head and asked her to come and sit on the chair infront of his.
khushi obliged to his request and sat down. looking at the ground. she was nervous. he sensed it. he needed to make her more comfortable before he could talk to her about what was bothering her.
arnav: khushi.. thanks for coming. she smiled. nervous himself. but not as much as khushi.
do you know why i have called you here?
khushi slowly shook her head. 'no' she whispered. her voice was still trembling.
arnav.: nothing that important. he smiled and gave a big breath out while smiling to make her see that he was at ease and that she should be as well. she started to be a little less tensed hearing his tone.
arnav: nothing bad dont worry. just wanted to make sure that you were feeling comfortable staying here. bas. is your room ok. the bed for you and payal. kisi cheez ki kami tho nahi?
she just shook her head. still looking down.
arnav: i saw you and anjali enjoying yourselves in the rain yesterday. just for a second i swear. it was as i walked by back into the house. you seemed to be having fun. mausam hi aisa tha na. right?
khushi started to fix her duppatta once she heard taht he saw her. but they brought her hands back down into her lap.
arnav: the teachers ar school were telling me that you are doing very well. one of the top students in school. after me of course. he was trying to crack a joke. bad attempt, but at least he tried.
she gave a small smile. arnav thought. chalo, at least a see a small smile.
arnav: you know what. remember the first time that we met. you and your pig tails. hiding behind your teddy bear.
khsuhi smiled even more. remembering her bachpan. and the first time taht she met him. he saved her that day as well from akash. maybe, he would do the same again. but she didnt say anything. there was an awkward moment of silence. arnav was running out of topics to talk about. seeing no response from her. she quietly said "i still have it". making him feel a bit better. if he had the courage to call her alone and talk to her, then she should help him out as well. she knew that he wanted to talk about something important. what exactly she didnt know. but he was trying to reach out to her.
aranv just laughed. quietly of course. it was late at night. he didnt want anyone to wake up.
they spoke about past events. school, anjali and payals little kiddish harkatain. both trying to connect with each other. their pasts were together, they knew everything, but it made both of them connect with each other, not just their past. time flew. must have been half and hour or so, when they both took a little moment of silence between them. she actually started to look up from time to time. she was slowly becoming comfortable with him.
aranv cleared his throat, and put his hands together in his lap. looking down.
arnav: khushi, i needed to ask you something. and you have to answer it.
khushi thought here it comes. she was dreading this moment. but she knew it would come.
khushi: gee... poochiye. she looked back down. he was commanding her to answer it. he was assertive. for the first time. he sounded just like a laad governer. but she stayed quiet.
arnav: khushi... what is bothering you? you can trust me. i hope you do know that. please tell me... ma and everyone is worried.
khushi: kuch nahin. i am fine. still keeping her gaze lowered. not being able to meet his eyes.
arnav: umm... khushi.. i know that akash likes you... i needed to know. becuase i saw you that day. you were hiding something. you seemed worried. do you...
he stopped for a minute.
khushi looked up. her eyes seemed blank. worried. they kept on looking into each others eyes. saying words that they tongues were unable to say. their eyes spoke, heart heard. and their presence gave each other a reassurance that everything would be ok, i am with you.
arnav: please tell me.. do you... he took a deep breath and asked... do you also like him.
he could see a tear forming in her eyes. she broke their eye contact and looked down.
she didnt say anything. he knew now. that she didnt. she wouldnt tear. she would remain quiet. her eyes told him everything. but she mouth was sealed. she was helpless. he knew that. he didnt take any advantage of it. just sighed. a sigh of relief. but a slight pain was felt. his brothers heart was going to be broken. how would he handle him. or tell him.
khushi whispered: aranv ji... its getting late. we also have class tom. she got up and started to walk back.
she stopped. and looked back at him. she wanted to tell him. please help. but she couldnt. something was stopping her. she looked back at him. his gaze was fixed on her. her everystep. her every movement.
arnav: khushi.. i will ask him to stay away if you want.
khushi looked down. with a small smile she looked back up at him. and thanked him with her eyes. those eyes spoke the unspoken words of trust and faith.
both went to sleep in their rooms.
then next day arnav asked akash to come to his room before going to school. he asked akash to leave khushi alone these days, she was still a bit devastated becuase of her grandmothers death. she needed space. and if he cared, he would give it to her. akash protested, but later agreed.
at school khushi noticed akashs changed behaviour. her eyes now searched for arnav. her hands still held the same letter that he had left for her yesterday. she placed it in her wallet as a momentum. she would never let go of it. it was their first thing that represented the bond that they shared. their first letter he ever wrote to her.
her eyes kept on searching for him. her heart was impatient. only once, just only once, if she could see him. only once was all that she was asking. she was getting late for class. so she quickely wrote a note and put in into her bag. she would give it to him whenver she say him. bas. that was it. final. she said. she needed to thank him. he helped her, even when she didnt tell him her problem. he, as always, understood what the problem was, and solved it.
as the school day ended all of the kids went back into the bus. she saw arnav, but akash was wit him. she couldnt give it infront of akash or anyone. what would everyone else think. she waited for the right time.
once she got home, to her surprise her parents had returned from india. there wasnt enough time to think or say anything. she ran and hugged them. how she missed them. arnav walked in at the end. mm looked at him. and he nodded that she is fine. i spoke to her. she was just missing her parents. mm smiled and placed a kiss on arnavs forehead. arnav greeted them and went upstairs to change and freshen up. khushi excused her self and said that she would get their stuff ready so they could leave. she walked up stairs before anyone else came and knocked on arnavs door. arnav opened it.
while looking down, khushi put her hand out holding the note. arnav looked at her with confusing wet amazement. one eyebrow raised. and took the paper.
arnav: yeh kya hai?
she smiled and started to leave. he opened it, and smiled.
arnav: not like this. hehe. you will have to say it. (after last night, they could at least start to talk this much he believed).
khushi. tilted her head back. looked at him from the side of her eyes.
khushi: thank you... laad governer. hehe... that was his name she thought. always serious. studying away. needed everything to be perfect. no hotdogs. hehe.
arnav was left in shock. he smiled... laad governer. he laughed and closed his door.
she brought her and payals stuff downstairs. arnav came downstairs to say goodbye. as she walked out. she turned her head back a bit to see arnav. their eyes met. and she gave a reassuring blink of emotion. emotion becuase it wasnt love, it was a crush, it was just the beginning of something beautiful. something which could not be named. they both looked into each others eyes quietly.. and their eyes both asked one question... 'iss pyaar ko kya naam doon?"
precap: both did not know,,, then once she returned home. she would be told that they were moving to another city. her father's posting was changed.
Channel V Dil Dosti Dance
Arjun
41