Your Love Broke Me ~ Arshi FF - Page 3

CHAPTER 11 - Unbelievable!

When she entered the living room, everyone else was chatting. Feeling the blissful atmosphere which reigned there, Khushi felt even more miserable. With a silent prayer to her Devi Maiyya, she wiped her tears away and walked in, to her mother directly. Padmini was busy talking to Aradhna and Anjali; the three of them watched as Khushi sat down.

"Arey, Khushiji, kya hua? Aap akele hi aagayi?" (Khushiji, what happened? You returned alone?)

Anjali was eying her quizzically.

"Voh, Radhikaji ko phone aaya to voh chaligayi, aur phir hum bhi..." (Radhikaji got a phone call so she left, and I too...)

"Radhikhaji? Khushi, yeh kya? Behen hai voh aapki. Unhein aap jiji kyun nahin bulati?" (Radhikaji? Khushi, what's thi? She's your sister. Why don't you call her jiji?)

Khushi looked at her feet. How could she tell her mother she felt uncomfortable with her own sister? Thankfully Aradhna intervened and saved her from finding an explanation.

"Chhodo na Padmini. Bitiya ko Radhikha se aadat to dalne do." (Leave it, Padmini. Let her get used to Radhika before.)

Padmini smiled reluctantly and the conversation continued until Alok interrupted, saying they should be going home. Sagar was leaving for boarding school the day after and had to pack up. Just then, Radhika walked in. Her gaze swept the room to finally rest on her younger sister.

"Oh Khushi, you're here."

Alok explained they were soon leaving. The two families bid each other farewell.

"To kal savere Khushiji aur Radhikaji aa rahin hain, na?" Anjali asled excitedly. (So tomorrow morning Khushiji and Radhikaji are coming, right?)

Khushi was puzzled. "Kal?" (Tomorrow?)

***

Arnav paused in front of the large poster which announced the arrival of the annual mela in the village. The attractions seemed quite interesting.

"Cool," he mumbled.

"Arrey vaah! Mela!" (Oh wow! A fair!)

He winced immediately. Oh God! Not again.

This high-pitched shriek, this voice. He'd recognise it anywhere. It was that... that dumb girl he had collided with twice! She blabbered on to herself about the fair as Arnav watched her. She stood right beside him, talking like a mad person, oblivious to his presence.

"Unbelievable!"

It was only when she gave a start and looked at him in horror that he realised he had said that aloud.

"Aap?!" (You?!)

He clenched his jaws. This girl always managed to hit his nerves.

"You know what? Tumse paagal ladki maine aaj tak nahin dekhi!" (I've never seen a girl madder than you till today!)

"Kya? Matlab kya hai aapka?" (What? What do you mean?)

"All the time tum pata nahin kisse baat karti rehti ho, par jab dekho bar-bar karti rehti ho. I could see you lips moving but all I could hear was BLAH-BLAH-BLAH!"

Khushi gasped. How dare he?

"Aap hamaara peechha kyun kar rahe hain?" (Why are you following me?)

"Tum mera peechha kyun nahin chhodti?" (Why don't you stop following me?)

Khushi huffed. "Aapse to baat karna hi bekaar hai!" (It's useless talking to you!)

"Oh really? To kar kyun rahi ho?" (Then why are you?)

"Hum jaa rahe hain!" (I'm going!)

She turned on her heels and walked away, muttering, "Jaane kahaan kahaan se aate hain." (God knows where they come from.)

She was not speaking very loudly but her voice was high enough for him to hear. Khushi stomped off and he watched her with an amused expression. The afternoon sunlight and her anger combined made her look very pretty, he thought, without realising he should not think like that about her. No, she was the most annoying person on Earth.

As she walked, she turned to glare at him without stopping. She was his eyes widen, and, an instant later, she banged into something hard.

Khushi blinked and looked ahead.

Oh, right...

A street lamp...

With its column made of cement...

Should have been quite strong...

And she was walking quite fast in her anger...

So she had hit the column... right?

Was that why she felt dizzy?

Khushi forced herself to open her eyes but her eyelids drooped heavily.

"Hey Devi Maiyya!" She thought. "I'm going to fall. I'm going to fall. I'm falling. I'm falling. I..."

CHAPTER 12 - Whoever It Might Be...

She had expected her hard ground to hit but it was instead a strong pair of arms which caught her. Her eyes, which had been scrunched shut due to her fear and dizziness, opened to see Laad Governor's face staring down at her.

"Are you alright?" he asked anxiously.

Wait! Did she just think he sounded anxious? He didn't, though, right? No Khushi, he wouldn't you are imaging thing here.

"Hey ladki! Tum... main to tumhaara naam bhi nahin jaanta... Tum theek ho?" (Hey girl! You... I don't even know your name... Are you okay?"

"Khushi," she muttered. The dizziness was fading, but she could not understand why her heart was beating so erractially.

"What the-" he seemed pretty dumnfounded for some minutes. "God! What the hell? Yeh pehele se paagal thi, ab lagta hai paagal se aage nikal gayi." (She was mad since before, but now I think she has gone beyond that."

"Hum paagal nahin hai!" (I'm not mad!)

"To tumhe kis baat ki khushi ho rahi hai?" (Then, what are you happy about?)

She blinked in frustration. Clearly, he was dimwit.

"Humaara naam Khushi hai." (My name is Khushi.)

"Oh... Oh! Okay!"

Arnav half-smiled at his foolishness ' which was very rare to happen because he was seldom acting this way; this girl had the incredible power to bring out a side him he himself had never known before ' then helped her stand. Khushi had not yet realised what had really happened. She had actually fallen down had he had run to her, kneeled down to catch her before her head hit the ground too, and held her.

"You sure you are fine?"

He waved four fingers in front of her.

"Kitni ungliyan hai?" (How many fingers?)

"Chaar." (Four.)

"Arnav."

It was her turn to be confused. "Kya?"

He grinned, "Mera naam Arnav hai, Khushi." (My name is Arnav, Khushi.)

The way he said her name sent a tingle down her stomach.

"Ab... We've already met three times aur ek doosre ka naam bhi jaante hain... so... Friends?" (Now... [...] and we know each other's names...)

He extended his hand to her. She looked at his face, his hand, his face, then again his hand. Could she trust him? Finally she gave him hers. Arnav shook it with an amused expression; something was telling him they would not be friends so soon. Khushi had to admit he had a very strong grip. He was nearly crushing her hand, literally. She managed not to wince and tried to think of anything else. A question arose in her mind.

Arnav... It meant ocean, right?

***

Khushi was up quite early. She had to go to Raizada Mansion that day, even though she did not want to but Anjali and Arandhna had pleaded them a lot. they needed some help from Radhika and her as it would be quite a hectic day. In fact, Shanti (Anjali's mother) would be leaving for pilgrimage while Aradhna's mother, brother and his family would be coming over for some days.

Anjali would not be of much help due to the condition she was in and her husband had returned to town for his work. Their daughter too needed to be looked after. There would remain only Ritika and Aradhna, but the workload was too heavy for them alone. Khushi and her sister had had to agree.

The phone rang shrilly in the Gupta Haveli just as Khushi finished the breakfast. The others had not finished yet, so she jumped up from her chair to receive it.

"Baithiye-baithiye-baithiye!" she squealed hurriedly. "Hum dekhte hain!" (Sit-sit-sit! I'll see!)

"Hello?"

"Khushiji? Hum Anjali bol rahe hain." (It's Anjali speaking.)

"Namaste Anjaliji. Aap kaisi hain?" (Namaste, how are you?)

"Hum theek hain aur aap?" (I'm fine and you?)

"Ji, hum bhi." (Ya, me too.)

"Actually, humne phone kiya tha yeh poochhne ke liye ke kya aap taiyyaar hai?" (I called to ask if you guys are ready?)

"Ji haan, Radhikaji aur hum, dono taiyyaar hain." (Yes, we are both.)

"Achha, to hum driver bhej rahe hain." (Ok, so I'm sending the driver.)

"Arrey, uski kya zaroorat hai?" (Why?)

"Khushiji! Hum bhej dete hain na! Aap bas taiyyaar rahiye. Ok? Bye!" (I'll send him, just stay ready.)

***

"Di?"

"Chhote? Tum? Aaj to Sunday hai, office to nahin jaana hain, na? Itni jaldi kyun uth gaye?" (Today's Sunday, you don't have to go to the office, right?)

"Haan, voh... Nevermind! Aap driver ko kahaan bhej rahi hain?" (Where are you sending the driver?)

"Achha! To ab aap hamaari baatein chhup-chhup ke sunte hain?" (Oh! So you spy on me now.)

Arnav frowned.

"Achha baba! Gussa chhod do! Hum Khushiji se baat kar rahe the. Unhein aur Radhikaji ko yahaan aana hai na, to hum driver ko Gupta Haveli bhej rahe hain." (Ok, drop your anger! I was talking to Khushiji. She and Radhika have to come here today, so I'm sending over the driver.)

"Let it be, Di. Driver se kuchh mat kehna, I'll go!" (Don't tell anything to the driver.)

He snatched his car keys and headed out without waiting for his cousin's reaction. Anjali ran after her Chhote, calling him but he would not stop. An idea had popped up in his mind and he realised his was his only chance...

wats arnav planning to do?😍

CHAPTER 13 - Jealousy?

The next day, Arnav stood on an old wall which stood in the middle of nowhere, partly crumbled, as he texted his friend. He had noticed that if he stood somewhere high, he would be able to get a network signal. He was going to send the message when the teeny bit of signal he had disappeared.

"What the-"

He tried pressing the 'Send' button but nothing happened, instead, the mobile flashed 'Sending Failed' at him. Forgetting where he was standing, he stamped his foot, muttering "Dammit" under his breath, and as soon as he did that, he lost his footing and fell forward.

"Sambhal ke!" (Careful!)

Arnav felt himself fall on someone. They both lay still on the ground for a few instants, still shocked. And he realised it was her.

His face was buried in her hair as he lay above her. She smelled of jasmine. Was it her shampoo? Or her perfume? Anyway, the sweet smell suited her. He lifted his head to look into her eyes. They were the most beautiful eyes he had ever seen, and they stirred something deep in him. Their faces were only inches apart, their breaths ragged and their heartbeats in perfect symphony. Even though she was holding his gaze, he got the impression she was hardly aware of it.

He almost unwillingly pulled himself off her, away from her hypnotic, yet innocent, eyes. He stood up and held his hand out to her. Khushi sat up, stunned, and looked at his hand. Arnav felt she would get up all by herself like she had done the first time, but she surprised him by accepting his help. With one tug, he pulled her to her feet. She lost her balance and stumbled into him. Immediately, his hand shot up to her waist to steady her.

***

The doorbell rang and Khushi kept her novel down to see who had come. It was most probably the driver. She opened the door with a wide smile and merry greeting, but both die on her lips when she saw who was in front of her. She remained there dumbstruck, gaping at him and blinking in wonder several times. Her heartbeat too was picking up speed.

"Kuchh bolo, Khushi! Kuchh to bolo!" her mind scream at her. (Say something, Khushi!Say something!)

Khushi shook her head as her reverie broke.

"Arnavji... aa... aap?" She looked over his shoulder to see only his car. "Driver... Matlab... aap... driver ki naukri kab se karne lage?" (I mean... you... When did you take up the driver's job?)

He gave her his 'What the-' look, and Khushi realised she ought to shut her stupid mouth up but she kept ranting foolishly in front of him.

"Nahin, voh kya hai na, Anjaliji ne to kaha tha ki voh driver ko bhejengi... Aap driver ho kya?" (No, actually, Anjaliji had said that she would send the driver... are you the driver?)

Arnav narrowed his eyes at her. Khushi's hand clapped on her mouth to stop the nonsense coming out. He stepped forward and her eyes shut tightly.

"Tu yeh kya soch rahi hai, Khushi? Anjaliji ne driver kaha tha, to driver hi hoga, voh khadoos Laad Governer nahin. Unke baare mein soch-soch ke tera dimaak khraab hogaya hai! Laad Governor hote to kam se kam das pachaas baar to 'What-the, what-the' keh diya hota..." (What are you thinking, Khushi? Anjaliji had said she'd send the driver, so it's the driver in front of you, not that grumpy Laad Governor. Thinking too much about him has made you go nuts! If it were Laad Governor, he would have already said his 'What-the, what-the' at least 50 times...)

"Agar tumhaari khud se barbar khatam hogayi to main andar aaoun?" (If you have finished talking to yourself, may I come in?)

The awkward smile which had formed on her face fell and she gasped, before opening a single eye. It was really Arnav Singh Raizada!

Arnav tried hard to hide his amusement. Khushi and her facial expressions! They were unique in the whole universe. He had been listening to her conversation with herselfand he was quite intrigued by what he had heard. She still thought of him? To the point that she even went mad and started imagining he was there? That was definitely interesting news. He'd use that weapon well against her. And had he heard it right? Laad Governor? She still called him that?

He glared at her icily but she did not answer. Well, considering the shock he had probably put her in, she would not react so soon. He walked past her to her mother who was just coming. Hearing Padmini's voice, Khushi whipped around eyes wide and a funny expression on her face, making her look like she had a fly in her mouth but was refusing to let it out. Fortunately, Padmini did not see and, after greeting Arnav, she went to call Radhika.

Arnav did see it, however. Khushi looked at him; his face was devoid of any emotion but he was slowly walking towards her. Instinctively, Khushi stepped back with each one he took forward, until her back was pressed to the wall behind her and he was very close to her. He leaned in on her.

"So, so you still think of me," he whispered in her ear.

Khushi's eyes widened in shock, bringing an evil grin to his face. He stepped back to put some distance between them again and she kept staring speechlessly. She released her breath, without even realising she had held it when he had been so close. She dropped her gaze to the floor as his scorched her. Why was he doing this to her?

And how on Earth could he know if she still thought of him? It was none of his business. He was getting married to her sister, after all. Seconds later, her mother and Radhika were coming down the stairs. Khushi felt relieved and scared at the same time. Now that the two of them were here, she was sure Arnav would not try coming close to her but what if they had come earlier? They would have seen it... She shook the idea out of her head and went to fetch her dupatta and handbag.

Seeing Radhika together with him was revolting. It seemed that Radhika possessed only skinny and short clothing. Today, she was wearing a brown pair of jeans which clung to her like second skin, with a clingy top, short enough to show her belly button if she raised her arms the least bit. And when she had come down, she had shamelessyly thrown herself at her fianc ' okay, he might be her fianc, but didn't she have a bit of lajja? ' hugged him and threaded her hand in his.

Khushi sighed. Why was she even thinking about this. It was not her business. Arnav had never been her business.

And by the way, she hated Arnav Singh Raizada!

arnav always catches wat she says😆

CHAPTER 14 - Who's wrong?

She was so close to him she could see the silver flecks in his black eyes which made them appear dark grey. She could distinguish the individual hairs that had grown on his lower face to form his day-old stubble. His scent invaded her senses and made her somewhat heady as it was quite strong and spicy.

They looked at each other for some time. How much? Neither could say. Their bodies were close, their hands, still linked, rested pressed between their chests and his arm remained around her waist.

Then suddenly, they realised their proximity and each moved back, looking away. Khushi checked her churidaar nervously. It was not torn, thankfully, but bits of dry grass hung to her hair and on her back.

"Achha hua yahaan mitti nahin hai," she mumbled. " Varna kapde gande ho jaate. Par ab yeh ghaas hum kaise nikaalenge? He Devi Maiyya! Humaari thodi maddad karo na!" (It's good there's no soil here. Else my clothes would have gotten dirty. But how to remove this grass now? HDM! help me!)

Arnav smiled as he watched Khushi talking to herself and trying to shake off the grass from her clothes and hair. All her efforts were of no avail. The grass seemed to stick to her even more as she brushed her hands over her. He went behind her, held her hands still on her sides and then, started to remove the bits of grass himself.

If her heart was not speeding since the moment he had fallen on her, it was then. She heard nothing but her heart pounding in her chest as his hands ran over her back, in her hair. She had absolutely no idea if he was saying something. Khushi breathed deeply in an attempt to calm down. Arnav turned her around gently to face him, trying to appear normal, even thoughhe was facing quite the same unfamiliar feelings.

"Tum theek ho?" (You alright?)

She gave him a surprised look before nodding briskly and his lips twitched as he repressed a smile at her comical expression.

"Sorry... Iss baar meri galti thi to sorry keh raha hoon." (This time it's my fault so that's why I'm saying sorry.)

Khushi took a few minutes to register what he had said. As soon as she had understood, a large scowl formed on her face.

"Kya? Iss baar? Pehle teen baar job hi hua na, vo bhi aap hi ki galti thi! Humein aaphi ki vajah se chot pohunchi! He Devi Maiyya! Humaari kamar!" (What? This time? Whatever happened the first three time was also you fault! I got hurt because of you! HDM! My waist!)

Khushi rubbed her hips to soothe the ache which had started there since she had gotten up. Arnav just looked at her oddly.

"Voh tumhaari kamar nahin hai, stupid! Aur haan,galti tumhaari thi, meri nahin. Pehli baar hi sadak ke beech mein tum aayi aur dosh daala mujh pe. Phir to tumhe apna raasta dekna nahin aata, to agar uss vajah se tum kissi se takra jaao to meri kya galti hai? You know what? Sorry to tumhein kehna chaahiye!" (That's not you waist, stupid! And you are to be blamed not me. that first time, you came in my way and held me guilty. Then you never watch where you are going, so what's my fault if you bump somewhere? [...] You should say sorry in fact!)

He was panting slightly by the time he stopped talking. There! She had done it again. The one time he had gotten the impression things were going better between them, she had again brought the angry monster out of him.

"Sorry? Aur hum? Dekhiye! Galti aap hi ki hi! Gaari ko aap tez chala rahe the! Uss din aap bhi apna raasta nahin dekh rahe the! Aur phir... phir... haan! Voh humein aapki vajah se bohot gussa hogaya tha aur aap humaara mazaak bhi ura rahe the-" (Sorry? And I? Look! You are at fault! You were driving fast! That day you were also not paying attention to where you were going! And then... then... yes! I was angry because of you and you were mocking me-)

"Oh, shut up Khushi!"

"Kya 'Shut up'? You shut up! Aap apne aap ko samajhte kya hain?" (What 'shut up'? [...] Who do you think you are?)

"Khushi-"

"Haan, haan! Ab aap humein humaari hi galti dikhaaenge!" (Yeah, yeah! now you'll show me how I'm wrong?)

"Dekho, tum-" (Look, you-)

"Humein pataa hai ke maafi maangne vale to hain nahin. Par aap bhi sun lijiye. Hum maafi nahin maangeinge. Aur aap se to bilkul bhi nahin!" (I know that you won't apologise. But you too hear me well. I certainly won't say sorry. And never to you!)

With that, she stomped off and Arnav kept staring at her.

"Unbelievable!" was only what he could say.

***

"Amma! Hum jaa rahe hain, apna khayaal rakhna!" (Mom! I'm going, take care!)

Padmini smiled at her daughter but suddenly panic settled on her face and she screamed her name as Khushi tripped on the steps. Khushi cloed her eyes, waiting for the impact but, again, two arms held held from falling to the ground... just like five years ago...

And they were just the same arms that held her. The same person who was so near to her and yet so far...

She opened her eyes. Her head was resting on his strong chest. She did not need to look up to know who was supporting her. She knew his scent. His muscular arms. His large hands. And best of all, his perfect timing for saving her every time, right before it was too late. When they pulled away, she expected his usual "tum theek ho?" but he glared at her for some seconds instead.

"Why don't you ever look where you are going?"

She stared back, and would have answered if her mother and sister had not reached them already.

"Kya hua beta?" (What happened?)

"Kuchh nahin, Amma. Bas, hum phisal gaye." (Nothing, mom. I just slipped.)

"Pagli kahin ki! Humse kehti hai apna khayaal rakhne ko aur khud hi na jaane kaise baar-baar gir jaati hai. Yeh to achha hua ke daamaadji ne samay rehte bacha liya!" (Mad girl! She tells me to take care but she's herself falling all the time. Thank goodness damaadji(son-in-law) saved you.)

Their eyes met again, briefly.

"To... Chalein?" (So... Can we leave now?)

Radhika interrupted. She had not even bothered to ask Khushi if she was okay. She kept examining her nails which she had polished just before her fiance's arrival. She walked to car without waiting for Arnav and her sister, making Khushi feel odd.

What was wrong with Radhika?

CHAPTER 15 - Questions...

During the whole fifteen-minute drive, Radhika was flirting with Arnav. Khushi sat at the back, jaws clenched and pretending to look outside as the rain pattered, but felt incomprehensibly frustrated at the way her sister was behaving with Arnav, and also the way he was responding. She could not understand at all why she was so annoyed. It was their problem, they could do whatever they wanted to. After all, they were engaged and soon to be married, right?

Then why was it that every time she saw them together, she felt a pain where her heart should have been?

Why was it that every time Radhika touched him, she felt irritated?

Why was it that every time Arnav smiled at Radhika, her heart tore apart?

Why was it that every time he ingored her, it killed her?

***

Arnav parked the car in the yard and Radhika got off immediately to run in the house as the rain had not stopped yet. Khushi was delayed by the seatbelt. These seemed to be her sworn enemies; either she would have difficulty to tie them, or else, to untie them. Arnav hid a smile remembering the huge effort she had made before asking for his help that day, five years ago.

When she had finished with the seatbelt, it was the door which posed as an obstacle. She fumbled with the lock too but it would not give way. As she raised her eyes to the rearview mirror, her eyes met his. He was watching her intently, with a strange expression. She avoided his gaze and yanked as hard as she could on the door handle, but still it did not open. Arnav smirked wickedly, without leaving her from his sight.

Her mouth dried when it dawned on her that he had a hand in this.

"Voh... Darvaaza... khul nahin raha..." she stuttered, her eyes welded to his. (The door is not opening...)

The evil glint in his eyes shone brighter.

"I know."

"Kya?" (What?)

Khushi stared at him in the mirror, fear suddenly settling in her gut. What did he want now?

"Aap abhi darvaaza khol dijye! Humein-" (Open the door right noe. I-)

"Shut up, Khushi!"

"Aap-" (You-)

"Shut up, dammit, and listen to me!"

"Aapne darvaaza lock kyun kiya? Humein jaane dijye." (Why did you lock the door?)

She tried again. The door lock indicated that it should have been unlocked.

"Child lock hai, bahar se hi khola jaa sakta hai." He said as if on cue. (It's child lock. You can open it from the outside only.)

"To khol dijiye na!" (Then open it!)

"Just shut up, okay?"

"Dekhiye-" (Look-)

"Shut up, I said!"

Khushi finally decided it was best to stop arguing. She would just hear him out, and then he would have to open the door and let her go. And she would really try and stay away from him. She sighed.

"Kya hai?" (What is it?)

"Kal raat tum mujhse baat karne se manaa kar rahi thi, so I had to do this. It's the only way I think you'll listen to me." (Last night you didn't want to talk to me [...] )

Khushi looked outside the window. It was raining even more heavily by then.

"Aapko job hi kehna hai jaldi kahiye." (Say whatever you want quicly.)

"Tum vaapas kyun aayi?" (Why did you come back?)

"Aapse kya?" (Why do you care?)

"Answer me, dammit!"

"Humne aapse kal bhi kaha tha-" (I had told you yesterday-)

"So you won't answer me?"

"Nahin." (No.)

"Fine. To main bhi darvaaza nahin kholunga!" (I too won't open the door.)

"Kya? Aap aisa nahin kar sakte!" (What? You can't do this!)

"Oh really? Think so?"

Khushi frowned at him. What on Earth did he think of himself? He Devi Maiyya! He was such a... Laad Governor!

"Humein apne Amma- Bauji ki yaad aa rahi thi. Aur Sagar se bhi milna tha." (I wanted to meet my parents. And Sagar too.)

"Really?"

"Aur nahin to kya? Poore paanch saal ho gaye..." (What else? I has been five whole years...)

Guilt stabbed him at her unsaid words. It was because of him she had stayed away for so long. He did not need to hear it from her to know. How could he be so selfish to object to her return?

"Ab kya karogi?" (What will you do now?)

His eyes held a feeling she could not understand as she stared into them. It made her heart flip and somersault several times.

"Amma ne kaha hai shaadi tak to rukna parega..." (Mom said I should stay till the wedding...)

"Phir?" (Then?)

Her eyes filled with tears. Why this torture?

"Phir hum America laut jaaenge. Vahin par rahenge." (Then I'll return to America. To saty there.)

"Itni door, Khushi? Reh paaogi?" (So far away, Khushi? Will you be able to?)

"Door rehna hi theek hoga, Arnavji." ( It's necessary, Arnavji.)

loved it!! she had to stay away bcoz of him?? what happened b/w dem five yrs bak..?

like like!!!
wht happen during these 5 years!!??

CHAPTER 16 - Irritation

"Door rehna hi theek hoga, Arnavji." (It's necessary, Arnavji.)

Arnav remained silent. He tried to say something after a while but nothing would come out. He just shut his mouth and looked outside guilt surging through him. It was certainly his fault too...

His heart tore apart at the thought of her leaving him and he could not bring himself to ask her the next question on his mind. Why the hell was such a simple thing so difficult?

He wanted to know whether she would get married... but how could he do that? What would she think of him? What would she tell him? What if she said yes? He felt sick. If only he had not reacted so stupidly all those years ago, they might have been together, maybe married already... but he was not the sole culprit, was he? She too had... Dammit! She had only done it for her family and she had told him so later on, then why the hell had he kept the grudge?

"Aapke savaal khatam hogaye to aap humein jaane deinge?" (If your questions are over will you let me go now?)

Arnav cringed at the iciness in her voice. Did she hate him? Quietly, he got down from the car and opened her door. Khushi did not look at him even once. She just ran to the Raizada Mansion as fast as she could, stopping dead at the door. Anjali was looking at her quizzically. Dread seeped through Khushi. What had Anjali seen?

"Khushiji, aapne itni der kyun lagaa di? Aur yeh Chhote kahan hain?" (Khushiji, why did you take so long? And where is Chhote?"

"Voh... Anjaliji... hum...hum... baarish ho rahi thi to..." ( Uhhm... Anjaliji... I... I... It was raining so...)

Just as Khushi had started explaining to Anjali, a phone rang. Anjali glanced at her mobile and confusion showed on her face.

"Chhote?"

***

Khushi plopped down on the bench in front of the halwaayi shop, a small platter of jalebis in hand and munched on them one by one angrily. She closed her eyes as the sweetness invaded her mouth. What a contrast to Laad Governor's bitterness!

No wait! Why was she thinking about him?

Her heart picked up speed and she felt the breeze go cooler on her face. Her eyes opened wide to collide with stormy grey ones.

Laad Governor? He Devi Maiyya! Not again!

She stared at him, mouth full and dripping at the corners with the syrup. Arnav smirked and sat opposite her. The strange desire to lick the sugary liquid from her mouth swept him off his feet but he shook the idea out of his mind. Not just because he was diabetic, but also because he was not a pervert. He sure had had a lot of girlfriends over the past years he had spent in America but this one was practically a child. She did not look a day over fifteen, maybe fourteen.

Then why did he feel so much attracted to her?

"Kya hua? Bolti band hogayi kya tumhaari?" (What happened? Lost your tongue?)

She kept on staring for some time. Arnav raised his brow and she gulped own everything she had stuffed in her mouth with a frown.

"Aap? Yahan?" (What are you doing here?)

He noticed she hadn't wiped off the syrup yet...

"Kyun? Yahan aane par rok hai kya?" (Why? There's a restriction?)

"Nahin... hum bas..." (No... I just...)

"Ya phir yeh jagah bhi tumhaari hi hai?" (Or else this place too belongs to you?)

She exhaled sharply, then picked up a jalebi and shoved it her mouth, eyes closed. Desire rushed through him. Arnav repressed it with great effort. What the hell? Why was she so appealing to him? She was just a kid dammit!

Jalebis worked magic on Khushi. Whenever she was upset or angry, they would calm her down. Even now, her irritated mood evaporated and she smiled beatifically. Arnav observed her invently, trying to ignore his desire. But she was too beautiful...

Now he realised, he enjoyed teasing her, watching her... but why?

"To tumhein jalebiyan pasand hain?" (So you like jalebis?)

She opened her eyes trying to look furious at him, but too late. He had seen the joy ful glint in her brown orbs which indicated she was no longer angry.

"Pasand hai?" (Like them?)

"Apse kissne kaha?" (Says who?)

"Jaise tumhein dekhkar aasaani se pata nahin chalta?" (As if I couldn't guess by looking at you?)

Khushi blushed and giggled.

"Haan, bohot pasand hai! Aapko pata hai? Humaara mood jab bhi kharaab ho jaaye, to hum jalebiyan khaate hain aur phir se-" (Yes, I love them! You know? Whenever my mood goes bad, I eat jalebis and then-)

"Wait! You know, tum bohot ziaada baat karti ho!" (D'you know you speak too much?)

"Haan!... Kya? Kya kaha aapne?!" (Yeah!... What? What did you just say?)

"Vahi jo tumne suna!" (Exactly what you heard!)

Her endless chatter did not bother him at all, on the contrary, he quite like listening to her. It was just that she was so beautiful when angry that... What the-? What the hell is wrong with you Arnav Singh Raizada?

"Tumhaara kabhi mann nahin karta chup rehne ko?" (You never want to shut up?)

Khushi glared at him. "Aapko hum itne achhe nahin lagte to aap jaate kyun nahin?" (If you dislike me so much you don't you go?)

"Tum kya har savaal ka javaab savaal se hi deti ho?" (D'you answer every question with another question?)

"Hum jaise hain, vaise hain! Aapse matlab?" (I'm like that! Why does it bother you?)

"Dekha? Tumne phir se vahin kya!" (See? You did it again!)

Khushi closed her eyes. "He Devi Maiyya! Yeh to jaise nikle hain aaj humaare gusse ke pichhe!" (HDM! Looks like he's after my anger today!)

"Aur tumhein akele barbaraane ka bhi bohot shauk hai!" (And you actually like talking to yourself!)

Khushi hissed through gritted teeth as her fury soared higher than ever.