ArShi SS-Love in Delhi University~Thread 1 - Page 20

Arnav kept his phone on the table and relaxed on the chair by the poolside. He sighed of relief; Lavanya had just called to cancel. She sounded pretty sceptical over the phone which was pretty unusual as Lavanya generally had a very alluring charm around her but it didn't bother him now as much as it would have some other time. Arnav was too lost in his own world to worry about it.

He looked up at the twinkling stars above and smiled. The day was wonderful. The feel of Khushi's skin from the library still lingered on his lips. They had gone to Khushi's choice of place to have Maggi. He could've never imagined his first date to be at Tom Uncle's Maggi Point. The idea was still blasphemous to his ears. Laughter crept up. They were sitting on the old wooden bench by the roadside, slurping on their Maggi when Khushi screamed out of panic.

Arnav looked up bewildered. Maybe she had burned her tongue. The Maggi served was still warm from the pan and Khushi had started gorging on it almost instantly. He was about to reach out for water when he saw Khushi looking down at her cardigan which had a blob of soupy Maggi on it. "Tum isliye chillayi?" (You screamed because of THIS?) he asked with a hint of exasperation.

She nodded vehemently and looked up at him with worried eyes. "Jiji mujhe maar dalegi. Ye unki sabse pasandita sweater hain. Main ne unse promise bhi kiya tha ki main ispe khana nehi giraungi jaise maine unke neel-ay sweater pe girayi thi" Khushi cried out loud. (Jiji is going to kill me. This is her favourite cardigan. I had promised her that I won't spill food on this like I had on her blue sweater.)

Arnav's eyes changed from incredulous to highly-amused in a second. Without a word, he went back to his plate, trying to stifle his laughter. He knew, if he so much as smiled, Khushi would get mad at him. "Hay Devi Maiyyan, ab main kya karoon?" he heard her crib. (What do I do now?)

The rest of the evening had been pleasant. Once out of the campus, Arnav had put on his helmet. He had offered to drop her home and Khushi had agreed shyly. "Arnav Ji, ye aap kya kar rahe hain? Aap galat raasta le rahe hain. Achcha, galat nehi par iss raastey se bohut lamba padega. Kya hai! Aapko toh Dilli ke raastay bhi nehi pata" she commented expertly, unable to decipher the real reason behind this move of his. She didn't realize that the rider just wanted to buy themselves more time. Arnav just smiled. "Paagal" he murmured. (Arnav Ji! What are you doing? You're taking the wrong road. Ok, it's not completely wrong but it's certainly a longer route. You don't even know the routes of Delhi)

The ride had been a pleasant one. They were riding by the bank of Yamuna River. The sun was setting and the birds were returning home. The evening breeze had started playing with Khushi's hair as she sat behind him with both her legs on one side and her hands rested on his shoulder. Once they reached the road leading to the interiors of Lakshmi Nagar, he heard Khushi asking him to stop. "Rukiye! Rukiye! Yehin rukiye!" she screamed (Stop! Stop! Stop here!)

Arnav, who till now was peacefully enjoying the time, almost fumbled with the bike and parked by the Lakshmi Nagar signal clumsily. Khushi hopped off the bike with a big smile on her face and said "Shukriya!" (Thank you) Arnav had now truly convinced himself that this lady before him was crazy.

Arnav took off his helmet and asked "Yahan kyun rukne ko kaha tumne? Tumhara ghar toh kaafi door hain" with genuine exasperation. (Why did you ask me stop here? Your house is pretty far from here). "Koi baat nehi. Aap chinta mat kijiye. Humay aadat hain chalne ki" (It's okay. You don't have to worry. I'm used to walking) she said in a pleasant tone, as if it was almost natural. Leaning in, she whispered "Woh kya hain ki yahan pe bohot log mujhe jaante hain. Koi dekh lega mujhe apke saath toh achcha nehi hoga, na?" (It's just that people here know me. If they see me with you, things might turn sour.)

Nodding in affirmative, Arnav understood what she wanted to say. Now playing with his helmet, he asked "So? That was it?" Khushi just smiled and nodded. "Bye" he said, trying to play it cool when in reality he didn't want Khushi to budge an inch away from him. "Bye" she said and turned around and started walking away. Arnav looked on. She was working her hips but completely unintentionally. Khushi looked back and smiled for the last time before she finally turned left to enter an alley. Arnav put his helmet back on. His watch was reading five thirty. He had lots of time in hand before he had to meet Lavanya and started towards home. He smiled at his haplessness. He would've never guessed he would fall for a girl like Khushi.

A steady knock on the door brought Arnav back on Earth. "Come in" he said in flat impatient voice. HP, their old butler entered. He was a man who had seen the fall of the Malik family from the start. He had seen his young master give up his father's surname and take up his mother's 'Singh Raizada'. He walked up till the French window and said "Master Arnav. Your father is calling you to his study." Arnav nodded curtly, signalling his dismissal. HP saw Arnav's fingers curl into tight fists. Without a word, he turned around and left the room. "What does he want now?" Arnav muttered under his breath.

~

Khushi entered her home with a huge smile on her face. Buaji, who was at the sofa, sipping her evening tea, looked at her with questioning eyes. "Hum ghumney gaye the Buaji. Isliye aane mein der ho gayi." (We went out, Buaji. That's why the delay in coming back home") she explained peacefully. She wasn't really lying to her, now was she?

Khushi fluttered around the house, doing all her chores and humming her favourite Salman Khan's songs under her breath. She had changed into her simple salwaar suits that she wore that home and her hair was tied in a loose ponytail. Buaji was observing all this but did not speak out her thoughts. It was late in the evening when Payel came back home, exhausted from the day's work. "Jiji, aap thake huye lag rahe ho. Main apke liye chai bana doon?" Khushi asked Payel with that same big smile which was now pasted to her lips ever since Arnav dropped her home. Payal looked up and smiled back. She loved being greeted back by her younger sister. She was her ray of hope. Even on the most tiring of the days, Khushi could cheer her up in seconds. Payal nodded a yes.

"Jiji! Aaj office kaisa tha?" asked Khushi from the kitchen. (How was office today?). "Kuch khaas nehi. Roz ke jaisa" replied Payal. "Oh, haan Khushi!" she added "Isse pehle bhool na jaoon, kal ek bohot bada party hain Shantivan mein. Ek naya business venture ka launch hai. Tayyar rehna" (Oh yeah! Khushi. Before I forget, there's a big party tomorrow to celebrate the launch of a new business venture. Be ready). Khushi's eyes lit up as she poured milk into Payal's cup of tea but it was not for long.

She walked out of the kitchen with the same smile and as she handed Payal her tea, they heard their Buaji's voice. "Khoosi nehi jayegi kal ki party mein" (Khushi won't go to the party tomorrow) said Buaji gravely, standing at the bedroom door. Khushi's heart skipped a beat and her eyes widened. The question in her mind was voiced by Payal. "Kyun Buaji? Woh toh hamesha mere saath party mein jaati hain!" she asked genuinely. (Why, Buaji? She always accompanies me to these parties.)

Madhumati, also known as Buaji, was a liberal person in general but right now, she did not expect her nieces to question her. Not ready with an answer, she fumbled "Woh.. Woh ajkal humaari tabiyat kuch theek nehi hai. Raat ko peeth mein bohut dard hota hain. Agar tum mein se koi ek agar ghar pe rahe toh man mein tasalli rehti hain" (Umm.. Um.. It's just that I've not been keeping well off late. My back aches very badly at night. If one of you stay back, I can be relaxed.)

Khushi smiled genuinely. "Koi baat nehi, Buaji. Hum nehi jayenge kal" (its okay, Buaji. I won't go tomorrow). Khushi knew her responsibility towards her family and always kept it as her number one priority. Nothing could falter her from her duties towards her family. Arnav Ji would understand, she was sure. Buaji looked at her surprised. She was expecting some form of resentment from Khushi but was glad when she didn't show any. She smiled and retired to her room. Maybe she was wrong about assuming things about her younger niece. Khushi was afterall her Buaji's Sankadevi.

~

Arnav stepped out of his father's study. When he told Arnav about the party tomorrow, he got excited but when he continued to inform him that it was to celebrate the launch of Malik-Kashyap venture, Arnav's fears came true. Arnav was supposed to make a grand entry with Mr. Kashyap's daughter. "Arnav, tum hamesha in sab party se bhaag jate ho magar kal tumhe rehna hoga Lavanya ke saath. I want Mr. Kashyap to be extremely pleased with us. There should be no slip-ups. Do you get it? It's a big opportunity for our company. Remember what I told you about your granny" said his father and dismissed him. (Arnav, you generally escape from my parties but tomorrow, you have to be with Lavanya. I want Mr. Kashyap to be extremely pleased with us. There should be no slip-ups. Do you get it? It's a big opportunity for our company. Remember what I told you about your granny)

Ms. Gupta, his dad's assistant and Khushi's Jiji, must have told Khushi about the party already. She must be so excited and would be waiting for him to call. He had to tell her not to come but how? Khushi was a sharp person. She would guess and moreover, he had promised her that he would stay away from Lavanya.

Confused, Arnav walked back to his poolside and slacked back on his chair when he heard his phone ring. Seeing Khushi's name, he moved his fingers around the green button before he finally answered. "Hello?" he answered tentatively. "Arnav Ji!" she chirped from the other side and his heart clenched. "Maine ye batane ke liye phone kiya ki main kal ki party mein nehi aa paoongi" (I just called to tell you that I won't be able to make it to tomorrow's party). She prayed to Devi Maiyyan for him to would understand.

"Kyun?" he asked, hiding the relief in his mind. He was feeling so guilty. "Woh kya hai ki Buaji ki tabiyat kuch theek nehi hai. Buaji chahte hain ki main ghar pe rahoon" she informed. (Its just that Buaji isn't well and wants me to stay at home.). "Okay" he replied, not wanting to continue this topic any further. He was feeling like a fraud. He closed his eyes, shut it tight and tried to drown the pain and finally he drowned in Khushi's voice as they talked late into the night.

RM was abuzz with workers, setting up the house for the party, in the morning. Being a Saturday, Arnav was at home but did not step out from his room. The guilt kept gnawing away at the back of his mind. They talked for sometime in the morning and that was the only time Arnav was at peace. Rest of the time, he was a wreck. He screamed at HP who had entered his room to serve his lunch and from then on, no one dared to step in. Everyone in the house was well accustomed to his temper.

As the evening seeped in and the guests started trickling in, Arnav drudged to his wardrobe to get dressed. He didn't want to be a part of the night even in the slightest bit. Somewhere downstairs in RM itself, Payal was running around, looking after the set up. Nothing could go wrong tonight or else she would be fired, Mr. Malik had told her.

Reaching the dais where the Mr. Malik and Mr. Kashyap were to sign their final documents, she checked the table. The main file containing the papers was missing. She checked her bag hurriedly but it wasn't there either. The guests had already started arriving and there was no time to waste. Payel went out to the porch and called Khushi up but the phone went unanswered. Impatiently, she tried the landline.

"Hello? Kaun bol raha hain?" answered Buaji, stretching her tone. (Hello? Who's speaking?). "Buaji, main Payal. Buaji, table pe ek black file rakha hoga. Woh bohot zaroori hai. Khushi se kahiye ki woh jaldi se jaldi file leke yahan pohoche. Late ho jaygi, toh meri naukri bhi jaa sakti hain" replied Payal in one breath. (Buaji, I'm Payal. There's a black file on my table. It's very important. Ask Khushi to get me that as soon as possible. If she's a minute late, I might lose my job.)

"Hai re Nand Kishore! Tum logon ko kuch yaad kyun nehi rehta hai! Uss din bhi.." (Hai re Nand Kishore! Why don't you girls remember anything? Even that day..) Buaji started chiding but was cut short. "Buaji! Waqt nehi hai, jaldi kijiye" (Buaji! There's hardly anytime. Speed up!) said Payal, breathing heavily and ended the call.

The clock had increased its pace on Payel's watch and slowed down on Arnav's. For him, time didn't seem to pass and it seemed like a drag. For Payel, minutes passed in a heartbeat.

Buaji quickly reiterated what Payel had told her. Khushi's eyes lit up. She quickly dressed up in a green-blue anarkali and sped out of the house.

The party had now begun, full-flung. Payal checked her watch again. The lights were frenzy.

Khushi ushered the autowala to speed up.

The music blared and the compere introduced Mr. Malik and Mr. Kashyap to the crowd. Everyone cheered. Payal whispered her silent prayer, fidgeting with her pendant as she stared at the two men in complete business attire, descending down the grand flight of stairs.

Khushi ran past the Shantivan gate, greeting the security on her way. She entered the hall and started calling Payel's cellphone. She was just about press 'Dial' when a hand pulled her in.

Khushi, thinking it to be Arnav, smiled shyly. "Khushi, file kahan hai?" she heard her Jiji ask impatiently. Khushi looked up at her stupidly. "Khushi, FILE!!!" Payal almost screamed. "Huh? Yahan! Ye lo!" said Khushi, taking out the file from her bag and handed it to Payal. Gently caressing Khushi's face, she was about to walk off when both them heard the compeer, the host, speak again.

"Please welcome Ms. Lavanya Kashyap and ASR" the host introduced brightly.

The crowd cheered.

The song changed to welcome them.

Arnav descended the decorated stairs with Lavanya holding onto his left arm. The guilt gnawed even harder. Lavanya smiled at the crowd.

A gust of wind blew and touched Arnav and Khushi's face on its way out.

Feeling her presence, Arnav looked up and saw what he dreaded the most.

Khushi, his love, was staring up at him from the crowd.

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A/N: I really don't like proofreading.. THIS IS REALLY LONG.. So, Kindly ignore typos😊

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