CELEB LOVE #2 Finale pg 127 30/1/2014 - Page 11

Dedicated to Apoorvarani

ARNAV

I stood there hugging Khushi. She had heard everything I had told Rishabh. This is not how I wanted to confess my feelings to her. But since she knows I cant help it now. At the moment she was in my arms and I wanted to kiss her and never stop. I stopped myself from doing that . I needed to give her time. everything happened so fast that even I couldn't cope up with the pace in which our lives were moving. Another important thing is that this is all new for me, yeah I know I was in a relationship with Alisha for a few months but that wasn't enough.

The hug lasted for a few more minutes and then we pulled apart. I pushed a few strands of her hair which was blocking my eyes from meeting hers behind her ear. She looked at me with her orbs filled with curiosity.

"You have something to ask me?" I questioned her in a low tone.

She nodded and I questioned her with my eyes.

"Were you asking me out on a date earlier today?" she asked me and I didn't want to give away the truth.

She spoke again when she understood that I wasn't going to answer the question.

"Don't even try to lie or avoid the question." She said to me as if she had read my mind.

Maybe I could avoid the actual question by never admitting the answer YES to her and replace the question with another question.

"So I shouldn't avoid the question?" I asked and she nodded.

"What if I avoid your question and instead ask you another one? What is your opinion?"

She raised one of her eyebrows at me. Oh my, even she could do that? I've always wanted to do that and have tried my best at it, but still failed. Scoring a triple ton in a one day international against England , South Africa or Australia felt easier to me than doing this.

She cleared her throat attracting my attention.

"What do you mean Arnav by another question? I want to know the answer and be honest."

"Really?? Not after this"

I was never going t admit it before her, cal it my male ego or whatever it is. But even I didn't know why wouldn't I say that aloud. So I asked her another question after seeing the confused expression written all over her beautiful face.

"Can I pick you up tomorrow at seven for a date?"

Was that question too formal? That was the first time I asked someone out on a date. With Alisha it was all her. She asked me, she took me. It was like she was the guy in that relationship except for the occasional rants and pouting. I hate to admit it, but it was true. I'm glad that ended that too on a good note.

"What did you just say?" She asked me after a while of silence.

"The same thing that you heard" I said with a faint smile.

I was really afraid of her answer but I hoped that she wouldn't say NO.

"You can" She finally replied and a big smile broke out on my face.

I wasn't surprised, still I was happy. Not just happy, but really really happy since I was successful in asking a girl out. She smiled too and my smile brightened. Was that even possible? Well I didn't know.

We chatted for about thirty minutes and she tried to bring in tomorrow's date into conversation. She wanted to know where we were going but I didn't spill my plans. I didn't give out the details.

The last two statements are a complete lie. Before you guys assume something which is wrong, I'll tell you. I didn't give out any details because I didn't know what we were doing. I hadn't planned anything. I needed Rishabh's help. Maybe Rishabh wouldn't be of much help this time because she is his to be sister in law.

I don't think my secrets would be safe with him anymore. Oh God I miss Sam. That again a lie. I do miss my other best friend but I'm sure Rishabh wont betray me for his sister in law.

Now coming to Sam aka Samar Khan , the third guy in our group of three Samar is completely different from us. Me Samar and Rishabh had been the best of friends since diapers and intended to be so until death. Even though me and Rishabh had a lot in common I was more close to Sam than him. The main difference between me and Sam was that he was very good at academics and I was the complete opposite.

Sam now works as the Managing Director of a multi-national company and was now in Dubai. He could have stayed back home and yet could have enjoyed the same position in the same company here but he chose to go abroad. That action of his came as a surprise to us since he was the one who never dreamed of leaving India. When we were younger I and Rishabh used to say that when we grow up we would go abroad and settle there, but Sam used to scold us saying that there was no place better than our beautiful country and so we shouldn't even think of leaving her. He told that we should be proud to say that we are Indians.

I understood those words of his when I represented India for the first time. the people of our country were crazy, if they could give so much love to a person who played for their nation then they would definitely die for the country.

Now coming back to Khushi, she was standing in front of me staring at me as if I was some sort of alien from the other planet. I was also at fault since I was spacing out every now and then.

As I concentrated on her face I understood something. She wasn't staring at me. Not that she was staring at something else, she was openly checking me out. And so when I caught her in between her act I smirked.

The expression seemed to catch her attention. I saw her tear off her beautiful eyes from my body, looking here and there avoiding the awkward situation.

This whole situation seemed new to her, so was it to me. I loved the way she was acting and finally our eyes met again.

"Lets find a way to get out" I said breaking the silence building around us.

"Sure"

"Rishu, open the door" I said , my voice a little louder.

We could hear them giggling outside the door.

"Mr. Rishabh Singhania , I can hear you out there, just open the damn door" I tried again but the muffled laughs increased.

Those voices were not just of Rishabh and Anya. Someone else was there too. Who could that be?

"Anya, open the door please" Khushi said wanting to get out too.

"You guys in a position to come out?"

I saw Khushi's mouth open to form a perfect 'O'. She looked cute.

"Why wont we be?" I asked in an irritated tone coming out of my thoughts.

"Okay then, stay there we wont open the door" She said and Khushi's eyes widened.

Khushi mouthed the words 'What do we do now?' to me to which I signalled one minute with my index finger.

"That isn't fair" Khushi complained her voice a little high now.

"Open the damn door Rishabh, I'm warning you for the last time"

"What else will you do Arnav other than staying there and asking me to open the door?" Rishabh asked me from the other side of the door. I knew he was smirking at me. I could read that from his tone.

"Well if you don't then you'll have to explain two things to your mother when she gets home tomorrow"

"And what are they?"

"You really want to know?

"Enlighten me" ? He said and I smirked before answering the question.

Khushi was looking at me, clearly amused by our conversation.

"Okay then first is you'll have to explain how your head got injured and then how the door to this room.." he seemed to have understood my point because he jumped and opened the door before I could complete my sentence.

As the door swung open in front of us Khushi narrowed her eyes at Anya, her cousin sister and I noticed my sister and brother in law in front of me standing next to Anya and Rishabh. All of them seemed to be happy after pulling our leg.

I too followed Khushi's footsteps as I narrowed my eyes at them.

"So my plan worked?" I asked and none of them wanted to answer that question.

"And you Nivi? What are you doing here?"

"Why bro? What do you mean by the question 'What are you doing here?'?"

I just glared at her.

"Why cant we be here? Rishabh invited us here remember?"

"Oh really?"

"Ah Really! And what were you guys doing inside ?" she questioned me. I could see the traces of my mother in her at that moment .

"We? We were talking." I said casually.

She looked amused. She then left my side and went up to Khushi.

"so you are the famous Khushi?" She asked in a rude tone.

This was very unlike Nivi. She was always very cheerful to people. But today?

"Yeah I'm Khushi, but famous?" She looked surprised.

Suddenly Nivi burst out laughing , went ahead and hugged Khushi.

"The expression on your face was priceless Khushi" Nivi said breaking the hug.

"Thanks?" Khushi was still in shock I suppose.

"Come on Khushi, Nivi here was just kidding. She is always like this" Rishabh said bringing some relief too Khushi's face.

"Now that's much better sissy" Anya said joining the group.

Everything felt good as the three pairs talked and spent time with each other.

The only one missing was Samar. We four spent almost twenty years of our lives together. To be exact the year Niveda was born. My mother was around six months pregnant when we shifted to the house next to Samar's . Rishabh went to school with us. By the term School I meant playschool which we three attended together. Then he too shifted to the house on the other side of mine. So my house was in between the other two's.

I wish Samar was here tonight.

"Yeah Arnav Samar should have been here tonight." Rishabh said as if he had read my thoughts.

"Did I just say it aloud ?"

"No. I could say from your face that you were thinking about those days when you moved to the house next to his and then me next to yours"

"Yeah. So I was." "And you remember Samar was very excited to see us in the colony because till then he used to be the only boy there as all other kids around his age were girls."

"Yeah. And had it been twelve to fourteen years later he would have been excited about the same"

"Yeah I remember he became such a ladies man at that age and we were so against that"

"yeah"

"Excuse me guys? Could you tell us who Samar is?"Anya asked interrupting out talk about our childhood.

"That is their other best friend. The third and last in the group. The four of them grew up together and these two miss him a lot since he is abroad for work." Liam said talking for the first time I saw him here.

"Oh" that was all Anya could say to that. Khushi too joined her.

"I've heard a lot about him but still haven't got a chance to meet him" Liam continued.

"OMG. How could I forget Sammy? Any news about him?" Nivi asked me.

"No dear. He haven't contacted since he moved from New York to Dubai. I'm expecting his call anytime." I said

Then we all continued with our chit-chat. We talked about old times and Khushi, Liam and Anya were all curious and were good listeners.

"Enough of the talk guys. Lets eat something. I'm hungry" Nivi said changing the topic so that we would not embarrass her further talking about her childhood with three boys .

"Nivi you just ate about like an hour ago?" Liam asked her.

"So What? Does that mean I cant eat again?'

"I didn't mea.." but before Liam could complete the sentence, I mean before he could even complete the word she spoke again.

"I will eat whenever I feel like, after all I'm eating for two"

We all smiled at her. Well not all. Khushi looked surprised for I guess the fourth time that night.

"You are pregnant?"

"That I am"

"Congratulations. I didn't know"

"So about the other media people"

Khushi's face fell at that remark.

"Its not like I cant keep a secret. Don't worry I wont leak it to the channel."

"Hey Khushi I was just kidding. I didn't mean it that way. Look at you dear, Bhai just tell her"

What was I supposed to say to her now? I looked up at Rishabh for help and I could deduce he was speechless, unable to find a solution.

But then Anya came forward and handled the situation well. I knew Nivi didn't mean against Khushi when she said that. I guess its the pregnancy hormones making her say all these. If she was to continue like this then it would be a huge problem for me.

We all went to the dining table which was set with Indian food.

Seeing those dishes even Liam couldn't say no.

"Liam if I remember right you ate about an hour ago and you are eating only for yourself right?" Nivi questioned her husband.

"So what Nivi? You know I cant say NO to these kind of spicy food."

"Yeah right" She said with sarcasm evident in her tone.

The others including me continued to eat the dishes in front of us ignoring their rants.

The dessert arrived. Anya had made Gajar ka Halwa as it was Rishabh's favourite.

We enjoyed for a while, a whole hour to be exact and then one by one we quit. It was around one in the morning when I reached home. I opened my phone and logged on to twitter to trace Sam down.

@SamKhan Contact me, its urgent.

I tweeted tagging him in it. Rishabh too had tweeted a while ago to Sam, the same sentence. It would be fun when Sam sees it, he would sure get worried and yeah when he finds out there is nothing urgent he would make us run. But I really hope he calls fast.

I sent a quick text to Khushi before I got into my bed. Sleep conquered me very soon and Khushi was the only one other than me in my dreams.

KHUSHI

I reached home at one in the morning. It had been an amazing night. Arnav Singh Raizada the guy on whom I had a crush on for years loved me. That was a shock. I took out my phone and saw that I had ten missed calls, five each from my mom and Ria. I decided to call Ria since my mother would have slept by now. I texted her that I couldn't attend the call because I was busy and that I was fine.

"Hello?? Who is this?" Ria answered the phone half asleep.

"Arnav Loves me" I chirped into the phone.

"Khush is that you ? and what did you say?" She asked me back. So the sentence had effect even on a sleeping person.

"Yeah its me and you heard me right. The great Arnav Singh Raizada loves me of all his female fans"

"I cant believe it"

"Even I couldn't believe it too. I'll tell you what happened"

I told her what all happened from when she gave Arnav my phone number to the moment we said good night to each other. I also told her that Arnav was ready to come with me to make sure that I reach home safely, but I had declined his offer and ensured him that I would be safe. And once I finished she paused for a while.

"Ria say something"

"You shouldn't have overheard"

"This is what you could say of all things?"

"I mean it Khush"

"I Know Ria, but still if I hadn't overheard then probably I would've been waiting for it like in those daily soaps where both the hero and heroine loves each other but wont confess."

"Oh, so you consider yourself the heroine of the story?"

"That I am. Now tell me why did you call?"

"I'm getting married" she replied casually.

"What?'

"yes dear. That's true"

"Karan proposed?"

"No"

"What?"

"Stop asking WHAT for whatever we say."

"You are getting married to Karan right?"

"Yes and before you ask, it wasn't Karan who proposed but his family came ahead with the proposal to my place and my parents instantly agreed as they knew about us and we are getting married in two weeks"

"What?"

"Not again Khushi"

"I mean two weeks? But why?"

"Today was the last day of Karan's internship and since he wanted to continue with the channel he got transferred to Bangalore office. Last day we were talking about marriage and when he asked me whether I was ready for it I told him that I was ready to marry him at that instant. I expected him to propose but not this. Friday we have a small engagement ceremony and I would send the guest list soon. After engagement we have the typical Sangeet, Mehndi and Haldi before Shaadi.

"I cant believe this Ria"

"You have to Khush. And let me remind you dear our internship finishes this week"

"Yeah Right, I completely forgot that with all these things going on"

"I'm trying for a posting in Bangalore too"

"What? You'll be leaving me?"

"That I am. I heard you'll be in the main office here itself if you decide to stay."

"What? With Mr. Sharma?" I asked terrified.

"Yup. I think he made the decision today after your interview with Arnav earlier today."

"Oh crap, that means he wont leave me alone if he comes to know about my relationship with Arnav and Rishabh and his girlfriend."

"That is right"

"Ria, I'll call you later. I've got lots of things on my head now"

"Okay dear. Take care and sleep well"

I cut the call and I saw that I had a new text. It was from... Arnav?

When did he put his number in my phone? I didn't even know when he had took my phone. That means he would have seen my wallpaper too. It was him standing with me, the one which Rohan took four years ago.

Good night , Sweet dreams

Btw nice wallpaper , I want that photo.

I smiled after reading the text. I tried to sort things out, but then I realised I was so tired. My eyelids were very heavy and pleading to me to close them and I slept as soon as I touched the bed. I fell into a peaceful sleep.

~O~

I woke up in the morning around eight. I had to rush so that I wouldn't be late. Office started at nine. I skipped breakfast the meal that I wouldn't usually miss, making a mental note to eat something at the canteen later.

I rushed past Mr. Sharma as I reached the office. He always wanted his interns in his cabin before he reached. I entered the room, Ria was already there concerned for e. Relief passed through her face as she saw me. After a few seconds when I regained my breath Mr. Sharma walked in with a mischievous smile on his face. This was unusual.

I had the same expression on. I knew he couldn't scold me today.

"Ms. Gupta, you seem very happy today?"

"Yes sir, I've my own reasons for that"

Ria just stood there looking at me and him as we talked like 'long lost friends'.

"Okay, then let me give you another reason for happiness"

"And what would that be?"

"You guys have served enough for the internship and are so free to go now. And if you would like to continue with the channel, then I have your postings ready". He finished.

Our eyes widened. We were literally shocked. He was letting us go and that too before five days? I couldn't believe it.

"We would love to continue here sir" We said together and he smiled at us.

"Okay then. Ria will go to..." He paused unnecessarily for a while increasing the tension in the room

"Bangalore" He smiled now and Ria was excited.

"And you Khushi, I've decided that you would continue here. I should say I'm impressed with your work. We need talent like yours in the main office."

"Really sir? I asked.

I was excited. I could really continue in Mumbai?

"Yes you can. But you'll have to travel during tournaments. Sports isn't that easy."

"I know sir, I chose sports and I would love to be here."

"Okay then. That's all for now. You can go and see you next month Khushi ."

We went back home. The rest of the day passed in a blur. We spent time together doing nothing. We cooked for a while and then watched the reruns of our favourite show on my PC.

Around four thirty Ria forced me into getting ready. I had very little make up on. I wore a bright red tank top which I paired with blue skin fit jeans. Ria wanted me to wear a dress but I decided against it.

Sharp at seven Arnav was in front of my door looking handsome as ever. He wore a black button up shirt with a blue jeans. He had a bunch of yellow roses in his hands. Did Anya tell him those were my favourites?

"for you" He said handing over the flowers to me.

"Thanks" I smiled as I took it from him and put it in the vase.

"So, Ready to go?"

"I'm" I said as I went to stand next to him.

I closed the door and walked wit him to the car. He held the door open for me and I got in. He got into the drivers seat and before starting the car turned to me..

"I'm sorry if anything is awkward. Everything is really new to me. You know what happened in between me and Alisha" He said.

"I know and there is no need for you to worry. I'm also new to all this and if you remember this is my first relationship."

" Yeah right" he said and started the car. We reached a fancy restaurant. The Host took us to a secluded spot in the corner of the restaurant, away from public eye. I'm pretty sure he got that arranged.

The dinner was perfect and we had light talks about our childhood. Actually it was more about my childhood since I knew almost everything about him. After all the research I had done on him over the years had paid off. He was really fun to be around and the awkwardness had now reduced .

After the dinner date he took me back home. He parked his car behind mine and came out to open the door for me.

"Thanks" I said.

"Come on Khushi, stop saying that every now and then"

"Fine" I said and smiled.

"Shall I ask you something?"

"Sure. What is it?"

"Will you be my girlfriend? I know, we are progressing completely backwards. I said I love you first, then we had our first date and now I'm asking this"

I was really shocked at that question. I never saw that coming.

"Yes I will" I said finally coming out of my world.

Then he hugged me again and we stayed like that for a while not wanting to pull off the hug.

After pulling out of the hug he leaned forward. OMG, was he going to kiss me? How would that be like? I hadn't kissed anybody till that moment. His eyes lowered , roaming on my lips for a moment before going up again, then his eyes met mine. He leaned forward again and kissed me on my forehead.

I was in dreamland. He smiled at me and waved at me catching my attention. We said good night and he drove off after I got inside my house and shut the door.

A/N:

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