ArHi SS: Love Countdown|| COMPLETED || - Page 40

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Banner credit: arnavini🤗

*The text conversations are in blue

Chapter 8

Khushi slumped into the bed keeping her bag on the table. It had been a long day. She stayed like that for some ten minutes looking at the blades of the fan which were rotating with a constant velocity. She took out her phone and checked for any call or message, to be precise, from a particular person, but sighed seeing none. Her stomach rumbled and reminded her that she didn't have anything since lunch. She took a quick shower and rushed downstairs towards the kitchen to check the menu for dinner.

Throwing the coat on the recliner, Arnav loosened his tie. He took out the phone from his pocket and found it dead. Placing the phone for charge, he decided to take a long shower. He was bone-tired. He had supervised on-site work for the first time. His father was right. Working on-site among the employees was better than sitting in front of the computer screen confined within the four walls. He had learned a lot today.

**********

She was bored checking the answer sheets. Not bored actually. Irritated was a more correct term. It was just a twenty marks internal paper and yet she found students screwing up. Couldn't they solve simple intregations? Why couldn't they draw the figures properly? She felt like pulling her hair. Who was she kidding? It wasn't the answers that were making her restless. Keeping the answer sheets aside after arranging them properly, she took her love, her favourite blue diary and started writing.

Hello Diary,

It has been 28 hours since I met him last. No calls and no messages since then. Who the hell does that? I can't believe he asked me out yesterday and does not even send me a text today. Huh!

But what is WRONG with ME? Why am I feeling so restless? Why do I have this urge to see those molten caramel eyes, his smiling face and hear his voice? I have never felt like this before.

Am I going crazy? Damn this Raizada!

Keeping her diary she decided to call it a day. However, she was far from getting any sleep. She fiddled with her phone opening contacts. Scrolling through the list her finger stopped at his name saved as "Raizada". She unknowingly swiped his name and the call was connected. "Shit", she muttered and disconnected the call but the damage had been done already. A few minutes later, her phone screen lit up with "Raizada Calling".

**********

After the scrumptious dinner, Arnav lay on his bed. As his back touched the soft mattress, he found his muscles relax. He switched on his phone and the wallpaper automatically brought a smile on his face. It was a group selfie clicked at Payal's birthday party but obviously his wallpaper had only the cropped version which had just Khushi's radiant smile.

He was still admiring her picture when her name flashed for a fraction of second. The call disconnected even before he could gather himself to believe that Khushi was calling him at this time of the night. He checked his call logs again to confirm that Khushi indeed called him. He realised that they had not conversed at all after their date. Why did she disconnect the call? Why did she call in the first place? Was she missing him? Arnav thought. This was going to be interesting. He waited for few minutes to see if she called again but when she did not, he decided to call her.

After a few rings, he heard her voice from the other end.

"Hello"

"Hi, Khushi. Why did you cut the call?" He asked

"Err. The called got connected by mistake. I was going to call someone else."

"Really?" He asked trying to suppress a laugh. She was a bad liar.

"Yes, really. Why would I call you?"

"May be because you wanted to talk to me. People usually call for that reason." He said amused.

"I don't want to talk to you."

"Are you sure that you don't want to talk to me?" He was definitely enjoying this.

"Offo, Arnav. I DO NOT WANT TO TALK TO YOU. And why should I? After taking me out on a date, there is no call or message from you. You did not even come for morning jog. Huhh!" He heard her irritated voice. So Miss Proffie was angry because he did not meet her or talk to her. His smile widened.

He wanted to say that he was busy but he was enjoying this little game and so he said, "From when did Miss Proffie become so forgetful? I just went for a jog yesterday and I go there twice a week and never on consecutive days. Anyway, why is it bothering you, Khushi? Were you missing me?"

He could hear her breaths but not her voice.

"You didn't answer my question, Khushi."

"It is very late Arnav and I am sleepy. Good night."

And the call disconnected once again. Arnav Singh Raizada let out a contented laugh. He became sure of one thing that Khushi wanted this as much as him. He would sleep peacefully now.

**********

"Wake up, Khu baby. It is 8 A.M.", Saket said removing the curtains letting the bright sunrays fill the room.

"Let me sleep, Saket. It is Sunday," Khushi said in a sleepy voice pulling the comforter over her face.

"Oh my God! I can't believe that you are sleeping till eight in the morning? This is a rare sight."

Khushi was startled hearing the voice. She removed the comforter and sat up. She rubbed her eyes and said mock teasing, "JIJI! I can't believe you are here so early. Who comes at eight?"

"And here I thought my sister will be happy seeing me early", Payal said dramatically.

"Of course I am happy Jiji. In fact, I am very happy," Khushi said gleefully and pulled her sister into a tight hug.

"Arrey, I am also here", said Saket and attacked them with his hug.

"My dear brother and sister, I am choking with your over-expression of love", said Payal struggling out of the hug.

"How mean!" Saket said releasing them and all three burst into fits of laughter.

"Oh, Jiji! I have missed you so much", Khushi said finally releasing her sister.

"I missed you too. By the way, why were you sleeping this late?" Payal asked.

Beacuse of your brother-in-law. Khushi wanted to say that but instead she replied, "I was checking answer sheets till late night Jiji. Moreover today is Sunday and so I thought of enjoying my sleep a few more hours."

"Really, Khu baby? I saw you turn off lights at midnight and I was awake till one", said Saket with a questioning look.

"I was not getting sleep so I decided to start checking answer sheets again and you had turned off the lights by then. Anyway, why were you awake till one? And please don't give me the excuse that you were studying because you study only before exams", Khushi retorted. If Saket was smart, Khushi was smarter.

However, Payal was enjoying this war of words between her siblings. She had really missed these small fights between Khushi and Saket. She knew very well why Saket was awake, he was busy chatting with his girlfriend and she could clearly guess that Khushi slept late because of a similar reason. After all, she knew her sister was a bad liar.

"Okay, stop it both of you now. I am going downstairs to help Ma to prepare breakfast. Khushi, freshen up quickly and Saket leave her alone." Payal said in a strict "elder sister" tone.

"Aye, aye, captain!" Khushi and Saket said together.

As soon as Saket and Payel left her room, Khushi checked her phone and sighed in relief not finding any call or message from a certain "Raizada". Her thoughts drifted towards their previous night's conversation, especially his last question.

Were you missing me?

Those four words were enough to take her sleep away. How could he read her mind? Yes, she was missing him. She admitted to herself and she knew that Arnav had already understood that. By now, she knew him and his tongue which was good at twisting words very well. However, she was confused at her own behaviour. She never expressed her disappointment this freely to anyone. It seemed Arnav had the ability to compel her to voice her emotions. Her brain stopped working near him and she could not think straight. And why did his voice sound husky over phone? All these thoughts puzzled her more and she could not sleep till the wee hours of the morning.

Shrugging of his thoughts which were invading her mind again, she decided to take her shower and enjoy her Sunday with her siblings.

**********

The day passed by in a whiz with the Guptas enjoying the day to the fullest with lots of eating, gossiping and teasing. After all, all three siblings were together after a very long time. Shashi and Garima were the happiest today seeing their children enjoying their day. After Payal's marriage, the house had turned a bit quiet. Khushi and Saket were not that jovial now. They missed their elder sister too much.

Khushi was extremely happy. Not once did she think of Arnav. You are thinking of him now. Her mind said. Oh, shut up! She chided herself. She prayed that rest of her day would pass similarly without her thinking about him. However, prayers are not always answered, do they?

Khushi was enjoying the oil massage on her hair given by her sister. Payal was an expert in this and Khushi had decided to take full advantage of her personal masseuse. After the wonderful relaxing massage, Khushi tied her hair in pigtails.

"When is Jeejaji coming to pick you?" Saket asked concentrating on the game half-sitting half lying on the bed.

"Why? You want to get rid of me so soon", Payal asked sulking.

"No Jiji. We don't mind you staying here but I think Jeejaji will definitely mind and we don't wish to see our pyaare Jeejaji sad", said Khushi teasingly. Now it was Payal's turn to blush. She picked up a pillow and threw at Khushi while she giggled.

The doorbell rang and Khushi said, "Let me welcome our Jeejaji", and before Payal coud speak up, she went to get the door.

"Let her go, Jiji. I would love to see her reaction", Saket whispered to Payal while Payal gave him a sheepish smile.

As Khushi opened the door, she found the person, whose thoughts she had been avoiding whole day, standing in front of him and as per her nature she asked, "You?"

"Were you expecting someone else?" Arnav asked.

"Of course. I...I was expecting Jeejaji", she said. Suddenly she felt she had lost the power of speech.

"Oh! I am sorry to disappoint you then."

"Khushi, let Arnav come inside, bitiya." She heard her mother say and she obliged.

Arnav greeted Garima and Shashi who got busy trying to make him feel comfortable.

"Hey Devi Maiyya, did you have to bring him in front of me today?" Khushi muttered under her breath.

"Khushi, what happened?" Payal asked amused at her state.

"Jiji, why didn't you tell me that Arnav is coming?"

"You did not let me. Akash had some important video conference to attend and so he sent Arnav. He had texted me a few hours ago."

"You could have stayed back, Jiji. Why did he have to come?"

"Khushi, I too have work and what is your problem?"

"Nothing. There is absolutely no problem." Khushi said and went to the kitchen when her mother caller her to help her to set the table for dinner.

As she reached the kitchen she received a text from "Raizada".

"You still didn't answer last night's question."

What is wrong with him? Who sends a text sitting across a room? Khushi thought.

"What is wrong with you? Why are you texting me?"

"Coz you are not talking to me. By the way, nice pyjamas Miss Proffie. Or should I say Miss Pigtails? ;)"

Realization dawned on her. She was wearing her favourite pink polka dotted pyjamas and her oiled hair was in tied in pigtails. This was definitely her worst Sunday. Her face turned a shade of pink in embarrassment at the thought of him seeing her in this avatar.

"Is Professor Gupta blushing? This has to be the breaking news. :D ;)"

She looked at him as she moved to the dining table placing the dishes. He was chatting with her father and Saket. Their eyes met for a fraction of second and she could see the mischievous glint on his eyes. How she wished to wipe off that smirk from his face.

"Stop texting me. -_-"

And he had stopped texting.

The dinner was enjoyed by everyone with small talks and jokes cracked by both Saket and Arnav, not to mention the delicious food. But Khushi could not enjoy the dinner a bit. How could she when Arnav Singh Raizada was sitting beside her? His mere presence made her heart race and her breath hitched quite a few times when her hand touched his, deliberately while passing him the bowl.

However, these small changes were carefully noted by the other pair of siblings whose mission of confirming that "something was cooking between Arnav and Khushi" was accomplished. They found Arnav stealing glances at Khushi occasionally and Khushi's flushed face when she realized that he was staring at her.

**********

Garima and Shashi blessed Payal when it was time for her to leave. "Take care, bitiya." Garima kissed her forehead. Payal and Saket hugged her.

"Please visit us more Jiji. We miss you so much. And tell Jeejaji not to spend so much time with his work. He should spend more time with you. He can always hand over some works to his brother", Khushi said breaking the hug and glancing at Arnav while saying the last words. Arnav cocked an eyebrow at her which she plainly ignored.

Payal giggled and mouthed "Bye".

As Khushi reached her room, she placed her hand at her chest trying to stabilize her heartbeat which had elevated at the heated gaze of Arnav. She took out her diary to write when she received yet another text from Arnav.

"What was that? Did you just mean that I don't work?"

"Who knows since you are always busy texting? Hey, are you not driving?"

"Oh, yes I am. Just started the engine."

"Then STOP texting and concentrate on driving and drive safe. If anything happens to my Jiji, I swear I am going to KILL you." She typed furiously.

"Yes, Ma'am. Before you, Bhai will kill me. :P By the way, you looked adorable in your pink pyjamas and oiled pigtails. ;) Good night. :)"

And her heart raced again. Words failed to describe what she was feeling at the moment and so she doodled in her diary. It was going to be another long night for Khushi.

Khushi's doodle in her diary:

Pic credit: Google 😆

**********

Chapter 9

Res
Excited!!! 😃

*Edited*
You know that this is one of those fics which always bring a smile on my face! Infact your scrap which has information about update is enough! 😆
And this update is out standing!
Khushi's state is really bad! First a tiring day and then irritation bcoz of this particular person 😉
Damn this Raizada 😆
And then his sweet teasings..ohmg! Now its time for me to curse this Raizada! Oh god! I love this Raizada!
Siblings meet is lovely! Payal knows everything!
But haa, there's one thing i wish happens in this, how about Payal teasing Arnav for Khushi's wallpaper in his phone? I mean why didn't anyone see it yet?
That part where Khushi was hapy thinking that she didn't think about Arnav when her mind gave her a counter is funny!
I love how Khushi is being teased by Arnav, her mind and heart!
Payal and Saket finally confirmed their doubts! Good! Hope they start teasing her too!

Beautiful update! ..

Awesome.. Just loved their bickering

awesome! my lips had a concave curve all the while i was reading n i got caught red handed to my mother at this hour of the day! 😒 do i need to say anything more??? ❤️ 👍🏼

Loving this journey of Arhi.. its cute and beautiful

Update was good