ArHi FF | Phir Subah Hogi | Chapter 3 pg 12 - Page 5

Chapter 3

Arnav grabbed a pillow and leaned against the headboard of his sister's bed. He looked out at the poolside, his eyes caught the shimmering moon reflecting in the water. It was one of his favourite places in the house especially since Anjali and his room were only separated by the poolside. After their parents passed in an accident, their nani, mami and mama took them in and since then they only got closer. Both of the siblings often found solace in chatting for hours at the pool under the open starry night.

His thoughts wandered off into what happened at the sangeet. He glanced over at his sister sitting at her dresser; he decided to talk to her about it.

"Di don't you think Khushi's mom is quite strict, I probably should not have danced with her at the sangeet..."
Anjali looked at his reflection in the mirror, "Why do you think so? The dance was lovely."

He sighed, "I overhead her mom scolding her after the dance, she clearly told Khushi she did not like it and Khushi embarrassed her. She was actually really concerned about what your in law's would think." As an afterthought he asked, "Di do I seem like some sort of playboy?" He looked into the mirror with a serious face.

Anjali turned around, "Of course not Chotte, Garima aunty is old fashioned that's all."

He frowned, "And how do you know that Di?"

Anjali stood up and walked towards the bed, "I've seen and spent enough time around her to gather that much. She's just trying to make peace and protect her daughter."

Arnav clenched his jaw, "Di it's the 21^st century, it was just one dance and I didn't ask Khushi, she asked me. You should have seen the way Khushi's mom looked at me yesterday when I went to drop off Jijaji's wedding clothes at his place. "

Anjali rested her hand on his, "Leave it Chotte... just forget about it."

He nodded and decided to change the topic, "So where is Shyam's loving' brother anyway? He was a no show today as well. By this rate, he'll miss the wedding too!" He finished sarcastically.

She took a pillow and smacked him against his stomach. "Chotte!"

"Ouch Di...already taking for your new family!" He grinned.

She shook her head, "His flight got delayed because of a storm abroad. Shyam's upset over it, he really might not make it for the wedding."

He scrolled through his phone aimlessly, "Have you ever met him?"

She smiled, "I spoke to him once on Skype. He seems nice."

He nodded, "Hmm..."

She narrowed her eyes, "Chotte why do I get the feeling that you don't like him?"

He replied with a straight face, "That's because I don't."

She reprimanded him, "You haven't even met him!"

He held his hands mid-air, "Neither have you Di!"

She shook her head at his antics, "Chotte enough of your questions. Go to bed, I need to get some sleep, I've got an early morning."

He got off the bed and walked towards the poolside door, "Night Di."

She smiled and ruffled his hair, "Goodnight Chotte." She giggled as she shut her door and drew her curtains before he could complain about her touching his hair.

"Di..." Arnav called as he ran down the stairs into the living room. He heard a voice coming from behind him, "She just left with Shyam bhaiya."

He smiled recognising the voice, he turned around, "Khushi, you're here?"

She smiled, "Yeah I came with Shyam bhaiya... actually I was out shopping with him and we dropped by. He took Anjali out, they promised to be back in an hour."

He raised an eyebrow, "So you just agreed to wait here for them."

"Yes, but only because I knew you were at home, I heard HP saying he was preparing your lunch." She quickly finished.

"You wanted to meet me?" He asked teasingly.

She bit her lip, "Why not? Do I need a notice to meet my friend?"

He shook his head, "Nah of course not... uh I hope your mom didn't scold you more when you all went home."

She winked, "She didn't, she probably thought that was enough for the night."

He chuckled, "Good." Just then he felt his stomach grumbling, he asked, "You hungry?"

She immediately nodded, "We've been out since 8am and I am famished." She pouted and patted her stomach.

They walked to the dining table where HP was already setting the lunch. Arnav said, "HP, this is Khushi..." Before he could continue, Khushi hugged HP, much to Arnav's surprise.

HP reciprocated the hug, "Ji saab I remember her from the sangeet. She's very sweet."

Khushi pulled HP's cheeks, "You're very sweet too!"

Arnav shook his head at her antics, "That's err nice. HP get another plate, she's having lunch here." HP nodded and brought another plate.

Khushi sat next to Arnav and inhaled the heavenly aroma that filled the atmosphere. Food equalled to Life for Khushi. She could not function without food, especially such yummy smelling food. She was certain HP was a fabulous cook mostly because he was such a sweetheart.

She looked up to see Arnav staring at her as if she was the food. She snapped her fingers in front of him, jerking him out of his bubble. She narrowed her eyes, "What?"

He shook his head and began serving himself, "You can start."

She nodded and filled her plate with what she wanted. She was so hungry, she didn't try to make any conversation, all her attention was on her food.

Arnav chuckled to himself, she was so adorable, he thought. He continued eating while stealing a glance at her in between his food.

Khushi exhaled loudly and looked at her watch for the third time. She mumbled to herself, "Where is Shyam bhaiya? It's already been two hours."

Arnav leaned back on his recliner and tilted his head at Khushi who was sitting on his bed reading magazines. At least she was until she looked at her watch ten minutes ago, since then she was on the edge. "Khushi just relax. They'll be back shortly..." He paused before continuing, "Okay maybe not! But who checks the time when they're in love?"

"What's that supposed to mean? Aayi must be worried." She began nibbling at her fingertips.

He got up and sat beside her, "She knows you're with Shyam theoretically. She'll be fine, once she doesn't know her daughter is with the person she hates."

She scowled at him, "She does not hate you Arnav."

He nodded, "So she just doesn't like me then."

She thought about it for a second before saying, "No comment."

He laughed it off, "I know just what to divert your mind." He scanned through his collection of old cassettes and pushed one into the cassette player.

Pyaar hua, ikraar hua...

He held his hand out and smirked, "May I have this dance?"

She giggled and placed her hand into his palm, "Only because I love this song and maybe because I owe you for saving my performance."

He pulled her snug against his chest and wrapped his hand around her back, while his other hand found hers, intertwining it. He started singing the lyrics over the music. Pyaar hua, ikraar hua hai...Pyaar se phir kyoon darrta hai dil...

She joined in with him as he twirled her around the room. Kehta hai dil rasta mushkil
Maaloom nahin hai kahan manzil... She couldn't help but think he looked so innocent when he smiled. Before she even realised what had happened, their faces were only inches apart. She gulped as she felt her heartbeat racing against her chest.

They had stopped singing and the music in the background had drowned out as they continued to stare into each other's eyes. The shrill of a ringtone filled the room and he pulled away to answer the phone.

She walked out into the poolside giving him privacy to attend to his call. The poolside was beautiful she concluded as she scanned her surroundings. Unique plants, an asymmetrical pool in the centre, the entire place was exposed to the open skies, yet it was private. She realised that Anjali and Arnav's rooms were the only two to have access to the poolside since only their doors opened into it.

He cleared his throat as he walked up behind her.

She turned to him, "Its beautiful here."

He smiled, "It's my favourite place..." He ran a hand through his hair, "Khushi that was Shyam, he asked me to drop you home. There's a road block from the side they're coming from, they won't be here for another two to three hours. He doesn't want your mother to worry and then he said something about you r mom and you..."

She nodded, Erm yeah we go to the temple on Friday evening. Aayi must already be looking out for me. I promised not to be late."

He smiled, "Alright, let's go then."

Khushi waved at Arnav as she opened the door to her house. She sighed and shut the door as he drove off.

"Khushi?" She heard her mother's voice coming from the living room.

She took off her shoes and walked towards her mother. "Yes Aayi."

Garima smiled, "Ready to go?"

Khushi put down her purse, "Let me just change quickly. I'll be right back."

Garima and Khushi returned home after their weekly visit to the temple. Since Garima had already prepared dinner, Khushi decided to serve it. She held her mother's shoulder, "Aayi sit, let me get everything..."

Garima nodded and sat down at the dining table while Khushi went into the kitchen. On the table Khushi's phone buzzed, Garima glanced over and saw Arnav's name flash on the screen, with the message. Enjoyed today! :)

Garima remained silent as Khushi put the dishes on the table and sat down opposite her. Garima's thoughts ran a mile a minute, she could not eat without finding out the truth. She asked, "That wasn't Shyam who dropped you home now was it?"

Startled at the sudden question, Khushi dropped her spoon. "Aa ayi actually Arnav dropped me home."

Garima leaned against her chair, "Did you lie about today's shopping trip with Shyam?"

Khushi defended herself, "Of course not Aayi! After shopping, Bhaiya and I stopped at Anjali's and then they went out for a bit but they got stuck in a roadblock. Bhaiya himself called Arnav and asked him to drop me home."

When Garima didn't say anything, Khushi asked her, "You trust Shyam and Nishant, then why not Arnav?"

Garima touched Khushi's hand, "It's barely been a week since you've known him. I'm protecting you. He is trouble."

Khushi's lips quivered, "He didn't do anything wrong. I don't understand why you need to protect me all the time." She pushed her plate aside, "I'm not hungry anymore." She picked up her phone and walked towards her bedroom.

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