Arshi FF: Hardened Heart - Pt-13 on Pg-119 - Page 14

(But the lost Khushi pats her hand on a spoon kept inside the gravy container which sprang and fell on her coat)

Khushi - Oh Shit...(She looks at Arnav)... I am sorry... I was thinking something...

Arnav - its ok... remove the coat and clean it... Should I help you?

Khushi - No...I mean I should remove infront of you? Here?? (Khushi is all shy now...thinking of her removing the coat infront of him)

Arnav - Any issue? Its not so cold...and I think you are wearing a dress inside...or is it that...(he looks at her with a naughty look)

Khushi - Ya ya.. I have a dress ( suddenly she mutters softly to herself).. which almost makes me feel I am naked... and this gravy it had to fall on my coat only...

Arnav - Then please remove the coat and be comfortable

Khushi - What? (She gave him a angry look)

Arnav - Dont give me that look. I did not ask you to strip. I was just trying to suggest the best possible thing. Its upto you.

(Arnav sat on one of the chairs. She slowly moved towards the chair infront of him and adjusted herself)

Arnav - So what do you want to have? Should I make a plate for you?

Khushi - No no its ok...I will make it myself. (She gulps some water as she was unaware as to what to be done now. She slowly comes towards him and starts playing with the table cloth making noise to draw attention from Arnav)

Arnav - You need the table cloth?

Khushi - No... I mean...I mean...

Arnav - Ya...you mean what?

Khushi - I need to use rest room...need to clean the coat...

Arnav - ok ...(he gets up,made her turn.) Go straight and take right

Khushi - Thanks (Khushi goes)

Arnav - Crazy...but I am somewhat liking this craziness...

(Khushi removes the over coat. Cleans her legs and hands. Looks herself in mirror.her dress was something like below one)

Khushi - Yuk... How short this dress is...And this coat also is wet now...this Payal will always make me get into trouble by one or the other way. But its ok Khushi you can manage...(she pats her own back and walks off)

(Arnav has already made the plates for both and waiting for her. Khushi comes Arnav gives a long stare as she comes and sits in front of him)

Khushi - Why did you take trouble? I would have made my plate

Arnav - I was making mine so thought will do it for you too. If you dont like the things in plate you can arrange it as per your need

Khushi - No no its ok... (She silently starts eating)

Arnav - (To himself) Arey she was talking so much when we met in the ground. Why is she behaving like this now? Whats wrong with her

Khushi - actually I need one more favour from you

Arnav - Tell me

Khushi - Will you train me to play professional tennis? I really want to achieve something in it.

Arnav - Sure why not. Whenever I am in Mumbai I will spend 1 hour everyday to train you (To himself -Did I just says that? What the hell I am doing) (Smiles)

Khushi - (Excited) Thank you so much

Arnav - My pleasure. Hear take my card (She keeps the card in her purse. There is silence again between them both of them in their own worlds cherishing the decision made regarding the training)

Khushi - Arnav ji (Arnav starts coughing...) What happened (She is concerned gets up and comes close making him drink water. As her dress is strapless it starts moving down exposing her which she or Arnav did not realize. Arnav feels better now Khushi is patting his back to ease the cough.)

Arnav - Actually nobody addresses me like that I am fine now. (She takes of her hand and now she realizes her dress has come down. She tries pulling up and the elastic was little tight. She was making many failed attempts not even realising Arnav was there in front of her. Arnav stands comes to her holds her hand takes his coat put on the chair. Gives it) I think you should use my coat.

Khushi - I am sorry (She was so shy now. Tears dwell up. She wears his coat) I think I should take a leave now (She takes her purse and leaves hurriedly)

Arnav - Listen...atleast finish your...(She is gone now)...Che...she dint even eat...

(She has changed into her night dress. Lying on her bed caressing Arnav's coat, talking to herself)

Khushi - What he would have thought about me. That I did that knowingly to gain attention. God he is so unexpressive I couldn't even know what he was upto when he gave the coat. Why does it always happens to me?

(Her thoughts are broken when she get a call from Payal)

Khushi - Hello...dont ever call me here after...

Payal - Khushi...if you listen to the news... you would not say this

Khushi - Whatever it is...because of you and your stupid modern dress idea I had to go though such an embarrassing situation... (She realizes what she is about to speak)

Payal - Uffo...nothing would have happened, you are just creating a issue out of it... just wait and watch when he comes tomorrow for sports week inauguration he will definitely give comment on your dressing sense...

Khushi - Very funny I wore dress today and he will comment tomorrow? Wait... you mean he is coming tomorrow to college? Wow... Thanks Payal love you...I have to get up early and get ready tomorrow. (Cuts the calls ...hugs the coat tightly and rolls on the bed) Arnav I will tell you the truth tomorrow...why tomorrow I will tell you now (She dials his number which she had fed in her phone from the card he had given)

(Same time he is relaxing on his recliner hugging her over coat which she had left in hurry)

Arnav - You should have ignored it Arnie...why did you make that situation obvious. She would have felt offended... But I dint want her to be like that...what if some waiter had stepped in...oh Khukhi Verma...what have you done to me in just 2 meets...(Smiles) I should have taken her number. (He starts getting a call) Who will I be at this time ... unknown number (picks the call)

Khushi - Hello Arnav ji... its me ...I have a important thing to say (She is almost panting)

Arnav - Khukhi...breathe... relax...why are you panting like this? What is the hurry?

Khushi - Wo... you are coming to our college tomorrow for sports week inauguration?

Arnav - (Smiles naughtily) So you study Management? How come you are interested in tennis?

Khushi - You play it so ... (It was an instant answer)

Arnav - What? (Shocked ... but liked the answer)

Khushi - Nothing... I called you to tell something important...(Arnav assumed that she would confess her love)

Arnav - Listen Khukhi ...we are meeting tomorrow so lets speak face to face I am so sleepy... good night (he cuts the call) I know what you want to say but I will hear it when I am in front of you...but I wont agree at first attempt and I know you will woo me by multiple attempts...onemore thing after marriage we will change your name Khukhi sounds so weird... (Smiles to himself and sleeps)

(Arnav is ready for the function and is about to leave...Mohan comes in holding a envelope in hand)

Mohan - Arnav ... My friend Shashi wants you to be his Son in Law... they have sent their daughter's profile (Extending the envelope)

Arnav - Papa... I have told you not to do this... and Shashi uncle's daughter? I dont think her dreams would match mine...businessman's daughter cant support a sportsman...

Mohan - What will you lose in looking at the profile and meeting her once... if not as a to be groom just as a friend...

Arnav - You will never listen. Give it (snatches the envelope)... I will see...

Mohan - Ok... (Arnav walks off)

(Everything is set up for welcoming Arnav. Khushi is the one to go and put the garland so she is very excited and nervous. Lavanya was her classmate who was jealous on this opportunity. Everyone waiting for Arnav and Arnav reaches there and everyone is shouting his name. Khushi comes and put the garland. Arnav winks at her. Principal takes him to the diaz and Khushi moves to change her dress as she was in saree. Lavanya follows her. Khushi was going to the changing rooms near the pool of the college. Lavnaya comes behind and she uses the opportunity to catch Khushi from behind and makes her unconscious with chloroform and pushes in the water. Lavanya runs out screaming near the diaz)

Lavanya - Sir...Sir... Khushi fell in swimming pool...she is drowning (Principal gets a shock)

Principal - But she knows swimming

Lavanya - I dont know Sir... (She is acting to be scared and weeping)

Principal - Ok come lets see (He rushes towards the pool and all other staff including Arnav and students follow him)

(All have comes and watch Khushi has sinked in and Arnav suddenly reconnises the Saree)

Arnav - Khukhi... (He jumps in without any thought and brings her out...made her lay on the ground...patting her cheeks...rubbing her palm and feet...call the doctor...

Principal - He is on the way

(Arnav presses her tummy and tries removing the water but she was not reacting which was making Arnav restless. By them the campus doctor came there who was got by one of the students. Doctor examines)

Doctor - The pulses are very weak we need to admit her and she needs CPR...I cannot help her with CPR as I have asthma...(Before he even completes Arnav was trying to give her oxygen mouth to mouth which was not working)

Arnav - Just wake up... I am telling you to breath damn it... (He was telling in such a faint voice almost sobbing.)

Doctor - Lets shift her to hospital (Arnav lifts her and they all move)

Thanks for the PM...

first kiss with him and she's not even conscious!!!

Great!!

And what's this, Parents too trying to play cupid for them!!

Great, but hope she is able to say that her name is Khushi and not Khukhi!!!

God too good, Arnav is thinking of Marriage in only two meetings, and moreover wants to change her name!!!

Super!!

Loved it!!

Take Care!!

😊