Chapter 2

_Chaverah_

@_Chaverah_

[MEMBERSONLY]

Chapter 2:

Arnav stood staring at the woman infront of him... 12 years!! Its been 12 long bloody years since he saw her!! Knew anything about her!! He stood in shock with his mouth opened as his memories hit him hard and fresh..

After his parents died in that horrible car crash, Arnav din't want to lead his life the way he did.. Coz, everything he did reminded him of the times he spent with his parents.. He changed himself.. His attitude, living style, clothing, food, everything.. Every single thing.. Not wanting to go to the same school he once did, he changed to the different one.. One where no one knew him.. One where no one would see Arnav but, ASR.. The ruthless, void of any emotions ASR.. But little did he know that he's gonna crash into the complete opposite worlded crazy lady.. The one that successfully stamped all his resolutions and crumpled all his walls..

His first day went quite perfect the way he wanted it to be.. Within a simple 8 hours, he not only got tagged as the most handsome lad of the high school, but also the most hopeless and helpless, arrogant, stone-hearted, thick headed boy! The same went on for the next 3 days and Arnav was more than satisfied with the outcome.. Little did he know that the hurricane of the school was on leave!! It was the same way Arnav braced himself to face the next day too.. Untill..

"Hey there! Oh hello, boss!! Mr. I'm Handsome & I know It!!!"

Arnav stopped in his tracks.. Was she calling him? Him?! That too a girl?!! God, she's got the most cheerful voice he ever heard.. Cheerful? - A reason to be as far from her as possible! Turning around, Arnav met with huge hazel green doe eyed beauty.. A perfect blend of Mischievousness and innocence.. No matter how hard he tried, Arnav felt getting connected to the charming smile Diva.. But, he knew better..

"What?!"

He expected her to flinch back or make a face or leave from there muttering under her breath like all those whom he met did.. But, she.. She was there only to prove him wrong.. He saw her smile grow broad and she skipped towards him merrily and held his hand.. To shocked to say anything, Arnav looked at their hands entwined as he heard her say..

"Its okay.. A bad day, right? It happens buddy!! Shout as much as you want.. I dont mind.. What else are friends for? Together even in your worst and craziest times.."

And that was the start of their blooming friendship.. Apparently, Khushi was his team-mate for all the projects.. Him being the new student, he was teamed up with the topper, so that he might cope-up well.. Little did they know that he is an all-rounder.. If someone witnessed them together, they would mistake Arnav to be a dumb boy making Khushi explain him each and everything in expertise detail.. From the history of their school to how piggy-tails are made.. Everything was topic between them.. Initially, Arnav blasted up a lot of times but not once did she move back.. She just kept mum for about a 10 seconds and then began blabbering that she cant keep her mouth shut.. Eventually, Arnav found himself relaxing and enjoying her good-for-nothing-chatters.. He got so used to it that, if at all Khushi would commit the sin of being quiet for a stretch of 5 minutes, he would come up with a topic and the chatter would begin!

He tried so hard.. So very hard to be away from her in vain.. HE tried locking himself... Ignore her.. But his butterfly always gate-crashed his efforts with such an ease that many times he wondered if her sole aim was to stop him from becoming ASR.. But whatsoever he did, he just couldn't bring himself up to hurt her.. He did see her cry once.. Once when the ice-cream vendor din't have his favorite flavor of ice-cream.. She simply hug him in front of everyone and wailed as if she's crying for some-one's death.. And when he asked the reason, she said that she wanted to celebrate their success of Science-project with her pocket money, with him, but the plan failed horribly.. Though the reason might seem stupid and childish, her, thinking of celebrating with him, was something that filled him with immense warmth.. But her tears, no.. He simply can not withstand them.. Period!

Everything was going so well.. SO perfect.. So very opposite of what he wanted.. But still so happy.. He still was the ASR for everyone.. Everyone except her.. It was one particular day when he had the same night-mare of his parents' death.. But his butterfly din't stop being herself.. She did ask him what went wrong.. Oh he knew how much it took to keep himself in composure, not to hug her and vent out everything.. Not that he din't want to but he just couldn't.. And after a long silence of 7 minutes, she began her blabbering.. Though it was soothing him in a way he couldn't decipher, he was getting highly frustrated and angry with himself for being so incapable of not being able to open up to her.. He knew every single detail about her from her own words.. But she? He was sure she knew nothing more than the full form of ASR and the peaks of his anger.. Why cant she simply leave him, dammit?! Cant she see that he isn't like the others? Why does she have to affect him so much? Why couldn't she leave him alone to succeed in what he planned like every other person did? And with that, he shouted! Shouted so hard that he was sure, that either she'l break down crying or leave him to never see his face again.. People around them flinched and began to murmur.. But she.. She stood up silently, held his arm and took him to their common bench.. A few minutes of silence passed between them.. A few minutes of guilt and regret for him.. A few minutes of pure pain and agony.. But then he felt her hand on his and turned to her, to find her looking at the valley ahead of them..

"What do you think, Arnav? That I can't understand you? That I'l run away leaving you just because you'l scream at me? IF so, then you haven't understood your butterfly yet, Arnav.. Do you think I cant see that vulnerable, broken, pain filled boy behind this arrogant, spoilt brat, stone-heart mask?Do you think I cant understand your turmoil of not being able to open up to me as I do to you? DO you think I cant decipher the reasons behind your anger and rage? Do you think I cant see your helplessness and pain? Do you think I cant find your joy at having me blabber? Do you think I know nothing about all these? Then you are wrong, Arnav Singh Raizada.. Because, the moment I made you my friend, I'v made my friendship with the Arnav you are trying so hard to bury inside of you.. I'm here, with you, to help him.. To support him.. To comfort him.. TO console him.. Why do you think I call you Arnav instead of ASR? Because I see you as Arnav.. Not ASR! And I'm going to do it forever.. Even if you like it or not! I haven't made you my friend to leave you at your worst!!"

That was the moment Arnav broke down.. Broke down for the first time after his parents died.. Broke down in the embrace of his lovely friend.. Broke down without a second thought of keeping his walls tight or his composure safe.. And that was the moment he realized.. He realized that no matter what, he'l always need his butterfly with him.. Forever.. May be he dint realize that it was love back then.. His situation dint let him to either.. But days, months and years later, he realized that it was Love.. True Love.. Love in its purest form!! But by then, his butterfly flew away.. Away from him.. Far away for him to have her search, only in vain..

Arnav sat on his chair watching his Khushi sitting right infront of him.. Alive, safe and gorgeous.. But, this isn't his butterfly.. Its been half an hour since he led her inside his room.. He did make a start but got no reply nonetheless.. Those green hazel eyes weren't twinkling anymore.. Those plump lips weren't curving anymore.. What is happening? Why is she here? How did she know about him? Is everything alright? Her face din't glow.. She is beautiful.. Yes, magnificent, indeed.. But not lively.. It was as if she's seen a ghost.. She hasn't met his eyes yet.. What is she hiding or trying to hide? Isn't she happy to have met him? Wasn't she expecting him here? Or is she angry at him?

He saw her flinch when he got up from his place.. What the!! She never flinched when she saw him in petrified anger.. And now, his mere move is making her flinch?! That's it! Arnav knew she wasn't here for him.. He knew too much of her to have misunderstood her moves.. And he knew, that something was really wrong here.. Completely wrong!! He simply walked to his closet and pulled out his wallet.. All the while watching her, for her single glance towards him.. No! None!! The only time she saw him was when he called her name.. And that too in a mortified expression!! An expression so raw and agonized that he resoluted not to let her go until he found out what's going on.. He took out a neatly folded paper out of the deepest pockets and came back to her.. Sitting in his same place as before, he stretched his hand to her and saw her looking at the piece of paper he held in his hand..

"Remember this?"

He saw her shiver at his words and nod a negative very very slowly.. He with held his pain and terror of imagining what might have happened to her to have brought such a drastic change in her.. He spoke slow and soft, just for her to hear..

"Your departing words, Butterfly.."

And it happened!! HE saw her snapping her head towards him.. A flicker of his butterfly's twinkle sprang up in those eyes.. A ghost of a smile spread on those lips and her eyes were once again filled with warmth in those signature perfect 'O' shape.. But the next moment Arnav literally flinched.. He saw the transformation so fast and so terrifying that his eyes began to sting.. Her eyes now were cold, steely and lifeless.. Her face rigid and emotionless.. And Arnav knew it was time.. Time to be with her, in her worst.. He slowly opened the paper and saw her lowering her hear, hiding her eyes from him.. But, he saw, what he had to.. And nothings gonna stop him from going further..

"Dear Barky ( ;) Arnav) ,

I know you are sad and hurt and searching for me.. How many times do I have to tell you yaar? Its okay.. You were mad.. You had your issues.. Your own pain and frustration.. And to top them, I never kept my mouth shut.. I forgot to take my medicines on time and the moment you came to know about them, you saw RED everywhere.. Right? Tho, what's your mistake in this? I was being a fool and careless.. And you, being my friend were showing me some piece of mind.. And, being ASR, the only way you know to communicate is to BARK!!!! And you did! :D I know.. I know.. But I'm seriously fine yaar.. I so very badly wanted to meet you and tell you in personal but, emergency buddy.. Buaji's husband passed away last night and Papa made us pack immediately.. All of us are going to visit Buaji and it might take a week or more return back.. I'm so sorry for telling this in the last moment.. I'l miss you badly, Arnav.. But don't worry, the moment I'l return, I'l literally make your ears bleed with my chatter!! Now, you'v committed the mistake of being my friend, so, you'l have to bare with me!! So, see ya in a fort-night.. DONOT bark at anyone else!! Please!! They'l die..

P.S. Take your medicines on time.. No night strolling in your garden.. Its winter for Christ's sake!!!

P.S.S. I'm not angry, sad, hurt or in pain.. You are my bestest buddy.. You have all rights to shout at me.. Even if it is for no reason.. I'l always be there for you.. Your butterfly will never sudherega!!!! :D Don't you dare to go back into self-blaming session.. Tujhe meri kasam!

-Your Butterfly,

Khushi."

Arnav saw her tears cascading.. No! Not them!! He cant tolerate them!! In a moment he reached to her and wiped them away..

"A fort-night at the max was what you told.. I dint know that a fort night equals to 12 years, Khushi.. Kaha chali gayi thi? I'v been searching for you like a mad man!! What happened, butterfly? And.. And how come you are here? Did you know?"

Arnav saw Khushi taking a deep breath and he felt a shudder run through her.. And her next few words knocked the breath out of him..

"I'm your One-Night Stay, Sir.."