Chapter 1

Pearl_Oyster

@Pearl_Oyster

A/N: Hello friends! I hope all of you're doing wonderful. I am posting anything after a long break. I think, a year now. Anyway, this is a little something I happened to scribble one night and I just thought I should post. There will be two more chapters which will come pretty soon. :)

Chapter 1 of 3:

"Juda Hoke Bhi...Tu Mujhmein Kahi Baaki Hai"

Khushi straightened her midnight blue coloured lehenga and adjusted the dupatta across her chest. Her hair had been reshaped into soft, long waves that fell on her back and gave her an ethereal look. She had barely put on any jewellery except the tear shaped diamond earrings she had borrowed from Lavanya.

Everyone in the dressing room complimented her and she smiled politely every time. No one could see the storm that was raging in her heart. Everyone saw the calm demeanour she had so carefully practiced for a week.

She should be happy about the fact that she looked happy to others. Maybe he too would buy it. Everyone else is!

"You're an independent, beautiful and a happy woman, Khushi" She told herself before finally opening the door and stepping out into the party.

The grand reception party of Anjali Singh Raizada turning into Anjali Shyam Jha.

Anjali was Khushi's good friend, and there was no way she could have avoided coming here. But, it also meant seeing him after one long year.

He had flown into the city for the reception. He had missed the wedding. Khushi would be lying if she said that she hadn't been shocked by his absence in the wedding.

If there was any person Arnav Singh Raizada loved to death, it was his sister Anjali. And yet, he hadn't come to the wedding. Anjali had been heartbroken. But three days after the wedding, today was the reception. And he was coming. Khushi wondered if Anjai had forgiven him for his absence. She hadn't had a chance to ask.

Maybe she will ask him. Wouldn't it be something to hear it straight from the horse's mouth? But, that would ruin her plans of avoiding him as much as possible. Maybe she'll ask him if she somehow ends up not avoiding him.

Because, with him, she was always unpredictable.

Who knows what she will do when she'll see him finally? Will she feel happy to see him? Will she feel sad? Angry? Well, now was the time to find out.

"Be brave, Khushi" She said, stepping into the crowd and began mingling with the people.

Exactly thirteen minutes had passed and the sense of uneasiness was only rising in Khushi. She could feel him lingering nearby, somewhere close.

Another five minutes ticked by and Khushi decided to have a cocktail. She reached the open bar and ordered one.

"Here" Her breath stopped as she heard the deep voice. She turned back to find him, offering her his drink. It was the same one she had just ordered and it looked still untouched. Breathe, Khushi!

"No, thanks! He's making me a fresh one" She smiled politely. Too politely.

She watched him assess her from head to toe, his gaze so keen, dark and slow.

He nodded slowly and took a sip of his drink.

"Your drink, ma'am," the bartender said. Khushi took it and quickly drowned it in a go.

"Thanks" she smiled at the bartender and then turned back to Arnav. He still stood there looking at her.

"I like the ring" He said to her, his gaze fixed upon the golden band on her ring finger.

"So do I" She replied, lifting her palm and looking at the ring.

It wasn't very costly, but the design was quite unique. There was no way for Arnav to know this, but there was a name written on the inside of this ring. A name she was sure would make him lose the calm and composed facade he was carrying so smoothly at the moment. That knowledge alone made Khushi feel in power.

"So, how was New York?" She asked casually.

Arnav saw her sweet smile and the way she held herself. She looked different. More at ease and confident.

"Perfect" He replied, sliding a hand in his pocket and shifting his body weight on another leg.

Khushi nodded. He was deliberately trying to appear nonchalant. Good for her.

"So...I'll see you around" She said.

"I'll be flying out first thing in the morning" He answered, looking sideways.

Khushi hated that she felt disappointed. It shouldn't matter to her when he was leaving.

"Safe travels, then!" She made the effort to smile again. But inside, she was beginning to feel heavy.

"Thank you" Arnav replied after a second, then started checking his phone.

Khushi took that as her cue to leave.

"Congrats on the engagement," He said without looking up from the phone.

Khushi halted and stood there. He was still checking something on his phone, acting as if he hadn't just congratulated her for the engagement.

"Thanks" She replied dryly, and walked away from him.

She made sure she walked in slow, sure steps. Don't let him know you want to run out of this party. She kept walking until she bumped into Lavanya.

***

Arnav lifted his gaze from the phone only after he was sure she had left. There was no way in hell he was going to show her how shaky he felt.

Just saying the word 'engagement' had made him jittery in and out. It hadn't felt real until he saw that ring sitting on her finger. And after congratulating her, he felt dejected. And a hollowness that he couldn't begin to understand. But whatever! He is here only for another ten hours.

After that, he'll be back in New York and will go back to feeling better. Life in New York is the best. He reminded himself.

Leaving India was a good decision. He remembered how difficult it had been to make that choice a year ago.

His Nani had just passed away, and Anjali had told him she was dating Shyam Manohar Jha, his business archrival.

Khushi...had finally begun to drop hints that she liked him. It had taken three years for her to respond to his long stares, fleeting touches, and exclusive smirks. But he feared to stay. Did he really want to be tethered to this place? After his Nani's demise, he wanted to be anywhere but in Raizada Mansion. He wanted new things. And he also wanted Khushi. But both weren't possible. So, he had made a choice. A choice that had seemed logical then.

Now, after a year, he has to make himself believe every day that he had taken the right decision. Standing in this party, watching Anjali exchange shy smiles with Shyam Mamohar Jha helped him remember that he had been right in leaving.

Shyam Manohar Jha was a decent person but an unethical businessman. He played dirty and gave way too much value to money. Anjali hadn't listened to his warning and married him nonetheless. Arnav had declared to Shyam Manohar Jha that he wouldn't be giving any share of his property to either Anjali or him.

Shyam Manohar Jha had, surprisingly, not made a fuss and said he didn't want Anjali's money. He had also requested that he come to the reception. Arnav had outright refused. But, then Shyam told him that Anjali was pregnant. That had explained a lot. The quick wedding without waiting for his approval. He had finally decided to come. There was no point in holding grudges. Maybe he could give Shyam a chance.

So, he had flown in. But, he knew the herculean task wouldn't be watching his sister with Shyam Manohar Jha. It will be watching Khushi before his eyes. And the ring on her finger.

He knew that when he had announced he was leaving for New York, Khushi had been heartbroken. Although, she hadn't said it to him, he had seen the pain, the anger and the accusation in her eyes. And if he was being honest, he had welcomed all those emotions that Khushi had directed at him. Because, staying here and being with her was a dream too unreal, impossible at the time. It was easier to leave than to stay. It was easier to escape than to commit. Because commitment was what Khushi would have required sooner or later. And he didn't know if he would have been ready to give that to her. Not then.

And today? She was already committed.

He had heard through Anjali when she had gotten engaged four months ago. He had felt cheated. As if in some silent corner of his heart, he had been expecting her to wait. But why will she wait? He had made no promises before leaving. Had barely even said goodbye.

Yet, upon getting the news of her engagement, he had spent the entire night getting drunk in a bar. The next two days, he had been unable to come out of the hangover and stop feeling the hollowness. But, over days and weeks, he had adjusted himself.

He was fine now. At least was until he walked into the party and saw her. And then saw the ring on her finger. And then the smile on her lips. The confidence on her face. She was happy. Good. Perfect.

"Aman, get me a morning ticket back to NY" He called up his assistant at the New York office and ordered. Initially, he had decided to stay for two to three days. But seeing her and her ring, he had instantly decided to leave first thing in the morning.

This place sucked! This party sucked.

He needed to get back to his hotel. He was done playing the part of happy and supportive brother.

***

Khushi felt a tear falling out of her eye, and she quickly wiped it. She didn't know what she was expecting. Obviously, he didn't apologize for leaving! And obviously, she didn't shout at him; hit him for breaking her heart all those months ago. So, why does she feel drained now? Like, she had just walked miles and miles only to reach nowhere.

"Should I come pick you up?" The text on her phone read.

"I am already on my way. Anjali sent a car with me" Khushi texted back with shaky fingers. Why was she lying? She still stood at the gate of the Raizada Mansion. People were pouring in and out. No one paid much attention to her. She looked like a guest, stepping out of the party to catch a break from the noise. After standing there for another few minutes, Khushi decided that it was better to go in and ask Lavanya to drop her.

She turned back to go inside and bumped into someone. With her luck, that someone turned out to be Arnav Singh Raizada. He had been walking out of the party in long strides, looking in his phone and texting when he ran right into her.

"Khushi" He exclaimed, steadying her by holding her by the shoulders. She instantly stepped back.

"I am okay" She replied and tried to go back inside.

"Sorry for bumping into you. I was just leaving" He said. Khushi tried to ignore the word 'leaving'. Leaving the party and then the city.

"I too am leaving in a minute. Have to go to work tomorrow" She replied.

"Let me drop you" Arnav instantly said.

"I mean if you don't have a ride" He added after a second. Khushi looked at him and then at her cellphone. She had already texted that she was on her way. Should she go with him? Or go in and find Lavanya? Khushi knew what the logical choice should be, but her heart hammered wildly.

"Okay" she said.

"Okay" Arnav repeated after her.

"I mean...this way" He guided her towards his car.

And Khushi followed with a thundering heart. She was going to sit with him in his car. For full thirty minutes. She didn't know why she agreed to this foolish offer. Maybe she knew. Maybe she wanted to spend a little more time with him before he left tomorrow. Maybe she was just dumb.

Arnav knew he was playing with fire when he offered to drive her home. He barely expected her to agree. But, she did. And now he felt his body and mind playing tricks on him. Maybe she doesn't hate you. Maybe she wants to talk to you. Maybe she still likes you. Maybe you're just a crazy man.

Khushi got into the car and Arnav drove out of the parking. As they reached the main road, it started to rain; with heavy winds and thunder.

Both of them realized that the storm was coming.

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Let me know where do you think this is going! 😉