IPKKND FF | The Story Of Us (UPDATE: Ch5 Pg13)

Hi Guys!

Hope you enjoy this one! Complete different set-up, most things are still the same but Arnav and Khushi's relationship is the main difference 😃

For all my other work, do check out Shays' Writing Index

Happy Reading!

Shay 😊

The Story Of Us

"Love is the strangest, most illogical thing in the world."

- Jennifer E. Smith

Love at first sight

The logic behind this phrase is what some might call, unintelligent. Yes, attraction is a colossal contributing factor in any relationship. But a person can have an equally hideous persona and this trait can hardly be determined 'at first sight'

We pass different people in different places at different times of different days. Call it cynical, but people hardly have time to be gawping at random people within their hectic lifestyles, claiming to love them without knowing a thing about said person. Yes, it's a different matter that you may look upon an individual and deem them as, good-looking; glancing at them a few more times till their day takes either one else where. Other then that, this 'love at first sight'... is just the stuff that films are made of.

The story of Arnav and Khushi is therefore not a story of love at first sight, but more of a... love over several steps, with a few detours in between kind of story.

Prologue

June 2011 - Colva Beach, Goa

She was sitting there. Her arms were wrapped around one leg that was perched on the sun bed whilst her other was idly drawing nonsensical patterns in the silk sands passing through her toes. A slight smile adorned her unperturbed face as she lazily rested her head on her arms.

The suns tepid rays caused a gradual warmth to creep up on her as a cool breeze sifted through the air; carrying her long hair with it as it flew about behind her. She sighed as she soaked in the feeling of complete contentment; watching the clear blue, crystal waters glinting in the sunlight. 'Picturesque,' she thought with another satisfied sigh.

Khushi Kumari Gupta loved this feeling... the feeling of being at peace.

She had come to Goa to escape her hectic lifestyle back in England after completing an arduous 3 years of University. Under the excuse of visiting her Buaji and her cousin Payal - Khushi, along with 2 of her best friends, had made the decision to go for a month long vacation. It wasn't so much of an excuse. No, it really wasn't. Khushi loved her Buaji and Jiji; they were the closest thing she had to a proper family - which is why she had promptly taken up the offer to stay with them for the duration of her holiday.

At 22 years of age, Khushi was now considered as being officially part of the 'real world' as her Amma would have so often put it. She felt a surge of anguish as her thoughts rested on her mother. She was hoping this trip would ease the restlessness she felt all the time; maybe she could feel closer to her parents. Maybe she could finally figure out what she wanted do with her new found life, or maybe even find Salman Khan! A slow, dreamy smile crept up on her face as she immersed herself in the thoughts of her favourite actor. She didn't know what to do, she just wanted to find... something.

What Khushi didn't know however, was that she would find a whole lot more.

~

He sat there, trying to block out the mindless chatter of the girl who occupied the seat next to his. A continuous chant had, by now, occupied the greater part of his thoughts, 'shut the f**k up. Please, shut the f**k up.' He closed his eyes momentarily and took a long breath as he looked at her and forced a smile, 'I'm just going to get another drink'

23 year old Arnav Singh Raizada had come to Goa at his friend, NK's insistence. He and 5 others were all there for Nk's 'stag-do.' After the initial annoyance had subsided, he had started to feel at ease within his surroundings. He had needed this - Goa had a peaceful aura that seemed to wash away at least some of his worries. Delhi had become far too suffocating these past few months; taking over his Fathers' business had proven to be quite tough. After completing his degree in Business he went straight in and took charge. It wasn't necessarily what he had always wanted to achieve in life; he just couldn't bear see his fathers legacy waste away in to nothing. He was doing this for them; to do them proud. But most of all, he was doing this for his Di - the only real family he had left.

Instead of going to the bar, Arnav decided to take a walk along the beach to escape the thumping music pulsating in his ears and to clear some of the distressing thoughts that resided in his mind more often then necessary. Life for him had become a constant state of agitation. Yes, he had friends and his family - he even went on dates when he could be bothered. But it was as if the excitement in life had come to a tortuous halt, with the responsibility of an old man on his shoulders.

He just didn't know what to do anymore.

______________________________________________________________

Index

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four - Page 10

Chapter Five

interesting I'd love to see it progress

very interesting..nice concept..please pm me when you update

Awesome! Can't wait to read more!

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very nice please continue n pm when u update please

"The voyage of discovery is not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes."

- Marcel Proust

Perception

Perception is a key point in any relationship. Whether it is marriage, or even friendship. People go through tragedies all the time throughout their lives; some worse then others. To take another perspective, a person set in their ways may never accomplish all that is available to them in life; they may fail to see the other side. So how is this overcome? Perception. You can be in the world's most beautiful city, or have all the material possessions that money can buy - but to gain an understanding and to come to terms with life in its most dire state, one needs to be able to perceive accordingly.

The story of Arnav and Khushi therefore demonstrates that to move on... One must view the world around them with new eyes.

Chapter One - Keep On Moving

Ahhh SHIT!

Khushi shook herself out of her hazy slumber as she glanced at the flashing alarm clock beside her. She growled at the offending mechanism - as if it was mocking her and her irresponsible habits

'Jiji... Why didn't you wake me up?!

She was supposed to meet Priya and Sienna for breakfast at 10 o'clock, but as always... Khushi Kumari Gupta had overslept. She smacked herself on her forehead, wrestling with the bed sheets as she attempted to find her bearings and scramble out of them.

'You hardly had a decent nights sleep as usual, that's why I always let you sleep for longer stupid'

Even though it was unsaid, Payals heart would clench every time she saw her cousin sister in that same state of vulnerability. She would lay there at night, staring at her tormented features as Khushi painfully rode out her broken slumber. She'd always had the nightmares; they were non-stop. But it never failed to break her heart every time she heard Khushi's cries of help; knowing that she couldn't do anything. They say time heals all wounds, but even though she wouldn't show how much it affected her - She knew that time was not on Khushis side. Payal snapped out of her trail of thoughts as she saw her stumble out of bed, rushing around the bedroom in her usual state of frenzy.

"I know I know, but I told the girls that I'd meet them for 10. And it's now... HALF 10! Oh god I'm so late. I'm such a bad friend! I wouldn't even be my own friend if that was me. I've barely seen them this month and our vacation is nearly over! How am I meant to make it up to them!? Maybe I'll make them jalebi's? Yes! They love my jalebi's!!! Sorted! Hey Devi Maiyya, but it's too late for me to make them right now! Eff it, I'll wake up early and make them tomorrow..."

Payal just stood there and gawped at Khushi as she barely took a breath between her continuous ranting.

'How does she do that!? Sanka Devi!'

Payal whipped her head around to see that her mother had by now popped her head round the door at the sound of her nieces' calamity driven antics and incessant chatter - thoroughly taken aback at the crazy mess, who was now hurtling towards the bathroom.

'KHUSHI! Remember you and the girls are meeting me and Akash for lunch today!'

She heard a loud crash in the bathroom followed by a strangled cry. After a few silent seconds, she heard Khushi yell amidst the powerful sprays of the shower

'Don't worry Jiji... How could I forget?! We'll be there!'

Payal shook her head in amusement. She had missed her little sister... a lot

'Paagal!'

~

Arnav was growing more and more impatient as the days passed by. The feeling of contentment had long surpassed him, and he had now entered the stage at which he just wanted to go home to some normality. He had forgotten how wild his friends were, 'drunken bas***ds.' He grumbled to himself as he went about his usual morning routine, taking extra care to step on NK's lifeless form at the foot of his bed. He was, though, thankful that his cousin Akash was there - he was the only near normal person in comparison to the rest.

"Bhai, I want you to meet Payal today. You've been here for nearly a week now, you need to socialise at least a little. Come and meet us in town later on. A few of her friends and her cousin will be there as well I think. Her names Khushi, she's really nice. You'll-"

He stopped mid-sentence as he caught a glimpse of his cousins' aggravated demeanour; his eyes rolling as he turned to him

'Akash! Does it look like I actually give two shits about some Khushi. Her name alone is making me sick. I'm sure Payal is very nice, as you've so often pointed out, but I'll see her when you finally decide to get married to her. OK?!'

He smirked at his last insinuation, proud of himself for catching his cousin off guard - leaving him speechless in the process as he began turning a violent shade of red. Even though they were the same age and life had thrown many a hurdle their way, Akash was still the nervous geek he had been years ago back when they were kids.

Akash gave an exasperated sigh and shook his head at his irreversible older brother.

'One day,' he thought, 'one day he'll change'

'Fine. But just so you know, the rest of the guys are going so you won't have a choice'

Arnav did a double take. Did he really just challenge him?

'What the-'

Akash grinned cheekily at him, shouting behind his back as he turned to make his exit through the door.

'See you at 2 Bhai!'

He dodged the book that was being hurled at him by an irritated Arnav. The years of escaping the frenzied fists of bullies had clearly done him some good.

'Like I want to spend an afternoon with a bunch of monotonous girls... f**k that!' he muttered to himself. I mean, he'd just about had enough of Lavanya gawping at him at every opportunity possible- Even with her to-be husband, NK in the room!

~

Khushi weaved herself unceremoniously through the crowds of people trying to find the cafe that Priya had told her to meet them in.

'Sorry!'

'Excuse me please'

'Coming through'

'Sorry sir, excuse me'

'Oh my god, I'm so sorry are you ok?!'

'Hey Devi Maiyya where is this place?! They're going to kill me... An hour and a half late!!! '

She finally glanced upon her destination and breathed a sigh of relief. 'Better late then never' she thought happily as she heard the monstrous growl coming from her empty stomach. 'Just as well... I'm starving!'

As Khushi finally came racing through the cafe doors, Sienna sat up a little and motioned to her. She reached them, trying to catch her breath; doubled over as her hand dug in to her stomach. She made a move to launch herself in to a full-blown explanation, but before she could open her mouth, Priya held out her hand.

'K! Sit down. Shut up. Eat!'

Priya and Sienna had often discussed their odd friend at length. As mysterious as she was, they could never deny the purity that resided within her. She was a beautiful person full-stop, and despite her insane persona, they both knew they could never be angry with her - even for a second.

After an hour of food savoring, the three friends had gone shopping to kill some time before they met Payal for lunch. As they made their way to the bar, Khushi chanced upon a cute little bookshop that had her itching to visit it.

'Guys... you go ahead, I just want to go in to that bookshop across the street. Tell Jiji I'll be there soon. 10 minutes tops!'

'Khushi... Hurry up!' Sienna warned her, eyebrow raised slightly.

Relax, I've met Akash before, so he knows what I'm like. Ha!

She winced as she inadvertently reminded herself that her tardiness was getting out of hand. It was now officially a universally known fact!

'Besides...What could possibly be different?'

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How was it?? As you can tell... the first meeting will be happening in the next chapter 😃

Shay ❤️

Chapter 2: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/fan-fictions/2989119/ipkknd-ff-the-story-of-us-update-ch5-pg13?pn=5

looks like i m first.