I always wonder what if the terrace scene where by Arnav saw Khushi & Shyam never happened. What could have happened then? A version:
His words replayed in her head several times, 'Khushi, I want to talk to you alone.' her heartbeats increased tenfold. Her eyes instantaneously searched for Arnav downstairs, but he was nowhere to be seen. His words echoed out loud to her 'ALONE'. "Hai Devi Maiya, he wants to speak to me, obviously he doesn't want even Laxmiji to hear us", looking at Laxmi who was strolling to and fro downstairs as if Naniji has asked her to supervise the decorating being carried out in the house. One last glance at Laxmi and she hurried away to the poolside, their poolside, well it had always felt like his and her personal terrain, the place many of their intimate encounters...the almost diwali kiss, the fairy lights...would today add on to their list?, her heart fluttering at miles "omg, what am I even thinking, this dhak dhak and acidity will get to the best of me one day.
He was by the poolside, waiting, and his thoughts deep as that of the pool water. It was time, it really was time, and he had never believed that this time would ever come in his life, the time when he would pour out his heart, declare that he, he Arnav Singh Raizada was indeed smitten, the time to confess was here. All these years he had never felt this nervous, this impatient for anything.
She made sure to lock his room, to avoid any interruptions by the poolside. Her instincts had been right, he was indeed by the poolside, waiting, waiting for her. Both felt the gust of wind, this time it came with a force much stronger than there had ever been. It was as if Devi Maiya was telling him that it was certainly the time, wait, did he now also believe in God? Khushi had changed him, changed him for the better, changed him to be the person he knew he was, the person he had hidden deep inside himself.
He turned around, taking a deep breath, his eyes stopping on the figure draped in a beautiful sari. His heart skipped a beat. Khushi walked slowly towards him, her eyes looking profoundly into his, and this time he moved back with each step she took forward until he came into contact with the wall, the very wall he had almost kissed her once before being rudely interrupted by Aman's phone call. He now seemed lost of words. Their eyes locked for what seemed like eternity.
"A...Arnavji...you wanted to speak to me alone?" breaking the eye-lock and now aware of how close they were actually standing, fiddling with her hands. "Yes Khushi", he cupped her cheeks and then raised her chin so that she was now facing him again. He ran his fingers in her silky long tresses of hair and gave her a quick peck on her cheek. She blinked rapidly, her mouth turning into an 'O' and then quickly composed herself again. She Repeated, "Arnavji..u ...wanted to..talk..alone?
Taking a deep breath, he brought his hands lightly around her waist and the words just seemed to flow , Khushi, I never thought I would be saying this to anyone, or even feel the beauty of what it has done to me..Khushi..Khushi, I Love you, I just Love you dammit!
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