Arnav had had a hectic day and it wasn't over yet. He had finished a series of meeting pre-lunch and had went through the dresses that had come in the morning for the dress rehearsal scheduled for the evening. Anji was coordinating with the models, but he had to be there to give inputs and suggestions. This was an important event and AR fashions were launching their unique Indowestern designs. If received well, AR would grow in leaps and bounds. It was with great difficulty that he had rescheduled a couple of meetings and asked his assistant Aman to handle the rest to meet Karan, not only because he couldn't say no to his best friend but also because he wanted to ask Karan to walk the ramp for him in the upcoming fashion week along with Karan's good friend Barun, who was an actor too. Their collective popularity would do good to his business. But the highly unpunctual guy was nowhere to be seen and worse, not picking his phone too.
Arnav had had enough coffee to last him for a lifetime and frustration for another life too. Deciding to call off the meeting, pulled out his phone to send a text when he received an incoming message that read
"I am delayed for reasons you will not complain. Get yourself another coffee. I will be there in an hour."
Irritation hit an all time high. Aware of being in a public place and in the dire need to get his anger and the fluid collected in his bladder out of his system, he walked towards the washroom thinking to himself.
What does he think of himself? Does he think I am jobless? First he makes me wait for one whole hour and then he coolly says he can't come now? I am going to kill him.
He was about to enter the washroom when he heard a female voice a little behind him. He turned to see a beautiful girl dressed in jeans and a peach colored tunic top rushing towards him in full speed all the while muttering to herself (which was loud enough to not be labelled as muttering)
"What does he think of himself? Does he think I am jobless? First he makes me wait for one whole hour and then he coolly says he can't come. I am going to kill him?"
and overtook him to push open the washroom door.
Arnav was stupefied, shocked and amused all at the same time at hearing his thoughts being said aloud, at the sight of the girl entering the washroom and at talking to herself respectively. He forgot all about his irritation and couldn't stop himself from exclaiming aloud.
"And you think, you can find him there?"
The girl stopped in her tracks and turned around with a questioning look.
"Excuse me?"
"The guy you want to kill, you think he is in there?"
"No. Why?"
Arnav pointed towards the washroom door. The girl turned to look at the door. She closed her eyes and slapped her palm on her forehead. By this time, her face had flushed red in embarrassment, realizing that in her annoyance she hadn't given attention and was about to enter the Men's washroom. She sheepishly smiled at him and ran into the next door that was meant for women. Arnav shook his head in utter amusement and went in to finish the unfinished task, only that the need to vent out his anger no longer existed.
Arnav was still smiling when he came out of the washroom to find the girl sitting in one of the tables going through the menu card. He surprised himself by approaching her table.
"Hi !"
The girl looked up from the menu card hearing a husky voice. The reason for embarrassment a few minutes back came back to her memory and she smiled shyly before returning his greeting.
"Hi ! I am sorry, it was just that I wasn't paying attention. Its just that..."
"Hey relax. It happens. Well, I thought your friend is not coming?"
"Yes the idiot is not coming. But who will explain that to my ever hungry stomach? So I am placing an order. Moreover, the restaurant today have introduced a new flavor of cake and they offered a free sample. Hey are you here with someone? Why don't you join me?"
This girl was something. She did not have any reservation in talking to a stranger, Arnav thought. Smilingly he took a seat opposite to her.
"I am here to meet a friend. He is delayed. By the way, I am Arnav Singh Raizada."
He extended his hand. She forwarded hers for a handshake.
"I am Mints"
"Mints?"
"Uhh. I mean, my name is Khushi, friends call me Mints, and I love to be called Mints" she happily said.
"Hmm. Interesting, but I wonder why"
"Oh that's because I love to eat anything which has mint in it."
She waved at a waiter and continued.
"Actually I love to eat, period" she admitted with an unadulterated joy.
She placed an order for a Mint Sandwich and mint green tea. Arnav smiled to himself. She wasn't kidding about her nickname, after all. He ordered a black coffee for himself.
"What do you do Arnav? Actually your face is a little familiar."
"I run a fashion house."
"Wait. AR Designs? Of course. Why wouldn't you look familiar? You know, I work for an advertising agency. So I know about your company. In fact I think I have also read a couple of your interviews."
The food arrived. But that didn't seem to stop her chatter. She continued to enlighten Arnav about himself.
"Your sister helps you in your business, doesn't she? Hey aren't you best friends with Karan, the TV actor? Do you know Barun too, his best buddy? I am a BIG fan of Barun"
A little bit of Arnavism, most of which he had forgotten since the past fifteen minutes, made him curb his desire to laugh out aloud when she spread her hands wide like a kid to show how big a fan she was of Barun. While Khushi was busy with her Barun Puran, Arnav was busy admiring her. She had creamy flawless skin, her face radiant with almond eyes twinkling with mischief. Her hair was dark brown, straight and long which he had secured with a hair clip. A few fringes were cut stylishly to frame her face that added a girlish charm to her. Her nose was small and shapely. But the traitorous part of her face was her lips. They were luscious and inviting and did some unexplainable things to his insides.
"So you must have met Barun a lot of times, isn't it?"
Arnav came back to Earth with that question. He didn't know much about Barun except that he was Karan's friend.
"Huh! No, not much. So who is this friend you were waiting for?"
"Very curious, are we? Chalo. I am kidding. Its NK. NK for NandKishore. He is one of the army of friends I have. The idiot promised to spend the whole day with me, since all my friends are either out of station or held at work. This stupid, offered to spend the day with me so that I wouldn't miss my family or my friends today. Can you imagine, of all the day, he had to ditch me today."
Arnav temporarily pulled himself out of the stupor caused by the verbal typewriter that this girl was.
"What's so special about today?"
"Oh! It's my birthday"
"It's your birthday? Many happy returns of the day. How old are you?"
"Arnav, don't you know its bad manners to ask a girl her age and a man his earnings? Ha ha. I was kidding. I am 23. Don't worry I am not asking you how much you earn."
Arnav finally could resist anymore and smile a brilliant smile.
"Wow!! Do you know how handsome you look when you smile?"
Arnav blushed but covered his embarrassment with his next question. It was fun asking her questions. She replied in miles.
"You have declared your love for food. Do you cook too?"
"I am a horrible cook. I cant cook water without burning it. My mom is an excellent cook. My parents live in Lucknow. I came here for my studies and now work here. Actually I wanted to go to Mumbai to work. You know the perks of working in advertising agency. If luck favors you can get a glimpse or two of your favorite actors. In my case, Hrithink Roshan. But all my friends especially Vandana and Chitra, got fab jobs here. I didn't have the heart to leave them and go to Mumbai. My love for them won over my love for HR. So I am here."
At that moment, Arnav's phone beeped with an incoming message. He read the message and smiled looking at Khushi. She was lost in her mint tea. As he sent the reply, she finished her tea and looked around to call for the bill. Arnav asked her if she wanted anything else.
"No Arnav. Since NK is not coming, no point waiting here. Your friend will be here too. I have to get going."
The waiter turned up and she asked for the bill, while Arnav was furiously thinking of an excuse to stall her. The waiter helped by saying that the cake they were launching would be ready in a few minutes and requested her to wait.
"So what are your hobbies Arnav?"
Arnav was awestruck at the easy banter the chit of the girl was striking with him. He struggled hard to remember when was the last time he had such a relaxed conversation with anyone.
"I used to sing when I was in college. Later when I started the business, I hardly had/have any time to think about anything else."
"Wow ! You sing? That's awesome. What's your favorite song? Mine is Tum se hi' from Jab we met. You know, I love that movie. The female lead is more or less like me. Chatter box. Don't you think? Have you seen that movie?"
Arnav finally laughed out aloud. Khushi looked at him in amazement and blinked her eyes dramatically before telling him.
"I have to take back my words Arnav. You look strikingly handsome when you laugh like that. But care to share what was so funny?"
"I am sorry Khushi, I couldn't help it. Oh my God! How rapidly you switch from one topic to another? Amazing. You know you are just like a butterfly."
Arnav was expecting her to take offense but Khushi's face brightened at that comment.
"Isn't it? Wow Arnav. You are quite an observer. You know, my Buaji used to call me Titaliya when I was small because I used to flit around from one place to another. I guess, as I grew older, the nature of my legs got transferred to my mind."
Arnav received a message in his inbox. As he got engrossed in the mail, Khushi felt a pair of hands closing her eyes from behind.
"What? Who the..."
Arnav was alerted when Khushi said "what" and when he raised his head to look up, what he saw in front of him left him speechless.
"Happy Birthday Mints"
Khushi excitedly plucked away the hands that were covering her eyes, got up from her seat and turned around to be engulfed in a group hug by an army. Arnav saw Khushi getting lost into a crowd of people right in front of his eyes and was momentarily paralysed.
Finally the gang spared Khushi and occupied the table she and Arnav were sitting and the nearby tables.
"Guys ! What a surprise?! So you all fooled me and left me to sulk around?"
Khushi asked amidst smiles and tears.
Arnav relaxed and smiled looking at the group of girls and boys about Khushi's age. What a wonderful sight!! Aah. How he missed being around friends?
Khushi noticed Arnav amidst her friends and silenced everyone to make the introduction.
"Guys!! Meet my new friend Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada, owner of AR Designs. Arnav meet my friends. I am not introducing them by their names now. It will take the entire evening. They are my best buddies. That's what you need to know."
"Hi guys! Nice meeting you."
"Hello ASR, I am NK. Thanks for giving company to Mints. Please join us in her birthday celebration. We all wanted to give her this surprise. It got a little delayed to coordinate everyone's schedule. I was worried that she will leave. I tipped the waiter here to make up a story to retain her here. I had this immense faith in Mints's bottomless pit that makes her stomach. Aaw. Stop hitting me Mints, that hurts"
Arnav laughed openly. Just then the cake arrived. It was a Mint Chocolate Cake with Ganache. Khushi was over the moon. Everyone laughed at her childish display of emotion. Just when she was about to cut the cake, Arnav asked her to wait a few more minutes. She opened her mouth to ask why, when Arnav looked beyond her towards the door and stood up. The entire gang including Khushi turned around to look who was at the door and broke into loud cheer. There stood Barun and Karan with rose bouquets in their hands. They made their way to Arnav's table and took their friend into a hug. Arnav introduced Khushi to them. He had previously received a text from Karan stating that Barun would be joining him for the meeting. Arnav had instantly replied him asking them to get flower bouquets.
Karan and Barun wished Khushi a very Happy birthday and handed her the flowers. Arnav asked her to proceed with cutting the cake. Khushi cut the cake amidst birthday song and wishes. She fed the cake to her friends, Arnav and his friends. Loads of pictures were taken with the stars. Vandana and Chitra were particularly competing with each other to take snaps with Barun. Finally it was time for Barun and Karan to leave. They took leave from the entire gang wishing them all the best and wishing Khushi once again. Arnav stood up with them. Khushi called out to him.
"Arnav, are you leaving too? Friends have arranged for dinner here. Can you not stay? Please?"
Arnav did not have the heart to say no.
"Okay. I have something to talk to them about. I will finish it with them and join you guys in say half an hour?"
"Oh Arnav, you are the best. Thank you so much"
"I will be back soon. Miss me"
And with that he was gone with the star duo.
Khushi colored at that which didn't go unnoticed by Vandana and Chitra.
When Arnav came back half an hour later after he had seen his friends off and checked with Anji about the rehearsal, he saw that Khushi was being mercilessly teased about something. Later he got a faint idea of what it was, as Khushi had evidently become shy and restraint when he addressed her. Arnav smiled at that inwardly and wondered if she was affected too just like him.
Dinner was a laughter riot with everyone in her gang coming up with some thing or the other that kept the discussion flowing in a humorous way. Most of them were related to Khushi and her love for food and her over the top antics that were famous in college.
When dinner was done and everyone was enjoying their dessert, each one of her friends took turn to say something about Khushi and sign the birthday card. Finally when it was Arnav's turn, Khushi became nervous and excited. Arnav cleared his throat and said,
"I have known Khushi for nearly three hours now and it seems like I have known her all my life. Now that shouldn't be surprising since she talks so much"
Everyone laughed at that and Khushi visibly colored.
"But on a serious note, I don't remember the last time I had so much fun and spent an evening in such relaxed manner and to that I have to thank Khushi and all of you. I know one thing for sure, that I am going to cherish this evening all my life and keep in touch with all you guys, especially Khushi. I didn't know its her birthday today, hell, I didn't even know her before today. I cant go without giving her a birthday gift, can I? So allow me guys, the dinner is on me"
After a little protest, everyone cheered for Arnav and accepted his gesture. Khushi was awed. But Arnav surprised her more, if that was even possible and went ahead to make a song dedication. He sang a few lines of "Tum se hi".
When it was time to leave, Arnav volunteered to drop off Khushi at her Buaji's place where she lived. Khushi was internally elated. As long as she was alone with Arnav before her friends came, she talked to him so freely. But something changed after her friends came and he went on with his surprises. She wanted to have a private moment or two with him to properly thank him without the interference of her friends and she accepted his offer for lift without any protest.
The drive back was filled with more of Khushi's banter. By this time, Arnav had known more or less everything about her, her likes and dislikes, more of the former and less of the latter, her parents, childhood, her addiction to a public forum that discussed Barun's shows. He was surprised to know that she wrote fictions based on Barun's last show on TV before he went on to try his luck in Bollywood. This girl was a precious gem which is very rare to see in this world driven by pretense and hypocrisy. And he would be a fool to let her go after just one meeting. And he wasn't Arnav Singh Raizada for no reason.
Finally, they were in the car park of Khushi's Buaji's apartment. Arnav turned off the engine and turned in his seat to face Khushi.
"I had a fabulous evening Arnav and you made it very special. I got to meet Barun on my birthday. What more can I ask for?"
"You are welcome Khushi. As for your meeting with Barun, it was just a coincidence which I turned it around to make you happy. After all, you deserve it for giving me a great memory to carry with me."
"You talk very less, but when you do, you manage to surprise your audience."
"I actually talk quite well, only if I am given a chance. Anyway, I don't think I can compete with you in that department. Thanks to you, I now know everything about you, your friends, your neighbours and their pets."
"Hey, you are so mean. It's not true. I talked about myself so much because you don't know anything about me and because I am just an ordinary girl. I didn't ask anything about you, because I already know about you, you are so famous."
"First of all, you are not an ordinary girl. And secondly, what you get to read about me in interviews is not even 1/100th of what I really am. So if you want to know about me, you have to spend time with me. So what say? Want to know the real Arnav Singh Raizada?"
"Are you asking me out?"
"What do you think?"
"Yes"
He smirked and took her mobile and dialed his number. When his mobile rang, he cut the call and gave back her number.
"I didn't expect you to say yes so quickly. Looks like someone can't wait to spend time with me."
"What when did I say yes? I said yes, I think you are asking me out"
"A yes is a yes, Khushi. I don't know about you, but I certainly look forward to meet you again. How will I otherwise know whether Roger will get to make love to his girlfriend or not."
"What, who's Roger?"
"Your neighbor Pinky's pet dog?"
"He is Rover, not Roger. Wait. Hey you are pulling my leg?"
Arnav swallowed his smile, narrowed his eyes, leaned forward slowly and placed a wet kiss on her right cheek.
"Happy Birthday Khushi"
He straightened and scrutinized her face and was elated to find the rose hue on her cheeks. She quickly stepped out of the car, lest his gaze made her do or say something stupid.
"Thanks Arnav, for the wish and the ride"
"You are really obsessed about mint, aren't you? Jo Malone?"
Khushi was astonished at his knowledge about perfumes and blushed at the thought of how close he was to her moments back. She shyly nodded and said "White Jasmine & Mint. Latha got it for me when she came from London, after spending a vacation with her boyfriend and soon to be husband. My friends call me Mints for a reason, you know?"
"Hmm. I have never been a fan of Mint, but I must admit that now I am intrigued and would perhaps go on to taste everything that has mint in it."
He paused to gain her attention and when he was sure he had it, he lowered his voice and said huskily "and I hope that includes your lipcolor."
Understanding dawned on Khushi and she blushed darker shades of res, if that was even possible, at the blatant flirting.
" Khushi, I would like to take you out for dinner next Saturday. Call me to say yes, although I wouldn't mind if you say yes now."
Khushi couldn't look him in his eyes and answer. She shyly nodded her head and softly whispered, "Bye Arnav" before turning around and vanishing into one of the buildings, leaving behind a whiff of fresh air.
Arnav smiled a satisfactory smile before getting behind the wheel. As he settled in his seat a wave of minty fragrance invaded his senses and Arnav felt at peace before driving away humming to himself
Na hai yeh pana
Na Khona hi hai
Tera Na hona jane
Kyun hona hi hai
Tum se hi din hota hai
Surmaiye shaam aati hai
Tumse hi tumse hi
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