Arshi FF: Falling in love with your Best Friend *Completed* Pg 96 - Page 8

Hi! How are you? Thank you so so much for liking and commenting!! I am so overwhelmed! I am getting new readers with each passing chapter. So, all I have to say is 'You are most welcome'. I was too busy with my pre-boards that I didn't get much time to think about the beach romance. Also, I had to make their family background clear, so I have written this chapter. I think its not that good as it is expected but it has something which will make you happy!

Read this chapter slowly and like and comment.

~ Chapter 7 - Sharing Sorrows ~

"Lets go Khushi!"

Arnav said, as he came out of his room, in his track pants and t-shirt, for a walk at the beach.

"Lets go."

Khushi said, as she shut her room's door.

They descended down the stairs and went out of the house after closing the door.

*

The beach was at walking-distance from the house, so they decided to walk to the beach.

As soon as Khushi saw the vastly-spread sea, her body went numb. She had only seen beaches in movies and shows, but seeing it originally, was like seeing heaven for her.

"Arnav, IT.IS.SO.BEAUTIFUL!!"

Khushi screamed, as the cool sand came in contact with her soft feet.

Arnav smiled at her excitement.

"I just love beaches, Arnav. This is the first time I am ever seeing a beach in reality"

Khushi said, as she involuntarily hugged his arm and looked over the vast sea.

Arnav looked at her, and then at their clasped hands. He somehow felt really happy inwardly, seeing her happy.

They took off their slippers and started walking along the sea, hand-in-hand. The tides hit the shore with a crash and the water splashed over their feet. They walked, leaving their footprints embedded in the golden-white sand. The hazy atmosphere of the late evening time and the cool breeze, added a sense of tranquillity over both of them.

They walked for quite a long period of time and stopped, when Khushi said,

"Arnav, Baithein?"

(Arnav, shall we sit?)

"Sure!"

They sat on the sand, and stretched their feet out to let the water touch them.

"Its such a heavenly feeling!"

Khushi exclaimed, and bent backwards, inhaling deeply the essence of the sea.

"Yes it is! I used to come here everyday before."

Arnav said, looking over the sea.

"Really?"

Khushi asked, excitedly.

"Ya. When I just came here in Goa, I was so depressed.. I didn't had any reason to be alive.. Everything had fallen apart.. So I used to come here.. This was the only place which gave me peace."

Arnav said, as sadness dawned upon him and his eyes became teary.

Khushi looked at Arnav with confusion.

Arnav glanced at Khushi and continued in a trembling voice,

"My parents passed away in an accident, when I was 14 years old. I was in 9th standard. Maa and Papa left me and Anjali Di all alone. Though my uncle and aunt brought us to their house, yet I could not find my own parents in them. My uncle got my Di married to a renowned lawyer, just after few months after my parents' death. The atmosphere became happy once again. I was in 10th standard, when I got the news that Di was pregnant. I was so excited and happy for her. But our happiness couldn't stay longer as my Di died during her delivery. She excessively bled which resulted in her as well as the un-born's death. I was left all alone. I thought that I didn't had anyone to be with me. I was totally shaken apart."

Arnav choked at the last sentence. Tears flowed incessantly down his cheeks. He started sobbing loudly, when Khushi put her hand on his shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze.

He wiped the tears off his cheek and continued,

"After completing my 10th, I ran away from there and came here in Goa. No one knew where I was, neither did I knew. I didn't knew where I'll go or where I'll live, in a completely new city. Fortunately, I met Ira auntie and she took my to her house. She fed me food and I told her the whole matter. I started to live there, when one day I received a call from my uncle. I don't know how he came to know about my whereabouts. He insisted me to come back home but I didn't agree. I didn't wanted to burden myself on them. He, at last, agreed to my staying here but he put a condition that my financial needs would be taken care by him. Now also, he every month sends me a sum of money which I use to pay rent to Ira auntie and for all my needs."

Arnav ended, and looked at Khushi. His face was tear-stricken. Khushi too cried for him.

Friendly, Khushi squeezed his shoulder to ease his pain. He wrapped his arms around her and started crying on her shoulder. Khushi patted his back gently, to relax him.

"You were so unfortunate Arnav! You had to suffer all this...Just like me"

Khushi said, her voice starting to tremble with the last words.

"You are also an orphan?"

Arnav asked.

Khushi nodded her head in denial and started,

"It was my 8th birthday. After my birthday celebration, my parents left to attend a relative's marriage. I couldn't go as my annual exams were going on. I was living in my aunt's house, when we got a news that a train accident had taken place which resulted in the death of thousands of travellers. Among the dead, there were my mama and papa. My aunt and uncle started mourning for my parents' death, but I didn't understand what was going on. I just sat in the verandah and waited for my parents to come back from the marriage. I waited.. for days.. for weeks.. for months.. but they never came back"

Khushi stopped as her sobs were not letting her speak more. Her cheeks were burning with hot tears, which knew no bound!

She wiped her tears slightly with the back of her hand and continued,

"After that, I started to live in my maasi's house. I started to call my maasi as Maa and my mausaji as Baba. They loved me more than their own son. And from that day, till now I consider them only as my parents. They have given me everything that my own parents would have given me if they were alive. I love them a lot!"

Khushi said, ending up smiling, in between her sobs and sniffs.

Arnav was moved after hearing her life-story. She had suffered more than he did! She wasn't even mature when her parents died. But still, no matter how much pain is hidden in her heart, she is able to make everyone happy around her. Perhaps, that is why she is named 'Khushi'..

"Khushi?" Arnav said, "Are you okay?"

Khushi nodded positively and wiped her tears off her cheeks.

They both got up from the sandy-ground and stood facing each other.

A feel of peace engulfed both of them after sharing the most sorrowful experiences with each other. They looked at one another for some time, after which slowly Arnav bent forward and softly kissed her cheek...! Khushi's eyes involuntarily closed at the feeling of his lips lingering on her cheeks. It was a really good feeling. Her hands went up to clutch his shirt.

The sea waves crashed at the shore loudly, which made Arnav part his lips from her cheek. They both opened their eyes. As soon as they realized the position they were standing in, both left hold of each other and stepped backwards. Khushi turned away from him and looked down to the sand.

"I'm feeling sleepy" Arnav made an excuse, "Lets go home.''

He started walking towards their home, followed by Khushi.

Have they started falling for each other?

~~~

*Sigh* This update made me cry. Anyways, the answer to the above question is 'NO'

There will be instances when they will feel that they both are in love, but the fact that they are friends, will not let them admit it. And the reason for Arnav's kiss is that he was just too carried away by the atmosphere and the feelings they were having at that time.

So.. How was this update? Drop in your likes and comments. I expect long ones!

Buddy me to receive future updates. Thanks for reading.

<--- Sneak peek --->

"Khushi.. I hope you didn't feel bad after what I did.. I mean yesterday..I.. I was just too carried away... Don't feel bad yaar.. I am sorry... I know its awkward but I think its okay.."

Arnav hurriedly pressed his phone keys to type the message and finally pressed the send button.

I love each one of you who read this chapter. Muaahh..