The bright light that came through the window fell on his 'still swollen' eyes.
Arnav shut his eyes tighter...and then slowly opened them only to find himself in his empty room with his Naan's picture beside him on the bed.
He picked up the frame ...and his eyes started getting watery again as he remembered how his Naani woke him up every morning by lovingly stroking her hand through his hair.
He was about to go into the world of grief when some words intruded his thoughts ...
The words which were told to him by a stranger..
'I dont think ur grandmother wud be even a bit happy seeing his grandson in this state.'
ASR was a very practical person and would not care about some useless stuff said by an unknown person...but his heart did believe those words...
He quickly wiped those emerging tears and got up from the bed.
He looked at his left side and saw his phone lying on the side table.
He remembered his last night's conversation with the stranger...
Yeah !! He should call and thank her.
She was very kind and patient to him but he got rude and cut the call.
He picked his phone up and was about to see the dialed numbers list , but suddenly it vibrated and started ringing.
An unknown number flashed.
Arnav sighed and answered the call.
Hello...
Good Morning ASR..Its Lavanya.
Ohh...gud morning..umm..Lavanya i wanted to talk to you. I called at ur new number yesterday..but..it.
Ok..whatever !! Just say fast what u wanna say ASR, i'm in a hurry , i have an appointment in the beauty parlor.
Ummm...Na..naani..she is no more. She had a heart stroke yesterday morning...his voice seemed to tear down with each word.
Oh no !!! Thats really sad...ok ASR i've getting late for the appointment.i'll talk to you later !! Bye..
And she cut the phone.
Arnav took a deep sigh and closed his eyes.
He was unusually calm this time.
Ufcourse , it was his fault that he expected Lavanya to be there or console him during such a phase.
After Naani , There was no shoulder he could keep his head on and cry his heart out.
Though he promised himself that he wouldn't cry anymore...but The feeling of loneliness was eating him bit by bit.
Arnav now didn't feel like talking to anyone...so he decided to call the girl later.
He would go to office today.
He would have to try and divert his mind as much as possible.
He dressed up , skipped his breakfast and left for office.
*****
Hey Khushi ur looking great winked Taniya.
Thanxs babezz..khushi hugged her.
And where's our 'soon to be bride' Pree ?? asked Khushi breaking the hug.
Ohh..Preetika Madam is still busy getting ready...i guess she forgot that its her spinster party and all the guests have arrived !! said Tania rolling her eyes.
Wait..i'll go n see her smiled Khushi.
She went up to Preeto's room who still checking her micro mini outfit...and mumming her lip gloss.
Ur luking gorgeous pree...Khushi said walking inside the room.
Hey Khushi , u've come..
Not just me...but all the girls have come dear.
Ohh really ?? I guess i took a lot of time said Preeto with an embarrassed look on her face.
Hey !! Dont worry Pree...its fine! Take ur time.. anywayzz after tomorrow u'll hardly get a chance to dressup and have fun like this.
Preeto's face dropped even more hearing those words.
Khushi realized that she said the wrong thing at the wrong time and bit her lip.
Ohh..i mean...umm..leave it , and enjoy this day yaar.Its ur Spinster Party...remember how much we all planned for this day.
Preeto smiled as soon as she heard this.
Come on now...everyone is waiting...
The two girls then walked downstairs..where all the girls were chit chatting..and enjoying.
Preeto greeted all of them..and all the girls congratulated her.
The girls were having a Gala time together eating n enjoying..
Hey lets play Truth or Dare !!!...One of the girls Natasha suddenly suggested.
All the girls agreed to play..and then started the game!!
One by one each girl got their turn...and every time a girl chose a dare , Khushi's evil mind gave them the most awkward and difficult tasks.
And finally it was Khushi's turn..
Khushi's eyes almost popped out when the bottle pointed at her...becuz she knew that all the girls had a grudge on her due to the horrible dares she gave them.
If Khushi would have chosen truth , they would surely ask her something , very embarrassing and if dare , then they would give her a terrible one.
Khushi got out of her thoughts when Tania clicked her fingers in front of her eyes.
Khushi !! Fast..we all are waiting.
Choose - Truth or Dare !!
Khushi looked at the face of the girls in front of her...all of them had evil smiles on their faces.
Khushi gulped hard looking at them..
Khushi tu toh gaii !! She whispered to herself. ( Khushi u r dead )
*****
Arnav was finally done with his work...
All the workers had left office long back, but Arnav kept working just to keep his mind busy.
Finally he looked at his mobile , which was filled with Lavanya's missed calls as his phone was on silent mode all that time.
But he was least bothered about her because calling her was a total 'waste of time'..and specially after what happened in the morning, even thinking about her would disgust him.
He took his phone and was rotating it with his fingers , when he suddenly remembered , he still hadn't thanked that girl.
Hmmm...he should thank her now.
He looked at the watch that struck 8.Its fine...he can call her now.
He checked the last number dialed in his phone.That was it.
After last night , he didn't make any call from his phone..
(Can u believe it ?? He didn't eve call Aman !!!😆😆😆)
He didn't know why..but he felt somewhat nervous.
But why ?? He just had to thank her for being so kind him last night.
Chill Arnav !!
Its just that he was feeling weird to call a stranger again...well but he should and he will.
Arnav took a deep breath and pushed the call button.
Arnav was fortunate enough that she picked the call up only after 2-3 rings.
Hello...Arnav said hesitantly.
Hello..hi...bye..bye..who ishpeaking ???
Umm..i..im..Arnav..
Kaun Arnav...Kahe Ka Arnav ?? Hum kisi Arnab Barnab ko naahi jaanat hai !! (who arnav ? what arnav ? i dont know any arnav)
No...actually i'm the one who called u last..
Ohh !! Now i under..ishtand , u roadside romeo..calling and dishturbing young girlsh.
No..ur misunderstanding me...i just..
Ssut up !! Agar ek aur baar phone kiye naa, toh devi mayyia ki kasam, police ko complaniyai denge.
(Shut up ! And if u call again , then i swear i'll complain to the police)
Arnav totally freaked out.
He didn't know what to say..
Had he dialed the wrong number again ??
But how ?? It was the number at which he called yesterday..then how ??
I...i..think..i dialed the wrong number again.I'm sorry madam..
He was about to cut the call when he was stopped by a loud NO ! (History repeats 😆)
This 'No' was very similar to the one he had heard last night.
Arnav paused for a while.
The silence was broken by the voice of a girl..Khushi !!
Listen whoever u are , i am very sorry to scare u like this..actually i was given a dare to scare the person who calls me and so i did it i swear !! Khushi said without stopping in one breath.
Arnav could hear the sound of giggles from behind and he understood the situation.
Ohh..its..its ok..i
But Arnav was cut in between again.
By the way who are you ? Do i know you ?? Where did u get my number from?
Arnav took another deep breath... will u plz let me speak ?? he said in a straight voice.
Ok say what u want..,came a reply.
Fine..so I am Arnav and i called you yesterday by mistake. Actually i was calling someone else , and i guess i dialed the wrong number.
Khushi finally calmed down...Oh..i'm sorry...i thought ur some..
And i guess i was very rude to cut the phone in the middle...he spoke again.
Khushi walked away from the room to a more secluded place.
no..its ok..i didn't mind.
Well i just called to thank you for yesterday. Arnav said calmly.
Thank you ?? for what ?? asked khushi in confusion.
For..for consoling me...for being so kind to me. I mean being a stranger , i would never expect someone to be that nice to me.
You dont have to thank me..Arn..umm..Mister.
U can call me Arnav if u want to...said Arnav politely.
Yeah..i mean i know how it feels when we loose someone close to our heart , so being a human being its my duty to help another human being in such a situation.
A little smile krept through Arnav's lips as he heard her innocent answer. He had smiled after a very long time.
Hmm... he said trying to keep his answer short.
Well i hope you are alright now..
Yeah..i'm alright.
By the way..i'm Khushi ! Khushi Gupta...said khushi with a smile.
It was nice talking to you Khushi...said Arnav in a soft tone.
Same here said Khushi cheerfully.
Arnav hadn't noticed it all this time , but Khushi's sweet voice was very soothing to his ears.
Ok bubbyee then said Khushi, her voice still chirpy.
Bye said Arnav with another little smile.
They both cut off the call.
Arnav looked at the screen of his phone and saved the number he just talked to in the phone as Khushi.
He knew that saving the number of a stranger...actually now no more a stranger...was of no use , because they may never talk to one another again.
But he still did it...he didn't know why !!!
*****
Really hope that u all enjoyed reading this chapter.
Kindly spare some time to like and comment..and give ur feedbacks because the comments by u ppl really do matter to the writers.
Thanxs
Nikita 😃
DON'T FORGET TO BUDDY ME AT THIS ACCOUNT FOR PMS!!!
Udne Ki Aasha
Anupamaa
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