Part 7 Avoidance

"Didi, someone gave you his card" Ashok extended Arnav's card.

"I don't know anyone," Khushi said and walked.

"But he knows Didi. Please call him once."

Khushi snatched the card and tore it into pieces. Ashok was shocked.

"Why did you tear it, Didi?"

"I don't want to call him. That's all."

"You know he was the one who was admitted to the hospital,"

Ashok said excitedly.

Khushi was silent.

"You should have known that because you were with my parents that day, right?"

"Look Ashok, you are a small boy. You won't understand..."

"Didi, I think he wants to help you."

"Maybe, but people will bad-mouth me if I get his help. I don't want his help. My father will not send me to college if someone says something about me. Please don't disturb me. If he comes again, don't talk to him... please..." she walked off.

Ashok felt bad for Arnav and Khushi. He decided not to tell Arnav

everything Khushi said.

Evening / RM

Arnav threw his coat on the couch and loosened his tie. He smiled at seeing his dog running towards him. It pounced on him. In no time, Arnav took it in his arms. It was a Chihuahua breed dog. It was a Mexican breed of toy dog. Looked compact. Arnav kissed it lovingly. It was not just a pet but Arnav's only solace in RM. It was his companion. He went home only for Burger... yeah, that was his name.

"Hariprakash..."

"Jee, Arnav Baba", HP ran out of the kitchen.

"Did Burger eat?"

"Jee... I served him Pedigree this noon."

"Bring meat for him tomorrow..."

"Jee..."

"Bring me something. I'm hungry."

"Jee..."

"I will come getting fresh."

"Jee" HP went to the kitchen.

Arnav walked to his room with his bag and Burger followed him. Arnav got fresh and came downstairs. Again, Burger followed him. Arnav had bread and omelettes. HP served boiled eggs for the Burger.

Arnav stood up after having bread and omelettes.

"Burger, let's go for a walk" Arnav chained it up and took it with him.

It was his routine after coming from school. Burger was part of his life.

The next day

Arnav came to Khushi's school to meet her. He was so confident that Ashok would have told her about his visit. He waited for both Ashok and Khushi. Khushi came to the school earlier, as she had a special class that day. Ashok saw Arnav waiting. He made up his mind and came to him.

"Hi, Baiya..."

"Hi, did you tell Khushi about my visit?" Arnav asked.

"Yeah, I told her. She asked why you wanted to meet her."

"I would like to help her participate in the national meet."

"Oh... that's the matter...! She already got someone's help."

"Is it?"

"Yes, it seems that someone who saw her performance in the State meet is ready to help her."

"Oh..."

"Yes, she is busy because she is busy with her exams also. She was struggling to manage her schedule. That's why she could not meet you."

"That's ok... I'm happy someone is ready to help her."

Arnav removed the shoes and spikes he brought for Khushi. He gave them to Ashok.

"Give them to her... ask her to accept them at least."

"Don't worry, Bhaiya. I will give them to her."

"Thanks..."

Ashok entered the school, bidding bye to Arnav. Arnav was happy as he believed someone was helping Khushi. At the same time, he felt bad because he was late in helping her. However, she would participate in the National meet. As of now, it was enough. He was satisfied.

...

Khushi came out of her class with Preeto as the special class was over. She saw Ashok sitting in the corridor. He rushed towards her with a paper bag.

"Didi, Arnav Baiya gave it to you" he forwarded the bag to her.

Khushi looked at her surroundings.

"Who was Arnav?" Preeto asked.

"Didn't I say?" Khushi said in a low tone.

"Oh... the state meet guy...!"

Khushi nodded yes.

Preethi took the bag from Ashok and looked in it.

"Shoes and spikes..." She said.

Khushi snatched the bag and checked the size. She wondered as it was her size.

"How did he know your size?"

Khushi nodded her head from left to right.

"He wants to help Didi, but she doesn't want to."

Preethi looked at her with disappointment.

"What did you tell him?" Preethi asked.

"I said Khushi didi got someone's help. So, she didn't need his help."

Preethi rolled his eyes.

"Ok, Ashok, you go," Preethi said.

Ashok left the place.

"What the hell did you do, Khushi?"

"What do you want me to do then? Our principal was not ready to send me to the National meet. My father could not spend half the money to send me to the national meet. What can I do then?"

"It seems he is ready to help you. you could have asked him, Khushi."

Khushi nodded no and walked.

"But why?"

"I don't know what will he think about me. What if he EXPECTS something from me?"

Preeto was stuck. She could not oppose Khushi because it was a sensitive matter.

"You may be right. Nowadays, no one would help without expecting anything," Preeto sighed.

Khushi was silent. She didn't know why she thought so. It was because Arnav was a rich guy. Of course, he admitted Ashok to the hospital. It didn't mean he would help her with pure intention. Being a poor girl, she didn't want to trust anyone unquestioningly. It was not just a matter of today but would affect her future too. She didn't want to get into trouble.

She might console Shashi, but Garima would not allow her to go to the college if her name had been damaged. She had to go to the college to get another chance, and she would get it only if she went to the college. She was firm about it.

.....

On the other hand, Arnav concentrated on the national meeting. He had no pressure like Khushi had. However, he was going to take over his father's business. So, he was always on the ground practising even though he didn't believe he would win in the National meet.

As the National meet was closing up, Arnav was especially excited to see Khushi's race.

National Meet

Arnav searched for Khushi in the Delhi region students' crew. But he was disappointed that Khushi did not appear at the meet. He was sure that Khushi would have won a medal if she had participated, even though he could not win. None from Delhi won a medal. Arnav didn't bother about it but about only Khushi. He didn't know why she didn't attend the National meet. Didn't Ashok say, she got someone's help? Then why didn't she come to the meet? What happened to her? Was she all right? He was restless.

To be continued...