Part4

"FRIENDSHIP". The word kept our ARSHI in the string. Khushi never missed the chance in wishing him in WhatsApp every day. Arnav woke up with her Good Morning and slept with Good night. Some interesting forward messages and information were shared between them. Khushi sends some humorous message to make him smile. But she doesn't know her message itself was enough to make him smile. Arnav always replies to her no matter what. He sends her something related to her subject MATH. They hardly met, but Khushi met him whenever she comes to the Temple.

Arnav saw Khushi going inside the Temple. He stiffened. He took his receiver and ordered some cakes and tea. He knows however she will come. But for his disappointment, she didn't come to the shop. When she came out of the Temple a man came in front of her and asked her to sit on the bike. Without any choice, she sat and waved her hands towards Arnav and left. SHYAM. Her brother. He was familiar with his rude behavior. He has many ENEMIES in this city, everything because of his friends. He will be the first person to help if his friends were in trouble no matter what. He won't think of the consequence. Seems like today also he has done something. So in the protective manner, he was securing his sister.

Arnav was aware of these things. In fact, everyone knows. He saw some guys are hurrying in bike. They must be searching for Shyam. Arnav was nervous. What if something happened to Khushi? Did she reach safe? He wanted to call her. But she was with Shyam. Arnav never peeps into someone's matter but today he wants to know what the matter is.

He saw the teenage boy bringing his order which he did for Khushi. The boy kept it on the table and gave him a bill.

Boy: Bhiya, Close the shop as much earlier as possible. Something may happen.

Arnav: What may happen? He asked pretending.

Boy was very much interesting to derive it to Arnav. He was happy that he knows the matter before someone.

Boy: Shyam Bhai helped Aman Bhai's sister to elope with her boyfriend. So Aman Bhai was angry on Shyam Bhai. Didn't you see Shyam Bhai picked his sister up few minutes before?

Arnav didn't replay. He gave money to the boy and called Khushi. She didn't pick the call which made him panic. He shut the shop and returns back to home as he couldn't let his shop to be broken.

The first thing that he did was to call Khushi again. This time she picked it in second ring itself.

Arnav: Khushi, are you ok? Did you reach home safely?

Khushi: Yes, Arnav.

Arnav: I saw your brother taking you with him.

Khushi: And also saw someone searching for my brother. Right?

Arnav: Mmm.

Khushi: so you got panic.

Arnav: Mm.

Khushi: I'm safe Arnav. Relax.

Arnav: yah. Take care. Bye.

Khushi: Arnav...

He stopped.

Khushi: It feels so good that you are concern for me. Thank you.

Arnav: I'm. Always. He cuts the call in relief.

She is safe. That is what he wanted to confirm.

Laxmi Narayan School

Some of the Laxmi Narayan School staff who knew Arnav was surprised seeing him in front of their School. They could say, he was waiting for someone. Some of them knew "who" was that someone.

Arnav's face brightened seeing the person, for whom he was waiting. Khushi stunned seeing him here at her place. She turned her scooty towards him and stopped in front of him smilingly.

Khushi(excitedly): you are really here for me?

Arnav: you know very well that I don't know anyone except you here.

Khushi: Hey Devi Maiya, please someone hold me. I'm fainting. She laughed while tucking her hair.

Arnav stood there seeing her antics smilingly.

Khushi: what made "Mr. Girls' special" come here?

Arnav extends the box which was wrapped in a glittering paper and a beautiful Red Rose.

Arnav: Happy Birthday.

Khushi looked at their surroundings. She could see some of her colleagues watching this scene. She chuckled and took it from Arnav. Arnav forwarded his hand for shook.

Khushi(clutching his hand): Do you know what is going to happen?

Arnav (raising his eyebrows): What?

Khushi: Everyone will ask me that did you proposed to me on my birthday?

Arnav(looking firm into her eyes): What will you say?

Khushi: what you want me to say?

Arnav: say the truth.

Khushi(teasingly): What's the truth?

Arnav(smirking): I don't know.

This is the first time they talked not taking the word FRIENDSHIP. Arnav started his bike taking his helmet,

Arnav: Bye Khushi.

Khushi: Bye Hero.

Arnav couldn't hold his smile. He smiled at her and left the place. Khushi went inside the school. In no time her friends asked her to open the box. Khushi opened that box and surprised seeing ANKLET in it. she liked it very much. Her colleagues were started teasing her.

Teacher1: Seems like he is in love with you?

Teacher2: No doubt.

Teacher3: Or else what? He won't talk with anyone but gifting anklet to Khushi?

Khushi: Guys please stop. He is not a guy who takes advantage. He hates those girls. He may get upset if he hears your comments. I don't want to spoil my friendship. Please try to understand.

They understood. At the same time, they were relieved. Accordingly, they have a "chance" now.

Arnav was waiting for Khushi's call. He knew she will call him to thank him for gifting an Anklet. The same as he expected... His mobile flashed with Khushi's pic, bringing a smile on Arnav's face. He waited until three rings, what if she gets to know he was waiting?

Arnav: Hi.

Khushi: Hi Arnav.

Arnav: How was your Birthday?

Khushi: As usual, with lots of wishes and gifts. (Arnav stiffened) how about your day?

Arnav: yah good. Khushi...

Khushi: yah ...

Arnav: Didn't you like my gift?

Khushi: why are you asking so?

Arnav: Because you didn't say anything about it.

Khushi: I liked it very much. but if you are expecting "thank you" then I'm sorry.

Arnav: But why? Won't you say thank you?

Khushi: No. because I know you didn't gift it just to hear "thank you". Right?

Arnav: obviously.

Khushi: And it's not necessary between "friends". Right?

Arnav(rolling his eyes in disappointment): Yaahhhh.

Khushi: Do you know Arnav, as I said, my workmates were started teasing me seeing your gift.

Arnav(curiously but didn't showing): About what?

Khushi: That you are in love with me...(she laughed)

Arnav was silent. He wanted to say yes at the same instant but Khushi's next stance stopped him from doing that.

Khushi: But I warned them, saying that we are only "friends". Don't I know what Arnav is? (she chuckled)

Arnav(gulping): why they are thinking like that? Giving birthday gift is that much suspicious or what? (He wanted to know, what they talked about.)

Khushi: why not Arnav? If you are easy going with everyone then there is no chance to suspect. But you are talking only to me. More than that you came to my school and gifted. So it's obvious to get suspicious, and more than that they very well know my expectation about my would-be husband.

Arnav was damn curious now.

Arnav: Expectation about your would-be husband? (he stopped hesitatingly)

Khushi: yah.

Arnav: May i...

Khushi(cutting him): why not? Of course, you can ask anything.

Arnav: what was that? About your would-be husband?

Khushi: I wish to have a husband who can be friendly with me. I want a FRIEND more than a HUSBAND.(Arnav gulped.) so it's obvious if they are suspecting our friendship. Right?

Arnav: yah. Right.

Khushi: But you no need to worry. I will take care. Ok. Your Anklet is so nice I will remember you all the time whenever it sounds. Good night Arnav.

Arnav was in could nine. If she will think all the time when it sounds then she will not forget him even for a second. And she wants a "FRIEND" more than a "HUSBAND". Great. He is already her friend. He can be her friend even after he will become her husband. "HUSBAND". It felt so pleasant. He lied by his stomach hugging the pillow to get sleep to see Khushi in his dreams where no hindrance between them.

To be continued.....