A/N: Really sorry for the delay but I've been either studying or sleeping like the dead, and the situation is only going to worsen this coming week - what with my exams coming up. So I'm apologizing in advance, for I have absolutely no idea when I will be able to post the next chapter! I really hope you enjoy this chapter and a big hug to all of you who liked an commented on the last chapter. A BIIIG JHAPPI to those adorable people who write detailed comments, you know who you are so give yourselves warm jhappis from me!
And its 17 pages on Word, the longest chapter I've written for this story so far. So I expect lots of comments and lots and lots of love from all of you!
ENJOY!
Chapter 5 – Normal…
"...so if the loss is on speculative business we can only adjust it with income from the same?"
"hnmmm..."
Someone was saying something, a voice vaguely familiar but I kept bouncing in and out of my own private lala land, Hnm-ing in response here and there.
"but what about any income from property or salary or any other heads?"
"hnmmm..."
5 minutes later...
"khushi, what did he just say about that 50% extra exemption?"
"hnmmm? hmmm..."
"khushi, I'm ask... What the?!"
Someone was nudging me, uff ho, I want to sleeep.
Sighing in annoyance, I jerked the hand away that kept nudging. But oh what a stupid insistent hand... Hmph...
Groaning loudly in frustration I pushed the hand supporting my head, down on the desk, wherein disturbing my dangling head and suddenly jerking awake. I looked around slightly disoriented, only to realize that the class was staring at me, straight at me, only at me. Some students with apologetic smiles, while some just enjoying with ugly smirks in place. What was happening? Did I have something on my face?
I turned to my nudging right - I mean Arnav, and raised my eyebrows in question only to realize that he was staring right ahead. I pulled at his shirt sleeve lightly to get his attention but he only pushed my hand away. Angered, I pulled at his sleeve again, and this time, he turned towards me, pinched my hand and motioned for me to look ahead. Confused, I looked ahead and froze...
"Finally! Finally I have your attention."
I looked on shocked, embarrassment creeping over my features slowly,
"Oh you had only fallen asleep, dear. No big deal. Afterall its what I come here to do, send you off dozing while I rant about boring taxation."
Looking down with embarrassment as it dawned upon me as to why everyone was so interested in me right at that moment, I began a mechanical apology,
"I'm sor..."
"OUT!"
The teacher's voice boomed around the room, I'm sure people from the class next door must also have heard him.
"But sir I..."
"I said out, you can sleep all you want outside this class. NOW OUT!"
Dejected, I grabbed my things and quickly shuffled out of the class. It wouldn't be any use trying to persuade an angry teacher.
He was actually quite nice, this was the first I'd seen of his angry side, and I respected him so there went the option of posing an argument.
...
Fifteen minutes later, I was sitting in the library (the most peaceful place to sleep), my head resting on my folded hands while I dreamed of nothing, just happily catching up on my sleep. 34 hours, that's how long I hadn't slept for, assignments, practicals, project presentations and all the same had kept me up all night.
I was almost totally down when someone called my name.
"Urghhh! Not again!"
I groaned again, only to come face to face with Arnav.
"Oh hi what's up I'm sleepy sweet dreams ok bye"
I mechanically spoke as I made to let my head fall back down on my bony arms. (Mental note: bony arms - bad pillow substitute)
But of course, what were friends for if not to annoy the living hell out if you?
Jerking my head back up at his insistent voice which kept calling out my name, I snapped disgusted,
"What is it Arnav? I haven't slept in god knows how long, I'm tired, can't I get a little peace?"
"but I just..."
"No! I need to sleep, so if you're here to ask me to get up go and apologize to Sir, the answer is no. I mean I'll do that later, I'm just so tired right now."
"No that's not what I..."
"Yaar, masla kya hai? Mujhe sona hai na, tum..."
I was at the verge of crying, exhausted with all the brainy work I'd been doing, when arnav cut me off.
He smoothly scooted closer to my chair, placed one hand in a comforting gesture on my head while grabbing my other hand in his and pressing it lightly, and asked in the most concerned honest tone I'd ever heard him use,
"Tum theek ho, khushi?"
Surprised as I was, I actually forgot to reply. It was only when I felt him patting my head lightly, that I realized he was waiting for an answer.
Relieving an exhausted sigh, I slumped back down, my head resting on my folded hands sideways. I closed my eyes, oh such relief,
"I'm fine, just tired. I've been working on assignments and all that."
He simply continued caressing my hair, his right hand still holding my left.
"I think I'll bunk the last session today, the next is important, cant skip that."
"Do that"
He finally participated, adding after a pause
"You shouldn't work so much, you're becoming weaker by the day."
I just hnm-ed in response, but then something clicked in my sleepy head and I jerked up, throwing his hands off in the process,
"Wait! Why are you not in class? There's like an hour left in the session to end."
"I wanted to check up on you."
His simple admission! Oh that's why I loved him! This was my Arnav.
I literally beamed up at him, the biggest sleepy smile I could manage and impulsively told him,
"You know I love you, right?"
And even through the dizzy haze I was wrapped in, I could see that he was stumped. I had said that to him before, hadn't I? F**k! I hadn't! (Yes, this was a situation where I was allowed to use the f word) Sh*t Sh*t Sh*t! I immediately made to cover up,
'Oh no, I mean, you're my best friend, and I love you... SHIT, I didn't mean that, I mean i did, dammit! You're my best friend, alright? so, no SHIT! Arnav, I'm, I didn't, I..."
"Sshhh..."
His index finger placed on my lips, his mouth spread in that lop sided grin that I loved oh so much.
My eyes popped out as soon as I felt his finger on my lips, and he was smiling. Did he... did he actually like what he'd heard, could he possibly have realized that he lov... No don't say that word, it's too soon Khushi!
Deciding that I wasn't going to continue rambling, Arnav removed his finger and pulled me by the hand, leading me outside the library while I followed quietly, stunned at my own stupidity. He was chuckling to himself. He took me to the cafeteria and got me some coffee,
"There's no point sleeping when you have to attend classes, I can't have you being kicked out of every class. Have the coffee, I'll just go and get you a pain killer for the headache you must have developed by now."
I could only nod, but before he was off, he turned around at the door of the cafeteria and called back,
"And we need to talk"
and then with a wink in my direction, he was off to get me some tablet, I guess - I hadn't really heard the last bit, what with him being so absolutely janu when he smiled.
...
3 hours later,
"...Hahaha I swear Rohan I had no idea we were in this course together. Acha hai waise, I wouldn't have been able to bear this class alone."
"You know khushi, during the conference I was wondering where I'd seen you before. Now, I know"
Rohan smiled at me as I packed my bag to leave class with him. Finance was a tough course and I didn't have any of my friends in that class. So I was naturally only so glad to have found an acquaintance. Attending classes without decent company was not my thing, and Rohan seemed like a nice guy.
After a pause Rohan spoke again,
"Actually, we are together in tax too... I uhhh, I realized this morning only... I'm sorry I didn't mean to embarrass you."
Silence,
And then we both burst out laughing. Sobering up, I clarified,
"No, it's all good. I went and talked to him before this class. I haven't been feeling well, like I told you, toh just talked to him and apologized. All's well."
We had walked out of class by now and were standing near a food stall in the basement,
"By the way, khushi did you get that last question?"
"Nahi yar, I didn't get that question but I'll try to do it at home and let you know. Btw call me K, all my friends do"
"Oh that's cool, K. Anyway, right now you need rest; you're skipping the last session right?"
"Yeah, don't have the energy, need sleep. I have the next session free and I'm bunking the last one, so I'll just relax during the time."
"Okay, good. Waise I'm going home, I could drop you if you want, your place would be in my way..."
Before I could open my mouth to reply, someone else answered for me,
"There wont be any need for that, I'm already taking her home. But thanks anyway Rohan, very considerate off you."
Oh Arnav, of course! Cold Arnav. God! He had really gone nuts. Bechara Rohan was only offering, and so nicely at that.
"Thanks Rohaaa..."
Before I could even thank him properly, Arnav had started dragging me away. His jaw set, gritting incoherent curses at Rohan through his teeth.
Through the midst of all this, I realized two things,
a) Arnav was jealous - yippeee, mental jig!
b) I was being dragged a lot now a days - but only by arnav, so another mental jig!
**************************
"What's wrong with you? He was only offering a ride home; there wasn't any need to be so rude."
Strapped in my seat, I turned to face arnav as he started the car,
Of course I had realized that he was jealous, but that wasn't enough, now was it? It had been a week since the conference, since that night when I'd confronted him - well, sort of. Arnav hadn't done anything so far, that is anything out of the normal. That's what he was with me, normal - like before!
Today though, - however sleepy I was - I had finally seen something that was a total contrast to his "normal". I had gotten to see my jealous arnav again, and I was definitely going to push him now. I had had enough of hoping for him to take the next step. If pushing him through using his jealousy was what he needed, then I would do that.
After a very long silence, which I was ready to break with the repetition of my question, Arnav spoke,
"Do you want to grab some lunch before I drop you off?"
His eyes focused on the road, stance still slightly rigid but his voice much softer than is expected it to be.
I was stumped. What was he upto? He wasn't going to scold me for talking to any man other than him? Wasn't that how it was supposed to go? Ughhh, bloody unpredictable monster!
When I didn't answer his question for a while, he turned his head slightly to the left, appraised me for a second and then turned his focus back to the road.
"Khushi, I asked you something!"
"what?"
I blurted.
"do. you. want. to. eat. something. before I drop you off?"
he punctuated every word for me, and I flushed
"okay."
and then I just started playing with the music list playing in his car and increasing the volume to "by your side"by sade, I started singing along,
"you think I'd leave your side baby,
you know me better than that,
you think I'd leave you down when you're down on your knees
I wouldn't do that
ohhh when you're alone
I'll be there, by your side, baby..."
Suddenly the song drowned out as arnav turned the volume down,
I suddenly jerked my head side ways to complain when I noticed the smirk on his face, his eyes glinting with mischief,
But before I could inquire about either - that is the lowering of the volume or his mischievous smile, he stopped the car at the signal and fully turned towards me, smirk intact,
"So, you're friends with Rohan now?"
A little confused, I replied,
"yeah..."
"And he is in how many of your classes?"
"2"
I mechanically replied, still confused. He raised an eyebrow, prompting me to answer further,
"He's with me in Finance and Tax..."
He seemed surprised,
"Tax? Really? I never noticed"
He smiled, that arrogant smile, like him not noticing Rohan was some sort of achievement, and I wanted to smack him. I snapped at him,
"HE didn't notice us either, till his morning when the teacher very sweetly kicked me out. Would be hard for anyone to not notice, don't you think?"
He started the car again, glancing at me once before shifting gears,
"...Hnm... So who else is with you in finance?"
"uhhh, noone... I told you I didn't have any friends in finance this semester. Thank goodness Rohan's there; I'd have gone nuts if he wasn't..."
I stopped abruptly, noticing the way his knuckles had turned white against the steering wheel. Oookaaay, time for me to shut up about Rohan now. Oops! Crossed the line...
I turned around, focusing all my attention at whatever was outside the window, cars, billboards, yada yada, when,
"He was flirting with you."
FINALLY! He was coming to the point. Excited, I turned back around and asked nonchalantly,
"Kaun?"
"Rohan! Aur kaun?"
Oooh angry jealous Arnav! Yippeee!
"Nahi toh. He was just being nice. I told him I wasn't feeling well and he offered a ride. Quite thoughtful of him actually."
"Nice my ass! He was flirting, khushi."
"Arnav you're the limit, he was being nice."
"Flirting!"
"Nice!"
"Flirting!"
"Nice!"
"Flirti..."
"Oh stop it!'
Silence, I turned back around and stared outside. Okay, jealousy, anger, not so good, he was only giving me a headache with his idiotic ideas.
But wait, he had said that he...
Whipping my head back around, I asked,
"Hey, you said we needed to talk. What about?"
At the same time he parked the car in the underground parking of the food court, and unhooked his seat belt. Turning towards me, and completely ignoring my question, he leaned forward. Instantly I pushed myself back into the seat. Leaning forward, he unhooked my seat belt and stayed there. His eyes boring into mine, lips only inches away, his breath washing over my face as he spoke,
"We're here."
And within second he had moved back and stepped out, moving around to hold my door open for me.
As if I wasn't surprised enough, he slid his hand into mine, holding it tightly. Raising my hand up, he brought it closer to his lips and pressed a long kiss to the inside of my wrist. Then pushing our joined hands back down, he slid his fingers through mine, holding tighter than before.
"I wanted to discuss something very important with you khush, but since you deposited all your energy on defending that assho... Rohan, and probably don't have any left to spend on thinking about US, I've had to come to a decision on my own, and you're going to have to accept it. No two ways about it."
I was too dazed to form any coherent sentences, too dazed to even nod, so I took to only watching him, dazed.
Never one to disappoint, he spoke again,
"After today, no Rohan, or Aman or even NK for that matter... Arnav! That's the only name that's going to be there on your mind..."
Stepping closer while I stood rooted to the ground, I felt his breath wash over my face as he continued, in the softest whisper, looking straight into my eyes,
"... in your heart."
Was he? Did he just? Did this mean?
Coming closer, he whispered in my ears, his free hand caressing my cheek,
"This is going to be our first date, khush!"
My expression froze, but he wasn't done.
Before he moved back, he pressed his lips to my cheek, a long lingering kiss. At that, my eyes literally popped out.
"That was a return kiss for the one you gave me that night..."
He was smiling, that sweet intoxicating, winning smile of his. My eyes still popped out, I stared at him for a long moment before he started pulling me along,
"Come, you need to eat!"
And with his smile intact, with my hand still in his tight grasp, I was being dragged again.
And just like that, he was normal again. Like nothing out of the usual had happened. Like all that had happened just now was normal. Like everything he had just said to me was normal. Was it? Was this normal? Had he really just said that... that... this was going to be a... a date? Was this the official start of our ... our relationship? WE WERE IN A RELATIONSHIP? f**k! Was this normal? My heart was thumping against my chest, louder than ever, faster than ever. Was any of this normal? His kiss... I unconsciously pressed my hand to my cheek and blushed crimson and thought to myself as he led me away...
Definitely NOT normal!
...
Lots of love,
Sonia
p.s. This work is solely mine. Kindly do not copy or share without my permission
Udne Ki Aasha
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