ArShi FF: UNSPOKEN LOVE #5 [Ch53 Pg103 + Ch54 Pg112] Link to Th6 given - Page 74

_____________________________________

Link to Previous Chapter

_______________________

Unspoken Love

Chapter 54

The alarm rang. It was 5:30 am. Arnav woke up rubbing his eyes. Today was a special day. It was his Maa's birthday... his Maa - Veena! Arnav looked at Veena's photo in his wallet with teary eyes. "Happy Birthday Maa!" he whispered with a smile. He got ready to go for his usual jog. Lavanya was ready too. They both left the house.

Arnav seemed more fresh and energetic today than usual.

"You seem very happy today!" said Lavanya.

"Oh yes! I am happy!!" said Arnav breathing in the fresh morning air.

"Any special reason?" asked Lavanya.

Arnav was about to tell her that it was his Maa's birthday, but then decided not to tell. "Nothing special really..." he said, "May be because it's Saturday!"

Lavanya smiled. "I wish everyday was a Saturday...!" she said.

Arnav laughed. "And may I know why you wish that?!" he asked.

Lavanya stopped and so Arnav stopped too. Arnav turned to see why Lavanya stopped so suddenly and he saw Lavanya looking at him with her sweet smile. "So that you would be as happy everyday!" she said. Arnav was surprised at her reply. "I want you to be happy Arnav. You know, whenever you are happy, the whole world seems to be happy!" Arnav kept looking at her. This reply was unexpected. "What?!" she said as she saw him looking at her, "I mean it! Really..!"

Arnav smiled. "You are too sweet!" he said.

They both began jogging again. Arnav was still thinking of Lavanya's reply. He remembered how she had consoled him when Karan died. Arnav realised that she cared for him, she cared for his happiness. He looked at her. Her sweet smile was so refreshing! The link of his thoughts was broken by a sudden cry from Lavanya, "Aah!!" She had twisted her ankle. It was paining.

Arnav quickly ran to her. "Lavanya, are you alright?" He was worried to see her in pain.

She wasn't able to rest her foot down. Her eyes had tears. Arnav lifted her in his arms and began walking to the roadside. For a moment, Lavanya forgot her pain. She couldn't believe that Arnav was actually carrying her in his arms! She just kept looking at him as he carried her to a pavement and made her sit. She was on cloud nine! This was one of the best moments of her life. She was lost in staring at Arnav and then she realised that Arnav was saying something... "... so that you will feel better... Lavanya?! Are you listening?"

"Aan?" she said blankly.

"I said, move your foot in circular direction... like this..."

Lavanya followed his instructions blindly.

After waiting there for around fifteen minutes, they decided to return home. Lavanya stood up with Arnav's support. The pain had reduced but it was still there.

"Should we hire an auto?" asked Arnav.

"No! I will be fine..." said Lavanya. "And when you are there with me," she continued as she held Arnav's shoulder firmly, "what problem can there be?" she asked winking as she hopped ahead with Arnav's support.

Arnav smiled shaking his head.

They both slowly walked back home, chatting and teasing and laughing all the way. Reaching home, Arnav told Lavanya to apply cream and massage her ankle and then take rest. Also he told others about Lavanya's injury. Lavanya was so happy to know how much Arnav cared for her. She knew that Arnav was a perfect life-partner for her and that she would be very happy with him.

*****

Khushi checked her watch as she waited outside Hotel Vaishali. It was 12:25. "Five more minutes...!!" she said impatiently. She had been waiting there since the past ten minutes. It was decided that Arnav would meet her there at 12:30. But she was so excited that she reached a good fifteen minutes early! Every moment of the wait seemed very long for her.

Finally, she saw Arnav walking towards her. Her heartbeats raised by every step he walked closer. But she frowned on seeing him in his usual formal attire. Arnav saw Khushi waiting for him. She looked beautiful in the elegant blue dress she was wearing. They both smiled and went in to have lunch.

They had a good time chatting, especially about Arnav's Maa. They both ordered onion uttappa for lunch as it was what Arnav's Maa always ordered when they used to go out to eat. Arnav was happy to have Khushi with him at the moment and Khushi was happy to be there. It was about 2:00 pm when they finished their lunch and walked out. They both didn't know what to do next or where to go.

"Arnav, what would you have done if Maa was with you today?" asked Khushi. Arnav looked at her in confusion. "I mean, how would you have spent her birthday?"

Arnav smiled as he recalled the old memories. "We would have gone to the Khadakwasla Dam and enjoy the serene blue water there..." he said dreamily. "And we would have eaten roasted maize there..."

"Great!!" said Khushi in excitement, "Let's go!!"

"Where?"

"Khadakwasla!!!" she said, "And we will not go in your car... We will go on my bike!!"

"What?!!" exclaimed Arnav, "No way!! We can't go on your bike!!"

"Why not?!!"

"Because..." Arnav didn't know the reason why he didn't want to go on her bike. He just made up some reason... "Because... look at the clouds! It can rain any time!!"

"This is the perfect weather to go on a long ride on the bike Arnav!! And if we get drenched in rain, so be it!! Big deal! It's a day to enjoy Arnav!"

Finally after a lot of reluctance, Arnav agreed. Arnav left his car there and they set off on Khushi's bike. Khushi wore her helmet and ignited the engine and signalled Arnav to sit behind her. Arnav hesitated initially but he had no choice. He was a little uncomfortable initially but then it was fine. He had not driven a bike after his college days.

They both were enjoying the cloudy weather, the wind, the view around... Wow!! Arnav realised that the cool natural wind was much more enjoyable than the air conditioned in car. He had a constant smile on his face and Khushi was happy. Khushi was not as innocent as she seemed. She purposely pressed the brakes to bring Arnav closer to her. And Arnav probably knew it, but he didn't mind.

They reached Khadakwasla dam by around 3:30 pm. Khushi parked her bike and then they both walked down to the clear blue water. Arnav took a deep breath at the view of the silent water. He looked up to the sky and whispered, "Happy Birthday Maa!"

Khushi smiled. "Wish your Maa on my behalf too!!" she said with a wink.

Arnav smiled shaking his head. He again looked up and said, "Maa, you see this crazy girl standing beside me? She too is wishing you Happy Birthday!" he said.

"Haawww!! You called me crazy?!" exclaimed Khushi as she stared at Arnav with fake anger.

Arnav laughed. "Oh! Did I say something wrong?!" he teased her.

Khushi made a crying face and looked up saying, "See Maa, how your Arnav is troubling me!!" she complained.

Arnav laughed and said, "No use Khushi, Maa listens only to me!!" he winked.

Khushi's jaw dropped. She turned her back at him and walked towards the water stamping her feet in anger. But she was happy at heart. Today she saw the child in Arnav.

Arnav followed her. "Stop the drama Khushi!! I know you are not angry!!" he said smiling.

But neither did Khushi say anything nor did she turn to face him.

Arnav went closer to her and before he could understand anything, there was a splash of cool water on his face. He cleared the water on his face and opened his eyes to see Khushi laughing. He looked at his wet coat and yelled, "What have you done?!!"

Khushi made an innocent face and said, "Oh, I am so sorry!" and then splashed more water on him saying, "Wouldn't you have gotten wet had it rained?!"

Arnav couldn't believe it. "Oh really?!! Ab toh main tumhein nahi chhodunga... You just wait and see now!!" he said.

Khushi teased him showing her tongue. Arnav went near her and splashed water on her. She gasped and then within a few minutes they both were completely drenched and laughing heartily. They both stood side-by-side dipping their feet in the water. Khushi slipped and was about to fall but Arnav got hold of her. They stood there holding hands, looking at the clouds that kissed the surface of water. It was a beautiful moment to be treasured forever.

Then they came to the road to eat maize. They enjoyed eating the hot maize in the light drizzle. Arnav recalled his childhood moments.

Before they left, Khushi saw the ice-cream stall. Arnav bought two ice-cream cones. They were enjoying eating ice-cream when Khushi noticed some ice-cream on Arnav's nose-tip. She was about to tell him but then a naughty smile lightened her face. She clicked a picture of Arnav's face on her mobile phone and then teased showing it to him. He wiped the ice-cream on his nose and ran behind her telling her to delete the picture at once. In that hustle, Khushi's ice-cream cone fell down from her hand. Arnav went to buy another one for her but she refused. She told him to finish his ice-cream and then they would leave. Arnav knew that Khushi would not like to share the ice-cream. He looked at Khushi and without looking away from her, he dropped his ice-cream on the ground. Khushi was surprised at his action but that did not need any explanation. Arnav just smiled at her and gestured her to move towards the bike. Khushi couldn't believe that Arnav loved her so much.

They left to come back to the Hotel where Arnav had parked his car. It was 8:00 pm by then. Arnav thanked Khushi for spending time with him and making this day so special for him. They both returned to their respective homes.

*****

Arnav came home and saw that Nilima had prepared all his Maa's favourite dishes for dinner. He was shocked and his eyes were wet. "Maa..." he whispered looking at Nilima and then he couldn't speak more.

"It's a day to celebrate...!" said Nilima with a smile, "She will never be forgotten beta..."

Arnav considered himself to be so fortunate, so blessed to have got not one but two mothers...!!

*****

Khushi was discussing some project work with her team-mates. A peon came there to tell her that Aman wished to meet her. Khushi went to Aman's cabin where he was waiting for her.

"You wished to see me, Sir?" asked Khushi.

"Yes! There's a very important and special work I want to assign to you!" Khushi stared at him blankly. "Khushi, it's Arnav's birthday next week! And after all that he has gone through in the past few days, I was thinking of making this birthday very special for him. So, we will organize a surprise party for him at his home and you would handle this special event, alright?"

"But Sir, a party organized at his home... how will that be a surprise to him? He will ofcourse know about it!!" said Khushi.

"That's the challenge Khushi!! And that's why I am handing this project to you!! I am sure you will manage it! And don't worry, you will have full support from everyone at his home! You got to be careful, Arnav should not get any slightest idea about it!! So, ready for the challenge?!!"

"Yes Sir!!" replied Khushi, excited for this special event.

______________________________________________

Link to Next Chapter

______________________________________________

PS : Don't forget to hit LIKE... Waiting for your precious comments 😳

PPS : Next two updates tomorrow