Part 2 Shocking Arnav

Arnav was thinking about Akash and Khushi. He could not bear the truth that Akash hid about his sister from him. Akash was always a selfish guy. He fought with his friends for silly reasons. He always wanted him to be their priority, but he would not do the same to his friends. NK always taunted him for his silly behaviour. Arnav thought Akash didn't tell them about his sister because she was beautiful. Akash might have thought they would drool over her, which disappointed him.

Arnav wanted to call him immediately, but he had to wait until he returned home. So, he called Akash after two hours. He waited, keeping his phone in his ear. The call was attended, and Arnav was about to shout, but he stopped hearing,

"Who is speaking?" in a girl's voice.

"I want to talk to Akash."

"Arnavvvv...you? He is taking a bath..." the girl said.

"May I know who is speaking?" he asked, even though he guessed it as it was Khushi's voice.

"Khushi... we just met."

"Oh... didn't Akash save my number?" he asked dejectedly.

"I'm sorry, I didn't notice."

"Ok, tell Akash I called him"

"He is in a hurry to go to Mumbai to give an interview. I will ask him to call you afterwards."

"Oh... Is he going for an interview?"

"Yes... he applied for two companies. He will come after two days."

"Ok, Khushi... I will talk to him later. Bye"

"Bye, Arnav"

She disconnected the call. Arnav wondered. Akash's sister talked to him without hesitation. She looked like an easygoing girl. Then why did Akash hide about her from his friends? He wanted to lash out at Akash immediately, but he was going to Mumbai for an interview. He would get upset if he shouted at him. he didn't want to do that when Akash was going for an interview. It might affect his interview. So, he gave up his idea of talking to Akash. More than that, he liked Khushi who spoke to him casually.

The next day

Arnav was going to the office. His bike moved slowly due to traffic. His face brightened when he saw Khushi going with her friend. She was walking on the platform, chitchatting with her friend. Arnav forgot himself for a few seconds. How flawless she was...! Her free hair, her smile, and her goggles...! Everything was attractive.

Usually, Arnav didn't like to talk to girls voluntarily, but now he didn't feel embarrassed to do that. He gently waved his hand at Khushi. She looked at him and walked casually past him without reacting to it, making him disappointed. How sweetly she spoke to him when he called Akash...! Then why did she ignore him now? Did she think about him cheaply as he voluntarily waved his hand at her?

It seemed both brother and sister were the same. He gritted his teeth. Arnav's mood was upset for the whole day. He could not forget the humiliation. Yes, he felt it as humiliation. How could Khushi avoid him? Didn't she know he would feel insulted if she avoided him? Would not she feel insulted if anyone ignored her? He didn't know whether he should leave it or not. He didn't know why his bloody mind was stuck in her.

Evening

Arnav was returning home. When he crossed the University, his leg pressed the brake automatically. He saw Khushi coming out of the university with the same girl Arnav had seen in the morning. He didn't want to talk to her, but his mind didn't agree to it. Stopping the bike, he went to her and stood before her. The girl with Khushi frowned at him.

"What do you want? Why are you blocking our way?" the girl asked.

"You may not know me, but she," he said, looking at Khushi.

He saw Khushi's face blooming with a smile. How beautiful she was while smiling! Arnav could not help but think that.

"Hi, Arnav... you here? You, too, came to the university?" Khushi asked.

"No... I saw you crossing by. Just thought to ask you about Akash..."

"Didn't you call him?"

"No, I will talk to him after he comes from Mumbai as he will be busy with his interviews. He will get upset if I call him..." he intentionally said that, expecting her to ask her the reason.

"Mmm, you are right. Such a cynic he is" She chuckled.

"When I saw you this morning, I thought you would also be a cynic" he came to the point straight.

"This morning? Where?"

"In this same road..."

"Oh, I'm sorry I didn't notice you..."

"I waved my hand..."

"I was discussing my upcoming exams with my friend. In that, I missed to notice you. I'm sorry if you are hurt" Khushi smiled

Arnav didn't know what to say. Didn't she notice him? But she looked in his direction...! Maybe, he would have mistaken her as she was wearing goggles. Arnav consoled himself.

"By the way, she is my friend Preeto." Khushi introduced her friend to Arnav.

"Hi..." Preeto smiled.

"Preeto, he is Akash's friend. They are college mates. Arnav had a high demand among their college girls," she laughed.

Arnav was stuck.

"I hope you are not mocking me," Arnav said, composing himself.

"Mocking? Why, Arnav, won't you see your image in the mirror?"

Arnav rolled his eyes.

"You tell me, Preeto, is not Arnav looking handsome?"

"Of course, he is looking handsome", Preeto smiled.

Arnav could not be without smiling.

"Akash always talked about you and your friend's gang. I know all his friends and the problems created by them in college" She laughed, but she stopped laughing when Arnav said,

"But we don't know about you. We don't even know if Akash has a sister," his voice sounded disappointed.

Khushi nodded, pressing her lips.

"Akash is like that. Sometimes, he does silly things. Don't you know him?" She said.

She was right. Akash was like that. Payal always complained. Akash was always the reason for their fight, but he never gave up and stood firm even though he was wrong.

"When is Akash coming from Mumbai?"

"Tomorrow night, he will start from Mumbai."

"Ok..."

"Ok, Arnav... We came in the morning. Yet, the work is not completed. We are getting late. Amma will be tensed."

"Just call her and say you are on the way."

"Mmm..." she thought.

"Ok, Khushi... you just carry on."

"Mmm, bye"

"Bye"

Khushi walked away. Arnav noticed one thing. She was circling Preeto's hand securely. She didn't even leave her hand for a second...! While walking, he also clutched her hand. He saw them getting into an auto. Arnav left the place. He rode the bike smilingly. There was no stress in his mind that suppressed him in the morning. How sweet Khushi was! How jovially she was talking! Akash would have told her about him. That was why she spoke to him without hesitation. He could not understand one thing. If Akash shared everything about his friends with her, why didn't he tell them about his sister? He wanted to ask Akash when he came back from Mumbai.

The next day...

When Arnav crossed the university road, his eyes wandered here and there, expecting Khushi. He smiled at his thought and left the place.

After the office hour, Arnav went to a shopping mall. He wanted to purchase a gift for Shali for her birthday. He bought a Frock for Shali and came out of the shop. He stopped at the same place, and his lips curved into a smile. He saw Khushi in the mall. This time, she was with another girl. She was entwining her fingers with the girl the same way she was with Preeto. He ran to her excitedly but she crossed him just like the previous day. He stood gritting his teeth. He saw them going towards the escalator. He went to them and blocked their way. The girl with Khushi jerked, seeing him. In that, she left Khushi's hand, and Khushi kept her leg on the escalator, which was moving down. The girl was horrified to see that.

"Khushiiii..."

Khushi looked behind.

"Khushiiii..." She shouted.

The girl looked at Arnav angrily.

"What the hell have you done? She will fall..." She got into the escalator, pushing him.

Arnav frowned. He, too, got into it and asked,

"Fall? Why? Is she a child who doesn't know how to get off the escalator?"

"She is not a kid but BLIND" The girl exclaimed, making Arnav shocked...!

To be continued...