Chapter 29

mysticaltales11111

@mysticltales111

HELLOOO EVERYONEEEE…

I AM BACK WITH A UPDATE!!!

ITS 10K WORDS.

I SHALL LET YOU ALL DIVE IN WITHOUT FURTHER DELAY

………………

CHAPTER 28 – MAKE A WISH..

KHUSHI’S POV

 26th November - Cape Town 1:00 PM

I smile to myself as I continue humming and hopping a little on the side-path on the way to this Bistro near my University, where I usually caught up with Zara for our Friday Lunches together, ever since she moved to Cape Town around four and a half months ago.

So Zara is like become a very good friend, and its very easy to get along with her.

She’s a very cheerful, warm and positive person and well so is Zain.

They are an adorable couple, and I am really happy for them.

It warms my heart to see them together – whenever I have gotten the chance too on the few casual occasions in all these months.

And why am I Humming and Hopping???

Because I am listening to My Hoodie Guys one of the favourites numbers from His playlist.

And.

Also because Its My Bday today!!

So yes, after since my family’s passing, I do not like to do much on this day, because that makes me miss my family so much on this day,especially Krish, because he’d get all excited for my bday always – it was like he would fight with me to cut my cakes, and then he’d keeping asking me – di where are my return gifts, cmon I am younger to you, and my bday was like a mini celebration of his bday with his friends too.

So yes,I just keep it simple,(because I know my family up from the heavens would not want to see me cry on this day, missing them..so I keep myself involved in the head like any other normal routine regular day).I mean ofcourse everyone wishes me and Rahul,Diya and uncle and aunty always want me to be with them on this day too, and last year too I was with them at their place all day- since last year my b’day fell on a Sunday, but because today was a weekday – Friday and I had full day jamm packed schedule anyway – I was just meeting up with everyone for an early dinner before I got to my Uber Schedule for the night.

And I have received everyone’s phone calls already, but since I left for class so early this morning, I haven’t seen anyone yet – as in Uncle, aunty, Rahul, diya, varun, Stacey or jack.(My usual regular friends now family features in my Life). I will meet Varun and Stacey and Jack after lunch with Zara as I return to the Café, and rest everyone over dinner.

I am still humming and hopping right as my phone beeps.

Its Zara.

Zara : khushi, im just running ten minutes late.stuck in traffic.have you reached?

I grin as I quickly reply : yes I will reach in a minute Zara, don’t worry about it, ill wait up.i have reserved our usual table

Zara : kool khushi.see you soon.

Me : see you Zara.

I now walk into the Bistro and smile and greet everyone – who knows us very well now as their weekly customers for months now without fail and I take my seat at the usual table me and Zara sit in.

So This Bistro is like a very cozy one – nothing too fancy and not to casual too – like you know those cozy French and European bistro’s – yes like that – its unique and cozy in a very special way and they have amazing food too, and that is why I got Zara here for the first time and to my surprise she fell in love with instantly – even though it isn’t very fancy or something and we have been coming here ever since.

I adjust myself in the table and sip on the glass of cold water that’s now served to me by our usual server Kate and I chit chat with her for a couple of minutes casually and then she makes her way back to the kitchen.

I pick out my phone on reflex and I can’t stop smiling as I open my whtsapp chat box with Arnav.

So I had last spoken to him around my 830 pm last night when it was his 730 am , when he was about to leave the hotel as he had that long with the NZ cricket board along with Cap and Coach.

I quickly go through the text he left me ten minutes after too.

His message to me at his NZ Time 740 am : Sunshine, I know we just got off the phone, but I have to leave this text to you, because I will be in this meeting when its your Midnight and your b’day rings in and I am kind off sad that I will not be able to get on a call with you, but know that you are the first thing on my mind and heart, like always.A very Happy Bday to my Sunshine – who lights up my world.I love you and I would wish you nothing but happiness and joy on this special day.Please don’t wait up and get some sleep because you have class tomorrow morning at 8 am.I apologize for being so tied up today.Please Forgive me for that.i will call you as soon as I can.I shall drop in a text as and when I can.Carnage Kisses to you Love.

Well I had continued with my usual routine and then I had slept by 1am too because I had early class, however when I got up I saw the notification of Cricbuzz telling me that the third t20 between India and NZ anyway did not happen because it was a total washout due to bad rains, and I was kind of surprised to not have a text or a call from Hoodie Guy yet  though – maybe because he’s really tied up winding etc because they all have to leave for India soon.

I grin to myself as I continue scrolling up reading our earlier conversations and right then my phone buzzes.

Its My Hoodie Guy.

YIPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!

I grin as I pick up – “ Hey love, I was just thinking about you, and you called, you know that killer telepathy in between of us is getting stronger…and I didn’t think that was possible, because duhh its so strong already….”

I hear him chuckle on the other end – “ Happy Bday Sunshine, and I apologize for being so tied up today, you know that meeting with The NZ board went on and on until we all had to get to the stadium and the match was a washout anyway but we had so much happening back in the stadium inside the doors , as in while we all waited for the weather to clear up – the organisers organised a little casual mixer for us teams because we were leaving and they had predicted that its going to be a washout anyway, so yeah I was just busy with all of that, and then as we got to the hotel all that winding up and packing….”

I smile to myself as I say – “ ohhhh Arnav, don’t you worry about it, I figured you would be busy or something, I know you would call me the minute you would be free…”

Him – “ god I love you, khushi you gotta stop being so understanding ok??”

I smile – “ shut up ya, if I wont understand you then who will….i know you miss me too..”

He – “ ofcourse….so hows it goinggg??? How was class?? I think its your time 115pm right? Are you at the Bistro already for the lunch with Zara??”

I grin – “ yes that’s where I am, she should be here in five minutes, that is why I am not video calling no Hoodie Guy, and the day is going great…I am going to binge eat five chocolate muffins after lunch..which shall be a chicken steak and stir fry veges..your favourite..”

He chuckles and then his voice reflects a lot of emotion that I understand – “ goddd…you have no idea how bad I want to be with you today..and I miss you…so much…”,and he pauses and I hear a yawn come up in his voice and I say on reflex – “ Arnav, you are exhausted, and you have to fly out tomorrow, why don’t you get some sleep now, please…”

He yawns again and I say immediately – “ ok Sunshine, I am hanging up now..you need to sleep…”

Him – “ Khushi, thanks im sorry its just that this NZ time difference with you – its really kind of messed up  our schedules right…”

I smile to myself – “ hoodie guy, relax and you are going back to India no, itll be settled…don’t worry about it, please sleep, and do not call me for the next say what like next 9 hours atleast…you need that rest before you start making that super long journey back home…”

He sighs – “ ok I will hang up now, because my eyes are shutting out, happy bday once again Love, I shall call you the minute I wake up, and you please continue texting me about your day anyway..”

I grin – “ yes I will…Arnav…”,and right then I spot Zara enter in through the doors and I smile on reflex and I wave at her and I say – “ ok Zara is here too…tata hoodie guy, until we video call again…”

“Ok then, have a good day ok, I love you..”

I smile as Zara nears the table and I gesture to her to give me a second and she grins as she gives me a nod and settles in the seat – “ okkk hoodie guy, go to sleep now…love you too…”,and I hang up and just as I do Zara pulls me in for a wonderful hug and she hugs me hard as she says – “ Happy Bdayyyy Khushi….”

I pull back surprised as I ask – “ how do you know its my bday today????”

She grins and winks at me – “ ohhh so you thought that you are too clever haan that you would hide this from me and I wouldn’t know…”

I look at her surprised as I take my seat – “ tell me, how did you figure it out…”

Zara grins – “ well, you did receive an email from HR at Big Bus wishing you a Happy Bday now didn’t you???”

I nod – “ yes…it’s a standard emailer everyone associated with Big Bus in anyway receives on their Bday…”

Zara grins – “ and its also gets bcc’d to the CEO, which is Zain..so yes he told me as in he forwarded me the email asking me if I knew it was your bday today..”

I look at her surprised – “ really? Bday wishes being sent out to us gets bccd to Zain too??”

Zara grins – “ well Zain’s asked for that change in HR when he stepped in, you know his managing style is very different, more transparent and open, he doesn’t like to give like crazy importance to hierarchy, for him its more about building an community culture in the workplace…he wants to be in the loop about everything that’s happening, and his workplace always kind of becomes like a second home to him”

I grin – “ yes we all know that…my boss, as in the one I report too, talks really high of the new management…”

Zara grins – “ which would be Zain and Asher and their team…”

I smile – “ Yes..”,and she grins now – “ ok so since its your b’day and you didn’t tell us, I mean neither me, Zain or Asher, I took it my hands for us to all to at least catch up with you for a while, Zain and Asher will be here in five minutes..i hope you don’t mind…”

My eyes widen in surprise – “But Zara, why??? I mean it’s the middle of a working day…”

Zara grins – “ but ones gotta eat lunch anyway right…????”

I nod and I quickly pick up my phone and I text Hoodie Guy about the same – I know he is asleep. He will see the message when he gets up.

Zara grins as she asks me – “ messaging your hoodie guy????”

I smile and nod – “ yes…so hes in a different time zone right now due to his job and he is sleeping, but he will read my messages when he wakes up..so..”, and I finish texting Arnav and Zara folds her hands on the table now as she says with a smile – “ I keep telling this to you and I will say it again ..its fascinating you know to see this..i mean I have to commend you on this..trust me in this day and age, I have never seen this kind of commitment in anyone to make long distance work like this…people end things because of this…”

I smile on reflex – “ I know what you mean…”

Zara sips on her water as she says – “ you know what, I don’t think iv told this to you, I mean me and Zain have always been together always as in we have been high school sweethearts and have been together since…and I honestly cannot even imagine being apart from him like for a day even…so yes hats off to you and your hoodie guy…”,and she paused as she spoke – “ do you know Asher has a little putting off experience though, because of this distance issue ,he dated this only one girl in first year university ok?? But she got a transfer to an Ivy League school in second year and she ended things with him on the pretext that she couldn’t make long distance work.. and that kind off did hurt Asher, because he was ready to put in the effort but then we get to know in just three weeks after her shift to Yale, she’s moved on already.. so yeahhh..that is why Asher’s never gotten into relationships ever again..but glad this happened before he actually fell in love with her..so yea…”

Ouch.That must have Surely Hurt.

I just nod my head and give her a polite smile and sip on my water and Zara continues with a roll of her eyes– “ now well aasra aapi and his ammi are just after him to settle down and I think he should too..we all know he is a one woman man..but he is stubborn man I tell you and a workaholic – his work is his wife already..”

The concern for her best friend is very much evident in Her voice.

I smile at her and I say honestly – “ you are a great friend Zara…”

Zara winks at me -  “ I know…right..”, and she says – “ cmon lets order, I already know what Zain and Asher like here too so by the time they come, the food will start to arrive..”

I nod and we start to place the order.

…………………………..

Asher pulls the car into the parking lot near the busy street of eateries and joints around Cape Town’s buzzing university surroundings and he hears Zain say – “ ok Asher, that’s a good spot, its just a three minute walk to the Bistro from here..”

Asher smiles at his friend with a nod and gets off and Zain says – “ zara texted, shes already ordered for us too…”

Asher grins – “ thank god for your wife and my best friend,for I am starving..”

Zain winks at him – “ well so am I…”,and he pauses as him and Asher now start walking towards the Bistro and Zain looks at his friend as he asks, concerned – “ so…have you been able to get Khushi out of your head ??”

Asher looks at his friend sheepishly, he knows what point he is bringing up and he admits with a  shrug – “ well, not that you don’t know about it from Zara..but although I have been working on it as in..you know how iv only seen Khushi like what ten times in these past five and a half months and had very brief five – ten minutes conversations with her on those occasions, but its like – there’s something about her that’s stuck in my head…she does came back into my thoughts a lot more than my mind would want actually…and so to answer you honestly , I would say that I am working on it..”

Zain shrugs – “ but Asher..thats why we are worried for you, both me and Zara..because theres no point..it will be a..”

Asher shrugs as he completes the sentence for his friend – “a one sided emotion, I know…but I cant help it, you feel what you feel right, and to be honest,I am kind of surprised to feel all this in the first place, because after that one bitter experience in university, I have kept myself quite immune to all of this, but then its like a sudden jolt into my Life as I meet Khushi, and something sparks within from the first instant, its weird but cant help it too so even though I do like her, I respect the fact that she is in love with someone else, and I am happy for her…”,and he pauses as he shrugs disappointed – “ bummer that I met her much later though, I would have liked to have a shot atleast you know to woo her…but well…tough luck to me…well whoever her hoodie guy is better know how lucky he is…for Khushi is precious…”,and he paused as he continued a second later – “ anyways im working on it..should be ok..for I know theres never going to be a chance for me but still..i need to also respect what I feel right..i cant help it if all these feelings are cropping up….”

Zain nods and pats his shoulder – “ I know what you mean, you feel what you feel anyway..”

Asher grins as he pats his friends shoulder – “ don’t worry about it, I am happy with just knowing her too…I will be ok with some more time maybe..”

Zain nods and they now enter the Bistro.

Asher steps in behind Zain and right then he spots Khushi and Zara laughing and talking,and the happiness on Khushi’s face and something about the warmth in that laughter touches a cord in his heart.

She was also looking very pretty in that plain pink colour cap sleeves round neck tee and her dark blue denims – and her hair were left open but tied in the center with a little clip and she had some natural look make up on with a faint pink matt lip stain up her Lips- Simple, very simple, yet very alluring.

Ok.Asher.

You Gotta Look AwaY – Asher scolds himself a little, but then he doesn’t want to be too harshon himself too.

This Girl wouldn’t just leave his Head or Heart.

But He Couldn’t Help It.

Not that he hadn’t been trying – he’d also met her on rare occasions in all these months and spoken to her very briefly too but still – her thoughts would find their way in anyway.

Well – he couldn’t fight what he felt so Asher knew the best way to go around this would be to just accept and give respect to his emotions as is and then get them to find their way around this one sided emotion.

But There was a little Catch too.

He was liking what he felt too, because he hadn’t felt something for anyone in a long long time.

It was kind off nice to have someone in the back of your head – that ones heart liked to think about – even though in his case, he knew that the object of his attention was already deeply in love with someone else, and if anything he was – he was a man who was very strong in his morals and ethics – he would never cross the Line, knowing the reality, so no matter how twisted this seemed – Asher believed that you gotta let Time just do what its meant to probably.

He shrugged and cursed his tough luck again as him and Zain walk up to the table,and join Khushi and Zara.

Zain pulls Khushi into a side hug as he wishes her, and Khushi smiles at him and hugs him and Zain says – “ you know what Khushi..you are so like the little sister I always wanted..a happy bday to you…and I wish you all the happiness in the world…Did Zara tell you that I am about to ask you to start calling me bhaijaan..”,and he paused as he winked – “ on a second note, that does make me feel like I am an oldie..ok khushi..you can call me Bhai though..”

Khushi grins – “ thank you Zain…Zara was just telling me about it…okkk let me think which one is better bhaijaan or bhai..”

Asher grins as he puts his hand out to shake to Khushi – “ happy bday Khushi…I wish you nothing but the best…”.

Khushi shakes his hand and smiles at him as she nods and acknowledges the wish – “ thank you so much Asher..”

Zara gestrues them all to sit back and she asks her husband and friend – “ do you guys want to order anything to drink??Khushi and me are having their amazing ice tea’s..”

Zain grins at his wife – “ im just going to have half of yours anyway..”

Asher – “ I will take one lemon iced tea..Zara..”

And he places the order and turns to Khushi as he says – “ so khushi done with the chartered accountancy..??”

Khushi smiles – “ yes finally…”

Asher smiles – “ must have been a relief..when is the result out??”

Khushi – “ I think around the 15th of December…”

Zain – “ oh and I have a complain though Khushi, you should have told us right that its your bday…we could have atleast gotten you a cake on the way..it was such a short notice..i only saw the email like by Noon..and I messaged Zara first thing..”

Khushi shrugs her shoulders – “ oh no Zain please…I don’t like to celebrate much on this day anyway after my family’s passing..it just makes me miss them especially my younger brother Krish..so yea…”

Asher, Zain and Zara exchange concerned looks as Zain says – “ im sorry Khushi…”

Khushi gives them a warm smile – “ why are you sorry ya  guys..its ok…and I may not be cutting on the cake..”,and she Pauses because she wants the atmosphere to be light again – “ but I am totally going to binge on five chocolate muffins today surely…that’s like my way of treating myself…and I plan to eat them in record time today like maybe 2 minute son the timer..Zara record it ok..and share it with me…”

Everyone chuckles and right then the drinks are served and the server tells them that she will be back with the food in two minutes.

And Zain asks – “ khushi you coming to the mixer tomorrow right???”

Khushi sips on her ice tea as she smiles – “ lets see Zain, tomorrow is going to be super tied up with the day as is, you know how it gets for us so busy on Saturdays and with summer almost setting in and the tourist season starting – its going to hectic tomorrow…but ill try..its starting by 7 right..ill see how the day flows…”

Asher sips on his ice tea and is kind of disappointed at hearing that , he was kind of expecting her there and he wanted to discuss a thing with her too and he thinks its better to give her a hint of it though and he says – “ so Khushi, now that you are done with your CA and once the result will be out, you will get your official certification too, how about if I seek your advice on my financial investments once in a while, and you will get a professional fees in return..ofcourse…”

Khushi’s eyes widen in surprise as she says – “ but you already must have a expert panel of advisers right???and I have no experience, Asher, it wont be fair on my part to take on something like this…so im sorry..”

Asher smiles -  “ but none of my expert advisers know the regulations and tax rates by heart like you do…”

Zain and Zara chuckle at that as they say looking at Khushi – “ he was really rude no that day when he first met you..”

Khushi chuckles – “well yes…”,and she looks at Asher – “ well let me think about it Asher, but one thing is sure, even if I advise you, I will not take anything in return like I don’t want any fees or something..since I think that wont be fair because I have no experience..so maybe even if I think off this..ill just do it for experience maybe…but I cant say anything concrete yet..i need to think about this first…”

Asher looks at her puzzled.

She really was one of a kind.

Almost too Simple and Naïve for her Own Good.

But he respected that about her and so he nods and doesn’t push further and right then the food is served and Khushi exclaims cheerfully – “ I love they way the plate up this dish…”,and she quickly picks out her phoen and clicks a picture of her dish and is busy texting in her phone as Zara asks taking a bite off her French Lasagne, with a smile – “ are you sending a picture of that to your hoodie guy now???”

Khushi nods with a excited grin as she gestures to them to give her a minute to finish writing the text and once she is done she keeps her phone back in her bag that is hanging on the chair and takes a bite off her chicken steak as she says – “ yes Zara because this is his favourite dish too, and it was plated so beatufully no…”

Asher smiles to himself as he takea bite off his dish – This girl was very intriguing.

And so Innocently Honest.

Zara looks at Zain and Asher and she smiles – “ so just before the two of you came in, I was telling Khushi about how I have to commend her for this kind of commitment in this day and age – seriously it’s a lot of effort – all this long distance – I cant even imagine not meeting Zain for a day..and on the rare occasions that im not travelling with him, its like it drives me nuts..so yeahh…hats off to you and your hoodie guy..”

Khushi smiles at Zara as she says taking another bite – “well like I told you guys, I already knew this from the very start..and to be honest for me its just very different, I mean you all know im a weirdo no..so…its more like this distance means so little to me almost nothing , because hoodie guy means so much..”

Asher takes a sip of his Ice tea to distract his emotion as he heard that bit.

Zain takes a bite of his dish too and he looks at Asher and gives him a -tough-luck-for-you-my-friend- look as he asks Khushi – “ so khushi..can I ask you something..if you don’t mind??

Khushi takes a bite off her steak and some veggies – “ why will I mind ya Zain,what is it??”

Zara and Asher continue eating their lunch and listen on in silence.

Zain – “ Your hoodie guy..and what does he do?? As in you did tell us that he is from India but travels all over the world due to work and stuff, and when did you last meet him..??”

Khushi sips on her ice tea as she explains – “ ok so hes got this really challenging job ok, I cant explain the technicalities ok…the main thing is that its very demanding his work profile and he is kind of indespensible to his company so I understand…I mean if wont understand than who will ya…and to answer the second part of it…we last met like five months three weeks ago like in that first week fo June when he came to see me after my migraine episode for like 5 days..”

Zara’e eyes widened as she pats Khushis shoulder – “ whoaaaaa…my friend…that’s crazy…and when are you seeing him next??”

Khushi takes a bite of her veggies as she says – “ well like technically I do see him everyday…I mean..on video call..but that counts right..”,she winks at Zara – “ not crazy ya Zara its just different for us..and to be honest..it doesn’t matter…and he was planning to come in this last week of November…but some very important work came up for him ya..so I understand…”

Zara grins at her – “ you are amazing khushi..”

Zain asks curiously – “ and its your bday today and you are ok with him not making any efforts to come see you today???”

Khushi looks at Zain as she states in a matter of fact tone with a reassuring smile – “ ofcourse I am ok with it Zain, like I said I understand ok…like all this just looks like a formality in between of us..its like it would be totally unfair of me to even expect this…however im going to make sure hes going to be a part of being able to watch me binge on those chocolate muffins..thats why im asking Zara to record it..and he is in a very different time zone right now..he is sleeping..but he will see it all when he will wake up so its kool…”

Zain grins – “ fascinating to even hear this in this day and age, right Asher??”

Asher smiles – “ fascinating indeed…”

Zain – “so will you see him at all before this year ends??”

Khushi grins – “ well like I said, we video call everyday so I do see him everyday technically but like in real time maybe we will meet around Xmas, he did say hes going to try to come here for that week of after Xmas and new years..because the next six months after that toh no chance only he is going to be very busy with work…”

Asher takes a sip of his tea as Zara exclaims- “ wow..thats some major commitment going on in between you two..you really must love him…”

Khushi sips on her tea and she nods with a smile – “ I do..”

Zara looks at Asher as she gives him a tough-luck-to-you-my-friend look and she looks at Khushi and she asks – “ ok Khushi, because I am curious, just in case maybe in some time down the line you feel like this long distance thing isn’t working and is getting too taxing emotionally then what???i mean god forbid, but what if he feels the same one day then what???”

Khushi shrugs as she sips on her drink – “ well to be honest, I am like wired crazily ok…theres no going backwards for me now..so for me it was like either this love shouldn’t have happened to me , but now that it has and in the way it has..this is it for me..its either going to be Him or I am going to age and live like Professor Mcgonagall all my life…”, she finishes with a wink at Zara and that makes Zara laugh because she was a big harry potter fan herself and she sees Zain and Asher give them both a confused look and Khushi gestures her to explain the reference to them and Zara continues to chuckle in between as she does and Zain looks at Khushi amused as he says – “ you know maybe we do need to have another look at that MRI…”

Asher chuckles and then he looks at Khushi as he says with a genuine smile – “ and if that’s the case,we wish nothing but the best for you Khushi…may it always be good with your hoodie guy..”

Zain nods – “ copy that..”

Zara grins – “ copy that cube..”,and now that they have all finished, Zara looks at Khushi as she asks – “ lets get you those muffins??and I shall record it all for your hoodie guy..”

Khushi nods excitedly and she sips on the remaining of her ice tea cheerfully.

Asher feels his heart flutter a hundred times over at that sight, and he had absolutely no control over it at all.

He didn’t think it was possible for him to forget that dazzle and twinkle in those mesmerising eyes that were now starting to captivate him in the ways he couldn’t explain.

Maybe – it was in his Destiny to fall for someone he couldn’t ever Have??

……………………………

Thirty Minutes Later

Khushi grinned as she hugged Zain and Zara and then shook hands with Asher politely as she said – “ thank you so much guys..for taking out time out of your busy schedules…”and she points to Zain and Asher – “ that special thanks is for both you busy CEO’s…”

Zain chuckles – “ anytime Khushi…”

And right then Khushi’s phone rings and she says – “ ok guys I gotta head to the café now or I will get late for my shift tada..thank you so much once again.Zara please share those pictures and videos with me pleaseee...”,and Zara nods at her and gives her another hug and Khushi waves at everyone cheerfully and rushes out the café.

Zara instantly looms her hand through her best friends arm as she says – “ asher you gotta figure out a way to sort your head through this ok…Its really tough luck ya..just why couldn’t you meet her before this hoodie guy of hers…and who is he anyway???i don’t know why she wont tell us…you know what im going to tell her that I want to meet him over Xmas..i mean I definetly want to meet him and see if he is as serious about Khushi as she is..i would hate for her to be hurt too..shes so pure ya..”

Asher nods – “ I agree on that..i would hate for her to be hurt..but you feel what you feel Zara..she will be in love with her hoodie guy anyway,and I probably still will be figuring out a way of getting her outta my head and heart…”

Zara sighs as she looks at Asher as she points to his heart with her finger – “ I knew it..shes in there..i can sense it…just by the way you were looking at her as she was eating those muffins adorably..its like you eyes were shining with all this emotion..”

Asher smiles as he gestures his friends to now starting walking out with them – “ cmon, that was adorable..you know it was…”

Zain gives him a sad smile – “ she is in love with someone else Asher..”

Asher gives him a sad smile too – “ I know guys…and like I said , i respect that I want her to be happy..”

Zara glares at him – “ exactly, means you are going to torture with yourself with this..”

Asher gives them a reassuring smile – “ no I do not wish to torture myself with this, I am working on it and I do think my feelings will ease out in their own pace as long as I respect that…only way they will cooperate with my head…otherwise im just going to be in conflict..which is going to be worse..whats the point in that..i will ok guys..dont worry…”,and he turns to Zain – “ cmon lets get back to work..”

And they all walked towards the car.

Asher knew he was in trouble though.

It was kind off hard to get over someone – when they are all your heart wants to think about- anyway!

…………………………………………….

Khushi’s POV

8:00 PM

I feel Rahul tighten his hands over my eyes as he says – “ khushi I dare you..you move you donkey then you wait…diya and mom especially asked me to not let you open your eyes right now…”

I stay still in my chair on their dining table as we all have finished dinner and I say – “ ohhooo Rahul..you monkey man…atleast stop tightening your hold over my eye so much..ill go blind I am telling you..stupid you are..let me ask diya how she copes up with a monkey like you..”

I hear Diya and Raima’s auntys voice come through – “ ten seconds…”

Uncle voice comes through – “ and I am allowed to cheat on my diet today…”

And right then Rahul lets his hands off my eyes and I find myself looking at lot of Jalebi’s piled up into a stack like a Cake and Raima aunty kisses my forhead from one side and Diya from another as they say – “ we know you wont cut a cake..but atleast have these Jalebi’s…happy bdayyyy to the sparkle of our lives…”

I get all emotional now as I pull them into a hug immediately and my voice box has choked with all this emotion and then I hug Rahul and Uncle too and they all make me eat one Jalebi one by one and I make them eat one by one too.

And i gesture to everyone to sit on their seats and they do and I hold raima aunty and diyas hand across the table and I kiss their hands – “thank you so much aunty…diya…this is..i don’t know what to say…”

Diya pulls me into a hug – “ I love you..you know that..”

I nod and Uncle now touches my head and he kisses my forhead – “ your family will be very proud of you Khushi..i know…we all are so proud of you…”

Raima aunty hugs me too – “ and all we want is for you to be happy..and because you have this smile on your face..iv been telling myself to stop worrying about your secret hoodie guy…I figure he’s making you very happy…”

I hug aunty as I admit – “ yes aunty, he is..and don’t worry…”

Diya folds her arms across her chest as she says – “ yes khushi…but still…when are you going to tell us who he is..i mean ideally we all want to meet him..we wouldn’t want some one living half across the world from ours to think he can hurt you..you are too naïve and innocent when it comes to all of this…I mean..iv discussed this with Rahul..what if he is a shady person pretending to be all goody goody online…you never know Khushi..please we are worried about you……….”

I burst out laughing on reflex.

My Hoodie Guy- as Shady Person????????

THEY HAVE NO FREAKING IDEA!!!!

And I ask on reflex, biting back my laugh – “ why do you think he will be shady ya????”

Diya rolls her eyes – “ because you call him Hoodie guy…like hoodie guy…really….doesnt he have a name that you can tell us???????”

I laugh now.

GOD.

I cant stop Laughing.

THIS WAS CRAZYYY!!!!

ACTUALLY NOW THAT I THINK OFF IT – I HAVE TO HAVE A CAMERA IN MY HAND TO RECORD EACH OF THEIR EXPRESSIONS WHEN I FIRST MAKE THEM MEET ARNAV.

RAHUL WILL GET A HEART ATTACK SURELY.

DIYA WILL FAINT.

RAIMA AUNTY WONT BE ABLE TO BELIEVE WHAT SHE IS SEEING.

AND UNCLE – HE’D PROBABLY BE STUNNED INTO A SILENCED STATUE!!

GODDDDDD.

I say on reflex now keeping a hand on my stomach – “ Xmas guys…he might just come to Cape Town around Xmas, I will make you all meet him then…”

Rahul rolls his eyes at me – “ yes donkey, let me also see who is this epic hoodie guy..about time..and im going to tell him – that he hurts you and im going to smash his face left right center..”

Diya nods , concern evident on her face – “ yes Rahul, and you can threaten him that you’d do that with your super heavy cricketing bat…”

WHATTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT DID DIYA JUST SAY?????????????????

I CANT STOP LAUGHING!!!!!

SHE WANTS RAHUL TO THREATHEN MY HOODIE GUY WITH A BAT????????????

Uncle says – “ yes…that would be an apt threat…or maybe I can also threaten him with your heavy maroon cricket ball Rahul..you know tell him that I shall swing it up his face if he hurts our khushi…”

OK GUYS!!

I CANT STOP LAUGHING!!!!

They all give me weird confusing looks and I hold my stomach now as I control my laughter and I pick up another Jalebi and kiss Diya and Raimas auntys hands – “ thank you so much to you both for the lovely dinner and my jalebis..but now ok guys….threat him all you want when you see him ok???abhi let me go..and get to my uber…”

And before any of them can say anything I run outta the main door straight to my car as I hop into it happily.

And first thing out as I get in , I write a text to My Hoodie Guy – as I tell him that im now starting my uber schedule.

I don’t message him about the hilarious stuff that just happened – that I will tell him on the video call.

He should be up by my 1030PM.

…………..

Arnav’s POV

11.00 PM

I cant stop smiling to myself as I continue to re -read the string of messages my Sunshine has left me all through out the day.About how Zain and Asher had joint her and Zara for lunch and then there was that picture of her lunch she had shared with me stating that it was our favourite dish plated so beautifully and then there was that super adorable video of her binging on those chocolate muffins and I could hear Zara, Zains and Ashers laughter and cheering on in the background as she had them in quickly as if it was on the timer.And then there were so many more texts about her telling me about how Zain and Zara and Asher were commending our commitment to long distance and then the messages about the café shift how Jack, Stacey and Varun had made coffee for her all through out the day and didn’t let her work her’s up herself, and then dinner time with everyone and how well that went and her jalebi cake – that was made by Rahul’s Mom and aunty that she couldn’t say no too and ended up eating a lot of jalebis.

God – Sunshine!

I cant wait to see you dammit.

15 more Minutes.

Ok so – I had gotten on a quick and brief call with her from my stopover in Dubai about ten minutes before my boarding time because I was aching to listen to her voice – myself.

I was anyway feeling bad about the fact that I would only be able to reach to her by like her time 1115 PM.

I had called her as I landed in Cape Town about 30 minutes ago and then I had totally acted and had my voice sounded to her like I had just woken up and then I spoke to her for a about five minutes as she was in between uber pick ups and I requested her to end early and be home by 1100 Pm so that we could get on a video call as I wanted to spend the last hour of her bday just with her.

She had agreed of-course.

I had stored my Luggage at the storage lockers available at the airport and only carried my cabing bag with me – because I had to be back at the airport tomorrow by 8pm anyway because I had the 1130 Pm flight out to New Delhi so there was no point in carrying it all out of the airport.

I adjust my Hoodie on my head and my phone beeps.

Its Khushi.

Her : Hoodie Guy, I am home now, all changed and relaxed for the night.good to connect on the video call now love.

I grin as I write : give me ten minutes love.i will just call you.

Her : ok Arnav..waiting for you..let me know.

I quickly type : yes Sunshine.Just ten minutes.freshening up.

Goddddddd.

I was so excited.

Her : okiesssss love.

As I am nearing Chai and Coffee now – I am rethinking my plan in my Head – this time around I am going to call her up on the roof,and shock the daylights out of her head.

I take deep breathes as I instruct myself to calm down a little.

But I CANT CALM DOWN.

I AM SEEING THE LOVE OF MY LIFE AFTER FIVE MONTHS AND THREE WEEKS!!!!

I POP IN MY EAR PHONES INTO MY EARS AND LISTEN ON SOME MUSIC TO KILL TIME.

Ten minutes later, I see the car pull into the curb of Chai and Coffees back lane and it comes to a halt and I get off on reflex and I run out at the speed of light, taking out my cabin bag from the boot of my car and I quickly take the back spiral stairs up to the roof up with it and once I am on the first roof – I hide my cabin bag behind the back side of that outdoor cane day bed so that it is not visible and I now hide myself against a little deep wedged wall and I now text Khushi.

Me : Sunshine, you know what – I feel like I want to see you talking to me from the roof today.is that ok??? I mean will you be comfortable to sit and talk to me from that daybed up on the first roof,I am missing that moment in between of us from last time.

Phone beeps.

Her : oh please I am already blushing to a shade of tomatoe puree love as you are making my head go back into the flashback of how you kissed me and held me close into you the last you were here,and I think if I talk to you from up there, you are going to be very shameless about reminding it all to me over video and I will die literally.Arnav..pleaseeeee...

I grin as I write : Oh Sunshine, please.ok I promise I will not tease you..go up no..and call me…please.

She : Ok fineeee – you know Id do anything for you.give me two minutes.stepping out.

Me : ok then youd do anything for me??

Her : Yes Arnav..you know that don’t you?

Me : then make a wish please.Its your bday.

Her : No way, I am not making a wish Hoodie Guy.i told you I don’t want God to think I am greedy, I have the perfect friends who are like my family now and like a cherry on the cake – I Have You..i have everything..i don’t want to wish for anything.

My Heart Glows with love.

Just let this girl come up today.

She has no idea what she is in For.

Me : ok sunshine, I understand.but still its your bday.Make A wish..atleast one?please?deceide quick and text me, once you do only then will I get on a video call

Her : hawwwwwwwwwww!!! First you make me get on the terrace at this time of the hour and then you around troubling me on my very own birthday…what ya hoodie guy..ok fine..if I were to wish for one thing right now – id wish for a bloody teleportal to open in between of us even if its for just one minute or no..not one minute –I will be little greedy on that maybe ten minutes atleast – and then I would want you to come through that teleportal like Magic and hold me close into You and Kiss me goodnight – before my bday ends in my time!Ok that’s what my wish is.

I cant stop grinning to myself as I read that,and just as I am about to reply, I hear foortsteps now coming up and I lower down the brightness in my screen because I do not want the light of the phone to give me away.

And I lean a little sideways and I see Khushi come through on the terrace now,and only I know – how I am fighting the urge to just run to her already.

But I am kind of Statued to My Spot.

I cant move for two reasons.

First – I still need to make her take three to four  steps up on that ladder to the other ledge.

Second – Because she is looking Smoking Hot as she is wearing a mustard colour tube top with black capris,and I think shes worn this mustard colour tube top to drive me nuts on purpose on the video call.

She knows I love mustard on her.

And she also Knows – that seeing her in anything like a off shoulder or a tubed top – kind off drive me nuts too because – they totally accentuate her entire shoulder blade area and that sinfully gorgeous neckline of hers.

And she also has her Hair High Up in a High Ponytail – so that the Hair are not causing any obstruction.

Shes dressed to kill Me.

And I am going to Fine her for this – Big Time.

In Real Time.

Ahaaann.

I am loving this.

Ok so I finally instruct my brains to defreeze and I type her a message.

Me : Sunshine, why would you wish for a teleportal in between of us just for ten minutes yaa!

I see her from my hidden place type something into my phone.

Good that I had placed my phone on silent.

Her : I told you im not going to be very greedy ok? Acha wait now that I am up the roof already, I feel like I want to get on the ledge up to talk to you.give me a minute – I will call you from the ledges top, just starting to get on the ladder.

I grin in Victory.

Just like I wanted.

I see her put her phone into her capris pocket and she now has her full concentration and her back to me as she starts climbing the ladder and I take quick silent strides towards her now so that I am nearing the foot of the ladder,and just as she is about to take the fourth step on the ladder, I take a deep breathe and I say – “ Your wish is my command Sunshine, but looks like iv managed to keep this bloody teleportal open for a good 21 hours…”

I see her feet freeze in the air, and shes also stiffened in her spot.

I grin as I say , now climbing up the ladder behind her, and because she was still on the third step, it was a very safe height, and I get on to the second step and then half way up the third behind her wrap my one hand around her waist from behind and I rest my other hand over her other arm on the ladder, and I pull her close into me as I whisper into her ears from behind – “ Happy Bday Sunshine”,and she freaking trembles in my arms, and I tilt my head a little from the side, and her eyes are closed and shes this unbelievable display of emotion running up her face and I feel Love rush through me as I tighten my hold on her waist and pull her closer into me by tightening my hold on her waist from behind and I whisper in her ears – “ so that’s your wish being gratned about me holding you close and…”,and I make us now step down from the ladder,as I continue to hold onto her and just as we are on the last step right before the roof ground , my other hand othat was over her arm, I use it to make turn around and I use my other hand to held her adjust her turning around safely so that she is now safely caged in my arms, sandwiched in between this ladder and me, and I now wrap my hand around her waist again and she’s trembling and shivering and her eyes are still closed and I whisper into her ears – “ open your eyes Sunshine..”

And her trembling voice comes through – “ no..no..because..thi..thi..this is..a..a..dre..a..m..and if I open my eyes I will be back to reality…Arnav..”

I chuckle on reflex.

God.

I pull her in closer and her hands are now clutching my arms and I whisper leaning towards her lips – “And so about that last part of the wish..about how you want me to kiss you goodnight before your bday ends in your time…”

She trembles and shivers.

And That play of emotion on her face right now has killed me.

And she says softly, her voice still trembling – “ this..is..a…dream..Khushi…this is a dream..but why does it feel like so real..khushi..you can feel his touch as if its so real…you have lost it Khushi..you have lost it…”

I chuckle on reflex as I now pull and pick her up by my hold on her waist and i now make us step down and I place her gently on the roof floor, and damm her, shes still not opening her eyes, and now I cant wait.

I need to Kiss Her.

I hadn’t until now because I was afraid that would make us both loose balance and I did not want to risk injuring her.

Mayeb that will make her Believe that this isn’t a Dream.

I lean into her and I whisper into her ears – “ I am going to kiss you now, and I am going to kiss you hard and I will not stop until we both cant breathe and maybe then you will know that this is not a dream Sunshine…”

And Her Eye now flutter open, and lock with mine in an super intense eyelock and her emotional gaze is searching mine and its shining with so much Love and her one hand now comes to cup the side of my face as she brushes her fingers over my cheeks tenderly – “ you are here…for real..this is not a dream…I can feel you for real..you came Arnav..you came for real....”

I smile, sure that the emotion was visible in my eyes too and I whisper against her lips,and my gaze doesn’t leave hers even for a second as I continue to look into her eyes intently hovering close over her face so that my our breathes are anyway mixing – “yes I am here..for real..just in time before your bday finishes in your time..this morning when I called you Sunshine I was boarding for Cape town from Dubai my love and yesterday when we last videocalled, I finished winidng up just after and rushed to the airport to get on the plane...luckily I had a little heads up on time due to Auckland being 11 hours ahead in time..and I knew I would reach Cape town by 1030 your time..”

She closes her eyes again and she now rest her forhead on mine as she whiseprs – “ I love you Arnav…”

I feel various emotions take over me as I whisper – “ I love you Khushi..open your eyes please..look into mine..i want to see every emotion that is swimming through your eyes right now..”

She opens her eyes finally and gazes into mine and our eyes lock in this intense eye lock and I cup her face tenderly now and rub my thumb over her lips as I whisper against her lips , my lips almost on hers – “ Happy Bday Sunshine…and now if you don’t mind, id like to kiss you like a mad man because that’s what my emotions are guiding me too and I am going to kiss you hard and not stop for a long long time…”,and I know she is speechless and I whisper grinning mischeviously against her lips – “ I know you are speechless love, you can just nod like you always do, and I shall switch on my carnage mode..”,and  her eyes now swim with a lot of love and emotion as she starts to nod and just as she is half way through (just like I had kissed her for the very first time)…I kiss her 

And

 I kiss her Hard.

I fuse my lips over hers in a ravishing kiss, as I pour in every emotion I was feeling within, and all that longing for her that id fought for all these months  – all into that kiss, as I now pick her up a little by her waist and make her sit a little on the second ladder stick so that she is supported well with the back of the ladder and I stand close into her, as I now pull up one of her legs from the side and tuck it gently around my waist so that we are both now supported equally into each others embrace and shes now starting to kiss me back as passionately too, as madly too,as her hands tighten around my neck and she pulls me closer into her as she also adjusts her other leg to come and tuck itself on the other side of my waist too,and as we continue to kiss each other madly, we experience something that we both knew we would the next time we met each other – after all this time of five months and three weeks in between of us.

FOR THIS KISS RIGHT NOW – WASN’T JUST ‘CARNAGE’ ON OUR USUAL LEVELS.

IT WAS A FREAKING  MASSIVE SLAUGHTER AND A COLOSSAL MASSACRE AND A BLOODY CARNAGE – ALL AT ONCE - ON OUR EMOTIONS RIGHT NOW.

AND I HAVE NO WORDS TO DESCRIBE THE TANGENT OF WHAT I WAS FEELING WITHIN.

I WOULD NEVER HAVE THE WORDS.

I WOULD FREAKING NEVER HAVE THE WORDS.

I WAS GOING TO KISS HER FOR A WHOLE BLODDY HOUR AND NOT LET HER CATCH ON HER BREATHE EVEN FOR A SECOND.

FOR.

I DIDN’T EVEN WANT TO BREATHE RIGHT NOW

AND I WAS NOT GOING TO LET HER TOO.

…………..

Tadaaa Guys!! Let me know what you guys think!!

I shall give the next update tomorrow.

It shall start with a little POV into Khushi’s head from everything she feels ever since she meets Arnav and will extend upto both their POv’s for the next 21 hours.

Please comment and Vote guys.

It really motivates me!!!!

Imp note – Also guys the reason I am trying to be as Regular with updates this week is because I shall be going out of town on a little family get together for Holi and I shall be out between 7th march to 17th March – and I shall try to post in between but I do not promise a update in those  days – but will resume regularly after that.So I will be giving as many updates as I Can regularly until the 7th of March.

Pls ignore editing errors as I haven’t proof read.

Much Love Guys, Always.

……………….