Chapter 42

Pearl_Oyster

@Pearl_Oyster

Part 42

A/N : Not proof read, ignore typos.

Arnav and Khushi together walked back to the hall, both furiously rummaging their heads for a topic to initiate a conversation. During the dinner, they had discussed everything that they could think of, except discussing about themselves.

"So Khushi, what have you planned for the future?" Arnav decided to dig in directly as they settled in the same couch, maintaining a respectable distance. There was no point beating around the bush.

The question was meaningful and Khushi clearly understood him implication. He was talking about them, their future.

"Nothing much. I am happy with my job. Mr. Roy is like a father to me. He treats me so good. A few days back he.." Khushi started explaining, fidgeting with the end of her dupatta.

"Khushi, I am not talking about your professional life" Arnav cut in in a soft yet cajoling voice.

"Then?" She asked, knowing well but not wanting to acknowledge.

"I was talking about your personal.."

"Hey Devi Maiya..!" She screamed purposely, her hand going to her forehead.

"I forgot to serve you the ice-cream. Which one you'd like to have? Not that you have plenty of choices" She laughed and her nervousness was blatant for Arnav to notice.

"I don't want to eat ice-cream or anything" He replied patiently.

"Are you sure? I think you should eat. Sit here, I'll just go and get it" She replied and stood up, turning to leave.

Her heart literally jumped out of the chamber as soon as she felt his strong grip catching hold of her wrist.

"Khushi, please sit" He said in his husky voice and she could do nothing but obey.

He left her hand as she settled back in the couch. Suddenly the couch seemed too short to adjust two people within. She could smell his cologne, which wasn't a really appreciable thing as of now. She needed to keep her wits to herself.

"Why are you nervous?" He asked, amusedly.

"I am not nervous" She replied instantly, feeling sweat beads on her forehead.

"If you want to me go, I will leave" He offered, sensing her discomfort.

"What? No!" She said again, looking bewildered with his conclusion. True it was that she was suddenly nervous to be with him, all alone. But she never wanted him to leave.

"Can we dance?" He asked all of a sudden, taking her by surprise.

"What?" She asked her eyes wide, mouth open.

He wanted to dance with her? Here? Now? Why?

"I asked you for a dance, Khushi, not to show me how big your mouth can open" He laughed at her surprised face and she quickly shut her mouth.

"Dance? Now? Here? Are you serious?" She asked.

"Yes Dance. Now. Here. I am serious" He replied in same tone as hers and she couldn't help but smile.

~~***~~

"I am going to kill you, Abhay. Why do you had to make such a silly excuse? My friend's accident? Really? What if Bhai would have caught us? He knows almost all my friends. Why couldn't have one of your friends got injured?" Anjali said, rolling her eyes as they stood before an ice-parlour, after having finished their candle light dinner.

"What? How does that matter, Anjali? And Arnav could have never guessed, especially when Khushi couldn't. I am such a great actor you know" Abhay boasted, taking a bite from Anjali's cone.

"What's that supposed to mean? Khushi is smarter than Bhai?" Anjali asked, glaring at Abhay.

"Of course" Abhay replied.

"And how do you decide that?" Anjali asked.

""that's quite simple you know. I am Khushi's friend and I am smart. So she's bound to be smart too. And Arnav lives with you.." Abhay couldn't finish off his sentence as Anjali stomped his foot in anger and they laughed together, enjoying their moment.

~~***~~

"You think Anjali's friend will be okay? Shall we call and ask?" Khushi said, as she stood up from the couch

"No, I don't think we should call. They must be in hospital. We should wait for them to call" Arnav replied as he recalled Anjali and Abhay's conversation during morning, which he had overheard.

"Great idea Abhay, that way Bhai and Khushi would get few private moments, devoid of your silly jokes" Anjali was excitedly talking to Abhay in the poolside when Arnav had heard their entire conversation and smirked.

"Hmm you are right" Khushi said thoughtfully.

"So, can I have your hand please?" Arnav asked, going on his one knee and extending his one hand further.

"What?" Khushi laughed, seeing him doing that.

"See, I am not going to repeat that okay" Arnav replied and Khushi took his extended hand in his.

"I'm honoured" He replied and got up, walking to the center of the room, taking her hand in his.

"This is crazy, Arnav" Khushi replied, all the awkwardness evaporating from the room.

"And so we are" He replied and slid his hand to her waist, which caused butterflies in her stomach.

His touch still affected her.

Silence took over the room as Khushi placed her hands on his shoulder. She could feel his muscles terse under her touch for a second. Arnav closed his eyes and savoured the moment, feeling the feel of her hands on him.

As their gazes locked to each other, music floated in the air.

tu hi ye mujhko bata de, chahoon main ya na

Apne tu dil ka pata de, chahoon main ya na

tu hi ye mujhko bata de, chahoon main ya na

Apne tu dil ka pata de, chahoon main ya na'

The words seemed to originate right from their heart and carry a deep meaning. They swayed with the music.

Itna bata doon tujhko, chaahat pe apni mujhko,

Yu to nahi ikhtiyaar, phir bhi ye socha dil ne

Ab jo laga hoon milne, poochu tujhe ek baar'

And their hearts sang in unison

tu hi ye mujhko bata de, chahoon main ya na

Apne tu dil ka pata de, chahoon main ya na'

"Khushi" He said in a slow whisper, as Khushi erased the little distance between them and placed her head against his chest, making him snake his both hands around her waist. It was like she was in a daze. As her head rested against his chest, he was sure she could hear his racing heartbeats. It was very hard for him to control his urge of holding her by the chin and letting his lips meet hers. The song went on and so his struggle to overcome his desire.

Aisi...kabhi pahle, hui na thi khwahishein,

kisi...se bhi milne ki, na ki thi koshishein

Uljhan meri suljha de, chahoon main ya na

Aankhon aankhon me bata de chahoon main ya na'

Khushi' he repeated her name again but she didn't answer. As they continued their slow movements, he could feel her grip around his waist tightening. Something was wrong, he knew.

"Khushi" He said a little louder when he felt his Tee getting wet. She was crying?

"Khushi?" He said, pulling away himself from her and cupping her cheek.

"Why are you crying?" He asked impatiently, regretting his minute old desire to kiss her. How could he have thought about it? Knowing well she still needed to adjust.

"It's nothing. I just..I am sorry. I disturbed your mood" She replied, wiping the tears and stepping back.

"No Khushi, you didn't. It's okay" He said, and walked back to take a seat. This was going to be tough. They will have to cover a long way to gain that easiness. Life isn't a fairy-tale and by no chance there is some magic wand to conjure and vanish the things. He couldn't vanish the painful past and couldn't conjure a readymade happy life. He'll have to earn that.

"Why were you crying? Did I do something wrong?" He asked slowly, his heart beating furiously.

"No you didn't" she replied, coming to sit beside him.

"It reminded me of our prom night dance and then our dance at Anjali's party. So much has changed" She said.

"Changed for good" He added, getting down from the couch and sitting before him, on his both knees and help her face in his palms.

"I know, Khushi. You have forgiven me and you are trying to forget. You want us to start with friendship and I am ready. I want you to set the limits and I'll abide by them. I promise you" He told her and she believed him. She knew he wasn't lying. He was no more the same person. Even she wasn't the same girl. She had matured in her own ways. She knew they were progressing, setting up a strong foundation of trust and true promises upon which their future will stand, together.

"Balcony? Fresh air will be good" He suggested and she nodded.

As he walked two steps ahead of her, she covered up the distance and took his hands in hers, walking together, but looking sideways, not wanting to meet his questioning gaze.

As they reached the open area and cold breeze hit their faces, a natural smile broke loose on Khushi's face which Arnav studied carefully.

"You know what, Khushi? The breeze in California was similar to this, the only difference being that it carried the salty smell with it. My house was near the beach you see" He said, in a distant voice going back to these days.

For Khuahi, she was surprised to hear him talk about it. He never had. Not so far.

"Really? What it was like? I mean staying in California." She encouraged him, wanting to hear more.

"It wasn't really great actually. It was just me and Anjali. Anjali, as you know was already there doing her own studies. She used to stay there with Mama and Mamiji, at their place. But when I joined her there, we shifted to our own flat there. Anjali was occupied with her college and me with my MBA"

"Okay. You made friends there? In college you had whole lot gang" She asked with a twinkle in her eyes.

"Not really. I had a few acquaintances though"

"Hmm" She replied with, not knowing what to say more.

"During my early days there, a few of the girls wanted to be my friend" He continued further.

"Not a news. Even here so many girls wanted you" Khushi said in a serious tone. Those were the times when she used to consider herself the luckiest and happiest girl because Arnav loved her. She used to think he preferred her simplicity over barely-dressed girls.

"I dated a few of them but I always had this empty feeling within myself which I couldn't comprehend. No one seemed to interest me, Khushi. And then one day..." He stopped to read her expressions but couldn't. Khushi had hid everything behind a serious composure and was waiting for him to go on. She needed to know what went on in his life when she wasn't there.

"This one girl Liza tried to you know...I... I mean get physically involve with me"

Khushi clutched the railing harder, not knowing if she should hear more or ask him to stop.

"I was carried away to some extent. We kissed and when she tried to get closer, I got a sick feeling. I couldn't go on. I pushed her away and walked out of her flat. After that, it happened a few more times, with some other girls and I was really tired of myself. I thought if this was because of you and I hated you more. You had done something to me and I hated it. After that I always maintained my distance with girls. Just friends stuff you know" He finished and turned to her, wanting to know what she thought of him. He was sure she'd be depressed but what he saw on her face was understanding. She understood him? After all he put her through she understood his situation?

"Khushi I.." He started but she silenced him, taking his both hands in hers.

"That's your past, Arnav. Get over it" She said with a genuine look in her eyes.

"I wasn't talking about myself. I thought you'll.." His voice trailed off as she stepped closer to him. He knew his heart would burst if this continued any longer. Taking her own time, she erased all the air space between them and leaning in placed a soft, lingering kiss on his cheek.

That was a big step. She knew. He knew. Both of them knew.

Time stood still even after she pulled back.

"Leave behind all past memories"

We have new ones to establish' she continued mentally.

He wanted to say more, talk more but the ringing door-bell declared the end of their private moment.

Things will be different from now on. They both knew.

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Leave behind feedbacks please. I hope this wasn't too much to digest in a single update. 😕

Story has reached another landmark. 😳

Pearl_Oyster2013-11-28 11:15:57