ArShi FF 'Deja Vu' Ch 6B(35) on 11/3 - Page 16

Chapter Six: Can't Help But - Part I

December, 2012

Arnav Singh Raizada found himself standing in front of the single storied residential building, the pale white of its exteriors balancing the vivid blue and white velvet curtains arching its way, scaling its height while heart-shaped red balloons lending that romantic aura he scoffed whenever it was shown in movies and daily soaps that his family women were so enthralled to watch in order to stage some equally insane romantic proposal and date between the leads. He glanced around the crowded porch to find someone, anyone from his family so that they could guide him in and shook his head a second later at his futile attempts. He should have joined them instead of refusing Aakash when asked. Now, he scoffed but schooled his expressions, smiling at an elderly group of people as he walked across the foyer.

The days following Aakash and his meeting had been strangely eventful with no phone calls or mails enquiring about his future plans. While Arnav had been surprised at not being attacked by his parents, his mother especially who had almost given up convincing him settle down in a matrimonial relationship, there was a point when he had been panicked at the eerie silence only to realize that they were giving him what he had been asking for - the much needed space. And for that, he was thankful.

It was not like he had completely lost faith in relationships. No, he would not say that after witnessing the love blooming between his parents and Anjali and Shyam even after years of togetherness. Theirs was, he would say, special, and he would have said that what they share was soul-mate kind of thing, only if he believed anything that flossy. One failed relationship was not what's stopping him from committing. It had more to do with the fact that no woman ever made him feel that way.

And love was not enough. Wasn't it? For a relationship to work, there has to be two individuals working together, reaching the other's expectations and welcoming adjustments and when situation demanded, compromising. That was something Arnav was never comfortable with. Adjustments and compromises. Deep down, he doubted that these might be the few of the reasons for his ex-fiance to leave him at the altar, for he never tried to make her feel comfortable or loved if that threatened his own comfort zone.

But now that the family had been generous in providing him his space, the least he could do was be a part of his stupid cousin's engagement.

Not that he had any other option, Arnav sighed as he remembered the countless threats varying in its degree of seriousness. While Anjali had requested him with that pout that had been a permanent fixture now a days, Aakash had, not so very gently, kicked his ass. Arnav looked around, sensing tens of pairs of eyes following him as he stepped in only to be greeted by a laughing crowd while Aakash shut his eyes painfully.

Arnav shook his head knowingly. This was exactly why he hated attending family functions. Why can't they leave the love birds alone? He never understood the whole concept of pre and post wedding rituals. All that ever needed for a wedding to take place was, well, acceptance of the ones that were getting married. It was a private ceremony, Arnav thought with irritation, hating the way everyone seemed to spend hell of a fortune for an event worth five minutes.

He needed to talk to Aakash regarding this. Arnav decided as he stepped forward, smiling at the picture Anjali and Aakash presented, with her cajoling him into what seemed like talking with Payal.

Some things will never change...

Arnav shook his head and nodded at his cousins just as the soft, instrumental music changed into a familiar one, the rough timbre of Elvis Presley cheered the love birds and Arnav couldn't help but agree that it was perfect for the occasion.

Wise men say

Only fools rush in

But I can't help falling in love with you

As the lyrics filled the room with its melody, Arnav sensed a strange emotion floating around him, tickling him as it settled down in his heart, it's piercing akin to pleasure. Warmth blanketed his heart at the flash of a pair of doe eyes, wide with childlike excitement, just like it had been ever since he had dropped her off that evening few weeks ago. No, he shook his head, smiling at Payal while Aakash introduced him to her, shaking her hand and slapping his cousin's shoulder. If Arnav were to be honest with himself, the woman had been torturing him from the minute he laid eyes on her.

Shall I stay?

Would it be a sin?

If I can't help falling in love with you

Arnav excused himself from the newly engaged couple, smiling rather effortlessly on his way back at Anjali and their other cousins, dashing out from the group and towards the small table at the corner of the room. He could see a few girls, giggling, their eyes focused on him as he passed by, and the hushed whispers that were well known and anticipated by him. He would have, in any other day, noticed that they were all rather good looking. But for now, Arnav reached the table, snatching a disposal glass of water and gulping it down, his mind was swirling around a certain child-woman who had stayed there, disturbing his neatly mapped out existence.

Like a river flows

Surely to the sea

Darling so it goes

Some things are meant to be

Why, oh why was it so difficult to stop thinking about her? It was frustrating, the amount of hours he had spent. Not that he had not been around her. He had, to his utter delight, three coffee dates a week. Even though she hated coffee, Arnav reminded himself with a wistful smile, she did accompany him, pouting at him when asked to taste but did nonetheless, only to grimace and push the mug away. What was it that they share, he didn't know. And he didn't care. She was enjoying his company as much he was, if not more, and that was all he needed to know. Period.

Take my hand,

Take my whole life too

For I can't help falling in love with you

That was it. He was going to leave, the hell with engagement. He would make it up to Aakash sometime later by throwing a party. Heck, he would willingly volunteer help his cousin in whatever shopping the gang had been planning for a while now. He would go out of his way and help Aakash, if need be, pick a perfect venue for a date night and also provide his input regarding that bloody ring that the stupid lover boy was planning to gift his girlfriend on their first night.

But right now, he needed to go out and call his "girlfriend" and have that stupid coffee date he was so addicted to.

Arnav turned around, throwing the disposal glass in the nearby trash can, the wheels in his mind clicking in its place as he grabbed his phone, speed dialing her number to inform her about the plans, only to be crashed into solid, but feminine body.

And his heart stilled, so were the hands, one paused mid-way rather dramatically as he reached out to the person he was crashed into, who steadied herself without his help, much to his relief and the other holding his mobile dangerously. Was it a figment of his overtly worked out imagination? Or was the universe conspired to bring the only object of his affection, when he needed her the most, in front of his eyes? Like, Anjali would say, if written in the stars there was no way in hell that their paths wouldn't collide!

How would, his voice rang silently, anyone explain the possibility of him running into none other than Khushi Gupta herself?

There she was, not more than two steps away from him, clad in milky-white saree. Eyes glowing under the vivid lighting, wide in her face framed by thick lashes, olive hue of her skin radiating its brilliance while her rich, dark, silky hair pulled into an elaborated French braid, its loose bangs finding its escape from the braid, dancing to its own tune as she stared back at him, his surprise mirroring in her eyes.

"What the..." Khushi hissed under her breath and before he could form a meaningful response, she shook her head and looked around, craning her head before turning back to him. "I can't believe this, Arnav."

Arnav watched, unable to cover his delighted surprise like he always did, which was rare in itself, amazed at this woman while Khushi grabbed him by his arm, across the room, towards the stairs, dragging him along with her. Smiling, he shook his head. Crazy woman! Why was she acting strange? Why can't she just stop and talk to him? What was the hurry? And most importantly, what was she doing here?

So immersed in his muddled mind and equally empowering myriad of feelings that Khushi managed to stir in his heart that it took him a while to notice that her hand was holding together... the strings of the threads that held her blouse together?

Arnav chuckled softly while Khushi shut the door behind after dragging him to the first room. He stared at the woman in front of him, hands in his pockets as he waited for what he was by now used to the pool of questions that would shoot at his way and a ghost of smile appeared when it did.

"What the hell are you doing here at my house, Arnav? I said I'm spending this weekend with my family and yet you're here! Seriously? You surely are a dumb wit, moron."

Arnav stared at her for a second, smiling at the realization and the situation they were in. "This is your house?" He asked, his voice shaking with mirth. "You've got to be kidding me, Khushi."

"And why would I do that?" Khushi retorted back almost instantly. "Look, I just reached home and need to meet my sister. I'm sure she's going to kill me for being late for her engagement but what can I do when I've monster of a boss? I'm sure Aakash will understand, though, such a friendly soul! Oh yeah," she looked back at him, her eyes flashing at him. "What are you doing here?"

Arnav cleared his throat. Surely, Anjali would have commented one of her flimsy dialogues like fate did want to bring them together, what with crossing their paths even as strangers? First, at that coffee caf and then Khushi turning out to be the Architect working on Anjali's flat? And now this...

"Your sister is getting engaged to my cousin." Arnav stated quietly, stepping away from her, taking the moment to look around the room. "Small world, in deed." He added teasingly, the photo frames that decorated the wall behind the bed arresting his attention.

"What the... Aakash is your cousin?" Khushi screamed. "I can't believe this."

Arnav laughed softly. Yes, he couldn't believe that he was in his girlfriend's bedroom. If he had known that it was her sister that Aakash was in love with, Arnav would have surely accompanied his poor cousin whenever it involved meeting Khushi. He shook his head softly at the tempting prospect.

"Wait a second," Arnav turned his attention from the photos to her, his eyes staying on her hand that was still holding her strings together with a teasing grin. "Do you need any help with that?" He asked, his voice a whisper and alien to his own ears as he pointed a finger carelessly.

Khushi stared at him for a while before realization stuck upon her. And the flash in her eyes was so comical that Arnav couldn't help but laugh.

"This is not some cheesy flick of a movie where you help me with my dori and we end up with a romantic but embarrassing moment." Khushi hissed as she walked past him and towards the mirror, her hands working on the strings effectively. "Come on, grow up, Arnav. Why do you always have to ruin with your flirty comments? I still can't believe I'm friends with you!"

"Hey, don't you dare change that equation now!" Arnav snapped back playfully. "You don't have coffee dates with a friend, sweetheart."

"Whatever!" Khushi shrugged, looking at him through the mirror. "But we did agree on taking things slowly, didn't we? So, its friends as long as I know what I'm looking for."

__________