Chapter 5

March 1, 2005

"Dude, the Kobe is going to whip them. WHIP them!" Arnav shouts laughing, as they sit in the club. He and Armaan slap their hands as Kobe Bryant scores a point.

"Yeah we'll see when LeBron sweeps them off the flooor." Jigar, one of their friends, says. It was Arnav and his clan of friends sitting in the sports club watching the basketball game between Los Angeles Lakers vs. Miami Heat. They would always come here when there was sports game. Today was the final game, the championship. Today would it would tell who the new master of NBA was.

"Psht, yeah right." Arnav says as he chugs down water, while everyone sips beer. Arnav has been diabetic since birth, due to his mom diabetic when she was pregnant. He occasionally drinks alcohol, but takes his pills beforehand because he might get hypoglycemia fast. Arnav, is a 21 year-old, and already is running a business while studying at Stanford University. So far, his business is low not much recognized, but Arnav was keeping it that way. He wanted to get a master's degree first and then expand. It has been three years since he has been living by himself; he separated from his parents when he turned 18. It wasn't that he didn't want to be with them, but he is own parents were separated. His dad was dating a girl five year older than himself, while his mom cried and cried about how miserable her life was. They never gave any notice to Arnav, since he was young. He knew that he was born by accident, they never wanted a child, it just mistakenly happened. The only thing he was glad was about that his parents used to live here before separation, meaning the society here supported him. His best friend, Armaan, since high school and his family helped him during the separation. And now, here he was, sitting in the club with his friends with lots of money. When he turned 16, he started working part-time to save money to buy an apartment. And once he turned 18, he worked day and night while studying at Stanford. Due to his intellectual mind, he graduated one year early from high school.

"Psht, whatever" says Patel, one of their friends. It was only Arnav and Armaan voting for the Lakers while their other five friends were for the Heat.

"How about we strike a deal, Arnav, if your that confident. No harm, right? I mean your practically saying the lakers are going to win, so no harm for you." Says Nathan, one of their American friends.

"I'm up for it man, you know me, never backing down from a dare." Says Armaan. Jigar looks away from the television and focuses his attention on the deal. Jigar loves mischiefing with Arnav, they both never strike down a dare. He whispers something to Nathan, and Nathan shakes his head in agreement. While Arnav turns toward Armaan while raising his eyebrows, and Arnaav shrugs back.

"I dare you to lay a virgin down." Nathan says. Armaan and others whistle.

"You call that a dare, I do that all the time." Arnav says to him.

"This girl is not an easy girl. She used to go to the same high school as us, except she was a grade behind. She's indian too, but too much indian girl. Let's see if you can chase her down." Jigar explains to him. Everyone, including Arnav, shakes their heads over this stupid dare, while Armaan stops. He somehow thinks he knows who Jigar is talking about.

"No-brainer and what's this chick's name?" Arnav says.

"Khushi...Khushi Kumari Gupta, "Jigar says as Armaan sits there shocked, "she's the daughter of Dr. Shashi Gupta and sister of Raj." Arnav shakes his head in agreement.

Armaan stands up and looks at them, "Hell no, no fu****ing way are you doing this to her." Everybody just stares at her, "she's my cousin, no way man, no way you're doing this." Jigar snorts.

"Shut up, Armaan. Your couz Anjali is not a virgin and you know that, so whats so big about this Khushi?" Arnav says to him, while everybody agrees.

"Dude, she's not like this. And plus, Anjali is like my cousin and Khushi is like my real sister. Man...please...i'm begging you...not her..somebody else man Jigar." Armaan pleads. Jigar shrugs as if he doesn't care.

After few hours, the game ends with the Lakers losing the championship and Arnav accepting the dare. As they leave, Armaan and Jigar get into a fight. Armaan smacks Jigar on the table after Jigar trashtalks about Khushi, his cousin. They both fight on the floor in the club, causing other people in the club to panic. Arnav grabs Armaan as Nathan grabs Jigar.

"How fu****in dare you! I told you she's my sister!" Armaan punches Jigar. Jigar blocks one his punches and punches Armaan back.

"Welll to late as**h**le you should've thought about that when you fu***ed my sister!" Jigar smacks him down.

"guys...get up...quit this shit...there going to call the police...shit'man...hurry." Arnav says to them. He grabs Armaan fast as Nathan does the same to Jigar. There other friends make there way through the club. They run fast to their cars as the manager runs after them. Just as they get on the highway, there hear the sirens. "Shit, Armaan! What the f**k was that?! Are you insane?! Do you know how close we were to getting arrested?!"

"Shit, man. That was a close call, whats wrong with you man?" says Akshay as Arnav drives.

"Man, forget this deal. She's my sister...man...please...I'm begging you. She's not like that...she's nave man...man please..don't." Armaan pleads as he gets tears in his eyes. Arnav leans toward him and smacks him the face.

"Shut up! I don't give a shit about her...man...you did the same. Didn't you...to Jigar's sister?"

"Then he should give me the punishment, not you."

"that is the punishment you as****hole!"

"His fu****in sister came to me...nicke-Khushi isn't like that...WHY CANT YOU FU***IN GET IT!"

"Shut up, I don't give a shit. I'm going to this dare if you like it or not. Now get out my car." Arnav says to him as they arrive in front of Armaan's house. As Armaan gets out of the car, he turns to say something, but Arnav drives off.

"Arnav, maybe he is right. Maybe-" Akshay says.

It was Saturday afternoon, today was Muskaan's birthday. Khushi was at her massi's house, decorating the house for her favorite cousin birthday. She wore a mustard colored anarkli suit with a silk a silk dupatta, https://figurafashion.com/index.php?main_page=popup_image&pID=410 ) and put her hair down with small puff.. She put balloons up in the backyard, where the small gathering was going to be for Muskaan's birthday bash. She loved birthdays. The day where you feel special for once in life, where everybody is nice to you. However, she went with her dad's saying (actually this is what my dad always says) birthday is just one day, but everyday. Everyday is when one is to be special. She agreed with her dad, but she still liked birthdays. Now you couldn't throw a party, open gifts, and cut a cake everyday, can you?

Just as Khushi finishes putting the balloons up and decorating all the tables. She sees her cousin, Armaan, coming to her. What's wrong with him? He looks tensed. Armaan goes up to and kisses her on the forehead. Khushi raises her eyebrows at his annoying cousins weird gesture. "Well, that's nice to know that someone loves me." She smiles and ruffles his hair, which she loves to do.

"Nickeldeon, hey. How are you?" he says to her.

"Wow, but head asking me how I am rather than ordering me straight off. Well, that's new." She smiles. "I'm fine, you?"

Khushi stands in the kitchen pantry, reaching for the paper plates that are on the top of the shelf. Great, why did massi have to have a 12feet tall pantry and put the paper plates all up the last shelve. And where is the latter today? Khushi thinks to herself as she climbs from first shelve to level up to the paper plates. Hey Devi Maiya you made me 5'6 but still can't make me reach up there. As she grabs the plates, she knocks over the glass cups box that her massi kept up there. "Hey Devi Maiya!" Khushi says as she sees the box about to hit the ground. However, someone catches the box and looks up at her. He smiles and raises his eyebrows at seeing her dangling on the shelf.

Khushi stares at the man. The man who caught the glass cups. The man who was rich and pure looking, caring a white polish skin tone with dark brown eyes. Khushi, was already sweating from dangling, but now was sweating from seeing a handsome figure below her. Isn't that...he's Arnav Singh Raizada...Payal was right...he too sexy.

"Really? I'm too sexy?" Arnav says as he turns his head to one side and gives her a lop-sided smile. Khushi widens her eyes from realizing that she just spoke that out loud. She releases one her hand and tries to smack herself on her forehead, but realizes she's now dangling with only one hand holding. "Just jump, I'll catch you." She looks down again, and sees him standing parallel from her now. She shakes her head.

"I'll just come down by myself." Khushi says to him, who just shrugs to her. She jumps slightly to get down the second last shelve but finds herself falling down.

"Wow...you were right...you can come down by yourself." Arnav says as he holds Khushi in his arms easily. Khushi looks at him and the upper shelves. He stares at her back. They stay like this for a few minutes, gazing into each other's eyes. His eyes are ice crystal...so beautiful...Khushi thinks to herself.

"Khushi?" Muskaan asks somewhere far away. Both of them jump at the sound of the voice. Khushi runs out of Arnav's hold but Arnav gives a confuse look to her.

"You're Khushi?" Arnav asks her and she nods back as she turns to exit the kitchen.

March 2, 2007

Arnav opens his apartment door and sees Armaan standing there. He gestures him in.

They sit there silently watching the NBA game of Lakers vs. Dallas. As half-time appears, Armaan turns toward him. "Leave her."

Arnav faces him. "What?!"

"I said leave Khushi."

"Why? You can't tell me to leave her when we're dating."

"Well, I wouldn't say that if you were realy dating her. Would I?" Armaan raises his eyebrows as Arnav faces toward the television again.

"I can't."

"Then I'll tell her."

"Don't" Arnav stands up and looks at him.

"Why? Arnav Singh Raizada isn't scared of anything, right? Then why the hell do you care if I tell her or no. " Armaan questions him. "So...leave her."

"Man, don't do this."

"Why the hell do I care? You lost the deal, Arnav. It's been two whole years since you met her! Leave her, you lost."

"Man, she'll tore if-"

"Well, that was your fault isn't. Didn't I tell you that she's not like that? It's all your fu****in fault, ARNAV! I can't see her like this! I can't see her all happy and bubbly when the person behind her being like this is faking it to just fu****in SLEEP WITH HER!" Arnav stands there frozen. He felt like he repeating his age 18 again, separating from his family. Except, this time it was a girl, name Khushi Kumari Gupta.

"no, nn-n-no man, please-" Arnav pleaded.

"Shut up, i know you. You only plead when you want a something. And right now your still aiming to win the deal."

"Man, no-"

"I'm leaving." Armaan picks up his jacket and heads toward the door, "if you don't tell within a day, I'm telling her." And leaves.

Arnav arrives at the park, just as Khushi arrives. They walk silently to the bench, that Arnav leads them too. They sit on the bench silently, while he feels Khushi peeking looks at him. He never found anything so hard before in his life. He didn't know why, he felt this way. Ever since he has met Khushi, he sleeps late wondering only about her. But why? He knew it wasn't love because he never believe in love? He only talked to girls for one thing. But Khushi, she was different. He actually talked to her in interest and the other thing didn't even come in to his mind. But why? Why did he feel like this? Why? These were the question he questioned every day to himself and got no reply.

"Arnav? Are you okay?" Khushi asks him as she puts her hand on his cheek. Arnav turns sideways from her warm touch. He slowly brings himself to her eye level.

"Khushi." He says hoarsely.

"Arnav? Are you ok-?" Khushi says to him but he stops her.

"Khushi, I think it's time we go in different ways. I'm not ready to move our relationship into another level because i don't love you... I'm the wrong man for you Khushi. Please leave . " Arnav says it slowly. There I said it.

Khushi drops her hand and breathes deeply. Arnav turns toward her and sees her focusing on the pond in front of them. He hears her whisper, "You don't lov-vv-e me?"

"No. No, I don't." Arnav says to her and gets up. "Please don't ever meet or come to me. Ever. I don't want to see you, ever." And walks away and doesn't turn around.

Arnav watches the Raven's football game by himself. It has been two weeks since they left each other. Just as he's about to pour more salsa into his bowl, he hears pounding on his door. He opens the door and sees Anjali, Payal, and Atul standing there. Right behind them he sees Armaan coming. He gestures them in, but Anjali pushes him.

"What did you day to her?!" she yells at him.

"huh?!" is all the words that escape from Arnav's mouth.

"Khushi-ji left, Arnav. We don't where." Atul explains to him. Arnav stands there with wide eyes.

"She went to London, Atul. I told you this before too." Armaan says as he walks into Arnav's apartment.

"So! I don't give a shit where she went, all I care is that she left without any warning. And I know whose the reason behind this" Anjali roars as she points toward Arnav.

"I told Khushi to stay away from you, but she didn't listen. I knew you would do something like this." Payal says as she shakes her head.

Arnav just stands there dumbfounded. He isn't even listening them. All he sees is that he won't be able to see Khushi anywhere now. There will be no place here where he be able to bump into her, or meet her at a party. She left. She left him. She left him, was all he could think.

"Arjali, it's not his complete fau-" Atul tries to say.

"SHUT UP, ATUL!" Anjali screams. She runs to Arnav and smacks her fist into his chest, "Because of you, she got broken. She never smiled or enjoyed anything ever since she went to see you at that park. Do you know what people said to her after you told everyone that you broken up with her? ...they called her infertile! INFERTILE! Do you even know what that means?!"

Arnav steps back ghostly, losing all of his energy. "I didn't say anything like th-that..."

"I was the one who told everybody that Arnav broke up, Anj. Give him a rest." Armaan says.

Anjali turns toward Armaan and says, "Shut up, a****le." And returns toward Arnav, "but why did you have to break up with her?"

"Because PEOPLE break up with each other!" Armaan yells. "Give it a rest for peat's sake."

Anjali pushes Armaan and leaves the apartment. Payal and Atul follow behind her. Leaving Arnav and Armaan alone.

"Thanks." Arnav says.

"no, thanks for listening to me." Armaan says.

January 15, 2012

"Raj?" Arnav says as he walks into Raj's office.

"Yes, sir?" Raj says as he looks up from his file.

"Have you completed the financial analysis from last month?" Arnav asks him, "I need it on my desk in ten minutes, I don't care if it's done or not. I want something written on the desk."

"Yes."

Arnav walks out of his accountant's office. He was now, 26, and the famous Arnav Singh Raizada. CEO of AR Industries. He was who was named one of the best business men . He went back to his office after stopping at each floor on his building. He sat there for hour reading all files and signing them for approval. He looks at his watch and sees that Raj hasn't come back. He calls his number, but it tells him its busy.

Arnav gets up and leaves his office, curing several words over how irresponsible his staff was. As he walks toward Raj's office, he sees the Armaan, vice-president, of the AR Industries. He walks into the office, "Where's my file, Raj? I told you ten minutes and it's been one freaking HOUR!" he yells at Raj.Armaan turns around with a concerned look. Arnav looks at him and back at Raj. He realizes somethings wrong. He closes Raj's door and speaks in a calm voice, "What's wrong, man?"

Raj glances up at him, "Khushi's coming back."