Part 17:

"What the hell is this Arnav? You said you will propose her and what did you do there? You just asked her about her wrist? And you made me hell tensed? What's wrong with you?" asked Aman after coming out from library.

"Hmmm Aman, I know what you are feeling now. I really went there to propose her. But after seeing her there I couldn't make myself. What if she rejects my proposal? What if she stops talking with me? What if she goes far for me? I can't take that Aman? I need her in my whole life... not in this damn college... As you and Di said yesterday, I want to give her time to understand. In fact, I want to take time to understand her. I want to know about what she feels for me. If she is comfortable with me, maybe I can ask her hand. But I can't do it now. I can't lose her for my foolishness."

"I agree with you Arnav. She is still a child. If she has feelings for you, first she has to understand her feelings. She needs to learn to control her feelings. She should not get scared or confused with her feelings. For that she needs time Arnav... just help her. Help her in understanding herself. In both of you, you are the matured one. You have to be matured one. Don't forget she is still child. I and Anjali confessed our love means we know what is what; we can understand the feelings and consequences. If anything goes wrong in our families we can make them understand. In this same manner she has to turn as matured girl. You have to help her in this. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

Arnav nodded his head as he understood what Aman is saying. But he got distracted from his thoughts with his mobile's beep, indicating that he got a message. When he checked the number a small smile appears on his lips, which immediately vanished when he remembered that 'particular strange caller' is not Khushi. he sighed deeply and opened the message....

...WO IE NI...

He didn't understand what is it means. He is hell irritated with this unknown girl. He wants to delete the message but simply he couldn't, he doesn't know why. Seeing his irritated face, Aman asked Arnav what is the matter. Nodding his head negatively, he kept his mobile back in his pocket and walked with Aman to the auditorium, where the preparation for fresher's party is going on. After some time his mobile again beeped with other message. He opened the message and saw

... Je t'aime...

"Ahhhh... not again... stop this..." he said with frustration.

Aman, who is observing Arnav, took the mobile to see what the matter is. He also noticed that the messages are from an unknown number. He noticed that both messages are weird. They are different. He turned to Arnav and asked about these messages. Then Arnav said to Aman about the strange call he got and he said he couldn't understand what these message says.

"Whom do you think this person Arnav?" asked Aman

"I don't know... I thought its Khushi. But no she is not."

"Oh... that's why you asked Khushi's mobile. And you called to this unknown, right?

"Yeah... but when I called from Khushi's number the call was connected but didn't answer. I cross checked the number also. It is not Khushi's." He said with deep disappointment.

Before they continue with another word, Arnav's mobile beeped one more time showing the message

... Ya lyublyu tebya ...

"JUST STOP IT" shouted irritated Arnav.

"Don't get irritate Arnav. We don't know who this girl is."

"I'm not getting irritated with who this girl is. I'm irritated with these messages. I couldn't understand what the meaning is."

"May be we can check the meaning. Wait." With that Aman opened his laptop and googled about the messages. For three messages he got only one meaning 'I love you'. "You first message is I love you in Chinese language; second one is I love you in French and third one is I love you in Russian"

"What the!!! Here I'm thinking about Khushi and here this crazy girl is sending I LOVE YOU to me. Unbelievable. I don't know when I can tell Khushi my feelings and will she accept or not" said Arnav getting more restless.

"It is ok Arnav. Don't think about this caller. Don't be worried about Khushi. Don't be too sad. Everything will be fine. Just give her some time. And you also take some time. It is just one week you met her. You both have a long life ahead. Be patient" said Aman.

While sighing deeply Arnav nodded his head and went to the preparations. After that small talk both Arnav and Aman are got busy with the fresher's day work. It is already afternoon when they get the call from Anjali. She asked them to come for lunch. Giving a break to their preparations, both Aman and Arnav went to canteen. When they entered canteen, they saw their siblings along with Payal and Khushi. Seeing Khushi and her innocent smile they both felt their mind got relaxed. They wished all of them, and Arnav went to Khushi's side and sat beside her.

When Khushi felt her heart beat is rising up, she immediately knows that Arnav is nearby. When she saw Arnav coming inside canteen with Aman, she couldn't stop herself from giving a beautiful mesmerising smile to Arnav which he responded with a wish. She saw him coming to her side. She got shocked when she found him sat beside her. But she didn't object him. She wants to feel him her side. When he will be her side, she feels secure. She wants to feel his touch, warmth. But still she is feeling tensed.

After Arnav settle down near Khushi he noticed some uneasiness in Khushi's face. He wants to ask what's wrong. Before he asks anything Khushi said to Aman "Bhai, Lavanya went out for her lunch. She asked me to inform you"

"Out? Didn't she get her lunch from hostel? And with whom she went?" shouted NK immediately with concern, angry and lot of other expression in his face, surprising everyone.

"NK, why are you shouting at Khushi Ji? If Lavanya went for lunch means, what Khushi Ji's mistake there in that?" asked Akash.

"It is ok Akash Ji. They both are friends, maybe that's why he is little bit concerned about her. NK Ji... today mess is closed in hostel due to some renovation work. That's why Lavanya Ji went for lunch."

"Oh. Ok. I agree that NK is concerned about Lavanya. But, that doesn't mean he can shout at you Khushi Ji. You are elder than him" said Anjali, while giving glares to her younger brother.

"How did you know I'm elder than him Anjali Ji?" asked surprised Khushi.

Aman got alarmed and asked "what? So are you really elder than him?"

Khushi: "Yes Bhai... I'm two years elder than both Lavanya and NK Ji."

"I just guessed it. Then how is it possible you are in same class with them?" asked Anjali.

"My babuji said in my childhood I had some health problems due to which I started my education two years lately." Both Aman and Anjali exchanged their doubts through their eyes. They thought what reason Khushi is saying is not right. They need to find out.

"Khushi Ji you are elder than them so, you shouldn't call NK and Lavanya as NK Ji, and Lavanya Ji" said Anjali

"Di... you and Akash Ji both are elder than me but still you both call me "Khushi Ji" and you are asking me to call NK Ji and Lavanya Ji as NK and Lavanya? This is not fair Di..." pouted Khushi.

Arnav, who is watching Khushi intently, smiled at her question while controlling the urge to kiss her pout. He patted her head said "smart girl" then turned to Anjali "Khushi is right Di... she is younger than you, you shouldn't call her "JI". You can say just Khushi or as Aman calls Choti. Don't make her uncomfortable." Everybody including Khushi saw him with surprising expression. Arnav noticed that and said "I'm feeling hungry now, who wants to eat?" with that everybody ordered their needed food.

"Choti what about you? What you wants to eat?"

"Nothing Bhai... I already had my lunch. You guys carry on. I will go to class." Saying this she got ready to leave the canteen. Both Arnav and Anjali noticed that she is completely lying. They both remembered her talks at shopping mall about spending money. They both shared a look. Arnav immediately grabbed her hand and smelled her palm and asks

"What you had in your lunch Khushi?"

"Ji?" Khushi is shocked and tensed now. She doesn't know what to answer. She kept quite.

"I'm asking you what you had in your lunch Khushi." he is little bit irritated and getting angry on Khushi's response. He is angry on her because she is lying to HIM; she is not ready to share her hunger with HIM. Before she tried to say something, she got a call. So, she excused herself and went outside the canteen with a bright smile, while answering the call saying "Shyam!!! How are you?" Arnav became little bit curious about her happy response. He wants to know who the caller is. He turned to Aman and Anjali to know that if they have any idea about the caller or not. But they gave him negative response as they don't know about the caller. He followed Khushi outside to know. He is becoming restless hearing her talking so closely with other man. He wants to drag the mobile from her. Before he could do anything he heard her saying

"No Shyam... I didn't have my lunch till now. I will have later"

"...."

"It is ok. One day if don't take my lunch means nothing will happen to me. Stop worrying about me. I'm fine. I just forgot my purse. Without money how can I eat? That too today hostel mess is also not there... may be by evening mess will start. So I'll take food at dinner. You stop worrying..." she sighed and said again "Listen Shyam, I'm really ok. I'm perfectly fine. Ok. When are you coming? It is already one week over after I came here. You still didn't come to meet me... I don't want to talk with you" she said with a pout not noticing the person watching her with full of anger. She talked some more time and turned to go back to canteen. Arnav saw her turning back; he immediately entered to canteen before she notices him. After she comes in he announced

"Today I'm giving personal treat to all. Because, tomorrow is party. It is a celebration time. Whatever you guys want, just order it for yourself. And who forgot their money also can order the food." Arnav said seeing at Khushi.

Everybody shared a confused look. But only Khushi understood that he is talking about her. She is looking at him with blank expression. He looked at her and asked her to order food for herself. When she is hesitating to order, Aman ordered for her and they all have their lunch. After lunch, everybody went to their work.

All the junior students and senior students are waiting for tomorrow. They want to grab memories for their life time. They want to build a bond with their fellow students. They want to enjoy each and every moment.

At evening Arnav finished his work and leaving with Aman and others. They saw Khushi coming running. She didn't notice them; she collides with Akash, who is coming to his brother. Immediately he grabs her hand for giving her support. Without seeing the person, Khushi got panicked and pushed him hardly making Akash almost all fell on his back. But before he fell, Aman catches him. Arnav who is observing this went to Khushi and says:

"Khushi... KHUSHI... it is me... Arnav, what happened? Is everything ok? Why are you looking different? Why are you running?"

Seeing Arnav Khushi felt relaxed and immediately hugged him and says "thank you Devi Mayya... thanks a lot Arnav JI. Thank you so much." and took a deep breath to calm her inner self. Arnav and others got shocked by her act. But Aman, Akash and Arnav all observed her tension and scary expression on her face. Arnav broke the hug and asked her by holding her hand "Khushi... what's wrong. Is everything ok? Why are you not saying anything?"

"Yes Arnav Ji, everything ok. Just I'm feeling weak. Nothing is else."

"Weak or scared? Why are you not saying anything? There is no need for hesitating. You can share everything with me. Tell me, what's wrong with you?"

Before she says anything, Arnav got a tap on his shoulder from Aman. He turned to see angry expression in Aman's face. He turned his head in the direction where Aman is glaring at. Anger rushed into his head, seeing the person. He immediately caught Khushi and hugged her tightly in his arms and said "Rahul". Before the trio Arnav, Aman and Akash could do anything Rahul ran from there with friends.

Arnav broke the hug and said "It is ok Khushi. He is gone. Don't worry, we are here. We will leave you in hostel. Come."

They went to their car and started to girls' hostel. Suddenly Akash asked Khushi "Khushi, it is too late. What are you doing in college at this hour? Why didn't you leave for hostel with Lavanya?"

"Actually Akash Ji, my faculty is asked me to collect some notes regarding my next class. I'm writing notes in library then, that Rahu...." she couldn't say anything because the fear ran into her system. She immediately moved to Arnav's side and grabbed his hand tightly. Next second Arnav hugged her after feeling her hold on his hand and said "It is ok Khushi. Don't be scared. You are safe now. Relax."

After few minutesthey reached hostel, dropped Khushi and bid bye to her and left to their house.In their journey to home, both Arnav and Aman cursed Rahul for hurting her.They promised to their self to protect Khushi, to take care of her as much asthey can. After reaching home everybody had their dinner and left to theirrooms, to take enough rest and get ready for tomorrow. Tomorrow is a big day.

...to be continued

How is it? Okay?

I'm writing AFYL update now. Mostly, I will post tomorrow or day after.

Thanks for the support.