The Most Unromantic Romance: A FF (Continued)
Part 2
Khushi had by this time got over her first impulse of rudeness and irritation when she saw him bleeding. She loved to drive fast but that didn't mean she loved to mow down people. She had such tremendous confidence in her driving skills and control that she always drove her bike around the 100 mark.
But there's always a first time and this looked like it. Looking at the person standing in front of her , bleeding profusely, she hesitantly tried to say, "You're bleeding! Hop onto my bike. I'll take you to the nearest hospital."
Arnav was seething with anger. A fine way this, first hurt people and later offer help. He blasted, "If mine was a suicide attempt, what's this offer? Murder attempt? Wild horses will not pull me to sit on your bike!"
Khushi shrugged her shoulders, "Suit yourself. I offered because I felt it was my fault to some extent. You've refused. Now we're quits" and buzzed off in her bike.
Arnav reached Akaash's flat an hour later after getting his wounds bandaged. Akaash was getting worried for him. Anjali Di had already called five times to ask if Arnav had come. When he saw Arnav, he said, "Thank God you came. Di called for you. And what're all these bandages?"
Arnav was boiling with rage when his thoughts flew back to that impertinent and obstinate girl he had met this morning and who was the cause of all this. But he kept quiet and said, "Just a small accident! I'll make a call to Di and be back in a sec."
After all if anyone on earth cared for him it was his Di. He would miss her terribly. But doing MBA was his dream. He had worked very hard for it. He wanted to get the first rank in the entrance test of Excellence Professional University as the university would give a scholarship for the first ranker covering all the fees and other expenses.
Arnav wanted to be independent. He didn't want to seek any more favours from that man, Mr. Raizada, who was also coincidentally his father. But he was out of luck. One Khushi Bajaj had bagged the first rank. Gosh! If it was possible to hate an unknown person it would be her.
Arnav called up his Di, "Di, I've reached Akaash's flat. Our classes start from tomorrow. I'm comfortable here. Don't worry about me."
Anjali on the other end, "How not to when I know my dear bother is a buddhu and doesn't speak or express himself when he has to? But since you're with Akaash, I can rest in peace. And don't burden yourself too much that I told uncle about your MBA course. I know it was your dream and you were on the verge of giving it up just because you didn't get some silly scholarship. This is India and parents still pay and take care of their grown up children."
Arnav hung up, "OK Di! I'll talk to you later." It was just like his Di to fuss over him. She was his aunt's daughter. She had been living with them ever since both her parents had passed away in an air crash. He still had his father but just for name sake. That's why he always felt an instant connect with her.
His Di's words echoed in his ears, "This is India and parents still pay and take care of their grown up children." Yes! They did! But in his case it was not that. Mr Raizada always paid for his expenses. He had every luxury and comfort that money could buy. If love was a commodity which could be got, Mr. Raizada would have got it for him.
But it was not. It was something which required time, care, and affection which Mr. Raizada never had for him. Years and years of neglect and apathy on both sides had built up to the extent that nothing but hatred seemed to be left between the two. Arnav felt terribly soiled to seek that man's help one more time to achieve his dream. But there was nothing to be done but put the whole thing behind him just as he had been doing since he was small.
He was five years old at that time. He was running his first race at school. He had hesitantly told Mr. Raizada about it and asked if he could come. Mr. Raizada nodded curtly. But even that was enough for him. His father was coming. Yes he was coming. He would see him winning the race.
In that race, he just had one real competitor, Rahul. Rahul's father was talking to him and motivating him. He turned back again and again to see if Mr.Raizada had come. But no. His face was crestfallen. The race began and he started running with a strange determination and glitter in his eyes. So what if he didn't come. He would win. He would win for himself.
Rahul fell down midway between the race. All the competitors had overtaken him and he was still struggling to get onto his feet. His father was screaming, "Come on Rahul. You can do it. Come on." Arnav won the race and Rahul came the last.
Rahul stood beside his father looking sheepish and said, "I tried Dad. But I could not win." His father consoled him, "No my boy. You are my winner. The very fact that you tried is enough for me." What would he, Arnav, not give to be in Rahul's place. What a mockery this win seemed! He was snapped out of his thoughts by Akaash who was shaking him, "Oh Devdas! Shall we go out and have something to eat?"
Arnav said, "No! You go. I'm feeling tired. Just bring something for me." Akaash quipped, "Your usual ghaas-pus?" Arnav iritatedly replied, "Yes! My usual ghaas-pus."
Edited by shailusri1983 - 13 years ago
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