ArnavKhushi - Years Down The Road: Scroll

The heirloom Celtic ring with a fiery ruby inlaid by ancient symbol of trinity on either side glowed with an inner fire as it caught the morning light filtering down from wide bay windows of the classy bean house. The air was redolent with rich aromas of ground coffee beans. The place was bustling with people on their way to work who had dropped in for a strong cup of java for a much needed morning jolt. Khushi shifted around in the stiff back chair which others would term classy but was highly uncomfortable. Her backside was still smarting from the fall she had taken mere two days back.

He had looked stumped then, seeing her on the floor in her inglorious position massing her derriere. The action was so outside the controlled and calculated moves carefully though about and weighed before being acted upon by her that act did not just become her. The younger him would not have missed the opportunity to poke gentle fun at her mishap, having a bellyful hearty laugh at her expense before helping her up. But that reaction never materialised. He had then lend her his hand and enquired in a solemn baritone voice if she was alright? Not even a small upturn of lip. Gone was the carefree youth, gone was the boy with laughing cognac eyes with an ever present teasing smirk.

She heaved a silent sigh, and continued to stir the contents of coffee cup. The coffee had long gone cold but it gave her an excuse to do something then give the group of young ladies at adjacent table a chance to pity her. They have been casting sly glances at her table when no one joined her after even after 40 minutes, thinking that the old girl' had been stood up. If it would have one of her clients she would have given them benefit of 30 minutes before walking out of the door, but he was different and never tardy. When he had called 20 minutes back to let her know that he was running late she decided to give him her benefit of doubt. There must be soon good enough reason for the delay, of that she was certain.

She though back to the time when they would meet up at her house, his house, their favourite hideaway The pond' or few of the places frequented by the hip youngsters to study and exchange notes. He was her first and only progeny when it came to learning, his method of studying and learning over the years was deeply inspired from the one she had ingrained in him in his formative years. He said he owed it to her', jokingly as a youth and now with a sombre expression and an equally solemn voice. She sat up straight feeling suddenly queasy. Her trembling cold hand reached for the tall frosted glass of cold water. After taking a bracingly cold sip of water, Khushi tried to calm her stretched nerves by breathing deep and clearly, the way she had been taught by her yoga master. They has been over this many times, she could hear his grave voice in her head clearly elucidating all pros of this arrangement. He stressed that both will be winners in this bargain that it was not only for her. He could not have sounded more of a great and upcoming tycoon then that all the country's paper agog with.

Lost in her thoughts of past, tracing random patterns on the pale tablecloth Khushi absently looked up toward the door when she spotted Him. Standing at the door busily scanning the tables through his classy aviators, his tall broad shouldered frame encased in signature Savile Row suit, he looked the very image of classy urbane man. Standing there with an easy grace he easily drew the attention of the patrons of the little caf. When his busily scanning gaze came to rest on her table, Khushi has a wild wish that he would look away, move his gaze to some other table. She did not wish to be the object of attention and scrutiny which was at that very moment being transferred from him to her as he cut across the room in long purposeful strides to her side.

Watching Arnav standing before her, bestowing her with a small but abstract smile, his mind clearly elsewhere gave Khushi a much needed moment to recover from her mild panic. She ceased to think about being the centre of attention or about the image they projected by being together. She needed to stop worrying about the impression garnered by world, what mattered is living your life the way your wanted it, giving into only some of the wishes of your dear ones, for that ultimately proved to be important for ones mental wellbeing. She returned an answering warm smile as to his as he settled himself. Some of the wariness from his face faded then.

What, did he think that she would do? Hold on a grudge, pout or throw tantrum? She was old enough and more than wise not to resort to such behaviour. Neither was she his sweetheart. Assured by her calm and welcoming smile her relived beau snapped out of lingering stupor to wholeheartedly with an ever present serious face in place, apologize for his tardiness and make his biggest blunder till date...