(_*An ArHilicious Tale*_) Link To TH#2 PG1 - Page 33

I looked up at a painting. Equivocation. It was so abstract but yet so clear. I could just stare at it all day and night. It was like my life. Confusing, yet intriguing. I stood there looking at the painting trying to figure it out probably thinking that I could figure out my life in the process. I wish I could meet the artist, ask him what he was thinking while he made it, get a few answers and then solve my problems, but the artist died, 200 years ago. This painting landed up in a museum and I landed up in front of it. This was the third day I came back to this painting. Payal had given up on me. She had dropped me off here and gone for shopping. I just stared at the painting, not flinching, not moving, just gawking at the clarity it gave me. I wanted to figure some things out.

1. Could I still be Arnavs friend after what happened? That had become clearer. I couldnt stop thinking about him. I just wanted to be near him. He was my best friend; I care about him.

2. Will I ever meet my prince charming? That was becoming clearer too. NO. I wouldnt. I think it was time to come out of my fairytale. It was time to step into a world which didnt give a sh!t about fairytales and just moved on. It was time to be realistic and fight for a place in the world.

3. What was I going to do with my life? I love interior designing. Thats all I know. What do I do now? College is over. Its so ambiguous now. I can do anything. For starters, I could go drown in the Atlantic Ocean for all I care!

I looked at the painting for my answers; if only paintings could talk I would get my answers. Why did life have to be so complicated? Couldnt it be simple, without issues or problems, Peaceful, happy.

beau, n'est-ce pas? (Beautiful, isnt it?) A voice came from behind. I looked behind me to see a cute French guy looking at the same painting. Oui, (yes) I replied. He didnt take his eyes off me. Youre Indian! he stated, as if fascinated. I nodded. Here for a vacation? he asked. I nodded once again. I turned around to leave when he stopped me. I havent seen many people stare at this painting before. I stopped but I didnt know what to say so I just smiled. I have been seeing you come here for the past three days. You just come here and look at this painting. He said. Oh My God! What? I exclaimed. The first day when I saw you here I was awestruck. I just couldnt take my eyes off you. I come here whenever I visit Paris but Ive never seen someone even glance at this painting. I--So you thought you could stalk me! I said blowing his cover. What? he said in his French accent. Now he wont even accept it! Look, Mr.--Whatever, I dont know how you people treat women but where I come from women are treated with utmost respect, so please stop stalking me. I will report you to the police! I threatened. That always works! But I wasnt--Dont you dare deny it! You just admitted that you have been watching me for three days! What the hell? My nostrils flared. He was about to say something but I stomped off. He stared at me as I left, I know that because I turned around to get a good look at him so that I could describe him to the police if need be.

Can you believe it! He had the audacity to come and tell me that he was stalking me! I yelled. Payal listened awestruck. I didnt know all this happened here also. Oh God! I hope he doesnt know where you stay? she asked. I threatened to give him up to the police, I dont think hell be bothering us again. I said calming down a little. Khushi, thank god you got out of there. I told you, those museums are shitty. Only cheap people go there. She said. I frowned.

I was really tired so I decided to sleep. As I lay down to sleep I thought of Arnav again and then the stalker again and then I fell asleep.

*

Her eyes fluttered open with the sound of her phone. I looked at my watch. 7:30 am. She sat up in bed and looked around. Payal was sleeping next to me. Hello? I lazily picked up. Khushii! Armaan exclaimed. Armaan man, I was sleeping. Oh good! he replied. What? You said you were, so now youre awake! Go die. I spat. You people have left me here for that only. Why? Arnav is there. I said, hoping he would tell me how Arnav is. Arnav? He stays at home practically all day, doing god knows what! Armaan complained. His parents must be here. Even Anjali was supposed to come this time. I remembered. Oh no. Anjali had exams so Aunty stayed back, so even uncle didnt come. He said. My heart sank. Arnav was all alone. He must be feeling so sad. He always waits to see his family twice a year. They come over for a whole month and Arnav can be a child again. He misses them so much, he never says it, but I can see it in his eyes. Khushi? Armaan said. Yes, Im here. So, hows your holiday going? he asked. I was distracted now. I just wanted to speak with Arnav. I actually wanted to go back. I didnt want to be in Paris anymore. Armaan, I need to go, Ill call you later! I said in a hurry.

*Flashback*

But beta why dont you want to come with us? Arnavs mother asked. Mom all my friends are here, I am happy here. I dont want to go to US. I am not a child anymore, I can stay here. He argued. Yes, ofcourse you can but youll be all alone. Ill be worried all day. She said. Radhika, he cant stay here alone, discussion over! But why dad? I am in college, we have a house here, I have my friends here, Ill be alright! No, Arnav. Its not safe for young boys to stay alone. God knows what youll do in this empty house. Jay! his mother interrupted, Arnav isnt like that, you know! Please dad. Arnav begged. You can make friends there also! Jay said. He wasnt being able to understand his son. Not these friends. I love them dad. They are my life. Arnav admitted. There. Then why are we even discussing it? Your life is your friends, your parents dont matter! No dad. You know thats not what I was saying. After a lot of argument, Arnav finally convinced his parents to let him stay here.

I knew Arnav would miss them. He never told me anything, but hes had his moments. Early on, he took full advantage of his freedom. Parties, booze, girls, everything. But after a while, the emptiness started to haunt him. He missed his family, his mother and the food she made. The small fights with his sister. He missed it all. I knew he was alone and that was the time we really bonded. He was always free and I was always there. I introduced him to my parents. He bonded with my mom the most, dad, not really, but my mother loves him.

*

Hi, he said lowly. Hi, I replied. How is your holiday Khushi? he said trying to pump up his voice. I thought of cheering him up. You know I was being stalked? I exclaimed. What? How do you know? I was in this museum and this French guy came up to me and told me he had been watching me for three days and couldnt take his eyes off me! I laughed. What the... he trailed off. What did you say? I told him I report his to the police if I ever saw his face again. I saw Payal get up with a frown. Probably I woke her up. She scowled at me. I definitely woke her up. She went to the door to get the newspaper. See thats why you shouldnt go without me. He said chuckling. I laughed too. Listen, I heard that Anjali and all didnt come, what happened? There was a short pause after with his said, Nothing man, they are busy in their life. I called for all of it. If I would have just--gone with them, I said completing his sentence. No Khushi. I never regret that. If I would have just not expected so much. If only I could just be okay with them not coming. He said. We were both silent for a moment when Payal screamed terrorizing both of us. What happened? Arnav yelled on the phone. Payal? I scolded. Khushi! We have the Prince of Monaco staying in this hotel! On the floor just above ours! Payal yelled. Uff. Payal and her nonsense. Khushi, you go deal with Payal, Ill speak with you later. And Im fine, dont worry, used to it by now! he said sighing. Ill be back before you know it Arnav! I said before cutting the line. I wasnt angry anymore. I wasnt upset. I missed my best friend. I wanted to be there with him.

Show me! I told Payal. I looked at the newspaper. The headlines wrote:

Louis Grimaldi, the Prince Of Monaco spotted at The Ritz.

I knew who the Grimaldis were. I had read about them. They were the Royal Family of Monaco, very wealthy and they fought for the rights of women in France. Khushi wasnt surprised until she saw the picture of the man himself. She rubbed her eyes thinking it was a dream. It was Louis Grimaldi whom she had met in the museum. HE was her stalker. She had accused him for ill-treating a lady. Holy Sh!t.

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Hi, I know FIL ended and all of you'll really liked the FF, but do read this and give me feedback, I am trying to make this more interesting too! 😳

-Manjari