Arshi FF: Jeene Laga Hoon (NOTE pg. 68) - Page 33

Nice update.

Cheers...

Nani has gone the right thing by talking to arnav. Hope that things will work out for the best and nothing back fires between khushi and arnav.

Continue soon

They were in the backyard of Shantivan, that much Arnav was certain of, but it didn't look like it. Everything seemed magical, almost unreal. There were fairy lights hanging in the tears, as if the fireflies of Manali had made their way to Delhi and surrounded the area. They were by the fire pit, located in the far back corner of the yard. Surrounding it were five chairs, and in three of them were NK, Payal, and Akash. When Arnav and Khushi walked up to lit fire pit, the three of them looked in their direction and smiled cheerfully.

"Nanav, mera bhai," NK spoke, "At last, you are here. Take a seat."

Arnav took a seat beside NK and looked around, awestruck, "What is all this?"

"Well, Chasmish over here," Akash said as he glanced at Khushi, who went and sat in the empty chair next to Payal. "She saw how tired all of us have been putting this wedding together. This passed week we've barely had a chance to breathe, and she noticed. And you know her, she doesn't like everyone being this stressed. So she came up with this idea for the five of us."

Arnav looked at Khushi, "So what is this suppose to be exactly?...a Manali flashback?"

Khushi grinned and nodded.

Payal clapped her hands, "Correct-a-mundo! Khushi wanted us to relax and enjoy ourselves a little, just the old gang. The one time we all really did that was on the last night of our Manali trip, over eight years ago. So she thought, why not remake that moment with the fireflies' and campfire'. Her and Akash snuck off in the middle of cleaning to put to little surprise together...the little chupa rustums."

"I have to say this is brillant," NK said as he reclined in his chair and put his hands behind his head. "We all did need a break."

"It's not just that," Khushi said. "It's just that...we should be grateful for that time in Manali. If it wasn't for that, then all of us wouldn't be sitting here, about to celebrate Akash and Payal's wedding."

Silence filled the circle as the realized the truth in Khushi's words. She was right. It was that trip to Manali that had established the foundation for their friendships. More precisely, if it wasn't for Lavanya accidentally tumbling into Arnav on the train platform, then they all wouldn't have met. That Manali trip was more precious to them than they had realized, that was...until now.

As if Payal could read everyone's thoughts, she spoke, "You know, if Lavanya was here right now, she probably would have been at my house with Khushi, giving me a pre-wedding pep talk."

Khushi pulled her feet up to her chest on the chair and laughed, "No, she would be preparing a game plan for you to run away on your wedding day, in case you got cold feet."

Akash stared at them agape, "No way. You know she would be the one pushing you to the mandap."

"Or stealing your shoes," Arnav commented.

NK smiled sadly, "Or getting your car as the getaway vehicle. La always was crazy."

Arnav looked at NK, who looked back at him sadly. NK shook his head before turning his attention to the rest of the gang. It was then, Arnav understood that, apart from him, no one else knew about NK's feelings for Lavanya. This made his heart ache. All this time he had been holding all these feelings in, and hadn't told anyone. Maybe that's why NK had also been mad at him before. Maybe NK needed him in that dark hour. When he had told him his feelings about Lavanya, he seemed to have felt much better. The fact that he vented to the person who was a dear friend to Lavanya must have lifted a great weight of his shoulders. Better late than never, Arnav thought.

Payal looked at NK, "You know she probably would've tried to run you over."

NK chuckled, "Well, Chasmish would be there, so I wouldn't have to go too far for medical attention."

Everyone laughed at that comment.

"You know, we should all go on another trip like that," Payal suggested.

"I wish we could, but look at us," Khushi said. "We all have busy lives."

"Okay, so what if we can't go on a long trip like before. We could at least spend a weekend together, right? Is that too much to ask?"

NK scratched his head, "To be honest, it was hard enough for us to all come together for yours and Akash's wedding."

"But you did it, right?" Payal argued. "Because you knew this was important. So why can't we take one weekend out of the whole year to spend together? I mean, is that too much to ask?"

Arnav chuckled, "Looks like Akash's lawyer interrogative techniques have rubbed off on you, Payal."

Akash proudly put his arm around Payal, "That's my girl."

"Woohoo! Loverboy!" NK and Khushi teased at the same time.

"Not again!" Akash whined as he retracted his arm.

Payal laughed and held Khushi's arm, "Ha, serves you right. You and all your public displays of affection."

"After we get married, no one is going to stop me. It'll be my right after all."

Payal turned beet red, and Khushi noticed.

"Oh my gosh! Payal is blushing! Look at her!" Khushi laughed.

"Khushi!" Payal smacked her arm. "But back to my serious topic. Are we all going to spend time with each other or not?"

"We will just have to wait and see," NK answered. "We'll try, but life sometimes gets the better of us."

"Okay okay."

Khushi held out her hand to Payal and joked, "If the boys don't show up then who cares? You and I will run away together and go...maybe even tomorrow...what do you say?"

Payal glanced at Akash and laughed as held placed her hand in Khushi's, "Sounds like a plan!"

Akash yelled at Payal, "Oye! Haath kyun pakara?! (Why are you holding her hand?!)"

NK shouted, "Akash! At least mera haath toh chor! (At least let go of my hand!)"

Akash looked at NK, not realizing that he had grabbed his hand. He let go and looked at him apologetically, to which NK simply nodded and patted his shoulder. Everyone laughed as they watched the two of them. The conversation continued for the next couple of hours. They all relaxed around the lit fire pit, talking about the old days and the plans for tomorrow. Akash and Payal were interrogated as to what the plan was for after marriage. NK was once again teased and messed with as he always, but he didn't mind. During all this talking and reminiscing, Arnav had his gaze on Khushi almost the entire time. She hadn't noticed. Nani's words replayed in his mind as he stared at her. Now that he understood his feelings, he wanted to talk to her as soon as possible, but he hadn't had a moment alone with her. This had to be something memorable and private. It seemed that only time would tell him when it was his chance. The laughter and merriment didn't cease, making the cheerful aura flow through the entire backyard of Shantivan. It wasn't long until the topic came up of what everyone was planning to do after the wedding.

Akash glanced at Payal before looking at the others, "Well, we are checking off marriage on our list. So who's going to be next in that category?"

Payal raised her hand and shouted, "I nominate NK and Khushi!"

Arnav's eyes widened in shock. He glanced from Khushi to NK, who were staring at each other, stunned. Anger rose through his veins as he saw this. How dare anyone even think that Khushi could be with anyone other than him? He saw the way NK's stunned expression changed into a playful smile. Arnav clenched his fists. NK had no right to smile like that at Khushi. There was something hidden behind that smile. What was he up to?

NK laughed before getting up and walking over to Khushi. She watched as he came up and knelt down on one knee in front of her. He gave her a playful wink, causing her to giggle lightly. It was obvious that he was teasing her by this gesture, but Arnav didn't see that. That classic ASR rage was about to erupt.

"Oh Chasmish Khushi!" NK said dramatically. "Of course! How couldn't we be next! After all...pyaar kia to maarna kya!"

Akash laughed and smacked his head, "Maarna nahin...daarna."

"Right right!" NK laughed. "You know what I mean! So, what say! Marry me?!"

Arnav. Saw. Red.

He shot up from his seat and shouted, "NO! She won't!"

Hearing his booming voice echo throughout the yard, the other four friends looked up at Arnav in shock. The anger was visibly radiating from his body. His hands were clenched to tightly by his sides that his knuckles had almost turned white. His stare could have reduced NK to ashes. If Arnav didn't have self control, he would have smashed NK's face in. How dare NK have the gaul to propose to Khushi? How dare he even think about it? When Arnav realized his feelings for her, then suddenly so did everyone else. No! No one dares to claim any sort of right on Khushi, except him!

Akash, Payal, NK, and Khushi all stood up as they stared at Arnav in confusion. They didn't understand what had suddenly gotten into him. NK's proposal was fake. He was joking. So why was Arnav taking it so seriously? More importantly, why did he even care?

NK spoke up, "Nanav, what's wrong? I'm just joking and teasing Khushi, and you're getting worked up. Why?"

Arnav looked at NK before looking at Khushi. She stared back at him, confused by his sudden behavior. She didn't know what was wrong, but she could tell that he was livid. His hands slowly unclenched by his side as he realized his sudden outburst had caught everyone, even himself, off guard. He needed to cool down, and in order to do so, he needed to get away.

"Nothing," Arnav said lowly. "I...I have some important work to do."

"But Arnav-," Payal began.

"It's nothing. We have a long day tomorrow anyways. I'll see you all tomorrow."

Without another word, Arnav took one last look at Khushi and left. Seeing that it indeed was late, and the mood was no longer the same without Arnav, the rest of the group decided to call it a night. They didn't know what had happened to Arnav, but knew that he would need time to deal with whatever was going on in that head of his. As NK and Akash went inside, Khushi stood staring in the direction Arnav had disappeared to. He hadn't gone back inside, but to the lit gazebo. She remembered the place because she had sat with Aditi there many times before.

"Khushi," Payal spoke softly. "Are you ready to go?"

"I will be in a minute," she replied. "Go ahead and go inside and say goodbye to everyone. I'll be there in a few, okay?"

Payal nodded and went back inside, leaving Khushi alone by the fire pit. Khushi looked in the direction of the gazebo, where she had a feeling Arnav would be. She didn't know why he had suddenly gotten so upset by NK's fake proposal, or why he had abruptly stormed off, but she knew that something was bothering him. It wasn't just by his posture, but by the look in his eyes. Khushi had to search them to figure out what he was feeling, and when she did, she wasn't sure if what she saw was right. In Arnav's eyes, she not only saw anger, but pain. He was hurt, and she couldn't understand why, but she knew she couldn't stand to see him like that. What had happened that had made him suddenly turn into the angry ASR? Khushi held her lengha and began walking through the grass towards the gazebo, determined to get answers from Arnav.

~

The sound of her anklets told him that she was there. Each step chimed like bells and grew louder as she got closer. Then, it stopped. Arnav knew she was behind him, but he didn't want to turn and face her right now. He was still trying to cool his anger. His arms were crossed against his chest and he was breathing deeply in order to calm himself down.

Khushi, on the other hand, stood staring at Arnav's back, wondering what was going on in his mind. Because of his tight black sherwani, she could see his muscles tighten. His stiff posture was enough to tell her that he was still angry, but she couldn't understand why. His sudden change in behavior had surprised everyone, especially her, and she wanted to know the reason for it. She fidgeted with the edge of her purple dupatta that was pinned to her shoulder.

"Arnav," Khushi said softly.

He didn't say anything nor did he turn around.

She extended her hand to touch his shoulder, "Arnav, what wro-."

"Stay away from NK."

Khushi's hand froze in mid-air. She stared at him, confused. Was he joking? As she dropped her hand back down to her side, Arnav turned around to face her. By the look on his face, Khushi knew that he was serious. He showed no sign of amusement. The frown lines on his forehead and tightened jawline told her that he was dead serious. She stared at him incredulously. What was going on in that head of his? Why did he want her to stay away from NK?

"Stay away from NK," Arnav repeated lowly.

"Arnav," Khushi said a little more authoritatively. "Why?"

"Because I said so."

"You can't tell me who I can and can't talk to. Why does it matter if I talk to Nanhe? He-."

"Is he your boyfriend?"

Khushi stared at him in disbelief, "Have you gone mad?"

Arnav ignored her comment and took a step forward. He spoke, anger and jealously dripping in his voice, "Why were you laughing and smiling at him like that?"

"Like what?"

"Like that...that special one of a kind way."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Of course you do!"

"What has gotten into you, Arnav?"

"You're not answering my questions."

"Because they are ridiculous questions!"

Arnav stared at her for a minute. He knew his questions were ridiculous, but he wanted answers. The truth was, the fact that NK proposed to Khushi, even if it was fake, really angered him. It set a seed of doubt in his mind, and he needed to know if there was something going on between Khushi and NK that he hadn't seen before. NK was the one that introduced had Khushi to the family, so it was possible that he had an ulterior motive in introducing her. If there was, then he would beat NK to a pulp to make sure he stayed away from Khushi.

In a calmer, but serious voice, Arnav asked, "Do you love NK?"

Khushi was stunned speechless. She couldn't believe he asked her that. NK was just a friend and nothing more. How could Arnav not see that? This fake proposal had sent him over the edge, and now he was crossing limits. Anger rose within her. Knowing that if she stayed she would say something she would regret, Khushi huffed and turned around to leave. She had taken two steps when Arnav's voice echoed through the gazebo, stopping her.

"Do you love NK?!" he shouted incredulously.

Khushi turned back around and retorted, "Why does it matter to you?"

"It matters! I...I thought you only laughed and smiled liked that with me!"

Khushi's anger began to dissipate as her gaze met Arnav's. In his chocolate orbs, she saw that there was more to this than what he had said. He wasn't just angry...he was jealous and hurt. The anguish that he was trying to mask leaked through the serious facade, and from the look of it, he knew that too. His rage had melted away, only to be replaced with desperation.

She took a deep breath to calm herself down and said, "What are you trying to say?"

"I'm trying to say that you should stay away from NK," he pleaded. "I don't like it when you're around him."

"Why?"

"Because..." he looked at her seriously. "I want you to spend all your time with me."

Khushi looked away before looking back at him, "Arnav, I put this bonfire together so I didn't spend anymore time with just you."

Arnav was silent.

Khushi's eyes pooled with tears. Her emotions were beginning to overflow. She pointed to the direction of Shantivan, "Nanhe is my friend. Just my friend."

"So he's not your boyfriend?" Arnav asked, wanting to confirm what she had said.

"No, Arnav. No! Stop this tamaasha please! Why can't you understand that if I spend even one more minute alone with you I'll..." Khushi's breath hitched.

Arnav stared at her, his eyes beckoning her to complete what she was saying, "You'll what, Khushi?"

"I'll fall in love with you...again."

Arnav was speechless. She was falling in love with him? Again? Did that mean she had loved him in Manali? Arnav felt his heart pound wildly against his rib cage. So she felt the same way. He was about to speak when she spoke up again.

She shook her head sadly, "And you won't...again."

Arnav suddenly became serious. He stared at her, his expression unreadable. Khushi was using all her strength not to shed any tears. She had finally confessed to Arnav, but now wondered how he would react. He needed to know the reason why she was keeping him at such a distance. She was strong, but not enough to go through heartbreak again. Khushi observed him as he continued to stay in the same position, staring at her.

Arnav didn't know what to say. She feared that he would break her heart and that he didn't feel the same. But that's just it, he did feel the same. He just had to show her. So he did what felt was right. Without breaking eye contact, Arnav stepped closer to Khushi. He stopped right in front of her, so they were only inches apart. He looked down at her while she looked up at him. His eyes darkened while hers softened as they moved closer to one another. Arnav's hand crept up to her face, caressing her cheek before cupping it in his hand. Slowly, he leaned in until his lips met hers. Their eyes shut upon contact.

The kiss was gentle, but it evoked so much emotion that Khushi and Arnav felt as though they were drowning. His free hand wrapped around her waist, while Khushi's hands slid up his chest and held onto the collar of his sherwani. Arnav pulled back a little before diving back in, feeling empty the second his lips lost contact with hers. After some moments, they pulled away. His forehead rested on hers as they slowly opened their eyes to look at each other. Both of them were dazed after the mind-blowing kiss.

Khushi slowly retracted her hands from Arnav's collar, not once looking away from him. He dropped his hands back to his sides as he stared at her with a soft smile. She gave him a soft smile as well, not believing what had just happened. She stared at him, dazed as she began backing away slowly. Unable to come up with anything to say, Khushi turned around shyly and rushed back into Shantivan, leaving Arnav standing in the gazebo, watching her retreating figure. He chuckled as he ran a hand through his hair. He couldn't believe that he had just kissed Khushi. It was...perfect...amazing. He couldn't even come up with a proper word. However, their conversation and kiss only confirmed his feelings for Khushi. As he began walking back into Shantivan, he grinned widely as one thought played on his mind. Damn, I love her.

**********

There you have it. That's the update! Let me know what you think by leaving your comments and feedback below.

Next update: Arnav and Khushi: Together at last or...?

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