Note- I met Manreet on IF. Her insightful comments always made me wonder what it would be like to read her story. I firmly believe that everyone has one to tell. After a lot of persuasion (my version of persuasion, mind you) I convinced her to post her story on the forum.
This one's written by manreet_gill. Hopefully it's a start of many more to come. 😊
Stepping out of his white SUV, Arnav slowly removed his sunglasses to regard the imposing mansion which lay in front of him, exhaling a long breath he didn't realise he was holding Arnav attempted to compose his shaky nerves and stole a moment to admire his colourful surroundings. Autumn, his favourite season, the cool breeze and contrasting sharp sun were always a welcome sensation after a tortuously long and humid New York summer. Rolling his broad shoulders, and moving his head first to the left and then to the right, Arnav attempted to dissipate some of his weariness, and anxiety. As a result of the movements Arnav's molten caramel eyes perused the vast green grounds of the mansion and remembered once again why he loved this season; because it epitomised her. Autumn seemed to act as nature's glorious salute to colour before the grey of winter set in, the trees in their multi-coloured hues served to paint a beautiful picture within the frame of the clear blue sky and the sight never failed to bring a small smile to Arnav's lips and fill his heart with a sense of contentment, because he would forever associate this very sight with his happiness, his Khushi.
Khushi, she truly was the very embodiment of vibrancy in this dull world, closing his eyes Arnav took a second to remember his once best friend, his Khushi. Growing up together the pair could be best described as inseparable, together in every act of innocent mischief, every festival, every school competition, sharing every thought, every fear, and every secret the two knew each other better than they knew themselves. However nothing remains a constant in this world; change is an unwritten variable of life which is often treated as an unwelcome guest, as it is annoyingly successful in transforming everything before our eyes, from the mundane to some of the most spellbinding facets of our lives, change truly can be a highly irritating relative of life, and change happened within the constraints of their dear friendship too with the arrival of Khushi's marriage. Abhinav Singhania was Payal's young brother in law, smitten with Khushi at the time of his older Brother Akash and Payal's wedding, a whirlwind courtship fit for any romantic Yash Chopra film ensured that Khushi was hopelessly swept away within the charisma and beauty of love. The grand wedding which followed the courtship was one filled with the exact pomp and galore one would expect from an affluent father of a much adored Indian bride. Of course being her best friend, Arnav was with Khushi as a pillar of strength every time a fear would bite or an anxiety would threaten to induce a sleepless night. Arnav fulfilled his friendship with honesty and integrity, acting as Khushi's soundboard, guide, and trusted confidant throughout the celebrations, he was with her in every moment of her happiness. The two continued to live, laugh and love in the moment, and thrive within the innocence of their friendship never once realising that something precious was slipping away in the summer heat of that glorious wedding.
As we know however, our friend destiny often moves in mysterious ways and with the culmination of the wedding the two, once inseparable friends, merged into the realities of life and its many responsibilities and somewhere along the path parted ways. Moving away from her home city of New York to reside in San Francisco, Khushi slipped into the colours of married life whilst Arnav continued to manage his father's business.
Stumbling out of his thoughts, back into the present, Arnav realised that it wasn't just the distance which served to wither away their friendship, society and its rules which dictated it unsuitable for a man and woman to hold such a bond also severed something which Arnav never realised he held so dear until he sadly lost it. The sudden sound of a door bolting open encouraged Arnav to look towards the entrance of the mansion to meet the eyes of the girl he once knew. Three years is a long time he realised, so much had changed. The life in her eyes had noticeably dimmed, the happiness she once radiated was now lost and the vibrancy which was once so synonymous with his Khushi had sadly disappeared, and in its place stood a woman who seemed to be tired from the cruel grey world. Shroud in a white sari devoid of any ornaments of a married woman Arnav looked into Khushi's hollow and sunken hazel eyes almost wistfully wondering if he would ever meet his Khushi again.
Udne Ki Aasha
Anupamaa
Cricket
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