IIT meets DU ** Removed** Note on Thread 2 Page 105 - Page 59

Parikrama is India's highest and Delhi's solitary revolving restaurant at height of 240 feet, located in the heart of Delhi - Connaught Place. The restaurant is approachable through an elevator , given the height at which it is located. The tables are squared with the window and it covers the splendid outlook of Delhi in a single revolution that takes 90 minutes.

But neither the breathtaking view nor the outrageous prices could distract Khushi from the mind- battle her nerves seemed to be occupied with.

" Khushi , what will you have ? " Arnav asked scanning the menu. Khushi had not even cared to touch the menu kept in front of her.

He lifted his eyes from the menu to witness a lost - in - thoughts Khushi

Is this the right time or should I wait till we finish all this. She contemplated tangling untangling her fingers. I should wait , anyways this not the right place to create a scene. She decided taking an eyeful of the fancy restaurant, when her eyes finally halted at Arnav who was glaring at her with his hands crossed.

" What ? "

" Khushi , are you fine ? " he asked.

" Look, if you still stuck up on the bill, stop it at once, this is now getting really irritating " he added.

Khushi smiled a tight smile and nodded her head in response.

Love can blow the air out of anyone , believe me, talking from experience.

" Good, then decide what you want to have" he dumped the menu lying in front of her in her hand, and went back to decide for himself.

" I like Paneer Lababdar, which curry you want to have ? " he asked.

" Kadai Paneer and Garlic naan"

" Any drink ? "

" Orange Blossom " she answered and kept the menu on the side of the table.

" Kadai Paneer, Paneer Lababdar, garlic naan, tandoori roti and Orange blossom " he gave the order to the waiter.

" You won't drink anything ? "

Had quite a lot of drinks yesterday he smiled remembering their beer party. " Not in the mood "

" What's so funny ? " she was amused by his surreptitious smile.

" Forget it " he dismissed the topic by waving his hand and cleverly diverted the point of discussion " Look outside "

" That's Jama Masjid, right " Khushi asked looking outside the huge window panes.

" Yes, you will see a lot more places - Rastrapati Bhavan , Pragati Maidan and others " he answered, himself looking out at the beautiful view.

The best thing about Parikrama is the view you get from a height of 240 feet. The average food quality and outrageous prices get somewhat bearable with the panoramic view of the capital city.

The order arrived after some time and they religiously dug into it.

" So all set for States? " she asked.

" I think so. Visa formalities have to be taken care of though. Actually nothing is set as yet, but I will set it right. I can't ask for more "

" You must be really happy ? "

" Ofcourse, I am happy. You are boring me today with your dumb questions, where is my sarcastic cat ? " he asked lifting his eyebrow and giving a lop sided smile.

" So I am your free of cost entertainment ? " she retorted, tearing a piece of naan and dipping it into Kadai Paneer.

" Ofcourse you are, why do think I am with you ? " he chuckled at her expense.

" Arnav is there no reason to stay back ? " she asked , digressing from the topic and held his right hand on the table.

" Just one - you ! " he winked in response.

For a moment Khushi thought that he was serious but the naughty glint in his eyes dispelled her confusion. So much for expecting !!

She pinched the same hand she was holding, really hard.

" Khushi seriously there is no reason to stay back. I will miss Aakash , some of my college friends and you but I guess we have to move on with life"

" Ofcourse Mr Philosopher " Devi Maiyya rolled her eyes. She wanted her favourite earthling to confess her feelings , only if the stupid jerk would let her. Though she was mighty impressed by his choice of restaurant and wanted to taste the food herself.

Just then the waiter came to their table to ask if they required anything else, which both of them politely refused.

" Khushi I have grown so used to you, it will take some time to grow out of it" he said seriously.

" Don't give me that shit , I know you must be dreaming of blondes already, aren't you ? " Khushi asked wangling her eyebrows.

" How do you know ? "

" All men are the same - born jerks " she smiled shaking her head.

" A jerk maybe , but a good jerk "

" What is so good about you ? "

" If I start speaking of my goodness it will take all the evening " he said with a smug look.

Khushi raised her eyebrow as if challenging ' Oh Really ? '

" See there , Parliament House " Arnav pointed with his eyes.

" Arnav, I want to tell you something "

Common Khushi say it , it's now or never.

" Green light from my side . Go ahead "

" Can you be serious for a second ? " Khushi said irritably.

" Hmmm..." he replied tucking in another piece of naan in his mouth.

" Forget it. Eat your food "

" Anything important ? "

Nothing much, just wanted to say I love you

" Eat your food "

" Yes Granny "

They finished their food in the next 20 minutes and waited for the bill to arrive.

Something about her tone was not right, this evening.

She was serious

Very serious

Something about her attitude was different, this evening.

She was conscious

Very conscious.

She just wasn't the girl Arnav knew.

Though he didn't voice it aloud but he was not blind to notice the changes.

Khushi you remember the speech , just say it. He will reject for sure, so don't be disheartened. Just say it Khushi, you have to get it out of your system.

" Look at me " he said softly to Khushi who was busy admiring the make of the table. When she didn't comply he squeezed her hand a little to get her attention and she finally looked up.

" What ? " she asked rather loudly.

" This should be my question Khushi, what ? " he asked in a calm voice, searching her face for some clues.

The usually vibrant Khushi was somewhat lost, the confident aura was replaced by vulnerability. Something was amiss but Arnav couldn't put his finger on it.

The waiter came and he paid the bill . He held her by wrist and made a dash for the elevator.

Once in the quiet parking lot with occasional cars coming and exiting, Arnav made Khushi face him. The lost expression on her face, constant gulping was making him apprehensive.

" Khushi what is the matter ? " he asked.

" Arnav I love you " she blurted hastily.

Silence...

" Come again ! "

Khushi took a deep breath and reiterated for him.

" Arnav Singh Raizada I love you " she said, poking her finger in his chest.

To say that Arnav was clean bowled would be an understatement. He was clean bowled, run out, time out, caught behind the wicket and all other methods of getting out.

All he could do was to open and close his mouth to say something intelligent but nothing came out . Nothing, absolutely nothing , could prepare him for such a confession from Khushi.

What the hell was he supposed to say ?

She waited for him to say something - to refuse her, to shout at her but he seemed to have damaged his vocal chords.

Khushi again took a deep breath.

Breathe in... Breathe out ...

Oxygen is important for proper functioning of the brain.

She said in a calm steady tone " I know Arnav you have this dream to be successful and all. I know you want to settle in States. I know you don't love me. Believe me even I never wanted to love you, I don't know how it happened. Infact the last thing I wanted was to fall in love with you, but it happened" She paused to gauze his reaction but his face refused to give her clues.

Two hours back he was assuring Aakash that everything is sorted between Khushi and him and there the girl says that proverbial three magical words. Not three but a lot many words.

" I know you don't love me and neither do I expect you to leave this wonderful opportunity for my stupid feelings, but I just had to get this out of my system. I needed to tell you this for the sake of my own sanity "

Care for your sanity and drive me insane.

" Let's go " he spoke breaking his silence and steering Khushi towards his bike.

A lone tear trickled made it's way down her cheek as she clutched his shoulders sitting on the bike behind him.

She wiped it hastily and tried to compose herself

Stop it, just stop being a cry baby. You said it, that's it.

No more tears Khushi.

You weren't expecting a ' I love too ' from his side, were you ?

Hope is the only universal liar that never loses its reputation for veracity.

She wiped all the traces of tears and composed herself.

Neither of them uttered a word for the next 20 minutes of the journey through the bustling roads of Delhi. The street lights had lit up as it was almost 8 : 00 in the evening.

" Arnav drop me at Chanakyapuri, Anjali is staying with her Chachaji today, I want to stay with her " she whispered .

He nodded in reply and changed his direction for Chanakyapuri.

" Khushi get off " he said while parking his bike at the side of the road.

I wanted to include Arnav's reaction and Khushi's confession in a single update but I guess I got a little carried away and wrote a really lengthy part . 😆

As the next part is almost ready I will update on Thursday. 😊

I think I have sent pms twice to some of the readers in my pm list. My apologies for spamming your inbox.

Do comment and press the like button if you liked the update. 😃

Part 15 : The Evening - Confrontation Page 103


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