arhi SS: Aap wohi ho na!?..completed

3. THE CHEMISTRY OF TEARS

True, he was feeling tad helpless right now. He was feeling things he never felt before not

even while searching for khushi. He felt lost. He had no idea whether he should be happy or

not. He turned his world upside down for the sake of this one crazy woman. He threatened

to burn down the U.S embassy if they failed to find her all for this paagal who was right now

busy tasting his name. How did she ever manage to swoon him this way? Simple, Just by

her innocence. When he first met her, she was a mystery. There was something in her air

that made him follow her just like the hutch dog. Where ever you go we follow. The sight of

her in his arms laughing away with no reason was a double dose of every day peace for him

but the fact that she was more interested in his name than him was nerve wrecking. ASR

was an attention seeker especially when it came to khushi and here she was playing with

the letters of his name. Twisting them, stretching and what not! Time flew by and after a

few hours he woke up to the ringing of his mobile which he clearly remembered was on

silent mode. He didn't want to wake the sleeping beauty but she eventually did. He stared

directly into his eye. The intensity his eyes held while captivating hers triggered something

akin to...

FLASHBACK

The NY fashion show was soon approaching and AR apart from being a participant

was sponsoring it. With only a week left, the design and marketing department were

working over time. One fortunate night the boss and the marketing executive, arnav

and khushi, were working so late that they totally missed the track of time. Arnav had

to admit that though khushi was one tough cookie to crack, she was real good at

what she did. He also did admit to himself real quietly that he had a crush on her. He

tried to dismiss such thoughts but ended up messing the already messed up

boss-employee relationship he shared with her. This one night he called it truce but

did she? Well, he doubted that. It was late when they exited the AR arena. Biding a

quick goodbye to him she rushed to the other side of the road. She knew he was

going to offer her a lift and she was also aware of the tiny restaurant that came in her

way home. Well aware of her food habits she would squeal at the sight of it and arnav

being a perfect gentleman would pull over and she would finally call it truce. They

would have a single course meal followed by chocolate ice cream for her and a sugar

less black coffee for him. They would then walk up to her house from there entwining

their hands unknowingly though being fully aware of what's going on and then on

reaching her apartment he would say "so is this a date" to which she would reply

"maybe" and he would bid her good night by kissing her. Heck! The accidental

touches themselves gave her a hard time to cope up with acidity and dhak dhak.

Thus, in order to avoid another sleepless night she walked away as soon as she could

completely ignoring the fact that she was walking through traffic. Just as a car was

about to hit her she was pulled by arnav. They fell on the other side of the road,

unharmed. her arms in his , chest to chest, mind you both heaving. And eye to eye.

What she saw in his eyes then was something un readable. Was it rage or was it

concern? Did she by any chance see a thin film of fear? Fear? Fear of losing her?

Well maybe, or were his eyes so intense due to desire born out of their proximity at

the moment. He helped her stand and hugged he real tight as if to make sure she was

still alive. It took her every bit of self-control to not hug him back but later she gave

in and rubbed his back saying "I am alright". He instantly pulled out and cupped her

face which fit so perfectly in his palms.

Arnav: don't ever do that to me again!

She could only smile through her tears. Why was she crying? No wait, why was he

crying? He wasn't exactly crying but a tear did slip through his eyes. Her finger

instantly moved toward the tear. And like a game she took the tear on her finger and

placed it on the corner of his eye as if trying to send it back inside.

Khushi: they are not worth wasting over me.

She said slowly. To which he replied

Arnav: you're right. They are not worth wasting over you. They are worth spending

over you.

She couldn't speak more. She had no idea why he said so and she had no idea what

his eyes were reflecting. It was fear she managed to figure that out but there was

something more to it. But what?

All this while he was staring at her trying to figure out what she was thinking. And out of the

blue, her hand suddenly moved towards his face and her fingers caressed his skin while

one finger reached the corner of his eye and tapped there as if placing something. She

remembered. Yes! He was mentally punching in the air just like he did when she agreed to

go out on a date with him for the first time. Her subconscious mind did not wipe out the tiny

gestures of their love. Insignificant to the outside world but important to him, to her, to them.

And here was their love that bloomed not due to the chemistry of their heartstrings but due

to the chemistry of their tears which were worth pending over one other.

wont say much this time but yeah ! I need reviews...😆(shamelessly demanding!)

love you all loads

hadiqua😉

4. Wrecking ball

The ticking of the clock went almost unnoticed by them; the doctors and arnav. Khushi however had no idea about her developments she as usual smiled at him with the child-like glint in her eyes. But human wants are unlimited. Aren't they? And arnav was no less; he wanted the old khushi back. The only person in front of whom, he could cry.

Flashback

Arnav: I can't do this anymore maa. As much as I want to stay strong I feel myself breaking I don't want to be a wreck maa. Something I already am emotionally. Help me maa. This one time. Send me angel. Please! Because I think I need one now

He spoke to the skies not knowing someone else also had misty eyes. He turned around to find a khushi saying "then let me be one" and that was it, he crushed himself into her, crying off his pain and later dozed off in her lap.

Why couldn't she remember all that happened? The doctor's only worry echoed in his ears. The doctor informed him that she was showing acceptance to the world which was a good sign but what he feared was the fact that khushi was showing child-like behavior. It was like she was literally living her title of child-woman. Which he once gave her. He fisted his hands on remembering what the doctor said. They feared that even if she undergoes a surgery she would have a maturity level of a child. With every bit of hope he cupped her face looking directly into her eyes. While his eyes held unadulterated love for her, hers carried annoyance of being disturbed. Ignoring that he asked "khushi don't you remember anything we shared" to which she replied" of course I do" with a wink!

His heart soared high maybe it even reached outer space but fell real hard when she completed her sentence " we shared that awesome ice scream yesterday after which you slept like a child" he completed laughing hysterically. Some things never change. Do they? He sighed in defeat .

Flashback ( a day before)

A very tired arnav singh raizada was sleeping on the couch adjacent to the hospital bed. His mouth hanging and as embarrassing it may sound, drooling a little woke up to the feel of khushis hand on his cheek. He smiled at the beautiful vision only to be awarded by a maniac laughter. Bewildered, he asked the reason.

Arnav: why are you laughing that way khushi?

Khushi: why won't I when you sleep just like the little boy from the next ward. You sleep like a kid. No, you are a kid.

he decided to play along only to get embarrassed later on.

Arnav: well I am not a kid khushi!

He bit back little angrily.

Khushi: really? Then prove it!

She rendered him speechless. Now how was he supposed to do that? In normal situations he would have said "I love it when you talk dirty!" but now. Well, never mind!

Arnav: I am much taller than a kid khushi and much stronger too.

Khushi: really? Then prove me your strength.

Her normal question did wonders to his guttery part of his mind. He found it painfully tough to control the desires seeping in him and too make things worse she called upon a passing by doctor and complained to him saying.

Khushi: can you please ask arnav who is standing like a statue to prove his so called manly strength to me?

The doc hid his smile and passed an apologetic look to a flustered arnav and his hard form. Agreed, it was not a very sensual situation nor was khushi being a seductress but in the past they spoke this way only when they looked forward to certain satisfaction.

Why did things have to change so drastically? Why them? Why him? Was he cursed? Well for now he was a wreck.

He consulted top most psychiatrists and upon their suggestion he decided to take her home. To give her the space required to remember all of their past. For days the RM members were rendered speechless. They first were astonished when they found their ever dry chotte damp with tears. Their eyes refused to believe that their chotte was getting his room painted with bright colors. They later found stars dangling from the roof in his roof followed by fairy lights. Clothes both Indian and western, mind you girls' apparel, varying from black to red were hanging in his closet. They couldn't understand what was happening. Was their chotte planning a live-in?

Well, the time to answer all their queries arrived when a haggard looking arnav arrived with a sleeping khushi in his arms and a tensed aman with her luggage. Arnav gestured all to stay quiet lest she may wake up. They were really shocked on seeing this Romeo kind of side of the great ASR who once never acknowledged words of love. He was about to step in the house when nani stopped him

Nani: aap ye ladki ke sath andar aise nahin asakte. (you cannot enter the house this way with this girl). shocking everyone in the hall.

chappy 5 to be updated by tonight..hopefully. sorry for the delay!😊

5. ONCE UPON DREAM.

Nani: you can't enter with the girl just like that chotte!

Arnav: what on earth nani! Cut the crap and please speak softly.

He made an attempt to walk in again but nani commanded him to stop there itself. He cursed under his breath but also noticed every one trying to hide their smiles.

Arnav: what is going on in here?

But before he could complete mami came forward and cautiously draped a red dupattta,

which he recognized as his mother's wedding veil, across her and then nani and Anjali

proceeded to do the arti. A familiar sense of being at home washed over him. He was

overwhelmed and so was the family. They saw how their chotte held her face across his

chest even closer while arti, shielding her as if the little smoke would burn her. They were

awed by the love arnav showered upon her. And vowed to shower her with the same.

He placed her on the extra' soft bed a though she would shatter any minute. Covering her

with his comforter he started at this angelic being who for him was a synonym for lifeline.

She was his and he was hers and they constantly reminded that to each other and that was

he believed the reason why he felt so depressed when she failed to reciprocate his love.

That apart, he knew his love for her was enough for both of them, enough to be passed

down to a couple of generations. Nut those generations would exist only when she loved

him back right?

Dropping a tender kiss on her forehead he moved ahead to bring his plan into action, which

he felt a bit too dramatic but drama came along with the khushi package' right? He was well

aware of what he signed up and now he wanted to sign her up for a lifetime and beyond. He

set the room just the way it was when in New York. He started hanging photo frames of all

size and shapes on the wall. Each picture nurturing a fond memory, some intimate, some

crazy, some happy and some in love. With one life sized portrait of them , standing close,

arms in arms , placed in the center of the wall, opposite to the bed, he set everything in a

manner which was too good to be ignored and proceeded to hide near the poolside. With

his finger crossed he sat in silence. Like a thief waiting for the right time to steal. But in his

case he was all set to steal her heart again. With his heart beat racing miles per seconds

he watched her wake up. Unexpectedly, he woke up to stare right into his eye. damn! He

thought. He giggled and called out "hey arnav! Why are you hiding..." her voice trailed off

when her eyes ran through the room, the entire feel of the room familiar to something that

happened once upon a dream. The fairy lights, the painted walls and memories. Still

confused she climbed out of the bed not caring once that she just saw arnav hiding

somewhere like a kid playing hide and seek (love those biscuits btw!) expressionless, she

walked towards the smallest frame not once sparing a glance at the huge one. Her fragile

form fondled that particular memory. It was an accidental click taken during their "stealing

glances" stage. It was an after party; both were standing in different groups talking, when

their gazes locked accidently for the 100^th time in an hour. But this time she had a shy

smile playing on her lips while his eye conveyed the same. But how did she remember

that? She frowned moving on to another frame and her cheek immediately tinted red. It was

a picture of a khushi no scratch! A drunken khushi who was wildly kissing a not o drunken

arnav quite publicly. But how did she remember that? Moving on it was a picture of them

dancing. She was a beauty in red while he was a charmer in black. She looked like a red

rose that bloomed on spring while he looked like the dark that engulfed the day. But the

universe has its own set of rules. Magnetism they say, a property of being attracted to

opposites. But how did he remember that? Did she know him before? Maybe she did. How

else could she recognize him? Back then she was not so unstable to just go ask a person

randomly "aap wohi ho na?" Or was she? Her mind buzzed with flashes of her being

someone she was not right now.

Hi! Am khushi gupta, the new recruit...

You must be ASR!...

Leave me alone!

You know nothing about me arnav! So stop judging me.

You bet! I never lose

It's the first time ever that I lost. Unbelievable!

stop chanting what the!...you've made my life hell with that!

Agree or not my ideas are always better

Well we could just agree to disagree..

You are right. Maybe we can call it truce.

You know what? It's fun working with you.

OMG! I never knew the great ASR cold cook!

Am proud of you.

Do you miss your maa.

Don't worry. It'll be alright.

You can cry in front of me. It's ok! I won't tell anyone.

You should laugh often it makes you look younger.

.

Yes! I mean no..i mean yes. I mean yes, I will go out with you.

I had fun tonight.

Everything is fair in love and war.

I can't imagine life with you either.

Yes! I will marry you!

I love you more!

Khushi gupta now no longer contained the child-like glint in her eye. they were now

expressionless but not for long. As soon as her mind started absorbing the vivid yet clear

images of her life the spark she once held returned. She smiled a full smile. And turned

around to find an arnav facing his back to her, lost in thoughts . she tip toed to the poolside

with guilt swallowing her. How could she be so ignorant? How could she let him suffer? How

could she not realize that she had too love him back! No it was not a compulsion but for her

loving him back was the only excuse of staying alive. He hugged him ever so reluctantly,

her hands sliding up his chest like those good old times. His eyes shot open as wide as

possible. This couldn't be happening but hello! It was. He turned around immediately

cupping her face. She had her eyes closed in an effort not to shed a tear. He noticed her

form. She was as fragile a ever what was difference was her mannerism.it was more sober,

more matured more like the khushi he knew once. And just how once upon a wishing star

he kissed her eyes upon, he did the same now. he looked at her and she looked at him.

With an ever so faint hum of rabba ve playing somewhere in the vacuum of their confusion,

illusion or hallucination they finally realized it was a reality. More like he realized it was not

a dream.

Khushi: arnav!

She uttered his name in a broken voice while he healed her with a kiss. A kiss of passion,

the kind they shared while they ignited passion. Just like the way the line rhymes, their

kiss was rhythmic, a melody. A melody with lyrics of silence, beats of the heart and a

background score of nature sighing deeply at the young love. The universe is deathless they

say and the e universe is created out of love. It was the god's love for u which made him

create us. The universe evolved through water. When water fell in love with chemistry it

created little water beings and the love floated throughout creating the most beautiful races.

Mankind was born out of love, you and I were, and arnav and khushi were. There are so

many arnav's and khushi's out there who die every minute for love, if not physically, they

wreck internally. But the universe even if it loves us , doesn't stop moving on for them

because it knows that true love always survives. It survives in the last breath of an old man

dying in the arms of his wife. It survives in the last smile of the young lover when he bids

good bye to his beloved. It survives in the tear drop of a mother who loses her husband. It

survives in the eyes of two getting married. It lives in the tinted cheeks of a honeymooning

couple. Its cherished with the symbol of a love. it survives in the goodbye of a soldiers when

he hugs his love for maybe the last time. It fights every odd and last but not the least

love survived when arnav looked into khushi's eyes and when they closed them together.

And their they lay together , feeling their heart beat stop, skin to skin, heart to heart, lips to

lips and breaths ebbing together after living life to the fullest and after passing on the love to

the generations already arrived, and generations yet to come but not before asking for the

last time " aap wohi hona?" in a croaked yet extremely happy voice and the usual answer

came as usual with a weak nod but a powerful kiss, kiss of love...a kiss for a life time and

beyond!...

THE END.

it was an amazing journey all along!😊 thank you all for holding up with me and my delayed

promises😃. Fatima ( devilindiguise) for being an honest critic all the while and shadan for

being an honest friend🤗, not that Fatima isn't! 😆. i dedicate this work of mine to all those

who are in love and believe it will survive . to all the girls out there inside whom, a khushi

kumari gupta lives to all those who are due falling in love. lets love and let people love! love

you all ❤️

regards,

heckwidif (hadiqua)😉

for chap 2

ok now honey dat was freakngly awsum ohk
u can imagine hw i luk wen my try to supress my smile
choti devil is ryt beside me in her devil avatar
ohk d way u described arnav's pov abt her beauty was muah licious
he cud definitely go on staring at her
he wud definitely need looking glasses wen he grows old cz of excessive starin 😆
i so wwant to hug u...chal koi monday kardongi
aap wohi ho na n a smack...i was lik hayeee...
although i no wats in d update i still wait lik a crazy readr
d flashback was so cutie cute
arnav sounds so guddd...
...
ur bod chappys endb wid a thank yu for me 😆
mere bina tera kya hota???
well ya shaddy k liye kiss definitely
missing sum1 na

[MEMBERSONLY}

poor him dude
asr kya se kya bangaya
doc k saamne embarrassment lol
his room repainted /dreamy*
i did dat too
update soon idiot
n u res ur posts nxt tym infrm me cz i will b resn again lik d prev tym

amazn bunny
so sweet
i luv dat as always
bt i hate u kamini cz u did not lemme reas it in class
although u took review over fone still
pics part was my fav
n of course nani wala
lets love...n let odrs luv