Chapter 7

mysticaltales11111

@mysticltales111

Chapter 6 – FireFlies

Khushi’s POV

I focussed on the road as we drove back.

And I listened to the music, that was flowing through Arnav’s playlist, and I thought of adding some of these songs to my playlist too, they were actually quite nice.

But I had needed the music not only for my ears; but also because it was now serving as the perfect distraction for the nervousness in my stomach.

I was crazy, maybe.

But I swear to God,I felt something flutter in my stomach, as Arnav had pulled me in for a close hug.

Ok, so my best friend is a guy.

And a lot of my friends are also guys.

And I hug Rahul almost everyday and I know what that feels like, it’s a friendly hug , more like driven by a emotion for ones sibling – because we have been there in each others lives forever,and been there for each other as best friends for so so long,that there is absolutely no qualms about it and I often give a side hug to all the rest of my guy buddies too, and that is why when he had asked me for a hug, I had thought that , that was what it was going to feel like, a hug from a friend to a friend, but when he had instantly pulled me in for a close hug from the side hug I had given, I was taken aback, and not just by the thought that he had wanted to hug me close, but by the flutter that had erupted in my stomach, and that is probably why I had stood frozen in his arms for a couple of minutes, because I was unable to comprehend and move.

I had to thank mom and dad for their genetic contribution to my looks, but even though I know I had a tiny and delicate built, with a decent face, I had been more like a clueless tomboy all my life,because id always felt that way within maybe. Infact until a couple of years ago it was Rahul who would always come and tell me that ; Khushi this guy was being more than just a buddy right now, he was flirting with you. Or Khushi this guy is interested in you. Or Khushi this guy likes you more than a friend and wants to date you.(this was in Armaan’ s case)

And even though I still was quite clueless and dumb when it came to all of this, but my short two month dating adventure with Armaan was enough to give me a little insight into what differentiated the touch of a friend, from a touch of a man, who probably looked at you more than just a friend.

And I had, experienced a feeling, very much similar to that latter one as Arnav held me close into his frame and his hands wrapped tightly around my waist, and then ofcourse that stupid flutter in my stomach.

But thank god for the return of neurotic function in my neurons, that my brains restarted itself and I told myself that I was going crazy, probably reading too much into the gesture and the invisible feel that it had to it ; and I reminded myself that I wasn’t just standing in anyone’s arms, and I had instantly pulled away then and diverted the topic.

I steal a glance at him as he continues to gaze out the window and I study him a little in my head.

We connect.

We definetly do.

I feel good around him and I enjoy his company, and he enjoys mine too ; he made that clear a couple of times and maybe this was what it was, the ease we felt in each others company or the fact that I could be a funny dramatic idiot when I wanted to be and my amusing antics that even I found weird sometimes actually ended cracking him up.

Yes, that was what it was.

We belonged and lived in two different worlds, and our lives had only converged into this common point for a shortwhile of these five days, and then he’d leave and go back into his world, and I would still be here in Cape Town and return into my usual late evening routine too.

I was totally being naïve and stupid by reading too much into this.

The way he held me close into him; probably didn’t mean anything else from being a friendly embrace.

Yes, that was exactly what it was.

But because I was enjoying myself too, in his company, it felt totally alright to spend the rest of the time with him too and store that in my head as one of my secret celebrity encounters – and this would be my favourite one for sure.

I enjoyed knowing him, even though it was for a little while,and it wasn’t like as if we were going to be in touch or anything after he’d leave, so there was no point of me wiling my mind away at this.

This is supposed to be a memorable encounter that’s all and I smile to myself as I realise that its going to one precious memory to keep in my head, and I was kind of glad to have met him in the way I had.

I halted the car on the red light and right then Arnav turned to look at me, and he gave me a small smile, and I nodded back at with a smile as I asked on reflex – “ you really love listening to music, don’t you??”

He grinned at me – “ yes I do khushi..it unwinds me..music is very important to all the three super important  components of my being..”

I chuckled at that and I asked, resuming my drive, the signal had turned green – “which are??”

He winked at me– “my head, my heart and my game…”

I smiled at that, and I realised that he could make me smile easily too, and right then my phone buzzed and I groaned as I saw Rahul’s name flash on the screen as I rolled my eyes and looked at Arnav – “ Im sure, hes calling to ask why my gps is turned off..he is going to kill me..”

And I cut the call.

But it rang again and Arnav spoke – “cmon khushi take it, you can put it on speaker if you don’t want to hold the phone as you drive..”

I nodded and I picked it up and I heard Rahul’s concerned voice fill in the car – “ khushi, are you mad or what?? Why cant I track you?? You switched off your gps??are you done with the uber schedule?? Are you still driving and if you tell me you are im going to kill you …its 140am, you better tell me that you are back home…I swear im going to tell dad tomorrow, that youv been acting like a weird monkey this entire week, worrying the hell out of me and diya…she called me right now,asking me to check on you because she couldn’t track you…”

Diya was a sweetheart.She was like family and she had Rahul shared this common concern for me everytime I was out driving uber late in the night and so when Rahul had set up this tracker on my phone, dia wanted in on the updates too.

 I looked at Arnav with a – I told you so look and he grinned back at me and I spoke, taking a deep breathe – “ calm down Rahul, im ok, I think I switched it off by mistake, im just on my way back home, will reach home in 20 minutes maybe..its been so busy after the match..what can I do now..everyone seems to loose it when it comes to cricket..and even though I know you are confused whether to celebrate or not..our home boys won so there’s a lot of partying going on right..super busy for us uber drivers out here..ok...”, I finished with a wink,coming up with the perfect excuse, that made Arnav bite back his laugh.

………….

Arnav’s POV

I tried to control my laugh as I heard Khushi answer back her friend and I was also totally smitten by that mischevious wink she gave me.

God, could this girl get any more adorable?

I heard Rahul’s voice through the speaker – “ok fine..now that iv heard that tone of yours I know you are ok,just message me once you reach home…”,and his concerned tone was now replaced by a casual one as he spoke – “ what do you mean if im confused about celebrating?im obviously celebrating..it was such a good game..a nail biting finish and good win for the home boys..but khushi what a fab innings that was by ASR…I tell u..we are actually watching the repeat telecast of the match right now..and beer..you know its more relaxing to rewatch when you know the result..so yes..looking back at a good game with my beer..”

Khushi looked at me and mouthed a see-i-told-u and put her finger to her head to tell me that her friend was crazy and it cracked me up, but I couldn’t really laugh out loud so I bite it back as I heard her answer, with a grin on her face – “ what what?are you crazyyyy?? Rahul you are officially crazy…and what do you mean we..pls don’t tell me you are torturing diya again..shell ditch you right before walking down to you as your wife, you are such a  monkey ,don’t tell me then that I didn’t warn you…you trouble her so much…”

Ok so I was kind off enjoying over-hearing this conversation.

I mentally already liked this guy Rahul for being such a good friend to khushi ; and it felt good to know that him and his fiancée were watching out for khushi, trying to be there for her like a family, the family shed lost in that tragic crash.

And right then his voice came through the speaker – “ ok so since you said you are driving back home and I figure that you will be alone and are talking to me through speaker, Im handing over the phone, kill me tomorrow, but talk once, please..”

I saw Khushi give me a confused look and she asked – “huh?? Rahul??what do you mean??”,and right then I heard another man’s voice fill in through the speak as he spoke – “ khush..its me…armaan..howv u been???”

Armaan.I remembered this name as khushi had mentioned to me about him and that they had dated for a while and she had broken up because it wasn’t her cup of tea and  how Rahul was trying to play cupid in between of them again.

Ok then.

I have no idea why I was feeling so so weird about this.

I looked at Khushi and it totally felt like she wasn’t expecting any of this because I saw her face loose its colour and her smile vanished and she gave me an embarrassed look as she spoke , trying to cover up the awkwardness she was feeling – “ hey..you..iv been good and busy, that’s all..hope youv been good too…”

I just pretended to be engrossed in my phone, when my ears were actually totally tuned into the conversation that was happening in the car and thank god that khushi was driving, and so she could not turn off the speaker.

Armaan’s voice filled in through the speaker and the sigh in it was evident – “ good.iv been good..but you don’t even talk to me anymore khush..you don’t reply to my texts and you don’t take my calls..”

I heard khushi reply, the turmoil evident in her voice as she spoke – “ armaan..please..lets not go there..i don’t want to talk about this..and I don’t want to hurt you,and that’s why i…i..”,and she paused.

And I heard Armaan answer – “I know, I know you feel like if you do or we continue to be friends you feel like it will lead me on..”

Khushi took a deep breathe as she spoke – “ exactly, so..umm..”

God,this was awkward.

Armaan answered – “ and I also know that’s exactly because you know how I feel about you, im not over you or us..yet..i tried ok, but not happening..”

Khushi sighed as she spoke, the embarrasement and the turmoil evident in her voice again – “armaan..please…look im driving…I cant talk right now..youv had too many beers too maybe..”

Ofcourse I knew why khushi wanted to hang up.She was very uncomfortable that this conversation was unfolding in front off me and she had to totally pretend that she was alone too.

“khush..please..dont hang up..”, came his voice.

Ok so firstly I have no idea why I was getting super irritated by the way he called her khush.

What was his damm problem??

And his voice, even I could figure out just by listening to it that he was not over khushi for sure.

I heard khushi say – “ armaan..gosh..im sorry..i really am..but give yourself some time..itll be ok..and I need to hang up now..”

Armaan – “ its been so long khushi already, a year and three months, but its not happening ya,I miss you khush and I miss us...i miss everything that was before I messed up and scared you away..and I think its time that I need you to know that from me and not from Rahul or anyone else…”

Khushi – “ ok im hanging up now..”

Armaan’s voice rang through the speakers – “I need to see you just once khush, and lets talk this face to face..meet me tomorrow? Ill come by the café in the evening say around 6 pm?”

Khushi – “ fine..lets meet tomorrow..”,and before he could say anything more she cut the phone and she spoke under her breath – “ Rahul is dead, he is so freaking dead..how dare he..”

And I asked on reflex – “ you ok??” , because she didn’t look ok at all, and that kind off unsettled me, did she have feelings for this Armaan still??

She took a deep breathe as she spoke – “ yes…”,and then a second later she spoke – “Is it ok if I just stop driving for a second?? I think I need some fresh air..”

I nodded silently.

Ok.

Why was she so disturbed??

So this was what it looked like when the past came back to haunt your present, maybe?

I have absolutely no clue because I have never been in a relationship.

She pulled over the car at the side lane and got out, and I got out on reflex because I wanted to make sure that she was fine.I didn’t like the way the smile had left her lips. I walked over to stand next to her as she stood leaning against the drivers seat door and took deep breathes as she folded her arms across her chest and I asked softly, offering her the bottle of water for a drink – “ you don’t look ok?? You wana talk about it??why don’t you drink some water..itll help”

I wanted her to open up to me too.

She looked at me for a second, and the turmoil evident in her eyes and then she leaned against the door and then slumped down on the road, and sipped on some water and I immediately sat next to her,and I held her hand and I spoke – “ you can talk to me khushi..”

She took a deep breathe as she finally spoke – “ I hate myself for it…I really do…I hurt him, and I hate it..but I cant be unfair to him or myself..i cant go on with a lie right..i cant lead him on..i don’t want too..i just don’t feel the same way…”

Ok, so I needed to know more in here, so I asked – “what happened if you don’t mind me asking ofcourse..?? I mean why did the two of you break up anyway? I mean you did tell me it wasn’t your cup of tea but..”

She nodded – “ but that is a vague statement I know..”, and she closed her eyes for a second and then opened them a second later and then she turned to face me and she spoke – “ it feels like I can talk to you about this without the fear of being judged..”

I nodded – “ totally khushi..tell me..”

I mean ofcourse, I would be the last person on this planet to sit and judge her.

She had seen through me for who I was as Arnav within, I had opened up to her about that, and why would I ever judge someone who had made me feel so good about not just myself but everything else too?

I gestured to start talking and I heard her speak – “ all my life until I had turned 20..iv always stayed away from all of this like I told you I didn’t have the time or the patience for it ever..iv always felt like im such a tomboy within..and that I can be a good friend, a really good friend, and Its always been difficult for me to even comprehend the fact that any guy would be interested in me for anything beyond friendship, youv seen my antics no? you know I can be such a goofy stupid idiot sometimes, I mean why would anyone ever find that attractive??i mean to tell you honestly, iv always had Rahul come up and tell me that khushi this guy is trying to flirt with you, khushi he doesn’t want to be just friends etc etc.., and I had often wondered why im such a dumb idiot when it comes to this..i always thought no point in wasting my energy into something that I wouldn’t understand..so I stayed away from all this…”, and she paused to sip a drink off her bottle.

I smiled to myself within – the honesty on her face and in her eyes, god she really was naïve and clueless and completely unaware about the affect she could have on men.

I know, because she was completely clueless about the affect she had, had on me.

This was simple naivity and honest cluelessness was totally priceless, because it was so rare to see this, there was no manipulation in those eyes or in her words or her body language, no hidden meaning or agenda or a mind game brewing up in her head – I was sure, because I could see it right through.

I was sure because I could feel it in my instincts within.

And I gestured her to just go on and I just clutched her hand with mine as a way of showing support and she went on, keeping down the water bottle – “ but..then one fine day..stupid Rahul…just because he and diya are so in love, he kept nagging me into it ok.. atleast give it a chance khushi, armaan is a nice guy, he likes you..youll never know how it feels until you try dating someone..i decided to give it a shot..and to be honest and fair to armaan, he really is a nice guy, and now that I look back at the two months we did date, it wasn’t bad actually,and there was a spark too, I mean..like a mutual attraction, but that was what it was..i liked him, itll be a lie and totally unfair to us both if I say that I did not like him but…I did..but then right on the day after my 21st bday..”

And she paused and I silently gestured her to go on – “ he tells me that he’s in love me, and im left speechless because in that moment I realise that I cannot get myself to say those words back to him because I was not in love with him,and it felt like I was being unfair to him, because I was no where as close to him on that emotion tangent, so I ended things, I had to be fair to him and myself, or I wouldn’t be able to sleep at night…”,and she paused as she looked at me – “ my sleep is very important to me, hoddie guy, I just feel like I need to live my life being honest to myself right and that is the only way sleep comes quickly to me,the minute I lie down and put my head to my pillow..im out…”

I asked on reflex – “really?? You never lie down thinking about the ifs and buts before you sleep??”

She shook her head – “ never…until and the day im not able to sleep, I know something is wrong within that I need to fix, and face myself honestly for it..so at that time it just It felt like I would just hurt him more, what was the point then?? He deserves to be with someone who can say those words back to him, not with a goofy stupid tomboy like me who isn’t wired to love..”

And I hear myself ask honestly – “what makes you say that??why do you say that you aren’t wired to love??everybody is wired to love khushi…”,and I paused as she stayed silent and I added softly – “you just haven’t met the one..thats all..maybe that’s what it is about maybe..you will know when it feels right..”

She took a deep breathe as she leaned against the door and then closed her eyes and I could read every emotion , every gesture of turmoil on her face and it was so honest that it moved me and she spoke – “ I don’t know..maybe…but I don’t think so I want to get into anything like this again..ill just end up hurting people..and I don’t want too..it makes me uneasy and uncomfortable…that’s why I think I need to meet him once and be honest to him about this all too…and tell him how sorry I am..he deserves it..and then maybe he can move on..”

And because I needed to know the answer to this I asked –“ why do you think, you don’t want to get into anything like this??”and she shrugged and then she continued softly, keeping her eyes closed – “ love is a luxury Arnav..that I cannot afford in my life right now..or maybe ever...all of this with armaan anyway happened before the crash, and after the crash, after what happened, all that grief, something changed within, even if there was a little bit of possibility for the wiring of the circuit of love, its flipped around, ill be lying if I say that it hasn’t killed something inside off me,I feel it has, and right now im in a position, that I don’t want to get into anything that scares me, and this scares me…I just feel like I will screw up and I will end up hurting somone, just like I hurt armaan, and it makes me very uncomfortable..iv told Rahul about this, and he understands but he still keeps nudging me into this because he feels like maybe this might help me fight that loneliness and that void at having lost my family, the one I feel when I go back up the stairs into my little home.. and I keep telling him and verma uncle not to worry about it because im coping up much better now.. and so no..im not undergoing any more experiments here at the cost of hurting anyone in the process..so I will just take my time maybe..im only going to look at all this dating stuff when I feel im ready for it…”, and she finally opened her eyes and turned to look at me, her gaze searching mine.

I was moved.

Because I realised in that moment that I completely understood her.

I understood everything she’s said and once again I was totally clean bowled by the honesty and I just pressed her hand gently as I spoke softly – “ I understand khushi..”

And she asked looking at me, surprise evident in her eyes – “ you do??”

I nodded and I spoke softly – “ you did the right thing, and its also good that you are meeting him tomorrow and just stay true to yourself..and he will get that..”

And I totally nudged aside the uncomfortable nervousness that I felt within.It was good for khushi to meet this armaan face to face.

But it wasn’t a good news to my emotions within.

And I couldn’t believe the emotion I was fighting.

I had never felt this in all of my life.

I was freaking jealous of this Armaan dude.

And it wasn’t because he was going to be meeting khushi tomorrow, it was because he had been a part of her life, and that they shared some history,I was still on that thought when I saw khushi give me a small smile as she whispered - “ thank you hoodie guy, never knew you were such a good listener..cmon ill take you back now..its just five minutes drive from here..its been so late now..i want to still be in one piece and not be killed my Rahul tomorrow..”, she finished with a chuckle.

Finally,she smiled.That chuckle up her face made me smile and I spoke – “ sure..lets go back…and text me when you reach home too after dropping me, its really late..”

She nodded and we got in the car, and she resumed driving, and continued to do so in silence for the next five minutes, and I didn’t mind the silence as she gave me another smile in between and right then she pulled the car to a halt and it was time for me to get off and I looked at her to see a smiling her , and our eyes locked and I smiled back  – “ the smile says you feel better…”

And she nodded , giving me another smile – “that’s because I really do..thank you hoodie guy...”

I chuckled – “ thanks for the drop, uber girl…ill see you tomorrow..let me know where and when..”

She nodded – “sure, ill text you..”

“do that…goodnight khushi..”

“goodnight to you too…”,and with that I finally watched her drive away.

I walked back into the hotel and then took the elevator up to my room and made my way in and changed for the night and then lied down in bed, thinking about everything khushi had said.

She had been through so much in the last year and all that grief, I cannot even begin to imagine the kind of impact it must have had on her innocent heart.

It was only obvious that it would have changed something inside off her, and even though she was doing much better, and was putting up a brave face to the world, who knew what was it that was going in her mind and heart when she was all alone by herself in that studio of hers up the café??

Would she cry often at the lonliness that was natural to creep into her being as she entered in, each day into an empty room, with no one to welcome her??

God, my heart went out to her,and it was overwhelming for me to even just think about it, and she was living every bit off it, each day.

And she was so bloody brave in the face of it all, that once again I was clean bowled my that courage.

And that honesty.

And that simplicity.

And the naivity.

She absolutely had no idea about how special she was.

She truly was rare and one of a kind.

I had never met anyone like her in all of my life.I am so glad I walked into Chai and Coffee that day.

Bestest decision ever.

Right then my phone beeped.

It was a whtsapp message from Khushi.

Khushi: Thank you Arnav.For everything.iv reached home and crashing to sleep now. Goodnight to you.

I smiled as I read that, and I quickly replied.

Me : pls don’t thank me khushi. I was just waiting for your message.im off to sleep now.goodnight to you too.

…….

Next Day – 7.00 PM

Khushi’s POV

I sipped on my coffee as I waited for Armaan to say something.

He had come to Chai and Coffee bang on time at 6.00 pm and I had excused myself, and we had spent the last one hour talking, catching up at first to kill the awkwardness of the moment and then id dived straight in and been honest to him about it all,and hed been honest to me too, that how he was finding it difficult to move on and I had told him that maybe it was because he wasn’t really trying fairly because he was still holding onto hope that we could rekindle what we had.

We couldn’t,and I told him that and I also told him that he might hate me for it now, but i would never lead him on with a lie or give him any false hopes here,and now I was still waiting for him to react to that, and I could spot everyone from the front counter, Varun, Jack, Stacey look at us every now and then.

It was so freaking obvious that they wanted to know what was going on.

Everyone knew about Armaan and me dating , all thanks to Rahul.

I was going to kill him.Why did I stand his antics again?

Yes, because he was my best friend.

And him and diya and uncle and aunty were closest to family that I had left anyway.

And I felt my anger at him wash away as I realise that hed done this because hes deeply worried for me too.Id just have to tell him the truth too, that I needed more time to heal it all within.

I was working on it.

I was getting there.

Right then I see Armaan put his cup aside and he held my hand from across the table and he spoke, emotion evident on his face.He was hurt, but there was no hate in his eyes – “ I understand, you are right..its the right thing to do, and im glad you were honest to me then and im glad you are now too, yes I was hurt, I missed you..and us and was holding onto hope…but, I guess you are right again, its better this way..thank you khushi for being honest to me..and for never leading me on, it hurt me that you werent talking to me, but I realise now that its whats probably best for us both…”

I gave him a small smile – “ thanks..”,and he picked up his hand and he sipped his coffee – “ I still love the beverages here, ill come around for it sometime then, after iv sorted things in my head..but as your friend that’s all..i promise..”

I nodded and he got up to leave and he gave me a side hug as he walked out and he held me close to his second for maybe ten seconds and then let go and walked away.

I was hoping that he finally got the closure he needed to move on from me.

I walked back in and I quickly made my way to the backoffice,narrowing my eyes at Jack, varun and Stacey and gesturing them to return to work, and I smiled to myself as I saw Varun return his attention to the till immediately.

They all loved me I know.

And they were worried for me.

I walk upto Verma uncles office and I asked – “ uncle, is it ok If i leave an hour early??”

He looked at me and smiled – “finally??? I was thinking when will khushi ask me for some time off…ofcourse beta…all ok though right??”

I nodded – “ yes uncle…all ok..just catching up with a collegue from work..”

He grinned – “ great…ill see you tomorrow then..”

I nodded and I made my way up my room. I still had to freshen up and get ready

I quickly dressed up in my black jeggings and a casual pink colour top, and I pulled out my cotton black hoddie jacket(to give hoodie guy company, poor him must be feeling so weird with it on all the time) and strung it around my waist and put on my sling bag, and then I quickly brushed my hand through my hair and tied them up in a high ponytail and put on a little lip balm to moisturize my lips that’s all.

I loved the feeling of the cool wind on my bare face.

And I quickly messaged Arnav to meet me at the spot near his hotel where id dropped him last night in 20 minutes.

I was going to cab it till there, and we would take the bus after to the Table View beach.

…………..

25 Minutes Later

I smiled to myself as I put on my lightweight wintsheeter jacket and put on the hoodie on my head as I saw him walking up to me with his head down in his phone and I stepped up towards him , suprising him in his walk as I spoke – “ hey you….”,and he looked up and grinned at me and he looked at me from head to toe and he winked – “ look who is inspired by my hoodie get up today…”

I chuckled at that as I gestured him to start walking along side me and he did I spoke giving him a wink – “ im going to be needing this windsheeter today surely..and I thought..let me also feel na how it feels to nip around the town with a weird hoodie on..”

He stopped in his tracks for a second and he looked at me – “ you did this to give me company , so I don’t come across as the only weirdo…thanks khushi”

I nodded and gave him a smile – “fair no..anyway not just that, like I also said I will need it..”

We resumed our walk towards the bus stop and he asked – “ where are we going??”

I looked at him – “well we will take the 815pm bus first…and then I will tell you about it once we are on it..”

“is it going to be a double decker bus again??”,he asked excitement evident in his voice.

I grinned – “ yes..”

And we reached the bus stop, which was crowded and I asked him – “ you have those two brochures??”

He nodded and pulled them out, and he opened one to unfold it in front of his face and I took the other one from his hand and unfolded it in front of mine, to give him company.

Now, we both looked weird.

But it was ok, that way no one was singling him out atleast.

………….

Ten minutes later

I hopped on the bus and took the stairs up immediately and he was right behind me and lucky again there were only 6 people up in there, all of them to busy in their phones to even look up and I walked over to the last seat and I got in the corner and he got into the spot next to me and the bus started to move and I asked – “ how was your day hoodie guy???”

He smiled – “ it was good khushi, the usual, practice in the nets, and then then a swim, gym, caught up with the boys and I also did all the winding up, I might not get the time tomorrow..”

Ofcourse, tomorrow was the last game and he was leaving the next day.

I nodded and I asked softly – “so all done, I hope??”

He nodded and I spoke – “ great…then…”,and he asked softly a second later – “ are you ok??how did it go with Armaan”

I nodded – “ good…actually it went well, better than id anticipated…”,and I started to fill him on the summary of my conversation and just as I had he gave me a smile as he spoke – “ he will be ok..now no need to burden yourself with the guilt ok..you did the right thing..”

I leaned back in my seat and I admitted honestly – “ I just hope he meets someone, I truly want him to move on and be happy..”

He gave me a smile – ‘don’t worry, he will…”,and then he asked – “ wait, and where are we going exactly??and im hungry too”

I chuckled at his expression – “look whose getting all dramatic in my company..”

He grinned – “ I am a quick learner khushi..”

I smiled – “ ok…so im taking you to the table view beach…as the name suggests, it’s a beach right at the foot of the table mountain and oh my god, the ocean…its amazing…and the wind..hence the windsheeter…and just sitting near the water and listening to the sound of the waves crashing up to the shore…im sure you must have seen so many beaches because youv travelled the world..but at night it’s at the table view beach its a different feel altogether… it’s amazing..and it’s a busy street opposite that..we will get a quick take away and then go to the beach…at this time of the night..itll be less crowded too…sounds good??”

He grinned – “ good?? It sounds fantastic khushi…”

I nodded and I asked – “ ok hoodie guy, so what will you eat today?? Think up, so that I can plan our stop along the street once we get down the bus stop..its my duty to ensure that you don’t get recognised and then mobbed…”

He laughed at that and he spoke- “ anything will do hoodie girl..”

I chuckled – “ you good with a Greek chicken wrap then?? I know this amazing space, but nothing fancy its just a quick take away stop…will that be ok??”

He nodded – “ perfect..more than just perfect..”

I smiled – “ ok then you just wait on one of the benches at the beaches enterance and pretend to be engrossed in your phone and I will get dinner ready for us..”

He nodded – “ kool…”and then he spotted a building as the bus passed by it and he asked me about it and I resumed being my city’s tourist guide.

…………………

40 Minutes Later

Arnav’s POV

I walked behind Khushi as she tip toed her way through these little rocks that were leading a way to this elevated platform at a further end of the beach,and I was beyond amused by this girl.

She was so freaking adorable.

She was carrying a packet of our take away for dinner and in her other hand she was carrying a packet of drinks, and she was balancing her walk with it in her hands, as she walked.She didn’t let me hold any and dramatically asked me to give my arms a rest, as it was game tomorrow.

God she was crazy.

And I was falling for her.

I knew I was.

Right then I saw her reach that little stone ledge which was at the edge of the water, and she picked up her hands in victory as she exclaimed – “ there I go..i didn’t fall..im very clumsy hoodie guy..but thank god I didn’t smash all our food today..”, and she sat down on the floor, and kept her legs folded and gestured me to come join her.

I did and I grinned at her and I asked – “ seriously khushi??you amuse me… You think my arm is going to hurt by carrying 500gms of packets of food and drinks??

She winked at me – “areee..no risk..you have a big game tomorrow..”,and she paused and then she spoke softly – “ I knew it’s a rocky way so..i couldn’t risk you loosing your balance on my citys stones..what if you fall and hurt yourself ”

I laughed at that – “ khushi, you do remember that I am a professional athelete..”

She rolled her eyes – “ yes yes, but still human no, not a machine…”

I liked the way she treated me so normally.

It felt good and as I sit in front of her she spoke – “ if you got hurt because of my stupid adventures..”

My eyes locked with hers at that and I was mesmerised yet again.

She looked away quickly and then picked up the packets and she started to take out the food and she laid it all out in front of me – “ here is a little Greek salad..”,then she opened another box – “a Caesar salad too…”,and then she handed me a wrap – “thats your chicken wrap..”,and she took out one for herself as she spoke to herself – “and this is mine..and now the drinks..”

I laughed.

God,I was having the best time of my life.

She was so caught up that she didn’t catch on to the fact that I was watching her intently and she then picked out a bottle of water , a coke, a Gatorade (Which I guess was for me)and I asked – “ done khushi??

She looked at me and she spoke glancing at everything – “done..oh wait..i don’t want coke right now..changing that..”,and she took out a bottle of Budweiser from the packet and placed it in front of herself and she spoke – “now done..”

And I asked on reflex- “ you like beer??”

She grinned as she took a sip off it – “ yes I do enjoy a cold beer once in a while, you cant not have beer if you are friends with Rahul..he loves it..he likes corona though..i prefer Budweiser..you like??”

I nodded. I loved beer, I couldn’t really drink as much as id like to for health and fitness reasons ofcourse, and she spoke – “ oops, sorry, I got only one..i didn’t think I mean I didn’t know you liked to have one too, my bad, I should have asked..”,and then she shoved it in front of me -  “you can have mine..ill just have my coke then…”

I nudged it back in front of her – “ we can share, if that’s ok with you??”

“sure…why not…”,and then she spoke, putting on her best dramatic mode – “ ok, hoodie guy, so before you eat, id like you to take a moment and look around on both your sides…”

I did.

And I was completely awed.

For on one side was the water, and even though it was dark, the lights from the city around fell on the ocean and it was amazing , because it looked like fireflies glistening in the dark..and then she gestured me to look on the other side and I found myself looking at the table mountain from below and the buzzing street at the foothills of it, and the little buzz from the wind in the air,and I was sure the expression on my face was obvious and she spoke – “ beautiful right??”

I nodded – “ thanks khushi this is amazing..”

She gave me a smile as she spoke, her hoodie was still on her head, just like mine and she spoke – “I think we can take it off now…theres no one around here ..”,and she took off hers and I took mine off and she spoke – “I just thought you might just like to see something different..”,and she paused as she added softly – “im sorry if this is too simple..i mean I know theres nothing fancy about sitting on a rocky platform on a beach eating take away..”

I looked at her and admitted honestly– “ are you crazy??im loving this khushi..i see fancy all the time, and this is what I don’t get to do..enjoy the simpler things in life…so thank you for this lovely evening, and the dinner which is going to be yummy..”

She grinned – “ really? Take a bite first atleast…”,and I nodded and dug into my wrap and just as she was about to  the hair she had tied up in a ponytail fell across her face because of the wind and she struggled to push them out of her eyes and face and then she put her wrap aside and opened her hair for a brief second and the minute she did they danced around her face because of the wind and she just tried to get them all in grip and I fought every urge within .I wanted to just bend forward and help her in the same and probably hold her hair in my fist  and cup her beautiful face and kiss her mindlessly.

I was so drawn to her in the moment that it was crazy.

I reminded myself about my conversation with her yesterday and I instructed my brains to defreeze from the state of craziness they had gone into,and I bite into my wrap again and took a sip of the beer, and I just watched her out of the corner of my eye.

  If I wanted any chance with this gorgeous girl in front of me , I knew I had to take it slow and easy and I probably had to wait for the right time.I couldn’t act on impulse, because I felt it would be very insensitive off me to do so, after everything she had confided in me last night.

Shed been through so much and I wanted her to genuinely like me.

I wanted her to start falling for me too.

And so I knew that I had to nurture this connection here and make her feel comfortable enough to let me in.

I watched her get her hair into a high bun and she started to bite in her wrap and she picked up the beer and sipped it too and she gestured me to dig into the salads too and I did and she spoke, digging into the Greek salad – “do you know what is it that makes the waters of Cape town so special??”

I nodded as I ate – “ I heard about it…something about its where the two oceans meet that’s why..”

She grinned as she took another bite – “ yup exactly…you know it’s a little drive from here, the point is a big on tourist attraction its called cape of good hope, where the Indian ocean and atlantic ocean meet. Its so freaking gorgeous the waters there…and you can google this while you get there you go through one of the most scenic drives the chapman’s peak drive…they say its breathtaking..”

I asked, now totally interested – “really?? Have you been there?”

She shrugged – “ not yet..funny no, so close yet not been able to see it..”,and she continued eating as she said with a smile this time around – “but iv heard all about it from Rahul ofcourse, he proposed diya there, they have this old lighthouse there..you know what I just had an idea..”

And I asked on reflex taking another bite – “ what??”

Her eyes twinkled as she gestured her hands dramatically – “ you tell me im good tourist guide no…”

I chuckled – “ good..yes you are khushi..”

She grinned – “I think I should do some study overtime about this, and probably I can start working as a tourist guide on the weekends..i can join the big bus company for the city tours and then probably explore private taxi for long tours outside the city on Sundays specially....lets see..ill have to talk to Rahul if hell lend me the car for beyond just usual uber...”

God.

This girl was already juggling and working three jobs and now she was thinking about another possible one on the weekends, the only time she probably got to rest a little, and there was so much excitement on her face about it, that I was moved yet again and I spoke softly – “ you will make a excellent tourist guide khushi…but isn’t Sunday the only day you get to rest??”

She sipped the beer and took the last bite of the wrap and I finished mine too and she offered the beer to me and I took a sip off it and she spoke softly – “ yes, but I don’t like Sundays..its nostalgic and gets heavy on me emotionally…used to be family time day for us..back when..”,and she paused as the meaning of the unsaid words dawned on me and she continued softly looking down – “i mean verma uncle, aunty and Rahul and dia call me over a lot on Sundays but sometimes I feel like I need to give them space too right..”

Oh.Ofcourse.

I nodded – “ ofcourse,im sorry…I didn’t mean to..”

She shrugged and gave me a smile – “I know baba..…how would you know..don’t be sorry..its ok…”,and then she spoke – “we have two more wraps, that we can munch on later…let me know when you want them ok??”

I smiled at her and I asked – “ ok so why don’t you tell me more about your beautiful city, let me give your tourist guide mode some practice…”

She laughed and she folded her legs and shifted herself in front and I shifted in closer too,and she started to talk and I listened on keenly.

I was part listening and part staring, content with the fact that the smile was back on her face.

………

Two Hours later

Midnight

I laughed again, as khushi finished telling me another amusing story from her ubers backseat yesterday,and I spoke – “I swear to god khushi, im almost tempted to witness all this…”

She chuckled – “ you wish…”

We had finished eating the second wrap portions about 30 minute ago, and we had spent the last two hours just talking to each other,she told me all about Cape town and the south Africa that I hadn’t seen yet and I had shared a couple of interesting tales from my other travels and then the topic had diverted to all the crazy fan encounters id had and it was then when she told me some more funny stories from the cab rides yesterday after the match and she spoke, picking up her phone – “ god, its almost 1215 am..time flies with you hoodie guy, we should get going now..itll take us 40 minutes to get back and we wouldn’t want to miss the last bus from the stop right..”,and she started to pick up everything and put it in the bags andi helped her too, smiling to myself totally loving every minute I had spent with her this evening too,and she asked softly – “what time is your flight on Sunday morning??”

Why did she have to bring up the fact about me leaving?

It spoilt my mood and it reminded me that I only had one more day to see her, or rather one more night.

We were leaving on Sunday morning by the 9 am flight, that meant we had to be at the airport by 6am.

She was waiting for me to answer and I spoke softly – “ 9 am..on Sunday morning..”

And she asked softly – “all that travel, must be really taxing right??”

I nodded but I admitted honestly – “im used to it..and I might as well enjoy the ride while it lasts right..two more years and then itll all change ..like I told you once I turn 30, I will be locked up in boardrooms and cabins..now that would be a boring turn of events…don’t you think?”

She smiled as I gestured her to come sit next to me as I turned to face the water and I asked – “can we sit here for some more time..”

She nodded as she placed the packets aside and sat next to me and she said – “we can for ten more minutes maybe…”,and she paused as she spoke softly – “ not boring no, that would be an interesting turn of events…imagine having pictures of you in a business suit all in the papers..when you attend all these business conferences etc, the girls of your fandom will go crazy, you have no idea how they swoon over you when a picture of you wearing the icc formal suit comes to light…”,she finished with a side nudge,and a wink and it made me chuckle.

She always knew what to say to me.

And then she asked confusion in her voice as she turned to look at me sideways – “what but why two years..you are 27 no..you said at 30…”

I took a deep breathe as I spoke – “ I turned 28 fifteen minutes ago…”

Her eyes widened at that as she said – “Whattt?? Its your bday???”,and she closed her eyes to recollect a thought and she spoke – “oh god yes, today is your bday, krish would always cut a cake today with all of his team-mates..because they all worshipped you..”

Her gestures were now emotional as she visted the memory in her head about her little brother.

I asked softly – “he used to play??

She opened her eyes and I could see the emotion swimming in them and she answered – “ yes..but more like street cricket, all the kids from his school or around the block…he was only 13 when he..”,and she paused as she wiped a tear out of her eye that was threatening to fall and she spoke – “but not fair, I didn’t remember, and I don’t have a gift for you…”

And I spoke giving her a smile – “ khushi, cmon..its ok…this evening was so good, I wanted to spend time with you..thats all really..its the perfect gift..”

She shook her head – “ no no..wait..”,and she paused as she closed her eyes for a second and then opened them as if she was contemplating her decision and she spoke – “ I have a little gift for you…”

And she got up from beside me and I looked at her confused as she picked up her sling bag from the rocks and came back and sat next to me and opened it and took out her wallet, and I looked at her confused as she opened the inner zip of it, and then she took out a small plastic sealed transparent packet which had a coin inside it, and she took it out of the plastic and touched it tenderly and then placed she took my hand and opened my palm and placed it in it and before I could ask her why she was placing a coin of a rand(south African currency) in my palm she spoke softly, touching the coin tenderly again over my palm – “ this was krish’s favourite toss coin, he always used this for the toss in the street games everytime he went out to play cricket, he felt it was his lucky charm…id like you to keep this..as a little gift from my side..its your bday, and It totally slipped my mind, but I want to give you something..so..yes..”,and she closed my fingers over the coin and then finally looked up at my face, and our eyes locked,and I was sure that the emotion was evident on my face because it surely had choked my throat.

I was speechless.

I was awed.

I was awestruck by what I had just felt in the moment.

Krish – her little brother  had lost his life on that plane crash along with her parents - when he was coming to watch a live match between india and south africa last year,because he was such a huge fan of both, the game and me.

Shed held onto those precious memories of her families.

And Had she just handed me one of those precious memories of that very little brother as a bday gift?

She had no idea what she had done to me in that moment.

I was moved in a way that was unexplainable, I had no idea how to word this and I spoke, the emotion choking my throat – “ khushi..i..”

I was speechless.

My brain had officially stopped functioning.

She wiped a tear outta the corner of her eye as she spoke giving me a heartfelt smile – “I want you to keep this, only fair to krish’s love for cricket..he worshipped you, you were his cricketing idol…”,and I just nodded as I opened my palm and touched the coin tenderly and then gestured her to give me the little plastic bag and she did and I placed it carefully inside, and I took out my wallet and tucked it safely into my coined pocket within.

It was the most priceless gift id ever received in my life.

I was going to treasure this.

I looked at her from the side and her eyes were now looking at the waved crashing on the shore below and I spoke softly, trying to control my voice from trembling – “ khushi…thank you…it’s the best gift iv ever received..i..i..i just don’t know what to say…”

And she looked up at me and gave me a smile through her tears as she spoke, wiping them, ane she got up and held her hand out to me and I just took it and got on my feet and she spoke with a a warm smile – “ oho…relax…”and she paused as she turned to look at the stars , a smile curved up her lips – “ im sure krish is watching from up there and he’d probably dancing in glee and jumping like a crazy jumping jack in happiness..”,and then she turned to me as she spoke smiling through the emotion that had welled up her eyes – “so thank you hoodie guy for accepting my little gift…im sure it made my little brother very happy, whereever he is..”

Her smile was so heartfelt, and the voice was so moving that it flipped everything inside of a thousand times over.

And because I didn’t know what to say to that , I just took her by the hand and pulled her in for a close hug and I wrapped my hands around her waist, and held her close.

And as I did, I felt that familiar flip within and something more.

I hadn’t just experienced butterflies in my stomach or in my being right now(like I had been experiencing in her company ever since I had met her)

I had just experienced, something I had never felt before.

I had experienced - FireFlies.

A Billions of FireFlies had just flutterd and flickered in my being all at the same time.

And I just stood frozen in this moment of time, awestruck and speechless, completely Fire-Flied by the emotion this girl had made me feel.

………………………………

Tada!!!!! Let me know what you guys think of the update.

I know I know…turned out to be superlong again, couldn’t stop the flow of words, until it felt right to end the chapter with this.

Pls ignore the editing errors, haven’t proof read yet.

Thanks for all the love and time to my work as always.

Much love guys.

……..