Everyone had the breakfast together. Lavanya was still a little pissed with Arnav for talking her off. Arnav knew she was sulking a little bit. To cheer up everyone he suggested they all go out for a picnic. Nani refused saying she had joint pain. Khushi immediately was concerned and opted to stay back as well. But Nani was adamant that Khushi had to have some fun.
"Bitiya, you hardly go out. You are young and you should have some fun."
Arnav too asked her to come. "Don't worry Khushi. Hari Prakash is always there and we are not going far. If there's any problem he will call me immediately." Khushi reluctantly agreed though she was in no mood to go with the two of them. Especially not after the telling scene that happened right before her eyes that morning.
She was praying to Devi Maiya to give her an escape route. As if her prayers were answered, NK came in with a cool hi. Khushi immediately smiled brightly at him. NK was the goat in her plans today. She went to him. "NK we are all going for a picnic. Will you also join us?" Her smile was still in place.
"Sure Khushi. Anything for you." He too smiled back.
Arnav almost felt steam come out of his ears. Why did Khushi smile so much around NK? Didn't she know he was a nut case? And to add to this she is also inviting him to the picnic. Just to ruin my day. He was clenching his teeth in anger. But none seemed to notice his agony.
They all immediately got ready. Lavanya came down in shorts and a skimpy t shirt while Khushi came down in a breezy, cotton suit. She was wearing coolers and a cute cap. NK got up as Khushi came down. "Khushi you look cool. Especially the cap." And she grinned back with a thank you. Arnav was behind Khushi and saw this exchange with irritation. Won't these two stop? And the day hadn't even begun.
Lavanya noticed his khadoos expression. "ASR why are you looking like this? Cmon smile. We are going to a picnic."
Arnav just walked past all of them with the car keys. When Lavanya went to sit next to him, he stopped her. "You go back. Let NK sit with me. Haven't caught up with him in sometime." Lavanya shrugged and went back with Khushi. Arnav breathed a little. He was particular NK shouldn't sit with Khushi.
NK came out last and was disappointed at the seating. He anyways went and sat next to Arnav. Despite the irritation, the guys spoke about their common friends and other things. The women at the back too started getting along. Khushi admired Lavanya's fashion sense and she told her so. That started breaking the ice and soon Lavanya was narrating incidents from her childhood and college days in the US. Khushi too shared some stories about Nani and Khushi.
They went into a farm which was open for public. Arnav parked the car in the track and they got down. Khushi held the picnic basket. NK saw this and immediately rushed to take it from her hands. "Khushi, give it to me. You look too frail to carry this."
Khushi gave it to him with a smile. She felt good that NK was so attentive. What a good friend he was. But the pair of furious eyes that watched this scene was irriated. Arnav spoke harshly to everyone. "Shall we go or do we stand here for the rest of the day?"
The others hurried hearing his tone. For Khushi, she was surprised hearing his tone since morning. Why has Arnav turned into a khadoos? Usually he wasn't this bad. Huh! He hasn't been the same sweet guy since he has returned. He was behaving as if he was a "Lard Governor". She giggled at her own mutterings. Yes that name suited him more than Arnie. Arnie belonged to a sweet boy who took care of her. Not this rakshas he had turned into since morning.
Lavanya and NK were looking at geese that were going around the farm. Arnav noticed Khushi standing a little far as usual speaking to herself. Typical! He went back to her and took her arm. "Shall we go? Or are you planning to stand here and day dream?" His voice was dripping with sarcasm.
"Yes LG. I will come." Her voice too was laced with sweet sarcasm. He raised his eye brows. "LG?"
"Lard Governor."
"What?" His expression was shocked.
"That's how you have been behaving. And from now on that's what I am going to call you." She giggled, her eyes alight with laughter.
Arnav too joined in when she started laughing. He had missed this Khushi. Arnav felt happy at last she was behaving properly with him. He pulled her into a fierce hug. Her breath oozed out of her body. She hugged him back fiercely, glad he still laughed with her. At least she still had her friend.
They joined the other two who were busy walking through the small farm, seeing the animals. Some kids were also running about. Lavanya was taking pics all around. She was happy seeing the place. NK was trying to feed some of the animals. He too was enjoying himself.
Khushi was excited seeing the farm animals. She ran to NK and joined him in feeding the animals. Arnav lazily walked towards Lavanya and put a hand over her shoulder. Together they saw all the pics she had taken till then.
A while later they spread the picnic basket and sat down to have the sumptuous goodies Nani and Khushi had packed. They spoke about their dreams and NK narrated some interesting anecdotes about Arnav and himself in school. They all laughed over it. For a while there was silence and then Khushi got up to go to the pond inside the farm.
She sat down and watched the fish, mesmerized at the sight. She heard footsteps and looked up to see NK coming. He smiled and sat down next to her. They got talking about her college and what she plans to do next. Khushi told him she intended to apply for her masters in a month's time when the forms will be issued. He said he knew a friend who was in the same line. They got around to discussing more of it.
Khushi thought it was getting late. She got up and thanked NK for keeping company. Khushi said they had better get going. He took her hands in his and asked her not to be so formal. Arnav correctly came at that moment in search of Khushi. As usual he didn't like both of them getting close.
Lavanya had felt the heat and she had gone back to the car. Arnav said he would bring the other two and left in search of them. He had finally spotted both of them by the pond standing close to each other with their hands together. His mouth tightened and Arnav asked them to come back. NK turned and started followed by Khushi.
Arnav let NK pass but when Khushi walked past him he caught her wrist and turned her around. Khushi looked at him in confusion. "Arnav, ouch. You're holding my hand very tight. Please." But Arnav was in no mood to listen. He held both her wrists by his hands and pushed her back against a huge tree. She started wriggling with a fierce expression. But Arnav did not compromise.
"What is going on between the two of you?" His voice was deceptively soft.
"N..nothing" Khushi had never seen Arnav this angry before. His hold was strong, of that of a man. It was no more tender hugs and protection alone.
"Nothing took so long?"
Khushi didn't like his tone. "Watch your tone Arnav. I wanted to apply for my masters and we were speaking about that."
"So now he has started giving you career advice? You always used to come to me for everything. Now he has become so important to take decisions on your behalf?" His anger was rising every second.
Khushi too felt her temper come to the front. "Arnav, he was not taking my decisions. I decide my life and I alone decide it. And what bothers you?"
"You said everything had changed even today morning Khushi. But it is you who has changed not anything else." He tugged her closer when she realized they were standing in the middle of nowhere, almost plastered together. Khushi looked away from him in embarrassment. "Leave me Arnav." By then she lost her steam to fight. She just wanted to get away.
Arnav cupped her chin tightly and forced her to look up. Whatever he wanted to say was stuck in his throat. He looked into her huge rounded eyes, mesmerized by so many fleeting expressions chasing across her face. He was lost in thought when they heard sound of footsteps.
Arnav's hand losened and she moved away. NK came back searching for them. "What are you both doing here? We're getting late. C'mon now guys!"
Both of them went and neither of them spoke a word after that. Khushi's heart was going Dhak Dhak and she looked through her lashes at Arnav sideways. He chose to look at her at the same moment. Her heart raced even more and she looked away quickly.
Arnav was lost in her beauty. He was distracted by her beautiful, soulful eyes. They seemed to be constantly beckoning him to her. He stopped himself from thinking such fanciful thoughts and walked fast to the car.
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