Chapter 7
Arnav was excited.
The book of one of his favourite authors, he was waiting for a long time, had released and he needed the copy right away. He was excited to read it and he was sure he would be using all his spare time to finish off the book. Wishing the bookstore manager, he made his way to the racks, knowing well the arrangement of new arrivals. He longed to see his own book on the rack one day. Few more years of hard work and he would achieve his dream. Shyam was coming home with Anjali the next day. He did not share the news with Ana, wanting to surprise her. The weekend would be a memorable one and Arnav wanted this weekend to last forever. He chuckled imagining his sister's reaction when she saw the couple. Shaking, he watched other arrivals on the display when he heard a frustrated voice from his behind.
"I will probably take few minutes here. Spare with me and wait in the car."
He knew to whom the voice belongs to. That voice had managed to keep him restless from past days. He turned around to find her walking in his direction with a frown, her eyes glued to her cell phone. He took his time to look at her, taking in her blue dress that ended few inches above her knee. Her hair pulled in a pony. Tugging a lock behind her ear, she pushed her cell phone in her bag that hung across her chest and she looked up, and stopped. She remembered him, clearly. She turned her head away from him, her lips pressed tight, and she walked away, as far from him as she could, her eyes searching in the new arrivals for her choice of books. And the whole act seemed funny to him.
He had been rude to her during their little conversation in the library. She was innocent, it was clear in her words, and she wanted to be friendly with everyone around her. And she belonged to a high class. And she was clearly new to the area. Moreover, the man with her in the party warned her not to talk with strangers. Arnav knew how the man felt for this girl. It was the same feeling Shyam and he had for their Ana. That was the reason for him to be rude to her, wanting to pass the message not to speak to strangers. She might be good, but others were not and would take advantage of her innocence or her property.
Shaking his head, he stepped aside, wanting to leave the store before he did something again, he passed a glance over her, curiosity came the best of him. He felt like knowing her genre in books. This girl made him write a poem, which he never did before. This girl captured his photo without his consent and apologized for the same. This girl made him restless, made him to sit in the nights, wide-awake, thinking when he would run into her again. This girl was something and he liked her. Not in a way a guy likes a girl. In a simple way, he liked her as an antique piece, as a natural beauty, as an artist's painting.
As he glanced at her direction, he saw a book in her hand, and bent slightly to catch the name. And he was shocked. He found himself walking towards her and before he could register, he heard himself questioning her, "is this your genre?"
She stared at him, unable to understand his question. "Are you talking to me?" she asked politely, "if so, do not bother. I do not like to risk have a conversation with a stranger."
Arnav looked down at her, amused with her comeback. He smiled but asked again, "is this book really your genre? Because, for many reasons, it is not the ideal book for you to read."
"That is none of your business and you are no friend of mine to suggest which book I have to read," she said politely, hurt clearly in her eyes and that disturbed him.
"Okay," he sighed, "I am sorry for being rude to you that day, I really do not think it is a wise idea to have such conversation with a stranger. And I guess you are new to this place and clearly very young..."
"I am not young," she shouted at him, pointing her finger, "I am 18 and I have a fair idea what to do and what not to do. Why do even strangers treat me in that way? And why do you not say whatever you intend to say and leave me alone?"
Arnav smiled at her little outburst. "Sure, you are not young," he agreed, making a peaceful gesture while raising his hands in the air, "now, do you really think to go through this novel?"
He watched her looking at the book and shrugged. "I am waiting for the sales boy to search the copy that's not displayed here. Just looking at books in the meanwhile, that is all. But, why do you not want me to read this novel?"
"It's not your league," he said then paused, not knowing why he was concerned for her, "I guess," he added slowly.
"What do you mean? I can search about it in the net, you know."
Arnav smiled at her stubbornness. "Fine, here's the news. It is an erotic crime novel. I hope that settles about it."
"Oh" was all she managed, embarrassment clear in her eyes. She kept the novel away in its place and tried to smile at him. "The story line seemed interesting," she explained,"thanks." He nodded and turned around to leave but she stopped him by calling his behind. He watched her coming to him as she stared with narrowed eyes, "don't you think we are not in stranger term. I am Khushi," she said, her hand extended.
"Arnav," he replied, shaking her hand, "pleasure to meet you."
"The pleasure's mine, Arnav!"
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Anupamaa
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