Part 15

Arnav started working from home. He couldn't waste three months of time period, without using it to mend his "Holy Ghost". It was too hard to stay at home for Arnav though it turned out to be very interesting because of Khushi. He was enjoying it by teasing her to his level best. But Khushi being Khushi, she was a tough competitor for Arnav which he liked very much.

Aman came to RM to convey a message to Arnav. Actually it was an excuse. He might have done that by phone also. He wanted to see Khushi with Arnav in RM. He was curious to know what's going on between these two. He came inside RM as he was having a spare key. Arnav gave the honor to him as he can enter inside RM whenever he wants.

He sat in living room. He didn't feel to go to Arnav's room as he wanted to see the special person "Khushi". His eyes searched for her. Where is she? Doesn't she come out of the room? Does she lock herself in her room for whole day? He thought so while his eyes were wandering the house. That's when he saw Khushi came out of the kitchen taking a bowl in her hand. She stopped for a second when she saw him and continued her work without giving any attention to him. Aman raised his eye brows seeing her "don't care" attitude.

Aman(in mind): Exact pair of ASR. Definitely it's going to be fun. He chuckled.

Khushi was thinking in her mind. She has seen him before. yah in Lucknow, ice cream parlor, with Arnav. How did he come inside? Hp also was working in kitchen with her and she didn't even hear calling bell sound then? She sensed he was coming towards her. She turned towards him.

Aman: Hi Khushi..

Khushi looked at him

Khushi: How did you come in side?

Aman: I'm Aman. (he showed her a spare key)

Khushi(raising her eye brows): oh is that you?

Aman: wow, do you know me?

Khushi: He was uttering your name in phone all the time then it's not so difficult to finding out.

Aman: He utters my name in front of you and your name all the time in front of me. He is like that, so fond of his loved ones.

Khushi turned her gaze to somewhere. Aman was keenly observing her.

Aman(with composure): He loves you so much Khushi.

That's it. It made her angry.

Khushi: Do you know what is mean by true friend? You must have prevented your friend from making mistakes. That's what true friend should have done. You are ruining his life. Ask him to stop day dreaming.

Aman (calmly): you are right. I should have prevented him, but only when he does wrong. I don't think loving someone is wrong. That too, a guy who doesn't think about love is madly in love with you after his mother. Being a good friend, how could I stop him? He never wanted to get in to love with anyone after seeing his Mother shot herself.

Khushi was horrified by the truth.

Khushi(stammering): Wha..t? Bu..t why?

Aman: His father's extra material affaire made her took that decision. Arnav was just 14 years that time.(he gulped) His father cheated his mother. His mother killed herself without thinking about Arnav, leaving him all alone in the world. His father also committed suicide repenting for his deed. That's the incident which made him lose faith in relationship. He was not ready to get in to any relationship until he meets you. Because he never believed that someone will respect relationship more than anything like you do. Now tell me how will he give up on you? Or how could I stop him? Is he not worthy of true love? Should he die without getting it from anyone? What will you do if you are in my place? Will you dare to stop him?

Khushi was stuck. She was looking at him without blinking; no wonder as she was a mild hearted girl. Aman could feel she was affected by the truth. Of course he wanted the same. That's why he is here. She won't harsh Arnav at least after this.

Aman: I know I did wrong. We are taking advantage of your helplessness. I'm ready to get any punishment from you. You can even slap me but only after three months, if you really feel so that I deserve a slap. I'm not helping for my friend but a fourteen years boy who is hiding inside Arnav.

Khushi(feeling bad): But he will get more hurt....

Aman: Let's TIME decide that.(pause) Just tell me one thing Khushi, Just say "you love your fiancé and you can't live without him". I will send you back and I will also take your's mother's responsibility.

Khushi: ohhhh... i..

Aman: Devi Matha promise. Hope you won't lie.

Khushi didn't say anything. She just couldn't.

Aman: Arnav may not know to propose his love like a lover boy by giving roses and uttering some romantic dialogues. But he is gold by heart. He is still fourteen years old boy who is longing for LOVE.

They saw Arnav descending stairs. Khushi was gazing at Arnav with "new eyes". There was no rage but sympathy. She knew, losing parents in the small age is hell. She lost her father when she was studying in high school. She felt like world has come to an end even though her Mother was there to take care of her. But Arnav? Did he lose both Mom and Dad when he was just fourteen years? How would have he felt when he saw his mother dying in front of his eyes? What would have he done when he witnessed his mother in pool of blood? He must have cried so much. How he would have felt that day? Was he have had someone for his support? Khushi's eyes become moist. She composed herself when Arnav came near to them. She went to kitchen hurriedly to hide her tears.

Arnav was surprised seeing Aman here.

Arnav: Aman..... when did you come?

Aman(composing himself): Just now buddy.

Arnav: But you said nothing when I called you this morning?

Aman: I just want to see how is my friend running his family?(he winked)

Arnav: shhh. If she hears then we are gone.

Aman(chuckled): LION is getting scared?

Arnav: LION is respecting his LIONESS. (he smiled)

Khushi came with HP taking blows in her hands.

Aman(whispering): your Lioness is coming.

Arnav sat on the chair.

Arnav: Khushi, this is Aman, my friend.

Khushi smiled at Aman, which surprised duo. Aman thought that she would say "I know". Arnav thought she would ask "so what?" but nothing happened like that. She looked cold yet her eyes were soft. Arnav sensed it and frowned. This was very innovative gesture for him. He saw her crying, raging, but this? Aman saw Arnav's uncertainty. He smiled inwardly. Let them play the game as much as they want. He is here to "oil the fire" as much as possible.

Aman: ok Arnav. I'm leaving.

Arnav looked at Khushi as he couldn't ask Aman to have breakfast because Khushi prepared it. 

He could play with her but not in front of Aman. Before he bid bye to Aman,

Khushi: You can also eat with your friend.

Arnav was surprised hearing that. Aman sat beside Arnav smilingly.

Aman(looking at Arnav): I thought you would ask me to have breakfast.

Arnav(smirking): yah I wanted to. But kitchen is not in my control now.

Aman(pretending): what? HP is not listening to you?

Arnav: The person who never listens to me is handling the kitchen now. He said with lop sided smile looking at Khushi.

Aman: ohh Really? (he tasted the food) At first I was confused, how can you be quiet like this? Now I got the point ASR. For this exceptionally delicious food, you can do anything, even a somersault.

Khushi chuckled at his comment who till then did something like she didn't hear anything. Arnav smiled seeing her smiling. And Aman also was happy as his trick worked.

Aman(feeling sad): you are getting "homemade" food after fourteen years right?

Arnav smiled at him painfully. Khushi felt bad for her silly "chilly act". It might be just a matter of food, but the one who longing for it knows the value of it.

Aman got a call and he excused from them. Khushi was looking at Arnav who was eating silently. How could this man hide so much pain in his heart? She wondered. Aman came cutting the call after finishing it. He saw Khushi was gazing at Arnav sadly.

Aman: Khushi your mother's operation has been fixed day after tomorrow. (Khushi was delighted hearing that) It was call from Hospital. Your mother got a donor. Be relaxed, everything will be alright.

Khushi: Thank you (pause) Bhaiya..

Aman felt happy that Khushi called him Bhaiya. Aman looked at Arnav who was looking at him like "what the". Because it was him who is the owner of that "thanks". Aman chuckled at him teasingly.

Aman(whispering): Don't think that I steal your "thank you". it's not your's, because it came with "Bhaiya". So cool.

Aman couldn't hold his laugh seeing Arnav's shocking expression hearing that Statement. But why she did not call him like that? why only Aman? Arnav wondered.

Today also Khushi lost her sleep because of Arnav. Not by scolding like always but feeling bad. She didn't think, Arnav could have tragedy past. She couldn't imagine his state of mind when he lost his parents at the age of fourteen. She visualized the small Arnav in front of her eyes who was crying uncontrolled. Her hand extended towards the "imaginary boy" to wipe his tears unknowingly. Her tears making her chest wet running through her cheeks. She never thought, one day she would weep for a man whom she thought as a villain.

To be continued.....