Part 22 Angry Khushi

Arnav noticed Khushi was silent. He stopped and looked at her.

"Khushi, are you all right?"

Khushi turned her face opposite to him without answering. She continued running. Arnav came in front of her, blocking her way. Khushi looked at him with an upset face.

"What happened, Khushi?"

"I don't like what you did" Her face showed disappointment.

Arnav knew what she was talking about. Yet, he asked,

"What did I do?"

"To irritate Sheetal, you are crossing your limit."

Arnav was silent.

"What people would think of me? I agree you are my sponsor. It doesn't mean you can do anything with me. What do you think of me, haan? Do you think I will bear everything to achieve my goal?"

"Khushi..."

"My parents will not let me leave the house if they heard anything bad about me. I can't compromise with my goal for any reason. I will give up on anything but my goal. It's my life. Thank you for encouraging me. please understand..."

"Khushi, I..."

Khushi stopped him, showing her palm.

"I... I would like to continue my practice ALONE," She said, looking somewhere.

Arnav felt distraught. Yes, he crossed his limit. He should not have done that.

Arnav looked at Sheetal, who walked out of the stadium, losing her patience due to Arnav's closeness with Khushi. He sighed in relief and started to run fast, giving enough gap between him and Khushi.

Khushi closed her eyes, feeling bad for talking like that to Arnav. Making herself up, she continued her practice. Arnav didn't dare to go near her.

Khushi completed her practice alone. Taking her bag, she walked out. Arnav tightened his jaw, seeing her leave without bidding bye to him.

She waited for an auto. Arnav stopped his car at her feet and blew the horn. Khushi stood bowing down and did not get into the car. Arnav continued to blow the horn. He got out of the car and came to her. But, before he reached her, Khushi got into an auto that came there and left the place.

Arnav stood feeling helpless. He knew he had crossed his limits but didn't know it would upset Khushi to this extent. He wanted her to ask him the reason for his behaviour so that he could hint to her what was in his heart, but his plan didn't work. It seemed Khushi was upset with him.

Let her come to college. He was stuck thinking about something. What if she didn't talk to him in college, too? Everyone would know about their conflict, which would not suit them.

Arnav left the place thinking about what to do. He got ready quickly and came to GH, but with bad luck, Khushi left the house earlier than usual. That disappointed Arnav again. He headed to the college.

Khushi saw him coming. Taking a book, she discussed something with Preeto as if she didn't notice him. Arnav saw her doing that. He went to his place and sat with Aman. He tried hard not to show his inner turmoil on his face and looked casual. Yet, Aman noticed the difference.

"Is everything alright between you and Khushi?" he asked.

"Hopefully" Arnav replied.

"What happened?"

"I just crossed my limits."

"Whaaat? What did you say?"

"Hey, don't think much... It's not what you think. In the process of irritating Sheetal, I didn't think about Khushi... That made her angry. She didn't like what I did."

"But you like her, right?"

Arnav was silent.

"I know you like her. My only doubt is, do you like her or love her."

Arnav didn't break silent.

"So you love her..."

"I like her, Aman. When I am with her, I feel content. I will be happy if she is with me. I never felt like that for anyone. She is something."

"What about Lavanya? Your father is dreaming about your wedding with Lavanya."

"Let him dream. He would have to dream about me for his whole life. He can do nothing other than dream... I don't care," Arnav said furiously.

"How will you console Khushi?"

"I will take care of her."

"How? Are you going to apologise for what you did?"

Arnav nodded yes.

"I have no choice. I was wrong. So, I have to apologise."

"Are you sure?"

"I don't think apologising is a bad thing."

That was when the physical instructor called Arnav and Khushi. They went to the ground. Arnav glanced at Khushi, who was walking and looking somewhere. When they entered the ground, Arnav stopped Khushi by extending his hand. Khushi stood, not looking at him but at his hand.

"Khushi, I'm sorry...! I should not have taken advantage. I promise I will not repeat it and will be within my limits."

"Arnavji, you should understand one thing. Our family is not like yours. We are from two different and opposite societies. You can manage all your mistakes, but I'm not like that because our lifestyle is like that. I can't be with a don't care attitude like you do. We live with certain unwritten rules and regulations. I can't cross them... ever..."

"Ok... I'm sorry for making you uncomfortable..."

"I'm sorry for talking to you rudely, but I have no choice... please don't embarrass me."

Arnav nodded his head.

They went to the physical instructor.

"Sir, did you call us?"

"Yes, a famous company in Delhi will conduct a sports meet next week in a grand way. Not only Delhi but also four districts are going to participate in the MEET."

Arnav looked at Khushi delightedly. He knew Khushi would win a medal in the meet.

"Every individual can participate in THREE events and one team event. I have selected you two for the MIXED RELAY race because you both are State Gold Medalists."

"Who are the other two, Sir?" Arnav asked, as the relay race needed four persons.

"I have selected six guys for the event. I will have to finalise two of them... I'm going to conduct a race for them and select."

"Good idea, Sir."

"Let's call them. We will finalise it today itself. Then only you can start practising."

"Ok, sir, give me the list of people. I will get them here."

"Yeah..."

The physical instructor gave him the list. Arnav read it. The list included the names of Aman Mathur and Sheetal Kapoor. Arnav didn't feel good seeing Sheetal's name. Khushi saw his changed facial expression. Arnav showed the list to Khushi. She looked at him with confusion. Arnav smiled at her.

"I will call all of them," Arnav said.

"I will call three of them," Khushi said.

Arnav nodded ok. Both of them went to call the students. Arnav intentionally went to Sheetal's class. The professor looked at him.

"Sir, the physical instructor called Sheetal."

The professor looked at Sheetal and said,

"You can go."

Sheetal nodded okay and rushed out delightedly but couldn't find Arnav there. So, she headed to the playground. She saw Aman also waiting there.

"Why did he call us?" She asked.

Aman shrugged his shoulders. They saw Arnav and Khushi coming with others. The physical instructor told them why he called them.

Sheetal's face lit. This was the best chance she could ever get to pull Khushi down. She could do it only if she got selected for the Relay team. Sheetal made herself up to win the race.

The Race was conducted. Three men and three women participated separately. Aman won the men's race, and Sheetal won the women's race. Sheetal looked at Khushi with an evil smirk.

To be continued...