ARHI FF: Do you feel loved? Note|Sep11|Pg75*NEW - Page 14

Thank you guys 😊

Arnav stood up and went near her. 'You look absolutely gorgeous Khush!' he said in such a husky voice that it sent shivers down Khushi's spine! There was so much desire in his eyes, Khushi thought it was going to melt her bones. She quickly muttered a 'Thanks' and said 'Is that coffee? Can I have some?', snapping Arnav out of his staring trance.

'Yeah, of course!' Arnav recovered.

They both sipped their coffee quickly and got up to leave. Khushi picked up her beige clutch and her room card.

Arnav came close to her and held her hand in his. 'Thanks for doing this Khushi. I want you to know that regardless of what happened between us, there's no one else I'd rather share this with'

Khushi couldn't control the blush that came onto her cheeks...his gaze on her was so intense! 'I want you to know that I'm very proud of you Arnav! Shall we?'

* * * * *

Khushi was awestruck by the beauty of the campus. The Dean's house was a 3 story, brick building with a wide driveway and a beautiful garden surrounding it. She smiled up at Arnav. 'it's really beautiful!'

'Wait till you see the inside! Dean Nohria and his wife have added some Indian touches to the house. Bright, cheerful colors to a otherwise muted palette. And it looks fantastic. We were here for the Halloween party last year'

'I can't wait to meet him! I've seen some of his talks on YouTube and was very impressed!'

'You looked him up? You? A medicine nerd? The one who despises all things business? Unbelievable!'

'What's there to be so surprised about? I did it for you!!!' the words tumbled out of Khushi's mouth before she could catch herself.

Arnav stopped walking and stared at her. Khushi met his gaze, but did not look away...she could not look away! There were all kinds of emotions flitting across his face...surprise, elation, shock and was that, love?! Khushi was mesmerized! He looked so handsome in his black Prada suit with a white shirt. He didn't have a tie on, but instead he had the top two buttons of his shirt open casually. He looked relaxed and happy.

'Hey Aarrnavv!' they heard someone drawl and just like that their moment was gone. Arnav noticed the pretty blush on Khushi and mentally fist pumped.

Arnav and Khushi turned towards the girl who called him. Khushi saw a tall, very beautiful American girl walking towards them. As she came nearer, Khushi was taken aback by her beauty! And she had the most piercing, the bluest of blue eyes she had ever seen. Arnav grinned at her and gave a bug side hug.

'Hey Mia! How's it going? Was last night so boring that you're up this early today?'

'Of course it was boring!! You weren't there!' she chided him playfully.

Arnav turned to Khushi. 'Khush, this is Amelia, my classmate and groupie. Mia, this is Khushi' he introduced them.

'Hi! Very nice to meet you Mia'

'Nice to meet you too Khushi. I've heard a lot about you. It's nice to finally put a face to the name' Mia smiled warmly at Khushi.

Khushi instantly liked her. She seemed very friendly with Arnav and it gave her a weird feeling in her stomach. Khushi mentally shook her head and concentrating on what she was saying.

'So when do you graduate?' she was asking.

'In 6 more months' Khushi replied.

By then they had reached the house and entered it with a bunch if other people. Breakfast was a charming affair. Dean Nohria was very pleasant and witty and spoke to everyone with ease. Khushi noticed just how popular Arnav was. He had a easy way of conversing with people. His devilish good looks and disarming smile made girls swoon over him. She noticed how all the girls were hovering around him, paying attention to every word he uttered and trying to catch his eye. But Arnav had eyes only for Khushi. He steadfastly held her hand and never let her feel out of place. He made sure he introduced her to everyone and included her in all the conversations. Khushi's heart warmed seeing this considerate side of Arnav.

Once they were done at the Dean's house, they bid everyone goodbye and walked out. Khushi saw Mia and walked up to her.

'Bye Mia. We'll see each other soon, yeah?'

'Sure Khushi. I'll see you tonight at the party ok?'

'Shh Mia! Arnav doesn't know about the party! It's a surprise! Please don't tell him! His sister and brother-in-law to be have organised the whole thing'

'Oops! I knew that! Abhi told me. Anyway, I'll see you there'

* * * * *

Arnav and Khushi walked back to Arnav's BMW. Khushi looked at the sleek black M3 and said 'When did you get this?'

'A gift from Mom and Dad when I got an admit into Harvard! You know how badly I wanted this, right? But today in retrospection, I'd rather have them here than this car they gave me! You know I never realized this...we always get what we want! I guess by doing that they think it'll make up for their absence'

Khushi could see the pain in his eyes. 'I'm sorry Arnav. I know it must be hard not having them around. But you always have Di and Akash. And me and Jiji! I'm hoping our presence will make up for their absence at least a little bit'

'Hey! Your presence makes up for everything and I mean it Khush! I missed you so much when I got that email from Harvard and I couldn't tell you. Now I have you here with me when I'm graduating and it kinda makes up for all the other crap! And especially when you look like that!' Arnav winked at her appreciatively. He got worried that maybe he took it too far when he saw her serious face. But soon realized that she hadn't even heard the last part.

'Khush?'

'Why didn't you?'

'What?'

'Why didn't you call me?'

'Ah...I...Khushi, can we please do this some other time? I know we have a lot to catch up on. We should really talk'

'Fine! Can we go back now? I need to figure out what to wear for the luncheon'

'Don't worry about that! We'll skip it. There aren't many people invited and there are so many parties going on in the campus that half the people don't attend due to bad hangovers'

'Are you sure?'

'Yes! Now come on, let's see what the others are up to and see if they want to do lunch. I'll call Di'

* * * * *

They all had lunch in Harvard Square and immediately after they all started to excuse themselves. Khushi hid a smile. She knew they were busy with last minute preps for the party.

Anjali took Khushi aside. 'Can you handle Arnav? I really need Akash and Shyam to help me'

'Ah, I think so Di. Let me know if you need anything. What time should I get him there? 8 is fine?'

'Yes! 8 should be great! I've asked Abhi and his other friend Mia to call him around 6 and talk about this campus party and invite him. You be there with him then and when he gets those calls, act as if you are excited to go, ok?'

'Ugh! Me and excited for a party? He'll so know something's up Di!'

'He won't! Tell him he should have fun for the last couple of days with his buddies. I've told Mia the details'

'Do you know her? I met her in the morning'

'Yes, of course! She even visited us a few times'

'She came to Vienna?'

'Yeah! Didn't Arnav tell you? She's gorgeous, isn't she? And she had such beautiful blue eyes!'

Khushi felt a pang in her heart. She wondered if there was something between them. She remembered how comfortable they were around each other. 'What difference does it make Khushi?' she chided herself.

Payal came and broke Khushi's chain of thoughts. 'Anju, shall we go? We still have so much to do'. She then turned to Khushi 'Khushi, you keep us updated and we'll do the same ok? Bye!'

'Bye Jiji'

* * * * *

As soon as Anjali and Payal stepped out of the restaurant, Payal said 'So? Did our plan work?'

'I told her that Mia had come home a few times. I think that did the trick. But you think it'll work?'

'I'm sure it will. Jealousy is a very powerful tool Anju'

'I just wish that it works positively and doesn't widen the rift! Our siblings can be very stubborn and stupid sometimes!'

'Everything will work out. I, for one, am looking forward to the party!'

I loved Khushi's drass!!

Thank you all 😊

I'm looking forward to writing about a jealous Khushi myself. I've already started the update. I will hopefully be able to update sometime tomorrow.