Part 28: 

"Rahul... Rahul... where are you? Rahul..." shouted Rahul's friend.

"Why are you shouting like that? I'm here only. What's the matter?" asked irritated Rahul.

"Today you have to go to college at any cost. Because two important things. Auditions are going on... you have to attend and get selected."

"Auditions? What auditions? And how do you know?"

"Movie auditions. I just called Paul he only told me that. And one more important thing – Arnav and batch are not here. They went to Delhi last week. Only Khushi is here."

"What they aren't here from one week? Shit... I don't know about this. I missed the chance. When are they coming back?"

"Paul don't know about their return. But they went in emergency it seems. Arnav's father is in hospital. But you can't lose this chance Rahul. Without Arnav, she is weak. Nobody is there to support her. You better use this time."

"I won't lose this chance. Last week, I had to go to studio with dad. With that, I missed the chance. Not anymore. I'll use this chance. Thanks for the information. I will be ready in 10 minutes. Then we will leave to college." Saying this Rahul went to get ready.

****************

It's already 10 AM. She is late today. After talking with Arnav, she really felt relieved knowing his father is fine. But talking with him took all her time to college. Though she talked with him for only few minutes, but with that, she missed her bus. When she caught another bus, it got punctured. After that, she saw a group of boys arguing about something in front of the college gate. She has to wait to enter in college. After that group went from there, now, she entered in, sighing deeply. She gasped in tension when she checked time and she ran inside to attend the audition.

The Dean is in very much angry and irritated mood now. He never expected Khushi would be this irresponsible. He is pacing here and there in front of auditorium. He looked on his right when he heard Payal saying "Khushi". He looked at the girl who is running like a crazy, sighed deeply to control his anger. He doesn't want to shout at this tiny figure.

She directly ran towards the auditorium, where the selection is going on. When she saw her Dean, she really felt scared to look at his face.

"Sorry sir, I didn't mean to be late. Sorry. It won't happen again," said Khushi, after reaching them.

"Hmmm, you better don't be. Now go, the auditions started. Do your best. I know, you will feel tensed in between seniors. But it is ok go and perform your full. Go..." he pushed her inside.

She directly went to the organizer to give her enrolment number. After checking with the number, they asked her to sit and they will call her when her turn comes. She nodded obediently and sat on the chairs. One by one all the students sang their songs. When Khushi chance came, she also went to perform in front of the music directors. When they heard her voice, they initially liked her and asked her to sing in different rhythms. Whatever they asked Khushi successfully sang. After, they asked her to wait for next round.

****************

"Arey Rahul... tum yaha kya kar rahe ho? Why didn't you go inside for music selections? Sir also gave you permission for participate. Then, what happened?"

"No yaar... I'm not interested in that. It's just waste of time. I don't need that. Anyways, my dad has recording studio and audio company. That's enough for me. After completing this degree, I will take that. But I will attend the auditions. I'm just waiting for..." he stopped by seeing his friend came running to him.

"What happened? Why are you running like that?" asked Rahul

"Why are you waiting here? Why didn't you go inside? You are wasting your time Rahul" said his friend.

"You already know what I'm doing here"

Rahul's friend drags him by side and said "You are waiting here, but she is inside. You are wasting your time here like a fool. Go... she already submitted her name and finished first round. Next round will be duet round. May be you will get a chance to meet her there"

With that information, Rahul ran inside and searched for Khushi. He went to her, after spotting her in candidates' seats.

Khushi got alarmed when she sensed someone sitting her side and watching her intently. She turned aside slowly to look the person. She felt panic, sad; fear and hate ran through her body. She immediately stood up from her seat when she sensed her hand to be caught by the person in front of her.

"Khushi?!"

"Don't... don't come near me..."

"Khushi I just want to say sorry... that's all... don't get panic... I'm a changed man now. I really regret what I did to you... I'm sorry... it won't happen again... please forgive me Khushi..."

Khushi couldn't say anything. She just remained silent. She is staring at him when she heard him again.

"I know Khushi... you cannot believe what you heard. I know this is difficult for you to believe me. I know Khushi... what I did was wrong. I'm really feeling bad about myself. I can't change what I did. But I want to ask forgiveness from you. I'm really sorry Khushi. I'm really sorry. Please forgive me if you can" he walked past her. Suddenly he turned back to her and asked, "Khushi... do you know where Arnav Bhai is? I didn't see him from long. I just want to say sorry to him and Aman Bhai. Can you tell me where they are?" he very well know that if he mention that, he is ready to ask forgiveness from Arnav and Aman, she will believe that he changed. So he asked her about Arnav and Aman. And he succeeded.

When she heard him asking about Arnav and Aman, she is little bit relaxed. She thought that he might be a changed person. So she said "Arnav Ji's father is ill. So they left for Delhi with Aman Bhai and Lavanya"

"Oh... So sad... No problem. I will ask my forgiveness once they return. But Khushi... please consider my sorry. Ok... now I won't make you more uncomfortable... I will leave now...hoping that I will get your forgiveness... bye... take care" he tried his last trick on her. He said all these showing utmost innocence on his face. He well knows how Khushi is... she is completely a confused innocent child. She is staying away from her family for the first time. That is her weak point. He want to use that... if he gains her trust then it will be easy for him to take revenge. But he need to do it before her saviour, her guard, her Arnav Ji comes back... he thought and left for another row of seats.

Khushi thoughts were broken, when she heard her name called. She went to stage to perform, but she again shocked to see the person, with whom she needs to perform "Rahul" she whispered. She heard the music directors asking them to sing particular song. She don't want to sing with this Rahul. But she can't lose this chance. She remembered Arnav' saying "It is really a good opportunity to learn more..." – "please attend the auditions. I'm sure you will get selected" so she decided to sing and she sang. After that, the organisers asked them to wait for the result.

After waiting for some more time, Khushi couldn't sit there for long. She went to organizers and asked permission for going out. When she comes out, she found Payal is waiting for her. She immediately hugged her and felt relaxed.

"What happened Khushi? Why are you looking tensed? Is everything fine?" asked concerned Payal.

"It is just auditions Payal... I am feeling little tensed about result."

"Hmmm don't be Khushi... you will get selected. I know... just relax. And why are you here? I think you should be inside"

"I took permission as there are so many contestants to participate. I just need to go canteen for some refreshment. Can you come with me Payal? Please..."

"No need for pleading Khushi. Actually I'm waiting for you. Come on lets go to the canteen" saying the Payal led Khushi to the canteen.

All the way to the canteen, Payal observed Khushi and found her unusually, uncommonly silent. She could not guess the reason. So she decided to ask her. After taking their order from counter, they sat on the table in the corner.

"Hmm tell me Khushi... what's wrong? Why are you looking so tensed and mostly silent? I never saw you this much silent in this almost one year... what's wrong with you?"

"Nothing Payal... I'm just..."

"Don't say you are worried about auditions. I know you. I know how much you are confident about your talent. I am sure it cannot be the reason. Tell me Khushi... what's bothering you...?"

Before Khushi says anything, they both heard "The reason is me. The thought about me is bothering her"

Both looked at the direction of the voice to find the person. Payal looked at Khushi, who looked like frozen with tension and fear and at the same time irritated. Payal immediately held Khushi's hand to assure her that no need to worry. They she turned to other side and said, "What do you mean by your words, Rahul?"

"Why are you getting irritated Payal? You know, I already apologised Khushi about my deeds. And I'm waiting for Arnav and Aman Bhai to come. I want to apologise to them also. Right Khushi?"

"Rahul... can you please leave us alone? I don't want to talk with you about anything" said Khushi little irritated.

Rahul little taken back about her response but controlled his expressions "sure Khushi... sorry for disturbing you two... really sorry" saying this he left from there fuming under his breath.

After Rahul went, Payal held Khushi hand and asked her "What is this Khushi... what he is saying? Did he apologise to you? When? And why didn't you tell me?"

"Relax Payal... yes he apologised to me. He said sorry to me just before few hours. I was about to tell you. That is why I brought you here. But I'm really feeling tensed Payal. He is saying that he is a changed man now. But I can't trust him or his words. But if he is not changed then why did he want to apologise to Arnav Ji and Aman Bhai. And he is asking about them. I am really confused and tensed now Payal. At this time Arnav Ji also not here. I am really getting scared. I don't know what to do with this man" Khushi shared her tension with Payal.

"Khushi... how can you say like this? There is no way about getting confused about this. He is changed or not, nothing is to do with him. Just stay away with him. Did you talk with Arnav Ji?"

Khushi nodded her head in no.

"That is why you are like this. Just give a call to Arnav Ji and talk with him. I am sure you will be comfortable and normal after talking with him. Come on talk with him"

Khushi looked at her friend with a confused face. Payal nodded her head as saying call now... Khushi sighed deeply and took out her mobile to call him.

**************************

After a long discussion with doctor, it has decided that Akul can be taken to Mumbai with Arnav and others. Both Arnav and Aman took their leave from doctor and went to office to arrange the things.

"Arnav... it is really very nice idea. If we take mama there, we can stay without tension. And we can concentrate on our studies and we can take care of mama and mami. I really hope mom and dad also will come there. It is really a good idea Arnav. You thought correctly," said Aman.

"Actually it's not my idea. It is your Choti's idea. She only suggested me this morning"

"My Choti or your Angel" Aman is in a teasing mood

"Of course she is my Angel... she is my Khushi..."

"Oh... so you admit that she is yours"

"Yes... and I will make sure she will remain mine and I will remain hers"

"What if..." Aman was stopped by Arnav's words

"If I couldn't make her mine, then I will be alone in my life. If I cannot be hers, then I cannot be anyone's. And that's final"

"Arnav!!!???"

"Yes Aman... if I want her to be only with me, then I should be with her only. If she cannot also, I will remain as hers. There is no change in this."

Immediately Aman hugged Arnav making Arnav stop the car abruptly. "I am really proud of you Arnav... I never expect you will fell in love this deeply. I am really happy for you... always stay happy with your Khushi..." he broke the hug and looked at Arnav. They both smiled. But Aman felt something missing in Arnav's smile. So he asked

"What's wrong Arnav... why aren't you looking normal? Is everything ok? Why am I feeling something is missing in your smile?"

"I don't know Aman... but from morning, when I talked with Khushi, I'm feeling something strange... I'm feeling some uneasiness... like she is in some problem, like she needs me there. I am feeling like if I am not there something will happen. I don't know why I am feeling like this. But this feeling is making me restless"

"Then why don't you talk with her now. May be, if you know she is fine then your restlessness will go."

Arnav looked at Aman as asking 'should I'.

"Yes... make a call to Choti and ask about her whereabouts. Just talk with her. If she really needs you now, then you should call her"

Arnav sighed deeply. Nodding his head, he took his mobile to call Khushi. Aman asked him to change the places. Aman took the driver seat and Arnav passenger seat. After settling Arnav made a call to Khushi.

...to be continued

It's just a fiction. Please don't compare this to show or to any persons. This was my thought. If you feel like I'm degrading Arshi with my words (few people said that) and you don't like this story, then you are free to stop reading this. I can't change in fact I don't want to change. I wrote what I like and how I want.

Hope at least few of you likes this. If there is one person who likes this, I will post this story for that one person.

Thank you.