ArHi FF: The Same Coin#5 - Page 33

This is a long overdue comment, I know, but things have been quite crazy here. So sorry for the delay.

Part 8C " The ever-confident Khushi's hesitation and embarrassment while confessing to Payal her relationship with Arnav is cute. The change in Payal is for the better too: there was a sort of quiet determination about her that had not been there in the schoolgirl-Payal. Her old hesitant nervousness still made an appearance, but it was now tempered with some of the same steel that Khushi Kumari Gupta was made of. Khushi scandalised at the thought of NK sullying' Payal's ears with what Arnav and Khushi have been up to is amusing, especially when payal points out to her that she knows a thing or two about what happens between the sexes... I suppose it's the habit of the older siblings to think the younger ones to be still innocent and too young to get into mischief! Payal's admission that she is well on the way to getting over NK brings relief to Khushi. Following her sister's gaze, she noticed in some amusement that her sister's brand new sort-of-boyfriend was waiting near the gate. Nice! Khushi first refuting then realising that Arnav is actually her boyfriend is amusing. Seated on a shiny, black bike, he was engaged in staring rather shamelessly at Khushi. One glance at Khushi confirmed that she was busy checking him out just as blatantly... the temperature seems to be rising... to use a word coined on IF, their eye-sex puts Payal to the blush and she can't wait to get away so they can have their privacy! The first convo between Payal and Arnav was sweet, especially the way he tells her his name. Having kissed Arnav on numerous occasions now, why is Khushi hesitant about clutching Arnav around the waist while on the bike? Placing her hands on his shoulders seems a bit too tame for Khushi! Thank god Arnav took things into his own capable hands, though it backfires on him: with her plastered against him and digging her nails into him due to the bumps and potholes on the road, each is intensely aware of the other's body... a vivid picture of escalating desires! That Khushi is an equal participant in the scorching kiss that ensues comes as no surprise, given what we know about her.

Nice to see that NK has no hang-ups about admitting that he has missed Lavanya and wants to get back with her... no ego hassles here. The mature manner in which they treat their temporary beak-up is heartening with NK stating that they need to work on their relationship and apologising for having made assumptions about Lavanya, when she admits that she always cared and still cares for him. This separations seems to have been good for them in that each realises that he / she can't do without the other, which gives them the push to reconcile and to make concessions. I like that all is not just romantic speeches between Arnav and Khushi but that they discuss serious matters... it's another thing that Arnav learns a lot about Khushi's personal life and family dynamics without being forthcoming about himself. I think tradition is a little overrated. I agree! "But seriously Gupta, do what it takes. Life is so unpredictable, you don't want to live with regret. Make the most of the time you have with the ones you love." Seems like he's speaking from personal experience, but what he says is true. Khushi stared unseeingly into the distance. "Does it make me a bad person that I don't feel like that?" Every child wants to keep his or her parents happy, so imagine the guilt Khushi must be feeling for not being able to do as her father wanted. Thoroughly enjoy the Arnav-Khushi banter, especially lines like "If I took up the veil, that would be the end of you kissing me in empty parking lots." "Please stop taking everything I say literally." "Nah. Pissing you off is too much fun."

Glad to see Payal growing more confident and exploring new horizons... the Aman-Payal relationship is turning out to be quite interesting. "Oh my god! Did you manage to make eye contact with the Raizada boy? What next? Are you going to go drop your handkerchief in front of him?" Hilarious... little does she know that they've gone way beyond that!

Part 9A " Akash's hesitant questions about Arnav's relationship status and the resulting convo is just hilarious, especially when Lavanya joins in: "Wait. So you still don't know who...I mean, I'm with... uh... it's Gupta."

Awww, Arnav's slight hesitation is lovable... I can imagine him blushing which must have quickly turned to slack-jawed shock and exasperation at Akash's question: "WHAT? Wait. Which Gupta?" Arnav looked exasperated. "Khushi Kumari Gupta, Akash! I barely KNOW Payal!" Semanti, love the witty comebacks that pepper your stories: And if I waited for our secret agent of a cousin [what a description!] to tell me things like this, I'd find out directly at his wedding. Or maybe the naming ceremony of his first child, if what I hear about his inability to keep his hands to himself is correct." Looks like Khushi has Lavanya's wholehearted support for returning Arnav's attitude with interest. Lavanya's irreverent comments just make me grin from ear to ear: I don't even want to think about how hormonal their children will be if they last that long... I'd always considered Khushi to be an intelligent girl. Did she hit her head or something? What possessed her to choose Arnav?" This line had me in splits: "Stop saying my name like it's a sexually transmitted disease."

A third, he had ripped. She closed her eyes for a second, sensations rippling through her--his touch, the warmth of his breath on her bare shoulder, his welcome weight on her... those words really threw my overactive imagination into high gear! Just adorable how Khushi decides on the spur of the moment to buy Arnav a t-shirt, only to realise that she doesn't know his shirt size, then goes about skilfully getting the info out of him... the poor fellow must have been left with the dread of having to participate in a male beauty pageant! Arnav's assurance that he would accept Khushi's gift on his birthday seems like a sop... like Khushi, I too feel Arnav was a bit abrupt here... one can understand Khushi's sense of insecurity... they really need to sit down and talk about their future and where their relationship is headed. "Yeah, you'd get along really well with my brother. He says the same thing." How ironical... Payal and Aman already think so, too! The look on Ankit's face is bound to be priceless whenever he learns the truth. Can't wait for Khushi's reaction to this latest revelation.

Part 9B " If this had been an Indian soap, they would have had a lovely melody playing every time they made eye contact and it would have clued in all of us lesser mortals... nice quip, that one! "Who on earth writes fanfiction about an Indian soap?" Akash broke in... a dig at yourself, Semanti? Loved it! "You know, I just realized that if you're ever mean or condescending to me, I have a new ally. Arnav can put you in your place like no one else can." Is it too much of a coincidence how both Lavanya and Payal side with their sibling's love interest more than with their own siblings? Arnav being the gentleman by bringing the water for Payal makes one sigh... such men are hard to find nowadays! But his gesture of giving her a bar of chocolate reminds me of the way boys try to keep the younger siblings [of the object of their interest] happy so as to score with the girl. Arnav making Khushi sleep against his shoulder and then tenderly waking her up with his gentle kisses is a touching image.

Previously, Khushi was a bit sad when NK didn't call her on Diwali, was it? Now she is sad when he calls because she'd rather get a call from Arnav... changes galore! Arnav's silence and prevarications are a tad suspicious... is he busy with social work, so couldn't pick up the phone / didn't notice the missed calls? Something in his past seems to have made him avoid Holi celebrations... there were hints about some estrangement in one of the earlier updates, though I can't recall exactly what. Khushi is right in not allowing her doubts and insecurities fester but to have it out with Arnav... it's best to know where their relationship stands, one way or another. He owes her at least that much! The mother-son convo is adorable as usual, especially his mom's warning that he can't escape her interest in learning about Khushi and him... that is sure going to be interesting. This convo also seems to hint at a past happening that stops Arnav from celebrating Holi... or am I reading too much into it? The idea of Arnav's mom and Lavanya gossiping like two giggly teenagers is endearing.