Part 11: Getting ready

Arnav was about to leave but stopped, feeling his hand clutched. He looked at Khushi, who was holding his hand securely.

"Do you want to tell me something?" Arnav asked.

Khushi nodded yes.

"Yeah, tell me..."

"I love you, Arnav..." She said, keeping his hand on her cheek.

Arnav became emotional, seeing her emotional. He sat next to her again.

"I like you so much, Arnav. You are a nice man. I have never seen anyone like you. After my father, no one cared for me."

"Khushi, relax..."

"No, Arnav, I had no expectations in my life because I thought I had no life, but you gave value to my life by giving me a reason to live. Do you know what the reason is?"

"What reason, Khushi?"

"I want to give you whatever you want... for my life...I want to make you happy..."

Arnav was about to say something but stopped hearing,

"It's not kind of compensating... it's a kind of commitment...! It's my wish...! I had no wish in my life, but now, I do. I have one more wish too..."

Arnav was looking at her.

"I... I want to SEE you."

Arnav smiled.

"You will see me soon."

"I'm waiting for the day. Akash told me about you many times. I didn't give heed to it then because you were one in ten at that time. Now, the scene changed..." She smiled.

Arnav sensed a hesitation in her. He didn't know why.

"May I ask you something?" She asked.

"Tell me, Khushi"

"May I... I TOUCH you?"

He looked at his hand, which was still in her clutch. She was already touching him. Then why was she seeking his permission?

"Khushi, you are already touching me..."

Khushi extended her hand towards his face and touched his head, answering Arnav. She slowly lowered her palm and touched his forehead, caressing his face. She overdrew his eyebrows with her fingertip. Arnav parted his lips when she touched his eyes... nose..., and cheeks...! He gulped down hard when she touched his lips.

Garima, who crossed her room, saw the scene and smiled. She left the place immediately.

"You must be beautiful," she said.

Arnav was silent.

"Your features seem so clear", she smiled, making Arnav smile.

"Khushi, if you want a SIM, I can get one. You can put it in the phone."

Khushi nodded.

"I need one when you go Abroad," She said.

"Ok...I will get one," Arnav smiled.

Khushi nodded,

Arnav left GH.

There were a lot of thoughts in his mind. He didn't expect Khushi to be so lovable towards him. He had no doubt she loved him... that too, to the extent he didn't expect. Arnav was satisfied with her approach. He thought he should have put effort into getting her on track, but Khushi was a lovely girl with great gratitude. He respected her more than he loved her.

On the other side,

Khushi was caressing a pillow, closing her eyes, and imagining Arnav's face—his forehead... eyebrows... eyes... nose... cheeks... lips...! She smiled.

How sweet Arnav was! He cared for her, and his love was true. He was not like random guys; he was sincere. Khushi felt lucky to have him as her life partner.

........

On the one hand, all the work required for Arnav to go abroad was going on. Arnav also finished the project that should have been completed before he left the job.

At the same time, the relationship between Arnav and Khushi was getting deeper. Arnav got a SIM and gave it to Khushi. They spoke every night before sleep. The maximum number of them were SWEET NOTHINGS. Arnav almost recorded all of her portions on the phone. Khushi was also getting ready for her exams by memorising and listening to the recordings.

The time passed... Arnav only had a week to go abroad.

Khushi came to Garima's room.

"Amma..."

"Tell me Khushi"

"I want Babuji's watch."

"Babuji's watch? Why?"

"I want it."

Garima took an old model watch with a black strap from the cupboard and gave it to Khushi.

"Thanks"

"What are you going to do with the watch, Khushi?"

"I'm going to give it to Arnav."

"But, I don't think he will like such an old model watch."

Khushi, without saying anything about it, said,

"Give me your phone."

Garima gave it to her. She typed a number on the phone.

The call was attended.

"Lavanya, are you going to Preeto's house today?"

"Me? Why Khushi?"

"didn't you say you would take me with you?"

"Me? When?"

"Ok... come and take me."

"Khushi, do you want to go somewhere?"

"Yes..."

"Where?"

Khushi was silent.

"Arnav?"

"Mmm"

"Today?"

"Yeah, this evening."

"Ok... I will come."

"Lavanya..."

"According to your Amma and Bhai, we are going to Preeto's house. Right?"

"Yes"

"Ok, be ready."

"Mmm"

Lavanya disconnected the call.

"Why are you going to Preeto's house?"

"It's her birthday today."

"Oh..."

Evening

Lavanya came to GH to pick up Khushi.

"Amma, I'm leaving."

"Be careful"

"Don't worry, Aunty, I will safely bring her back."

Lavanya started her scooter.

"Lavanya, do you Arnav's house?"

"Wow... when are you asking it?" She chuckled, and Khushi smiled.

"I know his house."

"How do you know?"

"My cousin's house is there in his area."

"Oh..."

Lavanya stopped the bike.

"Did we reach?"

Before Lavanya said anything,

"Hi, Khushi," Said Preeto.

"Preeto, you here?"

"Then what? We included Preeto in our plan. So, I called.

Her," Lavanya said.

"Let's go"

They reached Arnav's house. Lavanya rang the calling bell. Arnav opened the door and got stuck to see Khushi with her friends.

"Khushi..."

"Hi"

"Come..."

"You take her inside. We will just come," Lavanya said.

"Where are you going?" Khushi asked.

"Didn't I say my cousin is also in this area? I will meet

her and come."

Khushi nodded, and Arnav took Khushi inside. His neighbour, who ogled at Arnav, saw that and frowned.

"Khushi, I would have come to GH if you had called me."

"That's why I didn't call you" She chuckled.

"Means?"

"Should I come to your house?"

"This is OUR house."

"I wanted to meet you before you leave India."

Arnav pressed his lips tight.

"It's just two days..." Khushi said, feeling sad.

Arnav held her hands and said,

"It's just three months. To achieve something big, we have to sacrifice our little happiness. Right?"

She nodded yes.

"Sit... I will bring you something."

He made her sit on the couch.

"I will have later. You come and sit with me."

Arnav sat next to her. In no time, Khushi leaned on his shoulder and circled his bicep.

"I don't know how I will be without listening to your voice."

"We can hear one another's voice through the phone."

Khushi pouted.

"Just three months, Khushi... after that, we will be together forever. At that time, you would have gotten your vision back."

Khushi's lips curved slightly.

"I will SEE you," she said excitedly.

"Mmm..." Arnav smiled.

"You know how excited I am to see you?"

"How?" he asked smilingly.

"I won't tell you about it now. Just experience it."

"You are making me curious," he said, smiling.

"Not more than you made me..."

"Did I make you curious?"

"Didn't you?"

"How do I know?"

"You did... with your love... with your care... with your concern..."

Khushi sat straight and cupped his face. Arnav looked at her smilingly. He was stunned when Khushi pressed her lips on his forehead. Arnav closed his eyes and gulped down. She hugged him tight, making his condition miserable.

"My heart aches to separate from you," she said sadly.

"We are not getting separated. We can never... I will not let it happen," he said, touching her head.

Khushi snuggled into his chest more.

To be continued...