Shot 1: Winter Kisses
A gust of cold wind hit Khushi's face as Payal opened the window near their bed. Khushi pulled the fluffy blanket to cover her body from head to toe so as not to allow even an ounce of cold air to touch her delicate body. Just as she was about to lose herself to the warmth of the blanket, she found her covering being removed by Payal. "Khushi wake up. Did you forget that you have a morning class?" Payal reminded. Khushi pulled the blanket again said, "Let me sleep, Jiji", which came out as a mumble.
"Don't blame me later when you reach late, samjhi?(do you understand?)" Payal said tugging her blanket again and left for the kitchen. Khushi sat up on bed whining, "Who keeps a morning class at 8 A.M. in December?" Covering herself with a shawl, she dragged herself to the bathroom. She opened the tap and shrieked as her fingers touched the ice-cold water. "JIJI! The water is so cold", Khushi cried. "Stop your drama, Khushi and turn on the geyser." Payal replied from the kitchen. "I hate winter!" Khushi muttered as she turned on the geyser.
After half an hour, Khushi sauntered around the kitchen and asked, "What's for breakfast?" "Cereal and milk", Payal replied. "Boring!" Khushi said. "Jiji, make some gajar ka halwa for me in the evening", she ordered. "O Maharani, I am not your cook, okay. If you want to eat gajar ka halwa, make some yourself." "Jeejee, you make the best gajar ka halwa in the whole world. Please make some na," she pleaded pouting. "Buttering me won't help. Eat your breakfast and leave for college," Payal said. "You are mean. You know that, right?" "Yes, now stop looking grumpy and finish your breakfast soon. I am getting late for office."
"Haan haan, I know why you are so eager to leave for office. Your boss, Akash Malhotra, is waiting for you", she winked at Payal and received a smack from her. "EAT!"Payal snapped and Khushi ate in complete silence frowning at the bowl of cereals. Khushi and Payal lived in an apartment in Delhi. Khushi was a student of St. Stephen's College while Payal worked as a designer for Malhotra Designs.
The morning sky was still foggy and the sun was straining to spread its rays on the cold winter morning. Khushi Kumari Gupta hated winter. According to her, winter was gloomy and symbolised sadness. She was more of a summer person, sunny and cheery. Another reason in her list of "why she hated winter" was winter embarked long days of sickness for Khushi. It would start with cold and cough and continue till she was completely bed-ridden.
**********
She walked through the large corridors of St. Stephen's College pulling the sleeves of her sweater so as to cover her cold shivering palms as much as possible. She was lost in her own world muttering curses against winter when she collided with a hard chest and a strong pair of arms steadied her. She looked into the person's eyes and wanted to drown herself in the pool of molten chocolate orbs but the husky voice landed her back to earth. "Good Morning, Gupta."
Hey Devi Maiyya! Subah subah, iss kameene ka muh kyun dikha rahi ho? (Hey Devi Maiyya! Why are you making me face this a**hole early morning?) She complained to her favourite God.
She released herself from his hold and decided to walk away ignoring him. "Where are your manners, Gupta?" He said blocking her way. "Leave my way, Raizada", she replied irritated, her eyebrows furrowing. "Now, that's like Grumpy Gupta", he said and pinched her cheeks. She glared at him with eyes shooting fire. "Now let's see who reaches the classroom just at 8?" He winked and dashed past her to reach the classroom first. Khushi looked at her watch and gasped seeing just a minute left for the clock to strike 8 and if she was a minute late, she would have to listen to all the praises heaped on Arnav Singh Raizada regarding punctuality. "A**hole Raizada", she said sneeringly and ran to reach her classroom in time.
"May I come in, Ma'am?"
"May I come in, Ma'am?"
Both said together. "Yes," replied Professor Sinha as she pushed the glasses up the bridge of her nose and looked suspiciously at them.
"Yeh Ravan aur Sita ek saath kaise?"(How come Ravan and Sita are together?) Aman said in a mock-shocking voice as he saw Arnav and Khushi enter the classroom and taking their respective seats.
"What?! Ravan and Sita?! I have heard about the couple Ram and Sita", Lavanya said looking uninterested.
"Arrey, Ramayan pura padh leti, toh Ravan ka naam bhi mil jata," (If you had read the whole Ramayan, then you would have come across the name Ravan) Aman said.
"Mujhe pata hai Ravan kaun hai, idiot. Lekin Ravan aur Sita ke saath ASR aur Khushi ka kya connection hai?" (I know who Ravan is, idiot. But what is the connection between Ravan-Sita and ASR-Khushi?) Lavanya asked confused.
"Toh kya ASR Ram hoga? Dekhti nahi kitna pareshhan karta hai woh Khushi ko?"(So do you think that ASR should be called Ram? Don't you see how much he bullies Khushi?)
"Jaise Khushi kuchh karti hi nahi," (As if Khushi doesn't do anything)Lavanya rolled her eyes.
"Tumhe Khushi se itni problem kyun hai?"(What is your problem with Khushi?) Aman asked.
"Tumhe Arnav se itni problem kyun hai?"(What is your problem with Arnav?)Lavanya retorted.
"Hush! Guys! Yeh Ramayan ke chakkar mein tum dono Mahabharat mat suru karo",(Hush! Guys! Now you don't start Mahabaharat talking about their Ramayan) Nikhil said interrupting their debate.
Arnav Singh Raizada and Khushi Kumari Gupta were the toppers of Physics Department of St. Stephen's and were popular for their rivalry. They were neck to neck in competition and left no stone unturned to beat the other one, be it in exams or in projects. However, both ended up bagging the same position every time since the professors awarded them with equal grades leaving the couple to decide whose answers were better.
There was just one difference between them. While Arnav Singh Raizada was a cheerful handsome and friendly guy, popular among girls (which earned him the name "A**hole Raizada from Khushi), Khushi Kumari Gupta loved to be left alone with her books, a frown adorning her face(which earned her the name "Grumpy Gupta" from Arnav).
At the end of the class, Professor Sinha announced about the competition to be held which would carry fifteen percent weight in the final semester marks.
As the Professor left the classroom, Arnav came near Khushi's desk and said, "Get ready to hold the second position this time, Gupta."
"Let the professors decide that, Raizada. Now move," she snorted and walked out of the classroom leaving a smirking Arnav behind.
"Who do you think will win?" Aman asked Lavanya.
"Of course, ASR will win. No doubt about that," Lavanya said proudly.
"Nah! I think Khushi will win this time. Didn't you see her confidence?"
"You mean ASR isn't confident?" Lavanya looked at Aman angrily.
"No, he is overconfident and that will lead to his majestic fall."
"Offo, guys stop it. Koi bhi jeete, hamein kya hai? Mujhe toh bas popcorn khana hai aur yeh Ravan aur Sita ka drama enjoy karna hai," (Offo, guys stop it. Whoever wins, it doesn't bother us, right? I just want to grab popcorn and enjoy the drama of Ravan and Sita) Nikhil snickered.
**********
A week passed after the incident. It was Christmas. But Khushi was not in the mood of celebration. She was bed-ridden with flu. Forget about winning the competition, she wasn't even in the state to walk to college and participate in it. Her all-time rival Winter had finally won. Payal handed the bowl of soup to her and said, "Don't be sad, Khushi. It is just a competition."
"I know, Jiji", she said trying to look cheerful. "Why aren't you ready Jiji? Akash will be waiting for you." She said diverting the topic.
"I am not going anywhere, Khushi."
"Come on, Jiji. Don't break my Jeeju's heart. He planned a Christmas party for you and here you want to spend your evening with your boring sick sister. I will be fine." She assured her.
After some more coaxing, Khushi was able to convince Payal to attend the Christmas party.
"You will be okay, na?" Payal asked anxiously.
"I will be absolutely fine. Ab jao(Now go)", Khushi said.
As soon as Payal left, Khushi cried her heart out. No, she was not sad that she could not celebrate Christmas. She was sad because for the first time Arnav Singh Raizada would hold the first position and she, none. She knew that the results of the competition were announced the previous day but she had not called anyone to know the results. She did not want her heart to break hearing Arnav's name as the winner though she knew he was the winner.
"Her Devi Maiyya! Aisa mere saath hi kyun hota hai? Main kisi ko muh dikhane ke layak nahi rahi. Ab woh kameena Raizada mujh par hasega. (Hey Devi Maiyya! Why does it happen with me? Now I won't be able to show my face to anyone. And that A**hole Raizada would laugh at me.) I hate him. I hate this winter." She cried again.
After her water-works had stopped, she was hungry. She decided to have a cup of hot chocolate to soothe her bleeding heart. She was halfway finishing the delicious cup when the doorbell rang. Not bothering about her look, she rushed to get the door.
"Merry Christmas, Gupta." Arnav Singh Raizada was standing at the door with a large packet in his hand. "What are you doing here, A**hole? How did you get my address?" Khushi's nose flared in anger. "You really do not have any manners, Gupta. Apne guest ko koi aise welcome karta hai?(Do you welcome your guest like this?)"
"Haan, agar woh bin-bulaya ho toh. (Yes, if he is uninvited) Buzz off, Raizada."
Arnav did not pay any heed to what she was saying and entered the apartment. "You know, you are looking almost like Santa Claus. Only the white beard and moustache are missing", he said amused at her dishevelled look in her red pyjamas and red fluffy sweater. Cute! He thought.
"Why are you here?" Khushi asked.
"I came to celebrate Christmas with you", he said casually, "and to check on your health. You weren't coming to college for a week."
She didn't believe a word and said, "Why do you care? You must be happy na. You finally defeated me and bagged the first position. And now you have come to taunt me about that. Celebrate Christmas! Huh!" Her eyes became teary once again as she continued, "Get lost Raizada and leave me alone." She pushed him with all her might. He caught her hands immediately and pulled her flush against him and placed a finger on her lips. "Kitna bolti ho tum, Khushi."(You speak too much, Khushi) Arnav said in his husky voice. Her name sounded so sexy in his mouth. Perhaps, this was the first time he was calling her by her name. Khushi was lost in his silky voice and his eyes which were just like the molten hot chocolate she was having a few minutes back.
Hey Devi Maiyya! Yeh kameena rajkumar ke tarah kyun lag raha hai! (Hey Devi Maiyya! Why is this A**whole looking like a prince) Khushi thought.
"I came to see you Khushi. And I did not get the first position."
This brought her back to earth. "What!!! How can this be possible?" She could not believe her ears. Arnav Singh Raizada did not win the competition!
"It is possible because I did not participate in the competition", he said coolly still holding her in his arms.
Hey Devi Maiyya! Aap kya aaj hi apne paas bulaoge? Itne saare shocking news ek hi raat mein? (Hey Devi Maiyya! Do you want me come to you tonight itself? So many shocking news in one night?)
"Where are you lost, Gupta?"
"Why?" She asked confused.
"Because you were not participating. Competition isn't fun without you."
Khushi was surely going to have a heart attack with the bombardment of shocks.
"I missed you Khushi", he said touching his forehead with hers.
"I missed you too, Arnav" Khushi murmured unknowingly.
"Really?"
"Err.. no . I didn't," her face turned red in embarrassment. Yes, she had missed their fights.
"Aww! Come on Gupta, you admitted just now."
"Whatever." Khushi pushed him away and moved aside trying to hide her flushed face when her eyes fell on the packet. "What is in there?"
Arnav opened the packet to reveal a chocolate cake in front of her. "What's Christmas celebration without cake?" He grinned.
Khushi squealed in excitement seeing her favourite cake. She rushed towards the kitchen and brought a knife. Cutting and large piece, she shoved it in her mouth and moaned at the delicious flavour. "Hey, I am here too", Arnav complained. Khushi stuck her tongue out in embarrassment and cut another piece and offered him. "You are cute," Arnav said and pecked her cheeks. "Will you be my girlfriend?" Khushi's eyes dilated with yet another shock.
Hey Devi Maiyya! Mera dushman mujhe propose kar raha hai? (Hey Devi Maiyya! My enemy is proposing me?)
"Khushi?" Arnav snapped his fingers near her eyes.
"Err.. why?"
"Because life without you is boring."
"But what about Sheetal?"
"Sheetal is not my girlfriend Khushi. She just sticks around me so that I help her in her studies.You match my intelligence and challenge me. I would like to spend my life fighting with you rather than spending my time with some stupid bimbo, Sheetal. And... I like you."
Hey Devi Maiyya! Arnav likes me!
Khushi's heart definitely raced a marathon but she muttered ,"Okay."
"Is that a yes?" He asked cocking an eyebrow.
"Yes..I mean No.." But before Khushi could continue Arnav slammed his lips on hers tasting her sweetness mixed with the chocolate.
And that was the last time Khushi hated winter. After all, she had the first kiss of her life that cold wintery night.
**********
Edited by barsha_dash - 9 years ago
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