ArShiFF: The Dawn of the Dawn - Thread 1 - COMPLETED - Page 17

Fantastic as always.

Any boy friend or single?

Khushi blushed.

Shut up, don't tell me you are in love.

I guess I am. Khushi blushed deeper as she settled herself on the bed.

Payal shocked and sat up on her bed to draw more information from Khushi.

Are you in NY because of that guy by any chance?

Yes and NO.

Stop your riddles. You are freaking me out. Who is he?

Well, there is someone that I met online. He is currently in Bangalore. He is coming to NY next month for his onsite job.

OMG, and you changed your university for him?

Well, one reason is him and the other reason is I started to feel very lonely in London. So here I am'

Did you meet him? I mean in person?

Khushi looked at Payal with blank expression.

No, No, No, Cookie. Don't tell me you fell in love without meeting him in person.

Khushi tucked her lips and raised her brows confirming Payal's doubts.

Cookie you are nuts'Did you get carried away?

What do you want me to do? He is so nice and I couldn't stop falling for him.

Whats his name?

NK.

NK?

Nandkishore.

Nandkishore? He doesnt sound like our generation.

Payal?

Achaan I am sorry. Love is surely blind. Payal muttered under her breath. Does your dad know, I thought he is always against love marriage.

Dont even ask that Payal. I dont know how I will convince my dad about NK. He is ok if I talk to boys, party with boys but he wants me marry only his choice. And I am sure my dad will find a middle aged nerd who will try to baby sit me all my life. But I am no less, I decided. If push comes to shove, I will elope with NK.

Thats what all fathers say. But I am sure, you dad will understand if NK is best for you.

I hope so too.

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Arnav, Akash met Payal and Khushi in their morning class.

Hey fatty, you are early today. Akash asked Payal while Arnav silently admired Khushi,dressed in sleeveless white and peach printed summer dress that stopped near her thighs. But strangely, his gaze didnt go beyond her chocolate eyes. Thats the first time it happened with Arnav considering his flirty track record.

Well, give her the credit. She woke me up at 3am. Payal spoke yawning endlessly.

Fatty, at least introduce us now yaar. Arnav pleaded in Payal's ears.

Payal looked at Arnav with her brows raised.

Fine, We will get you Bose speakers. And Sorry for messing the performance the other day. Arnav said apologetically.

What Bose speakers? No way bro. I am already broke paying for her gifts. Akash tried to escape from the deal.

Well, Arnie, its your decision. If you want what you want, you better convince that duffer. Payal made it clear, and tried to shoulder her way into the class.

Khushi looked at all three and couldnt understand a bit. Their conversation flew over her head and she couldnt make out about whom and what they were discussing.

Wait, its all on me this time. Arnav pitched in.

Payal with her radiating smile introduced Khushi, Arnie this is Cookie and Cookie you already know his name.

Hi Cookie. Wait a min, Cookie? He asked with silly expression on his face.

Khushi frowned her brows, offended with his expression.

Sugar or Chocolate? Arnav teased her further.

Excuse me?

See I dont like sweets but if thats the only choice I have got, I will go with sugar COOKIE. He drawled his last word teasing Khushi.

Khushi is no less than our dear Arnav. She came back with huge blow. Arnie Carnie, why dont you run your stupid jokes at any cheap carnival. Khushi retorted with an exasperated look on her face.

I sure will if you could accompany me Ms. Sugar Cookie. Arnav couldnt help but grin at her huffing.

Payal, I am going inside. I will talk to you later. Khushi stomped her feet and left the place.

Bro I told you. Watch out. She is very fiesty. Akash warned him once again.

Perfect, Just like I preferred. Arnav just lost in her charm as she walked away.

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One day, Payal and Khushi invited Akash and Arnav to their apartment for dinner. While Payal ordered Pizza from outside, Khushi insisted she will bake Molten Chocolate cake which she has mastered over years. Arnav and Akash were received by Payal at the door. Arnav walked over to Kitchen to meet Khushi since he was told that she is baking something special.

Hi...Arnav raised his left hand and greeted Khushi with warm smile.

Hey How are you? Khushi took quick glance at him. He is dressed very casual in Olive green vest and grey cargo shorts and his hair is slightly ruffled. For the first time she took in his broad personality, just right amount of biceps she thought. He looked very appealing.

Khushi was no less. Coincidentally, Khushi wore green colored off the shoulders tee with pale yellow mini skirt revealing most part of her thighs.

What are you making?

Chocolate cake! Khushi replied enthusiastically as she filled her ramekins.

Kya baat hain? Aaj role change kaise? [[How come you changed your role today?]]

Main samjhi nahin. Matlab? [[I didnt get you?]]

From Sugar to Chocolate. You changed your role! Arnav started his tease with wide accomplishment grin on his face.

Her face turned from soft to flushed with anger. She scooped cake batter in to her palm and slammed it on his face. She then wiped the remaining bits that still stuck to her fingers, on his vest near his chest and retorted, Nice Vest. She walked away with huge accomplishment smile on her face.

He stood there in awe of her spunky attitude.

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Akash birthday is approaching, so Arnav called Payal and Khushi to hatch a plan to surprise Akash for his birthday. The ladies spent at least 3 nights coming up with ideas of decorating, food, cake and Akash's friends list. All three decided to meet up at coffee shop.

Payal and Khushi showed the printouts of everything they finalized. Arnav took a glance at everything and leaned against his chair looking at the ladies with serious expression on his face.

What? Are you guys planning for grandma's birthday? Arnav threw the papers infront of the table.

Arnie? Whats wrong with these? Khushi asked irritated with his domineering attitude.

Nothing wrong but very boring.

Arnie, I disagree with you. Cookie is right. I am sure he will be excited to cut the cake. Payal supported Khushi.

Oh I am sure because he just turned 5 right! He said mockingly. He will very thrilled to cut the cake, eat chips and drink soda. I am sure he is going to brag about your so called superb surprise all his life.

Cut it, what have you got. Khushi riled up.

He gestured them to come closer and he whispered, Condoms.

Excuse Me? Khushi stuttered with embarrassment.

Uff not what you are thinking. We will blow up the condoms with any slimy liquid and hang them around the room. When he enters the room, we will explode them on him.

Khushi and Payal looked at each other for few secs before they bursted out laughing.

Superb idea. Cookie gave hi-fi to Arnie.

Ahh, how did I forget Arnie the notorius prankster. Payal ribbed patting his shoulder.

Arnav was right. When they surprised Akash with the blown up condoms filled with green jelly ooze, he couldnt stop laughing and bragged about it all week to his friends. By now Khushi started to perfectly fit into their group.

Arnav is very excessively intelligent young man. His dad calls him as raw talent. He never studies for his exams, but he makes sure not to skip any class. Infact during exams, all he does is sleep, eat and watch movies. Akash never understood this strategy of his. While Akash spends days and days prepping for the exams, Arnav sleeps, sleeps and only sleeps much to his frustration on exams. Yet, Arnav always tops the class, which is another reason why girls go gaga on Arnav.

If there is someone out there with a smile on his face every sec of his life, that would be Arnav. Infact, his mom always recollected how he came out to this world curving up his tiny lips while every other baby cries at the first glance of this enormous bright world. He never failed to bring the same smile on people's face even with his domineering attitude.

One such incident happened, when he learnt Khushi and Payal were upset for not getting good grades. All four were in Payal's apartment. The weather was extremely hot and Arnav decided to take shower and he noticed weird noise when he started the shower. He came up with an idea to cheer up the girls. Akash was the next one to get into shower. Few mins before that, Arnav mixed alcohol in Akash's drink and by now Akash was totally drunk and wasted. Akash entered the bathroom and started the shower that has a broken shower head releasing massive amounts of water. He noticed a body bar soap lying on the floor, which Arnav tactfully placing it over there. When he bent down to pick it up, the water splashed from his back to the shower's glass frame, making it a loud noise. He ran out of the bathroom screaming that there was an helicopter inside. Thanks to Arnav's presence of mind, he quickly wrapped Akash in towel before ladies spotted him naked. The three didnt stop laughing at Akash for the rest of the night.

In fact, that was the last laugh of Arnie before he became Arnav Singh Raizada.

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At 4:00am next morning, Arnav received call from Lilavati Hospital about the sudden demise of his family. He flew to Mumbai. He was in shock, confusion and paralyzed unable to understand anything going around him. The only thing that his heart muttered is WHY, to which no body seemed to have any answer.

After his uncle Manohar literally threw him out the Raizada mansion, Arnav settled himself in a lone spot by the shoreline in Juhu beach. He folded his knees to his chest, wrapping his arms around them and looked blankly at the Arabian sea line meeting the sky at the farther point. It was dark. The only thing he could see is the reflection of silver moon in the perturbed waves of sea water. Just as his life, right now; Silver moon being his goal to get back everything he owns and perturbed waves being his shattered life.

He opened his backpack and stared at money and the 2 letters. He read his dad's letter again, again, and again.

He then remembered an elderly man of his father's age approaching him soon after Arnav completed the last rites. He tried hard to remember the old man's name. After battling with his mind for few mins, he remembered old man introducing himself as Shashi Gupta. When Arnav, who was completely filled with deep mental anguish at his loss, tried to shoo Shashi away, the old man politely gave his contact card and asked Arnav to contact him when he feels better. Shashi on the other hand, didnt want to discuss anything in detail as Arnav at that point was surrounded by his uncle and other men.

What a loss! The only help that his father arranged is also slipped through his fingers without his knowledge.

No phone.

No food.

No home.

Most sadly NO ONE.

The only thing that he has is money and 2 letters. He stared at the moon and promised himself to get back everything. And he cant do that working for with low income jobs or career. He needs to hit hard and come out best and the only way to do is to master what he is best at: Fashion Designing. He decided to fly back to NewYork and finish what he started.

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