Chapter 15: Refamiliarizing

Arnav plugged his headphones into his iPod touch and pulled up his workout playlist as he made his way to the gym.  Soon after he had returned to India, three years ago, he had insisted on having a couple of rooms converted into a gym and a squash court in Sheesh Mahal.  Anjali and Payal, whenever they visited this place, also used the squash court for their yoga sessions.

From one of their housekeepers, Arnav had learnt that all the elders had already gone out to visit the various temples around the city and everyone who took the plane with him still hadn’t turned up.  His thoughts had been occupied by Khushi all morning and not in a good way. 

His mind kept going over every single friendly gesture exchanged between NK and Khushi, making his heart wrench painfully every time.  Every now and then, memories of the past particularly the ones of their last interaction, skipped across, making the whole pool of thoughts even more unbearable.  Deciding that an intense workout session was bound to take his mind off of things, he’d headed off in the direction of the gym without delay.

As soon as he pushed open the large glass door, he heard music echoing in the room.  He saw no one exercising on any of the equipment or even in the weights corner.  As he walked along the solid wall that separated the squash court from the exercise room he realized that the music was coming from there.  Following his instincts, he walked to the end of the wall and turned right at the end only to freeze in front of the large glass doors that entered into the court.

Khushi.

She was dressed similar to last night—a simple red yoga top paired with a pair of black shorts.  She was sitting on the floor with her legs stretched out in front of her while she leaned over to touch her toes.  As she stood up a few seconds later, the music changed, switching to a slow tune.  He was stunned into a statue as she began to move with the music.

(Please listen to the following song as you read the next bit)

*I tried to look for a nice dance performance by a girl in this song and didn't have much luck, so let your imagination show you Khushi's dance!* 

Jab jab tere paas main aaya, Ik sukoon mila

Jise main tha bhoolta aaya, Wo wajood mila

Jab aaye mausam gham ke, Tujhe yaad kiya

Ho...

Jab sehme tanhapan se, Tujhe yaad kiya

Hmm..dil... Sambhal ja zara

Phir mohabbat karne chala hai tu

Dil yahin ruk jaa zara

Phir mohabbat karne chala hai tu

Aisa kyun kar hua janu naa

Main janu naa o..o..

Dil sambhal ja zara

Phir mohabbat karne chala hai tu

Dil yahin ruk ja zara

Phir mohabbat karne chala hai tu

After the first minute or so, Arnav felt as if he was prying into something personal.  As if he was witnessing something intimate and private that he shouldn’t be a part of.  He knew he should turn away and leave her with her private performance but he couldn’t move a single muscle.  He couldn’t so much even as blink.  He was frozen in his stance and rooted in his spot.

Jis raah pe, hai ghar tera

Aksar wahan se, haan main hoon guzra

Shayad yahin dil mein raha

Tu mujh ko mil jaye, Kya pata...

Kya hai yeh silsala

Janu naa, Main janu naa

Dil sambhal ja zara

Phir mohabbat karne chala hai tu

Dil yahin ruk ja zara

Phir mohabbat karne chala hai tu

Khushi defined grace, agility, and elegance as she danced and emoted along with every beat, every word.  The words of the song, unfortunately, didn’t register in Arnav’s mind.  He was too occupied watching the woman’s hypnotic movements in front of him to register anything else.  If he had paid attention to what the song was conveying, the claws of jealousy may have eased a bit on his heart, and provide him with some peace. 

Kuch bhi nahi Jab darmayaan

Phir kyun hai dil, tere hi khwaab bunta

Chaha ki de, tujhko bhula

Par yeh bhi mumkin ho na sakaa...

Kya hai yeh maamla, Janu naa

Main janu naa

Dil sambhal ja zara

Phir mohabbat karne chala hai tu

Dil yahin ruk ja zara

Phir mohabbat karne chala hai tu

Dil sambhal ja zara

Phir mohabbat karne chala hai tu

He was captivated—there was no better way to explain it.  Was it the way she moved through the entire court?  Was it the unfiltered display of emotions on her face?  Was it the beauty that emanated from her uncontrollably? Or was it her obliviousness to her surroundings?

He was captivated—there was no better way to explain it.  Was it the way she moved through the entire court?  Was it the unfiltered display of emotions on her face?  Was it the beauty that emanated from her uncontrollably? Or was it her obliviousness to her surroundings?

“Dance like no one is watching” Is what the tattoo on one of her feet read and now he understood why she would have chosen that quote.

She truly was dancing as if no one was watching.  It seemed as if for her, no one and nothing else existed apart from herself.  He doubted that she realized he was there.  She was in her own world as she connected with the music and let herself loose.

“She’s good, isn’t she?” 

Arnav jumped and turned to look at NK, who was watching Khushi with a smile on his face.  Arnav was so lost in Khushi that he hadn’t even heard NK come up and stand next to him.  How long had NK been there??  Choosing not to dwell on the matter, Arnav turned to look at Khushi again.

“I...I’ve never seen her dance like that before.”  The words rolled off of his tongue automatically.

Now, why exactly he was saying this to NK, of all people, Arnav didn’t know.  NK, Arnav noticed, didn’t seem as affected by Khushi’s talent.  That could only mean one thing:  NK had seen her this way before.

Of course. 

Arnav vaguely recalled a piece of information from the conversations last night.  NK and Khushi were a part of some dance academy.  So NK had had this privilege before him.  Great.

“I’m surprised you don’t know this about her...you’ve known her for a long time, right?”  NK took advantage of the missing hostility from Arnav.

Arnav shrugged.  “She used to take classes with Di and Payal...I just didn’t know that she could dance like...like...this.”

“This isn’t one of her rehearsed routines...this is improvised...you should see her on stage.”  NK smiled.  “She’s one of the best dancers we have...she’s a natural...it’s a gift, you know.”

“No, I wouldn’t know!”  Arnav spat bitterly, the hostility returning suddenly, catching NK off guard.  “I wouldn’t know because I haven’t seen her for three years!”

Arnav knew that NK wasn’t trying to make any smart-ass comments or anything but the frustration of having missed out on so many days of her life was like splinters under his skin.  There was a time when no one knew Khushi better than he did and now...it seemed that there was someone, NK to be precise, who knew her better.  It was a childish sentiment but he envied NK.

“Look...I know you don’t like me...”   NK approached cautiously.  “You’ve made it quite obvious and I’m not a fool.  I don’t really understand why exactly you dislike me but it’s fine.  To be honest with you...I don’t particularly like you either.  You’re probably the only man I have ever envied.”

Arnav scoffed.  “You have no reason to envy me.”

“You have no idea...”  NK chuckled and shook his head.  “I’ve practically been her shadow for the past two and a half years...she’s my best friend and yet...I’m just NK for her...one of her many friends...not as close to her as Anjali or Rohan or Akash...definitely not as close as you once were...there isn’t a single dot of ink on her that represents my bond with her...”  NK smiled sadly as he referred to Arnav and Khushi’s matching tattoos.

Arnav’s gaze automatically drifted to the anchor on his hand before his eyes turned to Khushi.  She’d stopped dancing and was currently removing her iPod from the docking station.  The two men stood in silence, unsure of what to say next.  If this man standing here wasn’t so important to Khushi, NK wouldn’t be wasting his time trying to get into his good books.

“Anyway, I’m sure that for her sake; we can be at least cordial with each other, yeah?”  NK suggested, changing the topic before Arnav asked why exactly NK envied him.

Arnav hummed a non-committal response.  Shaking his head at the incorrigible man, NK pushed the door open and walked in leisurely as if he owned the place.  Khushi looked up at him and smiled.  Her eyes flicked over NK’s shoulders, rounded slightly in surprise at seeing Arnav, and then focused back on NK as he began saying something to her.  Not wanting to seem like he was trying to eavesdrop, he turned his back to them and headed to the wall opposite the glass door, so as to keep them in his range of vision. 

He took his position expertly behind the punching bag, his eyes flickering to the conversation in the squash court every few seconds.  Imagining a certain Mr.Kohli’s face on the bag, Arnav began delivering systematic punches to the innocent prop.  He felt more relaxed in his skin, more natural as he continued venting out his frustration on the bag.  This was, apart from work, his favourite means of distraction and venting.  He felt the exercise generate heat in his body and he knew that within minutes, a thin sheet of sweat will cover him.  However, he slowed down considerably as NK made his way out of the court.

Arnav’s ears perked up as NK turned at the entrance to speak to Khushi.

“Which song should I choose?”

Khushi shrugged in response.  “Choose whatever you want...or ask Lavanya.”  Khushi picked up her water bottle and walked out as well.

As Khushi settled herself on the treadmill, NK stopped in front of her.  “Cool.  Could you make this short, though?  If we want these routines done by tomorrow afternoon, we need to get started as soon as possible.”

“I’m sure you can handle Payal and Akash’s until I get there...”  Khushi began her light jog.

“Well...you know why I want you to be there...”NK chuckled.

“Clearly you don’t need to worry about that.”  Khushi rolled her eyes.  Khushi knew that NK was talking about being around Arnav, but obviously, since Arnav was here, working out, he shouldn’t worry.  Besides, she would ensure that she left the gym before Arnav if not with him.

Arnav didn’t know what the hell was so funny but NK threw his head back and laughed out loud.  With a goofy expression on his face, he left the gym.  Arnav clenched his jaw and delivered a few more punches to the bag, giving way to his building frustration.

Just a couple more days Arnav...then you can talk to her and clear everything out.  It will all go back to how it was before...if not better.

Arnav reassured himself as he chanted that same statement in his mind over and over again for the next few minutes.  Khushi on the other hand had plugged her earphones in and was running at an incredible speed, her fair skin flushed because of the vigorous effort.

A few minutes later, Arnav caught her eyes as he made his way towards the weights bench.  He noticed that she had slowed down to a jog again and was red in the face.  Khushi, on the other hand, watched on as he settled himself on the bench confidently.  She decreased the speed of her treadmill until the belt stopped moving underneath her feet. She confidently made her way to the bench press apparatus and stood above his head.  She wanted to laugh out-loud when his eyes widened slightly seeing her there.

“You shouldn’t lift weights without a spotter.”  She clicked her tongue disapprovingly, however, her grin gave away the fact that she was teasing.

In the blink of an eye, the two fell into a familiarity, the past three years temporarily erased out of their minds.  She spotted and counted his reps as he completed his weights workout like she used to.  The two continued their morning exercises together, discussing techniques of stretches, and muscle groups.  For the hour they spent in the gym together, Arnav wasn’t ASR.  He wasn’t a successful business tycoon. He wasn’t the angry, broken, and jealous man he’d been recently.  Likewise, Khushi wasn’t a girl who was dealing with one sided love.  She wasn’t a medical school student, nor was she a dancer.  She wasn’t a girl who was attempting to guard her heart.  Hell, She wasn’t even Khushi.

They were simply Arnav and Khush.

But as they say, all good things come to an end.  Their relapse into the old days came to a screeching halt when Anjali burst into the room, looking extremely agitated.

“YOU!”  She jabbed her index finger in Arnav’s direction.  “Go and get your ass down to the big hall for practice!  Lavanya is already there and she’s waiting for you so that you two can start practicing your routine!  Do NOT give me a 'no' for an answer.  It’s my engagement and you said you would do what I wanted!  You owe me a dance performance.  Make it quick.  Don’t make me come and yell at you again.”

Without even acknowledging Khushi, who was trying to suppress her giggles, Anjali stormed out the same door she had walked in through.  Arnav stood rooted in his spot as he stared, wide eyed, at the place where Anjali had stood seconds ago.  Next to him, Khushi broke into peals of giggles at his expression.

“Looks like we’ll have the worst Bridezilla history has ever seen on her wedding day!”  Khushi rolled her eyes.

Arnav groaned out loud as his sister’s angry words registered again.  He felt Khushi place her hand on his shoulder and the ease with which she did it made his eyes snap to her hand.  His eyes followed her fingers to the wrist, to the forearm, to the arm, to the shoulder, and finally to her smiling face.

“Lavanya seems like a nice girl Arnav...and as much as I’ve heard from Anjali, she’s a good dancer too.  Come on, I’m sure you can do this for Anjali...”  Khushi removed her hand from his shoulder and took steps backwards towards the exit.  “And hey...NK and I are helping with the routines...you can trust us to cover up your two left feet.”

And with a teasing wink, she turned and gracefully sauntered out of the door leaving Arnav frowning to himself.  There was so much he wanted to say to her, so much he wanted to suggest.  For example...

Okay then...I’ll dance for Anjali’s sake but let’s make you my partner instead of Lavanya.  Or even better...let’s pair Lavanya with NK and you can be my partner.  Or let’s just remove everyone else from the picture.  Let it be just you and me.  Oh, and just as an aside, STOP LINKING ME WITH THAT LAVANYA!  Why the heck does it matter to me if she’s a nice girl or not??

Arnav sighed and shook his head at his inner monologue.  “Get a grip Arnav...just a couple more days.”

*

“Finally!”  Lavanya threw her hands in the air exasperatedly when Arnav finally walked into the hall. 

The big hall where the engagement party would take place was hectic, to say the least.  Workers worked around, putting up decorations and lights while the rest of the group, sans Aman and Rohan, was practicing for their dance routines.

As Arnav strode towards them and took a seat on one of the plastic garden chairs that were brought in, Lavanya threw him a dirty look.  Arnav’s eyes, however, were fixed on Khushi who was guiding Akash through a step.  It was getting ridiculous!  He was feeling jealous of Akash, as well!  The man was in a serious relationship with Payal...yet, Arnav had the urge to go up to him and push him away from Khushi.  Where was all this jealousy coming from?!

“Get up...Khushi, NK, and I have put together our entire routine....you just need to learn your steps and practice and we’ll be good for tomorrow.”  Lavanya grabbed his arms and tried to yank him off the chair into a standing position.  He barely even moved, his mammoth frame comfortably seated in the chair.

Rolling his eyes at her futile attempts, he stood up and let her pull him towards Khushi and Akash.

“Khushi...his majesty is here...”  Lavanya taunted.

“Perfect...I think Akash has this down...Payal...take your position.”  Khushi let go of Akash’s shoulders and moved away to let Payal take her spot.  She gave Arnav a smile as she approached them.

“Okay...how do you want to do this?  Do you want to start guiding him through or should we give him a demo?”  Lavanya asked.

Khushi shrugged.  “Arnav?”

“I’ll see the demo first.”  He blurted without considering the consequences.  He cursed himself mentally when Khushi called out to NK.

“Can you show him?  I need to make a call.”  NK gestured to his phone, stepping away from Anjali with whom he was practicing, presumably, taking Rohan’s place.

Arnav let out a barely audible sigh of relief.  Khushi looked at Lavanya and shrugged.

“Pay attention and listen to them!”  Anjali said sternly as she followed NK out of the hall.

“Alright...I’ll be Arnav...you do your own steps, Lavanya.”  Khushi squared her shoulders and looked at Arnav. “And you...pay attention!”

Arnav couldn’t help but smile as Lavanya and Khushi took their positions.  As they began their steps, Arnav burst out into laughter.  Oh, the number of jokes he could make at the two of them dancing that way.  He nearly doubled over in laughter when Khushi held on to one of Lavanya’s hands, pushed her out, and twirled her back into herself.  Seeing him laugh, Payal and Akash also turned to look and started laughing.  In the next few seconds, a few workers had even joined in.

“Every guy’s fantasy you know....two women dancing to a romantic song...”  Arnav laughed some more.

He clamped his mouth shut when both Lavanya and Khushi shot daggers at him; however, his shoulders continued shaking as he tried to contain his laughter.

“You’re such an asshole, do you know that?”  Khushi frowned.

“Yes, you’ve mentioned it before.”  Arnav shrugged, suppressing the bubbling laughter.

Akash and Payal exchanged a quick look before turning to Arnav again.  This was possibly the first time since Khushi had left that Arnav was being...himself.  He was teasing, making fun of Khushi.  He was laughing out loud, for God’s sake!

“He’s impossible!”  Lavanya groaned.

“Don’t worry Lavanya...We’ll see who’s laughing in a minute.”  Khushi said sternly as she walked up to him.

Arnav watched--slightly amused, slightly excited, and slightly nervous--as she reached out for his right hand.

“Go on.  A slight push out and then pull me back in with a twirl.”  Khushi challenged.

He looked at her blankly and tried to follow her instructions, only to mess up and tangle her arm awkwardly.

“Oh...” was all he could manage.  It didn’t look that hard then how the hell did he mess it up?

“That’s what I thought...now be a good student and listen to Lavanya.”  Khushi wiggled out of his grip and a feeling of bereft casted over him. 

Even after Lavanya took Khushi’s spot, that empty feeling didn’t leave him.  He attempted the same step once more but apparently he used too much force and somehow, when he drew Lavanya in, his arm had ended up around her neck, as if he was trying to choke her.

“Seriously?!...you’re not trying to put her in a head lock, Arnav...it’s a romantic song...be gentle!”  Khushi frowned disapprovingly as she stood watching them with her hands on her hips, looking matron-like.

For the next two hours, Arnav-Lavanya, and Akash-Payal practiced their routines while NK, who had returned much too soon for Arnav’s liking, and Khushi skipped from one pair to the other offering advice and changing the steps. 

Arnav, despite his annoyance at having to dance, paid attention.  He gave each step, each movement his best effort.  He tried, honestly, to match Lavanya in this routine.  Why?  Because he wanted to impress Khushi.  Khushi wasn’t exactly unaware of Arnav’s lack of this particular talent.  He knew that she knew that his dancing skills were limited to the clubs.

Besides, she kept coming over and taking Lavanya’s spot every now and then to show him how to do a step better.  If the opportunity was going to present itself on a golden platter, he wasn’t foolish enough to toss it away.  But of course, as his fate would have it, someone could take the damn platter away and this time it was Rohan.  He was innocently oblivious of Arnav’s glare as he stomped into the hall, smiling widely at all of them.

“You have been summoned.”  Rohan said in an extra deep voice.  “In the dining hall for the afternoon tea or coffee with the rest of the family.  Thank you.”  With a dramatic bow, he turned around and left.

“Anjali is marrying that...that...thing?”  Lavanya clicked her tongue and laughed.

Khushi turned around to face Akash and Payal.  “Has he always been like this or have I just been super blind all these years?”

“This is Di’s antics rubbing off on him...”  Arnav sighed.

They broke their pairs and made their way down to the dining hall as a collective group, laughing, joking, and chattering.  Arnav paused in his stride as soon as his eyes fell on Khushi’s mother.  He’d seen her countless times in the years he had known Khushi, yet he couldn’t get over the similarity between the mother and daughter.  When Khushi grew old, she would look exactly like her mother did now: still gorgeous with a warm smile.  He remembered, crystal-clear, how she had embraced him after his mother’s death and told him to consider her his mother.

“Arnav Bituwa!”  She exclaimed when she  saw Arnav and hurried towards him.

A smile of pure joy broke out on his face as he hurried towards her as well, to meet her halfway.  He touched her feet, seeking blessings, and then gathered her in a hug.  He hadn’t seen the woman for over five years!  She pulled apart and cupped his face gently.

“Look at how much you’ve grown!  You’ve become a gentleman...”  She chuckled tearfully.

Arnav held her hands on his cheeks, gathering the warmth and affection of a mother.  He could feel a pair of eyes on them and he knew, without looking, that it was Khushi.  He could bet his entire business empire that she would be tearful at the moment too.

Soon, Khushi, who truly had been observing her mother and Arnav, was surrounded by Manorama and Mahendra—Akash’s parents.  Manorama, whose eyes were always searching for a bride for her beloved Akash glittered expectantly when she interacted with Khushi.

Hello, Hi, bye-bye.  She has developed a sense of fashion.  She finally looks like a girl.  She has always been sweet and well mannered.  By God ki kasam, she would look just perfect with my Akash Bituwa!  Anjali bitiya ki engagement ke baad Garima ji se baat kareke padi!

Unfortunately for Manorama, similar thoughts were running through Rukmani Oberoi’s mind.  Of course, her son, Rohan, was already due to be married but her nephew, Aman, was still very much single and available.

Waise toh that Payal girl is pretty too but this girl is an aspiring doctor from Australia!  I’ll talk to Arvind Bhai Sahab later about her.  For now, I’ll just get to know her better...  Rukmani observed Khushi with interest.

Unfortunately for both women, Arnav’s heart was already glued to the woman they’d been eyeing.  And Arnav Singh Raizada wasn’t about to let her go again.

Manorama merrily led Khushi towards Rukmani and Rajesh Oberoi--Rohan’s parents.  As the introductions took place, Arnav’s eyes stole glances at her while she was busy mingling with everyone.  Arvind, who’d been sneaking around a pillar, afraid that Arnav and Anjali would rip him to shreds for not telling them about Khushi, cautiously joined the Oberoi’s.  He knew that there was only one person who could save him from his own children and that person was Khushi.

“Dad!!”  Anjali gasped, placing her hands on her hips.  “You have some serious explaining to do!”

Arnav’s head whipped around to look at his father and instantly his glare became accusing.  “Dad...what the—”

“Save your 'what the' Raizada...I already explained this to you guys...it was supposed to be a surprise!  You know what surprise means right?”  Khushi stood in between Arnav-Anjali and Arvind, as if she was Arvind’s personal bodyguard. 

Arnav narrowed his eyes dangerously, making Aman—who in fact was sitting meters away—squirm.  Khushi didn’t seem to give two hoots about his glare that would have all of his employers scampering around and about, trying to get away from him as soon as possible.

“Just let me talk to him.”  Arnav crossed his arms, throwing another glare at his father.

“Haww!”  Khushi crossed her arms too and looked at him squarely in the face.  “If you want him, you gotta go through me.”

“Thanks champ!”  Arvind muttered, holding out his hand for a high-five which Khushi shared enthusiastically.

NK just stood there dumbfounded watching this exchange.  His parents had always been on the reserved side and there were strict boundaries between the parents and the kids for them.  One does not simply just glare at their parents and get away with it so easily.  One does not simply guard their friend’s dad like that!  One, sure as hell, does not give a parent a high-five. 

So far, this trip had been a heap of new experience for NK and he wasn’t complaining...for the most part.

For the next hour, the dining hall found itself extremely lively and loud with the chatter and laughter of its occupants and the clatter of the cups and cutlery.  Arnav continued to observe Khushi slyly, making a mental list of the differences and the similarities between the Khush in his memory and the Khushi that sat across and one seat over to his left.  The biggest change that came forth was the fact that she ate like a lady...in the sense that she was lady-like in the way she ate.  There was nothing lady-like about her appetite, though:  She still ate enough for two people! 

What added to Arnav’s joy was that NK wasn’t hovering around Khushi.  In fact, Nakul Kohli was seated two seats to Arnav’s right, far away from Khushi.  Just the way Arnav liked it.

Mr. Kohli...now you can envy me all you want.  She may look like Khushi now but at heart, she’s still my Khush...with some improvements.  I can live with that.  Hell, I’d gladly live with that.  Arnav smiled to himself as he took a sip of his usual black coffee.

*

After the afternoon tea session with the large family, the group had retired once again to the hall to resume their practices.  Arnav was impressed with himself as he continued learning the steps with ease.  Involuntarily, his mind was conjuring up the image of Khushi in Lavanya’s place.  His mind trick did wonders and he found himself more relaxed and at ease as he imagined himself dancing with Khushi instead of Lavanya.  Perhaps he was going crazy after all.

After another loud and excitement-filled dinner with the family, they sat around chatting in the lawns of the vast yard of the Haveli.  Arnav had very reluctantly excused himself along with Aman to take care of some business-related matters that he had neglected all day.  It was with great difficulty that he managed to finish the task--that should have taken an hour--in three hours.  If Aman noticed his boss’s loopy behaviour, he didn’t comment on it.  He knew better than to wake up the slumbering lion, of course.

His steps inherited an extra spring as he began making his way to the yard but saw the group collected in the living room instead.  The group sans NK!  Could this get any better? 

Naturally, he took the vacant seat next to Khushi on the couch, effectively sandwiching her between himself and Lavanya.

“Your business will survive if you don’t tend to it for one day!”  Akash shook his head.

“Well...seeing that you, Payal, and Dad are completely ignoring work these days, someone’s got to pick up the slack, right?”  Arnav reprimanded in a light-hearted manner.

“Dad’s right...you do act twenty years older than your age...”  Anjali looked at him smugly.

“Because all of you act like teenagers...”  Arnav frowned.

“We do not!”  Came the collectively indignant reply.

“Whatever.”  Arnav leaned back and rested his feet on the foot stool, feeling exhausted.

“What were you saying Payal before the mighty ASR joined us?”  Rohan asked, ignoring the glare he earned from Arnav.

“I was just talking about that snake pet of theirs...”  Payal pointed in Arnav and Khushi’s direction with her thumb.  “What was his name?”

“Goldie.”  Arnav and Khushi spoke simultaneously with grins on their faces.

“Y-You guys had a pet snake?”  Lavanya gasped.

“Yeah....they snuck him into the house and we didn’t find out until weeks later!”  Anjali frowned at them.

“You know, Arnav...”  Khushi placed her hand on his arm.  “I still wish we had their reactions recorded...”

“Especially Rohan and Akash!”  Arnav added, excitedly, with a small laugh.

“This sounds like a fun story...tell me everything!”  Lavanya chirped.

Arnav and Khushi re-told the tale of how Goldie had entered and left their lives.  As Arnav described Rohan and Akash’s reactions, everyone burst into laughter at the expense of the men in question.  Arnav wasn’t sure when exactly she had done so but somewhere during the laughing fit, Khushi had leaned over comfortably and rested her head on his shoulder...just like old times.  His arm had made its way around her on its own...just like old times.

As the conversations continued, she remained where she was and his arm remained around her.  The more time they spend together, the less awkward it was becoming.  The small ray of hope within Arnav was now a fully fledged blazing sun of hope.  The hope that everything will be fine once they have the most awaited conversation.  If their behaviour around each other today was anything to go by, then they’ll be fine. 

Everything would fall into place.