Arshi SS: Love or Marriage Pt8, Pg 67, 26/01 - Page 30

"And that's the bathroom.. and here is my room."

Arnav watched as Lavanya pointed to a door in the farthest corner of the living room. Their house was small, but cozy. He remembered a year ago when he had taken the two-bedroom apartment with NK and the place had been nearly empty, except for the mattress and suitcases in their rooms. A few months later, Lavanya had moved in with NK and she had bought furniture at a yard sale, and turned the empty house into a home. Now the living room had a sofa, a recliner and a coffee table, facing a television, for playing video games. The kitchen had been stocked up with utensils; none of them cooked well, but they loved to eat. The windows had curtains and the bathroom and kitchen had matching towels and rugs.

It was Arnav who had introduced Lavanya to NK. When they started dating, La had started spending a lot of time in their apartment, in fact it was Arnav who had asked La to move in with them; he knew NK and La wanted to, but he knew they had hesitated only because they weren't sure how he would react. They had tried to set him up with their friends, but he had never met a girl who he had wanted to spend time with.. until now.

Arnav looked at Khushi; she nodded and smiled as La talked, but her eyes were distant. "Stay here, Khushi. Give me a moment." La said, just before she disappeared into her room. Khushi bit her lower lip; she knew Arnav was watching her. But she wasn't sure what to do or say. She remembered her dream from last night and her heart was beating wildly. She wanted to turn around and run into his arms. She knew she would feel safe there, in his arms. He would put his arms around her, hold her close and kiss her softly at first and then with a passion that would..

"La, let me sleep." NK's complaints interrupted Khushi's thoughts. She smiled as she watched La dragging NK out of the room; he was half-asleep and his eyes were closed. He made an annoyed face, while he struggled to pull down his t-shirt. La stopped right in front of Khushi and NK slowly opened his eyes. His eyes opened wide when he saw Khushi and a sheepish grin appeared on his face. He pulled his t-shirt down and scrambled quickly into Arnav's room, muttering apologies under his breath. The door shut behind him.

"Sorry about that. He didn't get much sleep last night and all day today. Interning at Mass General Hospital means no sleep, ever". La said, smiling. She touched Khushi's arm. "Why don't you go freshen up? Then you can get some sleep, if you are tired. Arnav was just going to make us some dinner."

"La..?" Lavanya ignored Arnav, but smiled as Khushi quietly walked into the bathroom and closed the door behind her. As soon as the bathroom door closed, Arnav grabbed Lavanya's wrist and pulled her into her room. He closed the door and turned to her. "What's happening? What is Khushi doing here?" He asked, in a low voice, not wanting Khushi to hear their discussion.

Lavanya exhaled deeply and collapsed on the bed. "I don't know. She won't tell me." Her brows narrowed, as she added, "Something is wrong. I know it. That's why I didn't let her go back home alone and made her come home with me, even though she didn't want to." She paused, and looked at Arnav, who was watching her keenly. "I think her husband might have slapped her."

Arnav's eyes opened wide. His hands curled into fists as he took a step towards her, screaming. "What.. he did what..? How did this happen.. I am not going to let him… " He turned towards the door and grabbed the knob, when Lavanya jumped up and grabbed his arm.

"Arnie, stop." Arnav closed his eyes, trying to control his anger. "Don't try to be her knight in shining armor right now. She doesn't need that. She wants a friend, and that's what you have to be. Give her some time to accept what's happening. Give her some space to make her own decision. Respect her; be there for her. If you try to push yourself on her now, she will run away. She is waiting for a reason to go back to him. Don't scare her away." His eyes flew open and he turned to look at La. She smiled and touched his cheek. "I know you care about her. But let her fight her battles."

Arnav smiled and nodded. La smiled and then wrinkled her nose, as she looked around. The room was a mess. NK had left his books and clothes lying everywhere. Arnav chuckled and helped Lavanya clean the room. While folding the clothes, he could feel his heart beating wildly in his chest. His heart knew; she was in the next room. Control yourself; you don't want to scare her away, he told himself. La's words echoed in his head.

A pressure cooker whistled, startling them. Arnav and Lavanya looked at each other, their eyes wide open. Arnav jumped to his feet and opened the door. They stepped out and saw Khushi rolling a puri on the counter and frying another one in a wok. The smell of fried onions filled the living room. The door next to them opened and NK stepped out, his eyes closed, but with a smile on his face. "Wow yaar, that smells so good." Arnav smirked; Lavanya giggled and Khushi smiled.

Ten minutes later, NK licked curry off his fingers and let out a moan. "Wow, that was the best meal ever. Khushi, that was too good. You have to cook for us every night from now on."

Lavanya slapped his arm and shook her head. She turned to Khushi, "You do cook really well, Khushi. I have not had such soft puris ever since I came here. Your food reminded me of my mom. And the potatoes, wow.. they just melted in my mouth. Perfect.. right, Arnie."

Arnav was staring at his plate, without saying a word. La hit his arm with her elbow, startling him. He looked at Khushi and nodded. "Perfect. Just perfect."

Khushi felt a chill down her spine. She swallowed as she felt Arnav's gaze on her. She felt warm all over; her insides churned with emotions… emotions that she had never felt before.. feelings she never knew she had. Their eyes met and lingered, neither wanting to look away.

Lavanya cleared her throat and Khushi looked away. She took her plate and walked to the sink. Lavanya stared at Arnav and he shook his head, as he added. "The food is just perfect, La. Why can't you cook like this, huh? All you do around here is make tea, well if you can call leaves floating in water, tea." Lavanya opened her mouth wide and slapped Arnav's arm. He laughed, and she made an annoyed face. Khushi heard his laughter and she felt a prick in her heart; she wondered if she could ever make Arnav laugh that way.

Somewhere, a clock struck midnight. A door opened and Khushi stuck her head out. The house was completely dark. She groped around in the dark, trying to find a way into the kitchen. She didn't want to switch on the light; she did not want to wake anyone up. Especially not Arnav, her inner voice reminded her. Her fingers closed around the tap; she found a plastic tumbler next to sink. She placed it under the water. Once the tumbler was half-full, she took a sip of water and then stopped. She thought she heard a creaking sound. She gulped and turned around to find her way back into her room. Just as she reached the end of the counter, she crashed against someone. The tumbler fell to the floor, splashing water all over her body. She shivered as she felt the cold water at her feet. She grabbed the arms of the person in front of her. She froze, as her fingers traced bulging muscles. She inhaled a musky smell; this was him. She closed her eyes, begging her heart to slow down. Surely he could hear the loud heart beats. Her eyes flew open as she felt the overhead light come on. Their eyes met and the familiar warm sensation washed all over her.

Arnav was laying awake, staring into the dark. Suddenly he thought he heard water running. Hearing the water made him thirsty. He groped in the dark to find his water bottle, but in vain. He got up from his bed; the floor creaked under him. He slowly walked to the door, opened it quietly, not wanting to wake up others; his heart ached as he remembered her smiling face. He sighed .. she was in the same house, so close, yet so far away!

Arnav walked into the darkness. Just as he stepped into the kitchen, he crashed into someone. Khushi. It had to be her. His heart recognized her, even if he couldn't see her. His heart went into overdrive when she was near. He froze as he felt soft hands on his arms. His fingers groped the wall for the light switch and soon the room filled with light. Her eyes were closed and she was shivering, he noticed. His eyes opened wide, as he realized she was covered with water. She was wearing Lavanya's pyjamas. Her cotton top, held together by thin straps, was wet and stuck to her chest and her shorts stopped mid-thigh, revealing smooth long legs that were covered with water droplets. Arnav gulped and looked at her face, knowing that he wouldn't be able to control himself if he looked at her body a moment longer. Their eyes met. Arnav stepped away, looking awkward. Khushi raised her eyebrows and looked down; she hugged herself, shivering as she realized what Arnav must have seen.

Flashback.

"I can't wear this."

"Khushi", Lavanya giggled. "Are you shy about wearing this around me?" Khushi gulped, looking at the pink satin slip and shorts in her hand. Lavanya added, "You don't have to leave the room. Arnav sleeps like a baby, so even if you have to leave the room in the middle of the night, he won't wake up. NK has to work tonight, and he won't be back until tomorrow evening". Khushi still looked unsure. La smiled, as she added, "It's just for tonight. We can go shopping tomorrow".

Arnav bent down to pick up the tumbler and Khushi jumped back. Arnav stood up and walked to the sink quickly with the tumbler, "Let me get you another glass of water." When he looked up, he saw her running into Lavanya's room, hugging herself. She closed the door, leaned against it and slid down onto the floor; a tear rolled down her cheek.

Arnav opened the bathroom door. A smile appeared on his face, as he watched Khushi laughing at something Lavanya was saying. She was wearing a bright red kurta and a pair of faded blue jeans. Arnav recognized the kurta he had gifted Lavanya for her birthday. He walked into the kitchen and Lavanya looked up. Khushi's smile disappeared.

"Look, Arnie. Khushi made us lunch tiffins. She even packed breakfast and lunch tiffins for NK". She turned to Khushi and threw her arms around her. "Isn't she awesome?" She smiled at Khushi and added, "I will be right back." She walked to the bathroom.

Arnav sat down at the kitchen table and his face lit up seeing parathas on his table. "Hmm.." he murmured his approval. Not hearing any reply, he looked up at Khushi. She was staring at her plate, avoiding his eyes.

Arnav exhaled deeply and said, softly, "Khushi I am sorry about last night. I shouldn't have scared you like that. It won't happen again, ok? Next time I will take a bottle of water to my room when I sleep". Khushi still stared at her plate, her fingers shivering as she tore a piece of paratha. "And if I do step out of my room, I will put on the lights first. I don't want you to feel uncomfortable staying here. We are all friends here. But if you want, I can go stay with other friends until I find another place to move to. .. or I can.. "

Khushi jumped up from her seat and took a step back. Arnav got up from his seat, confused. She shook her head, still looking away. "No, please. Arnav, its just.. Everything is happening so fast.." Tears rolled down her cheeks.

Arnav took a step closer to her. He lifted his hand to place it on her arm, but stopped himself. Khushi burst into tears and hugged herself. Arnav ran to her and took her slim body into his arms. She threw her arms around him and pressed her head against his chest and continued to cry. Arnav slowly caressed her hair with one hand and her lower back with the other, pressing her body against his, trying to calm her down. Unknown to them, Lavanya had stepped out of the bathroom. She had seen them in the kitchen and slowly tiptoed into her bedroom, closing the door behind her.

Arnav pressed his cheek against her hair as he caressed her gently. "Ssshh Khushi. Don't cry. Everything will be fine." He whispered, softly into her hair.

Khushi was shivering as she grabbed his shirt and rambled on."I have to go back. I should. What will Ma say if she hears about this. She is the reason I am alive today and if she hears that I left Shyamji .. she will be devastated".

Arnav closed his eyes. So she is worried about her mother more than her husband. Is it wrong to feel relieved hearing that, he wondered.

He pressed his lips gently on her hair and whispered, "Khushi your mother will want you to be happy. Whatever you do, do it only because it makes you happy and that is what will make others who love you happy."

Khushi's eyes flew open. She looked up at his face, her body still pressed against his. She looked into his eyes; his eyes, deep, warm and loving. She felt a tingly sensation all over her. He looked at her with so much love and affection. No one had ever looked at her like that before. She wanted to be loved, she longed to feel loved, to feel special. She could feel his love as he had embraced her and as he comforted her. She longed for more.

Khushi stared at his lips and her lips parted gently. Arnav pressed his lips together and gulped. Khushi grabbed his shirt, pulled herself up on her toes and leaned closer to him. Arnav looked into her eyes; he knew what was going to happen and he knew how much he wanted it. But he couldn't allow it to happen, not this way. She was upset. She wasn't thinking straight.

Arnav took her hands in his, placed a kiss on both of them and stepped away. Khushi looked at him confused. He touched her cheek, pressed his lips against her forehead and whispered, "I don't want you to do anything that you will regret later."

Khushi watched, her eyes wide open with shock, as Arnav stepped towards the counter, picked up a notepad and a pen. As he scribbled on the paper, he said. "Here are our numbers. Call La or me if you need anything. We have an exam today, otherwise one of us could have stayed with you today. La will be free in three hours; she will come back then. The spare keys are on the wall next to the door, if you need to step out of the house".

He stopped and looked at her. She was staring at him, shocked.

Does he not care about me? How could you be so stupid? Of course he doesn't. Who would love you? You deserve no one. You don't deserve love. That's why he didn't want to kiss you. Maybe you deserve only to be slapped.

Unaware of what was going on in Khushi's head, Arnav asked, "Do you have a phone?" He paused, and realized she hadn't heard him. He added, "Khushi?" She looked at him and shook her head. He took a phone out of his pocket and handed it to her. "Here keep mine. If you need anything, call La. Her number is in here".

Khushi took a step back and shook her head. "I can't take your.."

Arnav's voice interrupted her. "Khushi, I am not asking you. I am telling you. Do you understand?" She gulped and nodded.

Arnav smiled and sat down. He inhaled the smell of paratha, tore a piece and moaned as it melted in his mouth. Tears formed in Khushi's eyes.

Arnav looked up, as he saw La run into the practice room scared. The room became silent, as his friends stopped playing their instruments. They were practicing for his upcoming gig at a restaurant.

"Arnie, she isn't at home". Arnav jumped up from his seat, shocked. "She left your phone at home. I called her home, no one picked up. We have to go to find her. I hope she is alright". Arnav nodded, worried.

A tear rolled down Khushi's cheek. Fingers gently wiped away the tear. She turned around to face her companion; Shyam smiled at her and shook his head. A faint smile appeared on Khushi's face.