This is dedicated to all those who are alone and have given up on love. Don't give up. You never know when you might meet someone who might be the one!
This belongs to the series What If. Read others here - What If ..
boreddamsel. No part of my work may be reproduced or shared without my permission.
Khushi picked up a box of King Arthur unbleached white flour and dumped it in her cart. She groaned as the speakers in the supermarket blasted "I belong to you".
"Enough already", She rolled her eyes and clenched her teeth. She walked along the baking aisle purposely ignoring the sections of pink cupcake liners and heart-shaped sprinkes. Ever since the new year began, the stores had Valentine's day merchandise for sale. To make things worse, all radio channels were playing lovey dovey music. Couples were clinging onto each other around her and everywhere she looked, she saw red, pink and white! Khushi hated the whole concept of Valentine's day. No, it had nothing to do with the fact that she had just gotten out of a serious relationship, as she tried to convince her friend, Payal. Why should society tell me when I should shower love on my loved ones? Hell, I do that every day!
Khushi groaned again as she pushed her cart into the frozen section and almost ran into a teenage couple kissing each other. Geez, get a room! She parked her cart next to the freezer and opened the door. She looked at the different cartons of icecreams and frozen yogurt and finally settled on StonyField Farms After Dark Chocolate. She stared at it and smacked her lips. You and me are going to have a good Valentine's day... Chocolate cake, chocolate frozen yogurt and spiked spicy hot chocolate. Who needs a date when you have food!
She turned around and dropped the frozen yogurt container in her cart. Then she saw him. Her heart skipped a beat. He was handsome, yes, but there was just something about him that made her knees weak. She sighed, as she watched him look at a box of Eddy's vanilla icecream. I am sure he is planning to surprise his, well not his wife; she saw no wedding ring. Well maybe its for his girlfriend on Valentine's day. She cursed under her breath. Screw V-day. She raised her eyebrows and looked away, when she realized he had looked up towards her. She pushed her cart towards the cashier.
Arnav looked at the Eddy's vanilla icecream carton in his hand. This should work. He felt someone watching him. He looked up and saw a girl look away from him. Was she watching me, he thought. She was cute. She was dressed in light blue sweatshirt and pants, which made her look even cuter. Well, the cute ones are always taken. He shrugged his shoulders, put the carton in his cart and pushed it towards the meat aisle.
"Oh beautiful!", Khushi exclaimed as she stepped out of her house and watched the sun rays reflect off the white snow. It was a beautiful sunny Winter day. The blizzard last weekend had left almost two feet of snow. But the past few days had been warm. She grimaced as she looked at the patch of ice in front of her house.
"Come, Poori." She looked down at the Pug that was sniffing around her feet. Poori looked up and barked at her, in joy. Normally she hated going for walks, but she loved being in the snow. Khushi held her leash, as Poori jumped forward in glee. She carefully treaded the ice and walked towards the trails near her house.
"Happy Valentine, Khushi." Khushi looked up to see her neighbor, Shyam, in his jogging attire running towards her. Khushi smiled. She wasn't too fond of Shyam. He never gave up any chance to flirt with her and ask her out, even when she had been with NK. She was sure he must have found out that she and NK had broken up, since he and NK worked at the same office. "I heard about the breakup. I am sorry."
Khushi nodded and shrugged her shoulders. "Thanks. I am fine."
"Do you have any plans for tonight?" Shyam grinned. "Want to go out for a drink?"
Khushi shook her head. "Oh I made plans with Payal already. Sorry. Maybe next time."
Shyam grinned again. "You know I will never stop asking you until you say yes. Anyways got to run now." He winked at her. He bent down to look at Poori. "Hey there, little girl." Poori growled and Shyam backed off. He looked at Khushi with a sheepish grin, said a quick bye and jogged towards their apartment building.
Khushi groaned. Made plans with Payal, yeah, right.
Flashback.
"Khushi, you should totally come with us. It will be fun."
Khushi looked up from her laptop at her friend, who was leaning against the door, her arms folded. Poori yawned and put her chin on Khushi's lap and Khushi leaned down to place a kiss on her head.
"Payal, I don't want to be a third wheel. You and Akash should have fun. It's Valentine's day. It's a day for.. well people like you."
Payal sat on the bed next to Khushi. "What do you mean, people like us? Khushi, how long will you sit and mourn about NK? You guys are done. You wasted six years of your life with him. Now its time to move on. Why don't Akash and I set you up with someone? Akash's cousin just moved here from New York few days ago. You should meet him. I haven't seen him yet, but Akash says he is hot. "
Khushi burst into laughter. "Since when did Akash start rating guys?"
Payal made an annoyed face. "Khushi, I am serious. Why don't you come out with us tonight? We will invite him and we can all hang out."
"No, I don't want to. I just want to cuddle in bed, read a book, watch a movie, and enjoy.."
Payal interrupted, rolling her eyes. "Yes, yes, I know.. the chocolate cake, icecream and a glass of spiked spicy hot chocolate. You told me, like a million times." She got off the bed and sighed. "It's your wish, Khushi. You know I care about you. I love you." She leaned closer and kissed her cheek and walked out the door.
Payal and Khushi had been friends since the age of three. They had gone to the same school, same college and had moved to USA together to pursue graduate studies. Now after school, they were lucky to find jobs in the same town; a beautiful rural town in Vermont.
"Whoa", Khushi's thoughts were interrupted as her foot slipped on the ice. She managed to regain her balance, but she let go off Poori's leash in the meantime. Suddenly she heard a bark from behind. Before she knew it, something soft had brushed against her, making her foot slip on the ice, again. A moment later, she was falling backward. She closed her eyes, waiting for the impact, when suddenly she felt hands on her arms. A cool breeze made her shiver. Her eyes flew open and met a pair of warm brown eyes. Khushi felt her heart skip a beat, again. She was surprised how her heart recognized him, even before her eyes did. It was the same guy from the supermarket.
"Are you alright?" OMG. His voice! Khushi felt weak in her knees. She realized her body was still slanted above the ice, supported by his hands. She nodded and he slowly helped her up on her feet. She smiled and was about to say thanks, when she heard barking. Her eyes opened wide, as she saw a huge golden Labrador retriever running around her timid Pug, wagging his tail and smelling her.
"Hey, the dog. Get away from.. aah." Her foot slipped again as she took a sudden step towards her dog. He grabbed her again, but this time he put an arm around her waist and she fell against his chest. She grabbed his sweater for support and gulped as she felt his tight chest under it.
Her thoughts were interrupted by his husky voice. "Don't worry. He won't hurt anyone. He's normally not this way with other dogs. He must really like her."
Khushi made an annoyed face and stepped away, carefully. "You ask your dog to stay away."
He smirked and nodded. He looked over her shoulder and screamed, "Aloo, come here, boy."
Khushi's eyes flew open. Aloo?
Flashback.
Payal laughed. "You will name her Poori, seriously? Who names their dog after Indian food?"
Aloo. Poori. They seem to be made for each other. Hai Devi Maiyya, what are you implying? Stop giving me hope. Stop this.
"The dogs seem to have taken quite a liking for each other." His voice brought her back to reality. She watched as both the dogs ran towards them. "Your dog is such a cutie." He sat down and scratched Poori's fur right above her tail. Poori licked his hand in return, visibly excited and happy to meet someone who knew how to pamper her.
Khushi opened her eyes wide. Poori was normally very timid with strangers. She was friendly only to Payal. She had been hesitant with Akash the first few times she met him. But she had slowly gotten used to him and was now comfortable around him.
"Huh?" Khushi asked, as she realized the guy had asked her something.
"What's her name?" He repeated.
"Oh, Poori." She said, with a sheepish grin, her cheeks turning a faint crimson.
He burst into laughter. "I was right. They are made for each other. Did you hear that you two?" He petted both the dogs and Khushi sighed, a smile on her face.
Just then, he looked over his shoulder at her. "Does Poori love vanilla icecream? I bought some at the store last night for Aloo." Oh, so it was not for a girlfriend, Khushi thought. "Do you mind if I give her some. I live right here." He pointed at the house behind them. Akash's building? I wonder if Akash knew him.
Say yes, girl. Say yes, Khushi.
"No, not now. Maybe some other time?" Khushi said, with a faint smile. "It was nice meeting you' and, thank you for umm.. saving me." He nodded with a smile. Khushi picked up Poori's leash and walked away. Khushi, you stupid.. why did you do that? No, I don't want to have my heart broken, not again. At least not now. She gulped to fight back tears.
Arnav sighed and watched the girl walk away. He raised his eyebrows. I don't even know her name, or where she lives. Is she studying? Is she working here? He looked down at Aloo, who was sitting on his hind legs, whining, watching Poori walk away. "I hear ya, buddy. I hear ya."
He turned around, and walked up the stairs to his apartment, Aloo following at his heels.
"Something smells good in here." Akash looked up, hearing Arnav's voice. Akash was standing in front of the stove, flipping pancakes.
"Hey dude, I am just making some pancakes. Payal will be coming over soon. I wanted to make her something special for breakfast, you know, Valentine's day and all."
Arnav stuck out his lower lip, with a naughty twinkle in his eyes. "And here I thought you and I had something special going on."
"I will always love you man." Akash chuckled and put his arms around Arnav.
"Whoa, whoa, keep those dirty hands off me, dude." Akash burst into laughter as Arnav pushed him away. Arnav picked up a plate from the counter, took one pancake on it, tore off a piece and put it in his mouth. He moaned, "These are amazing! That's one lucky girl you got there, dude."
"Well I am the lucky one. That's for sure." Akash smiled, looking at the pancakes. He looked up quickly. "By the way, you should come out with us tonight. Payal's friend might join us too."
Arnav shrugged his shoulders. "Na, you guys carry on. I cannot sit and watch you stick your tongue down her throat all night."
Akash giggled. "I don't do that."
Arnav continued, rolling up the pancake and taking a bite. "Well, maybe you won't, but I'm sure couples around us will. I cannot take any more cheesy romance. I mean what's wrong with the world. It's like a national holiday, the way its celebrated. Red, pink and white everywhere. Flowers, cakes, cupcakes ,give me a break!"
"Ok, Sir Anti-valentine, you may hate the day. But give this girl a chance. You might like Khushi. She is cute."
Arnav sighed. "Talking about cute girls, I met one yesterday. I ran into her again today."
Akash raised his eyebrows and folded his arms. "And?"
"And nothing. I don't even know her name."
"Aah well. I am sure there are plenty of cute girls around."
Arnav exhaled deeply and suddenly raised his eyebrows. "Well, I am sure there is no one like her. And you know what," He chuckled, "She even has a dog named Poori. Isn't that hilarious?" He chuckled again. His smile disappeared seeing the shock on Akash's face. "Dude, are you alright?"
"Something smells good in here." Arnav looked over his shoulder to see Payal walk in to the house.
Akash turned to Payal. "You won't believe this."
"What?" Arnav looked at Payal and Akash, confused.
š You want part two, dont you? I wasn't thinking of writing one, but now even I am curious how to make them meet. Let me think about it š
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Part 2 - Pg 6
Kumkum Bhagya
Tu Dhadkan Main Dil
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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