Sparks of love
"I...I love you, Khushi", said the eleven year old Arnav stuttering showing his shy dimpled smile. She was shocked. However, seeing everyone around her laughing at that, she thought it was some lame joke. She scoffed at him. "Well done, Raizada", said Akash patting Arnav's back and grinning. The shy new boy, Arnav Singh Raizada had finally completed his dare. Here started the journey of Drama Queen Gupta and Weird Raizada, as they called each other, who coincidentally became friends since then.
Seventeen year old Khushi was angry. No she was mad and how. She was breathing fire, all the while muttering to herself. "How can he do that? He is too bad. Next time AM not speaking to him at all." This is when Arunima Gupta made her timely appearance. Seeing her sister marching front and back put her on alert mode. She knew something was up with her little darling, something was off. This much she knew and she could tell, after all she has been with her since her birth. Sighing she asked, "What happened Khushi? You seem a little off." Seeing her, Khushi immediately launched into what she called her dukh-bari kahaani. "Aru what would I do without you? He is mad. Like seriously! Being stupid is his profession and confusing me is his hobby." If Arunima Gupta said that she didn't know whom her sister was talking about, then she should be kidding. This great tale about this so kindly and nicely described person happens every other day with Arunima or The great knowledgeable person' as addressed by her three years younger sister. She knew this was coming. "Why do you think he did this?" she asked Aru. "What did he do this time Khushi?" "Ask me what he did not do!" "Okay, what did he not do?" "Offo! How can he just ignore me? Huh!" Khushi whined, "All these five days he has been sending me those letters and gifts but he doesn't talk to me in the class and suddenly he totally IGNORES me!" "So, you haven't received your letter and gift. So that is bothering you?" Arunima asked with a teasing smile. "Who said I wait for his gifts? His behaviour is just so confusing. Weird!" Khushi replied trying to hide the fact that she was actually expecting another letter and gift. Arunima knew her sister too well. However much Khushi denied, she knew Khushi loved receiving those letters and her favourite items from her so called Mr. Weird. The weird act of Mr. Weird had started a week ago.
Khushi was in her first class. Her eyes were searching for Mr.Weird, who was yet to make his timely appearance. Of course, when has he come on time! He has always entered the class alongside their teacher. But the smart ass he was, his mouth always came to his rescue. There, Mr.Weird entered, his hair unruly and his bag loosely hung over his shoulder or rather carelessly. As he passed her, he didn't even look at her. She fumed over his attitude. The roll call started. "Aakash, Aarav, Arnav..." Mr.Weird looks up as his name is called, gives a lazy smile and answers. "Khushi." She was pulled out of her anger. Two hours passed in a blur with Khushi completely engrossed in her class. The bell rang. Ah finally! With a big stretch, she got up from her place to go to the library, her personal heaven. "Khushi", a husky voice followed her. Ha! She knew it. "Yes? Can I do something for you, Mr.Raizada? And how come you are speaking to me? Did the sun rise in the west today? I seriously think so." "Khushi, please." "Don't please me. You don't even need to. I have work Arnav. Bye." And with that she turned away.
What made Ms. Gupta so angry? There should be some reasons right? Since Ms.Gupta can never be unreasonable. She mentally noted down her reasons.
The list went as follows:
1. Always teasing her to the core. Not stopping with that but telling that "I like teasing you and you are cute when you are angry". That is rude.
2. Speaking to all other girls with a cheery smile while speaking to her only via texts or mail. Justifying his action as shy and also claiming that this happens only with her, of course she can see that, he is so charming with other girls. This is mean.
3. Still not giving her Silk chocolate. Yeah, the very same she should be given since she won the bet. Not acceptable.
4. Calling her "Drama Queen". Of course she is not one.
5. Important reason: Forgetting what is five days later. That is not pardonable.
At the end of her listing session, Drama Queen was literally burning in anger. To cool herself, she went in search of her friends. The last bell for the day rang. Phew. The day was over and she could sleep now. Her bed was her FIRST LOVE and CRUSH. Oh and of course she can write her stories. It has been a week since she last updated. She has to discuss the new contest of NL too. As she entered her house, Khushi found a letter and a gift at her doorstep.It had her name in bold letters. Kahin isme kuch bomb toh nahin? She laughed at her own statement. She opened the letter and whoa she was surprised. "Is this for me?"
"5 days for the lovely mornings to burst apart and welcome the precious you to a new your day!!" And there lay a Cadbury Dairy Milk Silk waiting for her. Who has given that? Oh she already knew from the handwriting. It was from none other than Mr. Weird Raizada.
This continued for the next four days.
Day 2:
"4 days for rainbows to appear, dew to disappear and sun to shine for its welcoming you to a better new year of your life!!" Then there lay a make-up kit of her favourite brand.
Day 3:
"3 days more for birds to chirp happily, trees to sway madly and flowers to open up brightly giving you a red carpet welcome for your day!!" With this lay a poster of Barun Sobti and Varun Dhawan along with their autographs.
Day 4:
"2 days more for stars to fall, for prayers to be fulfilled and rainbows to appear for they all want to wish you and keep you company on your day!!" All episodes of Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon?' lay beside.
Khushi was already floating. However, on the fifth day, Khushi neither received his letter nor his gift. She was disappointed.
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11:59 p.m.
*Ping*
She checked her phone as she received a WhatsApp message. It was from Weird Raizada. What did he have to say now? She thought.
"One more minute for lips to whisper, eyes to twinkle and hearts to wish you on your special day for you deserve everything nearest to the best!!"
Before she could fathom the meaning of it, she heard the loud cheer of her sister followed by her parents.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KHUSH!"
"I thought I would have to wake you up like last year." Arunima grinned. Her mother kissed her forehead and said, "May all your wishes get fulfilled, beta." Her father joined her too.
"Happy Birthday, beta."
"Where is my gift?" Khushi asked with a pout.
"Always desperate. You will get it in the morning." Arunima replied. "This is not fair." Khushi said grumpily. "Sabar ka fal meetha hota hai." Arunima winked.
"Sleep well, Khush. The first thing that you will see as soon as you wake up will be your present." Her father assured her. The three of them wished her good night and left her room.
She slumped onto her pillow and her mind drifted to the message. She re-read the message. It was supposed to be a birthday message. He sends it a minute before her birthday and then again vanishes. What kind of a person he is!
She closed her eyes trying to forget Mr. Weird and his weirdness.
She didn't know how many minutes she had been sleeping though it felt like hours when she heard his husky voice. Now I am hearing his voice in my dream. Great! She thought. But the voice grew louder.
"Wake up, Drama Queen!"
Her eyes shot open and she screamed, "Aaahhh!" "Shhh! Shut up Drama Queen." She felt his rough palm over her mouth and she realised finally Mr. Weird was actually in her room.
"I am removing my hand. Please don't shout." He said and released her mouth. She let out a deep sigh and shouted, "What are you doing in my room? Wait, how did you get inside my room?"
"Shh. Don't shout Khushi. Your parents will wake up", he replied calmly. "How. Did. You. Get. Inside. My. Room?" She asked in a low voice gritting her teeth.
"Your sister let me in", he replied smirking. "What? How can she..." Her words died in her mouth as he had already stuffed a chocolate in her mouth. "This will keep your mouth shut for some time I guess." She saw him taking out a neatly folded paper. He opened the paper slowly and started reading out.
"Knitting yourself in the threads of love,
Happiness being your name,
U are the epitome of beauty, love, care and affection,
Serving us your dazzling smile that always makes me look at you.
Hiding your sadness behind your cheery laughter,
I am at your feet unable to express my hidden love for you.
Happy birthday darling. I just hope the stars shine,birds chirp and the vibrant hues always fill your life making it colorful. Sadh!"
Khushi was already lost in the husky voice which was reading out the special birthday message for her when suddenly the name Sadh' struck her mind. Arnav was so busy reading out the poem with emotions that he spilled the name of the original writer. "Wait a minute. Sadh? You mean Sadhana?" Khushi asked and snatched the paper from his hand.
"Shit!" Arnav mouthed.
It was indeed Sadhana's handwritten poem. Khushi was hurt.
"Liar. Cheater. All those messages were copied from Sadh. I should have known. I was so foolish to think that you have written all those beautiful lines for me. You...you ruined my birthday with your lies. Now get out of my house and get lost." Khushi screamed and pushed him away.
"Khushi... Khushi...Listen to me please."
"I said get lost. I don't want to see your face." She punched his chest trying to shove him away when he caught her arms. She struggled to free herself but his grip became stronger.
"Khushi I accept I didn't write any of those words. All those messages and this poem are written by Sadh. I had just copied them. I am really sorry for that but I swear all the gifts were arranged by me. You know I am not good at expressing my feelings through words and so I had requested, or I should say begged Sadh to pen down those messages and this poem since I wanted to settle with nothing less than the best for the most special person of my life. I know you have a list of complaints. Yes I like to tease you and you look adorable when you get angry. I call you drama queen because I know you get annoyed. As promised, I have given you your Silk. And the last one, not speaking to you. I...I get tongue-tied when I see you Khushi. Your eyes are like sparks directly hitting me. I became your friend with that I love you and now I want to become your boyfriend with the same I love you. I love you Khushi."
Khushi was dumbstruck hearing his confession. "You know you are really weird. You say you are not good with words and here you give such a long speech." She said smiling.
"Am I forgiven? Is that a yes?" He asked, still apprehensive of her reply.
"Of course, it is a yes, idiot. I have been waiting to hear this from you from God knows how long. But you are not forgiven and as punishment, you have to send me gifts for another week along with a message. This time, you should not cheat." She said grinning.
"Anything for you my lady", he said smilingly and pulled her into a hug.
As they released themselves from the hug, Arnav said, "Happy 18th birthday, Drama Queen", and pecked her cheeks.
And here began the love story of Drama Queen Gupta and Weird Raizada.
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Please do see the NOTE below!
Udne Ki Aasha
Anupamaa
Fan Fictions
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