IPKKND FF | The Story Of Us (UPDATE: Ch5 Pg13) - Page 7

"Before you put on a frown, make absolutely sure there are no smiles available."

- Jim Beggs

A smile

If looked up, a smile can be defined as an expression that denotes pleasure, joy, happiness, or amusement. This in itself shows that a smile can tell you so much about a person. To smile is to put on a brave face, a smile can make you optimistic, and a smile... can make a person fall in love with you.

To give another opinion, a smile is not truly a smile if it does not reach the eyes. If a persons' smile can be seen in their eyes, then they are truly happy. A smile can be thrown about like a football, not to say that it's not a good thing, because one smile from someone can change another's day. But to meet that one person that sees' through a smile, is to meet someone who truly understands you.

The story of Arnav and Khushi is then, a story about learning how to smile

Chapter Four - You Give Me Something

The sharp edge of the knife was glistening in the dim lighting, glinting brightly as if taunting her weakened stature; as if mocking the fact that there was no such brightness in her life anymore.

She saw it floating above her weary eyes, as if ghosting through the air around her - finding it's way to it's destination... her.

She could hear the faint echoes of her mothers screams; her fathers' pleas as the knife came closer still. It seemed shinier then last time. Odd.

A familiar searing pain coursed through the side of her face, her vision blurring as she felt the hot trickle of blood slowly seeping through her wounds and weaving through her eyelashes. She could barely lift her head up off the ground as she felt the knife sink in to her stomach a final time; her eyes barely comprehending the fact that her parents were wasting away in the midst of venomous flames.

She was unable to fight; unable to keep herself awake for a few seconds longer to see her life fall to pieces.

Khushi was jolted awake from her shattered slumber, beads of sweat trickling down her brow as she clutched at her chest trying to stop herself from shaking. Taking a moment to regulate her breathing, she looked round at the sleeping form next to her and slowly got out of bed, padding across the floor to the bathroom.

She was relieved to have not woken Payal up. Usually she'd be up in an instant whenever she felt Khushi shaking uncontrollably in the middle of the nightmares, and she couldn't stand the fact that her Jiji was losing sleep because of her and her problems.

Splashing water on her face, she looked up at the mirror to see her reflection. Her eyes were beyond bloodshot. She saw how swollen they were as she started to shake again

'Breathe Khushi, just breathe'

Her hands were on either side of the sink as she just stared at herself in the mirror. In her mind, her fist was going through her tormented reflection as it mocked her; breaking it in to a million pieces. What right did it have to seem so whole, when she herself was cracked to the core?

The trouble with Khushi Kumari Gupta, was that she was just like Arnav Singh Raizada. Her problems were not shared with anyone. The only difference was that she did not blame the whole world. Her fears; her demons, her problems were her own, and no one else's. Why should she burden others with this? Plus she didn't think she could handle those sympathetic looks and sighs. Payal and Buaji were only ones to know what she had been through and she wanted to keep it that way. So for now, she took pleasure in the little things in life, because the bigger things? Well they just seemed too good to be true. There was a particular quote that Khushi swore by,

Smile like you've never cried, fight like you've never lost, love like you've never been hurt, and live like you'll die tomorrow.

She lived by this because she still wanted to live her life properly, she still had her whole life to live; and it was too soon to give up. She wanted that happiness; happiness that now only her future could offer her.

As she came out of the bathroom wiping her face, she heard her phone vibrate next to her pillow. Khushi felt some of her tension disperse at the thought of who was texting her. They had been texting for a few days now, right from the moment she told him she was home. It was nothing incredibly special. Just general chit chat and the occasional heated banter. It was nice to be able to talk to him like this. He was actually a really good person to talk to. 'And yes, it does help that he is so amazingly good-looking.' She thought cheekily to herself.

~

Akash looked at his brother for the first time since he had begun pacing up and down in his apartment bedroom.

'Bhai, tell me na, what do I do? How do I say it? What if she cries?'

Arnav had had enough; he was getting a headache just watching him, so he took out his phone and re-read the last text Khushi had sent to him. He noticed he'd been doing that a lot today and quickly put his phone back in his pocket, only to find himself smiling at the mere thought of her. 'Snap out of it Arnav.' He knew that he was taking a little bit too much of an interest in her. But was that so bad? And it's not as if anything was going to happen - attachment was on his list of things not do, and he wasn't about to let that change. He had a purpose in life, and that purpose was his Di's happiness.

Arnav realised he was side-tracking and quickly walked up to Akash and grabbed him by the collar.

'Akash! Enough! Man up and get it over and done with before I give you something to cry about'

Akash held his hands up in defeat. The last thing he wanted was to get on the wrong side of his ever angry brother.

'I know I know! It's just... it just doesn't seem right anymore Bhai'

Arnav sighed and patted him on the back.

'Well then Akash, you know what you have to do.'

Akash looked his brother in the eye and nodded determinedly.

'Let's go!'

~

Khushi looked up and stared at her cousin weirdly. Payal had been looking jittery all day, and now by evening, she looked a complete nervous wreck

'Jiji... Why do you look so nervous?'

She'd been out on plenty of dates with Akash before... what was going on? Before she knew it, Payal was in front of her face, staring at her with the craziest eyes she'd ever seen.

'Khushi. Akash woh... He was saying something on the phone. He needs to talk to me. He. Khushi woh, he seemed so upset. Akash. Khushi'

'Jiji you're not making any sense! And what's this about Akash. Is it him? Has he upset you?! Bolo na Jiji?!'

Before Payal could answer, they heard the door bell ring. Payal snapped her head towards the door, then back at Khushi worriedly, who stood straight up and held her arm out to stop her from going anywhere.

'Wait Jiji, let me talk to him first!'

Khushi bounded to the door, all set to give Akash a piece of her mind as she opened it.

'Now listen here Aka-'

Her words were drowned out by an odd sense of uncertainty as she looked upon none other then Arnav. He was scratching the back of his neck; an apologetic smile forming slowly as he shrugged his shoulders. Khushi, in the midst of her initial shock, took a moment to appreciate just how cute he looked in that particular moment. He didn't look angry, upset, or even miserable as usual... he looked like a normal boyish 23 year old. Before he had a chance to notice she was staring, Khushi snapped out of her trance and looked at him confused. Before she could say anything however, Payal rushed past them hurriedly.

'Hi Arnav! Khushi, behave yourself and make sure you lock the doors before you go to sleep, Ammas not here and I might be late. Accha hum chalte hai. Bye Arnav.'

They both watched as Payal mumbled a few more nonsensical sentences before heading out the house in a daze

'Hey... She sounds just like you!'

Khushi gawped at him for a second, unimpressed at his cheeky joke, before laughing loudly and then realising that they were on their own now, and she still had no idea what was going on.

'What, erm.. Hi, what are you...?'

Struggling to find her words, Arnav chuckled inwardly at her ever moving arms and helped her out a little

'Hi er... Akashs' car is in for repairs so he's using mine. Which means if I stayed at the apartment with the others I'd have no means of escaping. So I came with him. Mind if I stay here for a while?'

Khushi smiled at his honesty and guessed that he had probably been rehearsing that line the whole journey here. Feeling a little less apprehensive and touched that he'd rather spend his evening with her, she stepped aside and bowed down, her arm sticking out dramatically

'Aaye Aaye... Welcome to our humble abode'

~

If you were to look upon Khushi and Arnav at this particular moment in time, you would not be able to guess that both had suffered a great deal in their lives. They merely looked like two friends, watching TV and having a laugh. Some of life's greatest pleasures are those simple, intimate moments. And this one, was no different.

Arnav was sat casually in his jogging bottoms and t-shirt, slouched on the sofa whilst Khushi had curled up on the other end, her feet tucked neatly underneath her; a plate of fresh jalebi's resting on her thigh as she happily munched on them.

'So you want to be a journalist?'

Arnav thought she'd be a perfect one at that. 'She sure as hell talks like one.' He thought to himself as he watched in disgusted awe as she chomped on her 10^th jalebi. 'How can someone so gorgeous be such a foodie?!'

'Ideally, yes! I mean, I did used to want to become an illustrator but... let's just say I changed my mind!'

Again, he saw that flash of hurt in her eyes, replaced by that warm smile in an instant. This time however, he really looked at her. Her eyes seemed distant; clouded over with longing. How he could see that, he'd never understand. But all he knew was that her smile - just didn't seem genuine. But it wasn't his place to pry... Just yet.

'So Mr Raizada! So young and so much accomplished. You're family must be so proud.'

She grinned at him, wide eyes and waggling eyebrows - watching him as he turned his head to the TV and looked down for a moment before replying.

'Honestly I'm not too sure. I know Di's always happy when it comes to what I want to do. Whether she agrees with it is a different story. And mum and dad... I'd like to think they would have been proud.'

Khushi looked at him, momentarily shocked; scolding herself for bringing it up in the first place. No wonder he seemed so work-driven all the time. She watched him as he struggled with finding more words; torn between reluctance and admittance. She placed her hand on his arm and stopped him before he said anything else. She could tell he didn't want to.

'Hey... stop, you don't need to say anything. I understand'

There was a prolonged silence of comfort as both Khushi and Arnav felt a surge of companionship emancipating from the other. They wouldn't have been able to explain it. But it left them feeling... different. Khushi herself was left with an empty feeling knowing that this feeling of being around so many lovely people and being so carefree - wasn't going to last. She had to go back home in a few days. Arnav knew he was going down a path he shouldn't, emotions didn't have a place in his life schedule. But one look at her, and he couldn't help himself. He had to know everything about her.

There was a sudden fumbling at the door breaking them both out of their wistful thoughts as Payal stumbled through them, a look of shock etched upon her face.

'He proposed Khushi... Akash asked me to marry him!!!'

__________________________________________________

Thank you to all of you who are taking the time to read and enjoy my writing. I honestly appreciate each and every single one of you. You guys are amazing! 🤗

Lots of love

Shay X

I loved the companionship between Arnav and khushi is amazing he understands her. The update was amazing well done and Akash proposed !!!!! Can't wait for the next update thanks for the pm:)))

Eeekk!!! This is so exciting. I love Arnav and Khushi in this 👏😊😃👏

I have been waiting for this brilliant man I want to know what happened in khushi's childhood please continue soon

Omg!!...I loved it!..<3...we already know that he digs Khushi, but now we know that she likes him too!...Arnav has eyes of a hawk indeed...it seems like he knows everything abt her...aaw...and Akash proposed?!...aaw...can u plz post the part how he proposes to her in the next chapter?...aaw...loved it!

great update love Khushi and Arnav and how great they are

I am happy that i came acrossthis work...Its awesome...Loved Arnav and Khushi...You have penned it well...

awesome update.

thank you for the pm and the reply to my previous comment... this update is an amazing piece as usual! the emotions your characters feel just leap out of the page, making one identify with your protagonists... khushi's fears were quite palpable, but love that it doesn't hold her back from sharing her love with others and from searching for happiness... arnav's unwillingness to share an emotional connect with another is understandable... akash and payal's nervousness before the proposal was adorably portrayed... but the best, by far, was the silent companionship and understanding brewing between arnav and khushi!

Fab ff! Keep up the fab work!