The link to parts 1- 19 - http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1938942
Part 20
The next day was Friday, the day of the Akash and Payal's date. The day went by so fast and before Khushi and Payal knew it they were home.
Akash had texted Payal and told her that he and Arnav will come around 6:30.
"It's already 5:00, we need to make some snacks and tea"
"Let's start jiji"
Soon the food was ready and Khushi and Payal started to get ready.
They were completely ready when the doorbell rang at 6:30
Shashi went and opened the door and saw Arnav and Akash at the door
"You must be Akash and Arnav, I am Shashi Gupta, Payal and Khushi's father"
"Hi uncle" said Akash and Arnav.
"Come in" said Shashi with a smile.
Shashi led them to the living room where Garima was sitting.
"Garima, this is Akash and Arnav"
"Hello Aunty" said Arnav
"Hello beta"
"Payal, Khushi come down Akash and Arnav are here"
"Ji, Mom coming" yelled Payal.
Payal came out of her room and knocked on Khushi's door. "Khushi come out, they are here"
"Jiji, I am ready just give me a minute"
"Okay, come quick"
Khushi stood in front of the mirror. It had been a long time since she had gone out with someone and she needed a moment to compose herself.
"Breathe Khushi Breathe, it's not a date"
She took a deep breath and opened her room door to walk out. As she walked down the stairs she smiled.
Arnav was sitting and talking to her Dad while Akash and Payal were sneaking glances at each other.
She reached the bottom of the stairs and walked over to where everyone was.
"Hi" she said cheerfully.
"Hi , How are you?" said Arnav..
"Doing well and yourself?"
"What is happening thought Payal. They sound like they are at a business meeting.
"If you are ready to go we should head out" said Arnav looking at his watch.
"Uncle and Aunty we bring back Payal and Khushi by 9pm, Is that okay?"
"That is fine Arnav" reassured Shashi.
"Okay. Great" said Arnav.
Akash took Payal's hand and led her to the door while Arnav did the same with Khushi.
Khushi was surprised. "He is such a gentleman and this is not even a real date" thought Khushi.
Once everyone was settled in the car Arnav drove off.
"Now what is the plan ?"asked Arnav. He knew that Akash was a little shy and it would take time for him to bring up the question of what they were going to do tonight.
Akash turned and looked at Payal. "I made reservations at Olive."
Payal turned and looked at Khushi. Olive was Payal's favorite restaurant in the city
"That sounds wonderful" said Payal smiling
Akash smiled to himself
"Khushi where would you like to go?" asked Arnav
"I don't know, I have not thought about it"
"Okay, then we can figure it out together"
"Okay" said Khushi
20 minutes later Akash and Payal were dropped off at Olive and Khushi decided to go and sit in the front with Arnav
"Thank you for coming in the front"
"Of course, you are not a driver "
Arnav smiled
"So what do you want to do?" asked Arnav
"Ummm. Mall ?"
"That sounds good, they have a new restaurant there too"
"Yeaah I have wanted to try it out"
"Okay, mall it is then"
As they headed to the mall it was pretty quiet in the car which was strange for Khushi because she loved to talk
"So, how is everything going" asked Khushi
"Going well , school and work are both crazy right now "
"Oh you work, where?"
"As a assistant with Family Engineering"
"That's great, its one of the best companies, how is it working there?"
"I really enjoy it, I am learning a lot. But my Dad he..."
"What"
For the first time Arnav felt comfortable talking about his problems with his Dad with someone
"He.. doesn't support me. He wants me to the join the family business"
"What is the family business"
"AR Fashion"
"No way, that's one of the best fashion designers in the world"
"Yes way and Dad wants me to join. My passion is engineering and he does not get it"
"Always follow your passion, believe me"
"Is Criminal Justice your passion"
Khushi looked down
"Um..it isn't. Dance is my passion"
Arnav did not expect that.
"Dance?"
"Yes, I love to dance and would love to pursue it but my parents will never go for it. I want to go into dance but I don't want to hurt and disappoint them.
"I am sure you are amazing at it" said Arnav with a smile
"Thanks" said Khushi with a smile.
The last time she had talked to someone about her passion for dance was when she was with Kabir and he brushed it off like it was a joke.
***Flashback***
"What is your passion Kabir?" asked Khushi.
"Money, I want to be rich one day"
Khushi looked at him like he was joking.
"Don't look at me like that, what's your passion?"
"Dance" said Khushi
"Dance really" said Kabir laughing. You can't be a dancer, have you seen those women, they are so hot and you are...
"Dance has to do with skill and dedication not looks"
"Fine, whatever"
After that day Khushi never mentioned her passion for dance to anyone and cried herself to sleep that night.
***Flashback Ends***
Remembering that moment with Kabir made Khushi sad and she rubbed her eyes.
"What happened?" asked Arnav.
"Nothing, I am okay" said Khushi.
Seeing her like this reminded Arnav about the tall guy that told him to stay away from Khushi.
"Khushi, I want to ask you something"
"Yeah go ahead"
"Just the other day I was stopped in the hallway by a tall guy he told me to stay away from you"
Khushi was shocked hearing this. "What did he look like"
"He was tall, dark hair and fair and he was wearing a leather jacket"
Khushi's heart sunk. "Kabir" she whispered.
"Who is Kabir?"
"My ex-boyfriend"
comment:
p_commentcount