Part 5 I love you

"Where is your house?" Arnav asked, standing behind Khushi.

"Milk Colony"

"Are you an only daughter?"

"No... I have two brothers... one is studying in our college only"

"In our college? Which year?"

"He is also in the first year. Computer Science"

"Oh... doesn't he come with you?"

"No... he went on the first bus with his friends"

"It doesn't mean he won't watch you right?"

"Absolutely right"

"What's his name?"

"Thrimurthi"

Arnav became silent. If her brother studies in the same college, he should have to be careful. He got alert. He decided to see her brother the next day in college. He thought her brother may spy on Khushi.

After that, they started traveling together not only on the bus but also in life. Arnav's breezy looks caressed Khushi's heart whereas Khushi's heartwarming smiles regenerated Arnav. He avoided talking with Khushi in college. It's because of Thrimurthi. He doesn't want Khushi to get into problems. So, he kept his distance from her. it doesn't mean he missed the chance to meet her alone.

It was an Independence day celebration in college. Fortunately, Thrimurti didn't come to the college that day as he went to a movie with his friends. And adding to it, Khushi's friends Preeto and Nisha were also absent. Khushi was sitting all alone watching the program. To her surprise, Arnav was present with his whole gang. But there was no surprising expression on Arnav's face. Maybe, he would have expected her presence.

Afterward, Khushi joined her class girls. Arnav waited until the program got over. Arnav's friend Akash brought a camera and captured a few photos of the program. Of course, he clicked a few pics of his friends too. The program was over. The cool drink was distributed to the students. Khushi waited for a long as there was a big crowd to get the drink. Arnav gestured for her to get the drink. Khushi went to the place. Arnav nagged Akash to click the pic of Khushi. That's when she understood why he asked her to get the drink. He couldn't click the pic of her if she sits alone.

After finishing the drink, she decided to leave the college. She saw Arnav start walking out. Even though she was in hurry to follow him, she drank the drink without showing a hurry. Putting the empty glass in the dustbin, she moved out without reacting.

She saw him waiting at the bus stop. Of course, she knew it. She smiled at him. That's when a bus came. He signaled her to get in. Khushi looked at him surprisingly as she thought he will talk to her for a while because there was no one at the bus stop. Almost all the students have left the college. Yet, she got on the bus without raising a question.

As she didn't expect, he asked her to get down at the next stop and he got down. Khushi followed him. Arnav went to a nearby Ice cream shop and sat on a chair. Khushi also took a seat. his friends stood outside the shop, giving them space to talk. He ordered ice creams for them. The shop owner nodded yes and gave them ice cream.

"Give them too..." he said, pointing at his friends.

Khushi wondered, seeing NK talking with Sharmila. She looked at Arnav with a shocked expression.

"They are in love," Arnav said, smiling which made her surprised.

Is Sharmila in love with NK? Khushi jerked hearing,

"Do you like...?"

She nodded yes.

"I'm not talking about Ice cream," he said.

Khushi got stuck. She knew what he was asking. She looked at him who was waiting for her reply.

"Do you think I came with you here without liking you?"

Arnav smiled delightedly.

"When can I meet you again?"

"After three days... on Monday"

He nodded ok. they left the place. Arnav accompanied her to her house to know where the house is. The way to her house seemed completely lonely. It was a Dairy product from the area. She has to cross the ground to reach her home where there were many palm trees had been growing.

Arnav stood leaning on one of the palm trees. Khushi also stood with him.

"Would people come here?" he asked cautiously.

"Yes... but we can get alert because we can see from here people coming"

"What's your father?"

"He is a Civil Engineer..."

"Oh..." he raised his brows.

They saw someone coming.

"You go..." Arnav said.

Khushi nodded yes and walked. Arnav waited until she got vanished from his sight. He left the place smiling thinking about their conversation. She said she liked him. But he? Why didn't he tell her that he also liked her? Arnav went home thinking about it.

The next day

Khushi didn't see Arnav on the way to her class. She wanted to see him before going to the class. Gathering courage, she walked in the other way that leads her to Arnav's classroom. When she came to the senior's wing, a few students blocked her way. Khushi stood jerking.

"Hey, what are you doing here?" a senior student asked.

"I'm going to my class," Khushi said.

"Is this a way to your class?" the other one asked sarcastically.

"I just..." she stammered.

That's when they heard,

"So what if she comes in this way?"

Khushi's face lit, seeing Arnav advancing them. He looked at Khushi and then the boys.

"No, Arnav...we just..."

"She is MY GIRL... leave..." he said in a feeble tone yet firmly.

They spared a glance and left the place whereas Khushi smiled proudly.

"You here?"

"I just came to see you as you were not in the corridor"

"Our bus broke down... that's why I'm late"

She nodded ok.

"Go to your class. I will come to see you if I'm present. Ok?"

She nodded ok and went to her class.

Khushi was sitting in the class. Through the big size window, she saw Arnav crossing her class. She looked at him through the corner of her eyes. He stopped, looking at her, revealing himself only to her. He moved his lips like, I LOVE YOU. Khushi looked at him bewildered. She looked at Preeto who was sitting beside her.

"Preeto, look what he is saying" she murmured with disbelief.

"Shhhh... listen to the class. This professor is already troubling us. If he sees we are looking outside, he will throw us outside"

Arnav left the place smilingly making Khushi smile.

Evening

Khushi reached home. Her father was talking with an unknown man. He stopped talking, seeing her. She went inside bowing down.

"I have no problem recommending him but I recommend him only to those who belong to my community. I can't recommend for the one who is not my caste" her father Govind said strictly.

The man sighed and left the place disappointed.

To be continued...