Seeing Khushi and Anjali already fussing over Arnav, Akash and Rohan turned to NK while Payal ran in the direction of the car to grab a first aid kit.
Anjali was firing off questions while Khushi expertly checked Arnav for any major injuries. Thankfully, apart from shallow cuts, scratches, and a slightly deep cut bleeding profusely on his arm, she found nothing. She clamped her teeth together to will the damned tears to stay put while she simultaneously battled her rage at the stupid man in front of her.
"I'm fine..." he protested when Anjali's sobs refused to stop.
"Fine my foot!" Anjali reprimanded. "You nearly got killed just there!"
Khushi grimaced and shuddered at the thought--something that didn't miss Arnav's watchful eyes.
"Khushi!" Akash exclaimed.
Khushi turned to face him and it was then that she realized that she had completely ignored NK. Shoving the burst of guilt aside, she left Arnav's side at once and moved to NK's.
Just like she had done with Arnav, she quickly checked NK for major injuries but much like Arnav, apart from a few scratched, there was nothing. With NK, however, Khushi felt zero ounce of anger...how could she possibly be angry at him after he'd just put his life in danger to save Arnav's.
Khushi didn't realize that the tears she'd tried to hold back had escaped her eyes at the mere thought of what might have happened if NK wasn't here today.
"Shh Khushi...Its okay...we're both fine..." NK wiped her cheeks and smiled before turning to Arnav. "You alright, man?"
Arnav nodded and smiled gratefully. He was supposed to dislike this man but now he owed him. And not any small thing...he owed him his life. There was no room for hate now. It only took a life threatening experience to clear those clouds.
"Thank you for...for pushing me out of the way...are you okay?" Arnav offered a small smile.
"Dandy!" NK grinned making Khushi roll her eyes.
"Dandy?? Seriously? Who uses that word these days?" Lavanya raised an eyebrow.
"And this is the time to be arguing about a word being too old." Aman stated sarcastically.
"Let's get you guys home..." Payal waved the first aid box for the rest to see. "I'll keep this out of Khushi and Anjali's hands until then..."
Despite the situation, small chuckles escaped at Payal's comment. It wasn't news to any of them that Anjali and Khushi will instantly kick into their mother hen modes when they got home.
"What the hell were you two doing?" Rohan glared at Khushi and Anjali. "You're not any smarter than Arnav; you know...if Akash and I hadn't stopped you, you two would have run directly into that train."
"Do you think I cared at that point?" Anjali flared. "All I wanted then was to see my brother!"
"And I'm sure all Khushi wanted to do was see her fiance...right, Khushi?" Payal gave a small smile.
Khushi's eyes flickered away from NK and immediately met Arnav's. Payal couldn't be more wrong. Sure, Khushi wanted to see NK but she wanted to see Arnav too. It was between the man she loved and her friend.
How could she possibly choose?
She averted her eyes from his questioning ones and turned to face NK again. NK was in deep thoughts and his expression was almost sheepish.
"What's wrong?' Khushi spoke in a broken voice.
NK grinned boyishly. "Nothing."
Khushi narrowed her eyes but let it slide for now. She would grill him later, of course. Everyone offered help, even though it wasn't needed, to bring the two men to their feet again.
Slowly, everyone started making their way to the cars. The incident had put an abrupt stop to Anjali's photo shoot idea.
NK stood in his spot and waited for the others to move on and sighed when he saw that Khushi refused to leave his side.
"Fine...stop looking at me like that...I think I injured my knee a little..." NK confessed sheepishly.
Khushi frowned in annoyance. "And you think it's wise to hide that fact? Let me see..."
"It's ok!" NK protested. "It's not twisted or broken...I think I unintentionally put a lot of force on it."
"How do you know it's not twisted or dislocated!" Khushi threw up her hands in frustration.
NK looked at her like one would look at an amusing child. "Khushi...I'm a doctor too, you know...not as smart as you but still...I'm not that bad..."
"NK this is not funny!" Khushi yelled. "Both you and Arnav have got to stop and listen to me once in a while!"
Arnav, who was only a few steps away whipped around to face them. "What did I do?!"
"You stood in front of a train, making me think you'd gone all suicidal on me...that's what!" Khushi flared.
"Alright, calm down tiger...give me a hand, will you?" NK interrupted when he saw Arnav open his mouth to argue.
Khushi immediately put an arm around NK's torso while he draped his arm around her shoulders. He leaned on her for support as he tried to walk without putting force on the injured leg.
For once, Arnav didn't feel an ounce of jealousy at the picture. Perhaps it was something that should have scared him but it didn't. Because all he saw right now was two friends arguing over one's well being. He saw a friend seeking support and the other providing it. He saw a reflection of the bond he'd shared with Khushi years ago.
NK and Khushi had only taken two steps when Arnav flanked NK's other side and lent a helping hand. NK was just as surprised as Khushi if not more at the gesture but if this was Arnav's way of opening the gates of friendship, NK wasn't going to turn his back on him now.
Once they reached the car, Arnav and Khushi helped NK settle in the back seat while Akash settled behind the steering wheel. Payal slipped into the front passenger seat just as Arnav turned to leave.
His heart thudded a little louder, a little faster when a soft hand took a hold of his. He didn't need to turn and look to see who it was. He could recognize that touch even if he was dead. He turned to face her anyway.
Her features were etched in a faint frown of pure concern--the kind that could thaw a heart of ice. Arnav's heart stood no chance.
She didn't say a word but the slightest tilt of her head towards the seat conveyed the message she didn't say. He gave her a faint smile of agreement. She didn't let go of his hand as she slipped onto the seat and moved over to make room for him.
Feeling like he had when she'd agreed to go to the prom with him; he took his seat and closed the door reveling in the feel of her tiny hand in his.
With her free hand, she reached over and placed her hand over NK's. Arnav saw, registered, and even understood.
In that moment Arnav realized that NK's place in her life is more important than he'd assumed. She may have run to him first after the incident, but she had left his side to tend to NK. But, she'd silently asked him to stay with her because she couldn't choose NK over him either.
In that moment, while Arnav's mind respected and appreciated NK and Khushi's friendship, ASR's mind calculated and implemented the changes that needed to be made to his plans to deal with this detail.
_____
On Khushi's insistence, despite NK's protests, they had taken him to the hospital where the doctors had taken an x-ray of his knee. Khushi had gladly ignored the 'I-told-you-so' looks that she got from NK when the doctor announced that the scan looked normal.
As expected, Anjali and Khushi had fretted and fussed over Arnav and NK all day once they'd reached home. NK had gone to sleep early just to escape the two ladies' unbearable concern. No adult man wanted to be treated like a sick five year old!
Arnav had seized the opportunity to have Khushi's attention for the major part of the late evening after NK had retired for the day. The incident had settled something between them and now the old camaraderie was reflected in their behavior again. They chatted and joked just like old times as if nothing had changed, as if the past three years had never happened.
He was highly annoyed when Anjali fussed about him getting rest and forced him to go to sleep. Of course, Khushi only needed the reminder to jump on the wagon. He had looked at her hopefully, silently asking her to be on his side, but in vain.
So now, Arnav tossed and turned on his plush bed, unable to sleep for twinkling eyes and tinkling laughter evaded his thoughts.
Maybe a glass of water will calm me down. It was with that thought that he turned to the side table only to be disappointed at the sight of the empty pitcher.
Might as well take a walk. He flung the duvet aside and slipped on his slippers before strolling out into the hall.
No sooner had he set foot out of his room than the smell hit his senses like a wall. A smile automatically lit up his face as he traced the familiar scent back to the kitchen. The smile turned into a grin as he leaned against the doorway's ledge and observed the very familiar sight.
Khushi was making Jalebis. Of course she was!
Her face was still etched in worry as she furiously drew swirls of batter in the piping hot oil. Shaking his head at her, he made his way to her and nudged her shoulder with his.
"As if that train, your and Di's overboard concern wasn't enough to kill me, you're planning on feeding me a mountain of Jalebis?"
Khushi shot him a death glare and Arnav immediately lost the grin, realizing how serious the situation was. The incident had hit her hard and clearly, that was nothing to joke about.
"Khushi...relax...I was just teasing...don't take it to heart..." Arnav reached out to place his hand on her arm but she moved away.
"I will take it to heart!" Khushi said offended. "I will take it to heart because it's not funny to me."
Arnav smiled sheepishly which irked Khushi even more.
"I can't believe you are laughing at me! You should know me better than this!" Khushi's eyes welled up quickly. "Do you know what it felt like to even think that you two could have been seriously hurt? Do you even realize what I went through for those couple of seconds when it seemed like I would lose two of the most important people in my life?! Of course not! Who cares what I felt at that moment...as long as you guys get your laughs, right?"
"Khushi...I..."
"What the hell were you thinking? Why didn't you move?!" Khushi paused and frowned when she saw him smiling again. "Why the hell are you smiling?!"
"Because there's one good thing has come out of this incident...I now know how much you still care about me..." Arnav crossed his arms and looked at her squarely in the face.
"Is it wrong of me to care about you?" She fired off at once. "You care about me, don't you? You care enough to despise the man I'm engaged to..." Khushi searched his face for hints again. His remarks and actions from the day before were still fresh in her mind and she will grab and remember every hint she could manage.
Arnav let go of her arm and sighed. "I don't despise him...not anymore at least...he saved my life...I owe him..."
It was true. Arnav could no longer bring himself to hate the guy and he knew this would change things. He couldn't be as careless about NK's feelings as he was before.
This is why Arnav Singh Raizada hated being indebted to anyone. Owing often got in the way of one's goals. The goal of bringing Khushi back into his life, however, was something where Arnav wouldn't allow this debt to hinder his path.
With a schooled expression, he held her gaze again. "Speaking of NK, you didn't answer my question yesterday..."
Khushi averted her gaze and tried not to give away the fact that she remembered exactly what question he was referring to. He'd asked her if she loved NK. "What question...?"
Arnav threw his head back and laughed. "You know exactly what question...but sure...take more time to come up with an answer...just make sure that its convincing...because for a straightforward question, you're sure taking an awful long time to answer..."
Khushi looked at him disgusted. Was he seriously playing these childish games after what happened earlier in the day?
"What?? I need to know..." Arnav shrugged. "You know...if I had died today, my biggest regret would be leaving things unsorted between us... not giving you the answers to your questions, not getting the answers to my questions...this is just one of those questions. I need to know whether you love him or not...because If you don't Khushi, there is no way in hell I'm letting you marry him."
Before Khushi could react, he leaned in and kissed her forehead in a good night gesture. He turned around and walked to the entrance when Khushi spoke up.
"And if I do?" Khushi took a deep breath. "What if I do l-love him?"
"Oh I'm almost certain you don't." He answered coolly.
A look of pure panic skittered across her face before she gathered herself again. "Excuse me?"
"You said yesterday that you didn't believe in love...going by that...you can't be in love with him." He smirked to himself and left the kitchen leaving Khushi with an uneasy feeling running through her veins.
What is he up to now?
_____
The next morning, Khushi woke up feeling irritated and tired. The one thing she was hoping for from this trip was ample sleep--something that she seldom got as a medical school student. But clearly, Arnav had taken it upon himself to ensure that she didn't get her beauty sleep here either.
As she brushed her teeth, she thought back on his behavior in the last two days. He was awkward and annoyed with NK the first few days after her return. Slowly, the awkwardness with her had ebbed away while the annoyance with NK had increased constantly. After her engagement announcement, he left in anger and returned days later and he had been acting different ever since!
Something had changed and Khushi couldn't place her finger on it. She hated the unknown.
His insistence on not letting me marry NK can't be just friendship, can it? Is a friend ever that possessive?
And then there's the flirting...he hasn't always been like this...or have I just been blind to it?
Khushi tried to draw up a conclusion desperately but none came to her...except for one theory which her mind and heart pushed away with force. She wouldn't make the mistake of forming that theory again. She wasn't going to toss her heart so carelessly this time. She'd done it once and it had fallen to the ground, shattering into pieces. It had taken her all of these years to put it back together and smooth out the cracks as much as possible but it is true what they say...
A broken heart never truly heals.
But I've had enough of his games. He wanted answers to his questions...I want answers to mine.
With that determination, Khushi stepped into the shower, repeating the same sentence to herself. She would put an end to this issue once and for all. Enough is enough.
First he treated her like crap. Then he ignored her for three years. Now he wanted to control her life? He's a fool if he thinks she'll let him go ahead with that. She wanted explanations from him and she wanted them now. She wanted to know what he wants from her. She wanted to know why NK bothers him so much. She wanted to know why her feelings for NK matter so much to Arnav.
She wanted to know everything. About the past, the present, and perhaps the future too.
_____
Khushi walked into the dining room and immediately questioned NK about his knee.
"It's fine!" NK answered at once. "No pain, no swelling, no redness...it's all fine."
Khushi nodded thoughtfully and scanned the dining table. "Where's Arnav?"
Arvind looked up from his paper to look at the girl. A smile tugged at the corner of his lips. If his experience was anything to go by, then his son's way was clear to his happiness.
"He's gone to AR...he's got a couple of meetings. In fact, I think I should be getting there too..." He folded the paper and stood up.
Khushi smiled genuinely at him as he walked up to her. He gave her a fatherly hug and an affectionate kiss on her forehead. "I don't know if I told you this, but it's good to have you here..."
Khushi smiled warmly at the man who had taken the spot of a fatherly figure in her life ever since her father's demise years ago. She had missed him in the last few years that she'd been away. She felt guilty at having ignored the man without any fault of his. He'd always been affectionate and loving towards her, he'd even scold his own son for her and she had ignored him simply because she'd been selfishly caught up in her heartbreak. He didn't deserve that.
"It's good to be here...I'm sorry I haven't kept in touch all these years..." Khushi spoke the words quietly as if for only his ears.
"Hmm..." Arvind looked thoughtful. "Perhaps I should be angry with you but I'm not...you've made me proud, Kiddo. But still...I'm a businessman...I expect you to make it up to me."
Khushi giggled. "Anything you want!"
Arvind smiled to himself. It was an innocent promise but she had no idea what she had just promised him. "I'll ask when the time comes..."
He touched her cheek lovingly once before leaving from there after conveying a general goodbye to all present in the room. Khushi stared at his retreating back and couldn't help but marvel at the similarity between him and Arnav. When Arnav grows old, he would look just like his father.
Except there will be a wife by his side.
The suddenness of the thought scared Khushi but what scared her more was the surge of envy she felt at this woman who didn't even exist as of yet!
Arnav's wife?!?! Where the hell did that come from?!
Chiding herself for her ridiculous thoughts, she turned to the table and took a seat. "What's the plan for today?"
"Akash and I have to go to AR...We have pending work that we need to take care of before our flight tonight..." Payal handed a glass of juice to Khushi. "You guys will be at AR later...you, Lav, and Anjali need to try out your outfits for the wedding ceremonies..."
Khushi was about to take a sip of the juice but paused with the glass touching her lips. "We're technically shopping..."
"I know and No...I don't care that you hate shopping!" Anjali frowned.
"You hate shopping?" Lavanya shrieked as if she had heard the most blasphemous thing.
"Absolutely hates it." NK smirked. "She's the last person I would go shopping with."
"Too bad for her. This is my wedding and this is my wedding shopping...she doesn't have an option." Anjali spoke with conviction.
"Where are Amma and Mami?" Khushi changed the topic. Arguing with Anjali about shopping was pointless.
"They're already at the Airport!" Rohan exclaimed. "Where the hell has you brain been? We're all leaving separately remember?"
Khushi narrowed her eyes as she tried to remember. She had a vague memory of this discussion but had been very distracted by her patients, NK and Arnav.
After an extremely chatty breakfast, Payal and Akash departed for work as did Rohan. Khushi, Lavanya, and Anjali got busy in their last minute packing.
_____
Khushi looked around in awe, taking in the modern architecture and stylish interior decorations. Expensive office furniture was organized in neat rows with short walls to form the cubicles. Pricey paintings adorned the spot-free white walls.
Everything about this place screamed Arnav Singh Raizada.
The last time she'd been here was when AR's designers had designed her prom dress along with Anjali and Payal's. Of course, back then, their friendship equations were fresh and on the journey to becoming as strong as familial ties. Back then, the interiors of this very building were completely different.
"Monica! You need to get those designs to me in the next five minutes if you want to save yourself from ASR"s wrath!" Aman's frantic voice carried across the room to the lady who was, presumably, Monica.
"My assistant said she put the file on your desk five minutes ago!" The woman replied, looking afraid.
Khushi's eyes followed the two individuals during the short exchange of words.
ASR? As in Arnav Singh Raizada? Wrath?? The hell?
"AMAN!" Arnav's voice echoed from the all glass office which sat a floor above the far corner of the large work hall.
Khushi jumped and whirled around to look at him. She took a few moments to register the side of him that she'd only seldom seen before. From what she recalled, he only got that angry when he got possessive about Anjali and her...the fact that waves of anger were radiating off of him in this office took her by surprise.
He didn't see her right away for he was busy glaring at Aman who was rushing up the curved staircase to the cabin. Just has Arnav was turning away, his eyes caught a surprised Khushi looking up at him. The stern expression softened in the next couple of seconds that their eyes held each other. When she didn't tear her gaze away, his mouth formed a small, admiring smile at her.
Her heart stuttered at that faint smile. It was different...it made her feel as if she was the only one he smiled at in that way. As if she was the only one he could see right now. As if seeing her there had brought him utmost joy.
What she didn't know that all her thoughts regarding that smile were on point!
"There you are!" Lavanya came rushing to Khushi, bringing her out of her thoughts. "We were wondering where you disappeared! Let's go!"
Khushi let Lavanya grab hold of her wrist and steer her away and out of the room. Lavanya led her into another large room which Khushi assumed as a working studio. There were mannequins and fabric rolls all over the place. At the end of the long room was another door and upon walking through it, Khushi realized that it was the storage room where the finished designs were put up on mannequins.
Payal was already standing in front of a mirror in an orange saree, adjusting the pleats. Lavanya squealed and rushed over immediately to discuss the intricacies while Khushi stood there and rolled her eyes.
"Ms. Khushi?" A young woman approached her.
Khushi smiled politely and nodded.
"My name is Swati...I'm a designer here at AR. May I show you your outfits?" The young woman radiated positive energy and the enthusiasm on her face had Khushi agreeing without a grimace.
Swati led Khushi to a group of Mannequins. "These were designed with your taste, the latest fashion, and the other ladies' outfits in mind. We've given you a few options to choose from. We had an estimate of your measurements from Payal and Anjali ma'am but if there are anything adjustments that need to be made, we can have that done in time for the ceremonies."
Despite her dislike for shopping, Khushi couldn't help but be drawn to the collection of beautiful colors and crafts in front of her.
"We have suits for Mehendi and Haldi ceremonies...we figured sarees would be more uncomfortable with the messy pastes...there's a choice between lehengas and sarees for the sangeet and wedding..." Swati continued with the explanations but Khushi was no longer listening. Her eyes were set on the lehenga in front of her.
Her favorite shade of sea green coupled with royal blue and the intricate designs on it instantly had her eyes captured. She turned her attention back to Swati and watched as the young woman took off the first outfit from the mannequin with utmost care and handed it to Khushi.
"Try them all on...see which ones you like the best and we'll take it from there." Payal joined Swati while Lavanya skipped to Khushi's side holding a maroon heap of fabric in her hands.
And so began the horrendous task of trying on all the outfits. Lavanya was much more enthusiastic about the whole deal than Khushi was and Khushi prolonged her turn as much as she could. She suggested that Lavanya try on all outfits first.
"That way...both of us can give each other our opinions too!" Was her brilliant excuse.
Anjali had walked in at that precise moment, looking less than happy. "First or second, but you're trying them all on and that's that."
Lavanya paraded back in forth in some eight outfits before choosing, with the help of Payal, Anjali, and Khushi, the four that she would wear for the ceremonies. Knowing that she could delay this no longer, Khushi stood up carrying the two options- two bottle green churidars-and walked into the change room.
She picked her favorite of the two and put it on quickly. The faster I do this, the faster it's over.
Just as Lavanya had done, Khushi walked out and turned in a 360 circle on the spot, hoping that they would give their vote in the favor of this outfit"simply because that meant she won't have to try on the second one.
Much to Khushi's dismay, they urged her to try the second one and much to Khushi's annoyance, they all voted for the first one Anyway. The same routine followed for the Haldi and Sangeet outfit and Khushi realized that they were just making this more difficult for her. Despite agreeing with her choice, they made her try the other options anyway.
"For the wedding outfit, I've got my mind set on that one." Khushi pointed to the one she'd been eying earlier. "And that's the only one I'm trying."
Swati immediately began undoing the lehenga's dupatta from the mannequin. Another young girl walked through the door, looking slightly nervous. Khushi watched her carefully as she whispered something in Payal's ear. A slight frown appeared on Khushi's face.
What is with all his employees looking like they're about to get slaughtered?!
"Khushi...don't take the dress off until I come back. I just need to go and speak to an employee." Payal hurried out, her heels clicking on the smooth floor.
"And Ma'am...your bridal lehenga is all set for you to try on in the other room." The girl now spoke to Anjali.
Anjali looked torn between her bridal lehenga and seeing Khushi in the one she'd chosen.
"We'll come to whichever room you're in...Swati can show us." Khushi suggested.
Grinning, Anjali jumped to her feet and gave Khushi a tight hug before scampering out with the girl.
"Keep your dress on!" Anjali's voice floated through the open door.
"Well I'm not going anywhere so you're not off the hook. Go on." Lavanya waved her in the direction of the change room.
Khushi, happy at the fact that this was the last outfit she had to try on, walked into the change room at once. Within three minutes, she stepped out again donning the elegant piece.
"Where's Swati?" Khushi asked noting the absence.
"Aman came to get her...ASR needed her for something." Lavanya spoke as she looked at her phone screen. And then as if realizing that she ought to be looking up at Khushi, she put her phone away and turned to face her.
"Oh My God!!" Lavanya exclaimed, stressing on each word.
"What? Does it look bad?"
"No! You look absolutely gorgeous! Holy crap, Khushi, what the hell are you doing in medical school? You should be a model! Just look at yourself!" Lavanya launched into a long speech about how great Khushi looked while Khushi found herself smiling at the open appreciation.
"Anjali and Payal are going to be mind-blown when they see you!" Lavanya hopped on the spot and clapped her hands in excitement.
"Jeez Lavanya, I thought Anjali was the overboard dramatic one...you can give her a run for her money." Khushi rolled her eyes. "I haven't put this on properly...can you tie the string at the back?"
"Yeah, sure..." Lavanya reached out once Khushi turned her back on her precisely at the moment Lavanya's phone blared techno music. "Oh shoot...one second..."
Lavanya answered her phone while Khushi tried to get hold of the strings at the back of her blouse.
"Hello? Ms. Sharma, I can't hear you...hello?" Lavanya looked at the screen and clicked her tongue. "I'll be right back Khushi...this is important...I've gotta take it..."
Khushi resumed her struggle with the strings at her back.
Ridiculous! I'm standing here in a freaking lehenga all by myself for crying out loud...what the hell am I supposed to do? Stare at myself in the mirror? And why won't this stupid string just stop escaping my hands!
No sooner had the thought gone through her mind than warm fingers brushed her back. Khushi shrieked and jumped while her head snapped up to look at the mirror. Seeing the familiar face over her shoulder in the reflection, all her muscles relaxed. All except for one which started working overtime--her heart.
Holding her gaze through the reflection, he continued with tying the knot at her back. His fingers lingered where the knot lay for a couple of seconds before his hands moved to her shoulders, holding her in place.
There was an emotion in his eyes that she couldn't decipher. She had never seen it before. It made her feel excited and nervous, happy and sad, angry and calm, all at the same time. Neither said anything as they held each other's gazes through the reflection for a few seconds.
Only when the slightly tingling sensation on her left shoulder grew into a wake of fire did she realize that his thumb was drawing circles on her skin. Khushi's voice came out in a husky whisper when she spoke next.
"Arnav?"
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