Chapter 5 - Sweet Beginnings
Khushi woke up to find her phone next to her on her pillow. She picked it up rubbing her eyes to check the screen 'Laad Governor 5:30:15' "KYAH!" Khushi yelled as she quickly disconnected the call. She had fallen asleep and forgot to cut the phone. Five and a half hours! She thought dreading he sight of her phone bill.
"What the-" Arnav woke at the sound of someone yelling in his ear. 'It sounded like Khushi' He thought. He looked down at the phone next to his ear but the call had been cut. He shook his head and got up to get ready. But no matter how much he shook his head he couldn't shake the thought of Khushi. He had to see her. And for that a part of him hated her. He hated how his first thoughts were no longer of his business or of himself but for a girl. He thought back to the previous day and remembered how for the past 48 hours it had all been about her. He had always promised himself that if he ever found a girl who took over his mind he would run away. Why wasn't he running away? But he already knew the answer. He got dressed for work and taking on aboard what Di had told him earlier and what Khushi had said to him he made a phone call.
Khushi was in an auto on her way to work, she was thinking about her candid conversation with Arnav last night. She couldn't remember the last time they just talked. They weren't there quite yet but they had taken a step in the right direction. She could only pray that this new and improved Arnav was here to stay. She caught sight of her reflection in the driver's mirror. She blushed at her ridiculous smile. Before answering her phone.
"Dinner?" A stunned Khushi asked for the third time.
"Khushi I don't like repeating myself, for the last time, yes dinner, you and me, tonight." Arnav sighed. Much to his dislike, this conversation was not going the way he had planned.
"You do know what time normal people eat right? Most places will be closed at 11pm." She teased.
"Since when have you started hanging around with normal people to know what time they eat?" Khushi raised her eyebrows at Arnav's response, 'not bad not bad' she thought before letting out a dramatic gasp.
"I think the media's been alerted, I can see it on page three tomorrow morning, 'Arnav Singh Raizada Cracks a Funny' just imagine! Your entire reputation will be ruined you'll start getting offers for stand up!" She chuckled. Arnav couldn't figure out if he loved or hated her flare of sarcasm?
"I'll pick you up at 7.30 sharp." He said before cutting the call thinking this would be safer than allowing Khushi to wind him up further. Khushi smiled knowing that she had got a reaction out of him. 'I really have to stop winding him up if I am going to have any chance in making this work' Khushi contemplated.
Arnav lied. He was not there to pick her up at 7.30pm in fact he was there at 7.20pm. He had called Khushi as soon as he got there. She was frantically running around her apartment, making sure she had her keys and that all the windows and doors where shut and all the lights were switched off. By the time she reached downstairs she was ready to skip the fancy meal and just settle for some jalebis. She got into the car and buckled herself.
"Khushi, you look like you have been running a marathon." Arnav stated.
"You are a business man right? You know that every minute counts, I was fine doing everything at my pace until you call to let me know you are ten minutes early! I had to do everything I had planned in those ten minutes in two minutes." She huffed and leaned back in her seat pulling her feet up and wrapping her arms around her knees. She turned her head to face Arnav, seeing a small smile on his lips.
"He smiles." She said. He turned to look at her. Her eyes seemed as though they were full of little smiles of their own. Then she closed her eyes as though she were falling asleep.
"Khushi?"
"Mmm." She replied. The small smile on her lips still in place but her eyes still closed.
"Long day?" Arnav asked he could see the tiered lines under her eyes. Her eyes flicked open which reminded him to concentrate on the road.
"Tell me Arnav, when you ask me about my day do you really want to know?" He suppressed another small smile of his own at the memory of the phone call they shared early that morning.
"Yes, especially when you look so tiered. I can take you back home we can do this tomorrow and just have takeaway tonight, or you can just go to sleep." Khushi's smile grew with the thought of the new Arnav eating some chaat from the stall below her flat.
"Hmmm sleep, that does sound good since I haven't been getting much of it recently." Arnav thought about the last couple of nights and how he had been going to her apartment late at night.
"We should go back, if I had known...I never meant to...I mean I just never considered with your work and everything...I promise I won't-"
"Don't" Khushi said putting her hand on his arm. "Don't make promises unless you know you can keep them." Arnav could see an unfamiliar pain in her eyes. "And I think what you are trying to say is 'I am sorry for keeping you up', it's ok your forgiven."
"Forgiven? Me? I was not going to apologise." He said with bitterness creeping into his tone. He saw the dejected look on Khushi face. And it bothered him. Alot. " I wasn't the one making late night calls. 'Aainvay' " He mocked hoping he could control the mood.
Khushi's mouth was open in shock "You make it sound like I gave you a booty call." She said playfully slapping his arm.
"One can only assume, First you call me sexy and handsome then you call me in the middle of the night to ask why I hadn't come over. Only you know your true intentions behind that call."
"Tut no one is ever going to let me live that down are they? For the last time it was Shruti not me! And what about all the nights you turning up at my place, what was that? I called once but you, you have committed the crime one too many times to be pointing the finger at me Mr." Arnav turned to face her. His face depicted the sincere tone of his voice.
"I already told you why I come to see you Khushi." He looked deep into her eyes as though he was casting some spell. Khushi felt the butterflies in her stomach wreaking havoc. 'Or maybe it's hunger.' She thought. She unwilling tore her gaze from his to find that they were back at her building.
"I thought we were going out for dinner?" She asked confused.
"Yes, but the idea of you falling asleep in a bowl of soup is not appealing." He said getting out of the car round making his way round to get Khushi's door.
"Yuck soup. How can people eat that, I mean drink that, uff whatever." Khushi turned to see Arnav standing by his car.
"Oh god, please tell me you are not going to act all pricey and make me take my words back about not letting you into my apartment? I am far to hungry for that act and you should not flatter yourself into thinking that I am going to beg you. You coming up?" Two days ago she would never be able to bring herself to speak to Arnav like this and if she had he would have made her wish she hadn't. But something had happened in the past 24 hours, he was still distant and she was still cautious but it felt as though a friendship was almost forming. She could see him letting his guard down slightly allowing her to familiarise herself with him. A crooked smile appeared on his lips as he followed her in.
***
The T.V was on in the living room with updates of the stock market on some news channel. Arnav was sitting on the sofa eating his pizza while Khushi was sitting on the floor next to him enjoying her samosa.
"Ok we've been watching this for the past hour I am sure this update is on loop, can I pllleeassse change the channel?" Complained a very bored Khushi. He releuctantly handed her the remote and she quickle flicked it over to a Indian movie chanel. "Haha! Old 80's classic this should be fun."
"Fun? You call this fun?... They are jumping around in bright clothes that seem highly flamable...I cant believe people use to watch these...I cant believe you still watch them." Arnav said disapprovingly.
"Ok. It's no Godfather I get it...I don't remember talking through the stock updates Raizada."
"Gupta, I had to put the subtitles on you wouldn't shut up." Khushi bit her lip trying to hide her smile and then a sudden thought occurred to her. She had told him that she would try to make this work, try to make them happy.
"You know what," she said passing back the remote to him, "I've already seen this too many times. But I cant promise I wont talk." Arnav was quite surprised but gladly changed back to the business channel.
"Hmmm you know what we are missing, some jalebis. It's a shame I am to tiered to make some...hint hint." She said looking up at Arnav with puppy dog eyes.
"What? You have got another thing coming if you think I am going to make jalebis for you Gupta." He said whilst taking another bite out of his pizza.
Tut "I didn't say that. But you do have a key, a car and a license."
"No." He said whilst looking intently at the TV screen.
"Please."
"I refuse to repeat myself"
"Pretty please with sugar on top." Khushi sat up next to him on sofa flashing him a big smile. He glanced at her. 'How can anyone not give into this beautiful creature?' Arnav thought.
"I am not allowed suger." He turned his gaze back towards the screen. He looked at the time it was coming close to 10pm all the good sweet shops would be closed and would not let her eat some from the unsanitary market stalls.
"Oh so just because you're not allowed to have an sugar I should suffer too?" She argued back
"Khushi, where the hell am I suposeto find jalebis, this late at night?" Arnav asked frustrated. He was more frustrated with himself than her. Frustrated that for the first time she asked him for something and he couldn't get it. Frustrated, that she actually made him care. Yet again reminding him of how human he was, how easily he can be broken.
Khushi flinched at the sudden rise in his voice. 'Why am I doing this she thought?' She was not a spoilt brat, she never demanded for things at home with her parents or with anyone else for that matter. She knew better, she was raised to know better. The evening was going so well. 'Great' Khushi thought to herself 'why don't you just rattle the lions cage some more... for thrills.' She realised how close his face had come to hers. She slowly got up from her seat. Her eyes never leaving his.
"I-I-I am sorry. I don't know why...Main aasie kabhi nahi...excuse me." She hurried to her bedroom. She stood against the door she shut behind her. 'Thrills' she thought. Was she trying to wind him up because she enjoyed it? 'What rubbish! Who enjoys getting shouted at especially when the one to do all the shouting is Aranv Singh Raizada!' Khushi thought she should stay in the room until she thought it was safe to go back out.
Arnav sat at the sofa confused. He expected her to hit back to argue with him. But she looked scared more than anything. He remembered the way she flinched back when he spoke. He got up and walked over to her bedroom. He placed his hand lightly on the door and closed his eyes.
"I am sorry" he whispered. He took a deep breath opened his eyes and gently knocked on the door. "Khushi." He asked. Khushi jumped on the other side of the door.
"Khushi, tum teek ho?" She wanted to answer but the words froze in her mouth.
"Khushi." There was silence.
"Khushi main...I'll be back soon." She wanted to open the door. She wanted to tell him not to leave. She wanted him to stay. But she couldn't. She heard the door to the apartment close before she was able to move. She rushed out into the living area even though she knew she would be alone. She slumped onto the sofa where Arnav was sitting and took a bite out of his slice of pizza.
***
A rattling noise startled her as she woke up. She found herself on the sofa with a blanket draped over her. She looked over to kitchen and saw Om Prakash in the kitchen with Arnav watching over him, his arms folded. He glanced over and double took when he saw Khushi awake.
"You were sleeping when I came back, I didn't want to wake you. But I thought since we were here, you can have some in the morning." Khushi got up and walked over to him rubbing her eyes.
"Namaste Om Prakashji." Khushi greeted Arnav's house keeper who greeted her back. "Have what-" Khushi's eyes were wide with shock to find Om Prakash making jalebis in her kitchen. She kept looking from the jalebis to Arnav, who had a faint smile on his lips.
"Hogya ji." Om Prakash quickly cleaned the little mess made. Arnav pulled out a stool at the counter and gestured Khushi to sit. She was still trying to rid the little sleep in her eyes as well as getting to grips with the sight in front of her.
"There was really no need for all of this...I did say I was sorry. Om Prakashji, I am sorry to have troubled you so late at night." Guilt rushed through Khushi as she saw the time. Eleven thirty.
"It's ok Khushi, it's his job." Arnav took out a plate from the cupboard and placed some fresh jalebis on it and placed it in front of Khushi.
"Bhaiya is right Khushiji. Though I cook sweets as well as you do I have tried my best." He smiled his usual warm friendly smile and headed for the door.
"Will you be walking home? At this hour?" Khushi called after Om Prakash before turning to look at Arnav.
"Khushi, I've given him fare for the taxi and overtime." Khushi couldn't help smile 'typical Laad Governor' she thought rolling her eyes. She spun back around licking her lips at the plate of jalebis in front of her.
Arnav leaned back on the counter watching her as she picked up a piece of jablebi as big as her smile and bit into it. 'Tonight was a success.' He thought he may have not won her over completely but he knew he had taken a step in the right direction. Seeing Khushi happy only made him happy. And this was not something Arnav was used to. He remembered a time when he took pleasure in giving her pain. Well he thought did. If she suffered inevitably so did he.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Khushi blushed as Arnav freed himself from his thoughts. "Had I had asked for anything else I probably would have got that too." Khushi said before picking up another piece. Arnav felt a slight sense of panic.
"Wait, did you want something else? I'll just call OP back... I doubt any restaurants will be open but I could make a few calls." He trailed off into thought whilst bringing out his phone and scrolling through his contacts. Khushi burst out laughing.
"What?" He asked with a look of confusion. She got up wiping her hands on a napkin and walked up to him.
"Aap bhi na." She gently rubbed her thumb on his frown, smoothing it out. " I was only teasing. I don't need anything. Everything I need is right here." She tightened the loose knot on his tie and dusted off the shoulders of his shirt. Arnav felt the hairs on the back of his neck rise at her touch. "Thank you for today." She beamed at him.
"You're asking me to leave." Arnav sensed. Khushi started biting her nails. She knew that him leaving would be for the best. But she was scared, scared that when she wakes up tomorrow morning this new Arnav would disappear, that she would be left with the rakshash again.
"Don't do that Khushi." He said in an irritated tone gently pulling her hand away from her and holding it in his own. A look of concern crushed his face. He didn't want to leave. He didn't want this night to end. He longed for this, a companionship with her. An understanding they can both could share. But deep in the back of his mind he knew that soon this would not be enough. One of them would always want more. And he didn't know if he had the strength.
"What is it?" Khushi asked. Arnav shook his head and made his way towards the door. He started to make his way out.
"Aap-." Khushi bit her lip and cursed herself for calling out to him as he left. He turned and to see her biting her lip.
"Khushi, if you're hungry go eat some jalebis but leave your fingers and lips alone."
"Aap, I mean not that don't have other things, but I ... I'll see you tomorrow right?" Khushi flushed. She needed some reassurance that Arnav would return. He simply nodded and turned away. 'As if I could stay away' he thought.
***
Khushi almost choked on her tea that morning whilst reading the morning paper. It was Arnav's birthday in 4 days and it seems that his big day was already making the headlines. His reluctance of sharing any personal information with the media made them more curious. It seems that Bhaaskar Chubey had done some snooping and written a birthday article. "Meet The Real Arnav Sign Raizada" Read the heading with the subtitle claiming 'Discover the truth behind the man, the mystery, the Malik." Khushi couldn't stop staring at the last word in that sentence. She sat there dumbfound. She never asked about Arnav's past but she knew enough to know to never mention that word, not along with his name anyway.
Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai
CID
530