ArhiSS|Synchronizing Forces| Chp13Pg39 19th Oct - Page 17

Chapter 9

Sitting in the drawing room, which was a bit cozy, there was uncomfortable silence. Varsha could feel the nervousness between them both. She was reminded of Khushi's words when they entered her home.

~~

"Is he really staying here tonight?"

"Yes. Do you have a problem with that, Khush?"

"No, I'm perfectly fine, Varsha!"

~~

Varsha observed that both were earning to talk but were not able to because of a starting trouble. Varsha decided to initiate a small talk.

"Arnav, how long are you going to sit simply with your laptop without working? Since the past 15 minutes it's been on screen-saver mode. I think you must energise it before it goes on sleep."

"What? I'm not simply sitting. I'm kind of working out a strategy for our meeting tomorrow."

"Um…I'm sorry… I think I'm being a disturbance for you both to work. I'm going to your room, Varsha. It's in the second right, right?" asked an uncomfortable Khushi.

"I'm sorry. I totally forgot that you two are on a sleep over. I'll go to the guest room, Varsha. I'll call you if I want any help. Okay?"

"No ways, Arnav!" 'Oh gosh…Things are getting out of hand, Varsha! Think of an idea' "Khushi stay here. I'll be right back in a giffy. No one's going anywhere. Got that?"

Varsha made her way to the balcony and dialled Anjali's number.

"Di, I have no idea how to make them talk. They're being too formal. Tell me something, na!"

"I don't know Varsha. But one thing. Don't send Chotey back here. Okay? You've got to keep them together, no matter what. I've got to go. I'm kind of busy at the moment, Varsh! Bye!" Anjali hung up abruptly.

'What could keep di busy at THIS time? Something's cooking. You've got a job to do, Varsha!' Varsha said herself.

*~*

After Varsha had excused herself Arnav and Khushi were alone. Khushi kept twisting her fingers. Arnav decided to act as if he was ignorant to her presence and started typing letters that made no sense in his laptop.

"Excuse me." Khushi said formally and went to the dining table to help herself with some water.

The dining table was behind the sofa Arnav was sitting. Khushi kept stealing glances from behind. All she could hear was one thing. 'Dhak Dhak' her heart beats were abnormally loud.

Arnav decided to amuse his eyes with the sight of the angelic beauty that was along with him in the room. His mind was totally having a 'what the' moment as he himself could believe that he was actually attracted by her. He couldn't, at the same time, see her directly as she would find out that he actually liked her. So he thought for a way to steal a glance at her. 'Think Arnav, Think' His brain bulb glowed! He switched on the web cam companion on his laptop and that gave him a clear view of the room behind. He adjusted his screen so that he could see her. And he SAW her.

Khushi didn't want to go back to her place. She was having a hard time controlling herself. 'Seeing his back is better than being nervous seeing his face. You would look like a fool in front of him. You've already given a bad impression by screwing up in the performance Khushi!' she thought. 'Hey Devi Maiyyah! What have you done to me?' Saying it in her brain she kept her palm on her forehead. She was making faces. "Laad Governor!" she mumbled. She took the water jug and poured water. She couldn't take her eyes off him. 'His back view's as hot as his front' chirped her naughty heart. 'Khushi, what's wrong with you? Get a hold on yourself, Khushi!' yelled her mind.

Arnav loved the very sight of her. The way she bit her lips when she was thinking seriously, the way her eyebrows met when she was in deep thought… He also observed that she was seeing him all the time. 'What could she be thinking?' he mused. Her hands caught his attention when they reached for the water jug. She started pouring water in the glass. He, for an instant, felt a bit thirsty just to drink the water she poured. 'This is a bit exaggerating, Arnav. Mind it!' said his mind. He wanted to hold her hand and feel the warmth. His eyes again went to the jug and the glass. He was watching the water flow gracefully into the glass. It filled half way… three-forth was now full… water reached the brim… it started over-flowing… water was now dripping off the table… 'Wait a minute! Shouldn't she stop pouring water? Why isn't she stopping?' He again saw her face. She was dreamily looking at him and totally was not aware of the water flowing. He decided to intervene. He turned back and cried "Khushi! Watch it girl! The glass is full… What are you doing? Stop pouring!"

"Hare Devi Maiyyah! What have I done?" Khushi exclaimed and searched for a towel to dry the mess she had created.

"Why does this happen to me? All because of Laad Governor!" she muttered under her breath. Arnav was trying to understand what she was muttering. But it was too low pitched to be audible. Looking at her searching for something he understood that she must be looking for a towel.

"Khushi, look at the cupboard, you'll find a towel there." said Arnav.

"Oh…Where? Here?" asked Khushi who wasn't familiar with her surroundings. Arnav pointed her the place but knew she wouldn't be able to spot it. He decided to behave like a gentleman and give her the towel himself. He rose up from the sofa and went to the cupboard to take some towels from it.

Khushi's heartbeats started thudding faster and she feared he would hear it too. In an attempt to calm down her fluttering heart, she placed her palm on it. 'Deep breaths, Khush! Deep breaths! Calm down…' she said herself.

Arnav had butterflies in his stomach at the close proximity of her. He wanted to be close to her but at the same time wanted to go away from her. It was a battle between his mind and heart. His heart yearned to be with her, and his brain wanted to be away from her. Putting his inner war aside, he opened the cupboard and picked two towels from it and locked it. He turned back to face her. He again set his eyes on her eyes. Those beautiful hazel eyes, he thought. He couldn't do anything else than to look at her. She too was seeing him. She was breathing heavily. Shaking himself out of his trance he handed one towel to her. She took it hesitantly from his hand and took two steps away from him. She started drying the place with the towel. He turned away from her and he too bent for helping her dry the place. Arnav Singh Raizada, for the first time in his life, was actually doing something of that kind. His brain gave up fighting. 'You're hopeless, ASR!' said his mind. 'This is what love struck boys do… Help the girl!' said his heart dreamily. He was now having a 'what the' at his own changed version.

*~*

Varsha had no idea what to do. Suddenly she got an idea. She made her way to the living room again. Before she could be seen she decided to sneak a peek at them both. And she got the shock of her life.

Arnav Singh Raizada was cleaning the floor! Or that's what it looked like he was doing…