Chapter 2
Khushi shuddered at the very thought of whom the voice belonged to – no doubt Arnav Malik. How could she ever forget the voice of her once best friend. Hell no, her first love and was he the last.. she wondered. Before she could turn back, she heard him speak on the phone, "he.. what the… wait I will be there" and by the time she looked at the door, he was gone. Did I just imagine him, she thought. Just then she saw Chhaya rushing towards her, "Khushi.. Khushi, Payal…Payal just got drunk" she declared. "Jiji and drunk.. what are you saying. She never drinks" khushi ran out to find Payal in Akash's arms who was visibly upset and worried about her.
"Aakash. What happened." "I don't know Khushi, I just went out to take a call and when I came, I saw Payal holding a juice drink and blabbering around. I think someone spiked her drink." Anjali too came running to pacify a worried Khushi. "Hi.. I am Aakash's Di. Let us take both of you to our mansion. It might not be a wise idea to take her with you alone dear." Khushi then informed them that both she and Payal were staying put in the house of Preeto, her old neighbor and her parents will be shocked to see Payal right now. Between the three, it was decided that the sister would be staying with Aakash's family.
Loud horn of the car brought them back to their senses and they hurried Payal in the back seat with Aakash and Khushi on both sides. As soon as they reached the mansion, Payal was hurried to the Guest Room on the first floor just next to Anjali's. Anjali and Aakash went ahead to change and Anjali coaxed Khushi into wearing her clothes for the night. Now, with only Payal and Khushi in the room, Khushi covered Payal with the blanket and whispered, "Oh jiji.. I hope you are alright. What would I answer to Buaji if something happens to you. You should have listened to me.. we should have never come here." Tears rolled down her cheeks when she felt a hand on her shoulder.. "She will be fine by morning.. maybe a slight headache but otherwise its ok.. " Khushi felt her breath stop hearing this voice again. Arnav Malik… what was he doing here..
She shot up to look at him with bewildered eyes and was surprised to see the calm look on his face.. he possibly understood her confusion. "I am Arnav Singh Raizada now… Anjali Di and Aakash are my cousins. We all stay here together." He said in a matter of fact tone. Khushi was still confused when HP came to guide her to Anjali's room. She quietly picked up the satin night dress that Anjali handed over to her and went to the guest room to change. When she reached, Arnav was not there. It was late and Khushi was hungry.. she decided to walk down to the kitchen to see if she could find anything to eat or may be she could wake HP up. Anjali was still in the kitchen instructing HP for breakfast tomorrow when she saw Khushi coming to the Kitchen. "Arey Khushiji, will you like to eat something? I did not eat much at the event and was about to make some coffee and sandwiches for myself." Khushi was glad and took up the offer. "Anjaliji, the coffee is great.. It has been years that I had such a coffee.. reminds me of someone.."Khushi said dreamily just thinking how the coffee tasted like the one Arnav made for her and tada…. Out comes Arnav Ma.. no Arnav Singh Raizada out of the kitchen with his coffee mug and a raised eyebrow.. "Oh Khushiji, today we have had the fortune of tasting the coffee made by Chotey." Anjali exclaimed looking adoringly towards her brother. Khushi choked on the coffee. Of course, how stupid of her to forget that. She still savoured every bit of coffee till the last drop to her heart's content. She knew it was a never again moment and she wanted to preserve it forever. Arnav was observing her very intently. She felt conscious under his strong gaze and was unable to concentrate on the chatter she was having with Anjali. She got up with her coffee cup and picked up Anjali's as well and in her thoughts she walked towards the kitchen.
SMASH!!!! The noise of heavy pieces of glass breaking made Arnav and Anjali rush to the kitchen and the sight was scary. Khushi had dashed into HP who was busy keeping the cutlery and the crockery back in its place and the whole thing had crashed. Khushi's leg was bleeding heavily and she had a cut on her toe too.. "One thing you cant do properly. You are still the same irresponsible, clumsy girl. Oh God.. look at this cut. Are you crazy, cant you see where you walk and you HP are you blind as to not see this huge figure of a girl coming towards you?" Arnav thundered and HP was shivering with fear. "Arnav no… please.. HP had his back towards me and I dashed into him just as he turned back. Please.. its my fault" Khushi was scared for HP losing his job because of her and Anjali was already smelling some fire between the two of them. She had observed the way Arnav looked at Khushi and how she was all nervous around him. She decided to take a chance. "Chotey.. get the first aid please will you…" she glared at Arnav and took Khushi to sit on the sofa… the leg was still bleeding. Arnav walked in with the first aid box and sat on the sofa pulling Khushi's hurt leg on his lap. She flinched in pain and the pain was reflected in Arnav's eyes as well. He cleaned the wound and Khushi held his shoulder tight trying to bear the burning pain. "Chotey.. I think Khushiji may not be able to climb the stairs for now.. why don't we accommodate her on the ground floor itself next to your room. I can stay with her if you want.. any ways, payalji wont be up till late morning tomorrow and we have Aakash fussing over her already." She added with a mischievous smile.
Arnav had by now dressed Khushi's wound, "Di..its alright. HP will make the room ready and you don't need to wait. You have had a long day too and you must rest now. I think Khushi will just go to sleep after having the pain killers. We can have the doctor coming here tomorrow first thing in the morning." Khushi managed to stand up still holding Arnav's tshirt but the moment her foot touched the ground she winced in pain. "Can you just sit down for a moment please?" Arnav scowled at her. Anjali went to look over the room arrangement and then proceeded towards her room upstairs. As much as she wanted to ensure that Khushi is settled in the room, she wanted to let Arnav take lead and go ahead. Much to Khushi's protests, Arnav just picked her up and carried to the room. She was surprised to see the room so.. so.. so womanly. Warm colours, bright curtains, stars on the ceiling, chimes on the door.. just the way she loved. "This is very beautiful" she exclaimed just as he placed her on the bed. He went ahead and closed the door and she became nervous. What was he up to? He smirked at her discomfort and replied, "this room has a door directly to my room." If she was surprised, she did not show it. She looked blank. "oh.. ok" is all she could say and tried to sleep. Arnav disappeared into his room. The pain killer managed to show its effect and within a few minutes, Khushi was knocked out completely. Arnav had almost landed on the bed when HP hesitatingly came to his room handing him Khushi's phone. "woh.. Khushi bitiya ka phone kitchen mein reh gaya tha" and ran out for his life. Arnav Singh Raizada never checked a woman's phone before.. hell he never checked out anyone's phone before.. but now he was curious. "Khushi Kumari Gupta.. lets see your phone… 2 missed calls from.. What the hell – Khatra? As in Danger???.." He was now curious to know what this meant but the only 2 people who could answer him were dead asleep.. "ok.. one new message from Ishan – is this the fellow she was talking to – what does this say? Khushi… baccha take care.. Shyam is out.. had tried following me but he does not have any idea about your whereabouts. I don't want to scare you but please, try remaining in Lucknow at least for a week.. till I figure out what to do.. Call me when you are free dear.. Love you. – Ishan"
Khushi Kumari Gupta has lots to answer.. he thought as he fell asleep with her phone in his hand.
Anupamaa
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