Part 40 Where is Khushi?

Kishan received a call from Vikas. No need to say, Kishan attended it immediately.

*Hello, Vikas...*

*I want you to do something*

*Anything for you...*

*Khushi's father denied Arnav's proposal...*

Cutting him,

*Really? * he asked excitedly.

*Yes... I want to know the reason...*

*I will tell you...*

*I want the REAL reason... don't try to develop something which is not in the story* it sounded like a warning.

*No no...Vikas. I will give you the exact detail...*

*That will be good for us...*

Vikas disconnected the call.

The next day

Khushi was full set not to get caught by Arnav. She went to the college a little earlier before Arnav came to the college.

Arnav also came to the college earlier but not earlier than Khushi. He thought to catch Khushi in the main gate itself. But his idea didn't work. He couldn't see her that day morning. The College bell rang. Arnav didn't go to the classroom but stayed out. He waited near the main gate until the short break. He was fed up. Won't she come to the college today? How could she do that? Coming to the college is one of their clauses. Didn't she say she will come to the college? Then why didn't she come? Is she alright? He removed his phone and dialed the GH landline. As he expected, Garima attended the call.

*Aunty, this is Arnav*

*Haan, Arnav beta... how are you? *

*I'm fine aunty...*

*Don't you go to college? *

*Yes aunty. I don't go. Khushi doesn't go to college today? *

*She went earlier than usual today*

*Really? *

*Haan... why don't you go to college today? *

*Oh...headache, aunty*

*Oh... have a strong coffee and sleep tight. Your headache will fly away...*

*Ok aunty...*

Garima was about to disconnect the call, she stopped, as Arnav called her.

*Aunty...*

*Haan, beta...*

*You are also dissatisfied with me? *

*No beta...I'm not but Shashiji is not wrong though. As a father what he is expecting from his son-in-law is justified. But, if you prove yourself as a changed person, I will definitely stand for you*

*Thank you, aunty...I thought you are also upset with me*

*I would have been... but Khushi told me you have changed completely...*

Arnav's brows automatically went up.

*I'm very happy as you changed for Khushi. What else a mother needs other than that? But... men's views differ from women's. Without Shashiji's acceptance, I can do nothing beta...*

*You no need to worry about it, aunty... I will definitely get a YES from him*

*Nothing can make me happier than that, beta*

*I will make you happy aunty*

*Thank you...*

*Bye aunty...*

Arnav disconnected the call. So, Khushi believes that he changed for her and she already came to the college. But where is she? Did she reach college? Or... did something happen to her?

He started the bike and left the college, searching for Khushi. He came to GH riding the bike slowly, looking here and there. There was no sign of Khushi's existence. He got stuck for a second. What did Garima say? Didn't she say Khushi went to the college earlier than usual? She should have come to the college to hide from him. She must be in college.

Taking a U-turn, he headed to the college. Stopping the bike, he walked towards her class. Again he stopped. He couldn't enter her class. It was Khushi's condition. He looked at his watch. Only five minutes were there to lunch break. So, he waited.

Arnav rushed to his class after the bell rang.

*Did you see Khushi? * Aman asked.

*No... don't know where is she hiding...* Arnav said wearily.

*Don't worry, Nannav... I will go to her class and check* NK said.

*Would you check her in her classroom? * Arnav asked.

*Of course... Akash, let's go*

They went to Khushi's class.

*Let me check* Aman said.

*How? *

Taking his mobile, Aman called Preeto. Arnav's face lit immediately. How did he forget Preeto?

Preeto's phone vibrated. She smiled seeing his number. She came a little aloof, taking her mobile.

*Hi...*

*Doesn't Khushi come to the college? *

*She is in the college only...*

*Really? Where is she? *

*She will kill me if I tell you*

*Please, Preeto... please tell me. Arnav could get her only if he finds her. You and I know she has feelings for Arnav. Then why this hide and seek? *

*It's because she wants him to find her...if he really loves her, he will definitely do it... am I right? *

*That's what he is doing now... he is roaming from college to Gupta house since morning yaar. *

*Is it? * she asked sadly.

*Yes... he didn't attend a single class today...*

*OK, fine. I will give you a clue*

Aman rolled his eyes. Arnav raised his brows like WHAT? Aman turned the speaker on.

*What clue? *

*Our college is preparing for what? *

*Whaaat?* Aman asked.

*Find it out... bye...* she disconnected the call.

*What our college is preparing for? * Aman asked Arnav.

* Inter-college competition... Khushi is practicing for inter-college competition it seems...* Arnav said excitedly.

*In what competition she is participating? * Aman asked.

*Let's find it out*

*ASR... practice for the competition is going in many buildings. How could we find her? *

*Who is the program IN charge? * Arnav asked.

Aman nodded NO. They saw a group of girls crossing them.

*Excuse me...* Aman called them.

*Yes? *

*Do you know who is the Program IN charge of the inter-college competition? *

*Prakash third year BSc Mathematics...*

*Thank you...*

Aman looked at him smilingly.

*No one from our class is participating in the competition? * Arnav asked wea0rily.

*You and I can participate* Aman laughed.

*Let's go... we have to catch Prakash before the lunch break gets over. Or else he will leave his class. Then we will have to roam the whole college to catch him* Arnav walked, uttering it.

They came to the third years BSc mathematics classroom. Aman stopped a guy and asked.

*Who is Prakash? *

He showed them a guy. As they expected, Prakash was eating lunch hurriedly. His face was filled with tiredness. It seems he is working hard for the competition.

*Prakash...* the guy called him.

Prakash looked at him.

*They want to meet you* he pointed Arnav and Aman

Prakash was about to get up from the bench, Arnav asked him to finish eating. He nodded ok and ate fast. Arnav and Aman waited, letting him eat. Prakash came to them after finishing lunch.

*You are the program IN charge. Right? * Aman asked.

*Yes...*

*In what competition Khushi Gupta, first-year MSc computer Science is participating? *

He opened the competition list which is in his hand and checked.

*She is participating in SPEECH competition...*

*In which building Speech competitors are practicing? *

*Community hall, Jupiter Wing...*

*Thank you...*

They ran towards Jupiter wing...

To be continued...

Hide and Seek

In the meanwhile,

NK and Akash went to Khushi's classroom. They searched for Khushi as she was not in her classroom,

*Where is Khushi? * NK asked.

Students of Khushi's class looked at them.

*She doesn't come today* a guy said.