Guys.. I've gotta get this ArHi separation track over asap!! Writing this has depressed me so much that my roomie was complaining that I was crying š in my sleep! š²
And I ain't lyin'!! So lemme just get this finished. Once and for all!! š
And I don't mean I'll finish it in this update itself, milord!! š š
Monsi ji, I hope this is long enough for you. . .
Nahi hai tho keh deejiyega. . .
Kyon ki agli update iss se bhi zyada lamba hoga!! š
Part 21:
She had changed her name to Khushi Singh Raizada. That is why he hadn't found anything about Khushi Kumari Gupta. He ran a hand against the gown that he had designed for her, remembering what she had said.
Do you want me to cramp such a lovely gown, that too designed by my husband just for me, in it?
Of course! Khushi and her drama!! Arnav thought, forgetting his anger totally. She thought of him as her husband?? Then why leave me??? He wondered.
We'll find out soon!!
It was Aditya's college fest the next day. Arnav left in his helicopter, at the crack of the dawn. As soon as he descended in Bangalore, a car was waiting to take him to Aditya 's college.
Aditya was crowing in exultation. So much so that, it was practically impossible for Mya to bring him down to earth, so that they could get ready for their performance!
Khushi had no time to catch her breath, as she was continuously being summoned by some student or the other. Asking her to help zip up, or help them in makeup, and what not!!
She was busy in welcoming the chief guest into the Principal's chamber, when her restlessness reached its peak. Of course she didn't show it on her face, which had the composed mask on. She gave a brittle smile to the person who seemed intent on making some point, though Devi Maiyya herself should know what point it was!
Aditya, who had finally got into his costume, was pacing to and fro, in the green room, as Mya looked at him wryly.
"Mya. . . He'll come, right?" he asked. Mya sighed as she stood in front of him, putting her arms around his neck. "This is the 219th time you're asking." she said in a grave voice.
Aditya pouted as he said, "Okay, that was completely random! I wouldn't have asked it 217 times!!"
"219. And you're being too nervous, don't you think? He said he'll come, and he WILL!" Mya assured him. "You dunno Mya. He has been through a lot. And the worst part is he keeps it all inside! And. . . . . I've always been afraid of him. Of course I don't show it in front of him. . ." Aditya said thoughtfully.
Mya chuckled, as she said, "Some reliable boyfriend, you are!!"
Aditya was about to argue when they heard a knock. And Mya pursed her lips to stop herself from laughing, as she saw Aditya run in excitement and wrench open the door, with a minor sense of trepidation. "Bhai!" he exclaimed and hugged his cousin.
As Arnav entered the room, Mya could make out why Aditya was behaving like a cat which had burnt its tail! Anybody would be self conscious in front of Arnav Singh Raizada. Such was his persona.
As far as Aditya had told about him, and what he had been through in the previous year, she had probably expected a devdas. But Arnav wasn't even the d of devdas!! At least not as far as she could see.
Arnav nodded and gave a slight smile to her. Mya gave him a small smile as she went and stood next to Aditya.
"Bhai!! I'm really happy you came. . ." Aditya said, but noticed Arnav wasn't even listening.
"Bhai?? Do you want anything? You seem to be restless!" Aditya said, wondering how this was possible. Arnav Singh Raizada was restless himself?! Instead of making the people in front of him restless!!
"Khushi Di was nervous too. . . ." Mya mumbled, and she and Aditya looked at each other, with a 'What-is-it-with-these-grown-ups?!' look.
"Khushi???" Arnav asked, suddenly on full alert mode. "Does she know that I'm coming?" Arnav asked.
"Psht.. No! Why would I tell her that?? She doesn't even know you!" Aditya said.
One of the volunteer entered the room, telling that they both should be ready, as theirs was the second performance.
Mya started fidgeting, and Aditya politely told Arnav to go and sit among the audience, so that he could help in calming Mya's nerves. š
Arnav caught the point, and went out of the room. He neared the backstage area, and stood right behind the curtains which separated the actual stage, from the backstage.
He pulled the curtain, so that his eyes scanned the crowd. As his eyes stopped on the one that he wanted to see, his breathing turned shallow, and his eyes glistened with the unshed tears.
Khushi rubbed the nape of her neck, frowning, and as if she knew he was standing there, she turned her gaze right to the spot where Arnav was standing. But Arnav was too quick, as he let go of the curtain, and stepped back.
All Arnav was aware of throughout the function, was Khushi. When Aditya shook his shoulder, asking what he was doing here, and how he had danced, Arnav came out of his trance. His performance was over already?! he thought, as he looked at Aditya and said, "Good." with a slight smile. Aditya seemed satisfied, as he pulled Arnav to the green room.
Khushi watched in awe as Aditya locked and popped expertly, Mya adding the feminine moves, so that the whole act was perfectly balanced. She chuckled as Aditya looked at her and winked, after their performance was over, and a loud cheer erupted from the audience.
After their dance, Mya took Khushi to the ladies green room, to help her out of her dress. Khushi was tying Mya's hair in a scrunchie, as Mya watched her. "Didn't you like it??" Mya asked. Khushi was so lost in thoughts, that she could muster only a "haan???"
"Di!! What is wrong?? You can tell me... I won't tell it to Aditya! Promise!" Mya tried to ease Khushi a little bit. Khushi looked at her disdainfully, as she asked, "You?! Will keep a secret??!! That too from Aditya?!?!"
Mya pursed her lips for a second before she grinned sheepishly, as she asked, "Impossible nah??"
Khushi nodded gravely, and they both giggled. "Come. Lets see if Aditya is done. I'm starving. We can all have dinner together..."
Khushi was about to ask whom she meant by "all", but soon forgot her question as Mya towed her along. After knocking on the door leading to boys green room, they stood there, Mya chatting without a break, as Khushi nodded.
Khushi entered the boys green room behind Mya, after they heard a "come in" from inside. She was about to congratulate Aditya, when she saw him in the mirror. She stopped dead in her tracks, her eyes wide with shock, as she wondered if he was really there. She looked at his sullen face in the mirror for a moment, before she turned to face him. Her eyes filled up, as she started shaking her head, still not able to believe that he was actually there!!
Aditya watched all this confusedly, and as Khushi started to run out of the room, he ran behind her, yelling, "Di, don't run!!"
Arnav shocked with her strong reaction, stood rooted to to the spot as he saw Khushi wince, as if in pain, and fall down, and before he could reach out, Aditya was already holding her, "Khushi! Are you insane?! Why are you such a child at times??!!" He asked, bringing her back to the room, and helped her stand up. All Arnav could do was wonder why she had winced. . .
Khushi snapped angrily, "What is it with you Raizada men?! I am NOT a child!!"
Mya who stood silently rolled her eyes and replied dryly, "Di!! You're overreacting. . . You know only one Raizada, and that's my Aditya. . ."
But Aditya turned to his cousin who had gone motionless, watching Khushi intently. And he turned to gaze at Khushi who was shaking like a leaf in the wind!
'Uh-oh. . . . . .' He thought, as he understood the undercurrents flowing there. . . . . . . . .
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Coming up next : Will Khushi finally confront Arnav? How will Arnav react??
Jaan ne ke liye padhte rahiyega "Then You Look At Me..."
Cameraman, Aditya Singh Raizada ke saath, Harshitha Shankar, I.F news. š
PS: Gimme the likes and comments baby!! š
New readers who need PM for my future updates, need to Buddy me!! š
Edited by -_-harsh42 - 13 years ago
Debate Mansion
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