ARHI FF: Do you feel loved? Note|Sep11|Pg75*NEW - Page 3

Part 4 - Introspection

Arnav was jolted out of his thoughts when he heard the click of the door. He saw Abhi walking into the suite looking exhausted. 'Did you find her?' Abhi didn't reply but nodded his head in the affirmative. Arnav let out the breath he was holding. 'How is she? Where was she?' 'Don't know. She was just walking it off I think.' Arnav nodded and sighed.

'You know Abhi, the night all that happened between me and Khushi, I was drunk! Did I ever tell you that?' If Abhi was shocked to hear this piece of information, he didn't show it. He just looked on at Arnav. 'I don't even remember half the things that happened. But I do remember being a jerk later on. When I woke up the next day, I felt like shit! I wanted to talk to her, apologize to her. But she never gave me the chance. She just up and left! What am I to do? I don't know what happened to me when I first saw her in that red dress! I mean it was Khush!! I'd never before thought of her in any other way than my best friend. When she said she loves me, looking like a million bucks in red, I just momentarily lost control. It took me months after that day for me to come to terms with what I felt for her. You know that! But she never gave me the time to deal with all the things that were happening. They happened too fast! Didn't I need the time to process those?' Arnav ran an anguished hand through his hair. All of a sudden he looked so vulnerable. Abhi had never seen him like this before. Never had Arnav been wound up about a girl! Wait a minute! 'Arnav, you never said any of these things to me before! So what are you saying? You love her too? Then what about all those girls you've been hanging out with from these past 2 years?' Arnav looked sheepish. 'You're right! I was just hanging out with them. Not that I didn't want to do more, but somehow I could never do it! I don't know if it's love or what! All I know is that I never got a chance to explore it further!' Abhi gave him an incredulous look! 'What do you mean explore it further? You know Khushi is not that kind of a girl! She wants love and commitment and ultimately marriage Arnav! It's better if we drop it right here. You don't want any of those things'. 'Explore it emotionally is what I meant. And how do you know that ultimately I can offer those things to the right girl? I'm not saying I'm ready to do that today, but don't totally write me off! Anyway, let bygones be bygones. I'm glad she's ok. Let's pack!'

Abhi turned away to go to his room to pack. He needed time to process what all Arnav just revealed. But he was halted by Arnav's words 'So? It can't be a coincidence that of all the places in the world, the girls would end up here! I'm guessing you had something to do with it?' Abhi gave him a sheepish grin 'And La obviously!' and walked away. Arnav shook his head in disbelief, but his thoughts went back to Khushi again. Only he knew how hard it was for him these past years without talking to her or seeing her. Knowing that she's unhappy, staying away from everyone because she loved him and he screwed up! When he got into Harvard Business School, his dream, almost a year and a half ago, he couldn't even share the good news with her. With all his family and friends surrounding him, hugging him, saying congratulations, he'd felt so alone not having her be a part of it all. 'Khushi!' he whispered, 'Am I so bad that you don't even want to listen to what I have to say or give me another chance?' He shook his head to clear out his thoughts. He had to go find her...talk to her...reason with her! He made up his mind and stormed out of the hotel in search of Khushi.

Meanwhile, Khushi was staring out the living room window of their cottage. Her mind was blank. She just couldn't think anymore. She had replayed the events of that night a million times already in the past couple of years. She had tried to take the blame and forgive Arnav...she had been raging mad at him for kissing her and then telling her that it won't work out the next minute...she had been very angry at herself for giving in, what with being the sober one n' all! She had twisted and turned that night in all possible ways, but ultimately there was only one conclusion...her heart was broken that night...irreparably! That was the bottom line! And she wasn't about to break it again by giving him a chance, no, not even a chance at friendship! It was done! Over! She had to look ahead...move forward! And so, when La put a hand on her shoulder, she got up with a start and turned around to look at her friend with such force and fury, that La literally staggered back in shock! 'What the hell were you thinking La?' ' I'm sorry Koo. I really am! I just thought it's about time to let go and face it! I mean you've been moping and sad for so long that I just couldn't bear it anymore! I care for you and I love you know.' 'I know you do, but who gave you the right to turn my perfectly smooth sailing life upside down again?! I want to go back to Baltimore right now, on the next flight. I'm calling the airlines to prepone my ticket. You can stay here for the remaining 3 days. I'll see you back home, ok?' Khushi grabbed her phone and her purse and stormed out! She needed more air...she needed to get away from here!

She had such a purposeful stride that she didn't notice where she was going. She walked outside her cottage and bumped straight in to someone. He steadied her and she looked up straight into his caramel brown eyes...