It was raining heavily. The city of Delhi had not seen this much downpour in the recent years. The roads were flooded so much that the city was cut off from all sides. The clouds seemed relentless; showing no mercy as if they were angered about something. Khushi looked out of her window sighing. In the 15 years that she spent in this city, she has never seen this amount of rainfall. The city was unprepared for this sudden onslaught of monsoon.
Her gaze traveled to the home opposite hers. A man of about 25-26 years of age stayed there alone. He had moved into that home only a few months back. She had seen him going on with his work like clockwork. He comes out to fetch water from the water pump everyday at 8. He waits patiently for his turn, sometimes giving way to harried mothers who had to get their children ready for school. Exactly at 8:45, he leaves his house with a slice of bread in his hand. She doesn't even know his name. She has never seen him talk to anyone in this locality.
Khushi had a sunny character. She was friends with the smallest baby to the oldest grandpa in the locality. She had tried to befriend him from the day she had seen him. She had tried honestly. It never settles with her to see anyone being a loner. She befriends them immediately and though some resist her, they eventually give in to her innate charms. But the Handsome Hunk as she calls her neighbor was a tough nut to crack even for her. But she was not Khushi Kumari Gupta if she doesn't try till she succeeds. And she will continue to try. She promised to herself.
Arnav Singh Raizada was a self made man. He had lost his parents at a very young age. But his sister had made sure that he stayed happy. They had together built a life for themselves. His sister, Anjali had been his strength. She had tried her best to give him a happy childhood with the help of their Nani. When finally the pieces of their broken heart started to mend, fate sent them the next blow. They lost their Nani to Dengue; her old body unable to take the strain. While taking care of Nani, Anjali who was 21 years of age then, met Karan, Nani's doctor. Karan was a good looking kind hearted guy who was under training in the government hospital in Delhi. What started as companionship soon bloomed into love between the young hearts. With the blessings of Karan's parents, they married soon after. Not willing to leave Arnav alone, Karan has taken him along with them to his house in spite of Arnav's protests. The 2 years that followed was blissful. By this time, Arnav had finished his studies in fashion designing and with Karan's help, set up a boutique. His good taste in clothes made his small boutique popular very soon. When all was well, Karan got a transfer to Mumbai and Arnav had to blackmail his Di and Jiju to let him be in Delhi. After long hours of pleading, blackmailing and promising, they shifted to Mumbai. Not wanting to stay in the house that contained so many memories, he shifted to Laxmi Nagar; an area near his boutique. The day he shifted to this house, he felt an inexplicable connection. The neighbors' had dropped in to offer their help to set up the house. Though he was happy, he had politely declined their offers. He did not want to form a connection with them and lose them all over again. The little child in him was still afraid.
The next day, as he had waited for his turn near the water pump, he met the hazel eyed beauty, Khushi Kumari Gupta. She had introduced herself to him and talked a nineteen to a dozen without expecting a reply. He had felt a connection to her and wanting to avoid that, he had ignored her. But that girl had been tirelessly wishing him good morning every single day. He had not acknowledged her even once. But he knew she waited for him to come home every day watching the street from her window.
It had been raining relentlessly again from the evening. It had seemed the skies have cleared in the afternoon but only to rain with a vengeance now. Arnav was soaked to his bones by the time he reached home. There was a power failure in Laxmi Nagar. The whole area was plunged in darkness except for the candles and diyas burning in each home. He looked at her window hoping to catch a glimpse of her but found her room bathed in darkness. He searched for candles in his home and found none. He had few designs he should finish by tomorrow. Not having any other option, he went and knocked on Khushi's door. A woman who he assumed to be Khushi's mom came out hurriedly. He saw the hope dim in her eyes when she found him at her doorstep. He could see she was worried about something.
"Aunty, I am sorry for disturbing at such late hour. Can you please lend me a candle?"
"Koi baat nahi beta. You please sit here let me bring you some." She limped inside and came back with few candles.
"I hope this will be enough." She handed him the candles.
"Thank you so much aunty." He replied and his eyes roamed around the house trying to catch a glimpse of Khushi. Disappointed at not finding her, he turned around to leave.
Garima hesitated for a moment before calling him.
"Beta..." She hesitated again. Arnav sensing her struggle, volunteered.
"Do you want me to do something for you aunty?"
"Beta, Khushi my daughter, she went to the Devi Maiyya temple near the main road. She has not returned yet. With the roads flooded, I am unable go in search of her. She is afraid of darkness Beta. Can you please look for her?"
Cricket
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