Arshi FF: The Broken Hearts ( NEW LINK ADDED) pg 151 - Page 19

So flash back will be continues

Waiting for full update

Chapter 4

Arnav pressed the call button again and brought the phone to his ear. He shook his head in irritation. His anjali di wasn't taking her calls and why? Because this year on Rakhi he wouldn't be able to come down to Kolkata. So what was the big deal in that? He had recently been promoted in his job. He was now the team coach, a responsible and high post that made it difficult for him to take 3-4 days off. Instead of being happy for him she was sulking and not talking to him. Why were women so emotional and sentimental, he failed to figure out. If one year on Rakhi he wouldn't be standing before her then would it diminish the love and respect he had for her in his heart?
Agreed he didn't visit her often , only on Rakhi and daadi's birthday but she needed to understand that this year he'd be busy and wouldn't be able to make it.
He tried calling her one more time.
Same.

She wasn't picking up her phone. He didn't feel good that his sister was upset with him. In fact nothing was good today. He kicked a small stone hard with his foot. He had an important test in the next few minutes and he wasn't well prepared for it. Due to his long late night working hours he couldn't cover up all the topics. On top of that this summer heat was simply unbearable, even standing in the shade didn't give him any respite.

He bought a cold bottle of water from a roadside vendor and throwing his head back, poured the water on his face. The cold water definitely helped him to cool down.
" Arnav ji." He heard from behind. Turning around he found Khushi standing and smiling but slowly her smile faded and her jaw dropped.
Her gaze froze on him. He was good looking without any doubt but with water dripping down his face he looked something else. Involuntarily her eyes followed the path of those droplets. One fell from the tip of his nose and landed on his lips. Suddenly Khushi felt heat rising to her cheeks . And then other droplets slid down his face , leisurely travelled to his throat and later disappeared underneath his t shirt. Khushi had no idea that a guy could ever affect her like that. It was unnerving. Was it because all her life she hardly interacted with the opposite gender?
" hi." Arnav said casually and ran his fingers through his wet hair, pushing it back thereby compelling Khushi's eyes to return to his face. With his wet hair combed back he looked...stunning! Khushi had to avert her gaze so that she could open her mouth and speak up.
" actually I wanted to thank you again for helping me with my assignment. Because of you I got A+ grade."
Shaking his head Arnav dismissed her thanks. " oh that's not a big thing. I'm glad I could be of some help to you." Khushi smiled at him but noticed that today he seemed disturbed.
" is everything alright, you look hassled ." Arnav tilted his face slightly and threw his hands up in the air.
" nothing seems to be fine today. It's a horrible day. My di is mad at me. I have a test in which I'm sure I'm going to fail. On top of that, this Delhi heat is killing me."
Khushi gave him an understandable look.
" Arnav ji nobody can be mad at you for long. Your di will definitely come around soon. As far as your test is concerned, I'm hundred percent sure that you'll do exceeding well."

For the first time in the day, Arnav grinned.
" what makes you say that?"
She shrugged her shoulders. " belief. Belief in you."

Arnav exhaled deeply. They were beginning to know each other but the trust in her eyes that she held for him was quite deep. And unexpected.
Peering up at the sky she added. " and who knows it might just rain today or tomorrow."
" how true your belief holds, we'll know that soon." He threw a glance at his watch and decided to leave for his class. Walking past her he stopped in his tracks and asked, " aren't you getting late for your class?" She shook her head. " no my class got cancelled so I'm free." Arnav nodded.
" good luck Arnav ji."
" thanks. Today I badly need it."
Two hours later Arnav came out of his college premises and was surprised to find Khushi sitting on the pavement and typing something on her cellphone. With no more classes, why didn't she go home?
" Khushi what are you doing here? I hope you aren't waiting for me." Khushi's head shot up, she deposited the phone back in her bag and stood up. The idea of waiting for him in this heat didn't please him. Khushi gulped hard and thought of a valid reason to be still around.
" NO, no. I was filing the form for sculpture making competition ." Arnav narrowed his gaze, he didn't seem to be convinced. She could have submitted that form tomorrow, it wasn't something urgent that she stayed back for it.
Khushi coiled the edge of her dupatta around her fingers out of nervousness. She wasn't lying completely , she did fill up that form but the actual reason for not leaving was to ensure that his test went off well.
" Arnav ji, how was the test?" She asked hesitantly. Arnav's forehead creased out and a slow smile appeared on his lips.
" much better than I had expected. You were right."

Khushi clapped her hands and grinned broadly." see, I told you." Seeing her smile heartedly, delighted Arnav. She had a beautiful smile and he wished she flashed it more than often.
Satisfied that he was relieved and happy, Khushi finally decided to head home.
" okay Arnav ji, I'll leave now. Bye." She waved at him and turned on her heel, when Arnav stopped her.
" listen...Khushi, can you do me a favor?" Khushi's eyes lit up. If she could help him in anyway, she'd more than happy. She nodded in response.
" actually I was thinking of sending a pretty Salwar suit for di. So if you're free could you help me select one?"
" sure." As it is back home nobody was waiting for her.

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Like a chivalrous man, Arnav held the showroom's door open for Khushi as they entered. Approaching the salesman, they asked for anarkali suits. Both started examining the suits. Khushi whispered to him, " by the way what is your budget?"
" no budget for di." His prompt reply impressed her, a caring family guy.
" I just hope this gift cools her down."
" Arnav ji expensive presents can't make up for someone's absence." Arnav's eyes stilled on the fabric in his hands as he thought over her statement. He didn't agree with her. Gifts, money do matter.
He dismissed her comment and they both continued to select various suits. While Arnav went for light pastel colors, Khushi opted for more vibrant colors.

" actually Arnav ji bright colors give me a sudden kick, they suit me more so I tend to choose more of reds and oranges. But I'm sure your di will look amazing in these pastel and eye pleasing colors." She felt embarrassed that their choices were so different moreover she didn't wish to impose her preference over him. She smiled inwardly on remembering how he'd stopped her from having that black coffee, instead of getting hurt he had respected her taste. She hoped he'd follow his own advice and choose what his sister would suit best.
After short listing a few outfits, to Arnav's surprise, Khushi started to bargain with the salesman. Arnav found it amusing how she was arguing with the salesman that a particular suit that had less embroidery therefore should be priced less. So what if it's fabric was of better quality, it had less work so why was he charging more for it?
Arnav nudged her and spoke softly, " it's okay Khushi, I told you money is not a problem."
Khushi furrowed her brows. " I know, but How can you let him cheat you?" The poor salesman wasn't cheating him, he was just doing his job.
" Khushi, why don't you try out these suits, meanwhile I'll negotiate with him." It was necessary to divert her mind. Picking up the suits she walked toward the trial room. Arnav sighed and threw the salesman an apologetic look.
However the next minute Khushi returned and tugged his arm. He was taller than her and she gestured him to bring his ear down. " don't forget to ask for twenty percent discount. He won't agree but still you stick to at least fifteen percent." She wore a serious expression as she went to the trial.
All of a sudden Arnav felt that they weren't buying an outfit but striking a multicrore business deal. The thought made him smile.
Five minutes later Khushi came out wearing a lemon colored suit that he had chosen. Khushi wriggled her brows asking for his opinion. The color was summerish but it didn't appeal him. Arnav shook his head.
Next Khushi wore a cream colored suit. Again Arnav's reaction was the same.
" Khushi something is missing." Disappointed that he wasn't liking what she was wearing she looked down then at the mirror before her. She pulled the rubber band out of her ponytail, her black silky tresses cascaded down. Then she adjusted her hair on one shoulder and turned to seek Arnav's opinion. With open hair she definitely appeared better, even his di kept her hair open but here the suit was a problem, he didn't quite like it.
" it's okay Arnav ji, I'll try another one." Instead of the outfit Arnav liked her sweetness.
Now Khushi wore an orange Salwar Kameez and true to her words, the color suited her a lot. Hesitantly she peered at Arnav, silently praying that he approved this one. However he didn't speak a word. He was simply awestruck by her beauty. She twirled, giving him a better view. When he still didn't utter anything, she moved toward the mirror to have a look at herself. She turned slightly and then she noticed something. She hadn't tied the strings on her back. How stupid and careless of her. She quickly tried to reach out for the strings. But couldn't. The more she attempted the more the strings slipped out of her fingers. This was so so embarrasding.
And just then her fingers felt something. She looked up in the mirror and found Arnav standing right behind her with the strings.
He was standing so close to her that she completely blanked out. And his fingers on her bare back made her breath hitch inside her throat. Her lips parted but nothing escaped from them as she mutely watched him work with the strings. He tied the first knot hard making her gasp. And when he made a bow with the strings, the bells hanging at the edge of them tinkeled. In comparison to those bells, Khushi's heart pounded loudly inside her chest. The pounding was so loud that she feared Arnav standing behind her would hear it. Then ever so slowly his hands dropped and Khushi exhaled deeply.
Her eyes moved up to meet his smouldering gaze.
" Perfect."

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May 26, 20xx
After so many weeks, today I'm penning down my thoughts. Blame my long working hours, endless assignments and tests or simply my mundane life that kept me away from my diary.
However today I'm compelled to put down my feelings.
Khushi.
The name and the girl have been occupying my mind ever since I first saw her in college. Though I prefer to stay away from other's matters but that day I couldn't see her getting ragged at the hands of shyam. She looked like a scared and nervous child lost in an unknown land who really needed help. Standing up against shyam and his gang wasn't a tough task, she could have done it herself but she couldn't. I wonder why? And later She barely looked and spoke to me. Whatever words she uttered seemed laboured. I don't know why her discomfort, disconcerted me. From our first encounter I thought that she was an innocent girl who lacked self confidence.
Then again in the canteen she appeared upset, fretting over an assignment was strange. And then my sitting next to her bothered her. Again I can't figure out why? However I would say that this meeting was better than previous one. At least she spoke though not much but still she appeared more comfortable around me especially after I sat on the opposite bench. And how can I miss that Arnav ji thing. Even as I write, I'm smiling. Nobody has ever addressed me like that, so it was quite surprising but still I would say it sounded sweet from her lips. I like her soft voice, it's very pleasing to the ears.
C'Mon Arnav now don't lie to yourself, it's not just Khushi's voice but everything about her appeals to you.
I grin to myself.
Yes, indeed I find her attractive especially her innocence and simplicity. No wonder I couldn't stop myself from admiring her when she was busy solving the numericals. Oh her swaying earrings that night didn't let me sleep peacefully, it was my off so I didn't have to go for work in the evening and I had the whole night to relax. But I couldn't.
The feel of her in my arms as though I was holding a beautiful tender rose...and that vulnerability and fear in her eyes, the fear of getting hurt, twisted my heart.
I doubt I can ever see her broken or hurt.

What's happening to me? Why this girl is hovering over my mind?
And today she took me totally off guard. I was in a foul mood, sulking over di not speaking to me and then out of no where I hear " Arnav ji." I never expected her to approach me on her own, till now she came across as very shy. But she surprised me.

I guess I'm not the only one affected by her , she too feels something about me...something strong. Otherwise why was she staring at me like that? she hadn't seen a ghost, she knew how I look then why couldn't she take her eyes off me? In fact if I'm not wrong she was even blushing. Now no girl reacts like that for no reason.
The thought should only elate me but it doesn't. It bothers me as well. Not just this mutual attraction but her deep faith in me worries me. Her concern toward me, worries me. Surely after college in that terrible heat she was waiting for me when she should have left for home.
And why just blame her for everything, even my actions and reactions are getting out of my control. Seeing her in that orange outfit took my breath away. I was speechless. She is unaware that I even took a picture of hers when she was looking away.

What prompted me to tie that knot for her, I have no clue. The sight of her was arresting. I know she was surprised , shy and extremely nervous by my touch. And trust me so was I. My heart fluttered when my fingers touched her soft and creamy skin. I wanted to stop and step back but couldn't.

Even now I wish to step back.

Before she makes a place for herself in my heart, I wish to displace her out of my mind.

I don't know how I'm going to do it but I will. Somehow.

Thanks for reading

Rose

They had such a wonderful past!

I wonder what went wrong:(

Arnav himself accepts that Khushi has trust in him!

I totally loved it, waiting for the confession though

Yeahhh!

I made it:)