IPKKND SS: Walking On Sunshine [Link to Thread 2] - Page 39

Khushi sat on the wooden chair in the balcony next to Anjali's room. She took a sip of the badam milk in her hand and looked at the ground.

Satvik wondered how he could broach the topic. Khushi was very sensitive about it and he didn't want to hurt her at all. They had never really made an attempt to make Khushi overcome this reservation of hers because life had been very hectic and trivial things such as clothes didn't really seem important compared to everything else.

Anjali saw the tension on Satvik's face and put a hand on his shoulder. She had been told the whole story behind Khushi's refusal to wear feminine clothes and her heart had gone out to her completely. She knew how insensitive and rude Chote could be. But there was no point dwelling on the past now. Khushi needed to overcome this and she was going to help her do it.

"Khushi? Can I tell you something?"

"Sure Anjali di."

"Try and forget everything that happened on Payal's eighth birthday. I know you were hurt very badly but now that you're older I'd like you to think about it."

Khushi looked stunned as Anjali continued.

"Chote always saw you as a boy and it took him completely by surprise to see you wearing a dress. I can assure you Khushi that you were looking lovely that day. Don't let one childish comment spoil your life. I think it's time you moved on and focused on the future. Won't you wear something beautiful for your Anjali di's wedding?"

Anjali held her cheek and looked into her eyes. Khushi could see tenderness and warmth in them and she nodded her head without really thinking about it. She got a bright smile in return as Anjali got up to call the clothing store about new clothes for her.

Satvik got up from his place and knelt in front of Khushi. He knew her so well. She was truly a sister to be proud of. He stroked her head lightly and gave her a small smile.

"You don't have to buy any new clothes until you're ready and willing. I'll talk to Anjali about it."

Khushi broke out into a wide grin. She hugged her Bhaiya tightly and nodded her head. He got up to leave as her thoughts wandered over to what Anjali had just said.

Was she really living in the past? Should she try and forget what Arnav had said to her? It had definitely hurt tremendously but Anjali di was right when she said that it was time to move on. But it was easier said than done and no one knew that better than Khushi.

...

The wedding was in ten days and everyone was busy preparing for it. Khushi had spent the entire day making a list of things which needed to be done the next day. She hadn't had time to think about her little problem since Anjali had spoken to her in the morning. It was almost tea time and she went up to her room to wash her grimy hands and face before going down for tea.

She walked out of the washroom and caught sight of a small parcel on her dressing table. She wondered if it had been there when she had entered the room.

Curious, she walked over to where it was kept and opened the box. Her eyes widened considerably before she broke out into a big smile.

Inside the box were steaming hot jalebis, dripping with sugary syrup and giving off a tantalizing aroma. There was also a note which she took out carefully and began to read.

Steaming hot jalebis upstairs and vanilla ice cream downstairs - so you better hurry. Not enough to make up for what I said all those years ago but if it makes you happy then why worry?

Tears welled up in Khushi's eyes as she read the hastily composed rhyme. Forgetting the incident was going to be very difficult but he had surely made it a whole lot easier.

With a new found spring in her step, Khushi walked down for tea, eyes sparkling brightly and confidence slowly but surely returning to her.

Arnav watched from the behind the door as she hugged the note to herself. It was nowhere near enough but it was definitely a start.

...

Satvik was happy to see genuine happiness on Khushi's face. He wondered what had happened to make her feel better.

"Bhaiya, Anjali di, I've decided to go shopping for some new clothes tomorrow."

Anjali squealed in delight before enveloping Khushi into a warm embrace. She had a huge smile on her face and Khushi giggled because she reminded her of a small child who had just been given her favorite toy after a long time.

Satvik smiled broadly and nodded at Khushi.

"Where is Payal, Anjali di?"

"I don't know. In fact I haven't seen Akash either. Call them down Khushi. They're probably lost in each other's eyes."

Khushi chuckled before going up to check on them. The first thing she saw when she climbed up was Arnav. She gave him a big grin and he smiled in return.

"Thank you Arnav. What you did means a lot to me."

Arnav nodded and looked away. He had never been good with words or emotions. That's why he had written the note to Khushi instead of going to her directly and telling her.

"Have you seen either Payal or Akash?"

Arnav shook his head.

"God! Where are they? Help me search for them please!"

They checked Payal and Khushi's room, Akash's room, Arnav's room, Anjali's room, Manohar and Manorama's room, the study, the library, the balconies, the pool side, the kitchen and the terrace. But they couldn't find them anywhere.

"Uff! This is just like that time in winter. Remember Arnav?"

A thought struck Arnav as he heard Khushi say those words. He looked at her with mischief dancing in his eyes and beckoned her to follow him. They took the back way out and soon found themselves in the garden. Khushi wondered why Arnav had brought her here when she heard a noise come from one of the bushes.

"What's tha-?"

"Shh!"

He put his finger to his lips and quietly moved towards the source of the noise. Khushi followed behind him, curious to know why he was acting like this. They slowly crept closer to the bush and peered over to the other side.

Khushi's eyes widened in shock and Arnav's face displayed its signature smirk.

There, behind the bush sat Payal and Akash, in each other's arms. Akash whispered something in Payal's ear and she giggled shyly. There were tiny flowers in her hair and she was leaning against Akash. Their fingers were intertwined and they were completely lost in each other. Akash moved closer to Payal and slowly kissed her on the cheek. Payal's cheeks turned a rosy pink while Khushi flushed a deep red.

She didn't get much time to contemplate on what she had seen because a bright flash came from her right. She consequently felt a tug on her hand and found herself being dragged back into the house. She looked at Arnav as if he was mad but he just winked at her in return. The deep red flush returned on cue and she looked at the ground, unable to catch his eye.

Once they were back inside, Arnav took out his phone from his pocket and showed her the picture he had taken.

"Last time I didn't have proof. But this time it's going to be different."

Khushi stared at the screen as realization hit her. So this is what Akash had been doing with Payal that winter?

...

Akash looked guiltily from Anjali to Satvik. He could sense Payal shifting uncomfortably next to him and he gulped nervously.

Anjali held up the phone and raised her eyebrow. Satvik looked grim and foreboding. Khushi watched uneasily as the scene unfolded before her.

Arnav had conveniently given the phone containing the incriminating picture to Anjali and had promptly locked himself up in his room. Khushi felt like slapping him silly for giving away Akash and Payal like that. She wondered what Anjali and Satvik were going to do about the situation at hand.

"What is the meaning of this Akash?"

Akash stared at his feet, gulping again and wondering what to say. He knew that they were in trouble and he felt bad for having put Payal in such a position.

"And Payal? What do you have to say about this?"

Payal looked up to catch a glimpse of her brother's grim expression. She quickly looked down again and struggled to find something to say.

"Alright. You two leave us with no choice. We spoke to Nani, Mama and Mami regarding this situation. And there is only one solution."

Akash and Payal braced themselves for the blow to fall. They contemplated on what punishment would be meted out to them and shuddered in fear.

"You two will also get married with us in ten days time."

Khushi's head snapped up and she gazed at Anjali and Satvik as if trying to catch the joke. They were both smiling widely which meant that they were serious. She turned towards Akash and Payal and noted their shocked expressions as well. Slowly Akash's face broke out into a sheepish grin as Payal looked away shyly. Khushi felt like the entire world's happiness had been placed in front of her and she squealed in delight before hugging both Akash and Payal tightly.

Anjali grinned at the Khushi's enthusiasm. Khushi ran up to her and hugged her next before moving on to Satvik.

Arnav walked down just in time to hear Anjali's startling announcement. He smirked thinking about how he would make Akash make it up for the huge favour he had done him.

He watched as Khushi hugged each and every person in the room before she ran towards him and halted, a big smile on her face. He couldn't help but smile at seeing her joy.

He was taken completely by surprise when she launched herself onto him. She clung to him, wanting to share this momentous occasion with her best friend. He was too stunned to respond at first but then slowly put his arms around her. A new and startling emotion overtook him as he stood like that for a few moments, only coming out of the trance when she pulled back.

Khushi looked into his eyes and her smile faded slightly as his intense gaze caught her completely by surprise, the unfamiliar emotions in them making her catch her breath.

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Chapter Nine