TRUTH OR DARE - Epilogue on Pg 112 [26th Aug '17] COMPLETED - Page 20

__________________________

Link to Previous Chapter

__________________________

CHAPTER 3

"Arnav?!" Khushi sat up in her bed, eyes wide in shock. Why did he call now?

"Yes, Arnav. I had received a call from this number last night..."

Khushi was scared. Oh God! He got to know I had called him last night. I thought he might not remember anything, he was drunk. He is gonna slam me now! What should I say?

"Hello?" Arnav couldn't hear anything from other side as Khushi was lost in her own fear. "Did you call me last night?"

"Y-yes..." said Khushi in a trembling voice.

"May I know why?" he asked.

Khushi missed a beat. "Uh... I-I am s-sorry... Actually, we were playing a game..." said Khushi hesitantly, "And I was given a dare to call a random person... And..."

"And you found no one other than me?"

Khushi was silent. She gulped knowing not was Arnav was going to say. But to her surprise, Arnav began laughing.

"What game was it?" He asked between his laughter. "I am sure it must have been Truth or Dare', am I right?"

"Yes..." said Khushi not sure whether to be relieved or tensed.

"That's one of my favourite games too... Especially when at some friend's home for a sleep over..."

Khushi couldn't believe her ears. How it everything exactly the same? How does he know it? Am I dreaming? Khushi pinched herself and the pain made her believe that she was perfectly awake.

"Anyways, I had called you to apologise for whatever I might have blabbered over the phone yesterday. I was drunk and I don't even remember what all I had said"

Khushi was surprised. She was not expecting an apology from Mr. Arnav.

"Please don't mind whatever I said yesterday... Just forget it... Please" he requested.

"Your girlfriend?" asked Khushi, not sure whether it was the right thing to ask, but a little part of her was curious to know.

Arnav was silent. Khushi felt guilty for asking about it. "I am sorry... I just..."

"My mom" he said.

That little part of Khushi was happy to know that.

"She passed away a couple of years ago... suffering from cancer" he told sadly. "It was her birthday yesterday... Was missing her..."

Khushi felt bad for him. "I am sorry about your mom..." she said.

"Ah, why are you being sorry..." said Arnav getting back into his casual mood. "Anyways, it was nice talking to you... Sorry again! Have a nice day!"

"You too..." said Khushi not really willing to hang up.

"Oh, by the way! May I know your name?" asked Arnav.

The little part of Khushi jumped with joy hearing the question. "Khushi..." she replied nervously.

"Okay Khushi... Have a good life! Bye!"

The call ended.

*****

Days had passed after the little interaction Khushi had with Arnav. Khushi had not completely forgotten Arnav. How could she forget his mesmerizing voice? And the fact that he had called back to apologise, made Khushi respect him apart from adoring him. Who was he? Khushi had always wanted to know more about him. She had even picked up the phone to dial his number a couple of times, but rejected the thought every time. Maybe that was the first and the last time I spoke to him... She used to think. Little did she know that they were to meet soon!

*****

"I don't want to attend this stupid wedding, mom!" complained Khushi, "I get bored, you know that!"

"Stop being a kid, Khushi..." said her mom, "Change your dress and get ready soon!"

Khushi went with her parents unwillingly only to respect the invitation of her dad's best friend on his son Akash's wedding.

As she was stepping down the platform in the wedding hall after wishing the newly wedded couple - Akash and Payal, Khushi bumped into a tall, handsome guy.

"Oh! I am sorry!" he said at once and Khushi missed a beat.

Had she heard that voice before? Khushi was lost looking at him as he looked back into her eyes. Both were silent and lost into each other. His voice! Khushi was sure she had heard it before. The tone, the accent... It seemed familiar. I have heard this voice somewhere! Khushi was trying to recall, but she was getting distracted by his mesmerising persona. She gasped as she realised something. Arnav? She hadn't yet forgotten the phone call. Is he Arnav? Her heart was racing. But before she could say anything, someone called him from behind saying, "Hey NK! Here you are!"

Khushi's eyes lock with the guy, supposedly NK, broke and he went away with the person who had called him.

NK? Khushi was totally confused now. There is no A' for Arnav in his initials... But she felt she had heard him before. The call? Was it not Arnav on the call? Or can NK be Arnav somehow? Khushi couldn't understand what was happening. May be I am mistaken!

__________________________

Link to Next Chapter

__________________________

PS : Buddy Me for PMs