TRUTH OR DARE - Epilogue on Pg 112 [26th Aug '17] COMPLETED - Page 51

Do you have a girlfriend? Arnav smirked hearing Khushi's desperate question. He knew Khushi had the same feelings for him as he had for her. "Love! he thought. "What a wonderful thing this love is! He smiled to himself.

"What's there to smile? said Khushi, "Answer my question!

"Yes ASR, everyone is waiting for your answer! said Lavanya eagerly.

Arnav looked into Khushi's eyes, as mischief filled him. "What do you think? he asked Khushi.

"You are not supposed to ask questions! replied Khushi, "Now answer my question!

Arnav was thoroughly enjoying Khushi's impatience.

"Do you have a girlfriend? repeated Khushi as her heart feared of a positive answer.

"No! answered Arnav.

Khushi couldn't believe her ears, and neither could Lavanya.

"What did you say? asked Khushi, her heart jumping with happiness.

"I don't have a girlfriend said Arnav gladly seeing Khushi's happiness though she tried her best to hide it.

Lavanya was hear-broken. She stood up and turned to leave before the tears in her eyes made their way down her cheeks.

"Lavanya! Arnav called out to her, "Where are you going? We are still playing...

Without turning back, Lavanya said, "You all continue... I am having a headache, I will go rest. Saying so, she left to her room.

Arnav sighed sadly. He saw Khushi was observing him and he could sense she had a lot of questions flooding her mind.

*****

Arnav followed as Aditi and Anjali helped Khushi walk to her room. The girls left after making Khushi comfortably sit on her bed. Arnav kept Khushi's blanket near her feet and placed a glass and jug of water on the side table. He smiled at Khushi and turned to leave.

"I think you should talk to Lavanya said Khushi.

Arnav stopped at his place stunned and turned to face Khushi. He could see Khushi wasn't very happy. He couldn't believe that Khushi was unsure of his answer to her question earlier.

"I said the truth, Khushi. Don't doubt me

Khushi looked at him surprised by his reply. "Uh... I didn't... mean...

Arnav left without saying anything. Khushi felt bad for hurting Arnav. She stood up with great effort and with the support of the wall she slowly walked out to stop Arnav. "Arnav! she called out to him as she saw him walk out of the main door. Limping her way out of the door without disturbing anyone, she tried to reach Arnav. After walking a little further, Khushi stopped by a tree seeing Arnav and Lavanya having a conversation.

"Listen Lavanya said Arnav trying to explain, "I have told you earlier as well. I am sorry but I don't love you. Please try and understand.

Lavanya was crying. "You don't love me even after being together for years! What is so special about her that you love her knowing her only since the past few days? Tell me!

"Her? Arnav was confused. "Who are you talking about?

"Stop pretending Arnav! You know very well who I am talking about!

Now Arnav knew it was about Khushi. "Why are you dragging Khushi into this? She has nothing to do with us! said Arnav strongly.

"Huh! As if I can't see! argued Lavanya.

"Calm down, Lavanya said Arnav holding her by her shoulders. "I have told you this even before meeting Khushi. I don't love you, Lavanya. Please don't bring Khushi into all this.

Lavanya pushed Arnav away. "Why is this happening with me? she said as she broke down.

Arnav felt bad for her. He held her in his embrace. "Shhh... stop crying now. Nothing is happening with you he said caressing her hair. "You know what, there's someone who loves you a lot. But you are so obsessed with me that you are not able to see it

"You are lying said Lavanya through her sobs.

"No, I am not replied Arnav releasing Lavanya from his hold. "Believe me! You will know soon...

Lavanya just looked at him silently.

"Go sleep now said Arnav, "And don't cry, okay?

Lavanya left the place without saying anything. Arnav sighed staring at her back.

After a while, when Arnav was returning into the farmhouse, he saw Khushi standing by a tree lost into her thoughts.

"Khushi?! said a surprised Arnav, "What are you doing here?

"I was just... Khushi didn't know what to say.

"What?!

"I just wanted to talk to you she said.

"You were here to listen to our conversation, weren't you? asked Arnav.

"Arnav...

"Yes or no?

"I did listen to you both... But I had come here only to talk to you... To say sorry for doubting you. I didn't intend to listen to your conversation with Lavanya Khushi tried to explain.

Arnav was in a very bad mood after all that had happened. Khushi had never seen him so frustrated before. He began walking away. Khushi tried to hurry behind him and fell down not being able to balance with her limp. Arnav turned back at once and hurried towards her.

"Khushi!

He helped her sit on the bench in the veranda and silently sat beside her.

"This seriousness doesn't suit you said Khushi naughtily trying to lighten Arnav's mood.

"Sometimes you have to be serious in life

"But if you can handle life without being serious, isn't that better?

"Now you know that I told the truth that I don't have a girlfriend!

Khushi was surprised to realise that it was not Lavanya, but it was she who had hurt Arnav more.

"But I might have one soon... Arnav added with a naughty smile. How could he stay upset with Khushi for long?

"And how is that? asked Khushi with equal naughtiness. She was happy that Arnav was back to his normal self.

"The ball is in your court now! replied Arnav. Khushi didn't know what to say. "You could have directly asked me, I would have told you... There was no need to wait for the game of 'Truth and Dare'. Feel free to talk to me directly he said with a wink.

Khushi was surprised by the directness with which Arnav was speaking. "There is nothing of that sort she said in a stern tone.

"I know you love me said Arnav. "Just say it!

"Stop it, Arnav! said Khushi standing up to leave. She wasn't yet prepared to accept it. She felt it was too early to take this new friendship to the next level. It wasn't right to hurry.

Khushi began walking towards her room. Arnav came to her and held her hand to support her. Khushi pushed him back saying, "Stay away from me!!

Arnav was taken aback by her words. He stood at his place silently watching Khushi walk away.