And Then She Found Me-Chapter 37 PG 58 13/11/17 - Page 7

The last time someone had asked to be Arnav's friend, he was still wearing shorts. He looked at her beaming smile to her hand that she had put forward.
"Are you serious Gupta?"
"Of course, look." She said pointing at her face. Her smile disappeared as a sombre look replaced it. "See it's my serious face." Arnav was still not convinced.
"Oh god, I am not asking you to give me your kidney! I think we should be friends it will make everything so much simpler between us... No more tip toeing around each other...I am tiered of tip toeing! Don't over think it, just shake my hand." And he did. He felt silly but good at the same time. The large smile reappeared on her lips letting him know he had made the right decision.
"Ok. Goodnight." She waved as she let go of his hand and started to make her to his room. Arnav shook his head at her abrupt departure.
"Khushi you're Mad." He called.
"One of my many qualities." She chirped back.

That night a very worried Anjali went to check on her brother. She looked for him at his regular midnight haunt but he was not in the study, nor in the gym. She went to his room expecting to find him with his beloved plants, but to her surprise he was sound asleep. She crept over and touched his forehead to check his temperature. She sighed in relief and thanked the gods that her brother had finally been able to find sleep. She was about to leave when she noticed a piece of red material creeping out from underneath his pillow. She gently pulled the fabric to get a better look. Her heart swelled with joy when she realised what it was. 'Thank you Khushi.' She thought as she carefully placed the dupatta back under his pillow.

***

"Dresses bought?" Anjali greeted the sisters as they made their way in to Shantivaan late the next evening.
"I don't see the point in throwing money on a dress I can only wear once every two years but yes the dresses have been bought." Khushi huffed as she slumped onto the sofa. Payal shared in great detail the dresses which had been bought and the ones that didn't make the cut. Khushi decided that she had had enough of dresses for one day and thought she would go to the kitchen to see what was being made for dinner. She let out a big yawn whilst walking and collided into something hard yet warm which grabbed her from falling back.
"Ouch, watch where you're going!" She snapped before realising who she had snapped at.
"What the...You are the one who is walking around with your eyes closed. You watch were you're going." He snapped back.
"I was yawning which is why my eyes were shut...yours were open, what's your excuse?"
"Oh shut up Gupta." He said annoyed with her accusing tone.
"Don't tell me to shut up. It's not like I enjoy talking to you." Khushi knew this was not true and so did he. He raised his eyebrow in questioningly.
"Really? That's not the impression I get." He said with a smirk.
"To hell with you Raizada, I am not going to talk to you anymore."
"Wow, maybe there is a god after all." He said the smirk never leaving his lips. On any other day she would have loved seeing that smile on his lips but today she just wanted to punch it off. She stormed off towards the kitchen."Payal, what's up with your sister?" He asked. "Bhai, I have no idea. We went shopping for the party today. But she seemed to be in bad mood before then." Payal replied just as confused as Arnav was with Khushi's behaviour.

***

Khushi was happy to be joining the family for dinner. She felt a sense of belonging whilst being surrounded by everyone around the table.
"Di it's a bit quite today don't you think?" Arnav asked. He could be mean, cold, sarcastic but mischievous? Khushi didn't think him to be mischievous. She ignored his remark. 'Let see how long you go without talking to me Gupta.' He had seen Khushi chat with everyone that evening apart from himself and it began to grate on him.
"Chote don't." Anjali warned having known that they were not on talking terms.
"What? Di I'm just saying, I think we should make the most of this silence whilst it last, look... I can actually hear myself think." Khushi glared at him. The thought 'if looks could kill' came to Arnav's thought as he looked across the table at Khushi.
"Di did Jiji tell you about my dress?" Khushi said hoping that he would realise that her silence was only limited to him.
"And there we go. It was nice whilst it lasted. Where is the cotton wool?" Arnav said before his sister could reply. Khushi could feel her blood boil. He was doing it on purpose to get a reaction out of her. 'Say what you want Laad Governor I won't talk to you,' her thoughts shouted. 'I won't give you that satisfaction!'
"Chote stop it!" Anjali scolded. "Khushi, Payal told me all about your dress and I am pretty sure when my brother see's you in it, he will be lost for words let alone his cheeky comments." Anjali teased causing Khushi to blush slightly. Arnav saw the pink in her cheeks deepen making him smile. She caught him smiling at her and gave him a cutting look. 'I will not smile back,I won't even look at you for the rest of the meal...regardless of how cute you look Arnav Khadoos Singh Raizada! Pagal thi main ke main aap se friendship karne beti.'
"It's ok Di there is no chance of that happening, I'll have better things to do that night that look at Khushi." He said coldly for the look that she gave him. Anjali's mouth dropped open in shock and she wacked her brother's shoulder. She could have wacked a tree and got more of a response, Arnav continued with his meal as if nothing had happened. Suddenly he began to cough and splutter. Everyone at the table turned their attention to him, Anjali handed him a glass of water and began to rub his back.
"Daal...it's too hot...that Om Prakash..." He managed to say. His voice strained by the heat that ripped through his throat.

"Khushi made the daal today." Anjali said quietly. Arnav looked up at her surprised. He had tasted her cooking before and he couldn't deny that she was an amazing cook.
"Di, people shouldn't play with fire if they can't take the heat." Khushi said with a smirk which, not too long ago played on Arnav's lips. Akash and Mami were both shocked and amused at Khushi's comment were as everyone else was just shocked. And then they waited for Arnav's reaction. Sensing the tense atmosphere Khushi excused herself from the table to go get kheer for everyone.

"Khushi! Pass me some cold milk from the fridge quick." Payal said in a state of alarm. Khushi rushed over and grabbed jug full off milk causing it to spill slightly. "Khushi, jaldi!" Payal insisted.
"Where's the fire jiji?" Khushi asked.
"Exactly where you started it. Bhai drank two whole bowls of daal and then left. He must be in so much pain, Khushi what was the need? Tell me?" Payal asked.
"TWO BOWLS? I was only gone for 5 minutes... he drank, two bowls?" Khushi exclaimed. Payal didn't respond as she filled the glass with milk. "Jiji I'll take it up to him."
"No, you'll only wind him up more."
"Jii! I won't, promise." She took the tray from Payal and quickly but carefully made her way to t lions den.

She knocked on the door before entering. But his room was empty. A slight breeze blew in from the poolside making the voile drapes drift in the wind. 'Such tranquil space would be required for such a volatile man.' Khushi thought. She made her way to the pool side to see him pacing back and forth taking in deep breaths through his mouth and licking his lips in between. Khushi cleared her throat in an attempt to get his attention.
"Go away." He said, his voice hoarse. She cleared her throat again and he spun around to show just how much he meant what he had said. She flinched back when seeing the anger in his eyes but then took another step forward closing the distance between them. 'Is she not scared of me anymore? Am I losing my touch? No I don't want her to be scared of me.' She put the tray down on a small table and lifted the glass to him. She smiled a smile that would have thousands willing to sign away their life to her. But Arnav remembered the cold cut look she gave him at the dining table. He stepped a little closer looking into her eyes, watching her cheeks turn red as she was unable to look away from his intent stare. He took the glass from her hand, her smile grew in triumph. And then as fast as bolt of lightning he threw the glass of milk on the floor, the crashing of the glass breaking the tranquil state of the garden.

"Issh!" Khushi exclaimed in shock 'ithna gussa!'
"What? I didn't hear that, did you want to say something Gupta?" He asked with a deadly stare. She looked at his face to the milk on the floor and back to him. He stood there in all his arrogance, arms folded, head held high waiting for her to hit back. She growled at him in frustration and left. ' Fine suffer, die for all I care!' Khushi's anger filled her thoughts. Arnav held back a small chuckle at her reaction causing him to cough again. Khushi gasp as she realised what she had just thought. 'Hai devi maiya please forgive I didn't mean it. What's wrong with me.'

The next afternoon Khushi and Bua went to shantivaan. Nani and Anjali were visiting a mandir on the outskirts of town and asked bua to join them. Mami on the other hand was attending a friends party and was taking Payal along with her. Khushi went to find her sister.
"Jiji." Khushi sang.
"Khushi, are you ok? Why didnt you tell me when we went shopping, I had to find out from buaji."
"Jiji I don't want to talk about it." Khushi said shrugging the matter off. Payal didn't press any further."Jiji have you seen my red dupatta I left it here the other night, I've asked everyone but kind find it." Khushi asked scratching her head.
"Nahi toh were did you last leave it?"
"At the pool side."Payal mischievous smile played up again.
"Hmm pool side...Maybe you should ask you fianc." She teased .
"Jiji don't start."
"I am just saying that he might know where it is... Don't tell me you are still not talking to him. Khushi we all have our ups and downs. Even me and Akash use to fight but this is no way to behave." Payal explained
"What?! You and Jiju... fight?...Wait no, why am I surprised...Akard toh khandaani hai" There was a knock at the door drawing both the sisters attention.

"Payal, it's Akash." He said in his husky voice whilst handing Payal her mobile. "Hi Khushi." He left not expecting a response from her. She saw he looked tiered, there was a lack of spirit in his eyes that she is use to seeing.
"I know I am sorry I had left my phone by the pool said, one minute...Khushi are you going to come to the party? Khushi? Khushi?!" Payal had to literally shake her sister to get her attention as Khushi watched the space Arnav had stood in.
"Jiji did you see...I think I will skip the party." A confused Payal left Khushi deep in thought.

'Why wasn't he at the office? And why did he look so weak.' She made unknowingly made her way to his room realising only when she had reached the double doors. 'What if he doesn't want to see me? He is probably mad that I didn't speak to him yesterday or call. But then would he say hi if he was mad?' She braced herself and went to find him.

Arnav was watering his plants when he felt her walk into his room. He put the watering can down and turned to face hoping that she would talk to him, that she would say something. All he kept thinking about was what had upset her the day before. But his vision was blurred causing him to stumble as he walked towards her.
"Arnav!" Khushi called out before rushing to catch him before he fell. He tried to brush her off telling her that he was ok but he stumbled again. Khushi wrapped one arm around his waist holding him close to her side whilst she put his arm around her shoulders.

"Stop fussing Arnav." She told me off as she led him to the bed. She sat him down letting him lean against the headboard. "Did you have your medicine today?" He hesitated before shaking his head. His concerns over Khushi had led him to forget to order his medicine. Panic struck Khushi.
"Ok, it's going to be ok you're going to be just fine." She rushed to the doors. "OM PRAKASH JI!" She yelled, "JAI PRAKASH JI" She called again but no answer. "Where is everyone when you need them!" She turned to see Arnav's eyes shut his breathing slow and deep. "Arnav, Arnav wake up. Arnav look at me." She held his face in her hands, he slowly opened his eyes letting her know he could hear her. "I will be back in 2 minutes. I am going to go get some help. You stay with me Arnav. You are going to be ok." Her heart tore at the thought of leaving him alone but she ran to the kitchen as fast as her legs would carry her. She searched all the cupboards until she found what she was looking for before rushing back to the room.

"Here." She held a glass of water to his lips which he refused. "It has glucose in it." She prompted, knowing that this is what he needed. She helped him with the drink with one hand whilst the other was busy dialling a number on her phone. "Yes Dr Sharma it's Khushi Gupta, I need you to come down to Shantivaan right now...yes it's an emergency, it's Arnav...No he I think he went into shock he hasn't taken any of his medication today...Yes he has just drank the glucose solution. Thank you doctor." She helped Arnav lie down on the bed properly. "You are going to be ok, the doctor is on his way."

The doctor had arrived in no time and was with Arnav. Khushi paced outside his room biting her nails. She only prayed that she had done the right thing. 'Devi maiya please please please unki raksha karna. What I said yesterday I didn't mean it I only said it in a fit of anger. I'll never say that about anyone just please let him be ok.' The doors to his room opened as Dr Sharma walked out.
"He is absolutely fine Khushi."The doctor said as Khushi thanked the heavens. "You did the right at the right time. Had he have not got the glucose on time ...well ... it's a good job you were here." Khushi heart sank as the doctor mentioned what could have happened. "But he mustn't neglect his routine. You have to be stricter on him. His taking f his medication on time is extremely important." Khushi only managed to nod at the doctor's advice. "I have given him his medication for today and left a dose for tomorrow, you must make sure you get some. Other than that I have booked an appointment for a check up in four days time. I'll take your leave now."
"Thank you Dr Sharma." She said as she began to follow behind him.
"There is no need Khushi beta, I'll see myself out."

Khushi slowly walked into his room. He was standing by the window looking out into the sunset red sky. He turned and smiled at her letting her know that he was ok. She felt as though her legs would buckle and as she leaned against the door. All she could think about if what would have happened if she was not there or if she had continued to be immature and ignore him.

"Khushi?" His voice tiered but filled with concern. He could see her eyes were stricken with fear. A fear he had never seen before. "Khushi say something ...please." He begged. Not knowing what was causing her pain was close to killing him. Her shoulders started to shake as she tried to gather herself but she couldn't stop the tears from escaping her eyes.

"If anything would have happened to you... I ... I..." She was unable to complete the sentence. Arnav couldn't tolerate her hurt. He walked up to her and quickly pulled her into his arms. There was no hesitation no doubt in his actions. And he had never been so sure that this is where she belonged.
"It's ok I'm fine, you heard the Doctor." She wrapped her arms around him as tight as possible. She couldn't afford to lose him. 'Not him' she kept thinking 'anything but him.' She pulled away slightly and punched his shoulder as hard as possible.
"Ouch! What the hell Gupta?" Arnav asked.
"Don't you dare do this to me again. Do you realise how scared I was? Why haven't you taken your medicine? Do we need to employ another Prakash to make sure that you do?" She was upset more than she was angry. Fresh droplets of water ran down her cheek as he caressed it with his hand. He wiped the salty water away with his thumb.

"I am sorry." And she knew he meant it. They both knew what it was like to lose people and know they knew that they could not take each other for granted. A small smirk played on his lips. "I thought you weren't going to talk to me Gupta." He would gladly trade the pain in her eyes for annoyance.
"Really Arnav? You want to start with me now?" She asked incredulously.
"You look more cuter than usual when you are annoyed, I couldn't help myself." He smiled. Khushi was about to give smart answer back when she stopped and thought about what he had just said.
"Wait, what? You think I am cute?" She asked blushing at her own question. He pulled her closer to him.
"You are strange and annoying most of the time, with rare streaks of intelligence and courage." She frowned at his response which he gently rubbed away with his thumb. "But you are always cute." Khushi felt as though her cheeks were going to burst. "And if you tell anyone else this I will strictly deny saying it." He said raising his trademark eyebrow.
"By anyone you mean Di and Jiji." She pointed out.
"Can you imagine the ragging we would get." He said making them both cringe with horror as they held on to each other. "Khushi you said we are friends right?" Khushi nodded. "Then you have to tell me what upset you." He looked deep into her eyes letting herknow just how serious he was about finding out what had got her worked up. "You can trust me."