CHAPTER – 11

  

“What’s going on here? “

It was Anjali. Anjali mused that she couldn’t have had a better timing. A smirk identical to her brother was seen on her face and that smirk spelled trouble for Arnav and Lavanya.

Both of them understood that Anjali has misunderstood the situation; it is better to clear fast. Both said at the same time.

Arnav: Di, it’s not what you think it is.

Lavanya: Bhabhi, it’s not what you think it is.

Anjali: Aww and how do you guys know what I am thinking?

Lavanya: Bhabhi, there is nothing between me and Arnav.

Anjali: Oh is it? But I don’t remember asking!!! Dekha kaise sach saamne aaya!

Anjali moved ahead without giving heed to their words. Both of them followed suit to clear the misunderstanding as soon as possible.

Arnav: Di, I’m not in love with Lavanya.

Anjali: Very well Chotte.  I will believe it if you want me to, till you are ready to confess the truth.

Lavanya: He is saying the truth bhabhi.

Anjali (grinning to herself): Ok bhabhi (addressing her as Chotte’s woo!!!)

That was the limit. Lavanya understood that this is going into a coil and she has to save at least her flesh and bone out of it.

Arnav( getting irritated): Di, for the last time, I’m not in love with Lavanya.

Anjali was still walking ahead not listening when she heard Lavanya’s words just after Arnav.

Lavanya: Arnav is in love with Kushi, bhabhi.

Anjali came to a halt while Arnav looked at Lavanya with a look that could kill.

Anjali (turning at once): WHAT?????

He was gazing at Lavanya with utmost frustration. She shrugged as if saying, story has to move ahead. And I just saved my skin!

Band Bhajaa Arnavvvv, he mused!

                                               *****************

Anjali: Arnav, are you even in your senses?

They were now in Anjali’s house. She demanded them to come with her in the evening to discuss this further. Arnav was sitting on the couch and flipping through a magazine while Anjali went about cutting vegetables for dinner. Lavanya stood by the fridge close to Anjali munching on a carrot.

Anjali: I don’t know how I will face Kushi now!

Arnav: Di, please stop over reacting.

Anjali: I am overreacting? I AM?

Arnav: Of course Di. It is not a crime to fall in love. Why are you making a hill out of a mole?!

Anjali: Yes it’s not a crime to fall in love, but falling in love with a girl older than you? And to top it, she is my best friend too.

Arnav: Didn’t you fall in love with a man older than you?! And you should be happy that your best friend is going to be your bhabhi. There won’t be any fights between you too.

Anjali: But Arnav ...urghhh....that is the way of this world. I cannot fall in love with a man younger than me and you cannot love a girl older than you.

Arnav: Who has made such rules? Why what is wrong if I love Kushi? In today’s world even a man can love another man. Why going after such stupid traditions when they have no meaning in it?!

Anjali: Arnav, I’m serious

Arnav: I’m serious too Di.

Anjali (calming herself down): Forget about your stand. I know Kushi, she will never ever agree to such crazy ideas. She is from an orthodox family which will never accept such notions. And she is not a girl who would go against her family.

Arnav: Maybe, but that is for time to decide. It doesn’t mean I can’t try.

When Anjali was to object, Arnav interrupted.

Arnav: Look Di, I have fallen in love with Kushi and there is no going back for me. I won’t let it go without giving my best try. And I do believe that one day Kushi will realise my love and value it more than all those traditions she believes in. This is my belief. I won’t let anything hinder me.

With that Arnav walked away not noticing Viren who was standing near the doorway about to enter. He had heard most of the conversation.

Lavanya: I know Di, you are right in your thoughts. Arnav and this love affair have very less chances of succeeding. But I don’t think we should interfere. It is Arnav’s personal matter, let him sort it out.

Anjali: I can’t Lavanya. He is my brother and Kushi is my best friend. If anything goes wrong between them, then it affects both my dear ones. And knowing Kushi, I know even if she wants to, she won’t go against her family. And she is not a girl who can digest such unconventional things. Though she looks modern, deep inside she is still a traditional girl. And if at the end of all tries, Kushi rejects him, Arnav might not be able to bear it. Because I can see that he is serious about her. I don’t want to see him heartbroken.

That’s when she saw Viren. One look at his face and she knew he had heard their conversation.

                                                   *************

Later that night, Anjali told Viren how she found about Arnav and Kushi, playing with the hair on his chest lying by his side. 

Viren: I understand your worry and your concern for both Arnav and Kushi. But we cannot intervene in their life unless they want it. This is their problem and they have to deal with it. If they need help, we can surely help. But otherwise I suggest you must stay out of this.

Anjali: But how can I Viren?! It is my Chotte’s life and Kushi’s. I can’t sit doing nothing when this might affect my brother and best friend.

Viren: Tell me one thing honestly, beyond all the reasons of tradition and Kushi’s family etc, do you disapprove this match? Do you have reservations against them?

Anjali remained silent for a long while before answering.

Anjali: Yes.

Viren: I guessed so.

Anjali (she felt the need to explain): It’s not that I don’t like Kushi. She is my best friend. If Arnav was my elder brother, then maybe I myself might have pushed them together. But when my younger brother is drooling after a girl older than her, and she is my best friend, it doesn’t seem right. If anything goes wrong I can lose both of them.

Viren: I agree. But it is their choice to make. And all I’m asking is let them make that choice on their own.

Anjali: But V...

Viren: And regarding your reservations, I understand them. To be honest, when I heard this first, I felt the same. But then who are we to judge them? Didn’t we marry against the traditions and caste beliefs of our families? My mother might have felt the same emotion which you are feeling right now back then. So when we made our choice without bothering about others, how can we dictate others life Anji?

Anjali did understand what Viren is trying to explain to her. But she somehow could not digest it still.

Viren (patting her head): You yourself said, if not for the age factor you would have approved them. So I think it’s better that you forget that factor for now. You should actually be happy that Arnav is seeing a good girl like Kushi for himself. If you think from a sister’s angle or a friend’s, you know they are good for each other.

Anjali (smiling): Well thinking about their past, I can never assess like that. Both of them were at each other’s throat back then.  

Viren (smiling): Weren’t we like that when we first met? When I ragged you and you fought back? And plus that is past. Since Arnav settled down here, they had been good friends. So maybe there is a chance.

Anjali (pouting): But from what Lavanya said, Kushi doesn’t harbour any feelings for him. She has out rightly rejected him many times. Arnav’s persistent nature is getting on her nerves.

Viren gave her a thoughtful look.

Viren: Why don’t you talk to Kushi?

Anjali (eyes widening): About Arnav? Marvayegi kya? You know her temper. Moreover you asked me to not interfere few minutes back.

Viren( smiling): I still mean that. But all I’m asking is to talk to your friend, as her friend. You know Kushi, she hyperventilates for the smallest of the small worries. Since it’s your brother in question, she might have felt embarrassed to discuss this with you. But she might need a ear to listen and vent out her feelings. Maybe you can help her relax and bring her to a relaxed state. Then maybe, who knows she might be able to think about this.

Anjali: I don’t know. Knowing Kushi..

Viren: You knew Arnav too. Did you expect him to fall in love with Kushi? No right?! So let’s not judge Kushi’s reaction now. Let’s wait and see if Arnav can woo her.

Anjali: Viren, my fear is not just about Kushi loving him or not.  I know her enough to predict this that she will always choose her family over her love, if at all she falls in love. Then what will happen to Arnav?

Viren: Hmm, you can’t protect him always Anjali. What is meant to be will be; we are no one to resist fate. We are always there to support him right? So relax.

Anjali: What do I tell her? Should I support Chotte or her?

Viren: You don’t have to take stands. Just talk to her. She might feel relieved to talk to someone. And also talk with Arnav tomorrow morning and clear your thoughts with him. He too have no one else than you to confide in. If he kept this from you till now, it means he feared your reaction and as expected you over reacted.

Viren ended with a grin while Anjali got angry.

Anjali: I over reacted? Anybody in my place would have done the same.

Viren (smiling): Okay okay, let’s leave that. You have two missions now. Talk to Arnav and Kushi and render the support both needs from you. All you have to do is offer support. Let them decide their destiny on their own; whatever the consequences we will be there for both of them, okay?

Anjali nodded with determination before hugging her husband to fall into a peaceful slumber.

                                                     ***********

Arnav had slept in at his Di’s place that night. Next morning when he woke up and came to the dining table, he saw his Di, buttering the toast for him. He knew she has realised his presence but ignoring him. He smiled.

Arnav: Good morning Diiiii

He went and hugged Anjali squeezing her arms.

Anjali: Ouch, chotte.

He sat beside her and started helping her.

Arnav: Di

Anjali didn’t talk anything and he knew she is upset with him for hiding this from her.

Arnav: I’m sorry Di.

Anjali: Have I become a stranger to you chotte that you don’t share the matters of your heart with me?

Arnav: I feared your reaction Di. And just like I expected you exploded. And I know you are still worried about the final outcome of all this. I didn’t want to worry you unless I am sure about Kushi’s feelings.

Anjali: Are you that serious chotte?

Arnav: I am Di.

ANjali: But why Kushi?

Arnav: Why not Kushi?

Anjali: I mean, Kushi is of my age. She is elder to you, and ...and so different from you. How is this going to work?

Arnav (sighed): Honestly, I don’t know Di. But I have lost my heart to her. And I won’t rest until I get her heart back too!

He said that with such a serious determination that finally Anjali sighed in resignation.

Anjali: I just want you to be happy Chotte. And I will be there for you if this is your happiness.

Arnav: Thank you Di. I know you would come around. That’s why I love you so much.

ANjali: Hmm enough buttering me. Have your breakfast.

Arnav: Feed me Di.

Anjali smiled at that and fed him his toast. Viren watched this scene from their open kitchen and smiled to himself. He hoped that everything goes well.

                                                **************

Music is heard in the background. Anjali and Kushi were in their zumba class. After three continuous 10 minute sessions, they took a break and eased onto the floor leaning on the wall behind them. When their breath came to normal Anjali softly broached the subject.

Anjali: Arnav told me.

Kushi was dirnking water and when she heard Anjali’s tone she knew, she knew.

It felt all the more difficult to face ANjali now. But still she did, after all they were friends.

Kushi: I seriously don’t know what is wrong with Arnav, Anji. I really don’t know how to handle this. I... I did not even know how to tell you about this?!

Anjali: I know. Feelings are mutual Kush.

Kushi: Can’t you advise Arnav? He will listen to you.

Anjali: Nope, I tried but he is quite adamant. Once he decides on something, nothing can stop him.

Kushi (sighing defeated): I don’t know what to do Anji. He was a good friend; I don’t want to lose his friendship. I tried to make him understand all this is wrong. But he is back to his old avatar of irritating me and now we rarely have a proper conversation. I seriously don’t know how to handle this boy.

Anjali: Hmm I know. (Pausing for a moment) Can I ask you something?

Kushi: I know what you want to ask; I have not misled him anyway, neither through words nor actions. I really don’t know from where he got these ideas.

Anjali: No, no. I did not mean that. I... I just wanted to know that....that..

Kushi: What Anji?

Anjali: Is there any chance of him wining you at the end?

Kushi (shocked and wide eyed): ANJI?

Njali: oh don’t shriek. I’m just...asking!

Kushi: Hmm you are my best friend; you should know me better than this.

Anjali (grinning): Yes but it is my charming brother at the other end. So I wanted to be 

sure you know.

Kushi: Charming my foot.

Anjali giggled.

Anjali: Tell me honestly Kush, if Arnav was my elder brother, wouldn’t you have agreed? It’s the age factor that is disturbing you right?

Kushi: Isn’t that disturbing you too?

Anjali: Honestly yes. I was shocked too. For a moment, I sincerely wished your ages were vice versa.

Kushi( whispered with a resigned look) : I wished it too.

Anjali: Really?

Kushi: Like you said, your brother is a charming bastard. Handsome, good personality, carefree character and a true gentleman inside; he is the perfect description for ‘prince charming’. In fact he is everything that I am not and I want to be or I’m searching for in my life partner. He is too tempting an offer to deny. But I cannot accept him, you know my family, they won’t agree. Hell will break loose if Dadi gets a whiff of it.

Anjali nodded knowingly.

Kushi: Moreover I fell like a cradle snatcher you know!!! Your Chotte makes me feel so bad about myself!

She said that and cringed her face to which Anjali laughed out.

Anjali(sobering down): So you are not going to accept my brother, are you?

Kushi nodded a no.

Anjali: Not even going to try?

Kushi : Not even going to try.

Kushi got up and Anjali joined her for the next session.

 Arnav is a gem; she knew it, but an untouchable one for her. Her family is a highly respected one in Lucknow, which values traditions a lot. They will not accept her union with a boy younger to her; that will be blasphemy for them. Why pull Arnav into something which is never going to have a happy ending?!

                                            *****************

They were done with the classes and moving to the parking lot. Anjali had come in car while Kushi chose to walk as her apartment was nearby. Once inside the car, Anjali turned towards Kushi.

Anjali: Kushi, I know your decision is right and it is the best for all. Yet I feel you should reconsider it, not for Chotte’s sake, but yours.

Kushi looked on without saying anything.

Anjali: I’m your best friend and I want the best for you. And though there are issues to digest, I know you and Chotte can make this work, if you both desire. I won’t force you to think about it, but I will like you to think deeply before letting go. Maybe this decision can change your life forever, in a better way.

With that Anjali drove away leaving Kushi in thoughts which she did not want to dwell on.

                                             ***********

On her way back, Anjali’s words played again and again in her mind. She remembered all the attempts Arnav had done to woe her.

It’s not like I’m in love with him. But I know that given a chance, he might as well win my heart; but what then? How will I convince my family to accept Arnav? Also age difference is a big issue; my family will not be able to look beyond it. To be honest, even I’m not able too. When I was 18 and drooling over Hrithik, he was studying in 6^th standard; 6^th standard, Gawwwd!!! How weird is it?

 Also looks matter; I will look too old when I stand beside him. Serves me right for dreaming for a man 10 years older than me; the sole purpose being my greed to always look young before my husband. But if I’m to consider Arnav, then he will look as charming as ever while I look like an aunty even in my 40s beside him. Aww that hurts!!!!

Is that even a matter of concern? A guy like Arnav is every girl’s dream, she had dreamt of such a man in her life too. Uff, only if he would have been at least her same age, if not elder!!!!

With all these thoughts going on in her mind, she reached home and logged into Skype. She needed some serious advice and no one can match upto her bhabhi.

Calling Payal Bhabhi

The video chat came on and Payal Sharma, wife of Akash Singh Malik smiled through the screen at us. 

CHAPTER – 10

                                                  

Sharath rakhna asaan dha, lekin jeethna uthni hi mushkil. But this is not just a challenge for me. This chunouthi is going to decide my life ahead and I’m not going to give up without giving my best shot. Aakhir pyaar kiya hai Arnav Singh Raizada ne. Kushi Singh Malik, pull your gears up, Arnav Singh Raizada is all set to woe you!!!!

Song link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdWZd92AfkU

Music

Sun rise is seen through a window before our eyes.

Beats of the song starts

We see Arnav rising from his bed. We see it from back right so that we see his back profile as he gets up from the bed. Arnav takes his phone and looks at Kushi’s photo where she is smiling heartily. He had clicked her pic secretly that day on beach. He kisses her photo and then gets up.

We see him brushing, on the pot with eye plugs fixed on his ears and head moving to the song. Then we see him under the shower dancing and singing. Then we see him trying looking at his upper lips for a moustache in the mirror and sighing to himself in disappointment. But soon he shrugs and leaves getting dressed.

En fuse um pochu,

(My fuse has gone out)

Arnav is seen stretching his arms and singing standing in one of the corridors of the hospital. All look at him strangely. He twirls and moves ahead.

en fuse um pochu

(My fuse has gone out)

He continues dancing and singing moving ahead. We see his x-ray image when he is walking, and we see a big heart shape in red colour at his chest beating in sync to the beats of the music. He sent a flying kiss to Lavanya who passes him on the corridor, she stares after him confused

mudiyadhunu solla mudiyaadhu, my baby
mudiyadhunu solla koodaadhu, my baby
mudiyadhunu solla mudiyaadhu, my baby
mudiyadhunu solla koodaadhu, my baby

(You can’t say no, my baby

You shouldn’t say no, my baby – 2)

Kushi is doing her rounds and Arnav is following her behind singing and enjoying himself, he presses his heart and sings dramatically at ‘my baby’. Patients, other nurses and staff stare at him as if he has grown horns but he continues unbothered. kushi ignores him plainly.

En fuse um pochu,

(My fuse has gone out)

Scene changes and close up of Arnav’s face

en fuse um pochu
unna enni thaaney confuse-um aachu
feel panniten

(My fuse has gone out

Because of you I’m confused and sad)

Camera suddenly backtracks and we see he sitting among pregnant ladies, it’s the waiting room in gynaecology side. [The lady sitting on his left is none other than our darling Rani Mukherji and the one on right, Sneha Prasanna, tamil actress and behind him Genelia Dizousa – guest roles of the expecting bollywood actresses guys, lol]. There are many other pregnant ladies as well.

He shares his feelings with them through singing. He has a baby face and singing with full earnestly; the ladies are feeling sorry for the lover boy. Their face expression is that of concern.

M size-il irundha ennudaya heart-u
double x aaga love panniten, mudiyadhunu

(After loving you, my M-size heart has become XXL with love)

He shows through actions, his heart’s size has increased (as in the real song) and the ladies are in awe of his love. He finally points towards Kushi who turns her back to them exasperated seeing his drama.

mudiyadhunu solla mudiyaadhu,my baby
mudiyadhunu solla koodaadhu, my baby

(You can’t say no, my baby

You shouldn’t say no, my baby – 2)

The pregnant ladies dance lightly along with Arnav as if asking Kushi to not say no to him. At the end all of them pat his face and hair to console him seeing Kushi going away irritated with his drama. Rani even kisses his cheek shocking him.

Music

Scene changes, Anjali’s house, all of them have gathered for the weekend. Kushi was searching for something in fridge. When she closed the door of fridge she saw Arnav standing there with a grin on his face. He tries to remove his t-shirt to show his beating heart. But kushi is horror struck and runs from there.

Again scene changes, when Kushi open the door of bathroom she sees Arnav and he shifts his coat and we see an animated image of a beating red heart shape beating and it is filled with the word love running around. Kushi leans her head on the door tiredly.

In the canteen Arnav is sitting with a dreamy expression when Lavanya comes towards him and nudges him asking what the matter is. He shifts his coat and shows his beating heart, lavanya gasps and asks if it is for her, but he immediately corrects. He gestures no and signals towards the door of the canteen and at the same moment kushi passes by it.

Unna nilavunu reela vitten
uzhaga azhaginu poiyaa sonnen
anga inganu thodavaa senjen, love me darling

(Did I lie saying you are the moon?

Did I lie to you saying you are Miss. World?

Did I even touch you, love me darling?)

Scene changes, Kushi is jogging early morning in a park with her ear plugs on when she hears Arnav singing. She turns around abruptly taking the ear plug off. He is in his jogging tracks too and comes beside her from behind and continue singing and demonstrating the lyrics through his actions irritating Kushi to the peak. Hearing him begging her to love him she rolls her eyes.

kavithai kavithainu filimaa poten
avale ivalae nu kadhayaa vitten
uyire kayirenu edhanaa sonnen love me darling

(I did not fake writing poems

I did not build up stories to woe you)

Kushi is in their usual Cafe. As soon as she sits collecting her order, Arnav come and sit in front of her. Kushi sees this and supports her head on her fingers sighing.

He continues singing the lyrics as dialogue as if asking her the same questions in the song.

Raman naanu naanum solla maaten
aanaa unna thaandi sella maaten
mudiyadhunu ...

(I won’t say I’m like Ram

But I won’t go beyond you in my life

Don’t say no)

Scene shifts to ICU. Kushi is checking a patient who is serious, when the patient who is having an oxygen mask points in the opposite direction. Kushi turns and sees Arnav in the middle of the ICU, singing again. Kushi closes her eyes and her body language reveals anger and defeat at the same time. At the end she sees all the patients in the ICU also raising their hands with Arnav as if telling Kushi to not say No. Kushi walks off.

Music

Kushi is entering a church. Arnav sees this and follow her. He sees Kushi praying kneeling down before the altar. He knows Kushi being raised in convent school always had a close relationship with our dear Jesus.

He kneels down beside her and looks at her face fondly. When Kushi opens her eyes feeling a presence beside her Arnav turns his face and starts praying loudly.

Arnav: Oh Lord, is it a fault to love? Don’t we say God is love? Then what crime have I committed?

Kushi’s shoulders slump in utmost irritation but she decides to ignore Arnav and continues praying closing her eyes. Arnav checks her face and continues.

Arnav: I fell in love with a girl. It’s not my mistake if she was born some years ahead of me. If it was vice versa, that is if I had born before her, wouldn’t she have accepted me? Kya hua agar mein late hogaya to come on this planet, my love is true. That’s what matters right.

Kushi finishes her prayer and walks out ignoring Arnav. Arnav continues to pray loud to make her listen.

Arnav: No matter what, I will keep trying till the day she fall in love with me. Aap bas give me a hi-five for it.

We see Jesus’ statue winking at him. He grins and gives a wink back.

Adi unna enna dating-a kooputen
mid range-ula meetinga keten
thanni podura partikka koopten,
love thaan keten

(Did I call you for time pass dating?

Did I try to meet you at inappropriate time?

Did I ask you out to a party with booze?

I just asked for your love)

Scene changes and Kushi is driving her car when suddenly a cab comes beside her car on the other lane. Arnav is sitting in front with the driver and singing the dialogue to her with apt expressions. Kushi ignoring him increases the speed and moves ahead.

Weekendula veetukka koopten
oru madhiri unnayaa paarthen
friendu perula rommaa poten
love thaan ketten

(Did I call you to my home with wrong intentions?

Did I look at you in a creepy way?

Did I book a room for us to get laid?

I just asked for your love)

Kushi is in her apartment and hears her ringtone and picks up the call. As soon as she picks the call she hears Arnav singing on the other side. She looks weirdly at the phone and opens her mouth in surprise which changes to anger and she cuts the call.

Lovea sollu sollu ippathaaneysonnathellaaam seilaam appuram thaaney

mudiyadhunu ...

(Tell me your love right now

Will do everything I promised after that

Don’t say no...)

Hospital corridor Arnav is walking behind Kushi and asking her to love him back. Kushi moves ahead without any care. At the end he is depressed and turns his back towards her.

mudiyadhunu solla mudiyalaye, I luv u
sollaama poga mudiyalaye

(I’m unable to say no,

I love you,

I can’t go without saying this)

Suddenly he hears a female voice saying she cannot say No anymore. He turns in shock (just like in the song) and he seens Kushi smiling and singing.

unnaala heart-um lung surungi poche

luv panna yeno yengidiche
mind voice-a kelu kaadhal sonna naalu
un pera solli thudichiruche

(Because of you my heart and lungs have shrunk with the longing to love

You can ask my mind voice, the day you proposed me

My heart started beating your name)

Kushi comes towards Arnav singing and dancing as in the song. Arnav is on cloud nine. He feels so happy seeing his love finally winning. He hugs her at the end in satisfaction.

                                                                                                                      ************

When he opens his eyes he sees Lavanya in his arms and is shocked. Lavanya starts laughing.

Arnav: Tum?

Lavanya: Haan, you thought it’s Kushi, haina? Oh God, look at your face.

Lavanya continues laughing while Arnav sighs.

Arnav: That’s what I thought how come Kushi got convinced so fast. According to my theory, she will take more time.

Lavanya: Aww poor baby, I felt sorry for you, so thought of giving you a few seconds of happiness.

Arnav (smiling): Thanks Lav. You are the best.

He hugs her friendly who returns it when a voice breaks them apart.

“What’s going on here?”

CHAPTER – 9

                                                  

Kushi’s mind is blank. She did not know what she had to feel right now. Actually she chose not to feel anything right now. She is attending her friend’s anniversary party; today is their day and she doesn’t want to spoil it. She could feel Arnav’s gaze on her throughout.  She felt a lingering feeling on her lips still.

No! Not now!

Anjali and Viren cut the cake which she had lit a while ago. Kushi sighed. She did not want to think about anything else now. She knew once she starts thinking she will fall into a whirlpool of thoughts and this is not the place for it. She wants to leave as soon as possible. And certainly she did not want to meet a particular Raizada tonight though he had been trying for it since a while.

Arnav had been trying to come near her and talk to her but Kushi avoided him throughout the party meticulously. Sensing her withdrawal he decided to give her some time. He knew he has bombed her with an unexpected proposal when we see it through her eyes. She will need time and once she has dwelled enough either she will withdraw more or she will have questions to ask and answers to demand. If she is to withdraw and ignore him then he will take things into his hand. Until then he is going to give her time to deal with the turn of events.

                                            ***************

Kushi was driving back home. Her mind and heart were equally urging her to think; in fact they were presenting her with some mental pictures of some memories all of which ended with the light brush of a lip on hers. The speed of the car raised and in no time she reached her apartment. She went inside switched on lights and went inside and changed into her night dress. She came to her kitchen and took the ice cream box and started digging into it. It was her best way to deal with – tension, sorrow, worry, anger and excitement. She loved ice creams and when she is too happy or too depressed her sole companion are ice creams. She has them always stocked at home. Once she had her fill she closed the box, washed her hands and went to sleep. But sleep had no mercy on her tonight. She tried tossing and turning but nothing helped. Finally she had to give up and soon mind’s wheels started churning and she couldn’t help but let go and delve into those disturbing thoughts.

All of it made sense now – the recent behaviour of Arnav, the unnecessary flirting, eye locks, touches, hugs, words of appreciation, dinners together, talks about future, love, dreams.

He was trying to woe me!!!He was trying to woe me???

Those dinners together were actually him taking me out on a date? And I didn’t even know? I didn’t understand when he was trying to make passes at me? How idiotic I might have appeared to him to not follow his actions!

First of all how did I allow all this to happen? This is wrong. I should have stopped it earlier. But I didn’t know!

How could he even have such thoughts? I never misled him; has he misinterpreted my friendship?

But why me? Why will he think of me in that way? I’m elder to him, hell I’m of his Di’s age, how can he think of me like that? And he never had scarcity of women to come behind me, a 30 year old average looking woman.

Those eye locks and some pecks and hugs had confused me. I had felt his behaviour strange but I never guessed this to be the reason; because this could never have been a reasonable explanation considering our age difference, opposite characters, the friendship that existed between us.

What would have made him behave like this? Why would he think of me in that way?

Stop it. It doesn’t matter. What matters is I put a full stop to this.

But how do I face him again? I cannot be the same with him hereafter. This is going to be awkward; just like it was after he had kissed me. We both were uneasy and didn’t know what to say or how to react. When he had figured out what to speak Anjali came into the kitchen breaking the tension. But now what? How do I face him and tell him off? How do I take things forward without worsening matters?

Oh God! Why do you always play with my life? Why is my life never simple and easy? Why does it have to be complicated always?!

                                           ***************

Though Kushi wanted to clear air with Arnav, the following 2 3 days whenever they came face to face Kushi walked away or ignored him. She was being true to her escapist self. But Arnav was losing his mind with each passing day. Kushi was ignoring him by hook or crook and he understood that Kushi is not going to come forward with the topic hence he decided he had to rise up to the task.

The next day when Kushi left hospital and headed towards her car she saw Arnav waiting beside it. And in that moment she knew ‘the talk’ have to happen tonight.

                                   ***********************

Their usual Cafe down the road of their hospital

Arnav and Kushi sat opposite each other after collecting their orders. There was an awkward silence for few minutes but it ended when both started to speak at the same time.

Kushi: Look Arnav...

Arnav: See Kushi...

                                                                     

Both stopped together. They waited for the other to speak. Arnav gestured her to talk. Kushi took a deep breath and said without looking at nothing in particular.

Kushi: Arnav, I really don’t know what to say. I don’t know how you got such ideas in your head in the first place.

Arnav (calmly): Love just happens Kushi. There is no logical explanation.

Kushi: Itna logic bhi nahi ki you fall in love with a girl elder to you? Are you in your senses?

Arnav: Sachin Tendulkar, Shash Rukh Khan, Abhishek Bachan all fell in love with elder girls.

Kushi: We are talking about us, and not celebrities. Moreover in their cases the love was mutual; here I cannot even imagine you like that.

Arnav: Glad that you are ready to talk about ‘us’. (When she tries to interpret he continues in speed).  And yes you have a point, love should be mutual. But what do you think? Sachin or Shah Rukh or any other youngster in my stage when they proposed an elder girl the girls readily agreed? They might have taken their time to convince these ladies. It would have taken time to pursue them.

Kushi (agitated): Okay enough. Look, I know I should have talked to you the minute I realized your intentions. But in the fear of losing your friendship I stalled it till now but, not anymore.

Arnav’s face was calm the only movement is the rise and fall of his adam’s apple.

Kushi: I don’t have any feelings for you. I don’t love you. And I will never ever. Is that clear?

Arnav: Acha teek hai, I accept that right now you don’t love me. But what if tomorrow your feelings towards me change?

Kushi(giving a tight smile): Actually I think it is already changing. I thought after clearing the air that may be we will be able to continue as friends. But now it is clear that cannot happen. So I end every relation between us today. From this moment, you are just Anjali’s brother for me. That’s all.

Arnav (laughing): You won’t be able to do that doctor.

Kushi: Oh try me!

Arnav(winking): I would love to!

Kushi (angry): What the

Arnav: I mean it doctor; you won’t because if you want to end our friendship and any contact between us then it means you fear that your ‘fragile heart’ will fall in love with me.

Kushi (shocked and angry with mouth open): What?

Arnav: Yup you want to avoid me because you fear falling in love with me.

Kushi: Arnav, this is ridiculous. It’s not true.

Arnav: Then prove it.

Kushi stared at him realising what is coming.

Arnav: Prove it by continuing our friendship and allowing me to pursue you.

Kushi (with sharp glare): Why would I do that? Why do I need to prove myself to you? I won’t.

Arnav (with a smirk): Then don’t. Either way I will try to pursue you.

Kushi: You can do whatever you want Mr. Raizada. It’s none of my business.

Arnav: Aww back to Mr. Raizada? Fine, but it won’t be long before you will be calling me ‘Baby’.

Kushi: Keep dreaming.

Saying that Kushi walked out of the cafe.

Arnav (himself): Hmmmmmm (stretching his body and sittign straight and sighed)  Kushi se challenge toh kar liya lekin kuch plan hai kya Arnav?!