#2 ArShi FF - I AM WITH YOU || Ch 24 on Pg 115 [Sep 3] - Page 46

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CHAPTER 19

Khushi entered Arnav's room with fresh flowers to replace the old ones in the vase beside his bed. Arnav woke up to the sound and saw Khushi. "Good morning!" she wished him with the sweetest smile he had ever seen. Those beautiful doe shaped eyes never failed to absorb Arnav into themselves. Those soft pink cheeks flushed red feeling Arnav's constant gaze. The cute little nose stood out proudly and then those rosy petals that made Arnav burn in desire every time he saw them. "Don't look at her lips, don't look at her lips" was what he was chanting constantly in his mind. Khushi's fragrance filled Arnav's lungs as he saw her wet hair falling over her shoulders. "Beautiful!" The word escaped Arnav's lips unknowingly. Khushi blushed. Not ready for another intimate moment, Khushi turned to leave but Arnav caught her hand. Khushi struggled to free her hand without looking at Arnav. "Leave me, Arnav... What are you doing?" she said looking at the nurse who pretended to be asleep. Arnav was slowly pulling Khushi towards himself. Khushi didn't dare to face him after their last encounter, she felt shy. Suddenly a fear crept over her. She felt as if something was wrong. "Leave me, Arnav" she said in a serious tone. But Arnav kept pulling her closer. "Arnav please!!!" she said strongly. Arnav was stunned and he left her hand immediately. Arnav stared at her back as she walked away without a word. What's wrong with her?

*****

Everyone, except Arnav and the nurse, was sitting around the table having tea. Arya was off to school. Payal and Akash giggled recalling Arya's description of Arnav and Khushi's kiss.

Payal nudged Khushi, who was sitting beside her, and teased her saying, "So Khushi, when are Arnav and you going to teach us the game?"

Khushi just looked at her with a dropped jaw. She saw Akash laughing and realised that Arya must have told them. She looked around as the others stared at her in confusion.

"What game?" asked Shashi curiously.

Khushi was embarrassed. She just stared down at her plate, blushing.

Veena watched her and asked, "What is this about?" But Khushi didn't say anything. She was trying her best not to blush any more. "Payal?" asked Veena, expecting Payal to explain.

Payal realized that Khushi was very embarrassed. Akash indicated Payal not to say anything more. "Nothing Ma... Just teasing her.." she replied.

Veena and Shashi ignored it, but Amar noticed everything keenly. He understood that something must have happened. "I shouldn't wait any longer..." he said to himself, "It's high time that I take action!"

*****

Everyone was having breakfast. While chatting, Amar mentioned having received a call from an unknown number asking for Arnav. Akash was surprised to know this as he too had received such a call. Khushi sensed something fishy. She watched keenly as Akash checked Amar's phone to see which number he had received the call from.

"What?! It's the same number!" exclaimed Akash. "Is this just a coincidence?" he said checking the numbers again. "I don't think so..." he said looking at Amar.

Khushi was suspecious now. "Dada, may I see the number?" she requested.

"Ofcourse..." replied Akash handing his phone to Khushi.

Khushi recognised the number immediately. "This is Lavanya's number!" she exclaimed. She missed a beat wondering what was happening there. "What did she say over the phone?" asked Khushi impatiently looking at Amar and Akash.

"She?" asked Amar confused. "There was no girl... There was a guy asking for Arnav..." he replied.

"Yes, it wasn't Lavanya... It was someone else... Some guy, as Papa said..." said Akash.

"Some guy?" Khushi wondered whether it was Karan. "What did he say? What exactly? Did he mention his name? Was it Karan?" she asked.

"No, he didn't mention his name..." replied Amar. Recalling the call, he told, "He asked whether it was Arnav speaking. I said no, I am Amar, Arnav's father. He asked whether he could speak to Arnav. I told him that Arnav wasn't well and was sleeping. I asked him who he was. He didn't say anything. Instead he asked where Arnav was, I mean, whether he was in Pune. I said yes. Then he asked whether I knew anything about Khushi..."

"This is exactly what he said to me as well!" exclaimed Akash. "I asked him who he was and did he know Arnav... I didn't get a satisfactory response and so I disconnected the call"

Khushi was afraid now. "What did you tell him, uncle?" she asked, worried.

Amar sensed Khushi's worry. "Khushi, I know all the troubles your Kaka caused you. I didn't say anything about you, don't worry. I just told him that Khushi is one of Arnav's friends, that's all I know about her..."

Khushi felt relieved. Khushi's eyes became wet as she thought that Amar was not bad. "Thank you so much, uncle..." she said.

"No problem beta, we will do whatever we can to help you... Afterall, you are Arnav's friend and now Shashi is like my younger brother. Your safety is our responsibility..." assured Amar.

Veena smiled in agreement. Payal and Akash nodded. Shashi thanked Amar. Khushi felt blessed to have met such lovely people. She had got a family here at the Raizada Mansion.

"I am sure something is wrong..." said Khushi, "The person who called you can't be Karan from what you told... Was it Ajinkya Kaka? Maybe he got to know that I am with Arnav... And he wanted to know where exactly I am..." Khushi gasped suddenly realising something... "Oh no! That means Lavanya and Karan are in danger!" She was worried for her friends. "We need to tell this to Arnav..." she said. Everyone agreed.

*****

Karan and Lavanya became alert as they heard footsteps approaching the cell they were locked in. They exchanged glances. Holding each other's hands, they prepared themselves for whatever was going to happen. Their eyes flickered at a loud noise of some metal clanging into other. May be the door of their cell was being opened, they thought. They waited for someone to enter, but instead they were startled as something came sliding towards them from under the door. "Eat it!" they heard an ordering voice from outside as they stared at the two dirty plates with food. They sat back silently not feeling hungry at all. Even if they were hungry, they would never have eaten the food they were served.

"What must be going on?" asked Lavanya staring at the door in front.

"Don't know..." replied Karan. "They have found the numbers from which Arnav contacted you. They can easily find Arnav now..."

"Will Arnav and Khushi be in trouble now?" asked Lavanya, worried.

"Don't know... But there is a strong chance they might be" said Karan, analysing the circumstances.

"It's all my fault!" said Lavanya as her eyes welled up. "I should have been careful while telling you about Arnav... It's all my fault!!" She began crying as she cursed herself.

"No Lavanya... It just happened. Don't blame yourself..." said Karan putting his arm around her and pulling her closer as they sat side by side hoping Khushi and Arnav were safe.

*****

Everyone was in Arnav's room discussing the situation at hand.

"Don't know what happened to Lavanya and Karan... Lavanya's phone was with Ajinkya Kaka... Something is surely wrong!" said a worried Khushi.

"Khushi, don't conclude in a hurry..." said Arnav thoughtfully. "We are not sure whether the person who called Papa and Dada from Lavanya's phone was Ajinkya Kaka. It might be someone else as well"

"The police!" exclaimed Khushi, more worried. "Ajinkya Kaka was taking help of the police as well..."

"Now that they know the phone numbers, they can easily come here..." said Akash. "That will be a problem..."

"Don't worry Akash" said Amar, "Let Khushi and Shashi stay at our farmhouse in Lonavala till then. They will be safe there..."

Arnav agreed. But something else was going on in his mind. "Khushi, tell me Ajinkya kaka's number..." he said.

"My phone, I left it there. His number was saved to the phone. I don't remember it by heart..." replied Khushi. "But why?"

"I wanted to call him..." said Arnav.

"What?!" exclaimed Khushi.

Arnav explained his plan to everyone. It wasn't a bad idea to misguide Ajinkya.

"But Arnav, calling Ajinkya kaka is not wise..." said Khushi, "How did you get his number is what they will think... and then they will know that I am with you 'cause only I can give you his number..."

"Hmm, you are right..." said Arnav thoughtfully. "Khushi, do you know your new number? Your phone will surely be with Ajinkya Kaka right now!" he said in excitement.

"Yes, I have got the cover of the new sim card in my bag!" replied Khushi and hurried to get it.

*****

Arnav took a spare handset inserted an extra sim card he had with him. He dialled Khushi's new number. Ajinkya was surprised at the incoming call on Khushi's phone. He saw an unknown number flashing on the screen. He was very excited as he knew this might be a chance to know about Khushi. He accepted the call in anticipation, but didn't speak anything.

Arnav indicated the others that Ajinkya had picked up the call. Everyone was quietly watching as Arnav spoke. "Khushi? Are you alright?" he said over the phone in a worried voice. Ajikya became alert on listening Khushi's name. He remained quiet as expected by Arnav. "Say something, Khushi... I am Arnav speaking" he said on purpose. Ajinkya's eyes widened. Arnav continued, "Have you reached Mumbai safely? I was expecting a call or message from you..."

Ajinkya was shocked to hear this. "Khushi went to Mumbai?" he thought.

"Say something Khushi!" said Arnav, "Is there any problem? You reached Mumbai yesterday, right?"

Ajinkya disconnected the call. "So Khushi has gone to Mumbai!!" said Ajinkya to himself. He smirked. "I am coming to get you, Khushi!" he said feeling excited that he got to know about Khushi.

Here, Arnav and the others were happy that their plan had worked at least for the time being.

*****

Everyone was leaving Arnav's room to let him rest. As Khushi was exiting, Arnav stopped her saying, "Khushi, will you please stay back for some time?"

Khushi blushed and went in. Amar noticed this. Khushi was about to sit down on the chair beside Arnav when Amar said, "Khushi, will you come with me for a moment? I want to talk to you..."

Khushi nodded and went with Amar leaving Arnav desperate to spend some more time with her.

Khushi felt a strange fear as she followed Amar to his room. It was the same fear that told her that something bad was going to happen...

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