Part 11 Diabolical Side

The next morning

Arnav was having breakfast. Ratna came there and kept TWO Tiffin boxes on the table. Arnav saw that and said nothing. He continued eating. She waited for him to complete eating. Arnav washed his hands and took the boxes to keep them in his bag.

"You may feel hungry... that's why I gave you two boxes," Ratna said.

Arnav looked at her with a plain expression.

"Whatever you want, I will give you," she said.

Arnav gulped down and left the house.

Beryl College

Arnav entered the college, searching for Khushi, even though he knew she would be later than him. He came and sat in his place. He was a little nervous about his LIES. He didn't know what Khushi would ask him.

As usual, she came with a smile. Arnav swiftly looked at the book in his hand as if he didn't notice her. She advanced Arnav and sat next to him. Keeping her knuckle under her cheek, she looked at him smiling, making his condition awkward. He slowly looked at her.

"Thanks..." She said smiling.

Arnav looked at her firmly.

"I thought you accepted me as your friend ONLY because your mom asked you to... but she said she didn't say so and you would do anything OLNY if you want it. I'm so glad about it. It's because you accepted me as your friend not because your mother completed you but because you wanted it"

Arnav didn't know what to say. She was indeed unpredictable. Her point of view was different. She was not a girl to create unnecessary scenes.

"Actually... I thought..."

"You no need to give explanations. I'm happy you are my friend. You know what, my days were so enjoyable until I was behind you. I was so fed up when I stopped talking to you. I don't like anything. It felt like, my life became barren in a single day you know."

"I didn't lie intentionally"

"I like it because you lied for me"

Arnav smiled.

"Do you like me?" She asked an unexpected question making Arnav stuck.

He didn't know what to answer.

"I like you very much... You are pretty good with a rigid face. Yet, handsome but rude..." She laughed.

Arnav smiled.

That was when Professor Rajesh came with a circular.

"I have happy news for all of you"

"What's that, Sir?" Students asked.

"Tomorrow is a local holiday due to the Amman (DM) temple festival"

Everyone tapped the desk to let out their happiness, whereas Arnav and Khushi became sad.

"Oh, noooo... I don't want a leave..." Khushi pouted.

Arnav looked at her.

"It's very boring to be at home alone..." She kept her hand on her head, feeling sad.

Arnav was silent. He never felt boring to be at home before but now, because of Khushi, he too didn't want their college to be a holiday.

"Shall we go somewhere tomorrow?" She asked.

Arnav was surprised.

"I'm new to Ooty. I have not enjoyed it yet and my father will never take me for a tour. Will you take me?

Arnav wondered. Did she want him to accompany her? He didn't know how she thought he would be her best company.

"Please please..."

Arnav nodded ok with a slight smile.

"Yessss..." She was delighted. Both of them were excited about the next day's program.

The next day

Shashi saw Khushi coming out fully ready.

"Where are you going? Is not today a local holiday?"

"Yes, Dad... I'm going outing with Arnav"

"Oh..."

"Yeah."

"Where?"

"Don't know dad. He will take me"

"Call me if anything is needed"

"Sure... give me money"

Shashi removed his purse and was supposed to take money, but Khushi snatched it and took a bunch. Shashi sighed with a smile. She gave the purse back.

"Bye Dad..."

"Be careful..."

"Ok Dad," she said stuffing the money in her handbag.

He nodded ok.

In the meanwhile,

Ratna was serving Arvind breakfast. He was on special duty at the temple festival. They saw Arnav coming to the dining getting ready. They spared a glance. They knew the colleges and schools were holidays. Arvind gestured to Ratna not to ask him anything. She nodded ok.

"Chotte, shall I drop you in your college?" Arvind asked.

Arnav looked at him and nodded ok. He wondered as Arnav accepted his invitation. He thought Arnav would say I'M NOT GOING TO THE COLLEGE but Arnav didn't say so.

They finished eating breakfast and left the house. Arnav was silent the entire journey. Arvind dropped him in the college.

"Bye, Chotte..."

"Bye, Dad"

Arvind took a turn and saw Khushi getting down from the auto. Without stopping the bike, he saw them through the rearview mirror. She came to Arnav all smiling. Stopping an auto, they got in and left the place. Arvind confirmed that Arnav came for Khushi and they were going somewhere. Arvind so wanted to follow them to know where were they going but he was on special duty and should report on time. So, he went to the temple.

Arnav brought Khushi to the Botanical Garden. It is one of the most important tourist attractions not only in Ooty but in the entire Tamilnadu. No tourist would leave Ooty without visiting the botanical garden.

Khushi was surprised that the garden was so well looked after. It was clean and tidy, and well organized. There were many displays of flowers and amazing kinds of trees. Usually, it would take one hour for anyone to walk around but it took two hours for Khushi. She didn't show a hurry to enjoy the view. The paths were so good and it was easy to get around. She was nagging Arnav with so many questions not letting him be silent. Maximum of them were stupid questions but made Arnav smile.

"I like the garden so much. This is so beautiful"

"You can see more variety of roses and flowers at the time of FLOWER SHOW"

"Did you see that?"

He nodded no.

"Then how did you know about it?"

"Dad told me"

"Oh... shall we come again for the flower show?"

Arnav nodded ok and asked,

"Shall we go now?"

"Yeah..."

They came out of the garden. Arnav's facial expression changed, seeing a man who was looking at him unbelievably. He was Aman who was with another SI Murugan. Aman could not believe Arnav was with a girl. He walked to them. Arnav was embarrassed to see him approaching them. He averted his gaze. Aman came to them and Murugan followed him.

"Hello..." Aman tapped Arnav's shoulder.

Arnav looked at him.

"What are you doing here? Who is she? Does your parent know you are roaming with a girl?"

His question kicked Khushi's sense.

"Excuse me... who are you to question us?"

Seeing him in uniform, Khushi thought he was enquiring Arnav.

"Excuse me, madam, I'm not questioning you but him"

"It's me who is with him. There are many couples in this garden. Will you question all of them? Why are you inquiring him then?"

Aman was supposed to say something but Murugan stopped him. Aman looked at him questioningly.

"She is SP's daughter, sir," he said in a low tone.

Aman raised his brows surprisingly.

"Are you SP's daughter?"

"Yes, and my father knows I'm with Arnav..."

"I didn't question him as a police officer but as a friend..."

"Friend?" Khushi frowned.

"I'm Inspector Amanullah... Arnav's school mate"

Khushi looked at Arnav who was staring at Aman.

"See, he is always glaring at me. So, I always pull his leg."

"Is he your friend?" Khushi asked.

"He studied with me..." Arnav said.

"Yeah, he never accepted me as his friend. Very cunning guy. It's me who is still behind him" Aman sighed.

Khushi looked at Arnav perplexed.

"I can't believe this guy is with a girl and answering her questions too..." Aman chuckled.

Khushi smiled.

"How did you get his friendship?"

"Don't ask me the story... only I know how hard it was for me to get his one-side long glance" she laughed, making Arnav embarrassed.

"But you did it..."

Khushi nodded yes with attitude.

"Ok, Ms...?"

"Khushi"

"Yeah, take care of my dude..."

"I will take care of MY (stressing) Dude," she said.

Aman laughed.

"Bye..."

"Bye..."

Aman left the place with SI Murugan.

"Let's take a walk," Khushi said.

Arnav nodded and they walked.

"Why won't you talk to Aman, Arnie?"

Arnav simply shrugged his shoulders. Khushi sighed. She saw a HOT corn shop that was crowded.

"Come. Let's have corn" Khushi said.

"Wait... I will bring it" Arnav went to the shop.

Khushi waited for him a little aloof and Arnav waited for his turn. That was when a few guys surrounded Khushi. She frowned.

"Are you alone?"

"Will you give us company?"

Khushi wanted to go to Arnav but she knew him. He was a naïve guy. She didn't think he would stand these rogues.

"Is not she looking sexy?" one of them said.

"Hey, mind your tongue..." Khushi gritted her teeth.

"We just thought to accompany you as you are standing alone..."

"Mind your business"

"Minding..." He ran his eyes on her.

Khushi tried to walk away. They blocked her way.

"What's so urgent?"

"Hey, stay away from me... do you know who am I?"

"A well structured girl..." they laughed.

"chiii... move away..." She pulled one of them to get a space to come out of the ring they formed around her.

As she didn't expect, he clutched her hand and said,

"She touched my chest... this is my turn..."

Khushi was horrified. He extended his right hand, clutching her hands in his left hand. Khushi twisted her hand with fear. The next second the guy screamed in pain as Arnav broke his hand that extended to touch Khushi. She was shocked as she heard the breaking sound of his bone. The other guys were horrified and stood for a few seconds not understanding anything. Later, pounced on Arnav but fled in all the directions shouting, getting beaten up by Arnav. Khushi was horrified seeing that. She saw such scenes only in movies. Arnav played ghostly and beat them black and blue. There was nothing that could stop him, including Khushi. She tried to stop him but failed. He looked here and there and saw a four feet high tree in the road side. He uprooted that in a go making all of them shiver including Khushi. He hit them with the tree, rotating it and made them scattered. They ran from the place, kick starting their bikes to save their lives. Khushi stood looking at Arnav's diabolical expression. He threw the tree like, it was a soft toy.

To be continued...