Part 6

Shyam reached Arnav's home with his friend. Khushi saw him coming inside.

Khushi: Bhai he is Arnav.

Arnav extends his hand to shake which Shyam reciprocated.

Shyam: Thank you very much for your timing help. (Arnav nodded gently.) He is my friend Akash.

They shook hands.

Shyam: Shall we go Khushi?

Khushi: Jee. Bye Arnav.

Arnav: Be careful.

Shyam: Don't worry. I have already decided what should be done.

Akash and Shyam smiled at each other while Khushi rolled her eyes.

Khushi(in low voice): They always say like this but nothing works. She chuckled.

She waved her hand and sat on Shyam's bike while Akash started Khushi's scooty. Arnav stood there until their bike turned in the corner.

That was the last time Arnav saw Khushi. After that meeting he never got any chance to meet up with her nor did she massage him. Arnav was tensed. Hell tensed. He was checking his mobile, time to time expecting that if there was any message from Khushi? But nope. No any forward message, not even any single sarcasm post, nothing. She was "off line" all the time. He thought to call her, but her phone was switched off.

It was almost ten days. Arnav was losing his temper. He wanted to break everything in front of his eyes. What the hell was wrong with her? Why didn't she massage him? Why didn't she feel like talking to him? Suddenly what happen to her that she stopped everything?

That was the situation which made Arnav understands his heart. That he can't live without her. She is his need to survive like water. He was suffocating in thirsty called KHUSHI. He may die if he will not see her for more than one day.

Life is a funny teacher. It teaches the worth of silence by noise, love by hatred, light by darkness. Like the same DISTANCE taught Arnav the lesson of TOGETHERNESS.

Arnav couldn't tolerate this distance from Khushi. He wanted her with him. He was recalling their talks when she came to his home. It felt ecstatic. He wanted it again and again "throughout" his life. He wanted to see her at any cost.

Finally, he came to a conclusion. What would have she done if he wasn't talking to her? She would have come in person and scold right? Then he could also do it and he has the rights to do it in the name of FRIEND.

Laxmi Narayan School.

Arnav was waiting at the bus stand opposite to the school. Khushi's colleagues who know Arnav were gossiping within them. Arnav didn't give any heed and waited for the person for whom he was here. Finally, Khushi's friend came to him. Not to give any information but not want to miss the chance to talk to him.

Girl: Are you waiting for Khushi?

Arnav looked at her without answering.

Girl: she said you are her friend. (Arnav could feel mockery when she said "friend") Don't you know she resigned her job? She taunted.

Arnav was shocked to the core. "RESIGNED?" but she likes teaching. Then what made her resign? What the hell happened to her?

Girl: I can't understand what friend she is. She didn't even say it to you? If she is a good friend then.....

Arnav understood her talks taking diversion. He can't hear anything which taunts Khushi. He kicked his bike and accelerated it.

Girl: Hey, don't you want to know, why she resigned?

By now Arnav disappeared from her sight. He was confused. Was anything wrong happen to her? What if something unpleasant made her take that decision? He couldn't sit anymore. He turned his bike towards her home.

GUPTA HOUSE.

Arnav rang the bell. A man in his fifties opened the door. He was looking at him baffled.

Man: who are you beta?

That "BETA" gave strength to Arnav that he could proceed further.

Arnav: I'm Arnav Singh Raizada, AR Book Mark proprietor, Khushi's friend.

Man: you mean Arvind Raizada's son?

Arnav: Jee.

Man: please come inside beta. I'm Shashi Gupta, Khushi's father. Khushi told me about you that you saved her that day. I and your father were same age fellows in school. We were not friends but knew each other. I attend his funeral too. You were too young at that time.

Arnav smiled at him contently.

Shashi: who are there with you?

Arnav: No one sir. I'm single at home.

Shashi: sorry beta, Arvind was gem of a person. I'm not lucky enough to get his friendship.

Shashi spoke emotionally. If it was a different situation then Arnav also would have got emotional. But he is not in the mood to concentrate anything more than Khushi. Where is she? Isn't she at home? His eyes were searching here and there. A woman handed him coffee that's when he came out of his thought.

Shashi: Take it. She is my wife Garima.

Arnav: Namaste.

Shashi: He is the one whom Khushi spoke about. Arnav.

Arnav was delighted hearing that Khushi spoke about him with her parents. But what would have been that?

Garima: Thank you so much beta. You helped at the right time. Or else don't know what would have happened.

Arnav: It's ok aunty, nothing will happen to her. Relax.

At the same time, Khushi came to the living room wiping her hair. She should have come from her bath. She rooted at the same place seeing Arnav at her home.

Arnav felt something in his stomach for the first time seeing Khushi after a gap. He wanted to ask her "why she stopped talking?". He wanted to say that "he can't live without her anymore". He wanted to confess his heart without wasting a single minute. Moreover, he just wanted to hug her and say I love you damn it.

Khushi smiled at him which pulled his sense to the reality.

Khushi: Arnav, you here? How are you?

Arnav(in mind): I'm half dead Khushi.

He just nodded like "I'm fine".

Khushi: I thought to come to your home. She said smilingly.

Arnav cursed himself for coming here. She would have come if he waited for a day or two. He should not have hurried. But what was the purpose? Is anything serious? That's when he saw Shyam was coming with Akash. They shook hands with him formally. They were having bags in their hands. Akash handed the bag to Khushi.

Akash: Mom wanted you to check this. he said smilingly.

Shyam: yah, Check it by yourself then don't blame us for anything.

Arnav was looking at their conversation without getting anything.

Garima: she won't say anything. Don't you know how she is?

Shyam: Dad, as Arnav is here, invite him too.

Shashi: Idiot, it will not look good. I will invite him in person.

Shyam: Dad, Arnav is not what you are thinking. He is a cool person. Hai na Arnav?

Arnav nodded yes smilingly as he has no idea what they were talking about. Garima passed an invitation to Shashi and Shashi gave it to Arnav. Arnav's face darkened seeing the invitation. AKASH weds KHUSHI.

To be continued.......