Arshi FF: TOROTH 2 Chapter one updated 20/7/2017

Prologue

Bombay

19^th February 1997, 11:40 pm

The party was over and everyone around either lay wasted or fast asleep. Around some corners few teenagers could be seen snogging up to each other as the alcohol started kicking into their veins. It was the prom night after all. The high school students would be graduating soon. About a month later everyone would be parting their ways to pursue their area of interests. Some would turn to medicine, some lawyers; some may find their home in art, while some would just end up being douchebags. But this night, would never come.

On the steps near the porch, there sat a 14 year old Khushi gazing at the starry sky with a forlorn look. She had come with Shahid as his date for the prom. She harboured crush on Shahid and was ecstatic when he asked her to be his date. She had never expected that this night would turn out to be such a disappointment. Her reverie was broken when a boy of 17 years or so sat beside her. Giving a bored glance at the boy sitting beside her Khushi went back to gazing the sky leaving a heavy sigh in the process.

Studying the dejected look on her face Arnav nudged her, quirking his eyebrows to know what's wrong. Khushi looks at Arnav and then eyes a guy lying wasted on the floor near the wooden chair on the porch. Chuckling at Shahid's condition Arnav turns towards Khushi to find her annoyed.

"Ohh. Sorry" Arnav apologizes instantly before Khushi could beat him into pulp.

Khushi softens her eyes at him and questions "Where is your date?"

"She had to leave early. Her parents are apprehensive about late night parties." Arnav replies bemused.

Khushi doesn't say anything and keeps her head on his right shoulder, keeping her gaze fixed on the sky. Arnav brings his right arm encircling his shoulder giving her his silent support. After few minutes of poignant silence, Khushi heaves a great sigh and asks "Why am I so stupid?"

Puzzled over the question Arnav distances himself from her, turning her towards him, asks her "What's the matter Khushi?"

Chuckling over his query Khushi speaks with a dejected voice "Nothing. I thought Shahid was really interested in me. But it seems I was a convenient option as a date for him. I was stupid to enough to expect something like that."

Arnav listens to her patiently, holding her left hand in his. Khushi continues when Arnav doesn't reply anything.

"I am so stupid to harbour a crush on this jackass. It had been only a couple of minutes we had entered the party that he sprinted off to the drinks section leaving me all to myself! He didn't even give a glance at me. Forget kissing!" Khushi complained with a cute pout forming on her lips. Arnav was amused at Khushi thinking how cute she looked. Khushi was his best-friend yet so much different. She could cry at the drop of a hat! Yet he loved her a lot. He didn't romanticize her.

Suddenly a realization struck Khushi and her dam broke. As fat tears rolled down her cheeks she complained to Arnav "I didn't even have my first kiss. I am already fourteen. I wanted my first kiss before I could turn fifteen."

Arnav had to literally bite his lips to stop himself from bursting into laughter. A crying Khushi was a sight to behold. Not knowing what to say to comfort her Arnav just drew her closer to her chest like a father shielding his baby from the harm. Khushi sniffed more into his chest while Arnav kept rubbing her arms trying to calm her down.

Moments later Khushi's phone rings. She picks up the call and gets to know the driver has arrived to pick her up. Wiping off her tears, Khushi gives a hug to Arnav and takes her leave. Khushi is walking down the perfect lawn when Arnav comes hurriedly behind her trying to catch her. He comes in front of her in a flash causing Khushi to almost lose her balance. Coming closer to her he cups her cheeks with his right palm while his other arm goes behind her waist to get a firm hold on her. Before Khushi could get a grip on the situation, she feels Arnav's firm lips crushing onto her soft ones. It wasn't a passionate kiss but a sweet slow one. Khushi felt her body turning stiff but slowly adjusted as seconds passed and kissed him back in her innocent manner. Arnav smiled into the kiss as he found Khushi's innocent reciprocation that spoke of her naivety and inexperience in that field. The kiss lasted for only for few seconds but left a lingering sensation on Khushi's lips. Pulling apart, Arnav remarks "I guess you got your kiss before you turned 14. Now take that thing off your bucket list, Gupta!"

Winking at her Arnav leaves the lawn while Khushi is left blushing to roots.

Mumbai

29^th September 2015, 1:00 am

Arnav enters into his home after a tiring day at the shoot. He enters the bedroom and finds his wife leaning onto the grill out on the balcony. He goes behind her and snakes his arms around her waist and buries his head into her thick lush hair. Surprised at this she gives a squeal but settles into his broad shoulders upon realizing his touch. Trailing feathery kisses down her shoulders he murmurs "I missed you Lav!"

Leaning onto his shoulders Lavanya whispers "I missed you too baby."

Their romantic moment is suddenly interrupted by Avaan- their 5-year-old toddler. Rubbing his eyes he walks towards them holding his Doraemon stuffed toy in hands. He calls out to them and complains "Mumma! Dadda! I can't sleep."

Coming out of Arnav's arms Lavanya rushes to pick up Avaan in her arms and pats on his shoulder to put him to sleep cooing soothing words into his ears. Shaking his head off and smiling Arnav heads towards the bathroom to change not before dropping a kiss on his son's forehead whose eyes are drooping in sleep as he lays in his mother's arms.

Twenty minutes later Arnav and Lavanya are lying on their bed close to each other. Lavanya had already put Avaan to sleep in his bedroom. Lavanya is toying with Arnav wedding ring when Arnav speaks "We have to be there early tomorrow. The wedding is at 10 in the morning. It is better we leave by 7 tomorrow."

"Hmm... Khushi and Aahil look so cute together." Lavanya fills in with an excitement. Chuckling at her antics, Arnav replies "Yeah! That devil Khushi Kumari Gupta has finally found her soul mate."

Minutes later Arnav and Lavanya fall into a deep slumber as the night turns darker.

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Chapter One