PART 5:
From the day I arrived in Bhopal, Arnav has been an intrinsic part of my life.
He was involved in all things, big and small. From what I wear to a hangout with our friends to where I open a bank account.
He slowly started opening up and told me about his dad. How he felt when he left them and how he feels now.
It was miserable to be in a broken family and coming from a happy family, I could imagine how hard it is for him and Anjali.
May be that's why he wants to become an architect. He says he wants to build homes for happy families, where everyone stayed together and no one left.
He had a child inside him who felt robbed off his childhood and my heart went out for him.
Every time I saw him sad, I would become sad.
After that night, I never saw him so aggressive again. He would be upset but there were no outbursts.
He was changing physically too. He was growing taller, his beard was getting thicker and his muscles were becoming prominent.
I often found myself thinking of touching his beard and trailing my hand along his jawline, poking his dimples with my nose and kissing his Adam's apple.
I wondered how it would be to be in his arms, rest my face on his neck and breathe his scent.
He looked so adorable when he is just out of bed with his hair disheveled and groggy eyes, I would go most of the Sundays to wake him up with some excuse.
There was a charge in the air when he
was around and I could feel his presence without looking at him.
I don't know what to call it but the feelings were growing with each day, both physically and emotionally.
He is a friend but it's not just friendship.
When I was speaking to my family last week and telling them how much I miss them, my brother NK said I can come back soon once I collected my certificates.
I was stunned but I didn't let it show. First thing that stuck me was that being with them meant I can't be with Arnav.
When I told mami about my conversation that day, she was very sad. She didn't have a child of her own and my stay here was a big joy for her and mama.
I wanted to stay, I wanted to go.
When I received the post with the application form, I knew the decision time has arrived.
As per the habit, whenever I need anything I went to Arnav.
He stared at the papers and we sat silently. We were deeply lost in thought but with some strange connection, we looked at each other at same time.
I was about to tell him that i am confused, when I heard him say "Don't go Kushi"
His tone got me arrested.
His voice was deep and it sounded like a plea and a command together.
He held his face in his hands and took a deep breath, then he ran his hands through his hair and swiftly came to kneel in front of me.
His speed caught me by surprise but it was his eyes that left me speechless.
There was something in them that I couldn't label.
I was still lost in his eyes when he spoke again "Don't go Kushi"
He took my hands in his and looked at them, then he rubbed the back of my palms, slowly and softly.
Tingles ran up my arms and neck and reached my ears.
"Do you feel something when I touch you Kushi?"
I gave a small nod
He smiled. And as usual, I forgot to blink seeing his handsome face.
"I think I am in love with you" he said without faltering
I was knocked out, everything stopped around me and I heard my heartbeat. lub-dub lub-dub
He bent and kissed my hand, his lips soft and warm, lingered on my skin and there was a weird low voltage current flowing from his contact. The feeling was so overwhelming that I stood up in an attempt to get hold of myself.
I was going to move away but he held my wrist from behind and tugged me back to himself.
His hand rose and held my face, he rubbed my cheekbones softly with his thumb and I closed my eyes.
"Open your eyes Kushi, look at me" he whispered.
I obeyed and his eyes cast a spell on me.
His eyes were focused on my lips. He touched them lightly and I shivered.
"You have no idea what I want to do right now" his whisper was ragged with heavy breathing.
He touched my forehead with his and closed his eyes.
He sighed loudly "I can't live without seeing you Kushi, don't leave me"
That broke the daze and I remembered why I came to him.
I know what he is talking about but staying back was a big decision and I had no idea how to convince my parents even if I decide to stay.
"I've never been so close to any boy Arnav" I said and saw him smirk at that.
"You are special but I don't know if what I feel for you is love"
"Then stay! Stay and find out" his voice was pleading
"But what do I tell my family?" I sulked
He held my shoulders and pecked my lips. "You don't worry about that, I'll think of something"
I gaped with wide eyes, shocked at what he did. I am sure my cheeks have turned red.
He winked and pulled me into a hug.
I fit perfectly in his arms.
"I love you" he whispered in my ears. The feel of his breath and the way he said it with such ease left me in a stupor.
I was getting dizzy with all the emotions.
I need sometime, to process all this and most importantly to calm my heart which looked like it was about to leap out of my chest any moment now.
But I didn't feel like leaving his embrace. It felt good, in fact extremely good.
So I leaned in and rested my head on his shoulder and took a deep breath.
His smell was intoxicating.
His hold tightened on my waist and he pulled me closer.
I want to stay like that, in his grip. I don't want the moment to end.
"You love me too Kushi" he said in my ears, his lips touching them.
"Huh?!" I pulled out
I had goosebumps on my neck on the side he spoke, damn! What's with this guy, he left me shivering everywhere he touched.
"Why do you say that?" I wiggled my brows
"Because you were hugging me tight just now" he grinned
"Arnav!" I whacked his arm and blushed
We smiled at each other.
He raised his eyebrows questioningly
I sighed
"Okay! I admit I am attracted to you and I like everything about you but Arnav love?" I spoke my mind
"You will realize it one day, I 'll make you realize" he grinned
I was again lost in his charm.
There was a sound of someone opening the gate and we moved apart.
Anjali was back from school.
Our eyes were hovering over each other all the while I was there talking to Anjali.
I came home and I remembered mami's sad face.
He is right, I should stay. But what about my family. I was torn between these two sets of people: my parents and brother, Arnav and mami mama.
Part 5 :) please leave comments and add me on priya.id4pm if you want to receive pm on updates.
Cricket
Arjun
10