Part 7 - Being Civil
Arnav and Khushi did not get a chance to see each other again in Capri. Arnav and Abhi left to Boston early next morning. Abhi knew everything was not alright between his best friend and Khushi. Arnav was awfully quiet and brooding and Abhi didn't prod him for any information.
Khushi on the other hand told La everything that happened.
'You think I did the right thing La? You think I should have given him a chance?'
'You do whatever you think is right for you Koo. Maybe now that you'll be going back home, you'll get a chance to find out if he has really changed. There's no hurry to jump into things right away, y'know?! But know this! Whatever you decide now or later, I'll always be by your side.''
The girls hugged it out and Khushi felt a lot better about her decision now that La knew about it. That was the thing about girlfriends...they were your rock! You could count on them anytime. Khushi knew that La would do anything to cheer her up and she felt instant gratification towards her best friend.
----
2 months later
Vienna, VA
'I've never been happier, Ram. It was as if this whole house was dead when our Khushi wasn't here. Now, I feel like old times again. Ram? Ram! Where are you lost?'
Jahnavi Gupta noticed that her husband wasn't listening to anything she said. She sighed! Jahnavi was a simple lady. Her home, her husband and her 2 girls were her world. She was beautiful with a simple grace that made her approachable by everyone. But people who knew her well never mistook her easy charm to be her weakness. She was fiercely protective of her family. She shook her husband out of his trance. He jerked his head toward her.
'What did you say Jahnu? I'm sorry I was thinking about our Khushi'
Jahnavi laughed. 'I was talking about her too Ram'
'What do you think happened? 2 years and now? What made her not come back home and now what changed her mind? I'm terribly worried! Why doesn't anyone tell me anything around here?'
'I don't know anything myself. I've tried to talk to her many times but she refuses to answer my questions. But Ram...' she trailed off.
'I know what you're going to say Jahnu. It's got something to do with Arnav, isn't it?'
'Yes. I think it is. But what made her change her mind? Do you think they've worked it out? I wish I knew what's cooking between those two! You know what kind of reputation Arnav has. I get worried for our Khushi. God knows what she's getting herself into this time. Hey Devi Mayya, meri bachi ki raksha karna'
'She is very intelligent, our Khushi. I'm sure she can take care of herself. Let's just keep an eye on the matter now that she's back. Also, try and talk to Payal about it. Maybe she and Anjali know something we don't'
----
It was a long weekend and Arnav flew in from Boston. This, and maybe one more weekend would be all he could be home in the next 3 months. He would be very busy at Harvard trying to wrap up things before his graduation in August. He knew from now on Khushi would be right next door and that filled him with both excitement and wariness. He was eager to get home for sure. But he was unsure of her reaction. He knew they won't hug and talk and hang out like old times ever again. That thought bogged his excitement down. He shook that thought out of his head and entered his house to hear excited and loud chatter coming from the kitchen. He listened to his Di talking animatedly and it brought a smile to his face. If it was one person he truly opened up to and could be himself with, it was his Anjali Di. He strode towards the kitchen only to halt dead in his tracks hearing her voice!
'Diii! Jaane dijiye na? Humhe der horahi hai! If I'm late even today, my attending will put me on Nurse duty again and I won't see the inside of an OR for the next 2 weeks!'
She was here? Here?! In his house? And what was that she was talking about? An OR? It suddenly dawned on him...his Khushi was a doctor now!! His heart swelled with pride! He smiled. And then debated whether he should go there or just avoid her and walk up to his room. He took a deep breath...he had to do this sometime or the other, might as well do it now.
He entered the kitchen saying 'Di! Di? I'm home!' loudly.
Khushi froze! She didn't think he would be home this weekend as there wasn't much time left for his graduation. She looked at him as he entered the kitchen and her breath hitched. He had a slight stubble and his hair was flopping on his forehead, un-gelled. He was wearing a light blue jeans and a crisp white shirt with the top 2 buttons open. He was barefoot. His smile was disarming. She lowered her gaze.
'Hi Di. How are you? I missed you!' Arnav hugged his Di.
'I missed you too Arnav. How's school?'
'Oh busy Di! Thank god I'm almost done. But I'll definitely miss all the fun' saying that he turned to Khushi. 'Hi Khushi. How are you? How's your work at the hospital? I heard you mention something about the OR? So you're doing surgeries now?' he asked her.
Khushi's mouth opened into an 'o'. She couldn't believe he was being so nonchalant! She was at a loss for words. She didn't know what to say, she didn't have the courage to look him in the eye, lest her own feelings betray her. But she talked herself out of her trance and looked up at him.
'I'm good Arnav. How are you? Work's good. I'm learning a lot. Yeah, I'm doing some basic surgeries under supervision and also assisting on some major ones. Although, that happens only when my attending Dr. Saunders is in a good mood' she finished answering him in one breath and turned to Anjali. 'Ok I really have to go now Di. I'll see you later? We'll go to the mall tomorrow right? See you then'. She then turned to him and said 'Bye Arnav. Good seeing you again'.
She turned and walked out of the kitchen, chin up in the air. Arnav looked at her retreating back, sighed and moved up to his room, his bag in tow.
Anjali looked on, her mouth hanging open! What just happened here?! She just couldn't fathom what transpired in front of her eyes. She fished out her phone and dialed.
'Yeah! I guess you're right! I just witnessed the most bizarre thing in my life! We need to talk!'
Rules & Announcements
Cricket
252