ArShi SS: Finding Solace #2 Chapter Eleven Updated

Arnav rang the bell impatiently; he could not wait to see the Guptas and assure them, especially her. Anjali had called him, but he was in a meeting, so she'd left a voicemail. The moment he listened to it, he left his office in a hurry, worry getting the best of him. The voicemail message was still ringing in his ears. The news was shocking, after all, Arjun was a childhood friend of his. Arnav thought of such news were sad to him, it must have been devastating for the Guptas. A few seconds later, Ramu Kaka opened the door for Arnav.

Just a glance and he knew that Khushi was not in the living room. He stepped in and hugged Madhumati, murmuring soothing words. Nani and Mami were sitting on her both sides while Anjali was comforting Payal and Garima. Anjali told him that the men were in the study room, so he walked towards it to see what Shashi uncle needed him to do.

Shashi and Mahender were sitting on the two chairs in front of the desk, opposite each other. Arnav greeted them and stood in front of Shashi.

"Uncle, do you need anything?"

"It's good that you're here, Arnav. I am leaving in two hours from now and I want you to look after Garima and the girls and see if they needed anything. And you need to check on the progress in work with my partners. I am sure you'll face no trouble."

"Sure, uncle." Arnav nodded. "Are you alright?"

"I am okay," Shashi said with a sigh.

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Khushi came down just in time to bid goodbye to her father and aunt before going back to her room again. She truly needed some alone time now.

A few minutes later, Arnav knocked on Khushi's bedroom door. With a sigh, Khushi opened the door; she was not up for talking now. But she respected the urgency of the situation.

"Yes?"

"Can I come in?" Arnav was a bit surprised when Khushi allowed him in without any argument. He had gotten so used to their system now that this felt like something big for him.

"Tum theek hoon?"

"I don't know," replied Khushi honestly, sitting down on the edge of her bed.

Arnav sat on the couch near the door as he took in her bedroom. How long has it been since he last entered it? He unconsciously started mentally comparing her bedroom now to how it was then.

He prepared himself to comment on something general like the Harry Potter posters above Khushi's bed, but her honest response changed the course of the conversation. He grabbed this chance for real talk.

"I know how close you guys are," Arnav started saying, but Khushi cut him off with a soft murmur. "Not really."

Looking at her with surprise, Arnav raised an eyebrow. He wanted her to elaborate, but he did not know how to ask for this.

Khushi wanted to talk about this badly all these months, only she had known if she told her mother or Payal, they would argue with her and that way Buaji would know. Besides, she could not exactly share the details with Arnav. Not now, maybe not ever.

"We haven't talked in months. We fought," Khushi said, "God! Now you'd think that's all I do. Fight with people and then stop talking to them."

"Isn't that Khushi Kumaari Gupta's treasured motto?" Arnav asked in a playful tone. Khushi only glared at him in reply.

"I am sure you have an explanation for this." Arnav added helpfully.

"This makes the whole situation harder for me. What if we never get the chance to talk again and fix everything?" Dark thoughts were eating her brain up. "I wanted to assure Buaji, but I didn't believe my own words...I just hope Arjun will be all right."

Arnav just nodded as he did not know what to say. Maybe I should call Anjali; she knows how to handle this better than I do, he thought.

"Thanks for listening. We should check on Ma and Payal."

When they went downstairs, they saw that the Raizaada's had already joined the Guptas. It was comforting knowing these two families were always there for each other no matter what.

Feeling overwhelmed, Khushi thought maybe it was time to put the past behind and forget about all the arguments she had with Arnav. She knew he would always be there for her, and that was enough to fix some things.

They talked about the new arrangements, and waited for Shashi's calls and updates for the next hours. They all stayed together under one roof. It was family time, and they considered each other one family.

Khushi had never forgotten her arguments with Arjun; however, now this all was happening, she remembered everything vividly. It all started when Arjun suggested to be the one to patch things up between Arnav and Khushi. Then, he his suggesting turned into insisting and nagging. Khushi was very upset and hurt. Of all people, only Lavanya and Arjun knew the exact details about everything that happened between her and Arnav. She had thought he understood her. Now, that she was reflecting on everything in light of the latest slight shift in her relationship with Arnav, and comparing with Arjun's current state, she felt that her whole argument with Arjun was a bit childish.

On top of all, Arnav was the one to know about her fight with Arjun. How ironic!

Khushi decided to call Lavanya. Maybe her best friend would understand how she felt, she thought.

"Arjun had an accident." That was all Khushi had to say for Lavanya to answer with "I'm coming."

Forty minutes later, Lavanya joined Khushi in her bedroom. Lavanya sat on the bed and hugged Khushi.

"Do you think I am horrible?" Khushi asked, sitting back and averting her gaze.

"Why would you even think this?" Lavanya cast Khushi an outrageous look.

"Just yesterday we weren't on speaking terms. It's been months since I spoke with Arjun...and, you know how it is with Arnav. I just keep fighting with everyone. I fight with Ma and Buaji...even the weather." Khushi looked quite desperate as she raised her arms contemplating. "Yes. That's pretty much all I do," she concluded.

"Well, when you put it like this, you have a point." Lavanya teased. "But, you fight because you are a strong girl. Your self-awareness is quite remarkable. You know what you want and what you don't want."

"I can sense a 'but' coming." Khushi sighed.

"But sometimes, you need to relax a bit. You don't have to fight for yourself and all the girls in India."

"I think you are right." Khushi rested her head on Lavanya's shoulder.

"And I think we should go downstairs. You all need to stay together." Lavanya stood up, taking Khushi's hand.

They descended down the stairs, Lavanya nudged Khushi and whispered, "How can you fight such a charmer."

Khushi looked down; she knew Lavanya meant Arnav. Khushi could not deny the beat her heart skipped as she saw how caring he looked. Nor could she deny the delicious tremble which ran down her spine.

"Maybe it's time for a ceasefire," Khushi said still looking at him.

"Oh, honey. He put his armour down ages ago."

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