OS-1
The clock ticked 9. She was still sitting near the window in her room and gazed into nothing. The flickering street light disturbed by the entry of someone at her gates. She still sat there not moving, watching Ramu Kaka, watchman open the metallic gates open to let them in. She knew it was the Raizadas' car. Of course, they have been neighbors for quite a while now, even before she was born. Anvesh Singh Raizada and Shashi Gupta were best of friends and Garima, and Avni were friends from childhood. They lived like a family. Their houses are separated by a wall.
It was unlike Khushi to sit so gloomily. The one with overloaded craziness, free and happy go lucky type girl that she was. It wasn't so unlike these days. She has grown up a lot. Yes. She has been a very naughty and carefree girl. It was because of the presence of the loved once surrounded her. Especially her best friend. Arnav Singh Raizada. Fate played a cruel game with her. She fell in love with him. Very deeply and never to come out of it. She closed her eyes and letting the tears come out. The free trial of tears and this occasional crying has been a daily habit for her. It all started two and half years back.
Khushi was a girl with ambition and challenges. A true Gemini for an instant. Bubbly and yet the same time reserved. She acts as if she is open and clear but suffers tons of battles inside her. Everyone took her for granted. Made fun of her. Just because she will laugh away. In fact, she was the one who set up dates for Arnav and even Akash. She did all the filmy stuff and done it very perfectly. It was one particular evening when everyone was sitting out in the lounge and enjoying evening tea. She walked to her father when he was chatting with Anvesh uncle. She knew it was the right time to talk. She gave very much importance to Anvesh too. She somehow felt she needs his consent too.
"Papa, I received an admission for Masters in the USA. I want to go" she said as she glanced at the surprised faces of two men who were shocked to digest the information. For instance, Shashi knew, unlike Payal, Khushi is a dreamer. She just is too pure a soul to act so free. But he somehow knew, his daughter is a high achiever. He sighed. She has done all the work. Given her exams, cleared it, applied to a university and now she is here in front of him.
"Khushi," Shashi said. "When did you apply?" he simply asked. He knew he would never say no but still somewhere it hurt the father's pride. In the case of his elder daughter, Payal, she was an adorable girl. Tells and share everything. He is supposed to be there for every tiniest thing that is associated with her. Khushi. He sighed again. His little girl was looking at him with so much anxiousness.
"A month back," she said in a little voice. He nodded.
"Does your mom know?" he asked even though he knew she doesn't.
"No. It is you both first to know about it. Today in the morning I got an admit letter" she said anxiously.
Anvesh looked at her. Marveled at the girl. He always adored this girl. She stole his heart when the first time he touched her little feet, and she giggled. Little Khushi. He also recollected an incident when she was in 4th grade; they were all going out. He was walking with Khushi on a road where others were near the hotel. She saved him from that deadly accident. He felt a sense of undying pride for her. Of course, it was a little secret that only they both know. He always felt very alive with Khushi. He felt a fatherly pride towards her. He chuckled. Gaining their attention.
"Although, if we say yes. I don't think of the chances when you reveal this to your mom and Avni aunty. They are going to run you into emotional blackmail" he said.
Shashi also laughed at that, and Khushi giggled.
"You know what, I really, really want to go pursue this. I have been thinking about this since four years. Now I am here" she said proudly and waited for the approval.
Shashi hugged her.
"I never let you close your wings Khushi. Remember that your old guy will always be here to catch you if you fall." He said, his eyes misting with love.
Anvesh gulped the heaviness in the throat and smiled. "Don't bother him Khushi. He is getting old. I am here too. Always young and dashing" Anvesh said as he dropped a kiss on her temple. They chuckled.
As expected, the storm erupted when she told this to all others at once. It was better she believed to tell them all at once. Garima was shocked, and so was Avni. Payal, Akash, Arnav, Anjali were looking at her as if she had horns. It was highly unusual. They all believed it to be their little Khushi who does pranks unlimited; it was just yesterday she punctured Mr. Shetty's car tire. It was just their Khushi who they always made fun of. They pulled her leg way too much. This news, this seriousness, came as a shock to each and every one of the family. They felt as if the floor has been pulled off from their feet. But yet they accepted. It is when Khushi left them did they realize how much she was the life of everyone. It was as if everything became too mundane. They all were happy and normal, but yes they were all missing her. Irrevocably.
After two and half years, she returned. She realized her love for Arnav long back. Even before her under graduation. But she didn't let anyone know. She cocooned the secret very deeply. On the other hand, she also knew Arnav doesn't love her more than a friend. It was true they were best friends. She was the only one who knew all the secrets of Arnav Singh Raizada. Even those dirty secrets. But yeah, she never let her sorrows or miseries out. Not to him. Not to anyone. She solves her troubles and moves on. She has been doing that exactly, and she will do that now too. Raizadas were coming from Mumbai from an important wedding, and today they were to have dinner at her house. The only difference was Arnav's girlfriend was there too.
She needs coffee. Right now. But she knew, her mother would chop of her head with her untimely food habits. She chuckled and wiped her tears. She went downstairs. She has to act normal.
She saw them walk in and everyone were ecstatic. Even Arnav hugged her for the first time in so many years. She smiled. But things changed. It wasn't same anymore. He had a girlfriend. Lavanya. She is a beautiful girl. No doubt. She has the most sweetest smile. Although she must feel jealous, though she felt content somehow. They all settled down for dinner. Everyone was eating with just small talk moving here and there. It was not the same before. If Khushi was at the table, dinner was like a war zone or fish market. Everyone missed it, but no one dared to let it out. Khushi was a changed girl now. Or say woman precisely. She was mostly silent. The burdens of the world is taken her to mold her to be a more different person.
It was later that Khushi left to get ice cream, which was obviously denied by everyone not to go out at that time. She convinced them laughing at them, pointing that she lived for a quite a while independently. They need not worry, and she took her two-wheeler keys, Mogambo, she called her scooter. She chuckled recollecting the innumerable number of rides she and Arnav had on Mogambo. But everything is a fleeting feeling now. She was kick starting her scooter when she heard him call her out.
"Khushi, wait I will come," Arnav said strictly not ready to listen to a no. But she knew better. Her heart was too sensitive, and she wants to just stay away from him.
"No, Arnav. I will be fine. Trust me. Now shoo Raizada" she waved. But he came forward instantly and pulled the keys out.
"What the hell! Arnav. Give the keys!" she said irritated in more than one way. She was trying hard not to open her heart, and he was making it difficult.
"No. Come let's go," he said as he pulled her and she tugged at the instant touch. He flinched at her reaction.
"When I said no. I mean it. Now give the keys" she said as she put her palm open. Arnav sighed and still in an unfathomable state gave her the keys.
"Can I come with you?" Lavanya asked as she watched all this from a distance. She didn't want to interrupt, but she now knew what she has to do. Khushi looked struck at the loss of words.
"Umm... it is okay Lavanya. I am fine" she said slowly not trying to look into his eyes. He was spitting fire now. She observed the change of expressions on his face. He turned to Lavanya, and she smiled at him and patted his shoulder as she side hugged him.
"I just want to see around. Please," she said looking at Khushi expectantly with a small smile on her face. Khushi sighed. This girl was something. She chuckled.
"Fine. Hope on" she said grinning. Lavanya passed a million-dollar smile as she sat on her Mogambo and Lavanya waved a bye to Arnav. She could see him standing still in the same position, his jaw stiff. She breathed a relief. She can survive it. In fact, she liked the idea of Lavanya coming with her.
Lavanya is a sweet girl. Anyone can fall in love with her. They become instant friends, and now they were standing in front of a panipuri bandar and gobbling down the panipuris. They giggled carefreely and enjoyed each other's company. Khushi told about her friends and university and her life there. Lavanya told about her internship in Mumbai as a fashion designer.
They headed to the ice cream parlor and went to the counter to place their order. "Coffee ice cream two family packs and yeah a Choco chip ice cream sugar-free" she added. Lavanya smiled at her. A knowing smile.
They sat down on the rock bench in the stall waiting for their packets.
"Khushi?" Lavanya called.
"Yeah?" she turned to look at her.
"Umm... I have to tell you something..." Lavanya said quite nervous at trance.
"Yeah?" Khushi anticipated. Is it about Arnav?
"Promise me you will not tell about this to anyone," Lavanya said now almost breathless.
Khushi could just nod.
"Arnav and... I... you know we are... we are not... Oh god," she said clutching her head. Khushi put a hand on her shoulder asking her to continue. She was waiting with bated breath.
"We are not in a relation," Lavanya said sighing with it all out. Now she was fine.
"What do you mean? He didn't propose you or something?" Khushi chuckled no humor in it.
"No" Lavanya shook her head. She has to tell Khushi everything. She owes to know. She took a long breath.
"I am Lavanya Kashyap, Arnav's cousin, we are NOT in a relation and..." she was speaking when their parcel was packed and a guy kept it on their table. Khushi tipped him and mouthed a thanks. She looked at Lavanya not believing.
"Yes, Khushi. This..." she motioned waving her hands around her situation "is all a drama. A plan, where all of Arnav and his family are playing on..." she sighed... "on you" she said helpless.
Khushi felt her world fade. What the freaking duck! She felt herself pinch. She was not believing anything. She looked at Lavanya. Why?
She looked at her.
Lavanya chuckled. Finally! Finally! she said it out.
"Of course budhu... he loves you and that is why..." Lavanya said as she side-hugged.
"WHAT THE FREAKING..." She shouted. Lavanya shushed her.
"What the freaking logic is that?" Khushi said not understanding the whole lot of craziness that is happening around her. For once, her heart sped like Usain bolt.
"Jealousy," Lavanya said. Like that was the missing string of the equation.
"What?" Khushi said trying to not break her head.
"Yes. Arnav came to a family function in Mumbai. It was quite a shock for everyone. But I tell you he is the shrewd businessman" she sighed. "He came to me and talked to me. Like it has been decades. I last remember me sending him a rakhi when I was 10 and my mom asked me to talk to him on that day on phone." Lavanya chuckled and continued. "Suddenly he comes and tells he needs a favor instead of rakhis at the age of 25" she giggled and khushi chuckled, her heart fluttering.
"He said... he loved a girl very much but he didn't know how to tell whether she liked him or not. So, he wants me to act like his girlfriend for a week and then he will give whatever I ask for. I freaked out at the thought and denied. Anvesh uncle and Avni aunty convinced me into it and I thought why not. They always adored me a lot Khushi and I said yes" Lavanya said and Khushi gasped. Her eyes rounded in exasperation. Unbelievable. She muttered.
"Wait a minute... why are you obliged to tell me all this?" Khushi asked narrowing her gaze at Lavanya.
"Well, well I have my selfish reasons too. Firstly, as soon as I saw you I understood you love him too and secondly I felt the need to tell you. It is important I felt before things go out of hands. Yeah importantly I want you to help me in wooing NK. I love him. I know you can do better than Arnav for sure. I thought I would have a little fun too" Khushi gasped, gasped and then gasped. What is this? The world is spinning around her.
"NK? Nand Kishore? OMG?" Khushi chuckled, and side hugged La. Khushi felt like she was lift off a big misery. She felt alive. She knew this was it. This is what missing. Her heart danced in delight and her limbs shivered in pleasure. OMFG! He loves me. Suddenly an idea popped into her head.
"I promise. But you need to do one more favor" Khushi gleamed at Lavanya. "Yes?" Lavanya asked.
"Act like nothing happened and just do what he says. Let me take the reins for once," Khushi said.
Lavanya nodded grinning at her. This is going to be so much fun.
"I am coming, Raizada. Wait and watch" she thought as she started Mogambo. For the first time, she wants to cry out of happiness.
PS: I would like to have little appreciation for writing so much. It will make me happy. That's all I can say. And, since it is a long one. I will write a dhamakedaar part 2.
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Part 3
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