Chapter 90

Batool Imran

@nav_bat

"Are we back to analyzing Nikhil then? Is this like you know normal for you.. or something? (Vivek shrugs, Nikhil huffs in exasperation)I dont know what you want me to say. That I haven't always been this dull? Probably. That the way I am right now is something I could probably snap out of? Maybe. But I cant give you a reason for that. I mean its not something I have figured out yet." Nikhil stringed his tattered thoughts into words, gaining confidence from Vivek's patient expression though really there wasn't much he could elaborate on that.

"You could atleast try to you know. Being an echo of yourself isn't getting you brownie points with anyone." Vivek stated calmly.

"I guess you missed the catch line Vivek. I have no one to get brownie points from. Friendless remember?" Nikhil cut back bitterly going back to hunching his posture like a frail old man.

"Didnt I just say we could try to be friends?"

"Is it the pity factor again?" Nikhil asked raising a challenging deadly eye brow at Vivek who wasn't portraying any decipherable expression on his face.

"No. You are just interesting. And because you are potentially connected to Chun I would like to know you better you know just to be on the safe side, though I really doubt you will pull any more shenanigans now." Vivek reasoned smartly, though he was actually internally trying to figure out how high exactly would he have to been on exhaustion to operate on analysis mode like he was right now. Probably million highs multiply by infinity.

"I like a quiet life." Nikhil murmured with obvious relief at Vivek's close to a friendly call explanation.

"I find that hard to believe." Vivek smiled at him but was very much pleased with this development. With that he flopped back on the bed staring at the ceiling well aware that Nikhil's gaze was still trained on him along with a bemused expression. It was after exactly 10 seconds of silence that Nikhil spoke up to nobody's surprise.

"You are pretty perceptive you know." He commented cautiously, trying to gauge the balance of this fragile newly repaired friendship. Thankfully Vivek didn't seem fazed by the comment and continued to stare at the ceiling, though a hard to miss grin tugged at his mouth.

"If you are saying its a good thing then thanks, if you thinks its a bad thing then deal with it. I have my quirks." Vivek waved of the comment unconcerned, mentally writing the 4056^th sequence to the Fibonacci's sequence in his mind though he wasn't sure where that thought actually came from. Probably his abnormal brain waves. They reverted back to comfortable silence, Nikhil still seated like he wanted to say something but wasn't sure he wanted to, while Vivek was all but occupied with figuring out his math problem.

"Hey Vivek? (Vivek makes a sound of acknowledgment) We are starting with a clean slate right? (Vivek nods turning his head now to look at Nikhil) There is something..uhh..you..should..know..that I know about you." Nikhil stammered, looking distinctly comfortable, while Vivek visibly paled although he made some sort of acknowledging sound of go ahead' at him.

"I..I know about your medical condition. (Vivek looks at him blankly) Your heart condition." Nikhil blurts out chancing a look at Vivek who is evidently frozen in time for a few agonizing seconds until he flops back on the bed staring back at the ceiling and closing his eyes, taking his time to absorb this traumatic piece of revelation. What was after quite a few seconds he shook his head, and with obvious reluctance opened his eyes to face Nikhil who was sporting an expression that was split between pity and panic none of the emotions Vivek liked but had regardless expected.

"Do I want to know how? Because everybody who knows is nobody I intended to tell."Vivek's said curtly, obvious resentment in his tone.

"I overheard you and Casey talking. (pregnant pause) But I just wanted to bring this up so you know that you can trust me. (Vivek looks at him expressionlessly) I know you haven't told Khushi..and I..I wont tell her about it or you know let anyone else tell her." Nikhil reassured in a surprisingly steady and determined tone, Vivek dropping theaccusing look from his face and shaking his head letting out a depressed sigh.

"Thanks Nikhil. I appreciate it. (Glumly) With my luck though Chun will probably find out 'accidently' as well." Vivek voiced out dejectedly, preparing himself for the usual comforting bouts of thought that he had been getting so far, however much to his surprise and relief Nikhil stayed quiet and did not offer any comment on that particular train of thought.

"Do your parents know?" He asked instead, thoroughly astounding Vivek who looked up at him with new-found respect, because nobody which meant Arnav and Casey had bothered to ask when they had found out if his parents knew. Everyone just automatically assumed that they knew, or in Arnav's case didnt particular show any interest, but here was Nikhil forging a category of his own in this pool of Vivek's-accidental-confidantes'.

"Dad knows." He replied after a beat, overcoming his surprise while Nikhil nodded not prodding for any more information out of him, astonishing Vivek again with his queer behavior.

"I'll tell Chun soon." Vivek assured him, having a sudden urge to not look as big of an idiot as he currently did in front of Nikhil. Nikhil only nodded in response though his expression was grim, not that Vivek expected him to break dance right now.

"Yeah the accidental plan doesn't sound too dependable." He commented lightly, trying to diffuse the tension in the air, not giving a reaction to the thankful look on Vivek's face but giving enough reaction to show that it was acknowledged.

"My cursed fate is very dependable though." Vivek joked sourly, his expression pouring bitterness which made Nikhil highly uncomfortable but he didn't say so otherwise though it did bring another not so light-hearted topic to his mind which he inadvertently battled with at first but decided to pursue it nevertheless after collecting his wits substantially.

"There's something else you need to know too. (Vivek quirks up at an eyebrow at him curiously) Right now the phone call..it..it was Mr Gupta. (Vivek sits up on his bed in a giffy looking at Nikhil to continue impatiently, however Nikhil looks at the bathroom door in concern) Do we want Arnav to know?" Nikhil discontinued his confession thought and directed it towards the closed washroom door, Vivek following his train of thought and shaking his head full aware that anything to do with Mr Gupta calling Nikhil couldn't end well, specially not if Arnav was involved who would quite possibly commit murder or something equally criminal.

"Arnav mate have you drowned yourself in the shower yet?" Vivek shouted at the closed washroom door, much to Nikhil's amusement, the sound of water dripping possibly from the shower disappearing replaced by Arnav's usual sulking voice.

"Pity your pillow hasn't eaten your head off yet." Arnav answered back in much lesser octaves than Vivek, though regardless Vivek cracked up into derisive laughter a look of mock horror on his face that greatly entertained Nikhil.

"Arnav Singh Raizada cracking a joke. Miracle! Miracle!" Vivek chortled back mockingly his response followed by (quite obviously) an equally threatening comment from Arnav like always.

"You better not be in the room when I get out. It wont end well." Arnav threatened from inside the washroom menacingly, making Vivek roll his eyes, like being threatened by Arnav Singh Raizada was the most comical thing in existence.

"Kay Arnie Boy whatever you say." Vivek screamed back putting special emphasis on Arnie' much to Nikhil's complete hilarity, as Vivek turned towards him and mouthed C'mon', he following Vivek outside not so quietly but that hardly mattered. They made their way to the cafeteria that was bustling with activity downstairs grabbing an empty table that a senior couple had earlier vacated.

"Spill." Vivek ordered once they were seated, Nikhil uneasy for only the briefest of second before launching into a summary of his phone call with Aryan Gupta earlier.

"Is he barking mad? He cant come here! If Chun knows she is going to blow off!" Vivek exclaimed as soon as Nikhil had finished telling his tale, his fists clenched and expression colored in apparent disbelief.

"He will be attending the play." Nikhil reminded him, getting a pretty chilly glare shot his way by Vivek.

"How does he have a pass?" Vivek questioned exasperatedly clenching and unclenching his fists to calm his frayed nerves down yielding no positives results whatsoever.

"He's Khushi's father remember?" Nikhil went on to remind him cautiously, pretty sure Vivek would bite his head off though if it was possible Vivek's face went absolutely murderous but thankfully as Nikhil figured none of those emotion were directed at him.

"He cant come to the play. Its going to sabotage the whole thing. Chuns already a bundle of nerves right now, she cant see her dad. That man is a walking talking disaster in her life." Vivek expressed resentfully, his voice calmer but only barely, expression tense.

"What do you want to do?" Nikhil asked him hopelessly, feeling slightly guilty at springing the news at Vivek, even though he knew keeping it hidden would make matters much worse, however he did firmly swore to himself that he would do whatever it took to help Vivek no matter what.

"I dont know! We cant just blow up your cover can we?" Vivek said worriedly, his fingers tapping the table making some off tune music which Nikhil couldn't have brought himself to appreciate even in his nightmare. But that wasn't what occupied his mind, it were Vivek's words of hopelessness, and it was a split second decision but he knew it was the right and he made it.

"We can." Nikhil informed him immediately, as Vivek's eyes widened at his response looking at him inquiringly.

"But your girlfriend.." Vivek trailed off not knowing what to say in the face of Nikhil's determined expression that slightly crumbled at the mention of his girlfriend but for how long it lasted Vivek could have possibly imagined it.

"I'll figure something out. I cant do this agent bullshit anymore!" Nikhil bellowed angrily, his expression now passionately fierce and filled with disgust at his role. There was no way he wanted to continue living like this, repulsed with his very existence, being friendless, having Khushi be nice to him when he had been such a creep. Literally.

"The money problem with your girlfriend..how much do you need?" Vivek questioned him a thoughtful expression on his face, as Nikhil looked at him confused but then stiffly shook his head at what he guessed was going on in his mind.

"Dont worry about it..i'll figure something out. About the thing with Mr Gupta tomorrow what do you propose?" Nikhil hastily changed the topic to more immediate concerns however Vivek raised his hands up dramatically shaking his head furiously with an unwavering air surrounding him.

"No! No! You are taking my help with your girl friend..I have a decent bank account..(Nikhil protests) Its fine. I dont know what to do with it anyway, nor do my parents apparently. If I die or something.." Vivek pressed insistently before being cut off abruptly by Nikhil from the morbid spiral in conversation.

"You are not dying Vivek." Nikhil told him firmly, his arms crossed around his chest staring at him intently probably trying to bend Vivek's stubbornness by the sheer force of his gaze which as of now looked like a pretty decent plan with the way Vivek looked at him disturbed.

"Anyways, if I die that money isn't any use to me or my parents, since that just keeps rolling in with dads businesses so will you at least just take it for now? Please?" Vivek pushed on even though in the back of his mind he was very much inclined to let it go what with Nikhil boring holes in his face very much like Arnav, which for that matter was plain creepy. He though pressed his mouth in a firm line, and made his best puppy-dog expression not that he did not expect to work on a guy but after a few minutes of dragged on silence Nikhil finally let out an audible sigh of expression and relented.

"Okay Vivek. Thankyou." Nikhil thanked him sincerely, which Vivek waved off still grinning at his small victory.

"Don't mention it. (Nikhil continues to look at him gratefully so Vivek changes the topic hastily) So where and when did he tell you to meet him again?" Vivek asked attentively fighting off the exhaustion building up in every crevice of his body; however the strong-minded look on his face was unyielding and kept him upright.

"Tomorrow 8. Outside that small cafe near the auditorium." Nikhil recited grimly.

"Fine. I am coming with you then."

******************************************************

Standing with his arms folded leaning against a pillar with a dreadful scowl on his face and watching one of his best mates and his worst enemy associating like lost long friend's was definitely not Arnav's idea of fun. He watched quietly as Vivek put his arm around Nikhil who was casually laughing on one of Vivek's obviously idiotic jokes seeming perfectly at ease and nothing like the dissolving in shadows Nikhil he had to deal to with, so did Vivek he reminded himself with a grimace, until today. What in the world happened overnight that these two had suddenly become world class friends, that too under his very nose? Something ticked forlornly at the back of his behind, something he couldn't figure but he couldn't quite understand Vivek's misplaced action and it wasn't helping that Vivek seemed to be going out of his to avoid him all day. It was all so pathetically illogical Arnav was one thread away from snapping and throttling Vivek to demand answers out of him.

"So I get it you aren't particularly happy with the two of them being matey?" He heard her slightly elated but mostly confused voice from behind him as she uninvited stood next to him following his line of sight and looking at the odd revival of Vivek and Nikhil's friendship before him.

"Are you looking for a death sentence Gupta?" He growled not even bothering to turn his head to look at her, because he knew that omnipresent you-are-the-only-jerk-here-Raizada' smirk was plastered on her face, her eyes most definitely alight with vindictive pleasure at seeing him practically squirming at Vivek's perceived betrayal.

"I thought that was for Vivek." She commented chirpily, enjoying his torment to her full extent, and this time he craned his neck to look at her examining him sunnily that smirk as he had known well painted on his face. At some other time he would have dragged his mind away from his impending anger and focused on how becoming she looked dressed in her sleeveless black gym top and casual tracks even though he had seen her dress like that way for 3 months or so but even then it made blood hot every time. Ignoring his teenage hormone thoughts, as of present he glared at her receiving only a minx like evil smile from her in return.

"You can stand in line." He told her savagely redirecting his attention to Nikhil and Vivek who were now seated on a bench far off talking conspiratorially between themselves making Arnav's present frown all the more pronounced.

"What happened overnight anyway?" Khushi asked now curiously dropping all signs of being elated by this reunion even though she was, looking at the sudden commradie between the two of them suspiciously.

"Search me." Arnav replied back moodily his attention unwavering. Khushi looked at him peevishly, noting his grumpy expression with mild distaste though she obviously expected it beforehand ever since she saw Vivek and Nikhil being relaxed around each other early in the morning at breakfast.

"Sheesh Raizada you are acting like I am asking you for drugs. You know you should take Punchy's lead and atleast be civil with Nikhil." Khushi reprimanded and advised him crossly, fully prepared when Arnav whipped his face around to glower at her relentlessly.

"Maybe I'll just push you both of a cliff together." He informed her viciously, causing her to roll his eyes at him obviously unperturbed by his death threat as usual as they were.

"Pfft. you could be more creative Raizada. I am disappointed." She responded cheekily feigning disappointment shrugging off the incessant glower Arnav was shooting her way with the power of a million knife cuts.

"I dont particularly care about how I dispose you two off Gupta, as long as you two are disposed off."

"Good to know you love us that much."

"I hope he's not up to any odd shenanigan with poor Nikhil." She remarked nervously after a while, still eyeing the meeting between Nikhil and Vivek that had become rather serious judging from the grim expressions on her face, though she could see Vivek's I-am-planning-something-stupid' just around the corner.

"Poor Nikhil? You just get denser by the second Gupta." Arnav grunted from beside her, who she threw a rather severe look at, shaking her head at his immaturity and ability to hold a grudge like no tomorrow.

"I dont hold a grudge." Khushi voiced back tonelessly, though there was an underlying layer of defensiveness like she was trying to convince herself of this fact in her tone which Arnav did not miss.

"I must be in a league of my own then." Arnav retorted without missing a beat, arching a challenging eyebrow at Khushi, who slightly blushed at the accusation knowing full well that she had one too many grudges against Arnav that she had been holding forever, still probably did, but quickly she schooled her expression into indifference and looked away from his piercing gaze.

"You are." She muttered under her breathe and walked away as someone from the bustling team behind them called for her, leaving Arnav to debate whether he had unknowingly set back their relationship once again or not. He quickly let the thought go and marched away the other way to where he had stashed off his bag, which had his supplies.

*****************************************************

"Where the hell are they going together?" Khushi whispered to him urgently poking her elbow in his side, noting the furiously departing expression with more and more mistrust. Practice had ended only 10 minutes ago, when the entire team had congregated to wait for the van that took them back to their hotel, everyone except for Vivek and Nikhil who had not so stealthily made their way out of the crowd.

"Do you honestly expect me to answer that?" Arnav answered back distractedly his gaze fixed on Vivek's retreating back puzzling over the weird expression Vivek had thrown his way before he and Nikhil had jogged away without answering any questions. His blood boiled with all the secrecy and the fact that Vivek was pinning him to keep Khushi out of the way even though he had no barfing idea why the hell was he supposed to keep her away. Meanwhile as he zoned out, Khushi grabbed Casey's arm who was in the middle of a discussion with her creative team, pinning her with a severe look as she questioned him.

"Do you know where Punchy and Nikhil went off to Cas?" Khushi asked instantly in her no nonsense tone, though Casey looked at her insistence oddly and casually replied.

"Yeah. He said Nikhil and him had some work to do and we shouldn't wait up for them. Why?" Casey told her nonchalantly, her eyes still fixed on Khushi who had a highly troubled expression on her face.

"Meet who?" She asked uneasily.

"Dunno. Didn't ask. Is there something wrong Khushi?" Casey replied back unnerved now with Khushi's bizzard interrogation.

"Nope. (Laughs unconvincingly) Just me and my forgetful brain. *pause* Hey listen I am going off too yeah so don't wait up for me alright?" Khushi told her in what she deemed to be an unconcerned voice though Casey was still looking at her unconvinced, but nodded regardless, as Khushi rushed away, quickening her pace to catch up with Vivek and Nikhil.

"Where the hell do you think you are going?" Arnav grabbed her arm harshly and stopped her dead in her tracks, as she shot a deadly scowl at him and struggled to free her self from his iron grip.

"Following them of course! They are meeting someone. Who could Nikhil and Vivek possibly go to meet alone huh? They don't even know eachother that well! (pulling her arm away from Arnav without any result) Let me go Raizada! I am pretty sure that buffoon head is up to something retarded again!" Khushi barked at him, her face tomato red with the unchecked anger and irritation building up inside him however Arnav continued to look at her stonily possibly to glue her to feet right where she stood.

"Why must you play Sherlock Holmes all the time Gupta? Leave them alone to mate or whatever!" Arnav answered back frustrated, holding on to her arm even more tightly if nothing else perhaps cutting of her blood circulation but he couldn't bring himself to care about that just right now as he was too busy meeting Khushi's glare head on.

"You are ridiculous Raizada! C'mon let me go damnnit! I thought you wanted to know whats up with that arrangement?" Khushi asked him angrily, trying to stop herself from screaming at him as to not attract attention and keeping one of her eyes trained at the door way where Vivek and Nikhil had disappeared minutes ago much to her complete distaste.

"Well not now." Arnav told her unpersuasive, as her glare turned into an unnerving expression of suspicion scrutinizing his face for any cracks that would give away his cover.

"You know what they are up to don't you?" She fired back accusingly boring her hazel gaze into Arnav who momentarily flinched at their intensity but then shook his head adamantly looking at her dead panned.

"I wouldn't be here if I did Gupta!" He snapped punitively, meeting her fierce expression head on. Occupied in his attempt to restrain her arm and lock his eyes with her he did not realize when she had bent her leg and kneed him in the groin, freeing her arm from his grip as he crumbled to the floor painfully shooting daggers at her retreating back.

"Sorry Raizada. " She yelled back but Arnav had already pushed the disconcerting pain at the back of his mind and made a herculean effort to get up and steady himself his face red with anger.

"I am going to strangle all three of them in their sleep!" He muttered violently as he raced after her, cursing under his breathe as he did so barely catching up to her.

***********************************************

Meanwhile Vivek felt like a thousand million rocks had settled inside his stomach weighing him down making every step he took requiring a herculean amount of effort, as he trudged beside a nervous Nikhil with a blank look on his face preparing himself to cool down his wacko nerves. The last time he had met Chun's father it had gone drastically horrible, not to mention the fact that events following that meeting had led to him personally wanting to pulverize the rather intimidating man that was Khushi's father. It was beyond him how someone like her could be related to someone like him, but for all he knew he was no one to say, honestly his own biological dad was a bigot who was he really to make sense of blood relationships?

A cold sense of fury seemed to make him numb when he and Nikhil stopped dead in their tracks as the distinctly familiar frame of Aryan Gupta emerged from the quiet sinister shadows of that abandoned street. If it was best be put, it probably looked like they were out here for a drug deal exchange you know seeing as their surroundings were not the best place to make it in the most-civilized-streets-of-New York' list. Vivek wasn't sure if he should start cracking up at this horrendous comparison or punch the man in front of them who was looking at Nikhil and him as if they were the worst sort of scum on Earth, especially him.

"What is he doing here boy?" Aryan Gupta's severe voice asked of Nikhil, training his beady black eyes at Vivek making him feel like he might get frozen to his spot under Aryan's icy stare.

"Hello Mr Gupta." Nikhil greeted colorlessly without stammering much to Vivek's surprise and immediate pride at the courage being demonstrated by him considering all this while the bloke had been taking orders from this man. Aryan arched a brutal eyebrow at Nikhil taking his eyes of Vivek momentarily and drilling it on Nikhil analyzing him judgmentally.

"We just wanted to talk to you." Vivek cut in an urgent tone, reverting back Aryan's attention to him, nothing that he was pleased of but he maintained his composure and willed himself to not break eye contact or be daunted by Aryan's hulking presence.

"I don't seem to re call inviting you..Mr Mandvi is it?" Aryan stated coldly, his jaw clenched and face stony as he maintained his stare on Vivek's unyielding figure.

"Well I invited myself. Sorry that's just how I roll. (A vein twitched dangerously on Aryan's forehead) Besides I thought it would be nice to have a one on one now you know? Since you know a great deal about my relationship with Ch..Khushi thanks to your impeccable spying services." Vivek spat out humorlessly his expression becoming colder and more attentive by the second not missing out on the flicker of uneasiness on Aryan's face at the mention of a spy but his face was devoid of expression only a split second making Vivek doubt if the former emotion was just an illusion procured by his mind.

"Very well Mr Mandvi. What do you want?" Aryan replied simply, his features taught with tension, completely ignoring Nikhil for the moment who stood plainly by Vivek's side not knowing what to do with himself or this situation. Vivek momentarily lost control of his firm demeanor and succumbed to Aryan's icy scrutiny, however he regained his strength only a moment later before giving Aryan the satisfaction of watching him crumble and stood straighter meeting Aryans eye.

"For you to leave." Vivek answered firmly, enunciating each word so his message was loud and clear.

"Really now? I was under the impression that you came here uninvited at your own will? Why do you want me leave when you could quite easily do the same?" Aryan asked him in mock amusement, his eyes still observing Vivek critically.

"Leave New York I mean. You cant attend the play." Vivek said again subjugating the urge to scream at Aryan who was making this a stupid game while all Vivek wanted him to do was get the hell out.

"Let me remind you boy. I am her father. (looking at Nikhil who isnt surprised by the revelation) I see someone told you that already?" Aryan replied calmly though his tone was definitely negative degree colder so was his gaze much sharper and the surprise in his voice about Nikhil knowing the full truth was barely even noticeable.

"Arnav Singh Raizada." Nikhil replied dismissively, squaring his gaze with Aryan trying not to flinch which to his credit he did not. Vivek from his side noticed the wordless war between Nikhil and Aryan, Nikhil's resistance and Aryan's barely curbed anger, but before he had time to analyze this interaction any further Aryan took on an expression of disgust.

"Ofcourse that Raizada prat. Always the Raizada's" He spat venomously, a far off look of sheer hatred in his eyes that the boys couldn't really begin to comprehend the origins of. Vivek had a vague idea about the tension between the Raizada's and Gupta's parental figures courtesy to Khushi, but Nikhil looked completely thrown by the animosity oozing out of Aryan for Arnav. What in the world did Arnav have to had done to have Aryan Gupta hate him that much?

Vivek on the other hand gathered his nerves and attempted to smoothen his voice to make Aryan come back from his hate-mode saga' and back to the real problem on hand.

"Look Mr Gupta you can't come to the play. Ch..Khushi won't appreciate it. She doesn't want you there and its going to wreck her performance her entire demeanor to find you there. Please. This is very important to her. Let her be." Vivek said impassively though the desperateness in his voice was not lost on Aryan who was looking at him curiously though his face was still twisted in a painful sneer trying to figure what exactly was Vivek's relationship dynamic with his daughter. Surely the boy couldn't be just her friend could he? With the way he was championing her, it didn't seem very likely to him.

"Attending a play in which my daughter is the lead actress with that idiot boy Raizada, isn't a crime Mr.Mandvi." Aryan said stoically instead of voicing out his opinions on Vivek's over the top concern for his daughter.

"Considering Khushi hates you, its as good as one." Vivek replied back bitingly, pure anger showing on his face now that he let the mask of cool drop from his face. It really wasn't worth the effort, he thought, when a full grown man was so hell bent on being the biggest prick the world has ever seen. Aryan's face blanked out at his comment, giving Vivek a split to consider if Aryan might show some sign of vulnerability but to his dismay if anything Aryan Gupta was downright furious and beyond reason now.

"You dont get a say in that." He snarled at Vivek , his what might have been handsome features darkening with the intensity of negativity consuming his very being, making shivers run up Vivek's spine but he refused to be scared of such a bully and looked at Aryan defiantly.

"Unlike you, as her best friend and someone whose looking out for her, I do." Vivek retorted sharply, his jaw clenched with unsuppressed fury as Aryan Gupta bored his calculative gaze into him, an expression of mock humor on his face.

"Do you now boy? Someone who has known my daughter for 6 months or so?" Aryan bit back at him unsmilingly, folding his arms across his chest, as Vivek's expression became uneasy and he looked away from Aryan's piercing black eyes trying to get his wits back in order but his comment did hit right home. It was true though wasn't it? It was hard to believe but it had only been 6 months since he first saw Khushi even though events equaling to 6 years probably took place in that time span. But that was besides the point. What if he really was in no position to argue with her father, what if..damnnit he didn't know what if what. There were to many what ifs. His hands shook with fury and the only thing that really made sense to him right now was to sock Aryan in the nose or maybe a break a leg or two even though the odds were massively not in his favor. Still he entertained the idea thoroughly however a firm hand on his shoulder caused him to break away from this dangerous train of thought and look up at Nikhil who had his hand on Vivek's shoulder his expression grim, however the message in his eyes was clear. He isn't worth it Vivek. Back off. Khushi is Vivek. Khushi. That seemed to get his attention and after much effort he found the strength to look up mentally training his voice to not yell or anything on those lines.

"Mr Gupta" He began faking calm, his voice tight with tension. "I am not here to fight or argue with you. I understand your opinion of me is not very positive and I am not about to change that, but if for nobody's sake but hers STAY AWAY." Vivek threatened though he wish it hadn't sounded like that even though it was appropriate because from the awful stubbornness protruding from Aryan's face Vivek knew this conversation and his effort was hopeless. They were all doomed now.

Vivek chanced a look up at Aryan after having had briefly looked away and much to his confusion saw that his eyes, filled with some distant emotion weren't on him as he continued to look past Vivek's shoulder. Curious Vivek around and just in time too, seeing a very pissed off Khushi along with a disgruntled quite surprised Arnav standing stock still looking at the scene unfolding in front of them. Who knew how long they had been there for, but from the cold look Khushi gave him, and a look of pure hatred shot at her father he figured they had been here long enough.

"I don't get a say in this do I Vivek?" Khushi asked off him frostily not bothering to meet his eyes that were literally panicking and on the verge of a break down right now seeing her aloofness. Nikhil by his side stood shocked like a cat caught in the headlights, while Arnav from Khushi's side gave Vivek an utmost look of resentment and probably projected a train of thought similar to What the hell were you thinking you t**ser!' including a lot more curse words and seven million Arnav-specialized glares.

Khushi however completely oblivious to this exchange of cussing between the boys directed all her attention at her father, who was taking her in with a grim expression while her own was actually pretty blank struggling with the trillions of emotions swirling inside her. She wasn't sure what emotion should she let dominate that did not result her throwing a fit and dissolving into tears like a little girl. She felt betrayed but that was old school, but mostly she was shocked and curious and a million other things and what in the name of sanity was her father thinking coming here? A reunion? Gratitude? What exactly? Anything he was hoping for, Khushi was sure was spiffing unlikely.

"Hello Mr Gupta. (looking at Nikhil, Vivek Arnav) Leave us. We have much to discuss."She greeted him tonelessly schooling her features to be as expressionless as possible though she did throw her best "I-will-deal-with-you-scums-later' glare at the three boys who were both looking at her with varying degrees of worry. She didn't even try meeting Vivek's eyes because for all she knew the traitor tears that she barely stopped from unleashing would come out with the essay length of yelling she felt like making Vivek a recipient of.