Part 28 Clear-cut declaration

"You know what, Khushi? My father never came to my school for any reason. After my mother's demise, I never expected anyone to hold me back. I was the only student who never took my father to my school. I was so cautious not to create such a situation in my school. I didn't want to give him importance in my life. I got ready for all the programs on my own. I'm a REAL self-made guy..." Arnav said, smiling painfully.

Khushi was gazing at him. Arnav looked at her and stood up.

"I'm sorry for spoiling your mood by telling my sad story. Have your dinner. We will meet tomorrow morning as usual" Arnav was about to leave but stopped hearing,

"You don't spoil my mood."

He looked at her.

"I don't think so... you can tell me anything. I will listen to you..."

"Thank you", Arnav smiled.

"You, too, have dinner with me", Khushi said.

"Are you sure?"

"Haan..."

Arnav again sat. Khushi served him dinner. They started having it. Arnav ate silently, letting her eat. When she was about to finish, he asked,

"May I think I have someone to listen to my feelings?" Arnav asked.

Khushi stopped eating and looked at him.

"I mean, my sad story..."

Khushi nodded yes.

"Don't you feel bored?"

She nodded no.

"Then, why I'm here as your friend?" she asked.

"Are you my friend?"

Khushi was silent. She knew where he would come next.

"If I'm your friend, why didn't you tell me about my coat in your cupboard?"

Khushi was shocked to hear that. How did he know about his coat? She had never told anyone about it! Even Preeto didn't know about it. Then, how did he get to know about it? She gulped the food that was in her mouth.

Arnav washed his hands, smiling.

"Coa....t? What coat?"

Arnav looked at the cupboard where the coat was hidden. He went to the closet and removed the bag. Khushi was horrified. Arnav took his coat out.

"You can't say this is not mine... because the name tag says it's mine."

Khushi looked down.

"I thought something different when I saw this coat in your cupboard, but when I got to know your passion for wearing a coat, If I'm your friend, why didn't you tell me when I PURPOSELY told you about my lost coat?"

"I wanted to... but I didn't know how you would react. I didn't think you would understand..."

"That's all?"

Khushi nodded yes.

"Arnavji, I want to tell you something. Please don't grow expectations in your mind. I have a goal to achieve. It always comes first. There is nothing in my mind other than that. I can't give a space to anything in my MIND..."

Cutting her,

"What about your HEART?"

Khushi was struck.

"Keep your MIND engaged with your goal... what I'm asking you is, give me your HEART."

Khushi was supposed to say something, but Arnav stopped her by showing his palm.

"As I already told you, I will not disturb you. I know you have a goal. It's not only your goal but mine, too. I want you to touch peaks... I will be there for you to hold your back, not just because I like you. It's because I want you to be recognised. You are a self-made, talented girl. Running is there in your blood. You can achieve your goal if you put in effort. I will make you put in your effort. Don't forget one thing. I will be waiting for you; whether you achieve your goal or not, my decision will not change. If you win, you can marry me without an inferiority complex. If you lose, I won't mind about your complex because I want you to be with me to listen not only to my sad story but also to listen to my feelings and emotions."

Khushi was gazing at him, awestruck.

"Good night", Arnav walked out.

Khushi understood one thing... Arnav would not seem to back off. Khushi concluded that she should practice hard, win without an inferiority complex, and improve her status.

........

Arvind lay on the bed, thinking about Arnav. He was upset with him like hell, but he could do nothing. His second wife, Radha, came and sat on the bed.

"What happened? Why are you looking disturbed?"

"I'm thinking about Arnav."

Radha became silent. She knew Arnav didn't like her.

"Do you know how rude he was to me? I don't know how to make him understand. He is still angry with me for marrying you."

"No... he is not angry for marrying me. He is angry with you for not being a good father."

"What do you mean? Do you say I'm wrong?"

"Are not you? I told you not to leave him alone in RM. Did you listen to me?"

"He doesn't like you, Radha... he would have insulted you if you were in RM."

"It's not a matter. he would have been satisfied at least..."

"He would not have been... You don't know about him, but he won't replace his mother. That's why he is angry with me."

"It's because you replaced his mother... that's why... after all, he is a small boy."

"He entered college. Not a small boy."

"You are a big man... do you understand him?"

"You always support him, but he doesn't respect you."

"It's not new... but why are you so upset with him today?"

"Arnav is roaming with a girl called Khushi."

"So what? He already has many friends..."

"She is not his friend... I'm getting negative information about the girl."

"Means?"

"She loved Khushi..."

"Why do you think it is negative?"

"Lalith is dreaming about marrying Lavanya to Arnav."

"So?"

"What will I answer him?"

"Tell him, Arnav loves Khushi"

"He will get upset."

"What about Arnav? Don't you care if he gets upset?"

Arvind was silent.

"Regarding Arnav, think about him instead of feeling bad about your partner. This is a good chance for you to patch up with Arnav. If you support him, his perspective about you may change."

"He won't change his mind..."

"It doesn't mean you should increase his hatred for you. Try to understand one thing. He will not do what you want. His gang had a few girls, and he had come across many girls so far... but he never gave heed to anyone. Now, he fell in love with Khushi. What does that mean? She has something that attracts him. If so, he will never change his mind... and doesn't need to. If she gives solace to his mind, she should be with him... as a father, you have to make it possible."

Arvind looked at her surprisingly.

"Make your mind calm and think. Take your time. Don't hurry. Keep your partner and business aside. This is family. We already made a mistake and lost Arnav's respect. At least now, rectify it. Arnav is your son. He is important to you more than anyone. Don't forget that."

"I wish Arnav understands you," Arvind said.

"It's in your hands only... until you don't understand him, he won't understand us," Radha said.

...........

Arnav came out of the washroom, washing his face. He checked his phone and found six missed calls from Sheetal. Arnav rolled his eyes. That was when she again called him. He attended the call. Before he talked,

"Arnav, this is not fair... what Aman is thinking of me?" Sheetal asked.

Arnav frowned as he didn't know what she was talking about.

"Aman says, I fell in the race intentionally. Why would I fall intentionally? Don't you know how hard I practice? I don't know why Aman thinks so... what made him think so...! I think someone should have filled his mind with a dirty thought. Please, tell him about me..."

"I won't tell him because I think you fell in the race intentionally because you don't want Khushi to be recognised. You want people to think she can't win the race with her efficiency. You want our college students and professors to see our college team losing, of which Khushi is a part." Arnav disconnected the call and put the phone on silent mode.

To be continued...