Your Love Broke Me ~ Arshi FF - Page 7

They always ended up with hurting each other n its hurt me too... Anyway flasback was fantastic .. When khushi was rubbing his forehead i remembered HEER RANJHA episode..

CHAPTER 27 - Wishes

"Khushi tum-"

(Khushi, you-)

She giggled. "Aapko sach mein laga ke hum ro rahe the?" She laughed harder at him, but instead of anger, it was mischief which rose in him too. (You really thought I was crying?)

"Khushi!" He started chasing her. Khushi squealed and ran off, still giggling. A grin had formed on his lips too. This person who seldom smiled had suddenly changed. But only around this girl. He wondered how she could do that.

At some point he was able to grab her wrist and pull her. His sudden, unexpected action made her fall down on her backside, startled. Arnav stood above her, laughing; it was his turn to laugh at her now. She got up, dusting her clothes angrily.

"Hassna band kardijye!" (Stop laughing!)

"Sorry," he chocked in between the fits that shook him. He continued when he could speak properly. "Ab hissaab baraabar ho gaya! You mocked me, I mocked you back. We're quits." ( Now, we're quits!...)

Khushi feigned anger, huffed and turned to leave but her held her by the hand.

"C'mon, Khushi don't be a spoilsport! Gussa chhodo!" (... Leave your anger.)

"Humein ghar jaana hai." (I have to go home.)

"Ab bhi naaraaz ho?" (Still angry?)

He looked at her frowning earnestly. She realised he was really sorry for making her fall, even if he did not say so. Somewhere in her mind or heart, a tiny voice told her to stay back and spend the day with him, but she knew she could not. She had already made another commitment.

"Nahin. Par humein ghar jaana hi hai. Aaj humaare honevaale jijaji aane vale hain. Hum to bas yahaan mannat maangne aaye the." (No. But I have to go. Today my future brother-in-law is coming. I just came here for a wish.)

Arnav tilted his head slightly to the right, narrowing his eyes at her. "Aur kya maanga tumne?" (And what did you ask?)

She chuckled. "Voh to hum keh nahin sakte!" (I can't say that!)

"Why?"

"Humne agar kissi se bhi kaha na, to mannat poori nahin hogi!" (If I tell anyone, it won't be fulfilled.)

She turned and started walking away, just to be stopped again.

"Khushi?"

"Ji?" (Yes.)

"Parso mela shuru ho raha hai. Chalogi?" (Day after tomorrow the fair will be starting. Will you come?)

"Haan... hum to jaayenge hi... Aap kyun pooch rahe hain?" (Yes... I will surely... Why?)

He smiled. The silly girl had not understood what he meant.

"Mere saath chalogi?" (Will you come with me?)

Her eyes widened and her jaw dropped open. What the-? Had he said something wrong? She recovered after a few minutes.

"H-h-hum... s-s-soch... hum sochenge..." she stammered before she took off. Arnav sighed. This girl could be classified as the eighth wonder of the world! (I'll think first.)

Reluctantly, he walked to the well. Would it really work? No harm in trying, was there? He shrugged, taking out a coin...

***

By the time Arnav had finished with his calls and video conferences, it was past noon. Everybody else had already eaten. He paused by the living room, listening to the chatter and laughter, searching for a voice which he did not hear. Di had told him the whole Gupta family would be there. Then why wasn't she?

Then he remembered their encounter two days ago. He should have expected her not come. Maybe she had pretended to be ill. His heart wrenched. All because of him. Why couldn't he just stop being such a pompous ass? He walked to the kitchen, grabbed the sandwich his mother had kept aside for him and went in the garden. If she would not be there, he preferred staying alone. And he did certainly not want to face the man who had ruined his life. He always avoided him. What Arnav had learned five years ago had made him hate him. If it were not for the wretched man, Khushi would have already been the daughter-in-law of the Raizada family by now...

Why think of the past now? It would not change a thing. As he walked, lost in his thoughts, a sweet smell of jasmine wafted to his nose. He smiled at the pleasant smell... Hold on! They did not grown jasmines at the Raizada Mansion! With a frown, he walked further. Already, his heart had crossed the limits of madness. The tinkling sond of giggles teased his ears.

"Khushi..."

His voice came out in a whisper. She had come! His heart soared as he caught a glimpse of her amidst the rose bushes, laughing like the child she was in her mind, on the swing. His niece was there too, but he did not really notice. He had eyes only for that girl, or should he say that woman, he had irrevocably fallen in love with.

Hell! Every time he saw her, she grew even more beautiful! Was that possible? But, well, that was Khushi. And with Khushi, anything, absolutely anything was possible. Just like when he thought he could not love her more than he already did, she amazed him by making him fall for her deeper. While the world was afraid of he, she defiantly stood up to him, challenging every step possible of his. When he thought he had to be nicer, gentler at her, she played with his emotions, arousing the angry monster in him. When he tried to be cold and unfeeling to her, she melted his heart.

That was his Khushi. She was an enigma. His enigma. And even if it took him a lifetime to sort out this precious enigma, he would do it happily. He would do anything for her. Hell! I f she asked for his life, he would give for her, without any regret. Was that how it felt to be in love?

She appeared ethereal to him, dressed in the white churidaar, with red and silver borders. As he watched her, from a distance, playing with his niece, his mind was reeling with all sorts of ideas. By now, he could see her as his wife. As the mother of his children. Reaslising that, his breath caught in his chest and desire took him.

Could he make this dream true? His heart twisted painfully.

He had to make it true...

Very nice...hope they resolve their problems.

Comon Arnav.. Do it.. I m with u.. Make ur dream into reality..

Anyway.. His thought was fantastic.. Lets see how ll he make his dream comes true... Cant wait yar... 😉

CHAPTER 28 - Blackmail?

Radhika was bored. In this house, in this village, in this country itself. There was no life here and family never stopped interfering. Then why was she here?

Her thoughts drifted to Khushi. A sister she had to pretend to like. A sister she felt nothing for but hatred. She sister she just wanted to ruin. Is was solely because of Khushi that she was here.

Even the marriage she was planning was a sham. Because Radhika had always known, even since childhood, that the person she had been engaged to had eyes only for her younger sister. Arnav had always had a preference for Khushi from the time the girl was born. He had love Khushi since then. And Radhika hated both of them for that. They had found love, they had their families and Radhika? Every guy she had met wanted only one thing from her, and that was her body. Her adoptive parents had died in an air crash when she was seventeen and she had been taken under the charge of the British social authorities.

She had sworn to ruin them. Arnav and Khushi. She would never let them be together. Never ever. Even if it killed her.

Her biological parents too appeared to love her wretched sister more. Why had life been so unfair? Why had Radhika have to be the one who lost more? She had lost more than twenty years of her life. But Khushi?

Khushi had spent all these years with their parents. She had gained their love, she knew them as they knew her, likes and dislikes, joys and sorrows, every single thing about them.

What about Radhika? Who was she? Who was Radhika Sharma? She was a Gupta by blood, that's all. Not even by name, just by blood. She knew very little about her family, her own parents who had birthed her; they were like strangers to her. Her own brother hated her because of his admiration for Khushi. He was always rude to her.

Khushi. Khushi was to be blamed for all of that. With her angelic face, she had trapped all of them so that no one would love Radhika Sharma the same way. Only Khushi Kumaari Gupta. Because she had everything Radhika Sharma never had. But not anymore. Now it was Khushi's turn to suffer. She would lose everything. Her love, her happiness, her reason to live, her family, her parents, her brother who adored her so much, her father who doted on her, her mother who cherished her, the man who had fallen unconditionally, irrevocably head over heels for her... every thing...

Every single thing...

***

"Got a new friend, Gitu?"

Khushi's smile faded as soon as she recognised that voice. she looked up from Gitanjali to see him standing in the sunshine, his eyes riveted on her even though he spoke to his niece. The little girl was surprised to see her uncle. She jumped off the swing and ran into his open arms. Khushi watched as he bent to pick up the child so that she could put her small chubby arms around his neck and kiss his cheek. She watched as Gitu grimaced when his stubble pricked her face. She watched as he smirked with mischief at the complain.

Would he not make an excellent father?

She mentally scolded herself for having such thoughts. Why was it so difficult to understand he would soon be her sister's husband? Her brother-in-law... She felt like she had just been drenched with ice cold water. He was making things difficult himself... She should not have come here. Especially after what had happened on her parents kitchen the other day...

She was surprised when he put his niece down and let her run to the house, leaving them alone. She thought he would leave too; he hated her, he had said it himself. Then why did he remain there, standing to observe her? Well, if he did not go, she could leave herself. Khushi avoided his eyes and turned to go to the house too, but she had to walk past him.

As Khushi passed by him, he pulled her back to him. She fell against his hard body, her hands flat on his chest. Arnav smiled down at her and threw his arms around her waist.

"Afraid of me, Khushi?"

She gulped, her heart hammering, scared and liking it, all at once. It did not feel wrong, she thought as she gazed in his dark eyes. Not the way she stood, so close to him. Not the way he held her. On the contrary, she felt herself liking the feelings that ran through her due to his proximity. But what if someone came by and saw them like this?

Are you mad, Khushi? This is not right! He's your sister's fianc, for crying out loud!

"If you're done admiring me, will I get an answer, Khushi?"

The mischief in his eyes and tone snapped her out of it.

"Chhodiye humein! Aap karna kya chahte hain?" (Leave me! What do want?)

He chuckled and bent to whisper in her ears.

"Oh, I'm sure you don't want to know that, Khushi... 'cause, you know, it's a bit... well..."

She frowned and blushed at the same time, realising what he meant. She tried pushing him away but his grip on her was way too strong.

"Jaane dijiye humein!" (Let go of me!)

Arnav smiled even more at her desperate efforts. She was such a wild cat. But that was exactly what he love about her. He wondered how she would react to his advances when they would be married. Would she try to flee like she did now? Or would she sweetly surrender? His heart gave a flutter. The thought of being married to her did something he could not explain to him. He could already seen her as his wife now. His little wife... he kissed her forehead gently.

"Tum ab bhi jasmine smell karti ho, you know?"

"Humne kaha chhodiye humein!" (I said let go of me!)

"Stop it, Khushi!"

He wrapped his arms tighter around her.

"Humein jaane dijiye varna... varna... varna hum chillayenge!" (Let go of me else... else... else I'll shout!)

"Oh really?"

"Haan!" (Yes!)

"Okay. To chillao." (Okay. Then shout.)

Originally posted by: ShikhaKhushi

<font color="#990000">

<font color="#0033ff" size="6" face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif">CHAPTER 28</font>

</div><div>

Radhika
was bored. In this house, in this village, in this country itself. There was no
life here and family never stopped interfering. Then why was she here?</font>

<font color="#990000">Her
thoughts drifted to Khushi. A sister she had to pretend to like. A sister she
felt nothing for but hatred. She sister she just wanted to ruin. Is was solely
because of Khushi that she was here.</font>

<font color="#990000">Even
the marriage she was planning was a sham. Because Radhika had always known,
even since childhood, that the person she had been engaged to had eyes only for
her younger sister. Arnav had always had a preference for Khushi from the time
the girl was born. He had love Khushi since then. And Radhika hated both of
them for that. They had found love, they had their families and Radhika? Every
guy she had met wanted only one thing from her, and that was her body. Her
adoptive parents had died in an air crash when she was seventeen and she had
been taken under the charge of the British social authorities. </font>

<font color="#990000">She
had sworn to ruin them. Arnav and Khushi. She would never let them be together.
Never ever. Even if it killed her.</font>

<font color="#990000">Her
biological parents too appeared to love her wretched sister more. Why had life
been so unfair? Why had Radhika have to be the one who lost more? She had lost
more than twenty years of her life. But Khushi?</font>

<font color="#990000">Khushi
had spent all these years with their parents. She had gained their love, she
knew them as they knew her, likes and dislikes, joys and sorrows, every single
thing about them. </font>

<font color="#990000">What
about Radhika? Who was she? Who was Radhika Sharma? She was a Gupta by blood,
that's all. Not even by name, just by blood. She knew very little about her
family, her own parents who had birthed her; they were like strangers to her.
Her own brother hated her because of his admiration for Khushi. He was always
rude to her.</font>

<font color="#990000">Khushi.
Khushi was to be blamed for all of that. With her angelic face, she had trapped
all of them so that no one would love Radhika Sharma the same way. Only Khushi
Kumaari Gupta. Because she had everything Radhika Sharma never had. But not
anymore. Now it was Khushi's turn to suffer. She would lose everything. Her
love, her happiness, her reason to live, her family, her parents, her brother who
adored her so much, her father who doted on her, her mother who cherished her,
the man who had fallen unconditionally, irrevocably head over heels for her...
every thing...</font>

<font color="#990000">Every
single thing...</font>

<p align="center"><font color="#000000">***</font></p>

<font color="#990000">"Got
a new friend, Gitu?"</font>

<font color="#990000">Khushi's
smile faded as soon as she recognised that voice. she looked up from Gitanjali
to see him standing in the sunshine, his eyes riveted on her even though he
spoke to his niece. The little girl was surprised to see her uncle. She jumped
off the swing and ran into his open arms. Khushi watched as he bent to pick up
the child so that she could put her small chubby arms around his neck and kiss
his cheek. She watched as Gitu grimaced when his stubble pricked her face. She
watched as he smirked with mischief at the complain.</font>

<font color="#990000">Would
he not make an excellent father?</font>

<font color="#990000">She
mentally scolded herself for having such thoughts. Why was it so difficult to
understand he would soon be her sister's husband? Her brother-in-law... She
felt like she had just been drenched with ice cold water. He was making things
difficult himself... She should not have come here. Especially after what had
happened on her parents kitchen the other day...</font>

<font color="#990000">She
was surprised when he put his niece down and let her run to the house, leaving
them alone. She thought he would leave too; he hated her, he had said it
himself. Then why did he remain there, standing to observe her? Well, if he did
not go, she could leave herself. Khushi avoided his eyes and turned to go to
the house too, but she had to walk past him.</font>

<font color="#990000">As
Khushi passed by him, he pulled her back to him. She fell against his hard
body, her hands flat on his chest. Arnav smiled down at her and threw his arms
around her waist.</font>

<font color="#990000">"Afraid
of me, Khushi?"</font>

<font color="#990000">She
gulped, her heart hammering, scared and liking it, all at once. It did not feel
wrong, she thought as she gazed in his dark eyes. Not the way she stood, so
close to him. Not the way he held her. On the contrary, she felt herself liking
the feelings that ran through her due to his proximity. But what if someone
came by and saw them like this?</font>

<font color="#990000">Are
you mad, Khushi? This is not right! He's your sister's fianc, for crying out
loud!</font>

<font color="#990000">"If
you're done admiring me, will I get an answer, Khushi?"</font>

<font color="#990000">The
mischief in his eyes and tone snapped her out of it.</font>

<font color="#990000">"Chhodiye
humein! Aap karna kya chahte hain?" </font><font color="#cc6600">(Leave me! What do want?)</font>

<font color="#990000">He
chuckled and bent to whisper in her ears.</font>

<font color="#990000">"Oh,
I'm sure you don't want to know that, Khushi... 'cause, you know, it's a bit...
well..."</font>

<font color="#990000">She
frowned and blushed at the same time, realising what he meant. She tried
pushing him away but his grip on her was way too strong.</font>

<font color="#990000">"Jaane
dijiye humein!" <font color="#cc6600">(Let go of me!)</font></font>

<font color="#990000">Arnav
smiled even more at her desperate efforts. She was such a wild cat. But that
was exactly what he love about her. He wondered how she would react to his
advances when they would be married. Would she try to flee like she did now? Or
would she sweetly surrender? His heart gave a flutter. The thought of being
married to her did something he could not explain to him. He could already seen
her as his wife now. His little wife... he kissed her forehead gently.</font>

<font color="#990000">"Tum
ab bhi jasmine smell karti ho, you know?"</font>

<font color="#990000">"Humne
kaha chhodiye humein!" <font color="#cc6600">(I said let go of me!)</font></font>

<font color="#990000">"Stop
it, Khushi!"</font>

<font color="#990000">He
wrapped his arms tighter around her.</font>

<font color="#990000">"Humein
jaane dijiye varna... varna... varna hum chillayenge!" <font color="#cc6600">(Let go of me else... else... else I'll shout!)</font></font>

<font color="#990000">"Oh
really?"</font>

<font color="#990000">"Haan!" <font color="#cc6600">(Yes!)</font></font>

<font color="#990000">"Okay.
To chillao." <font color="#cc6600">(Okay. Then shout.)</font></font>

Thnx.. it was lovely as usual.. Write soon.. 👏 [SIZE=6][/SIZE]

Omg.. Arnav is so naughty...he was thinking about after marriage life... Gutter gutter...?

Ahem ahem...!

Poor khushi...

N
N
Radhika u r not gonna get anything ok... U stupid n evil ... U r not gonna get anything

Off course u ll get something but that ll be hate... Yes only hate .. U deserved only hate no thing more than that... Coz u r planing to destroy everyone but u doesnot know about ur destiny

U never ever belongs to raizada family even not for anyone understood..

Arnav love khushi n khushi love arnav.

They made for each other no one in the world can enter in between... Got it..

This is destiny n no one can change it... So its better for u to stop to hate ur own sister who is full of love n life...

U r alone becose u never ever think about others
U r selfish that is the reson behind ur loneliness

All i can say radhika needs psychotherapy...


Anyway i really love this update... I like this naughty arnav n nervous khushi...

Story is moving so lovinly...

Now i m really excited for next..

I hope next part ll be more romantic without stupid Radhika

CHAPTER 29 - Familiar...

"Aap kal mele mein jaayenge na?" (You are going to the fair tomorrow, right?)

His eyes snapped open and he sat up straight, to find her kneeling in front of him. What the-? Had he gone so mad that he had started imagining her around him now?

"Agar aap jaa hi rahe hain, to humaara intezaar kijiyega. Hum bhi chalenge." (If you are, wait for me. I'll go too.)

His lips curled into a smile. Hah! He could only dream about Khushi accepting to going to the fair with him. A shy and traditional little thing like him would never agree to go on a date with him.

"Sach mein chalogi?" If it were only a silly figment of his imagination, there was absolutely no harm in allowing himself to flirt a bit with her, right? (You'll really come?)

Khushi nodded earnestly. She was beautiful. but she was just a dream. Near, yet so far. The more he looked at her, the more he was convinced about her being unreal. For one thing, she was dressed in a red churidaar that day ' red, his favourite colour ' and she looked prettier than ever in it. And also, her jasmine scent floated about her, enveloping him too. It was so not real to him. No. There was utterly no way, she could be there truely.

"Aapko kya hua, Arnavji?" (What happened to you, Arnavji?)

"Hmm?"

"Humne poochha, aapko kya hua? Aise ghoor kyun rahe hain humein?" (I asked, what happened to you? Why are you staring at me like that?)

Arnav sighed. Khushi. It felt so nice when she said his name... but he had better end this dream now itself, else if he got over it after some time, he would be really disappointed.

"Arnavji?"

He closed his eyes. "Wake up, Arnav," he muttered. He rubbed his eyes vigorously, but when he opened them, Khushi was still there. What the-?

"Pinch me!" he whispered hoarsely as he stared into her frowning face.

***

"C'mon, Khushi, chillao." (...shout.)

She glared at him miserably. He knew, the devil he was! He knew she would never have the guts to shout. He knew her threat was plain empty. He grinned at her tauntingly and turned her in his arms so that her back was pressed against his hard chest.

"Kya hua? Badi sherni bani thi tum abhi abhi. Uska kya hua?" (What happened? You were just such a lioness. What about that?)

Arnav buried his face in her soft tresses and inhaled deeply, feeling her shudder in his arms. With one arm still around her, he raised a hand to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ears. Then, he bent closer, his lips against her ear and whispered tenderly,

"Sorry for the other day."

Khushi cringed. Why was he doing this to her? She remembered what had happened in her parents' kitchen and felt herself blushing furiously. She began to struggle with him, trying to break his grip, but he was stronger. Much stronger. He chuckled at her futile efforts. Khushi froze as she felt the vibration it rose in his chest through her back. She stood helplessly as he nibbled at her earlobes, then left a trail of kisses down her neck, going as far as the neckline of her churidaar allowed.

"I'm really sorry, Pari."

Pari? Why did that name sound so familiar? It stirred some blurred memories inside her, but she could not understand what they were about. But they made her uneasy. She suddenly felt weak, her head was suddenly aching. Khushi felt herself sag against him.

"Khushi? What happened?"

She blinked. It was as if a thick dense cloud had settled in her system. Her brain had stopped functioning.

"Khushi? Talk to me, dammit?"

She heard only her heart pounding in her ears, deafening her. Amidst it, maybe she heard his voice, but it was so far away. She felt him turn her around to face him, shake her violently.

"What happened, Khushi? Dammit! This is not funny!"

Khushi closed her eyes, letting the pain in her head dissipate.

"Khushi? Khushi? Say something, Khushi?"

"I'm fine," she whispered weakly.

Arnav enveloped her in his arms, hugging her close to him, relieved. Panic had rushed deep inside him when she had fallen limp in his arms. What had happened to her?

"Did I hurt you, Khush?"

"No."

He pulled back and looked at her. She seemed a bit pale, but definitely better now.

"You did eat today?"

"Yeah."

"This ever happened before?"

She shook her head. No, it had never happened to her before. But maybe it was the sun.

"Shaayad dhoop hogi." (Must be the sun.)

"We're in winter, Khushi!"

"Haan par aaj dhoop tez hai." (Yes, but the sun is brighter today.)

He sighed. She was right, the sun was unusually brighter that day. These climatic changes! They stayed like that for a long time, against each other; her face in the crook of his neck, his head on the top of hers, their arms around each other. And they did not even realise it.

"Chhote? Khushiji?"

Wow that was fantastic ...
But our Anji dear always distrub on wrong time

CHAPTER 30 - Announcement?

She pushed herself from him roughly, and surprisingly, his grip had loosened. She slid away easily, took a few steps backwards, heat creeping up her skin. Arnav looked around in alarm. Had Di seen them?

"Chhote? Khushiji?" Her voice called them again. "Aap dono kahaan hain?" (Where are you two?)

They heaved a sigh of relief. No, she had not. Most probably. Her eyes shot daggers at him, as though meaning 'this should not happen again'. He simply smirked back, his devil resurfacing. Finally, Anjali walked to the play area to find her cousin and friend of a few days near the swing.

"Di? What happened?"

The woman eyed both of them suspiciously. "Aap dono? Yahaan?" (You two? Here?)

"Yeah... Main... voh... Main Khushi se... Actually, I was asking about her studies..."

"Achha?" Anjali asked with raised brows, mischief dripping from her words. Khushi suddenly felt scared. She knew something. Anjali did know something... (Really?)

"Par Chhote, aapne Khushiji ko bataaya to nahin, na?" No, she was just teasing them. She was smiling now. Khushi breathed shakily. She really hoped, Anjali was just pulling their legs, not more. She really hoped Anjali knew nothing. (But Chhote, you didn't tell Khushiji, right?)

"What?"

His cousin huffed and placed her hand on his shoulder to pull him down to whisper in his ear. Khushi did not hear a word, but she noticed how his face had lit up suddenly, and there he stood, smiling at her. She frowned. She could practically hear the gears working that mind of his. Arnav shook his head, still looking at her.

"No, not yet."

Khushi suddenly went cold. She could practically hear the gears in his head work. It scared her. She knew he would be doing something, something dangerous for both of them. Like he had just done...

Anjali smiled excitedly as she stepped back from her cousin. He smiled back and she grabbed Khushi's hand.

"Chaliye! Hum yeh baat sabko ek saath batate hain!" (Come, we'll tell everybody together!)

She pulled Khushi into the house with her, Arnav following closely, and Khushi could do nothing but let herself dragged and wonder what could be happening.

***

"Ouch! Khushi!"

She looked at him with wide innocent eyes while he rubbed the hand she had pinched. The witch she was! She had pinched him well enough to draw out blood.

"Kya zaroorat thi pinch karne ki?" he fired fiercely at her. (Why did you pinch me?)

She pouted her lips, her frown back. "Arrey! Aap hi ne to kaha 'Pinch me', to humne kiya!" (You only said 'Pinch me', so I pinched you!)

"Khushi... Whatever!"

"Kya 'whatever'? Hum aapse kab se baat karne ki koshish kar rahe hain aur aap ho ke ajeeb ajeeb harkatein kar rahe ho! Phir khud hi chhutki kaatne ko kehte hain, aur jab hum kaantein to aapko boora lagta hai!" (What 'whatever'? I'm trying to talk to you since so long and you're reacting in a bizarre manner. Then you yourself tell me to [pinch you] and when I do, you get angry!)

Arnav looked at her in awe. What the hell was she speaking? Was that really hindi?

"Kya kaatne ko kaha?" (What did I tell you?)

She rolled her eyes with a pitiful sigh. "Chhutki kaatne ka matlab hai pinch! Aapko to hindi bhi nahin aati!" (It means to pinch! You don't even know hindi!)

Finally he smiled. "Aadhi zindagi America mein limited hindi ke saath bitaayi hai. Aise to kam hindi hi aayegi na?" (I spent half my life in America with limited hindi. I guess it's normal?)

"Aadhi zindgi? Voh kaise?" (Half your life? How?)

"Jab se das saal ka tha, Dad ne mujhe America bheja tha. To his sister. I grew up there." (I've lived there since I was ten, Dad had sent me...)

"Aap inte saal apni Amma ke bina rahe? Apne Bauji ke bina?" (You stayed so many years away from your mother? Away from your father?)

"Hmm..." he stared down at the grass which he tore, leaf by leaf, as the painful memories of the past fifteen years came back to him. That was perhaps why he was not so close to either of his parents. He was very close to his cousin, Anjali, though, because she had joined his only a few years later in America to complete her studies. She had been like a mother to him, protecting him, scolding him, whenever she had to.

Khushi remained silent, as if trying to understand what he had felt. Her eyes fell on his hands, and she saw the damage he was absently causing to the little plants.

"Hamaara gussa in bechaare ghaas ke patton par to mat nikaaliye!" she squealed attempting to bring back the cheerfulness. (Now don't vent the anger you have for me on these poor grass leaves.)

He looked up, straight in the eyes. A current seemed to flow between them. Their heartbeat seemed to synchronise. Their breaths mingled as the unknowingly bent towards her slowly. She blinked as leaned on her, the realisation suddenly dawning on her, the proximity suddenly making her aware and nervous. Khushi jumped up on her feet abruptly.

"Humein jaana chaahiye!" she said hurriedly and walked away, leaving a confused Arnav sitting on the ground. (I should leave now.)

What the hell?

What the hell had he been doing? Was he really going to kiss her? What the hell was he thinking? He barely knew that girl for God's sake!

***

"Your attention please! Humein ek announcement karna hai!" Anjali burst in the the hall excitedly. (... I have to make an announcement!)

The buzz in the room faded immediately as all the eyes went to the three of them. Khushi went to sit near her father while Arnav perched himself on the arm of Ritika's sofa. He was still smirking, she noticed, throwing sly glances at her from time to time.

What was going on?