Arnav lay wide awake on his bed wondering what just happened. He had been the heart throb of the college. He didn’t have to try at all to get a girl, they flocked to him. That didn’t mean he bedded every girl. He only went ahead so far with girls who were of no complications. A mutually agreed relation that involved a good time together, that too towards the end of third year in college.Till then he made sure those relations didn’t turn physical. Girls who were freshers or junior to him were a boundary for him. He didn’t want to take advantage of naivety.
“Then why the hell couldn’t I keep my eyes and hands off her?” thought a very agitated Arnav. The moment she touched his shoulders in the morning, he felt a shiver run down his spine. He had to fight it off from showing. He tried his best to keep off from her. That was the reason he reached a little late for the club. The moment he saw her looking terrified at the announcement of Nadeen, every other thought left him. He saw the terrified look replaced by hope as soon as she saw him. He felt his heart jump at that look , as if she knew he wouldn’t let anything bad happen. He didn’t know what made him do the next. He somehow knew she needed that leap of faith, to believe in her ability. All she needed was a little confidence and he gave it without knowing
When she started singing, he just got lost in her voice. He didn’t want anybody to hear that voice, except him. He felt as if he was floating on a sea with waves singing him a lullaby.
When he saw her with the kids, it literally blew him off. Her smile was infectious. He felt himself smiling when she was singing the rhymes and rocking herself. At the pool table when he had his arms around her, he could feel her reaction to him. He felt so elated he wanted to try it again. He grinned to himself thinking about the scene.
On the way back to apartment, the ride was sheer torture for him. With that now familiar shiver constantly running down his spine with her hand on his shoulder, he felt electrocuted when her hands literally hugged him at the signal. He had resisted the insistent urge of his heart to pull a sudden break drama throughout rest of journey just so that he could experience it once more.
“And what the hell happened at the door?” thought a very confused Arnav.
He just wanted the jacket, he could have very well waited and got it from her. But no, he went ahead and had literally stripped it off her. When he slid his hands down her arms the only thought that engulfed him were “lavender and satin” He simply couldn’t stop feeling those arms. As she fell forward and her lips touched his neck, “Heaven” he had closed his eyes unable to contain the ecstasy. Nothing so soft had ever touched him anywhere.
“Why the bloody hell am I acting like a teenager? When did I have lack of girls? This is Khushi I am thinking about!!! Why is my li**** haywire when she is around? Am I that desperate to have s**?”
He went with a resolution in his mind to avoid her totally. “Out of sight , out of mind “ thought a triumphant Arnav while falling into a deep sleep with big brown eyes and dazzling smile flooding his dream
On the other side , Khushi was having a volcano in her head. She was never been in a relationship with a guy before. The only one she shared with guys were of very naïve friendship or brother. So it was justified for her to feel confused, very confused.
She just couldn’t understand that feeling of awareness she always seem to have when he is around. When he touched her, the world seized to exist for her. Those molten brown eyes would turn dark when he touched her. “Why does he touch me when he is so angered by my presence?“ Khushi misjudged the intensity of Arnav’s feeling to be anger.
When he grazed his hands on her arms Khushi felt like she had been electrocuted by a 1000KV live wire. She was sure he was doing it to punish her so that she wouldn’t go near him. It pained her to think he didn’t like her company but so be it. “You don’t want to see me.Good, I also don’t want to see you ” thought an irate Khushi as she fell into a sleep with a molten brown eyes flashing in her dreams and a warm feeling engulfing her.
Arnav woke to a soft alarm and went out for a jogging. Khushi woke up when sunlight hit her eyes and no amount of duvet would keep it at bay. She checked the time and found it was already 10:30 am.
She lazily got up made tea and cereals for her. Lavanya was still sleeping . She knew that Lavanya’s schedules must be crazy for the rest of the week and hence let her sleep. She woke up around 11 am. Khushi prepared the tea and cereals for Lavanya. She did admonish Khushi stating she doesn’t have to do it for which Khushi responded that she didn’t mind
When they were discussing the plans for the day, they heard the door bell ring. Lavanya found a gleeful Aman , Nishant and Rohan at the door. Walking in Aman shouted “Khushi! Aaj kya plan hai?”
Khushi responded equally vibrant “Amanji, Hum mela dekhnei chalei?”
Aman agreed instantly. So did others. They informed Khushi that Arnav have practices for football and badminton followed by drums and guitar. He would complete it only by late afternoon.
“Why is it bothering me I won’t be able to see him?” frowned Khushi thinking to herself.
She said aloud “Shall I get ready?”
Rohan laughed aloud at her enthusiasm and patted her head saying “Sure Bachi.”
That caught Lavanya off guard. Rohan never,NEVER, used endearments.
“Gudiya is an addiction” thought Lavanya compassionately.
To avoid yesterday’s issue of transportation, Rohan had arranged an open jeep for them. Khushi was so happy to see a jeep. She had never ridden in one. She is the princess of two families . They would have been scandalized to see her travel in that. Lavanya scrunched her eyes and looked at Rohan. He shrugged. While Aman ran to occupy the back seat. Rohan took the wheels while Nishant sat in the passenger seat in the front. Other three got in the back with Khushi literally bouncing in her seat. They reached the mela by 12:30. They took to the rides which were in shade to avoid the heat. Khushi and Aman climbed almost all the rides. Khushi managed to coax Lavanya into few of the less frightening rides while Rohan and Nishant stood on the side lines. While Rohan was away and Khushi returned from the dancing skirt ride, she saw Nishant sitting on the ground. She went ahead and asked “Can I get a sipup?”
Nishant looked up .Scrunching his eyes due to the sun , he looked at Khushi smiling. He rose from the ground and Khushi held on to his forearms while excitedly describing the ride. Nishant looked on and wondered how long she would stay this way. The bubbly, chirpy, loving, innocent and kind one..He wished he could protect her innocence. It is so rare to find nowadays. He immensely wished he had a sibling like her. Khushi didn’t feel the need for Nishant to talk. She covered the conversation for both of them. Once at the counter she bought so much chocolates and sipup for each one of them. They went back and sat down to have her sip-up. She was tired and had her face dripping sweat. She regretted not having taken a hanky from her purse in jeep. She would have lost it any way. A hand extended with a white hanky. Nishant was looking at her with an extended hand and gestured her to take it.
She asked with a twinkle in her eyes “Are you trying to become ASR?”
Nishant looked baffled “What?”
“See this is what I was talking. You don’t talk,you simply gesture and then you ask What for everything I say. The only other human on this earth who does that is him” said a mischievous Khushi.
Nishant laughed out loud and shook his head. He asked “Why shouldn’t it be the other way? He could be learning from me for all you know.”
Khushi said with a shake of her head “No it cannot be. From the day I saw him, he was like this. Khadoos”
Nishant smiled again and said “All of us traverse the life facing varying degrees of tragedies and it changes the way we perceive the world and us, leaving some of us scarred. Don’t be judgmental on him. You may be surprised the day you find out the real him.”
“You believe he is going to prove me he is the sheep? ” Khushi doubled up and laughed her heart out.
Nishant couldn’t control his smile “May be not, but he may prove not to be bad either”
They then moved to other topics, his interest which was to pursue a career in finance.
She asked him “Then what are you doing here?”
“Satisfying my parents. I don’t hail from a very rich family, Gudiya. They had given up their dreams ,hopes and needs just so that I can have a comfortable life. It was my parents dream that I enter into one of the top most engineering institutions. I conquered it just so that they can be happy. I never said I had a different dream. I can always conquer it from now on” said Nishant
Khushi hugged him instinctively , stating emotionally “You are one of the best human I met “
She was surprised to hear a voice asking “Do I get one hug if you are giving it away for free? ”
Khushi looked up to the face of Nadeen. She asked surprised “What are you doing here?”
“I came to give you company” said a smirking Nadeen.
By then Lavanya , Rohan and Aman joined them. Lavanya was not surprised to see Nadeen. She recalled her earlier conversation.
While she was waiting on washroom queue she received a call from Nadeen asking “Where are you people?”
She asked back “Why?”
“I am standing infront of your apartments and nobody is opening the door”
“That may be because we are not there” thinking to herself “It was a first for him”. He had come to her apartment only once because he had to get the assignment from her
Nadeen was soon losing patience “Would you mind telling me where are you now?”
“Yes I mind”
“Why are you being difficult Lavs? ”
“May be because I doubt your intentions”
“You don’t have to. It is honorable enough”
“May be for you but doesn’t look so to me”
After a moment of silence he said. “You have my word. If you see me overstepping, you can simply hand me over to her brothers”.
“The proposition is good , knowing that one of her brother is Delhi Superintendent of Police, other is 3 times inter-college boxing champion and she has two adopted brothers who may have an entire legion of dogs unleashed on you if they get the smell of someone hurting her. Ooh did I forget to tell you Arnav may rip you from limb to limb if he got a wind of any wrong doings to her” said an amused Lavanya
“You have done a good job of putting me in my place. If you are done threatening, the directions please” retorted Nadeen thinking of his future
“We are at the mela ” said Lavanya
That surprised Nadeen
“She does have that effect, doesn’t she?” asked Nadeen thinking amusedly that Lavanya wouldn’t have agreed to this on gun point. She hated the heat ,dust and noise.
“Rohan too is here” said Lavanya understanding what Nadeen meant.
Nadeen gave a hearty laugh and said affectionately “She is a unique piece”
Lavanya said seriously in a warning tone “We know that and don’t you forget that”
Nadeen understood the unspoken warning. “What has I gotten myself into? Why can’t I just turn back and leave? I have a pretty impressive string of girl friends and why do I need this complication?”
A small voice said in his head “You know it is worth it!”
So that is why he is sitting on a mela ground in the searing heat, with sweat flooding his body and his body burning with irritation from dust. He looked at Khushi who was sucking the sip-up and again the voice repeated “It is worth it!”
He agreed.
When Arnav reached the ground by 4:00pm, he found his friends lying on the ground with Khushi standing up with her hands on her hips. For anyone from outside it would have seemed like the little chit of a girl was taking class to the three bulky guys and a woman. He wanted to laugh out loud. Struggling to keep his demeanor, Arnav walked to the group.
As much as he wanted to avoid seeing her, he couldn’t keep her out of his head whole day. When he wore the jacket today morning the smell seemed to intoxicate him,
“Lavender, Her smell” he had thought with a slight smile
He had unknowingly worn it for most of the day even though it was hot.
As he neared her , he couldn’t ignore the racing heart beat and the slight breeze touching his nape
Khushi was trying to convince his friends to join her on the giant wheels. They had their lunch now and they were tired. Nadeen had to leave a few minutes early to accompany his mother to a party .They were literally pleading with her to see sense.. That was when she felt that awareness return. The tingling sensation in the pit of her stomach, the butterflies in her stomach trying desperately to escape, the soft breeze touching her nape..”Him..” she thought absently. She turned around and came face to face with Arnav.
“Lavender..” that was his first thought when her face almost brushed his.
He pulled at her hand and said to his friends, “Be back soon”
Khushi tugged at her hand to free herself. When she did , she found herself at the queue of giant wheel.
Arnav paid for two tickets and waited with her, both looking in opposite direction.
When it was their turn, both entered into the seat. Khushi on the right and Arnav on left.
As the wheel started moving, Khushi felt the panic rise. She had been adventurous about all the rides. She had kept this for the last because she had a fear for heights and wanted to overcome that. Her brothers would never let her do things which frightened her. They were over protective of her. She tightly gripped the handle and closed her eyes shut as they ascended the height. Khushi felt a hand around her shoulder and she felt her being pulled onto a warm chest. She opened her eyes and cuddled closer, the height forgotten. Both didn’t look at each other.
They remained that way for the entire ride. Once done, Arnav extended his hand and helped Khushi down from the ride. Arnav held on to her hand slowly guiding her through the crowd gathered for the next ride. As they reached their friends and heard their banter, that is when Khushi recognized that her hand was still in his. She slowly extricated her hand and suddenly Arnav felt empty.
It was 6:00pm and they got ready to leave. To Arnav’s disappointment , he saw Khushi climbing the jeep. He tried to reason with himself for the feeling of loss encircling him “It is just she enjoys riding in bike and she will be missing it if she goes in jeep”
But he had no excuses than to let her go. He followed behind for a few minutes and then sped past them at a break neck speed. Khushi’s face lost color and her smile faded.
She was muttering under her breath “Devi Maiya raksha karna” repeatedly until they reached the apartment and she saw Arnav’s bike parked safely. She had send a quick thanks to Devi Maiya for his safe return.
As they neared their apartments, Aman said to Lavanya “Lavs, I need your help”
Lavanya narrowed her eyes and said “Not again. Don’t say me you have an assignment which requires my help without which you will lose mark in internals. ”
Aman smiled and said sheepishly “Actually yes. I promise to do it as fast as possible”
“Why can’t you ask your friends”
“You know they don’t have the patience”
Lavanya took a deep breath to prevent her from throttling Aman and said evenly “You better. I will be there in one hour”
They retired to their rooms.
Almost an hour later, Lavanya and Khushi stood at the doors of the other apartment. Lavanya had asked Khushi to join as she didn’t have a tv at her apartment. Not because she couldn’t afford it but because she couldn’t afford its distraction. The guys had a tv and while she helped Aman, Khushi could watch TV. “Anyways the others would have retired to bed after the hectic day and they all had to go to college next day” reasoned Lavanya.
So there they were at the door of the other apartment ,ringing the bell and waiting to open. She heard a flurry of steps running about and Lavanya chuckled. She understood that they would have seen Khushi through the door peephole and was trying to make the room look presentable.
After a few minutes, a very happy looking Aman opened the door and welcomed Khushi.
She moved in after Lavanya. She saw Arnav wearing casuals sitting on a bed spread on the floor watching TV .He had cleaned up and had a day old stubble giving him a rugged look. He was wearing a white T-shirt and black track suit pants. “The guy will look gorgeous in sack” thought Khushi.
Arnav just looked at Lavanya acknowledging her and went back to TV
Meanwhile Arnav had a peek at Khushi. She had a bath and had changed into a pure white churidhar with a white shawl. The shawl had a red laced lining. He felt he did the biggest mistake by sneaking that peek. She looked delicious. The hair was left open with water droplets dripping on her neck and making its way to…He just stopped there. He really didn’t like the way his thoughts were going. He didn’t know if it was even legal to think it like that.” She must be hardly eighteen now. “ thought a miserable Arnav.
So he put on best defense which is offense for him. He studiously ignored her, at least he tried to give the impression.
As Khushi followed Lavanya to join Aman, Arnav heard Lavanaya say to Khushi “Gudiya, join Arnav in watching the TV. I will try to get done with this idiot soon.” Aman made a flinching expression.
Khushi stood at the peripheral of the sitting room and dining room partitioning trying to determine where to sit. There seems to be only three chairs, a table and a bed there. The two chairs were occupied by Lavanya and Aman while the other chair seemed to have things stuffed up to two stories. Seeing Khushi’s dilemma Aman rose to clear the chair when Lavanya called out to her “Gudiya, do you have problem sitting on that bed?” She then continued to Arnav “Move your ass , ASR. She would like to watch the TV as well”
Arnav glared at Lavanya and asked “Did I ask her to stand?”
“You didn’t ask her to sit either”
“Does she need an invitation?”
Khushi suddenly sat down on the bed as far away from him as possible to prevent the argument from heating up. The guy had knack to get to her nerves.
Arnav was watching the Animal Planet. He deliberately didn’t change the channel thinking she might retreat and go to her room. Girls hated such stuff. But he was in for a surprise. She eagerly watched the “Where Tiger rules” with rapt attention. She had been running the commentary for Aman and Lavanya when they both finally called out to her to stop. Being quite is an effort to her .
Arnav noticed that her head was lolling to the side. She would jerk her head at intervals to ward of the sleep and stare the screen. This repeated several times. He saw her slowly curl on the bed to adjust the distance between them while calling out to Lavanya “Call me once you are done. I can’t sleep alone in a flat”.
After a few minutes , he saw from corner of his eye that she was squirming in her sleep , trying to adjust to a more comfortable position. Slowly she straightened her posture and came dangerously close to Arnav. The next thing he know was her head resting on his thighs. He had lost all interest in the show he was watching and shifted slightly in his seat. She adjusted herself more comfortably with her cheeks resting on his thighs and hands holding it as if a pillow. He seated dumbfound and after a while he returned to the channel he was watching making desperate attempts to ignore the cheeks brushing his thigh. After some time ,Arnav unconsciously placed his hands on her head and gently brushed his hands on the silky tresses of long dark hair. Khushi shifted in her sleep with a slight moan. Arnav’s entire body stilled at her moaning. Regaining his composure , Arnav left his hands in a fist at his sides.
Once done , Lavanya came to them while Aman did the last minute changes to the assignments and wrapped up. She was surprised to say the least. What she found was a Khushi sleeping blissfully with her head on Arnav’s lap and he had his left hand covering her left hand on her waist.
Lavanya slightly touched on Arnav’s shoulder. He was lost in TV. He looked up to see the amused face of Lavanya with her left eyebrow up in a question.
He didn’t bat an eyelid and responded “She fell asleep”
“Hmm…Let me wake her” said Lavanya
“Not needed”
“You want me to leave her with you? Not happening”
“Shut up” saying which Arnav tried to very slowly place her head down. She turned in her sleep and clutched his thighs. Arnav muttered an expletive which made Lavanya chuckle.
He freed her hands from his thighs. He kneeled before her, placed his left hand under her head and right hand under her knees and lifted her up. He stood up slowly when Khushi bought her right hand to circle his waist and left hand over his other side effectively hugging and turned in his arms slightly towards his side. He stood quite for a moment as if giving her time to adjust. Lavanya’s mouth fell open.
He walked towards the door and gestured Lavanya with his eyes to open the door. She kicked herself out of the stupor and rushed to the door. Lavanya went on opening first the door of his apartment , then her apartment and finally Khushi’s room’s. He knelt on the bed just about to place her, when she gave a small kiss right above where his heart is. Arnav gave a small smile. He was anticipating it from the moment he had her in his arms.
Depositing her ever so lightly, he pulled the duvet over her and effectively tucked her in, He switched on the fan, switched the table light on and left.
Lavanya stood still ,trying to process all of it in one go
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