Upd!SS:Love in Delhi University#2:CHP19:Pg135 - Page 35

Arnav was welcomed by Akash, NK and another person, who had surely taken him by surprise: Lavanya. He walked out of T3 Terminal of IGI Airport, Delhi and was embraced in warm bear hugs from NK and Akash. He greeted Lavanya curtly and looked at her a bit quizzically. He couldn't put the puzzle piece in the right place. Noticing the changing looks of surprise and confusion on Arnav's face, Lanvanya and NK exchanged looks and smiled. Both of them looked down and Arnav followed their action inquisitively and his eyes widened at what he saw. NK and Lavanya's fingers were interlocked. His face reflected pleasant surprise as he looked up. "Congratulations!" he wished with a small happy smile.

As Akash took his bag from his shoulder, "When?" he asked. The sun was at its peak; it was a late afternoon, reflecting everyone's sunny mood. They were walking towards the parking lot when Lavanya revealed their story. They had met in a caf, Lavanya tried making Arnav remember that day. "Achchca! Yeah! They day you guys bullied me and dragged me to that place, trying to make me talk?" Arnav asking, looking at NK and Akash. "Hmm.. Usi din.. Chupe rustam nikle humare NK bhai!" added Akash mischievously. (Yeah. That very day. NK turned out to be a sneaky master, eh?)

"There's something more" said Lavanya, bringing everyone to a halt. NK looked down and Lavanya raised her left hand and Akash and Arnav looked boggled. On her ring finger shined a pretty diamond. Super big warm hugs and announcement of a party followed the revelation of Lavanya-NK's engagement. Arnav smiled at Lavanya and NK's happiness as she revealed their tale to him. She told him about how they had planned out Arnav-Khushi basketball meet and then one thing led to another. They started meeting each other frequently.

Lavanya moved on to go masters in Journalism and NK went on to do MBA. Alongside, their love story grew too and it was before long when they realized they loved each other. "Why didn't I know about it? It's not like we were out of contact or anything" asked Arnav casually. They had almost reached NK's black SUV. "We wanted to surprise you" replied Lavanya, simply, sharing a smile with her love. "You sure did" muttered Arnav in return.

NK opened the trunk of his car and Akash dumped Arnav's bagpack in it but Arnav stood with his trolley, scanning the area around through his dark aviators, looking for something. "She's not here, Bhai" he heard NK say as he put a palm on his shoulder. Trying to hide the subtle disappointment behind his shades, he turned back and put is trolley in with his bag.

The drive was live with talks. "Bhai, you really don't have to stay there. Even my Ma was saying the same. Why don't you stay with us?" Akash tried convincing but Arnav didn't reply and kept staring out the window, drinking in the sights of the familiar streets whizzing past. Not much had changed, he noticed. Akash was still the caring kind, NK, the goofy one and Lavanya, the prim and proper one. "Haan, Nannav. Reconsider, yaar. Why would you want to stay in that one room flat all by yourself when you can easily stay with anyone of us" urged NK, staring at the road with his hands on the steering wheel. Lavanya was beside him and Akash and Arnav were at the backseat.

Arnav had made Akash look for a small apartment for him, where he could live and work. They had found one too in Mayur Vihar and that is where all of them were heading. There was no way Arnav was going back to RM. The car finally screeched to halt before a three storey building. He wanted to see this place first, he had urged and others had to give in. Arnav jumped down from the car, and put his glares back on before he looked up to check out his new home; white and cream on the outside with balconies from each floor jutting out. It was decent enough though the colour had started to blacken a little. They entered through an old and little rusted gate. He looked around and noted the place. Though it wasn't the best, it was all he could afford from what he had saved from his scholarship and part-time job. Akash had already met with the landlord before and greeted him pleasantly when they met him again.

"Gautam Chadha" he introduced himself, smiling. He looked decent, maybe around forty years of age. His built was tall but not very bulky and the smile made him seem more amiable. Trying not to judge any further, Arnav shook his hand and took the keys of his room on the second floor from him. All of them trudged up the narrow stairs with the entire luggage. Finally, halting before a white door, which resembled the rest in the entire building, Arnav put his key in and opened the door to his room.

"I did the best I could" informed Akash, slumping the luggage on the floor as all of them trickled in, one at a time. Arnav looked around. It was just one modestly big room with mosaic floor. It had no bed but just a mattress and pillow against the right wall. He had requested Akash to get that. He didn't want a bed. The only extra were the light yellow bed-sheet and pillow-cover, which Akash added himself. A window opened right above his 'bed' and on its left was the door leading out to the balcony. It had a curtain; Arnav noticed and looked at Akash with raised eyebrows. "Ma" Akash mouthed silently. The wall adjacent to the entrance door had small old blue fridge attached to it and a cupboard too. To his right was the kitchen and to his left was the bathroom. He walked up to the second door and opened it. He walked out to the balcony and checked out the secluded road before the building. This was just what he had in mind; away from the hustle bustle and in a more residential area. "I like it" he announced with a smile, turning towards Akash.

Once back inside the room, "I've got your internet set-up" announced NK as he took out a pocket modem. "..and Ma has sent you sheets and duvets which I've kept in the cupboard" added Akash. "..and there's some burgers and noodles in your fridge, in case you get hungry soon. For your information, there are small grocery stores nearby. You can get most the stuff there. NK and I looked around the place" informed Lavanya. Arnav stood there, overwhelmed and didn't know what to say. Life was like yin-and-yang. Part of it was black and part of it was white and the reflection of it stood right before him. "Thank you" he mumbled as the other three smiled. "Ok, you must be tired from the long flight. We should get going" announced Akash loudly, checking his watch. It was before long the prattle exited and finally Arnav was left to himself.

Evening had started setting in and the cool breeze had started their course. The sun had begun to retire and now, was hiding behind the tall buildings on the west. The room had begun dimming by the minute but Arnav didn't switch on the light. Sighing, he slumped down on the mattress and leaned against the wall behind. Life was just beginning now. He closed his eyes and cracked his shoulders, trying to wear out the fatigue. He made a mental note of meeting Nani and Khushi the first thing tomorrow. They had no idea about this plan of his. His head had just plopped on the pillow as he finally decided to call it day but time held something else in store. The doorbell rung.

He got up wordlessly. It was probably the landlord or his mates and he didn't want to appear rude to any of them. Hiding his frustration, he opened the door casually, without any expectation but was taken aback when he saw the person at the door: his Khushi. His eyes widened in shock and Khushi jumped in to hug him in entirety, almost choking him to death. "Tum yahan? Kaise?" he asked but got no answer. (You're here? How?) Finally, after sometime, Khushi replied without looking up. "Apko kya laga? Mujhe pata nehi hoga ki aap yahan reh rahe hain?" she replied (You thought I wouldn't know that you were back in Delhi and staying here?)

Slowly, as it sunk in, Arnav's hand coiled around her body too, in the darkness of the room. This was real. This was happening. Strange, how the world can change in a day. Not more than forty eight hours back, he was on the other side of the globe and now he was holding his lady love in his arms. His eyes closed and lips curved into a soft smile as he felt a part of him returning back to life; a part which he had hidden away from the rest of the world. His heart. It was like oasis to a stranded traveller. His grip tightened, sending out a thank you note to the world's best-est friends.

Kicking the door close, he turned around and Khushi pushed him against the door. Arnav smiled as his finger trailed her long cascading hair. He nuzzled against her ears and hair, taking in her shampoo's smell and kissing it. It seemed like a long time that they stood like that, with Khushi's head buried in Arnav's neck and Arnav caressing Khushi. Life finally felt good. Cautiously, Arnav broke the hug; he had to. Khushi looked up startled and Arnav noticed that her eyes were red and teary. "I need to breathe" chuckled Arnav, making Khushi blush and shy away in turn. This time, he noticed her properly. He was wrong earlier, things had changed. Khushi was no longer what she was. Her eyes held confidence and she had grown as person. Her hair was no longer properly tucked in with clips and braided tightly but instead she had short flicks on her forehead and her hair was open. He liked what he saw. Arnav noticed her blush in the lights of the setting sun and his fingers, out of their own will, traced her warm flushed cheeks. Khushi's eyes fluttered close, relishing the feel of it.

Arnav cupped her face and looked straight into her eyes. Unable to contain herself anymore, Khushi's tears trailed down and she dived back and rested her face at the crook of Arnav's neck. She needed more to convince herself that Arnav was really back. Arnav smiled and held her in his arms. It felt so good. So right. The way it was supposed to be. "I'm back, Khushi. I'm finally back and this time, no one's coming between us. It's just you, me and the future" he murmured softly in her ears, staring down on her shoulders. Wiping her glistening tears away, Khushi took a step back and looked at his face. Her fingers went up and felt his stubble.. "Can you stay here?" she asked with quivering voice as she looked around place. She knew Arnav wasn't used to a life like this. In an answer, Arnav took her palm from his cheek and kissed it and Khushi understood it was a 'yes'. Khushi took a step in towards him and Arnav grinned.

Cupping her face, he drew her in and dipped his head. Khushi closed her eyes in anticipation and in the end felt Arnav's lips come down on hers. She went on her toes, asking for more. Her knees melted and she clutched Arnav's shoulder for support and Arnav gathered her in, lovingly. Both were insatiable. Breaking only for oxygen, they would dive in the very next moment, pressing in for more. Their tongues clashed against each other like swords in a war. Their lips felt rightly set against each other. They wanted more. They needed more. His lips went to up to the side of her nose to her cheeks. His fingers twined around Khushi's hair and gently tugged her head back, exposing her pale long neck. His lips trailed down her neck, kissing, suckling, nibbling, leaving a warm yet a cool trail in its wake.. He moved on to the other side and repeated his moves and ultimately, he broke away and cupped her face down to press his lips against her for the longest time before he finally let go.

Khushi stepped back, adjusting her dupatta. Their breathing was rugged. She wasn't looking him in the eye and Arnav smirked at that. No matter how much she'd grown up, he still had the same effect on her. He liked that. Gathering her back into his arms, he kissed her on forehead. "I love you" he whispered. They lay against the door, living in the charm they had created around them. Finally, swooping her up in to his arms, he walked her up to his mattress and gently put her down.

He settled down against the wall and pulled Khushi in by her arm. She crawled her way in and settled between Arnav's legs, with her back and shoulders on his chest. His hands locked around her waist, cuddling her in. No one switched on the light and stayed like that in dark. The only light came from the balcony outside. They lay there for few hours, talking about this and that, his plans, her future and how much they had missed each other. His fingers trailed up from behind and tucked hair behind her ears as he bent down to nuzzle her behind her ears as she told him about something unimportant but sadly, as they say, all good things have to come to an end, Khushi phone buzzed. "Saat baj gaye! Buaji!!" (It's seven already!!) she muttered and quickly received the call. "Haan Buaji, hum abhi aa rahe hain!" (Yes, Buaji, I'm on my way) Arnav heard Khushi say. It was almost dark, Arnav walked Khushi up to the nearest metro. They shared one last smiling glance before Khushi turned away to the security. Arnav walked back to his apartment, smiling.

~

Similar days followed. Khushi got over with her graduation and was now appearing for the entrance exams of Post Graduation. She wanted to get into the prestigious Delhi School of Economics, Department of Sociology under Delhi University. "You'll get in" Arnav reassured as she exited the examination hall with jittery feelings. She was in no mood to move away from Delhi and her first university. Delhi had other universities too but Khushi had literally lost her heart to this one. As the exams passed and she waited for her results, she spent her days in three parts. She would finish up her intern job in the new office she had joined as soon as possible and then come down to Arnav's place and spend time with his friends as they worked together and then go home for the night.

Khushi would listen intently to Arnav like Akash and NK did as they worked together. Arnav had collaborated with Michelle's father in America who was an owner of big fashion house back there. He had interned there for a year and he knew the nitty-gritties of the system as he studied everything around him well. Everyone was spellbound at how Arnav had his idea so clear in his mind. Everything was planned and set, leaving Khushi at awe. He was one determined man and he knew how to do it right. He took no bullshit and never compromised when it came to work. He spewed fire when he was in a work mode and no employee wanted to cross him but he never lost his temper with his four mates. If pissed, he would just get a little too curt and that would set everyone right. He was a born ruthless business man.

Lavanya trained Khushi and they together worked the HR department. Khushi had given up her last job. Slowly but steadily, things had started to grow. They had set up a small office in Arnav's room from where they functioned initially but later they had to shift to a bigger place as more and more people started getting recruited. Life was never a bed of roses, there were tiffs and clashes but friends as they all were, they would sort it out. As for Arnav and Khushi, they had their fair share of fights too but as soon the people would leave, they would kiss and make up.

The Great Wall of China wasn't built in a day and neither was their industry; 'Analk' they called it. Lavanya had come up with the word which comprised of the first letters from everyone's name. Once, after a day of hardwork, all of them came back to Arnav's place from a client to whom they weren't able to sell their idea. This was the seventh failure in a row and Arnav was hugely disappointed. This was one of the toughest times in their building stage. He banged his fist on the table. "We're going wrong somewhere" Arnav complained as everybody settled down around the big glass round table but Khushi. There was a hole in the tube and he just couldn't figure out where. She stood by doorway with a grim face. She was affected as much as anyone else. She knew she was just learning and she didn't have any formal knowledge like the rest but she had noticed their mistake. She had read people's expression during their presentation and she forced herself to speak up after a lot of debating inside in her head. "Mujhe pata hain hum kahan galti kar rahe hain" (I know where we're going wrong) she spoke up, mustering up her courage.

Everyone turned to look at her from the table. Arnav raised his eyebrows. "Our figures are poor and that is what we present to them. Nobody would invest seeing our figures, even I wouldn't. It's better if we present facts instead. I'm not saying this is the best way out but we can at least try. We'll be transparent as we are supposed to but will just present things in a different way" Khushi spoke up, uninterrupted from her place. A moment of silence followed before NK nodded in acknowledgment. "I think she's right!" said NK and Arnav nodded. His little minx never failed to take him by surprise. He was impressed and that came out as a heavy session of making out after everyone had left.

Together, they had learnt to surpass the glitches on their way. There was a huge celebration in the office when Khushi had made it through Delhi School of Economics. The afternoon before the results was filled with anticipation in their small board room. Once they got to know that Khushi had made it, everyone cheered and she had kissed Arnav in her adrenalin rush only to blush like a tomato later when everyone teased her. She worked and studied side by side.

It was before long when people started walking away. No one was to be blamed as personal growth mattered a lot too. Lavanya had got a great job offer from a National Daily and Arnav himself asked her to take it up. NK was called back to handle his father's export business. NK's older brother was supposed to handle it but the company had begun to crumble under him and his father pleaded NK to takeover instead. Arnav, Akash and Khushi bid them farewell with a smile and teary eyes but never did they let it hinder their work growth.

..And as for Arnav and Khushi, they would steal moments together out of their busy schedule pretty often. Arnav and Khushi would go back to Arnav's place where they would work and "work" at the same time but they never crossed the line. Sometimes they would talk about their future too, hoping and shaping it in their in their minds. Khushi knew how important it was for him to take back his rights from Malik and thus never forced anything on him but Arnav understood. They were on the bed in Arnav's new, larger and more posh apartment, with Arnav against the wall and Khushi back against his chest. They were in their relaxing mood when Arnav reassured her. "Khushi, they day I take over Malik's office, I'll ask you to marry me" whispered Arnav. Khushi smiled gently and turned back. "I know that and I'll wait for you till then" replied Khushi, looking straight into Arnav's caramel eyes.

~

Chapter 16: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/73911726

Ignore Typos.. To lazy to proofread

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