**Flashback in RED ITALICS.
For the next ten days, this routine continued. A very wonderful friendship had sprung up between Asha and Arnav. They both were too attached with each other. Sometimes, Khushi was left out. But they both ensured that Khushi was taken care of. In fact, it looked like Khushi had suddenly turned young. There were so many incidents which made Khushi feel that she was the youngest of the three. Now, as she looked at the duo, she again felt a similar feeling engulf her.
"I am telling to you both for the last time. I am not hungry! I don't want to eat."
Both Arnav and Asha wore a similar frown which only intensified with her every word. They both looked at her, the plate before her and at their plates. They both exchanged a look. Khushi's eyes scrutinised their every movement and her hawk like eyes didn't miss that glint in their eyes. "Now what are these to up to?", she mused, exasperatedly.
"Khushi, shouldn't you help people? If you buy one plate, this will help them and they can earn better. Don't you want to do that?", he asked her with the most innocent face. She looked at him in absolute disbelief. "Don't use my own words against me."
Now it was time for the second satellite to be launched.
"Okay, main bhi nahi kaungi. (Okay, I won't eat too.)", told Asha.
That was their last card and Arnav smirked at her in triumph. His eyes very easily questioned her, "Now what will you do? Bring it on!" She was no less. "Accha. Then don't", she glared at Arnav.
"Fine. We will leave, then", Arnav announced. Asha looked at Khushi with a very sad face and Arnav casually remarked, "Kya karen Asha, teri mausi to tujhe kuch kilayage bhi nahi. Kudh nahi kaayegi aur doosron ko bhi kaane nahi degi. (What to do Asha, you aunt doesn't want you to eat. Neither does she eat, nor does she allows others to eat.)" Now this remark had the expected reaction and they ended up making Khushi eat. As Khushi went to wash her hands, Asha flung her arms around Arnav and happily chatted away, "Chithi ka gaye. Bahuth din se kuch teek se nahi ka rahi hain. Isi liye main ne aapko bataya. (Chithi ate. Since, the past few days she wasn't eating properly. This is why I told you.)"
Arnav smiled and felt a very deep rooted affection for that young girl. But he couldn't help wonder what happened to Khushi.
He was not sure what connected him to these two, yet he knew it was more than the instant love for a kid. He felt a part of his soul in Asha and Khushi. "Khushi", her name spread the happiness, her eyes couldn't. Though, she wasn't chirpy and enthusiastic, she made him happy. He was at peace when she was near, yet, he knew something was amiss. He could easily grasp that the "real" Khushi was buried under the current sober Khushi. He wanted to bring her out and show her the world. Initially, he had backed off from the strange attraction, that pulled him to her. "She is highly magnetic and it is my job to keep away from her." When he had learnt that Asha was not her daughter, but her sister's daughter, he had strangely liked it. But more than that what made him look at her in awe was her bold acceptance that Asha was her sister's daughter and he could feel the hidden pride behind her words. It had been just a week in Connoor and he couldn't think of leaving these two. It was like his heart was on a mission to tie itself with them. She rarely smiled, but whenever she did, he couldn't take his eyes off her. She was a rare exquisite beauty. Her views and her thoughts made him admire and respect her. She cared none about what others would think about her. She always believed that she was right in her sense of mind. When that same stubborn woman had apologised to him, he had been shocked. "What more shades does she have?", he had thought.
"Khushi I think we should start early tomorrow. I heard people telling that there is a strike because of which everything is going to remain closed."
"Arnav, I know this place much better than you."
As Arnav had told, everything remained closed and people were not let in. They had to return back.
"You were right. I am sorry", she apologised.
"So, stubborn Gupta knows to apologize too", he thought but he dare not say it aloud. He only smirked in return.
It was like she was a bundle of surprises. Of course, Asha was no less. Since, he had experience with Karishma, he knew how kids were. But, Asha was again unique, just like her Maasi. She was happy yet there was this sadness in her eyes which he wanted to kiss and push away.
Khushi's state was no less. If she had thought how can a stranger affect her, she was wrong. Arnav had begun to be a positive influence in her rather sullen and sad life. Initially, she had ignored his presence. The first time he had made an impact on her was when he lifted Asha. It was like he lifted all the sadness and sorrows of Asha. She had started looking forward to their daily routine which made her know him more. She was confused, yet, she had no one to share her confusions. All through her life, she had shared her deepest secrets with her sister, Pooja. Her first crush, her first proposal, her first infatuation, etc. She still remembered her sister's reaction when she had confessed having a crush on her senior.
"I am telling again and again. I have no crushes Pooja."
"Liar liar. I know you will have one at least. It is just that you don't want to share anything with your sister", Pooja told making the best frowning face ever.
"Fine! What do you want to know? Yes, I do have a crush. Happy?", Khushi stuck her tongue out.
"No. Name that fellow and I will be happy. Let me judge your tastes."
Knowing that she had no option, Khushi had to give her all those juicy details and a lot of "oohs and aahs" had followed.
She gazed sadly at Asha and Arnav. She missed Pooja, she missed all. Asha was hugging Arnav. The remarkable change Arnav had brought in their lives in his few days with them was unbelievable. There were many a times when she would find Arnav looking at her and his gaze unnerved her. She had felt an involuntary shiver pass through her spine. She respected his views and his thoughts on life. She was very sure he was an optimist. "Maybe fate was very lenient to him and I hope so too", she thought.
It was three days since both had met, but more than thirty calls were made. All thanks to Asha, Khushi was forced to call him and make them speak. Anjali found this to be her perfect opportunity to tease Arnav.
"Hello Anji."
"Your call is on wait as the number you have called is currently busy."
"What the! What are you trying Anjali?"
"Oh so I am really speaking to you? Well since the last two days I have been hearing this message, why not you hear it for a change?"
And then there was no one to end Anjali's rants, Payal's complaints and Karishma's chatter.
The bright dawn had both Arnav and Khushi eagerly waiting and anticipating. Neither of them thought that three days of separation could make them so restless, especially for a stranger. Their excitement was clearly visible and highly palpable.
"Hi Arnav", she called out. Arnav was surprised. It was always he, who wished her and never the other way around. "What is happening?", he wondered.
"Hi. Where is Asha?", the very question seemed to dim her excitement. She gave a very forcible smile and answered him.
"She has her school from today. So, she will not be able to accompany us in the mornings."
"Oh that's okay." For a moment, both stood there unable to decide on their next course of action. This was the very first time both were alone. To ease the charged atmosphere, Arnav remarked, "How are we to go? Bus and autos are still not functioning."
Khushi's eyes wandered over to her two wheeler. She closed her eyes. She was in two minds, Should I? Or Should I not? Reading her mind, Arnav spoke up, "It is okay if you want me to return back." Though, he said this, his eyes spoke a different story which her heart seemed to accept and want. Yet, the question of right and wrong sliced through her thoughts. She was afraid to accept and reluctant to refuse. "Khushi, we can go to the Park. It is nearby right? We can walk." This idea satisfied the yearning hearts and put them out of misery. She smiled at him and nodded in a "Yes". His answering smile was worth her small "Yes".
As they walked through the hilly terrain, Arnav's eyes roamed over Khushi's face for any signs of unease. Finding none, he spoke up, "How long have you been here?". His simple question put an end to her cheerful morning. He looked at her face that had gone pale, all of a sudden. She closed her eyes as if trying to gather some strength from the unknown. He regretted asking the question. "I am sorry, you need not answer that question." He spoke up hastily.
She stopped short and took a deep breath to calm her nerves. "Not more than a year." Just then, her phone rang.
"Yes Madhavan. I worked on that article. It is almost ready. Sorry I cannot go to Delhi. Asha will be alone here. Thank you."
"You are a writer?", he asked her.
She looked at him in disbelief. When she saw him looking at her in surprise, anger coursed through her body. "No, I am a journalist", she bit out.
"What? You are a journalist? Unbelievable."
"Pray tell me, why do you find it unbelievable? Do I look so uneducated or does my personality speak something else or did you assume me to be the heroine of the next commercial movie whose role is to only sing and dance?"
"Feisty queen", he muttered which stopped her monologue. She furrowed her eyebrows as she tried to decipher what she had just heard.
"What did you just call me?"
"Um, nothing."
"You called me something. I heard so. On the lines of queen or something."
"All I meant to say was calm down. See, I never knew anything about you or rather never took the initiative to know about you which I accept is my fault. Sorry, I did not mean to ridicule you." His apologies were genuine and she suppressed her urge to wave him off and accept his apologies.
The next few minutes were followed by a comfortable silence and lack of words. Both were amazed at the easy flow of their conversation. She had never had this type of conversation with anyone except Asha after that fateful day. Their one unison thought was, "What is happening? Where will this lead me?". Lost in her thoughts, Khushi did not notice the incoming vehicle. The blaring horn did not pull her out of her reverie. "Khushi", he shouted, yet it did nothing to bring her back into her present surroundings.
He pulled her towards himself and jumped to the side in the nick of the moment. "What were you thinking, damn it?" His heartbeat refused to slow down and his gaze refused to leave her face. He held her close to himself, afraid that a little distance might take her away from him forever.
Their breathing was ragged. His protective hands had snaked around her waist and her fingers held his shirt lapels in fear. Her eyes that were scrunched close, slowly opened up revealing the pinnacle of emotions she was undergoing. She gulped looking at his angry demeanor which slowly relaxed. "I am sorry", she replied back.
He tried hard to calm himself down but her earlier stunt had made him angry and frustrated. This was not the first time this had happened. She whispered a sorry again. He looked at her with concern filled eyes and murmured, "It is not about a sorry, Khushi. It is about you." Those words made her heart to sped faster in anticipation and his thoughts to wander in confusion and contradictions.
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Click of the day:
A bee has started stinging their hearts. Don't you all agree?
Sorry I had "reserved" yesterday and am updating today. Blame it on my laziness to proofread this one which made me procrastinate. I hope you all liked this chapter. Progressive? Stupid? Nice? Sparks? If you have time, tell me what this update made you think. If my mind is good enough, I might be here on Tuesday or Wednesday.
Thanks to everyone of you. All my readers big bear hug. I am looking forward for your comments yet again. A special hug to Aru (barsha_dash) and Pavi (Ipkforever) for being my biggest support system!
Minty (mints23) this is for you! I tried to make it long for your sake and I hope you are happy. And this chapter is dedicated only for you since I love you, bas! This is from your favorite $talker!!
All new readers buddy me for Update alerts.
Ciao! Happy week ahead!
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