ArHi- Best Friends? [Chapter Eight @ Pg21] Updt 12/06/2020 - Page 11

oh god.. that was sad but as parents we have to take tough decisions some times.. loved the update.. Thanks for pm 😊

Chapter-Six

“I think you’ll have to dump these old clothes in like a few days….These are so worn out!”

“I will, once I get new ones.”

Payal smiled a little to get that answer from Arnav while helping him to pack his things. He had two big suitcases opened on the floor and his belongings were being filled in those carefully by Payal and Khushi, who took her own sweet time to fold his clothes neatly.

The Gupta siblings offered to lend a helping hand to him so that he could spend more time with them before leaving as Ratna and Arvind were busy closing off the property issues through out of the court settlement, which didn’t seem very easy in the beginning. The opposite party somehow agreed to close the matter without taking it to the court, much to Ratna’s relief, as a result of which the Raizadas were preparing to move out from Lucknow for their son’s further studies in New York.

“You are so lucky Arnav, you will get new friends there, you will see new places….. Wow!”

Khushi jumped in excitement as she filled one last item in the suitcase and stood up to close it. Her enthusiasm was on a different level as it was very much evident in her tone and it amused both Payal and Arnav. He was, on the other hand, satisfied with the fact that his parents wouldn’t leave him alone; however, he seemed a little disturbed to leave his hometown behind and it was obvious for him to feel so.

Things seemed very rushed at the moment. Everything happened in less than a month’s time, all thanks to Arvind’s reputation that helped him get through all the legal formalities smoothly.

*-*

Neither Arnav was very moved on being given a small farewell at school, nor the kids who were gave him farewell did so. It was on Khushi’s insistence that his classmates bid him goodbye, as they were impassive to his unfriendly behavior. But surprisingly, they all were expressed genuine emotions while confessing how they would miss Arnav, maybe not as a friend but as a sincere classmate.

And a simple lunch get-together at Gupta household made Arnav almost forget his farewell at school, as he saw his beloved Garima aunty bringing out his favorite delicacies on the dining table, while Arvind and Ratna were amazed to be given so much respect and adoration.

“I don’t know what kind of a silly boy likes to have karela in the list of his favorite food!”

Khushi exclaimed in disgust as she saw Ratna placing the cooked vegetable on the dining table. She was shushed by her mother, who glared at the little girl and then caressed Arnav’s head, gesturing him to enjoy his food.

“Hey, at least they’re healthier than your oily aaloo-poori!”

Arnav stood annoyed on hearing her words, having a strong urge to pull her ponytails and hit her with a pillow, but the presence of elders in the room prevented him from doing anything silly. Besides he had kept Ratna’s words in mind when once she explained to him that boys should never hit girls, be it for any reason. He was still a young child to deeply understand her words, yet she imparted her teachings on him in the simplest way, hoping for him to grow up into a well-behaved gentleman.

“You two please stop fighting for now.” Payal grew annoyed.

“She is the one who started it!” He retorted, looking angrily at Khushi.

“Well, these two will never stop arguing!” Shashi let out a helpless smile. “And what are we waiting for? Let’s have lunch!”

They all settled down to cherish the last meal together before leaving, and the delicacies were accompanied with the sweet conversation about the moments spent together. Both families had known each other since afew years only, but their relations became stronger as the time went by.

*-*

“I cannot sleep, Jiji…”

“It’s because you know that there is still some halwa left in the kitchen!”

Payal sleepily commented as she heard her little sister mutter into her ears, very well knowing how she got midnight cravings and that too for left-over desserts waiting for her in the fridge! Khushi was always this crazy little kid who initially even ate from her father’s hand made motichoor ke laddoo, but was his precious enough not to get scolded for her mischief at all.

“Maybe halwa is not the reason…”

Khushi wondered as she still didn’t feel the need to fall asleep after quietly walking up to the kitchen and finishing up the entire bowl of halwa kept in the fridge. Dejected, she walked back in her room and nestled like a soft bunny under her blanket, with the thoughts of her friend going away from her.

“What are you thinking, Khushi?” Payal turned towards her when she felt her little sister being uneasy.

“When Arnav will go away, then that idiot Ruhan will trouble me even more….”

Payal smiled amusingly on hearing her words, which clearly revealed that her sister was in fact tensed about separating from her best friend, the little boy from neighborhood with whom she argued the most but also went to him in times of trouble. Moving closer, Payal gently caressed her head as the little girl fell asleep, with a beautiful dream of Arnav playing with her in the park, like every evening.

*-*

The Raizadas bid goodbye to their neighbors, including Shashi and Garima who were more like a family to them. The kids too exchanged goodbyes while his best friend came up with a lovely handmade card for him. Khushi delightfully gifted him the card which had nothing but a genuine wish for his bright future and a wait for him to return back soon.

“You remember our promise Arnav, okay?”

“I will.”

The elders waited, with Payal feeling upset to see a small separation of Tom and Jerry from each other. Their numerous fights, uncountable bickering was coming to halt with his departure and Khushi finally realized this when she saw him getting in the car.

“Take care, Khushi. Study hard, and I know that you will do well in your class, like you always do.”

Ratna caressed the girl, planting a soft kiss on her forehead and asking her to never forget her Ratna Maa. The girl smiled and reciprocated the same tenderness with an affectionate hug, while Garima wished luck to Arnav and handed over a small box of her homemade cookies, his favorite snack which he loved even more when she made it.

The little Khushi watched quietly as their car drove off and a few seconds later went out of sight. Payal turned aside to witness her sister standing at her place with teary eyes, as she was still preparing herself about her best friend’s departure.

“Now I will have no one to play with…”

Khushi mumbled under her breathe, despite knowing that she was always good at befriending other kids. But her little heart wasn't sure if she would find a friend like Arnav, who'd annoy her and care for her at the same time.

*-*

“Khushi... Khushi.. Khushi...”

“RUHHHAAANNNN!! Stop it. Why are annoying me?”

It's been a couple of months since the Raizadas shifted to New York.

“Stop coloring that annoying Spider man and play with me. I know you like Spider man more than Doraemon but please let's play. I am getting bored.”

Ruhan pouted adorably and Khushi, even though annoyed, couldn't help but chuckle at his cute expressions. Closing her books and placing it inside her bag, Khushi ran out to the play area followed by him.

Seeing their animosity towards each other in the past, it was difficult to believe that Khushi and Ruhan were good friends. Though Ruhan's attitude and nature did irritate her most of the times, but after a particular incident the equation between them seemed to take a friendly turn.

A couple of weeks post Arnav's departure to New York, Khushi was still upset and missed her friend dearly but then, as life goes on and being a kid, she came back to herself and started befriending many as per her nature. And things did change....

“Hey Khushi... What happened? Your bodyguard is no where to be seen. He ran away from you. Hahaha... I know, you are annoying and irritating. You always clung on to him and he did not like you anymore so he left you!”

Words... These words hurt Khushi a lot but she knew better about Arnav than any one else, right? So it was impossible for her to stay mum and she once again raised her voice to defend him in front of these bullies. Bullies? Yup, bullies. Kids do not understand the depth of hurting others by bullying them.

When Dev went further and is spoke ill about Arnav, Ruhan,who was playing near by came up to them.

“Dev, Arnav is good boy. Don't speak badly about him.”

“Ruhan? You are supporting Arnav? He bet you for this Khushi and you are here in his favor.”

Dev was surprised with the sudden change of dynamics between Ruhan and Arnav. Since the latter was not here anymore, Dev expected to tease Khushi as she rejected his friendship for Arnav but he wasn’t aware of the fact that before leaving, Arnav met Ruhan to apologize for his rude behavior towards him and requested him to befriend Khushi, to take care of her in his absence and to never let her get into fights with any other kid.

Khushi initially wasn't very much interested in being friends with him, but then she loved having a bunch of kids in her friend circle.... So another addition was joyful for her!

*-*

Six months post Arnav's departure...

“Why are you doing this? Can't you study here?”

An annoyed Khushi stood in front of her sister with questioning eyes as she just heard her parents’ discussion in the living room.

Payal could understand her sentiment but she couldn't help either. Pursuing Aeronautics had always been her dream for which she had to study in Delhi as there weren't enough courses in Lucknow which offered Aeronautical engineering. At the same time, if she left now, Khushi would be alone in literal terms. Payal was well aware of the fact that the little jerry missed her tom a lot and she will be all alone if her sister too left.

“Little doll. Listen, I know it’s difficult but once you become big girl, you can come to Delhi. Forget about being a big girl, you can come to Delhi when ever you like with Amma and Babuji. I will not be staying in any hostel... I am going to stay at Madhumati Bua’s place. You can stay with me there.”

Caressing the little girl’s cheeks, Payal made an attempt to cajole her but all those sweet words didn't calm Khushi and she burst into tears. Kids have this special weapon of tears and they use it almost instantaneously when they feel things are not going as per their wish. Payal never studied child psychology but understanding her sister’s state of mind & heart was not very difficult for her.

“You are a very bad sister. Go to Delhi, I am not going to talk to you from now onwards.”

Khushi angrily stomped her foot and walked away from the room. Payal was surprised at the moment…. If the little girl reacted this way just by hearing the discussions going on in the house, then how disapprovingly would she retort when Payal had to leave for Delhi?

She tried to ensure Khushi in every way she could…. Whether it was bringing her favorite kulfi, helping Garima to bake her favorite chocolate cake, or sit and watch her favorite animated movies with delicious snacks…. But Khushi was smart enough to understand what was going on. She always had those cynical eyes set at her sister.

Unable to convince her anymore, Payal rushed to her father. She was ready to drop the idea of travelling to Delhi rather than to watch her baby sister roaming around with a heavy heart and a sulky face.

Shashi smiled at Payal’s suggestion, understanding the sisterly sentiment and the endearing bond his both girls shared with each other.

“Beta, Khushi is a kid. She doesn't understand your dream. Once she grows up and she comes to know that her Payal Jiji left her dream because of her sadness, then how badly will it hurt her? Kids are like that. You remember when you were a kid, even you were like her. You did not allow me to go to work. I had to convince you every day but as you grew up, you got accustomed with my absence for work schedule. Even Khushi is like that, she will understand. We are here, right?”

"No Babuji... It’s not only her, even I will miss my little munchkin. I will miss you all. I don't want to go…. I’ll take up a bachelor's degree here.” Payal hugged her father.

“Just because you will miss all of us, you are ready to compromise with your education, my dear?”

He seemed totally against her idea, suggesting her further that her hasty decision would not prove fruitful in a long run. Shashi gave it a thought, and he was reminded of a similar situation many months ago at Raizada household, where Arnav refused to separate from his parents in the name of higher studies.

Payal couldn’t see her beloved sister upset, and Shashi disapproved her refusal to pursue her dream career.... He correlated both situations, giving it a detailed consideration and then had only one option left in front of him…

*-*

So sweet of arnav to talk to ruhan.

So now the whope family will be moving to Delhi.... yessss

Oh wow that is so nice of Arnav , so the Gupta family is moving to Delhi that is a great news . Loved the update

Loved the Update

Though Khushi was excited that Arnav will be making new friends at the new place Raizadas is relocating, but when the actual time came for them to part the ways, she realized that she will be missing her best friend who will no longer be with her. It was so nice of Arnav to apologize to Ruhan and make friends with Khushi and never leave her alone.

Now not wanting to see Payal sacrifice her passion for pursuing Aeronautics just because of not wanting to leave Khushi alone, Shashi decided to shift Guptas to Delhi. So both Raizadas and Guptas are shifting from their hometown for the betterment of their children's studies.

Eager for the next one

Thanks for the PM

Beautiful update

Awe..arnav left to NY but not before apologizing to Ruhan and teling him to befriend Khushi

Now Payal also was to leave to Dehli lets see what will happen next

Awesome they will shift to Delhi

Looks like they all will move to delhi

So nice of Arnav to ask Ruhan to look out for Khushi.

Enjoyed the update .As expected Arnav left with his family to New York as decided by Arvind and Ratna for his future studies .

Kushi was excited for Arnav as he was moving to a new place since he would make new friends but when he went she missed him terribly but before going he patched up with Ruhan and requested him to him to take care of kushi so kushi never felt lonely as he kept her company and he became her best friend.

But looks like the Guptas are also following the same pattern of the Raizadas since they also have decided to leave lucknow and settle in New delhi courtesy Payal as she was ready to give up studying Aeronautical eng which was her passion for the sake of kushi who would be left all alone after she left for New Delhi .

Waiting for next chapter