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September Rain

Chapter Eighteen

Read from the beginning

Also on Wattpad

Chapter Seventeen>> <<

Dehradun saw the seasons fly by. The trees stood testament to time, as the weather chilled, then slowly drew back spring and then rushed the summer back in. 

The calendar flipped away. Khushi couldn’t believe the year that had been. 

After prom, they had all been left in a whirlwind of events. It hadn’t helped that exams had arrived, leaving the winter a bit sour. 

  

—

“I can’t believe we are doing this!”

“Shut up Preeto!”

“Movie time!”

“I can’t believe we are having a movie night one month before finals!”

“Well I can’t believe my mom let me go!”

“Aunty was concerned you were going to jump off the balcony, Mathur “

“Get lost, Raizada”

They had settled against the plush sofas of the home theatre, a prime highlight in the Raizada house. But Khushi had stumbled when he pulled her to the sofa at the end of the room, flashing her an unholy grin.

—

She blushed to her roots as she remembered that evening. Arnav had shamelessly stolen kisses, while their friends remained blissfully engrossed in the movie. 

—-

“Khush! You need to keep Raizada away ,okay? Don’t let him leave for the dorms! Mathur screwed up the cake order, and now I have to go get the whole thing done”

NK’s words rang in her ear, as Arnav kissed down her throat. Her mind was in a mush. 

Mona had asked her to keep Arnav “occupied” till seven. She tried to discreetly look at her watch, because if he kept this up, she won’t be able to think properly!

“A-arnav”, she called out.

“Hmm?”, he responded before taking her lips again. Again and again.

Needless to say, the deadline of seven was extended by half an hour. For that mistake, Ms. Gupta was awarded a teasing session filled with sleazy innuendos.

——

She slapped her forehead, as she recalled Arnav’s innocent act in front of them. As if she had been the one pouncing on him relentlessly.

——

“Khush”, he whispered. 

They were settled in a nook of her bedroom, even as the others had decided to go out for brunch. Di and Akash bhai were “breaking the news” to the folks. Well of course no one expected an adverse reaction. But they had decided to keep out of the line of possible fire.

“I’m listening” she whispered back, hugging him closer.

“I sent the email to the council”, his voice just a nervous tremble.

“I know”, she sat up, kissing him softly, “Don’t worry, you’ve given it your best!”

“Ya, I have…”

“Arnav. It’s okay to be nervous. But there is still a month left for school to begin. You’ll worry yourself sick if you keep this up! It’s not in your hands any more, so let it be out of sight and out of mind “, she finished passionately.

A smile slowly lit up his face. 

“I thought I was the philosopher”

She huffed, “Well, things change Mr Raizada”

Her nose remained upturned in a haughty pose. Arnav rolled his eyes, before his fingers ran up her sides, sending her into a fit of laughter.

The afternoon was suddenly bright again.

——

She shifted anxiously now, letting the memories of summer fade as Headmistress Manorama took to the microphone. 

Her eyes flitted over to the rows and rows of reds, but couldn’t find Arnav.

“And the sub-captain selected from Red house this year is….”

Khushi felt her heart thump restlessly. She felt cold, as she prayed desperately.

Arnav needs this. He deserves this.

“Raghav Majumdar!”

Did they applaud? Did they cheer? Or did they fall silent? 

Khushi had no idea. All she knew was she was hurting for him. All the years he had spent working towards this….No! She needed to find him. She needed to stop him from breaking. From hurting. She needed to hurry.

Making her way through the chaos of the dispersed assembly, she slipped away into the morning.

-------

Next update will be delayed

[ exams in winter suck ;( ]

[featheredclover]

September Rain

Chapter Seventeen

Also on Wattpad

Read from the beginning

Chapter Sixteen>> <<Chapter Eighteen

Lavanya stood under the disco ball, the banner made in mirrors reflecting her stunning black dress. Her laugh seemed particularly grating to Mona tonight.

“Hey! Lavanya, can you give us a minute?” Preeti spoke up, before Mona did something impulsive.

Her eyebrows pinched together, but she shrugged. And cue, all the girls fluttering around her walked away to give them space.

“You li-“

“Mona!” , Preeto gritted her teeth, “Let me handle this, please”

“Lavanya. We wanted to ask you if you have done something today which you regret?”

“Excuse me?”

“She is asking you if you cut up Khushi’s dress. And I swear to god, if you did-“

“What the hell are you going on about?”

Lavanya stared agape at the two girls. 

Preeto felt doubts dim her anger. Surely, she is not that good an actress.

“We have a witness, Lavanya “, Mona scoffed.

“Witness? Well, I would like to meet that witness. I know that I had nothing to do with whatever you two are accusing me of!”

“Anjali saw Sheetal, one of your puppies leaving our room. That was in the afternoon. And in the evening we find the dress ripped to shreds! Only someone who hates Khushi could do such a thing!”

Lavanya rolled her eyes, her movements frustrated.

“Look, I admit I liked Arnav. He was nice to me and I am human. So sue me if you think I am guilty of that! I was hurt that he got together with Khushi and yes, I did share my feelings with my friends- which I am sure you do with each other as well. But no Mona ,I am not capable of acting so low on my hurt”

Mona narrowed her eyes, even though her stance relaxed visibly. 

“We are sorry. But can you please ask Sheetal the same. She might have been acting on your behalf “

———-

“For god’s sake Sheetal! Who told you to do this?”

To her surprise and Mona’s outrage, Sheetal stood defiant, her head raised up. 

“That bitch deserves it. She stole Arnav from you-“

“You little! Do you even realise they have known each other since they were kids?! Who the hell do you think you are that you can destroy her dress and get away with it? I am going to make your life hell, Sheetal Batra !” Mona bit out harshly, her eyes livid.

Sheetal turned towards Lavanya, “I did it for you Lavanya. You felt so low when you saw them together, I couldn’t bear the thought of you seeing them today. Laughing, smiling, dancing!”

“Enough! You did wrong, Sheetal. And if you want even a semblance of friendship to survive between us, you’ll gift Khushi the same dress after apologising to her.”

Lavanya turned around, ready to storm off, when Preeto stopped her.

“We are sorry. Thank you for clearing the air.”

Lavanya nodded tersely, before walking away.

———

Khushi lay on her back. The book she was reading, blurring in front of her eyes. The dusk setting in, seemed to prolong her day of misery. She tried not to think about the ruins of her once pretty dress. She feared she would break down crying. And Arnav? She wished he would buy the excuse Anjali told him.

 

Sighing, she tried to focus on the letters, when a noise broke through. A distinct cling against the window!

Nervous, she bit her lip, before rushing to push open the window.

Her eyes filled with tears, seeing him, staring up at her. A full blown grin, as he cradled a bunch of pebbles ready to strike her window. Her heart skipped a beat as she looked at the suit adorning him. Charcoal black, against the classic white shirt.

“Get down”, she read his lips.

Shaking her head in a no, she held a teasing glint in her eyes.

“Now”, he smirked, a playful warning.

Khushi smiled, before rushing back to her cupboard. Damn it! The only laundered things she had were a pair of blue jeans and a pink sweatshirt.

Not wasting any more time, she slipped them on. Brushing her hair and popping in a few breath mints, she was ready to meet her Romeo!

————

Hand in hand, they walked in silence. Khushi didn’t even care where he was taking her. She knew it wasn’t the hall. Woodsmith was pretty strict when it came to dress codes.

Why wasn’t he saying anything? Had he caught Anjali’s lie? Was he upset? But then why did he grin like  that before? He looks so sexy-

And before she knew it they stood in front of the dome. She looked at him in understanding. He just looked at her, a wistful smile on his lips.

She gasped as she walked in. Roses. A bunch of them sprinkled on the ground. A portable cd player resting in all its glory on the steps.

“Arnav”, she choked, as tears filled her eyes.

He spun her around to face him.

“Khush….why didn’t you tell me?” He whispered, even as a splinter of rage shone through.

“I-I “

“Anjali di told me someone tore up your dress. Who was it?”

“I don’t know-“

“Khushi”, he apprehended sternly.

“Mona and Preeto will take care of it”

Arnav chuckled, “What am I going to do with you?”

Khushi felt her eyes drift towards his sinfully gorgeous lips, against her will, even as he groaned.

“Later”, he said hoarsely, “but first”

He left her briefly, walking up to the cd player, pressing play.

Tunes of a KK song flooded the brick structure as she slipped her hand into his. 

Spinning her around, Arnav winked. Giggling, she swayed in his arms. The melody guides their bodies against each other. She rested her head on his shoulder as they let the music be the only language tonight. 

She felt a sudden tug at her hair, as he pulled her head back gently. Looking up at him, Khushi knew he could see what was evident in her eyes. Whatever she felt for him, all bared in front of him.

Her eyes fluttered close, as Arnav’s lips descended upon hers. He glided over her, the softness, undoing her. Pleasure pulsed in her veins, as he deepened the kiss. His tongue playfully enticed hers. Her moans filled the air, even as his groans remained for only her to cherish.

The rose petals lay beautifully beneath their feet, appearing ethereal against the moonlight. The boy in the suit held his girl in jeans in his arms, swaying to a now dwindling playlist.

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———

Next chapter>>

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September Rain

Chapter Sixteen

Read from the beginning

Also on Wattpad

Chapter Fifteen>> <<Chapter Seventeen

“Not this one!”

 Preeto frowned as she looked over the eighteen dresses sprawled over the couch in Khushi’s room.

“I can’t believe we are making a big deal about it”, Mona rolled her eyes, while settling down in front of the oval mirror. Grabbing a mascara, she hummed a tune as she expertly adorned her lashes.

“For someone who dismisses such events, you did quite a shopping for makeup today”, Khushi teased.

“Hey! Makeup is an art. This prom business is just so American wannabe!”

“Well, I am excited about it! Farhan asked me last week”, Preeto gushed.

“Preets, it was obvious that you would go together. Why have this charade of formality ?”

“Yeah! Just like the bracelet Khushi keeps touching every few seconds right?”

The girls burst out laughing, leaving an outraged, spluttering, red faced girl, who looked around desperately for an escape.

“I think I’ll settle for the red”

Khushi looked at the beautiful dress, complete with ruffles and amazing tailoring. Tilting her head, she stood in front of the mirror, holding it against herself.

“Why wouldn’t you? In honour of them dedicating a goal to you”

Mona grinned, posing a serious threat to the Cheshire Cat.

“Well, maybe you should wear it! You are going with NK after all”

“Please! Keep up with your hero, Khush! NK and I are going as friends. We can’t be bothered to go through the whole process of getting a date!”

Preeto stood up with a sigh, “Dibs on the blue one!”

———

The canopies cast a beautiful pattern on him as he rested his head on her lap. She could hear the din of others playing on the ground. Giggles and laughs all around her. 

Arnav had grabbed her hand and took her to the magnificent tree, adorned with beautiful pink flowers, as soon as the bell for lunch break rang. He had produced two sandwiches from his backpack and Khushi had laughed.

Now, sitting against the bark, running her fingers through his hair, Khushi felt a burgeoning joy within her. 

“Khushi?”

“Hmm?” Khushi asked softly, unwilling to break the tranquility of the moment.

“I can’t meet you in the evening today”, his tone was enough for Khushi to know he regretted it more than she did.

“It’s okay. Football?”

“No. I need to do extra work for Mascarenhas”, Arnav sighed, referring to their science teacher.

“Arnav…”, she began, “Are you sure you aren’t working too hard? I mean everyday you have some extra work to do with some professor. You even work some part time jobs. I don’t think it’s healthy-“

“Khush”, he interrupted, “You know it’s not easy being elected for the sub captaincy right? And then I have to be elected to be the captain. It’s not going to happen with me being lazy”

“I didn’t say that! It’s not about being lazy, it’s just about taking it a bit easy.”

Arnav froze momentarily, before getting up in a stiff movement. He brushed off dust from his knees, before offering her a hand.

Khushi stared at him, unsure of the sudden coldness that seemed to surround him. Slipping her hand into his, she stood up.

They walked back to class in silence. Khushi couldn’t tell who was more deep in turmoil. 

In the beginning of the year, Arnav had been anxious , yet calm about running for sub captaincy. But now? Khushi wasn’t so sure. 

———

Khushi stepped out of the shower, hair propped up primly in the towel wrap. She glanced at her friends. Bustling around the dressing table, Mona worked her magic on Preeto’s pretty face.

“Please blow dry my hair after you are done guys”

She said as she walked over to her cupboard.

“I will! As soon as this girl stops squirming!” Mona grumbled.

“Hey! Those brushes are ticklish, okay?”

Shaking her head, Khushi pulled the door open. She gasped in horror.

“Khush?”

“What’s wrong?”

When she couldn’t respond, they rushed to her side.

“What the-“ Mona inhaled sharply as Preeto stood in shocked silence.

The three stood as they looked at the mutilated red dress. The one they had picked so meticulously. Torn and shredded. No chance of repair. Not a shred spared.

This was a hate crime. 

———

She stood pale and withdrawn. Gathering her senses back, she stiffened.

Forcing her lips to twist into a smile, she looked at her friends, ignoring the rage in their eyes.

“Well, let’s get you two ready!”

“Khushi, we are not going”, Preeto said firmly.

“Yes, we are going to find the bitch who did this and make her pay”

“Guys”, Khushi rubbed a hand over her tired eyes, “I would honestly feel better if you guys go and have fun…”

“Khush-“

“No, please. Mona, how in the world are you going to find the one who did this? It could be anyone in the dorm-“

“Khushi”

The girls turned to look at the intruder.

“Anjali!”

Khushi looked blankly at her senior. Arnav’s cousin. An ever elusive figure. Two years elder to them, she had always been the prim and proper role model. Akash bhai was the only one who could get her to loosen up. As far as Khushi was concerned, Anjali deserved the pedestal people put her on.

“I am not really sure about this. But I passed by your room, when I saw another girl walk out earlier this afternoon. I was surprised and I did ask her, but she claimed that one of you had asked to return something she had borrowed”

“Who was it? Do you have any idea?” Preeto asked hesitantly, her eyes clouding with confusion.

“I think it was one of your juniors. She is a dancer, I think….She has bangs. I am sorry, I really don’t know her name”

“Sheetal!”

“Mona, honestly just because you have never liked Sheetal-“

“No, no, no! Well first of all, she matches Anjali’s description and she has been cozying up to Lavanya lately!”

“Who’s Lavanya ?”

“New student”, Preeto shrugged, “She is in red”

Anjali stared at Khushi for a moment too long.

“Don’t wait for a solid proof, Khushi. Warn her off right now.”

“What?! She needs to be punished!”

“And how are you going to do that?” Anjali snapped,

“There are no cameras, no proof. And I think it will provoke her further”

“Then what do you suggest?”

“Scare her off. Give her a talking down”

“Thanks, Anjali. Aren’t you going to the dance?” Khushi interrupted the retaliation planning, intending to distract them.

“Yes, I was just about to go get ready when I heard you guys”

“Yes, I was just about to get these two ready as well”

“Khushi-“

“No discussion. You guys are going! Please…please tell Arnav..that I feel sick..just make an excuse for me” 

Khushi looked away, her eyes burning as something fractured inside her. The heaviness threatens to weigh her down.

“See you guys later”, Anjali rested a hand on Khushi’s shoulder for a fleeting moment before striding out of their room.

-------

Next chapter>>

Let me know what you think ♥️

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[featheredclover]

September Rain

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Fourteen>> <<Chapter Sixteen

Read from the beginning

Also on Wattpad

The Dehradun landscape was beautiful. Their school was nestled among the highest hills and he knew he was going to be just like his bhai once he graduated. Riding  from Delhi to here on the bike once in a while. Maybe he could bring Khushi. The thought brought an impish smile to his face as he remembered the surprise he wanted to give her this weekend.

They were all going home for Christmas. Their siblings had pulled some strings to make this into a Raizada-Gupta weekend. They were going to spend the day at the Gupta house and have a big dinner at the club. He knew it was just an excuse for Payal Di and Bhai to spend the holiday together. But he wasn’t one to look a gift horse in the mouth. He was going to be with Khushi, without curfew and restrictions. That’s all that mattered.

“Penny for your thoughts ,Flash?” Aman walked across the chilly balcony to him, handing him a mug of steaming coffee, while sipping one himself.

Arnav cringed.

“Leave that name for the field , Mathur”

“Speaking of the field”, Aman smiled, “you pulled quite a stunt back there”

Taking a swig from his mug, scalding his tongue in the process, he looked away.

His ears blushed red as he recalled the madness which had gripped him and yet…

“I don’t regret it”

“I am not saying you should. It made everyone swoon. Naina was accusing me of never thinking of doing that”

Arnav laughed, “You think I was thinking while doing that? I had…I had asked her to support me in the match. How could she do that right? She couldn’t sit in the red section. She couldn’t wear my colour. But she….”

“But she?” 

He smiled at Aman.

“She wore a cap. A soda bottle cap. The day we met? I had given it to her”

“Oh”, Aman rolled his eyes “So that’s what it was! I thought Khushi was making some fashion statement! Setting a new trend with bottle caps”

Arnav joined in the laughter, shaking his head.

“It was for her. I wanted to score for her. My muscles were screaming at me. But I wanted to make her proud of me”

A sombreness glazed Aman’s eyes.

“You know she does, Arnav. She has more conviction in you than you!”

“I know-“

“You don’t have to compete with your brother, you know?”

At this, Arnav looked away. Aman had touched a nerve. He had shot an arrow in the dark and it had landed right at the aim. Heck! Even Khush didn’t know about this.

“Aman…You don’t know what it is. I love Bhai but he��he is the golden child. Ma and dad never compared us. But I always wanted to have more than him. I wanted more of my trophies to adorn their wall..I just..”

“And you do! You are brilliant. But you can take a chill pill! So what if Akash went on path A? You can choose path B or even carve out your own!”

“You are sounding suspiciously like a Ted speaker”, he teased, breaking the tension.

Aman shook his head, “Someday…soon. You’ll realise you are putting yourself in a box. The need to be the head boy? The need to be perfect at everything? You’ll learn to put yourself first ,Raizada”

Letting out a sigh, Arnav ran a hand across his face, fighting against the sudden bout of exhaustion.

“You won’t get it Mathur”, he said softly, his eyes gazed unseeingly at the broad landscape.

Their words ringing against the night, their mugs left forgotten.

————-

“Payal, can you bring the white lights?” Garima aunty screamed hoarsely. The ladder perched up to probably the biggest tree in the neighbourhood, as Shashi uncle had boasted around.

“The white lights are damaged, ma”, Payal said with a straight face, even as Arnav looked away amused.

“No worries! I got the red ones here”, His mother announced pleasantly, bringing forward a box of bright red wires.

“I said white, Ratna”, Garima aunty frowned.

“Offo! You are so drab Gari! Always white, beige, pastel! Bring some colour into your life!”

Akash stood up, before the situation got out of their hands. 

“You know what? Payal and I will get the white lights. And of course a few colourful ornaments. Happy ladies?” 

Dropping a kiss over his ma’s forehead, Akash strided out of the Gupta house, Payal in tow.

“Make yourself scarce now, son”

Arnav grinned as his dad whispered the warning, all the while eyeing his wife who was now convincing a livid Garima to give up her “boring” taste.

“As I was going to!”, Arnav whispered back before slipping out of the warzone.

————

Nervously tugging at the belt of his helmet, he held the one he had got for her in his hands. White with a pink hello kitty sticker on one end. 

Heck! Even he knew this didn’t really scream Khushi but the store just didn’t have her size! And he wasn’t going to wait around for them to have it custom made. So here he was, watching her while she lazed around the porch with her book, bundled up in a shawl.

With a shake of his head, Arnav pulled up to the gate. Revving it with a twitch of his hand, he watched with bated breath. 

A frown stole up her adorable face! After all, he smiled, this neighbourhood was not known for hoodlums showing up on their motorcycles to take the good girls out.

“Oh my god!”

She sat up straight faster than lightning . Throwing the book and pashmina aside, she rushed up to him.

“You finally learnt to ride it! That’s just-“

“Hop on! I am taking you out!” He laughed.

“Oh hello! Neither one of us has a learner’s licence.”

“So? Bhai told me all the ways to get around the city without bumping into a cop!”

Khushi gave in with a smile.

“I thought you were the sane one!”, she giggled, “And what is this? Hello kitty?!”

Arnav blushed to his ears, as she inspected his pick of a helmet for her.

“I love it ,Arnav! I think it’s been years since I owned something of hello kitty”

“Okay! Enough about the only available helmet in your size, so now let’s go!”

————

The cold should have stung him. It should have bitten his skin. It should have bothered him, like it did every winter.

But it didn’t.

It was insane how different it felt now. How different she felt. 

It had been a while ago since she had wrapped her arms around him and rested herself against his back, sending shivers down his spine.

“Cold?”

He flinched as he heard her voice, seeming sultry against the high speed.

“No”, his voice cracked.

“You are shivering a little” , she ran a gentle hand over his shoulder, making him tense.

“Maybe we can stop for some coffee?”

He could definitely do with some caffeine right now!

———

“You know no matter what Preeto says, shack coffee tastes the best!”, she grinned while sipping the piping hot drink.

“Aman would have had a spasm at that thought. Shack tea tastes better!”

She rolled her eyes,a smile playing on her lips.

“Do you think they’ll be missing us at home?”

Wrapping an arm around her waist, he pulled Khushi against him, as he rested against his Enfield.

“With the missing elders and their colour vs plain debate, I highly doubt they would miss us”

She hummed in his arms, snuggling into his warmth. He let the silence around them settle and shimmer. Winters were now his favourite, he thought cheekily.

She suddenly lifted her off him, her eyes twinkling and lips pursed in anticipation.

“We have prom next week…”

“Yes?”m he held back his smile.

“You are not going to ask me out?”

“Oh!”, he pretended to ponder before flicking her nose gently.

Ignoring her outraged gasp, he grabbed her wrist and clasped a bracelet around her.

The bracelet had weighed heavily in his pocket throughout the weekend. The silver jewellery, with flowers engraved on it, seemed so Khushi, that he knew he wanted to gift it to her someday.

“It’s beautiful Arnav”, she raised her wrist, looking up at him through lowered lashes.

“I bought it”, he smiled. The smile of a man relieved of a well kept secret.

“What? How..?” Her voice, a mere tremble against the chaos probably swirling in her head.

“Part time. I worked at the Raheem’s cafe on weekends and I did some editing for a small company-“

He stopped as her frame crashed into his. 

“Khush?”, he asked softly.

“ Thank you Arnav”, her eyes encased in unshed tears.

“You really didn’t have to”

He chuckled, brushing away a tear trailing down her cheek, 

“So did I manage to win that prom date?”

—————-

Next chapter>>

Let me know what you think :)

Tagging: @hand-picked-star @phuljari @msbhagirathi @thenainitaldisaster @thedupattaknowswhatsup @jalebi-weds-bluetooth @barshifan @andli @shiyaravi @chutkiandchotte @laad-governess @minpdnim @bigfatreader @arshiradio @simplycurlz @scorpio-smiles @bengudill @exosexosekai @0218fm @chaiandtakkar @colorfulangelpeach

[featheredclover]

who is this diva 💘

I have a vague memory of someone asking me where Afreen vm was…

Here it is-

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Enjoy!

[featheredclover]

September Rain

Chapter Fourteen

Read from the beginning

Also on Wattpad

Chapter Thirteen>> <<Chapter Fifteen

The building housing the sports rooms was packed full. Some faces held the gloom of the day, while others shone as bright as the trophy the Reds had lifted up that evening.

Khushi trailed behind Preeto as she made a beeline for Farhan.

Dhruv stood beside him, a duffle bag resting on his shoulders. She walked up to him, standing in silence. There was nothing more she could offer. No consolations, no encouragement. She knew better than anyone else that losing must be dealt with in true acknowledgment. She remembered every dance competition she had failed to win, every debate she had faltered in and every exam she had fumbled. She knew the pain.

“You must be happy now”

Startled at the rancid tone, she looked at Dhruv. He seemed to be in disbelief, and yet his eyes held an accusatory glare.

“Oh come on! Don’t give me that deer in headlights that look like Khushi. He made a show about his first goal. For you. Of course you wanted them to win”

“That’s not fair”, she gritted out, her temple throbbing.

“I wanted him to play well, but I wanted us to win."

“Really?”, his bitterness seeped into his voice.

“Really. I don’t need to prove anything to anyone Dhruv. Goodbye.”

She spun around, ready to leave in a fit of fury, when she found herself pulled back by her arm.

“Khushi, I am sorry”, he sighed.

“I was so sure that we would win that I didn’t even….You are dating him aren’t you?”

She nodded tersely. Her mind felt muffled by Dhruv’s switching between hot and cold. She had enough of it. Shaking his hands off her, she stormed off.

——-

The red lights and decor hung from the ceiling. A lot of decor had been recycled from NK’s last riotous party, but some paper footballs were new on the scene. Mona held Khushi’s hand as she led them through the dancing mesh of people. Reaching the drinks table, they grabbed lemonades, sipping through them absently.

“Dhruv is a little bitch. Don’t give him the time of the day, K”

“Is this really coming from someone who till weeks ago believed he walked with a halo?”

“Well, whatever he did today proved me wrong”, Mona smiled wryly.

“Is NK okay?” Khushi sighed.

“Speak of the devil”, she grinned.

“NK!” Khushi yelled.

The man sat on his throne, his bandaged leg, resting on a pile of pillows.

“Mademoiselle! My apologies but I crushed your team even with this beautiful injury “

“If you were not hurt, I would have emptied this glass on you”, Mona smiled mockingly.

“So harsh!” NK gasped.

Khushi jumped as a warm hand slipped under her sweater, around her waist.

“Enjoying the party?” His whiskey-like voice settled against her skin like a thousand ice cubes.

As she twisted her neck, her lips brushed against his in one electrifying moment. They both stilled. She felt the burn where his hand rested, even as his eyes held her under their scorching heat.

“Get a room, you two!”

Khushi pushed him hastily as she looked up to see their friends laughing. She thanked the dim lights. Awkward moments like these didn’t deserve an audience .

“I would like to dedicate this night to….”

She looked up to see Sahil, a junior ,climb up on a table ready to toast with a coke can.

Before she could listen any further, she found herself being dragged away by Arnav. His gait told her he wouldn’t tolerate any more delays. Leading her down a corridor, he opened a door, revealing a small closet.

“Are you serious?” Khushi giggled, forgetting all the awkwardness they had been wrapped in.

“I told you. I have a penchant for finding places”

“Hey! There’s even a tiny sofa here”

Khushi plopped down, her glass almost spilling over. Arnav settled beside her, stretching his legs against the confined space.

She found herself being swept into his arms, and this time, her drink did spill over.

“Congratulations”, she whispered hotly against his lips.

“Uh-huh”, Arnav murmured before kissing her.

He slid his hand down, which was entangled in her hair down her neck. His fingers fiddled with the chain before reaching the locket she had attached just this afternoon.

Breaking the kiss, he looked down at the soda cap. Turning it around, he almost reverently traced the engraving he had cast years ago. Back then it had been a promise and a premise. But today? Today it had morphed into a declaration, a possession.

“You gave me want I wanted Khush”,he looked into her eyes.

“I wanted to”, she said simply, tilting to fit into his arms.

Khushi felt her breath stutter as he kissed down her neck, kissing the swell of her breast. She jumped, her mind in an overdrive.

“Shhh, baby it’s fine”

She didn’t know what she felt overwhelmed by more- the sensations he was making her feel or his endearment for her.

God! He was going to be the end for her!

Pulling the neck of her sweater down, he kissed the scrape of skin, setting her on fire. She arched her back, pushing herself further closer to him.

Feeling his hot breath on her, she blinked her eyes open. Khushi stifled a gasp as he bit softly but deliberately into the skin at the nape of her neck. Sucking on it with a passion ,unlike she had ever seen in him before, Arnav licked her skin and kissed it softly.

She felt a serene smile light up her lips as she gazed at him.

“What?” He whispered huskily as his eyes searched her face.

“I didn’t know you had the vampire tendency in you”

“Next time you’ll find me watching you sleep beside your window”, he said with a grin.

“I prefer werewolves”, Khushi said with a saucy wink.

“Oh really?”

With a scoff, he let his fingers skim her sides, sending her into bursts of giggles.

Lost amidst the cocoon of privacy they had found themselves in, Khushi froze as she heard the door creak open. Struggling to sit upright, she pushed Arnav away gently.

Embarrassed, she glanced up to meet tear filled eyes.

The door slammed right back as the interrupter left.

“Who?” Arnav groaned as he finally pushed himself off her.

“Lavanya”, she replied in a small voice.

Looking away, she ran a hand through her tangled hair.

Clearing his throat, he began,”Khush-“

“She was crying”

Arnav frowned. But she went on, “She saw us and she started crying”

“I am not talking to her. I haven’t since the picnic. I really don’t think you should worry about it Khush”

He took her hands in his, rubbing a thumb over them gently. She took a deep breath, mustering up a smile at him.

“You are right of course. It’s just-“

“It’s not a pleasant feeling. I know. But I did everything I could to help her fit in, make friends and yet she didn’t make any efforts”

Khushi nodded. Unsettling as the look on Lavanya’s face was, she knew that she couldn’t help it. Whatever little crush she has on Arnav will have to fade away with time.

“Want to go back to the party? You never know, NK might be swinging on the chandelier” , he said dryly.

She giggled, “Now that is a sight I want to see”

—————

Next chapter>>

Author's note:

A hundred apologies! I don't know if you missed this story, but I definitely missed writing it :)

Exams season swept me away~ while I have to face the current again mid December ;(

I hope to tie the bow on 'September Rain' by then 🤞🏻

Next update: Tomorrow ^⁠_⁠^

Tagging: @hand-picked-star @phuljari @msbhagirathi @thenainitaldisaster @thedupattaknowswhatsup @jalebi-weds-bluetooth @barshifan @andli @shiyaravi @chutkiandchotte @laad-governess @minpdnim @bigfatreader @arshiradio @simplycurlz @scorpio-smiles @bengudill @exosexosekai @0218fm @chaiandtakkar @colorfulangelpeach

[featheredclover]

September Rain

Chapter Thirteen

Read from the beginning

Also on Wattpad

Chapter Twelve>> <<Chapter Fourteen

Strands of wet hair brushed against her neck, as she sat in front of the dressing table. Amidst the hustle bustle of poster making and selecting the best green outfits that their dorm was engulfed in, Khushi found her solace after an entire night of worrying.

Whatever Arnav had asked of her, was deeper than he let on. She couldn’t disappoint him. She couldn’t. Even as she stared at her apple green sweater, she knew that much.

With a new found resolve, Khushi reached out to the wooden box beside her desk.

———

“This is so thrilling!”, Mona shouted over the crowd’s chatter.

All around them was a crowd rivalling what they saw on a usual match day. Khushi couldn’t help wondering if she was the only one out of the loop. Seas of red and green intermingled, with a few jabs echoing from both sides. 

“Apparently, the reds have also won every match against the other houses this year. They lost against us twice though” Preeto whispered into her ear.

Raising an eyebrow, she asked, “But aren’t there two more months for the finals?”

Preeto’s dumbfounded expression was enough to embarrass her. Shaking her head, she explained with exaggerated patience, “This is the finals, Khushi! Your performance throughout the year decides if you are in for the trophy race. And neither blue nor yellow have enough wins to be here.”

Khushi gasped, her frown giving away her shock.

“Honestly Khushi! You need to pay more attention”, Mona rolled her eyes.

A loud announcement brought her attention back to the vast green ground. Rows of boys filed in dressed in their jerseys. The tension simmered in the air, even as the sun dimmed into the clouds. She could see Arnav set in a rigid stance, his eyes blazing with focus. Pride filled her heart,even as the twinge of worry persisted. 

And at once he turned his head, clashing his eyes against hers. In one breathtaking moment, Khushi felt stricken at the emotion behind those eyes. She held his stare, tugging at the chain wrapped around her neck, and pulled the locket out. She blushed as his eyes widened, and he smiled in that devastating way of his.

For he saw, despite the distance, the pink soda cap hanging from the silver chain. The referee blew the whistle and two hearts raced in unison at that moment. One in the utmost joy, and one beneath the engraved ‘A+K’.

———-

With her heart stuck in her mouth, Khushi watched as the match began. Everyone could tell something was different this time from the get go. Dhruv and Aman, both famous for their calm demeanours had taken the crowd by storm with the aggression they displayed. Arnav was living beyond his nickname, as he not only beat his opponents in speed, but power as well. NK had uncharacteristically taken the calm approach , while Farhan had backed down, letting Dhruv take the lead. Nothing was predictable anymore.

Dhruv screamed as he aced his first goal, sending her side of the crowd in raptures. Khushi clapped along with everyone else, even as her eyes gave her away as the imposter. She sat back down, at the edge of her seat, as the game resumed.

It hadn’t even been five minutes, when a flicker of red raced across the ground. And there you go! Arnav had scored their first goal. 

Khushi sat, clenching her fists, as regretful comments and whines surrounded her. 

“Khushi!”, Preeto’s urgent whisper caught her ear. 

Looking up, she saw Arnav walk towards their side, his teammates not leaving his side, laughter still etched on their faces. He smiled wryly, a palm crossed over his heart. He kissed it next and pointed a finger towards her.

She froze. 

He had dedicated his goal to her. 

Not caring about the rivalry. Not caring about anything. He might as well have shouted it out loud from the rooftop.

“Khushi”

She could hear her friend’s concern. She could feel the dirty looks she faced from people sitting around her. She could sense the snide whispers.

And yet he didn’t let her look away. 

“This is bad Khushi! Arnav shouldn’t have made this public now!”

She looked at them, the reality finally settling in.

“I-I don’t know why he did that”

“Who cares?”Mona chided, “It’s time Woodsmith lets go of this unhealthy competition between the houses!”

Khushi shook her head as this loud declaration was met with several outraged gasps.

It was not like people hadn’t dated outside their houses before. But there was no public display of affection. Especially not at important matches like these.

What was she going to do with this guy?

———

Thankfully, the match resumed and went on uneventfully , allowing Khushi to believe that people had forgotten all about her brief moment in the spotlight. They all watched with bated breath as the teams scored alternatively, like a well built balance.

“Oh god!”

She turned towards where Preeto was pointing towards. Dhruv was red, his frustration etched in the way he moved. It was a calamity waiting to happen. And the next thing they knew, he had tackled NK who had the ball onto the ground.

She winced as NK’s piercing cry cut through the crowd’s noise.

It was chaos as the nurse ran over along with the coaches. The umpire had raised a flag. Penalty, the word whispered as a hush through the audience.

NK stood up, even as his knees trembled. She breathed a sigh of relief, even as a dark bruise appeared on his leg.

“He’s going to shoot with this leg?”

“The nurse has pronounced him fit!”

Khushi watched as Arnav hugged NK, whispering something into his ear. The others patted his shoulder, hiding their own fear bravely.

Clearing the goal post, he stood seemingly oblivious to the cheers and the booing.

He flicked his neck towards Dhruv, and in a booming voice with the spite for all to hear, “This is for you, Iyer”

Smack!

She heard the tingle in her ears, as the crowd dulled down any other sounds. 

The Reds had won.

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[featheredclover]

September Rain

Chapter Twelve

Read from the beginning

Also on Wattpad

Chapter Eleven>> <<Chapter Thirteen

Tapping her foot impatiently, Khushi leaned against the pillar. The line did not seem to be moving any faster. She had the strongest urge to scream her frustration. But mornings made her groggy, so she decided to just tap her foot a mile a minute.

“Morning Gupta”

She turned around, squinting as she saw Dhruv all fresh and ready to start the day. A bright smile rivalling the sun was plastered across his face. But today, Khushi couldn’t bring herself to be her usual polite self.

“Morning Iyer”, she grumbled.

He let out an amused chuckle. 

“Why so charming today?”

“You would understand , had you been waiting in line for thirty minutes”

She ran her hand through her hair,in an exaggerated expression of exhaustion.

“Is that so?” He caught her by her elbow.

“What are you doing?”

He shrugged, “Showing you the perks of being a sub captain”

Khushi gasped, as Dhruv marched up to the front of the line with her in tow.

She felt all her morning blues disappear as she flushed under the gaze of at least twenty other students.

“Good morning, Clara ma’am”

“Good morning, Dhruv”, the matronly lady smiled fondly.

“Me and my friend are in a bit of a hurry today, so I was hoping you could cut us some slack”, with a tilt of his head, he gestured towards the ever increasing line.

“Of course!”

And with that Khushi found herself sitting with Dhruv eating her toast and eggs on the best table in the Green house mess.

“I am impressed”, she smiled as she took a sip of her milk.

“How little it takes to impress you” Dhruv said with a sardonic smile.

She felt stumped for a moment. Shaking her head, she pressed on.

“I have been a subject of many cool glares this morning”

“Oh please”, he waved a careless hand.

“With the amount of work I put into being elected, it would be a crime to not let my friends enjoy the perks”

She smiled her thanks, and went right back into attacking her toast.

“I’ll be throwing an after party on Saturday. I have already invited your friends.”

“After party?”, she frowned.

“The match? Green vs Red? I am hurt that you forgot”

Dhruv leaned back on his chair, his eyes seemingly scrutinising her every move.

“Oh. That’s nice” 

“You clearly have something more to say Khushi. Go on”, he urged.

“It’s a little…..a little premature to declare an after party before winning, isn’t it?”

To her surprise, Dhruv burst out laughing. 

Shaking his head, “Oh, Khushi! Such little faith in your own team. Or is it that you have too much faith in the other team?”

“I was just…”

“All I want from you is to wear something green and cheer us on. We know how to win”

Khushi pressed her lips together in a thin line.

“I wasn’t doubting our team, Dhruv. I am just used to the after party being planned after the win”

“There’s no need to do that in this match. They are not in form. Hell, their best player can’t match up to our substitutes!”

She froze, tension bunching up in her shoulders.

“You know that don’t you? Raizada, the so-called ‘Flash’ is no match to us. Let’s see if he is able to lose with dignity”

Khushi clutched her fork so tight, her fingers had paled. She felt pure fury at the way Dhruv spoke about Arnav. The confidence she had so admired in him, had morphed into the worst arrogance overnight.

“-and don’t get me started on Mathur! My ten year old cousin can beat him to a goal!”

“They are my friends Dhruv”, her voice rigid with disappointment.

“You are not really being the sportsman you have always been”

“Khushi”, he shook his head with a smile, “Being a sportsman is one thing, but understanding how weak your opponent is, is just as-“

“I care for my house, that’s why I am telling you this”, she cut him off.

“You shouldn’t underestimate your opponents, neither should you insult them”

She picked up her bag and stood up, “I’ll see you on Saturday”

—————

“Shut up!” Mona stood akimbo.

 

They sat under the banyan tree, tucked away in a cosy corner of their campus. Khushi had dragged them here as soon as the bell for recess rang, ignoring all their annoyance. She had to get it out of her chest today, and so she did!

“I am so happy for you Khushi!” Preeto hugged her tight for a moment before dropping her back on the rock.

“I can’t believe he kissed you after you fought! And that too on the terrace!”

She blushed, looking around helplessly.

“It happened, okay? We didn’t plan it”

Mona scoffed, “Knowing Raizada, I know you didn’t plan it. But I can’t believe you were jealous of Lavanya just a few days ago”

“Hey! Yes, I was jealous. But who wouldn’t be?”

Preeto smiled, “I have no complaints about your jealousy! After all, that’s what gave you the courage to lash out at him”

“And gave him an excuse to kiss you”, Mona said with a smirk.

“Can you stop focusing on the goddamn kiss?”

“Uh-uh! Give us details. Come on, rate Raizada on scale of ten”

Preeto giggled, “ If you don’t stop right now, I think she will combust in flames! Anyway, Khush…we are really happy for you two. Childhood sweethearts….I can already imagine the bridesmaid speech I’ll give”

“Jane Austen was right! A lady’s imagination is very rapid;it jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony in a moment”, Khushi rolled her eyes.

“I don’t know this Austen lady, but I agree. Get out of your dreamland Preeto! These idiots are only fifteen”

“You are such a cynic, Mona. I spy a wedding in ten years!”

“I spy you not getting invited to the said wedding!”, Khushi teased and was rewarded with a hit on her head.

———

Loud footsteps flooded their ears, before the door swung open.

“You are back early”, Mona commented, not bothering to look up from her books.

“Why are you so breathless Preets?” Khushi asked, a concerned frown blooming between her brows.

“I got kissed! And Arnav is planning to scale the walls tonight!”

“WHAT?!” 

“NK finally came to his senses!” Mona jumped.

“No no no! Okay, I am positively out of breath now”

“Sit down”, Khushi handed her a glass of water, exchanging a quick look of shock with Mona.

“I was in the stables, with the horses. I was actually cleaning the saddles. And Farhan arrived. Out of nowhere!”

Khushi sat down, her mouth agape.

“We talked. He talked about the game. Then he said he felt he scored the last goal because he saw me in the audience. He said something about me being a lucky charm. Then he… he pulled me towards him and he…he…”

“Stuck a tongue down your throat?” Mona supplied helpfully.

Preeto sat wide eyed, not commenting on Mona’s atrocious choice of words. That’s when the two knew their friend was a goner.

“Do you like him, Preeto?”

“I think I do? I mean I have known NK since forever, so I didn’t even look at anyone. But Farhan is..he is.. so nice. Yes. Yes,I like him”

Mona smiled, clutching her hands.

“Then what are you thinking about? Farhan is a great guy! Whatever one side crush you had on NK was over long before. You just had to meet the right guy”

“He asked me to be his girlfriend! I am so confused” 

Preeto paced around. The fan and evening breeze doing nothing to cool her nerves.

“How was the kiss?” Khushi asked cheekily.

Preetika bit her lip, “I guess I’ll be his girlfriend then”

Mona whooshed out a heart “Yes!”, as Khushi hugged her friend. 

“Wait, what were you saying about Arnav scaling the wall tonight?!”

“Oh ya! He wants to talk to you. So he is going to come in through the balcony facing the gardens. The wardens never go there-“

“What?! Why can’t he ask me to meet normally like a normal person?”

“I guess that’s because he is not normal, Juliet”, Mona laughed.

“How typical of Arnav! Is he going to bring a guitar to serenade you? Ooh! Or is he going to ask you to let down your hair just like Rapunzel?”

“This isn’t funny, Mona”, she rolled her eyes, “What if he gets caught?”

“Live a little Khush” Preeto said, her eyes faraway with a dreamy look in them.

“Oh god! How will I live with two love struck heroines?” Mona said, before dodging the twin pillows launched at her.

————

The clock struck twelve, as Khushi tiptoed out of the dorm and into the balcony. It was quite an old, rusty place. Maybe that’s why ,left unsupervised. She didn’t even know how Arnav knew about it! 

A whistle!

She peered down to see him,dressed in a white tee shirt and black jeans. Her heart thudded violently, as she saw him grasp at bricks and climb up. She felt cold all over, as he finally grasped the balcony railing and leaped up.

Letting out a breath, he whispered, “Easier that it looks!”

Grabbing his collar, in a move which surprised not just him, she angrily whispered,

“How dare you put yourself at risk for this Arnav? How dare you? Why couldn’t we meet at the stairs or anywhere else!”

“Khush”, his hands settled over her own, his eyes widening as he realised she was in shivers.

“I am sorry. I am really sorry, Khushi. But Bakshi declared that till Saturday, we were going to be only on the football ground, I knew I had to come tonight. We even got a special permission to miss classes”

“Two days!”, she hit him lightly on his shoulder, “You couldn’t wait two days before meeting me?”

He scoffed, “No! I couldn’t!”

She stood, her arms crossed staring at him. God was being really unfair! How could she resist him, when he stood there under the full moon.

Taking the two steps to reach him, Khushi stepped into his arms.

Sighing as he engulfed her further into him, she mumbled, “Mona was right. We are idiots”

“That we are”, he said with a hint of a smile in his voice.

Pulling back,Arnav  pushed her hair away from her face.

“I have big day on Saturday”

“I know” she whispered back, her eyes feasting on his lips.

“Khush…” he moaned before tilting her head back.

She was set ablaze, the cold air nipping at her skin, even as Arnav took her lips in a hard kiss.

He closed his eyes, almost painfully.

“I want to ask something of you”

“Go on” she smiled, ready to give him the moon.

“Support me. On Saturday”

She stilled, her hands crumbling his shirt beneath them.

“Arnav, it’s my house. I can’t just”

“Please…I know you can’t….but can you do something..something “

“Arnav”, her heart broke at the desperation in his eyes, “What is this about? You have played so many matches before. Why-“

“It’s important for me to win this time, Khush. And if you..you show me you are with me”, he sighed.

“Sorry”, he looked away, “ I am mad right now. I just wanted to…”

“Arnav”, she pulled him back to her.

He still wouldn’t meet her eyes.

“It’s late, Khushi. I have kept you out long enough. Go back to sleep” 

With a kiss on her forehead, he left, fading away in the darkness.

She stood in two minds. She couldn’t betray her house and yet she couldn’t not give Arnav what he had asked of her. Her dilemma didn’t seem to settle even as dawn broke into Nainital.

Tagging: @hand-picked-star @phuljari @msbhagirathi @thenainitaldisaster @thedupattaknowswhatsup @jalebi-weds-bluetooth @barshifan @andli @shiyaravi @chutkiandchotte @laad-governess @minpdnim @bigfatreader @arshiradio @simplycurlz @scorpio-smiles @bengudill @exosexosekai @0218fm @atomicmentalitytruimph

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September Rain

Chapter Eleven

Read from the beginning

Also on Wattpad

Chapter Ten>> <<Chapter Twelve

The afternoon sun was beaming down upon the ground in all its splendour. Coach Bakshi was in one of his “moods”, which meant that Arnav and Aman had to run ten laps.

Arnav cursed under his breath.

“I still think NK got the better deal”

“You are kidding?” Aman panted , “You should see the storeroom! It probably hasn’t been cleaned since my dad was here”

“Whatever” Arnav mumbled, “At least there is a roof above his head”

With a laugh, Aman shook his head.

“Bakshi won’t spare us till we win against Green”

Spotting the eagle eyed man, standing upright training a bunch of juniors, they hurried along.

“Can’t understand why Woodsmith gets these ex-army men as sports teachers. He is killing us”

“Stop being dramatic Mathur”, Arnav squinted against the harsh rays of sun, “If we win against Iyer, Bakshi is gonna be the one behind it”

Aman stilled in his tracks, hand on his hips.

“Win against Iyer? This isn’t about Dhruv, you know that right?”

He shrugged, “Anything for Cyrus”

Aman laughed as he picked up pace again, “Cyrus? Sure?”

“What are you being so smug about?”, he frowned.

“Your grudge against Dhruv isn’t for Cyrus, it’s for Khushi, Raizada”

Arnav looked away. Perhaps to evade Aman’s all knowing eyes. Perhaps to avoid giving away what he felt for her. 

“You couldn’t be more obvious you know”

Aman sat down on a patch of grass under their favourite oak tree, tucked in a corner, away from Bakshi’s field of vision .

Arnav let out a breathless gasp, “What?”

“In the picnic? All those rides where Khushi sat with Dhruv? If eyes could kill”, he chuckled.

“It was…” he struggled to finish.

“Jealousy! Happens when the girl you love spends time with another boy”, Aman supplied helpfully.

Arnav sat down with a sigh.

“Guess there is no point in denying it then”

“When?”, Aman asked with a fond smile.

“Honestly? I don’t even know” , he bit his lip.

“She has just…just... And I knew I wanted more. I have always wanted more. But the possibility of her feeling nothing-“

“You are crazy! Everyone except the two of you knew what you felt for each other”

Arnav frowned, “Mathur, what the-?”

“Remember when you got hurt on the football ground in class seven? She actually cried ! And then when you forgot your speech midway in assembly? She all but almost shouted it out to you. And that time you got your tonsils out? She celebrated her birthday in the freaking hospital!”

“Okay”, he smiled softly, “I am an idiot then, I should have said something sooner”

“Sooner?”, the smile wiped out from Aman’s face in a comical moment.

“You guys are dating?!” He slapped Arnav roughly on the back, who did nothing but grin.

“Well…we haven’t spoken about it…but yeah, I should hope so…”

Aman burst out laughing.

“What?” Arnav asked amused.

“How different are you from your siblings ha? Akash bhai and Payal Di didn’t spare a moment to flaunt their love to the world. But you two? I wouldn’t have been surprised if there was just a wedding invitation in my mail years later!”

—————-

Kicking off the dirt from his studs, Arnav sighed. He grabbed hold of his bag, stuffing the shoes in a plastic cover, which was almost in shreds. Making a mental note to change it, he turned around, only to still in his tracks.

Khushi stood across the road from the ground. Her pink sling bag ,standing out amidst the environment of grey and green. 

He drew in a deep breath. And yet couldn’t stop the smile from blooming across his lips. He swung his bag across his shoulder and jogged over to her.

“Khushi”, he said, kicking himself for a less than interesting greeting.

“I…I..had dance practice. It got over early, so decided to come here”

She wouldn’t keep her eyes on him, flitting around, like the butterfly he always thought she was. And it drove him crazy.

Grabbing her hand in his, he spoke “You got to see me play?”

She wrinkled her nose, a soft smile in place.

“No, I think I just missed the last few minutes”

His heart picked up pace at the playful disappointment in her voice.

“Well, next time I’ll give Bakshi ,the dance group’s schedule. That will make sure you won’t miss it!”, he winked.

“Wow! Make sure I am there when you do that!”, she chuckled.

He looked at her, and beamed with delight as she flushed under his gaze. 

“What?” She asked in a whisper.

Clearing his throat, giving his head a little shake, Arnav smiled.

“The basketball court might be empty by now?”

He answered Khushi’s puzzled “So?” , with a tug at her hand as he led them to the nearest shortcut.

——————

He bent over to grab one of the balls left behind. Twirling it over his index finger, he turned around, desperately wishing Khushi found it cool that he could do this.

“We got lucky Gupta!”, he grinned nervously.

He was rewarded with her gasp.

“You can do that?!”

“Ya!” , he said nonchalantly, while rubbing an awkward hand over the back of his neck.

Khushi smiled as she walked up to him.

“I wish I could do something besides swim and dance”

“Hey! You play tennis!”, he frowned.

“Arnav!”, she laughed, “I play them with you in your backyard! That doesn’t count “

“Hmm”, he pretended to think over her words, before shooting the basketball beside her ear.

“Hey!”, she cried out, “You almost got me!”

“Did I?” ,he  teased.

“How about I teach you some basics today Khush? We can graduate steadily to actually making you a decent player”

“I thought football was your forte’”, she smiled, her hands resting on her hip.

“As soon as you learn this, we’ll move over to football”, he smiled.

Dribbling the ball expertly, he moved behind her. Sliding his hands down her arms, he ignored the catch in her breath, even as his own nerves made their presence known.

He rested his hands beneath hers, which now held the ball.

“Lesson one. Dribble”, he whispered into her ear.

He showed her the movements, her hands imitating them in a daze. 

The sun had slipped away. The crescent moon was upon them. The streetlights were flickering on. And yet, for them it was as if time itself had settled in stillness.

Arnav stopped as he realised Khushi was no longer moving her hands along his.

Straightening up, he asked softly, “Khu-“

She turned around and flung her arms around his neck, letting her name rest half spoken in the air. 

Gathering her up in his arms, he held her closer. He wondered if he had done something wrong. Did something happen? He hadn’t even asked her how she was. Maybe something was wrong. Had someone said something?

She lifted her head up from his chest, derailing his train of thoughts.

He looked down, waiting for her to speak. Her eyes fluttered between his lips and his own eyes.

Arnav knew then. 

Bending his head in a flash, he kissed her, muffling the whimper which escaped her. 

He kissed her. Thoroughly. With all his heart. With all that he felt for her. 

He couldn’t think about anything but how she felt in his arms. How right it felt to be like this. 

She broke apart, heaving as she attempted to catch her breath. Resting his forehead against hers, he couldn’t help smiling.

Guess he’ll soon have to learn all the silent signs and codes, he thought impishly.

“I guess that’s enough basketball for today?” Khushi laughed, her cheeks blazing red.

“Nope”, he whispered,”Not enough at all”

He cradled her head, before pulling her in again. 

————

He was still smiling, as he walked along the pathway to his dorm. He had dropped Khushi off minutes ago. But it still didn’t feel enough.

After that distraction, they had walked over to her dorm. Laughing, joking along the way. Just like they always did. 

He whistled in relief. Unbeknownst to him, a bewildering fear had been beneath his heart. The worry that they wouldn’t be able to go back to the equation they always had between them. Friendship brings ease. But love? The crazy emotion clawing at your heart? That snatches away all sense of easy. He knew that much.

“Raizada”

Arnav turned around.

Dhruv stood before him, in all his glory. Dressed in his green jersey, he was the formidable opponent Arnav had to face soon.

“You know there is a match next Saturday?”

He hated the artificial smile this guy sported. As if his tactics were invisible to everyone.

“Why? Are you going around reminding everyone?”

“Don’t push it Arnav”

He rolled his eyes, “Push what? You were the one who called me?”

“Just saying. Loitering around will do you no good”, he said, his eyes glinting at something more.

“I would say the same for you Iyer. If you want to prove something, do it on the grounds”

“I will”, Dhruv grinned, “In front of everyone. How nice will it be to crush you,with so many witnesses!  Headmistress, teachers, your Bakshi , beloved Cyrus……Khushi”

Arnav’s eyes flared, echoing the fury ignited in his heart.

“What?”

“Watch out, Raizada. I don’t play fair”, his face was set in a mask.

Arnav felt no dread. He knew that now no one was going to stop him from going all out this Saturday. But God help him, if this bastard brings his Khushi into this mix.

-----------

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Tagging: @hand-picked-star @phuljari @msbhagirathi @thenainitaldisaster @thedupattaknowswhatsup @jalebi-weds-bluetooth @barshifan @andli @shiyaravi @chutkiandchotte @laad-governess @minpdnim @bigfatreader @arshiradio @simplycurlz @scorpio-smiles @bengudill @exosexosekai @0218fm @atomicmentalitytruimph

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September Rain

Chapter Ten

Also on Wattpad

Read from the beginning

Chapter Nine>> <<Chapter Eleven

She settled against her pillow snugly. After the morning bus ride back to campus, she had crashed into her bed. Preeto had left to spend her afternoon with horses, and Mona was snoring beside her. God bless Sundays!

Kicking her feet under the covers, Khushi blushed. Her lips tingled , as she recalled the fervour with which he had kissed her.

She hadn’t said anything. She couldn’t believe it had happened. Arnav had always been a buzz under her skin. But she hadn’t dreamt of kissing him. 

Running trembling fingers over her lips, she flushed. 

Turning over, she pulled the cover tighter over her. The globe sitting on her bed side table caught her eye. With a sigh, she reached over and picked it up. He had gifted it on her thirteenth birthday.

A girl and boy with yellow raincoats, playing with paper boats under the rain.

She turned it over.

To my Khushi~ happy 13!~ Love, Arnav

She hugged it to herself. All these years with Arnav…and here she was mooning over him. He had kissed her, she thought with a wide smile.

What comes next? Do they date? 

Khushi frowned. What will change if they date? Will that ease and sense of home she had always known to have with him fade and disappear? Will they fight like Di and Akash bhaiya?

She sat up with a jolt.

No!

She wanted her Arnav to be just like before. She didn’t want their friendship to dwindle away, even at the prospect of something so…so beautiful.

Flopping back on her bed, she didn’t fight the blush as her thoughts went right back to last night, as sleep pulled her in finally.

————-

“Khushi!”

She looked up from her maths homework, glittered with pencil shavings.

“Arnav asked me to tell you he wanted to meet at 6” Preeto mumbled while unlacing her charcoal black boots, now marred with mud stains.

“Where?”, she asked , hoping the catch in her voice didn’t alarm Preeto.

“He didn’t say”, she frowned “He was weird today, I must say”

“Weird?” Khushi stood up, her legs leading her to Preeto as she wrung her hands together.

“Yup!”, she grabbed a towel “He fell off Basanti! Can you imagine? The calmest of horses! And when he stood up, he was just grinning like an idiot! Something was really wrong with Raizada today”

With a shrug, Preeto was off to shower, leaving Khushi with her thoughts.

Grinning like an idiot? That sure sounds a lot like her today.

————

The sun had lent a purple tint to the sky as it began to set. Lamps were flickering as the evening breeze sent a chill down her spine. 

Khushi tugged at her brown sweater as she hurried towards their stairs. 

He stood there, with his back towards her. His head bent, as if reading something.

She couldn’t bring herself to break the solace he was in. Or so she told herself.

Standing at the entrance, her foot hovered in hesitation. 

What does one say after a mind blowing kiss?

She had simply mumbled “good night!” and hurried off the night before. 

The swish of his shoes made her look up. His hair fell over his forehead, making him look like the eleven year old who had shared sodas with her.

She desperately wished she was funny at that moment. A witty line could have broken this awkward ice between them!

“You-you fell off Basanti?”

He let out a strangled laugh.

“Ya, she brought me back to earth really quickly”

She smiled, “She’s the sweetest thing! Only you could have done something to provoke her!”

“You are to be blamed!”

She stilled at his accusation. 

“I was thinking about last night”, he continued as she said nothing. His face pale, under the dim light.

“L-Last night”, she stuttered.

“Last night”, his voice bursting with strength, as he stepped closer.

“Yeah, um..it was..”

“Good?”,he held her waist in his arms, even as her breath hitched. 

With a raised eyebrow , he seemed like the devil reincarnated. A sexy one, she finished in her head.

“Yeah ... .nice”, she mumbled absently.

“Nice?”,he frowned.

His baritone voice made her skin erupt into goosebumps.

She shivered as he pulled her closer.

“We will have to change that review won’t we?”, he whispered before bending down to take over her lips.

A whimper escaped her as pure pleasure pervaded her veins. Her mind was reeling as he continued his onslaught.

Her hand fisted around his collar, as he tightened his hold around her waist.

She felt warm all over, as he deepened the kiss, his tongue invading her mouth. A muffled moan escaped her, but she was too entranced to be mortified.

She broke away for air, her heart pounding a mile a minute. But she found that he simply couldn’t stop. Showering pecks on her lips, he mumbled her name before kissing down her neck.

Her stomach swooped against the still unfamiliar feeling, as she jumped.

“Arnav”, she almost pleaded.

She felt his chest rise against her, as he took a deep breath. Resting his forehead against hers, he looked deep into her eyes. Seduced from the warmth his embrace brought, she couldn’t bring herself to untangle from him.

“Good enough?”, his hoarse voice belied the laughter in his eyes.

“Shut up”, she whispered before hugging him close.

The sky clouded over, hiding the moon, granting an illusion of privacy.

Tagging: @hand-picked-star @phuljari @msbhagirathi @thenainitaldisaster @thedupattaknowswhatsup @jalebi-weds-bluetooth @barshifan @andli @shiyaravi @chutkiandchotte @laad-governess @minpdnim @bigfatreader @arshiradio @simplycurlz @scorpio-smiles @bengudill @exosexosekai @0218fm @atomicmentalitytruimph

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September Rain

Chapter Nine

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Read from the beginning

Chapter Eight> <Chapter Ten

“K darling! “ Mona screamed before plunging down the steep ride.

A burst of laughter left Khushi, as Mona’s false attempt at bravado came into mind. She had a sneaky suspicion that the teachers had fitted in the amusement and water parks in a day to tire them out! After all, they were going to be staying here tonight in the park’s resort, and what better way to control teenagers than this.

“Khushi”, a hot whisper fluttered across her neck.

She twisted around to see Arnav. Shirtless.

It’s not like she hadn’t seen him like that before. They had spent many summers swimming together in the local pool. But what was new was this rising awareness within her of what her crush on him meant.

A glimpse of him was enough for her to blush to her roots.Mesmerised by his whisper, she stood like an idiot staring at him. 

“Um what?”

“Do you want to go on this one with me?” He shrugged a figure of eight tube towards her.

“Sure” 

She had really tortured herself in the past few hours ,convinced that she had lost him to Lavanya. She had gone to the pits of despair, even while Dhruv was joking around and ensuring her comfort at every ride. She could almost hear Payal Di’s mocking laughter in her ears. 

Maybe all was not lost yet, she thought shyly.

Following him up the stairs, she squinted at the harsh afternoon sun blaring across.

“NK almost twisted his leg while getting out of this one” he chuckled.

“What?!”, she croaked.

“Relax Khush, he probably tried to do a stunt or something. Aman chased him across the pool for almost killing him”, he grinned.

She smiled, shaking her head.

“Our turn”, he whispered again.

Frowning slightly, she decided that his whispers were not safe for her heart at all.

He quickly settled down in front, leaving her to sit behind. And in the next moment, her heart skipped a beat and a gasp left her lips as he slid his hands under her knees to bring it forward .

“All set?”

She barely heard him before being pushed down the dark tube.

The cold water hit her flushed face, as the twirled around. A smile threatened to break out, before she bit her lip hesitantly.

The daylight broke out sooner than she would have liked. Water crashed over with a roar and upturned them. Khushi spluttered and coughed out as she waded away. 

Arnav swam up to her, his wet hair settling back perfectly, a single strand brushing over his left eyebrow.

“Fun, wasn’t it?” he smiled.

“Yup!” Khushi laughed as she looked around the pool, bustling with people.

“I can’t find anyone from our class”, she muttered absently.

Jumping up, she startled as she felt his arm wind around her waist. Looking up into his eyes, which looked even more beautiful under the sun, she frowned at him.

She watched him with hawk eyes as he swallowed and he looked away, just like he did whenever he felt nervous.

“What’s wrong?”

“Um….cotton candy? I saw a guy selling it somewhere over there”

—————-

Glancing over at the clock, Khushi brushed her hair roughly. She bent over to reach her hoodie, sending her bag of toiletries tumbling on the floor.

“Shit!”

“Khushi! Trying to sleep here!”

“Sorry Preeto!”

“Don’t tell me you are going to play badminton?! After all the excitement I faced today ,I can’t even lift a finger!”

“No, don’t worry. I am not as crazy as Mona and the boys”

Preetika sat up on her bed, her floral pyjamas peeking underneath the white duvet.

“Then?”

“Arnav”

A sly smirk on Preeto’s face made Khushi bristle.

“What? Please don’t hold back on my account!”

“Well….”, she bit her lip,”After lunch-you know when Arnav came back without the ice creams ? So, Lavanya wasn’t seen around him! Apparently she excused herself to be with the teachers. Can you believe it she tried to fake a sun stroke! It’s just that Madhumati ma’am was feeling kind enough today to let her rest and not prod the real reason!

Khushi frowned, her eyes glazed over.

“They had a fight?”

“I think so! He went on all rides in the water park with you from then on!”

She felt the earlier despair flood her over again. She needed to talk to him. She needed to protect her heart. She was a good friend, not a selfless one.

————-

She climbed up the rusted staircase leading up to the terrace. Dressed in all black, he was resting against the parapet. She felt a pang at how gorgeous he looked. The moonlight fell against him, like it always did on its favourite child.

He turned towards her, a grin lighting up his face.

“Khush! I might have managed a pastry from the kitchen”

She tried to smile. After all it is hard, when your insecurities weigh down your heart when it oh,so desperately wants to fly!

“It’s a full moon tonight “ 

She sat down next to him with wobbly legs.

“What was that song you really liked last winter? Chaand……Oh yes! Chaand sifarish jo karta humari…..”

He really wasn’t good with silence tonight, wasn’t he?, she thought wryly.

“Beautiful song indeed”, she said out loud instead.

Arnav hummed the tune further as she stared.

“Lavanya” she began, “She fell sick today”

If she was looking for the nail to hammer into his guilt, she would have seen it in the tightening of his mouth.

“I heard”, he said briskly.

“Is she feeling better?”

“I don’t know. Didn’t ask”, his brow furrowed in annoyance.

She took in a deep breath while her heart battled on with her brain.

“So you did have a fight?”

He looked at her, bewildered.

“What? Khush-“

“Why come on the rides with me then?”

“What?”, his tone deadly low now.

“I just want you to stop playing these games!”

Khushi stood up, her breath coming out in short gasps.

“What games, Khushi?!” 

He stood up with her, reaching out to hold her hand.

She snatched it away, afraid that she would melt and forget about how this made her feel. The possibility…even the possibility that she had been used as a tool to make Lavanya jealous ,pierced her heart sharply.

“Go apologise to Lavanya! There’s no need to be so immature that you use your best friend to make her jealous “

There. She had said it. Strangely her mind felt detached , looking over her as if it was a third entity. She broke away her anguished eyes from his shocked ones. She took a step away. And then another.

Her breath left her in a whoop, as she was grasped by her waist and pulled in a second. With no moment of respite, she felt the softest petals flutter over her lips. 

She started shivering, her hands clutching at his shoulders. He pressed her more firmly against him, as he deepened the kiss.

A thousand ice spikes flooded her brain. Her stomach felt an almost painful sensation. 

She felt his other hand clear strands of her hair from her face. 

Tilting her jaw up, he whispered “Khush”,  before diving in again.

Like the stars burst in your body. Like falling off a cliff. Like thunder striking the earth.

It was everything. Her first kiss. Their first kiss.

He had answered her anguish with a claim. A claim that she had on his heart. She knew now.

The cold breeze woke them from the delicious lull the darkness had engulfed them in.

“Arnav..”

“Beautiful, Khush”, he smiled as he ran a thumb against her cheek.

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Why is ITV/desi TV (and in fact even Turkish TV) obsessed with reforming abusive men and rapists?

It seems so counter intuitive isn't it? Especially when you recall these are all almost always romance based stories - its women writing, watching, and loving them. Rapist/abusive male leads in stories written by men are almost always unrepentant protagonists and the rape/abuse is never the point. Its women who nurture the fantasy of bringing an evil violent misogynist to heel.

I think its because these stories of an abuser/rapist or someone who stood by watched/allowed as you were abused/raped being secretly a good, kind person who reforms because of YOU, weave a very powerful and addictive fantasy. Acts like rape and abuse are so commonplace yet so inhumane, so monstrous to endure and comprehend, that its an addictive thought to believe that if only, we can explain our pain to the perpetrators, they will feel the full extent of the pain too, and they will stop doing what they are doing and be on our side. Its also immensely addictive because in this fantasy, victims have power. They reform the rapist/abusers. Their words are heard, accepted and understood, by the very person who refused to treat them even as a human at a certain point.

No one wants to talk about how being a surviver of SA, one of the worst things you grapple with is accepting how someone else could ever do that to you. How you start blaming yourself that you must have done something to induce this other person to commit such a cruelty. Making sense of what happened sometimes means blaming yourself, and sometimes it means making a temple out of your prison, just so that you can reconcile the horrific facts with your daily lived reality. And there's no single woman living in our society who hasn't experience abuse, rape, sexual assault, discrimination, powerlessness, exploitation in some form or the other. Is this why women love the violence is love fantasy so very very much?

Unfortunately, it is just that, a fantasy. Overwhelmingly, statistically, rapists and abusers do not reform. The best chance for a rape victim to heal and move on is to get justice and stay away from those who harmed her for the rest of her life. And the best chance of an actual reformation of an abuser - as rare as it is - is also to stay away from his victims or anyone of that type - the same way an alcoholic is advised to stay away from alcohol.

That's what makes it such a dangerous and insidious fantasy - while it is a comforting thought to imagine oneself so powerful as to have truly reformed one's own abuser, to actually pursue such a course in real life leads victim straight back into the arms of their abusers and rapists, and keeps them there until they die, most often horrifically.

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The best ship dynamic is actually just. "I love you and it terrifies me. I'm terrified how much I need you and how much I want you to need me. I'm terrified I'm no good for you and I'm going to hurt you and ruin you and I'm terrified of how I feel when you're around me but I can't bear to push you away completely because I'm terrified to be without you so now we're stuck in limbo and that's terrifying too. I'm terrified that if I lost you now it'd destroy me and I'm terrified that it's too late to do anything about it. I love you. And it's terrifying."