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?!

CHAPTER 8

                                         

“Agar is duniya mein ek unromantic dumbvit is there then it is my Kushi”!!!

Arnav was remembering the words of his sister right now. Anjali had told that long ago when they were in college and Arnav was a kid. But right now he couldn’t agree more with his sister. For the past few weeks he has been trying to woo Kushi who was nowhere close to even realising his feelings.

Initially I began with slow hints. Some eye locks in between our usual friendly banters or when we spend the weekends together. When all are busy around us I give my full attention to her. I often play hide and seek with my eyes around her. She noticed it too. When someone cracks a joke, I look into her eyes and laugh. When someone asks me something, I answer looking at her. Even after noticing my intense eyes, she often brushed it off, I wonder why. She sometimes avoids it or responds with a smile and move forward. So I decided I had to take the next step.

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I tried appreciating her now and then. Every day when I see her, I appreciated her beauty.

Arnav: Hey Good morning doctor, you look awesome today.

Arnav: You are one of the most amazing women I have come across.

Arnav: You are beautiful Kushi

She turned behind every time I commented thinking that those praises were for someone else; actually she couldn’t believe it. I wonder what she couldn’t believe, that she is beautiful or I’m appreciating her!!! Later on it became as a joke or flattering for her, something which she again brushed off!!!!

]]]]]]]

Next I tried openly flirting with her, which she never really understood. Taking it in mind that she is too innocent for these stuffs I began with light touching here and there – a peck on cheek, holding hands while spending weekends together, hugging at times in the name of wishing good morning or goodnight. People around us might have even noticed these changes, but not Kushi. She never realized what I was trying to put forth. Sometimes I wonder if she is playing with my feelings; that maybe even after realising my intentions, still she is not responding purposefully. But then her words and actions showed that she had no clue, nothing whatsoever.

How can a girl be soo clueless when a guy is pursuing her?

He remembered asking her out on a date. bechari ko yeh bhi pata nahi chala that I’m asking her out on a ‘date’.

Arnav: Ey Doctor, will you join me for dinner tonight?

Kushi: Tonight? No Arnav. I have back to back appointments today. I will be tired. Let’s meet up on weekend.

Arnav: Ok. Then Saturday 8pm at Love Cross Restaurant is fine?

Kushi: Yeah.

Arnav mentally did a jig realising that he is going to take her on a date. But Saturday when he waited for her with a bouquet of red roses at the door step of her apartment she was not at home. When he called on her number, she told that she is already reaching the restaurant. Cursing he sped up to the restaurant. But what awaited him there was another blow. His sister and Viren sat chatting with Kushi on the table he had reserved.

 The foolish girl thought it was a simple ‘catch –up’ between friends like always and not a ‘date’ with ‘only two of them’.

[[[[[[[[[[[

So the next time I made sure to not inform her beforehand. I invited her at the last moment and told some lies about Di being busy. I thought finally I’m going to get a chance to reveal my feelings. I didn’t know what I was going to tell her or if I’m actually going to tell her but I wanted that day to be of some lead in our life. She came, we placed orders. There was music in the background, beautiful lawn in view. Everything was perfect until she opened her mouth.

Kushi(with a crooked smile): Am I guessing it right that you are trying to bribe me for not revealing to Anjali about Lavanya and your closeness?

Arnav felt his elated heart blowing off like a blown off balloon. Soon she was going on and on about romance, lover, Lavanya etc etc.

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

Kushi(smirking wide): Oh yeah yeah.

 I felt that it is not the right time to talk about ‘my’ feelings since she already ‘knew’ a lot about my feelings!!! So much for a ‘date’!!!!

[[[[[[[[[[[[

Kushi (moaning in pleasure): Mmmm Arnavvv!!! This is soooo good. I can’t believe you are so good in this.

Hey, don’t misunderstand reading this line. Such a statement to come from Kushi in the right context is going to take a loooong time. Right now the scene is like this!!!

The next weekend I invited her home. I’m a pro in kitchen. I made her favourite dishes and even baked her favourite double chocolate muffins. Kushi came and soon we sat down to eat. I was waiting for a proper chance to open up. But I never got an opportunity. Kushi was so busy eating and that was all she did throughout the dinner. Then she began talking about an emergency case that came in our hospital. And if you know Kushi, you will know that once she starts talking about her work, then nothing can stop her, not even a yawn from the opposite person. So again that day ended too with nothing productive.

]]]]]]]]]]

I was wrong! I thought for a man like me wooing Kushi would be like a cakewalk! Unfortunately I’m realizing its not going to be so. This girl talked about love, lover, and romantic dreams all the time. But the truth is she knew nothing about what real love is. If she did, she would understand when a man approaches her sincerely. She is a total unromantic woman though she herself claims to be the most romantic Virgo on earth.

Just then Di came to me with hot cutlets. For a change I took a break from wooing Kushi, and was spending my evening with my Di. I took the plate from her and started eating. She settled down beside me.

Arnav: Di, years back once you had told me that Kushi is the most unromantic dumbwit on earth. Why did you say so?

Anjali (laughing): Because she is. You see she has all these rosy dreams about love, the man she is going to marry, her wedding etc. But the girl actually doesn’t know the colour, smell or taste of real love. Back then in college, there were one or two guys who were mad over her. But she neither understood their feelings nor reciprocated. When I tried to connect her with one guy, she went berserk. If she ever comes face to face with real love, then mark my words she will run in the opposite direction.

Arnav: Why?

Anjali: My Kush is like that. I know she has high hopes about falling in love; but she is a coward in love. First of all she won’t realise when a man pursues her and if she do get some doubts, she herself will justify their actions and consider them as anything but love. By the time she gets a wind of it, the guy would have given up.

Arnav gulped. His sister could not have been more right.

Anjali: But all my Kush really needs is love, true love. And she should get it from a man who loves her truly; a man who will wait for her to catch up in love. Because my pagal doesn’t know what love is; she won’t know what hit her when a true love walks up her way.

You are right Di. She won’t know what hit her. It is time I make Kushi Singh Malik realise it.

And so on Di’s wedding anniversary it happened.

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On Di’s wedding anniversary, she came early. I was doing the final touches on Di’s anniversary cake when she walked in.

Kushi: Arnav, where is Anjali?

Arnav: Kushiii!!They are getting ready; guests can arrive any moment. Come here, light this cake.

Kushi: Me? ...Okay.

She kept her gift aside and got the match sticks and lighted the candles on the cake.

Kushi: Wow Arnav, it smells yummy. Anjali will love it.

He didn’t know if it is the correct moment, but he decided to let caution go to the winds and said what was in his mind.

Arnav: I Love You.

Kushi thought Arnav was fooling her like always. She turned her face sideways to face Arnav, smiling. He was looking at her with a smile.

Kushi(chuckling): What?

Arnav sighed; she has been ignoring for long the obvious hints he dropped every now and then. Either she is naive or simply ignoring his feelings. Whatever it is, he could not let it continue. He clarified her doubts in such a way that she won't doubt his intentions ever. He lightly brushed his lips with hers.

Arnav: I Love You Kushi.

And that did it. Ms. Kushi Singh Malik got the message clear, finally!!!!

NOTE: I know this is short and crap. I forced myself to write something to give you guys an update. Sorry. I will try to make it up with next update.