Arnav woke up the next morning at precisely 4:00 am by force of habit. He changed into his track suit and went for a jog around the vast expanse of the area surrounding the house. He loved the calmness and stillness in the early morning air. He took his time jogging all the while feeling the soft bristle of cool wind fanning his face. He reached back home by 5:00 am. He started walking to his room noticing that the mandir doors were open with Nani and his mother preparing for the morning aarti.
His mother called out
"Good Morning Beta. Do you want your coffee now?"
"No Maa."
"Good Morning Beta" said Nani
"Good Morning Nani"
He continued to his room without looking back, leaving behind a slightly saddened Saanvika. Nani looked on the retreating back of Arnav and gave an encouraging smile to her daughter-in-law. Saanvika returned the smile, heaved a sigh and returned to her aarti. In another 10 mins Manorama rushed in all her bright blue glory to attend the aarti. Slowly everybody joined the morning aarti except Arnav. He didn't believe in rituals. He seemed to have it rooted in his mind that a God who couldn't hear his sobs when he needed him badly probably couldn't exist.
After a while boys got ready for school and gents got ready for office. Arnav had his breakfast first followed by Akash and NK. Jai and Manohar had their breakfast a little later . The women had their breakfast around 8:30 am once all of them had left
Arnav , Akash and NK left on their respective bicycles while Manohar left for office on chauffeured BMW.
Akash and NK's classes were on the same floor as Arnav's . He noticed that the girl he asked for directions was again seated on the balcony swinging her legs as if she owned the place. Akash and NK rushed towards her calling out "Good Morning Gudiya".Arnav was slightly amused that people were named Gudiya in this era as well. Arnav proceeded to the class without acknowledging any one's presence.He didn't make any effort to make friends though many tried to befriend him. He remained the ever attentive student and got his things done without any hassles. He received the memo announcing his entry to the school team and along with it an appointment to meet the coach at 4:00 pm .
Arnav reached the football court 10 mins in advance and changed to his jersey. Looking around he saw there were close to twenty people in the spectators. He saw that Akash,NK and the girl called Gudiya was seated in the front row near the players entrance,she was munching something from a box. He saw the coach Osborne coming in through the players entrance and gave her a small smile. She gave a full smile right back. The team came out,each of them smiling at her,he noticed and Osborne introduced him to the team as Arnav Singh Rathode. He shook hands with each introducing himself as ASR. He remembered the name of the team captain as Ronsher Singh Zala
The game went well and concluded by 5:00 pm. Arnav went to the locker room to change. On his way back from stadium to gate, he saw that Gudiya was leaving with Ronsher. Ronsher had his arms around her shoulder and she was talking animatedly using hands and legs as if words were not sufficient. Ronsher was smiling indulgently with his head turned slightly towards her. Arnav walked past them in easy long strides. He joined NK and Akash and returned home
The days passed by with Arnav continuing the routine of attending school between 7:30 to 3:30 pm and then playing football on Monday to Thursday from 4:00 to 5:00 pm. On friday's he attended the horse riding and shooting class from 4:00 to 5:00pm . Not that he needed any instructions, he was a pro but just to keep in practice
It was Saturday and Ronsher had extended an invite to Arnav to attend a football match happening in his locality. His conviction of their performance had piqued his interest and he was getting ready to attend it. He had to be at Ronsher's home by 10:00 am so that they can reach the venue by 10:30 am. Arnav and Akash made their way to Ronsher's house as Akash was an old friend of Ronsher
Akash rang the bell and to Arnav's surprise the girl named Gudiya opened the door. She also seemed surprised to have met him their. Akash gushed his gretings and had the girl in a hug, smiling broadly. She returned the smile in full force. Arnav noticed that the smile transformed her face. It seemed too genuine to miss.
Akash introduced her "Meet Khushi Singh Zala."
She folded her hands in greeting saying "Namastey"
Akash continued "And meet my bhai, Arnav Singh Rathode"
Arnav nodded his head in acknowledgement.
Khushi continued "Please come in and be seated. I hope you are here to meet Ron Bhaiya. Will call him"
She called out loud looking upstairs "Ron Bhaiya, your friend and Akash Bhaiya are here. And you are yet to complete your breakfast. You better be here or I will come upstairs "
She turned around and asked Arnav "What would you have ? Tea or Coffee? "
"Nothing" replied Arnav. He felt relieved she didn't force her hospitality on him. Sensible
She proceeded to the kitchen with Akash in tow. She came back with two glasses of tea . One for herself and other for Akash. They waited in the living room for Ronsher.
As soon as she saw Ronsher coming down she rushed to the kitchen. She heard him greeting Arnav and Akash . He asked Arnav to call him Ron. She smiled to herself thinking how her bother hated to be called Ronsher all the while. Ron seated himself at the dining table to have his breakfast while Khushi came back with a steaming hot plate of aloo paratha and seated on the adjacent chair to his, serving all the dishes and along with it having her breakfast too. Akash joined them to have his tea with them while Arnav continued to read the news paper after he saw the domesticity of the affair.
Once the breakfast was done ,Ron,Akash and Arnav proceeded to door. Once at the door Ron turned about and kissed Khushi ,who was following him, on her forehead . She returned the favor with kiss on his cheek as she could reach him on toe only till there. Ron indeed was close to 6 feet already with very handsome chiseled features. Wavy hair, blue eyes and a killer smile. He could have given any hollywood star a run for their money. Arnav felt a little uneasy at the display of affection which he never chanced upon. Three of them proceeded to the ground to watch the play on their respective bicycles.
Ron introduced Arnav as ASR to home and rival teams . They all seemed to know Ron and Akash. Benefit of being born and brought up at the locality, Arnav thought. After the game, Ron introduced Arnav to another of his friend who had a bike and taught him to ride it. Akash kept away as he didn't feel confident yet. After a few fall and a little mistakes Arnav got the rhythm. After all he is a fast learner. The time flew by and it was already 6:00pm. Though Ron insisted on going to his house for dinner, Arnav refused stating the reason he had some assignments to complete. He was back at home by 7:00 pm.He did few portion of the assignment and fell asleep. He had enjoyed the day
Sunday passed by ,with him just roaming the city on his bicycle and visiting the malls. He had spend some time browsing through the music shops in mall. He bought himself a guitar.Completing his assignments , he switched on the music and lied on the recliner near the pool. He fell into a peaceful slumber. He was awakened by the insistent knocking on his door for dinner. As usual he had his dinner with Ma serving him and trying to make small talk. His responses were restricted to monosyllables
His mother called out
"Good Morning Beta. Do you want your coffee now?"
"No Maa."
"Good Morning Beta" said Nani
"Good Morning Nani"
He continued to his room without looking back, leaving behind a slightly saddened Saanvika. Nani looked on the retreating back of Arnav and gave an encouraging smile to her daughter-in-law. Saanvika returned the smile, heaved a sigh and returned to her aarti. In another 10 mins Manorama rushed in all her bright blue glory to attend the aarti. Slowly everybody joined the morning aarti except Arnav. He didn't believe in rituals. He seemed to have it rooted in his mind that a God who couldn't hear his sobs when he needed him badly probably couldn't exist.
After a while boys got ready for school and gents got ready for office. Arnav had his breakfast first followed by Akash and NK. Jai and Manohar had their breakfast a little later . The women had their breakfast around 8:30 am once all of them had left
Arnav , Akash and NK left on their respective bicycles while Manohar left for office on chauffeured BMW.
Akash and NK's classes were on the same floor as Arnav's . He noticed that the girl he asked for directions was again seated on the balcony swinging her legs as if she owned the place. Akash and NK rushed towards her calling out "Good Morning Gudiya".Arnav was slightly amused that people were named Gudiya in this era as well. Arnav proceeded to the class without acknowledging any one's presence.He didn't make any effort to make friends though many tried to befriend him. He remained the ever attentive student and got his things done without any hassles. He received the memo announcing his entry to the school team and along with it an appointment to meet the coach at 4:00 pm .
Arnav reached the football court 10 mins in advance and changed to his jersey. Looking around he saw there were close to twenty people in the spectators. He saw that Akash,NK and the girl called Gudiya was seated in the front row near the players entrance,she was munching something from a box. He saw the coach Osborne coming in through the players entrance and gave her a small smile. She gave a full smile right back. The team came out,each of them smiling at her,he noticed and Osborne introduced him to the team as Arnav Singh Rathode. He shook hands with each introducing himself as ASR. He remembered the name of the team captain as Ronsher Singh Zala
The game went well and concluded by 5:00 pm. Arnav went to the locker room to change. On his way back from stadium to gate, he saw that Gudiya was leaving with Ronsher. Ronsher had his arms around her shoulder and she was talking animatedly using hands and legs as if words were not sufficient. Ronsher was smiling indulgently with his head turned slightly towards her. Arnav walked past them in easy long strides. He joined NK and Akash and returned home
The days passed by with Arnav continuing the routine of attending school between 7:30 to 3:30 pm and then playing football on Monday to Thursday from 4:00 to 5:00 pm. On friday's he attended the horse riding and shooting class from 4:00 to 5:00pm . Not that he needed any instructions, he was a pro but just to keep in practice
It was Saturday and Ronsher had extended an invite to Arnav to attend a football match happening in his locality. His conviction of their performance had piqued his interest and he was getting ready to attend it. He had to be at Ronsher's home by 10:00 am so that they can reach the venue by 10:30 am. Arnav and Akash made their way to Ronsher's house as Akash was an old friend of Ronsher
Akash rang the bell and to Arnav's surprise the girl named Gudiya opened the door. She also seemed surprised to have met him their. Akash gushed his gretings and had the girl in a hug, smiling broadly. She returned the smile in full force. Arnav noticed that the smile transformed her face. It seemed too genuine to miss.
Akash introduced her "Meet Khushi Singh Zala."
She folded her hands in greeting saying "Namastey"
Akash continued "And meet my bhai, Arnav Singh Rathode"
Arnav nodded his head in acknowledgement.
Khushi continued "Please come in and be seated. I hope you are here to meet Ron Bhaiya. Will call him"
She called out loud looking upstairs "Ron Bhaiya, your friend and Akash Bhaiya are here. And you are yet to complete your breakfast. You better be here or I will come upstairs "
She turned around and asked Arnav "What would you have ? Tea or Coffee? "
"Nothing" replied Arnav. He felt relieved she didn't force her hospitality on him. Sensible
She proceeded to the kitchen with Akash in tow. She came back with two glasses of tea . One for herself and other for Akash. They waited in the living room for Ronsher.
As soon as she saw Ronsher coming down she rushed to the kitchen. She heard him greeting Arnav and Akash . He asked Arnav to call him Ron. She smiled to herself thinking how her bother hated to be called Ronsher all the while. Ron seated himself at the dining table to have his breakfast while Khushi came back with a steaming hot plate of aloo paratha and seated on the adjacent chair to his, serving all the dishes and along with it having her breakfast too. Akash joined them to have his tea with them while Arnav continued to read the news paper after he saw the domesticity of the affair.
Once the breakfast was done ,Ron,Akash and Arnav proceeded to door. Once at the door Ron turned about and kissed Khushi ,who was following him, on her forehead . She returned the favor with kiss on his cheek as she could reach him on toe only till there. Ron indeed was close to 6 feet already with very handsome chiseled features. Wavy hair, blue eyes and a killer smile. He could have given any hollywood star a run for their money. Arnav felt a little uneasy at the display of affection which he never chanced upon. Three of them proceeded to the ground to watch the play on their respective bicycles.
Ron introduced Arnav as ASR to home and rival teams . They all seemed to know Ron and Akash. Benefit of being born and brought up at the locality, Arnav thought. After the game, Ron introduced Arnav to another of his friend who had a bike and taught him to ride it. Akash kept away as he didn't feel confident yet. After a few fall and a little mistakes Arnav got the rhythm. After all he is a fast learner. The time flew by and it was already 6:00pm. Though Ron insisted on going to his house for dinner, Arnav refused stating the reason he had some assignments to complete. He was back at home by 7:00 pm.He did few portion of the assignment and fell asleep. He had enjoyed the day
Sunday passed by ,with him just roaming the city on his bicycle and visiting the malls. He had spend some time browsing through the music shops in mall. He bought himself a guitar.Completing his assignments , he switched on the music and lied on the recliner near the pool. He fell into a peaceful slumber. He was awakened by the insistent knocking on his door for dinner. As usual he had his dinner with Ma serving him and trying to make small talk. His responses were restricted to monosyllables
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