SS: Fragrances (Teaser *New)

~The beauty of life starts with light and ends with light. There is nothing in darkness. It is vacuity. An unwanted shell but visited almost always by many ~

She watched the sun, diminishing away somewhere behind the confines of earth. Coonoor. The place that holds deep and untouched beauty. The hills standing high to share their stories. Albeit beauty bestowed is what an apt statement could be. She walked faster as she saw the watch tick 6:30. Gracious God! She was running late. She sprinted across to the last circle and turned right. The green lawns beside the roads turning olive as they retired. The heavy weight of the guitar that rested on her left shoulder was not helping either. She almost ran to the alone building that lay across the green fields like a warrior of the battlefield. In fact it was a battle field for her. Sighing as she reached the door she knocked. The mirrored door reflected a stressed girl and she hitched in displeasure.

The door suddenly opened and there stood a man in 40's hovering over her five feet 4 inches.

"Explain" he stood rigidly against the door and arms folded across his chest. She knew she was in danger.

Scratching her head to come up with a nice excuse but her brain decided to take a stroll in the nice climate. So, the only thing she could do was smile. That idiot of a brain was sipping its cold drink sitting on the beach sand.

"The thing is today I... I was having an important assignment and decided to do it just in case I would forget but the moment I completed, I looked at the clock and it was almost 6:20 and I ran here." she said and pasted a sad emoticon. Her inner mind almost jumped up and choked on its coke.'Oh really' it smirked.

"Khushi! Listen to me carefully. This is the last time I am excusing you and one..."

"Thank you, sir" with that she rushed into the hall before he completed his diatribe. He sighed. Few things never change. Mr Gupta knew it.

He had known her since she was 7 and now almost 15 years passed but few things never change. Turning around he entered into the hall. The long hall was decorated with small orchids over hanging, and the room looked like old classic English time. Of course it ought to be. It was the coming play. 'Romeo and Juliet'.

Khushi was gawking at the beautiful decorum in front of her. Wow drama is Beautiful. She smiled. Deciding not to rile Gupta anymore. She unzipped the black cover and took out her guitar, tuny that she called. Thinking of the coming days was enough to shudder. It is going to be tough working here with balanced mind. She came all the way from States to be a part of this program. It became a tradition to be precise. She would come here every year and would stay for a month and then disappear into the chaos of busy life. Her chain of thoughts were broken by a voice.

Startled at the sudden entry she looked at her intruder. It was NK. His tall body covered in a relaxed attire.

"Hie loony" he riled as he settled on the bench that was ahead and grinned at her.

"Will you stop calling me with those stupid epithets." she knew it was waste arguing with him. He would pay billions to irritate her. That's how their friendship grew to be.

"Oh, come on buddy. I love to call you loony and you know that." he smirked at her.

"NO, and enough. I am hell tired today" with that she turned about to walk.

"Hey! you okay?"

"Nah! tired" she said as she breathed out hoping that her tension would escape in that breath.

"Why are you here?" he asked as he took her guitar. However, the playful tone changed. She knew what he was asking. Today was really important. In order to not confront anything, the only thing she can do is, work.

She let it go and tried to ease that tension that was getting intense in his head, she smiled and said"I am supposed to be or Gupta takes the privilege in chopping down my head"

"Aha... Scary Loony. I get it" he gave her a coy smile.

"Where Were You Today?" he asked as he blocked her way. Although he knows where she was, he had to ask. She is getting into a niche that she is running out to hide in and he cannot let that happen.

"No where," and she jumped to take the guitar which he successfully dodged away from her.

"Well that isn't humanly possible dear. Being no where" he said as he moved his hands away.

"Perks of being tall you see.." he marked.

"Arrghhh!!! fine be it. Mr. NK! I DO NOT NEED TO SAY WHERE AND WHY" she retorted back.

He smiled. "Need I require the reason. Well I am too intelligent, and I very precisely know where you were"

"Well then that you know. Poor me."she groaned.

"Khushi!!!" Gupta's yell was enough to seek the attention of all the lazy bones.

"Coming Mr. Gupta" she said.

"Give it back you mud head" she almost launched for a fight.

"Wohoo Calm down little warrior" he said as he gave her the guitar.

She gave him a dirty look and sprinted to the dais.

NK, he was kind but annoying. The interesting fact is that people still don't understand how they could survive in the presence of these two. Believe it or not; never in Dictionary Crazy and Sensitive go hand in hand but it is true with her.

Soon... Although I'd love to know what you felt! This is kind of a prologue! 😊

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The scene that encompassed put everyone into a spell. The way he looked at her twitched my heart.

His voice husky and unknown.

Ah, dear Juliet, why are you still so beautiful? Should I believe that death is in love with you, and that the awful monster keeps you here to be his mistress? I don't like that idea, so I'll stay with you. And I will never leave this tomb. Here, here I'll remain with worms that are your chamber-maids. Oh, I'll rest here forever. I'll forget about all the bad luck that has troubled me. Eyes, look out for the last time! Arms, make your last embrace! And lips, you are the doors of breath. Seal with a righteous kiss the deal I have made with death forever. (ROMEO kisses JULIET and takes out the poison) Come, bitter poison, come, unsavory guide! You desperate pilot, let's crash this sea-weary ship into the rocks! Here's to my love!

ROMEO drinks the poison. Oh, that pharmacist was honest! His drugs work quickly. So I die with a kiss.

It was not the mind that replayed. It was the mind's heart. Romeo. What is in name? The emotion is what always sets our cells to motion. The vibrancy that is difficult to express but only felt. So deep. So real. So fascinating. Unknowingly my hands drummed on to the guitar strings playing a tribute of a kind to the love that stayed. The rhythm that is so known yet unknown. As the scene played my vision blurred. Optical effect.

I was so involved in the situation that I was not even aware of the loud applause that vibrated around the hall. Well, it is beautiful.




"Splendid!" I heard Gupta's voice resonated. His eyes were brimming with tears. He is one of a kind. In his black jeans and a checkered shirt, with the loosely overhanging black vest coat, he looked like a model, with a fresh aura. Unbelievably strict in his nature, he still manages to crack up everyone around him. He has been in this theater business for more than 20 years, yet he is here, bringing another best treat of the upcoming Romeo and Juliet play with a touch of drama. He sure knows how to polish people. One exception, and that is me. He never understands me. I sniffed feeling the pressure in my nose. Oh Crap!!! Have I been CRYING?

Quickly wiping my tears away and turned around to look if someone saw me. Obviously, can I ever be happy? No. That stupid grin plastered face came into view.

Impassive expression mode: ACTIVE.

NK was amused to see Khushi. Her beautiful eyes, so focused on the scene, and her petite form in a state of meditation. Well, she was surely a connoisseur. He had known her for more than 15 years. That little carefree Khushi hasn't changed much, however there were few feathers of life that irrevocably attached. This was the same girl who was his crime partner in all those innumerable crazy stuff that they did together, God he couldn't help but grin!




Khushi packed her tuny back into her thick bag. She was reeling in the after effects of the play.

"Loony. Emotional I know. But you know you are too helpful than people ever know"he quipped along.

"And how is that related to me," I know he would come up with the most stupidest kind of explanation.

"See. Isn't it too obvious that you cry over small things like you cry buckets, tanks and rivers. You could erase the problem of water scarcity I tell you" he said as he ate the chips that he carried along.




Yikess! I know. His stupidity tends to infinity.




"NK! I do not cry over small things. It is just that I get emotional to normal humanly feelings like everyone do. Well if you are an exception then..."




"Leave all that. Let us just grab a chai" he said pulling her along. Yes, she needed one very badly. Her brain is almost on the bed screaming for remedy. Practice with Gupta is like practicing for a war. Yet, all knew he is the best.


We both rushed out of the dented door. The sudden cool breeze hit me relaxing my nerves. The time was already 9. The silent mountains decked with thousand hearts, some in deep slumber and some still active on roads.




"So, when is Shyam returning to India" he asked.




I looked at him for a minute. Where did that come from suddenly? "Next month. 20th" I said still thinking for the sudden doubt that broke in his head. He giggled.

"You scared buddy" It was more of a statement than a question.

"I don't want to discuss about that NK" I told him, silently pulling the overcoat slightly closer, trying not to think about it. So, he would stop pestering over the matter.

He shook his head.

"Okay. I will not," he said as he took faster steps.

"NK," I called but he is such a stubborn head you see. Stopping in his tracks turned around and gave the what-are-you-waiting-for look.

"It's just that I feel cranky when I bring up the topic. I will tell about it to you. Pukka. Who else will I vomit to" I said keeping the naive expression.




He rolled his eyes and looked at me. "You make me feel like a basin" he said as he smiled and stretched his hand. I giggled and took his hand as we ran down the hill. Who would have thought we were 23? It is so placid around. The silent breeze and our drumming hearts.

That beauty is hard to be felt. But once felt it is difficult to fall out. Well I am crazy. Outdated. I can skip from a normal thought to something that is not even related to an iota of it.




As we passed the Gyaanesh Book stall and climbed around we saw Hari Prakash Kaka stuffed in his old ragged jerkin and stirred the contents of the chai and the mystery of the jerkin still unknown. Not that NK tried to bring out the topic. But he was outrageously shunned. Hari Prakash Kaka was a mysterious man on the hill. He was fit and about 5'8". He had a built personality, and never generally spoke more than 'haan' . He was completely different from others. He never socializes with people. But the chai he makes is just so delicious. You can relish upon the taste for a life time.




We both sat over the stone seats. The stick high walls rose above and canopy, the place with small silent music of the crickets that resonated through the hill. NK mock saluted HP kaka and then started the nonstop blabbering. We spoke form Tina aunty's new dog to NASA' s latest launch.




I smiled at HP Kaka. But he just placed our glasses on the side bench and went away.
"Don't even try. I tell you he is married" NK smirked.




"You are a CHEAPOO" I remarked at him. He laughed a little more.

New York

The large office looked magnificent to his stressed eyes. He pinched the little strain that crept with headache.

He pressed the call button and the phone was answered by an alert young man, "Mathur, arrange my travel and make it quick, I am sending the details to your email and yes, postpone the meeting with Merrins to next month"

"Yes, sir," Mathur cut the call and sat staring at him laptop, when the email popped. He was curious when he saw the destination. In his years of experience working under Arnav Singh Raizada, he never saw his boss travel to India.

Arnav moved to the nearby plush couch and dropped his body's weight, relaxing his nerves. His handsome features blurred with emotions, he had no choice this time. He has to go take care of business.

He sighed.

Coimbatore.

With that he fell into a silent slumber, the lack of sleep overtaking his body.

Well, that's all for now! I do appreciate your likes and comments 😃

And yes, ignore the typos, I shall edit soon!

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4. The Visits & Dhak Dhaks

Arnav drove to the resort, nestled in the confines of thick trees, that led the pathway almost invisible. Ranjan was right behind him, in his Volkswagen. He got down to take in the beautiful view. The fresh smell of eucalyptus and there is some unknown joy that cheered him up. Well, yeah, it was indeed a good decision.

He was directed inside, and was introduced to the cook, Varalakshmi, and the helper, Swaminathan.

He just wanted to go and sleep. He dismissed the elderly lady's offer for early dinner and instead requested a coffee. He went to the room that's going to be his bedroom for two days. Well, if he had any idea'

He walked through the wooden staircase, thick teak wood, soft to touch, they must have built it with love. He looked around, this was no Luxurious apartment, but it was regal, classic in its own sense. He pulled himself up off the last stair and walked to the right alley, he was mesmerized at the view. One side was a glass way and the other covered with paintings. He could see the sunset shimmer across the vast hills far across and he stood in take a deep breath, confirming his previous thought. Hell, yeah! He did want a vacation. He walked to the end and to the left was a bedroom. He opened the thick heavy door and he held his breathe. The house is somehow very beautiful. He had been to various countries, was in the top most luxurious suites, but this, is something across the senses.

One side of the bedroom was facing the west with all glass windows from his knee length with lemon and white drapes, behind it were thick maroon drapes. He quickly took a shower and changed into his PJs and fell onto the bed.

Around hours later, he opened his eyes, and felt content sleeping for the first time in years. He realized his empty stomach was making gurgles and craving food. He got up and looked here and there looking for the time, he must have dropped his mobile somewhere, what the' this was not Arnav Singh Raizada. He quickly glanced and on the table, he found his phone, he was surprised when he looked at the time, it was 6:00 in the morning. No jet lag? Wow. That's something.

After quickly looking around for some sort of phone, he realized this was not a hotel, and he hadn't taken their numbers yet to dial in for food. He sighed, as he quickly freshened up and rushed down. He had to stop in take a sight at the beautiful morning, if not for his growling stomach, he would have waited. There is something more, that he could not point out. That fragrance, he couldn't understand. He rushed down to see the old lady, Varalakshmi, standing there setting the table.

She was in her 40s or 50s he couldn't say, she was wearing a saree, with a sweater adorned over. Her face, sweet and smiling, she looked at him and smiled, Namaste beta. He was taken aback. Never had he heard someone call him like that, not since he was a kid. Sir was something that came his way a lot and ASR he would hear that too. But beta. He didn't correct himself, he just gave a small smile and sat down like a kid.

"I've made some paratha, I hope you like it. I didn't know what you would like, I didn't get a chance to ask you last night. You were so tired. I hope you slept well," she said in a go. He was surprised. It felt foreign, he was not addressed nor spoken that way. He liked it. The way she spoke, not that she didn't respect him, but she treated him more like a kid. He missed that. He wouldn't dare correct her. Although he is little uncomfortable to respond to her, he was really fine, totally.

He silently ate the parathas and he had to stop her when she was forcing him to have one more. She reminded of his Nani. Yes, that's it. That is why he was feeling so connected. His Nani spoke to him like that. He got up, washed his hands, smiled at her, "The Parathas were good, thanks," he shyly said. Well, he had never said that to his cook, John, ever.

He said he would like to take a walk. Swaminathan told him few places. There was some sort of weird rush to explore around. He got out onto the road and started walking along the hill, which led him to few turns, he just walked whatever path he wanted to walk. Thus, he realized at some point, the sky was covered with Clouds. Damn. He wasn't carrying umbrella. It was sunny when he started, wasn't it?

Of course, the climate on hills is different, Mr. Raizada, he chided himself. Within no time, it started pouring badly. He groaned trying to see some shelter. He had left his phone in the room. What the hell has happened to ASR? Suddenly, he found a pathway under the trees that led to some place. It wasn't trespassing was it? He wondered. He would say he was lost. Happy with his answer. He jogged inside. The place was beautiful, there was this small wooden house, surrounded with such a well-maintained garden. He walked faster, but the rain stopped by then. He looked up at the sky and cursed, what the' he grinned, he felt like a small child, altogether. He looked at the house it was locked. He wanted to look at the plants, he walked closer. There was such a fragrance that blanketed him. He wanted to hang around a little more, but he feared intrusion, so he rushed out.

He went out of the pathway and side road and he smelled Tea, freshly brewed. He would never drink outside, unhygienic he proclaimed. But he wanted to hang around. The mud was all wet due to rain. He walked around to see if he can find someone to tell him directions. He walked closer to the tea stall, he saw a girl, sitting there, her back facing him. Her long hair, tied in a thick plait. She was in her kurti and leggings. Suddenly, he wished he could see her face. He walked in that daze and didn't notice a huge stone that lay on the roadside and he hit his leg. Badly. He yelled in pain. The girl suddenly turned and Oh my, was she beautiful. In a split second, his pain returned and he clutched his leg. What shit has happened to him.

She rushed to him, and asked "Are you k?" wow, she was beautiful. He couldn't help but notice, her hazel brown eyes shined in the day light. He could recognized her accent, she wasn't from here, American accent told that. It would be crazy if he didn't speak and check out her.

"Ya, didn't notice the stone," he said moving his eyes off of her.

"Come on up, sit down on the bench," she said supporting his biceps.

*Dhak Dhak Dhak Dhak* was that his heart beat. Damn his heart was jumping in joy, what, he was a teenager? Damn, her touch had risen those goosebumps. Thank god, he was wearing the full sleeved T shirt.

"You should have seen where you are walking," she chided him.

She looked at the Tea stall guy, and said "HP Kaka, first aid hain kya?" she asked him. To which he shook his head.

"I'm fine," Arnav claimed feeling vulnerable all together.

"Well, can you check if you are bleeding?" she asked him expectantly. He sighed defeated and pulled up his PJs, the outside was torn and he realized the bruise was raw and he could feel the pain internally.

"Oh, god! You are bleeding. If you don't mind, will you come with me? My house is closer, just down the path," she said in a go.

Well, he was surprised. In a different scenario, in a different world all together, this could mean different. Then he would be taking advantage of her. But now, looking at that beautiful worried face, he couldn't deny the offer. He didn't know why!

"umm...if it isn't a problem," he said just to make sure he didn't sound desperate.

"Yes, not a problem, please, I insist, the hospital is quite far, and I don't think you can walk in this state," she said genuinely worried. He nodded and got up only to feel the pain shoot up. He hissed.

Suddenly he felt her take his hand hung over her right shoulder. His body jolt with electricity. Raw emotions. He stopped her, what was her name?

"Khushi," she said as if she read his thoughts.

"Arnav S.. Umm Arnav," he said, he didn't know why he said that. She smiled.

Khushi. He let it in the essence, silently walking with the support of her, raw emotions projecting him, making him so vulnerable, childlike. He didn't want to think, he just let it all happen. The world can wait for ASR, but not now.

Thanks for all the Love!

Hope you like it, and let me know what you felt!😃

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Khushi watched the sun rise, through an almost unhindered view. When she woke up in the morning, she had this urge to watch the sunrise. She walked herself to have some chai and watch the sunset that is when he heard the yell. She turned, and she could swear that was a handsome man. She rushed to him, "Are you K? she asked and helped him on the bench. Oh, hell, he was rugged handsome. His eyes, dark and a hinge of brown. Get a grip. She had to tell herself. He was a strong built man, sharp nose with that jawline and eyes, he could pull off for a model. She praised, mentally. However, in that tracks and the full sleeved grey T-shirt, he looked so boyish and lost.

She was not sure if she had to ask him to come along with her. Well, that would be so awkward and might even be dangerous. What if he is some gangster, or some psychopath left loose? Maybe not, she chided herself. All through the pathway she was calm and so was he. He didn't say a word. Only, until "You stay here. She was kind of taken aback. What does that supposed to mean? Later he corrected her thoughts.

As they stepped in, she observed him trying to breathe in deeply. She wondered if he was allergic to any of her flowers. He shook his head. She went ahead and did the first aid. Once, she was done, she was not sure, but she wanted him to wait just a little longer. She didn't want him to leave. Maybe she could ask him tea or coffee, that would be courteous. Later when she sat across him on the settee, she looked at him keenly observing her house. Well, for such a hot looking guy, he is one hell of an observer.

When she heard he worked at the AR. She was so surprised. Preeti, her high school friend, worked at AR. Well, he was not a total stranger then, she smiled. She heard so much about the hot boss of Preeti.

"WOW, I've heard so much about it! That is so nice, heard your boss is hot! One of my friends works there, she couldn't help saying that out loud. Next thing she witnessed was his cough.

"Are you K? she asked him. Oh, man! That was kind of awkward thing to say about a boss in front of his employees.

"No, I am fine, he said as he slowly completed his coffee.

"Hey, can I use your phone and I need to send the location? he asked. She nodded as she handed her phone.

He made some call, as he stood up and walked to the outside. He is going to leave and wondered if she would ever see him. She had this rush to stop him. She couldn't do that. Can she?

"Thanks, he handed her the phone.

She smiled at him and there was silence again.

After almost 10 minutes of silence, she heard a honk. Looks like his car was here. Well, this is it. She felt her gut clenching. Don't be a teenager and get over this stranger crush her mind kept saying.

"Well, that's me. Err...Thanks for... you know everything he said as he got up and was leaving.

"Arnav, she called out as he was about to get into the car. He turned around and looked at her.

"We are having a small dinner tomorrow night, just some friends from theater, would you like to join? she asked expectantly. Whoa! Where did this come from? She shocked herself by asking him that. That was downright odd. But, hey, she was just being polite, she argued with herself.

"Umm...Sounds good. I'll...well, I'll be there, thanks Khushi he said giving her a vibrant smile. Phew, that was relief. She danced in her might, of course in the head.

"Bye he waved, and the car sped out of the curved path and out of her sight.

PS: 6 is on the way and is gonna be looong. Hold up and let me know your views so far.

Next chapter on page 2

7. Campfires & Cognizance

Arnav took a deep breath and calmed his nerves. He never sat on a moped. He did drive Ducati Desmosedici that Akash bought when he was in College. He always felt sitting in the confines of a car is more sophisticated, importantly comfortable, moreover attracted less paparazzi. But here he stood with a girl that he met for not more than an hour or two and he is doing all the weirder stuff. Just then looking at her he realized he stood staring at her and his parched throat craved water. He gulped and cleared his throat, "Well, look Khushi, I...I am not really sure if I am comfortable sitting on the bike..." his brain quickly started calculating what could go wrong.

"Oh," she said, discomfort settling in her voice.

"I mean we can go in the car," he suggested and quickly added "or walk or take a bus?" he completed, like really? His mind shrieked at his total jerkiness tone and one look at her and that was his undone moment.

"Umm... no problem" she was all flushed "I mean I thought it would be easier to travel through a moped than the car," she said and pushed her sleeve a bit to check the time, "I don't think there is any public transport that we could catch till there," she said helplessly and worst even she wasn't meeting his eyes.

"You know what, let's go on the moped" he said, confidently. Damn his discomfort. Don't let her feel bad, his conscious kicked in. Deep inside he knows that he was not doing it to impress her or something, he needs to step a little off that business tycoon mindset for a damn moment.

"Are you sure? But..." she watched him with a bewildered look. "We can see some other way..." she was about to suggest some options when.

"Khushi, I'm really fine, just that I never sat on a moped, I thought I might fall off and pull you down with me," he smiled, and he watched her expression go from shock to giggling.

"Don't you worry, this is going to be a very fine ride, Arnav," she said and added "I'd have let you driven, but I thought it would be difficult for you to accustom to driving on the left and that too this time of the evening on a hilly road, I'd say not a healthy option,"

Whoa, yes! He hadn't thought about that. He did realize how uncomfortable he was for the first few miles while driving from Coimbatore, he kept moving to the right lane. He grinned at her.

"Indeed, I second that," He sighed, she was back to normalcy. No more discomfort.

After speaking to Swaminathan, he dismissed him saying he would call to pick him. He sat on the pillion and realized his legs were reaching on the ground easily. He held onto the ground with his legs set all straight and took deep breaths, he certainly wasn't comfortable and wondered what the best option would be to hold onto so as to not loose any balance. He put his hands to his sides clutching the seat frame. He heard the ignition give away after the key start. Winters' he heard her mumble. Well, on the third start, the moped started on its glory.

After driving till almost few feet until her front gate, she stopped abruptly, shrieking "Oh, Wait". He was confused. Was he not sitting properly? He looked at her through the mirror and she hit her head lightly.

"Just a second, I forgot something," she said as she took a u turn back to her main door. She motioned him to get down, which he did swiftly, and he sighed standing back as if on control finally. She pulled the side stand and rushed inside unlocking the door. In less than a minute, she came out with an aluminum pack.

"I forgot the Samosas, Mr. Gupta would have thrashed me, and it saved us another rickety trip," she chuckled.

He smiled at her and he loved the sound of her chuckle. That small moment broke when he had to sit on the moped, again! He sighed as he settled down and after a little distance, he realized holding on sides is not very comfortable and he resisted holding her and decided to catch the back frame.

She was so right. The road was kutcha, loose gravel strewn ubiquitously and the uneven patches and hill rocks aside, car was a bad idea. The smell of her hair combined with the scents of nightingale and eucalyptus was beyond his control. He tried to breathe in as much as he can. He had this weird feeling to feel her hair. He was about to when his mind said no. Deciding that was the best thing, he sat there like a kid, relaxing into the heavenly bliss of a moped ride. Never did he ever think this day would come. Oh, who was he kidding, he was thankful, it came.

After almost 20 minutes of silent drive, she parked the moped near a large opening under the oak tree. There were plenty of other cycles, mopeds parked randomly. He got down as she walked to him.

"This way, please," she suggested as she carried the aluminum pack. He offered to carry but he was downright denied.

They walked beyond the oak tree and were welcomed by a lot of people surrounded by tall trees. It was a modest opening to a clear sky as if someone planted the trees to create a heavenly space. There was a campfire at the center, little away from the trees and observed a bucket of water kept close. A table set on one side with a lot of trays and another adjoined to it with a lot of varied drinks. Some packs of beer kept chilled in the ice bucket. There were around twenty to twenty-five people he noticed.

He observed a handsome guy walking towards them, he noticed he was wearing a red T-shirt with PJs yet looking charming. He waved at them and Arnav felt sudden jealousy. He watched the guy hugging Khushi and oh, how his hands itched to pull her back.

"Take this" she handed the tray to him and Arnav was a little upset. He asked her to handover the tray few minutes back but she denied. Probably, they haven't really passed the awkwardness yet. Of course, they knew each other for few hours now, his mind pointed. Well, true that but still.

"Arnav?" he heard Khushi call him.

"This is NK, and NK this is Arnav" she introduced.

"Right, Arnav," he heard him say, wait was that a smirk in his voice, who was this guy, anyway? He was about to shake his hands with him, when he was pulled into a friendly hug. What the hell'he thought when he heard "Such pleasure meeting you finally," NK chuckled.

"NK is my friend" she smiled.

"Khushi told me so much about you," NK said still smiling but that tone was teasing.

He looked at her feeling weirdly happy and controlling the grin that would slip away. He watched her eyes go around and big and oh dear, she looked so cute and the next minute she motioned us along as she walked away.

"Well, thanks for coming, come on up, lets get you some drink" NK walked along with him.

He watched Khushi talking to a man, and she motioned him to come.

"I'll catch up with you, NK" he said as he walked to her.

"Mr. Gupta, this is Arnav, a fr...friend and Arnav meet Mr. Gupta, the director/ Producer of the theater that I mentioned" she completed. Arnav shook his hands. Mr. Gupta was a charming man. He was dressed in taste, probably in his 50s, his shoulder length hair tied in a pony, and his sharp beard enhancing his features.

"Nice to meet you, Arnav. Why are you not having a drink? Come on, Khushi, get this man a drink" he said as Khushi nodded. He ushered them to the drink table as he saw NK bring him a beer.

"Thanks, but I'll stick to soda" Arnav said.

"Ok," NK grinned at him and returned with a soda.

"Thanks, NK"

"Why don't we sit somewhere and get to know each other?" NK suggested smirking at Khushi. Well, Arnav wasn't sure if he was comfortable with this guy yet.

They sat close to the campfire and he watched Khushi, she was so simple and happy, her eyes, the campfire made them look even more pretty, like never ending depths.

"So, what do you do?" he heard NK and that broke his reverie.

"I...I work at AR," he said.

"Do you remember Angela?" Khushi asked NK with excitement.

"Yes, the blondie?" NK asked surprised, "Yeah, she works there too" Khushi said.

"Well then, Arnav, do you know any Angela, what department are you in?" NK asked casually but Arnav was not comfortable with the discussion. He wasn't lying anyway he tried to comfort himself.

"Umm...not sure, haven't heard, might have come across, I work ...in..." damn I work in what the hell department? He thought "in... the marketing" he completed satisfied. Well, he had to look up who this Angela is, who thinks her boss is hot he added.

"Well, what do you do?" he asked NK, diverting.

"I'm a Gallery Executive, working on an event here, next month, The Winterigma" he said as he sipped into his cold beer.

Interesting. Arnav enjoyed art, he did few paintings himself, but an amateur he called himself. Although busy life eats up the schedule to appreciate the connoisseur of the beauty, he did take out time to visit or paint every now and then.

"Hey, you know what, you should come to the event" NK suggested.

"Well, I'm flying back to New York this Tuesday," he said and watched Khushi's expression change to a shock, she quickly covered it up though. NK glanced over to Khushi and he looked up to him.

"No problem, next time then?" NK suggested.

"Yes, surely" he added.

It was right then that thought sink inside his head. He would have to go back and wondered if he could ever see her. It was disturbing.

"I...I'll get something to eat," she said as she got up hurriedly and went to the tables.

"Do you have a girlfriend?" Arnav was startled by the question.

"Umm...no...why do you ask?" Arnav said still looking at the way that Khushi just left. He was about to follow her when NK spoke. It would be rude to get up between a conversation.

"Boyfriend?" NK further questioned,

"NO," Arnav was irritated at the conversation. Why was he sitting and answering stupid questions to some acquaintance when he wanted to spend some time with Khushi? So, he got up to leave before he could thrash this guy, when the next thing startled him even more.

"I think Khushi likes you," NK said.

"What?... I mean how do...you...know?" Arnav said checking his tone, as he settled back from where he stood up and threw a glance at Khushi, who was now stuffing her plate.

"Well, I do know a lot of things, Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada!" NK said as he smirked at him.

To say shocked was a mere thing.

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