ArShi SS-Love in Delhi University~Thread 1 - Page 65

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Anjali leaned against the door, feeling horrible on the inside. Those pairs of eyes were screaming out her betrayal. She looked up as the tears welled up had now started cascading down her soft cheeks. The sounds of the hearts breaking boomed in and around her and she clamped her ears with her palms, trying to muffle the sounds. Sometimes in life we all do something which we're not proud of but that doesn't make us a bad person, now does it? If we were to be judged by all the mistakes we've made in our entire lifetime, would we even be able in look us in the eye when we face the mirror every morning?

~

"Par Arnav Ji! Class hain! Hum kaise ja sakte hain!" (..but we've both got our classes! How can we go out?) asked Khushi with genuine concern in her voice when Arnav revealed his plan of having fun out the entire day. "Seriously Khushi? Classes?" retorted Arnav with a raised eyebrow, not liking the fact that his plan was being snubbed at by her when he had worked so hard to set it right. They were on their bike when Arnav had suggested that they'll spend their day out.

"Haan, Arnav Ji! Classes!" stated Khushi like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Khushi, ye koi school nehi hain jahan 100% attendance ke liye certificate milega. Ye college hain! Ek din bunk kar loge toh kuch ho nehi jayga" said Arnav, hoping something would get into this crazy lady's brain and she would agree to whatever he had in mind for the day. (Khushi, this is not a school where you get a certificate for 100% attendance. It's college! The world won't end of you miss a day!)

Arnav saw Khushi's eyes go wide and her lips form an 'O'. He got a glimpse of it from his rear view mirror and suppressed the urgent need to kiss it. "Haww! Arnav Ji! Ap mujhe bunk karne ke keh rahe hain!" Khushi wondered out loud. (Haww! Arnav Ji! You're asking me to bunk?). "Haan, Captain Obvious! I'm asking you to bunk!" replied Arnav, almost rolling his eyes. Getting exasperated again, which wasn't a new feeling whenever he was around, he spoke with finality "Khushi, do not make me yell at you. I had to put in a lot of effort to set the plan and I'm not letting it go down the drains because of you."

"Ap baat toh aise kar rahe hain jaise aj janamdin mera nehi apka hain!" mused Khushi. (You're talking like it's your birthday instead of mine). "Shut up, Khushi" said Arnav in a flat tone as he took the turn on the road which was different from the one they took every day.

Malls weren't something Khushi enjoyed. Everything was over-priced and over-hyped for her when it came to malls and thus Arnav had to figure out a lot of other things to keep her entertained throughout the day but he liked it that way. She wasn't the usual, predictable kind and he wanted it to be that way. Growing up in posh and pricey world, he was unfamiliar to the smaller but happy and content side of the world and it was Khushi who had introduced him to this shade of life.

Having brunch at a small roadside place was the first part of the plan, which Khushi thoroughly enjoyed as everything of her choice had been served. She gleefully chomped on everything that was offered and thanked Arnav with her mouth full of naan and butter chicken. As they finished the meal, they headed out for Sarojini Market. It is a flea market but one the best places the city has to offer. Arnav knew that she loved this place but didn't tell her where they were going as they started off from they were eating. "Hum kahan jaa rahey hain, Arnav Ji?" (Where are we going, Arnav Ji?) asked Khushi annoyingly for the umpteenth time from the pillion seat. It initially seemed cute but as the traffic got harder to cross; her incessant badgering started getting to him. Once on a more secluded, he braked the bike, jolting to a stop. He looked back and lifted the glass visor of his helmet. Khushi was about to start on her queries when the stern look in his eyes shut her up.

The rest of the journey was a quiet affair but it was until Arnav parked near the market. Khushi had almost hopped off the bike before the engine had ceased its roaring, in excitement. Arnav followed behind as Khushi skipped her way into the market. She was wearing a simple peach churidaar and her hair was half pinned as managed to look as pretty as she usual. Arnav was in his usual low jeans and a loose shirt rolled up to his elbows.

"Khushi, kuch khareedo!" (Khushi, buy something) said Arnav after half an hour of roaming about the streets aimlessly. Khushi, who was walking ahead of him, looked back with uncertain eyes. "Kya hua?" (What happened?) he asked getting annoyed and lifted his glares to his forehead. Here he was, roaming under the sun with her so she could shop all she wanted in her favourite market and there she was standing, giving him uncertain looks.

"Woh.. Woh.. Main.. Main paise nehi leke ayi aj. Mujhe pata nehi tha ki hum yahan aane wale hain toh main buss dekh rahi hoon ab aur baad mein Jiji ke saath aake khareedungi" she replied, stuttering a bit out of embarrassment but stating it like it was the most obvious thing in the world. (I.. I'm.. I'm not carrying much money today. I didn't know we were coming here. I'll just scan through the stuff today and come with Jiji sometime later and shop)

Arnav stood at his place, taken aback. Most the people he had met in his life got close to him because of the fact that he was filthy rich. At some point or the other, they exploited his goodness and every time that happened, it left him feeling a little more vacant on the inside. The only person who had never ever let him down was Akash but this lady had taken this to a whole new level altogether. He wanted her to 'exploit' him but unfortunately; she was one who didn't believe in the power of money.

"Khushi, it's your birthday and this is my gift to you. You don't have to pay, it's on me" replied Arnav, calmly. "Nehi!!!" started Khushi. "Nehi!! Ap aise kaise..! Apne toh abhi khana ke liye bhi.." (No!! How can..? You paid for the brunch..) Khushi stuttered but was cut short. "Khushi" he said sternly and that set her right. He walked up to her as she took a step back. He took her to the nearest store and pointed at a beautiful white kurta with small flowers of multicoloured hues all over it. "You like that?" he asked seriously to which Khushi nodded mutely. Before the thought in Khushi's mind could end, the kurta was in her hand, wrapped properly in a packet.

As they walked away, hand in hand, Khushi started "Arnav Ji! Usne 300rupay kaha aur apne de bhi diya?"(Arnav Ji! He asked for 300 bucks and you gave it to him?) "Haan? Isn't that what you do?" he asked with a weird expression on his face. Khushi looked at him as if he'd lost it. "Aapko loot liya usne!" she informed. (You've just been ripped!) "Agli baar se mujhe karne dijiye!" (Let me do it the next time) she added as they moved to the next stop.

Couple of hours passed, as Khushi bought a scarf and three more kurtas for herself. She was scanning through pretty earrings in the jewellery store when Arnav came and stood by her. She looked questioningly at him. He slowly took his palm out and showed the anklets he had selected to her. Khushi looked at him, surprised. Arnav Singh Raizada was blushing frivolously and wasn't meeting her eyes. "Umm.. Arnav Ji, hum ye nehi le sakte" she replied, getting back to her earrings (Arnav Ji, I can't take them.)

"Why not?" he asked back immediately. She checked the earring for some more time before she finally turned to face him. She put her left foot forward. Arnav looked down and saw a pretty silver delicate payel encircling her ankles. "Ye mere Amma ki hai. Main inhe hamesha pehenti hoon" she said as both of them stared at the silver piece on her foot. (This belongs to my mother. I never take them off)

Arnav smiled as nodded in understanding. Khushi finally bought a couple of dangles before Arnav said it's time. The sun would begin to set and he wanted just the right effect for his surprise. Khushi was about to ask about the next part of his plan but she checked herself in time as Arnav's stern eyes flashed before her eyes. Without a word, she followed Arnav back to his bike and climbed back on her usual seat and waited for him to take him to their next destination.

As the bike stopped in front of the RM gate, Khushi's eyes widened in surprise. "Hum yahan kya kar rahe hain?" she asked. (What are we doing here?) She had never seen Shantivan in broad daylight and thus never got to appreciate the grandeur of the mansion. Elegant and splendid. She was busy pleasing her eyes when Arnav took the bags and led her in by her hand.

As they entered the porch, they were greeted by Nani who was waiting for them with her pooja thaal. She welcomed Khushi with the customary aarti and wished her well for her birthday. Khushi bent down and touched her feet and got back blessings filled with love from the elderly lady. Arnav just waited patiently by her side, having to do nothing with it as he did not believe in God.

Once over with the aarti and the greetings, he almost dragged her to their lawn. He was too excited as that came out in his impatience. Khushi was saying something but nothing was being registered in his brain. The hormone of eagerness had taken over completely. As they took the first step out into the lawn, Khushi's chattering had ceased. The sight before her had left her feeling mellow.

The sun was setting gently behind her gift, leaving an enchanting trance behind. The white couple swing in their lawn was covered with red roses in entirety and the gleams of the setting sun just made it more beautiful. The birds above were going back to where they belonged and the breeze brushed past them in soft and gentle manner. Nature was their host of the evening.

"Aapko yaad tha?" Khushi asked softly, not taking her eyes off the rosed-swing as she remembered the night she had told him in passing that she adored red roses. "Hmm" she heard her answer. She untangled her hand from his and walked up to the swing, almost in a trance. Did he do all this for her? She was overwhelmed and did not know how to respond. She touched the roses on the iron stands when she felt him walk up behind her. She turned back and hugged him in totality as she snuggled in her face against his chest. Arnav's hand engulfed her back and the two stayed like that, relishing whatever was building up inside of them.

"I love you, Arnav Ji" she whispered as she dug in deeper into his body. Arnav was pleasantly taken aback. They had never said that to each other before. They both knew it. Arnav closed her in even tighter and nuzzled against her soft hair. "I love you too" he whispered back.

Arnav's hand slowly moved down to her shoulder and moved her back so that he could look at her face. Khushi stepped back hesitantly and looked up to meet his eyes. They were brown, soft and warm, so very different from the night when she had bumped into him in this very lawn, she thought. He had changed so much, so much just for her but there still things he was hiding but whatever it was, she would make it right for him, she swore to herself.

Arnav looked down and saw thousands of thoughts flashing through his Khushi's eyes. Being unable to decipher all of it perturbed him. His gaze went down to her lips. They were slightly parted and shimmered against the setting sun, sending an open invitation to him. He leisurely bent his head and watched as Khushi's eyes fluttered close before he finally claimed her lips with his.

They were soft and pink and there was no urgency in either of them. They were relaxing in their touch. Their hand wound around each other's back and snuggled in deeper. Arnav broke the kiss to look into her eyes. Finding them laden with love, he dipped back in for more. They were both breathing heavily. As their lips met again, Arnav vouched for more. Arnav's tongue entered her mouth and danced with hers at the tune of their beats. Her fingers moved up and trailed his stubble. Right at that moment, they were a picture perfect couple, silhouetted against the setting sun as the breeze played with her locks and dupatta. They had shared their first kiss.

What followed was adorable. Arnav leaned against the stands and Khushi swung on the roses and her tinkling laughter filled the air. Seconds, minutes, hours, everything had ceased to exist as he drank in her sight; oblivious to the dark sneaking around them.

The ride back home was a pleasant one. When he dropped her near the signal, no one wanted to leave first, both of them decided to turn away at the same time at the count of three and as the distance between them grew, they both looked back at the same time and shared a knowing smile.

~

Khushi walked back cheerfully. She was even singing under her breath and greeted almost everyone on her way back but was surprised when nobody returned her smile. Feeling a little uncomfortable, she paced up her steps. What was wrong? She didn't have to ponder for long for when she opened the wooden door of Gupta House, she was greeted by a stern-faced Buaji seated on the couch and crying Payel, standing right behind her chair.

~

CHAPTER 10: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/72422190

I did not have time to proof read... If you come across typos, leave it in your comments...

LINK TO MY OTHER WORKS:

WiniWonka's Chocolate Factory

https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/iss-pyaar-ko-kya-naam-doon/3159288/winiwonkas-chocolate-factory-d-updated

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Khairr..commenting on Arnav's surprises for Khushi...sigh! Beautiful and still in touch with the people they are - Arnav not knowing how to be tactful in giving gifts ("Khushi, kuch khareedo!" LOL!) or knowing how to bargain while Khushi being her usual chirpy adorable yet innocent and moralistic self and then the changes they have brought in each other - from Khushi becoming a bit more relaxed to Arnav accepting his heart's feelings...great chapter! :)

And Congratulations to your family on your brother's wedding! :)