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[featheredclover]

September Rain

Chapter Thirteen

Read from the beginning

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Chapter Twelve>>

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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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.

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————

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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.

-----------

Next chapter>>

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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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[featheredclover]

September Rain

Chapter Nine

Also on Wattpad

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.

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

—————

Next chapter>>

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[featheredclover]

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.

[featheredclover]

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."

[featheredclover]

Something magical ✨

(we deserve to see them again in a show at this point 🙈)

[featheredclover]

Shab-e-intezaar

Oneshot inspired by this word prompt by @arshifiesta

The night of awaiting 

_________

The streetlight burned as dusk coiled around the city of Lucknow. Like a bunch of princes to their favourite courtesan, a flutter of moths were drawn to the light.

Khushi stifled a smile at the impish comparison, as she hurried along the narrow roads of Lakshmi Nagar. 

———

“Amma, I am home” , she said with flourish, dropping her handbag onto the chair and her jootis kicked off elegantly over the mat.

“Hmm”, came the buzz of mild acknowledgment from Garima Gupta.

Khushi huffed out a breath in mock exasperation. 

“What is there in this god forsaken serial that I can’t get you to give your eyes a break for a second? The same old rich man- poor girl nonsense!”

“Hush Khushi!”

She tied her hair into a quick knot, and left for her evening bath, leaving her mother with her precious LED box.

———

“You just have to cook the chapatis baccha, I have made the curry” Garima smiled fondly as Khushi stood bent over the stove.

“Aah! AD break I assume?” She smirked.

“Of course!” Garima laughed, “Love stories…..”

Khushi spun around at her mother’s change of tone.

“They remind me of what your father and I shared”, her eyes misty with memories.

“Lies” Khushi smiled , “Papa wasn’t rich”

“He was rich in his heart! Joke all you want, but one day you’ll realise what I am talking about Khushi. So many proposals have come your way, but I have rejected them for I know that you deserve to marry for love”

“What rubbish! I’ll marry someone who mints money!”

“We’ll see”

And with that Garima was off to the living room again.

If she had paused, she would have seen the tell tale signs of a lie on her daughter’s face. The flushing of cheeks, the biting of lip and the nervous gesture of hands.

Khushi Kumari Gupta was in love.

————

She laid the fresh bed sheet over her mattress, humming an old Bollywood tune. Her room was set in muted tones of pink. She was a magpie in all essence. Her nani’s jewellery, her papa’s books and all the gifts she had ever received, were all stored beautifully in this room.

Her parents had worked hard over the years to buy this flat in the heart of Lucknow. Her papa’s death in that fatal car accident years ago didn’t dim her mother’s will to work. And so Khushi grew up with her mother as the headmaster of a government school, with ambitions of being a teacher herself.

She placed the test papers she had taken pains to correct in a file, and pushed them away on her desk with a sigh of relief.

“Semester exams done!” She said out loud to herself.

Switching off the lamp, she stood up and plunged the room into dimness.

With the strategy of a woman in love, she grabbed a book from her bedside table and walked with measured leisure to the ornate window.

The moon hid behind the clouds as she searched for him. Her fingers flipped the pages, hoping its flutter would bring him to his window. The window framing the wall neighbouring hers.

And then like the bride waiting for the moon on her first fasting, she was assuaged as the clouds cleared and the moon lit up his handsome face, shining the harsh lines of him into light.

“Arnav”, she breathed out as if parched from his thirst. Thirst of the man who had stolen her dreams, her heart and her peace.

“How were the semester papers? By your expression I can guess you are glad to be rid of them”, he smirked wickedly.

“Laugh all you want, but at least I don’t sit hunched over a computer all day!”, she said tongue in cheek.

He smiled, hands lifted up in defeat.

“I am a verified corporate slave”

He took a sip from his cup, his eyes holding her captive.

“Beautiful night”

She shook her head, “You say that every night”

“And I mean it every night”, he insisted, his voice ringing against the dark.

She cleared her throat, “So the heroine and hero got stuck in a lift today”

He chuckled, “I am amused how Garima aunty suffers this everyday”

“Tell that to her,” she grinned.

“That her favourite show lacks originality? No way!”

“It’s cliche! But it works…”

Arnav set his cup aside, resting his forearm on the ledge, leaning over.

“They sell dreams don’t they? We wait all our lives. Some live and lose. But they sell our dreams to us..”

Khushi sighed, “Making the wait bearable?”

“Agonising” his whisper lit up her night.

—————

The staff room was not unaffected by the lazy afternoon. The fan whirred in the corner as the two friends sat hunched together.

“Her wedding was simply stunning! Her dad spent so much.”

She looked on, bored as Payal recounted their colleague’s wedding last week. She had missed it due to her cousin’s wedding the same day.

“Payal! What about the groom? Does he suit Sheetal?”

“Well….he is balding. And he has a paunch. But that won’t matter in America would it?”

“Sheetal had a poster of Salman on her wall”, Khushi mumbled.

“So what Khushi? Life is not a movie. No one is going to get a Salman or Shah rukh. We are going to get nice men with heavy pockets”

“Akash is certainly not just a nice man” she smirked.

Payal playfully smacked her hand, before settling down despondently.

“His mother doesn’t approve.”

“Does that matter? He is willing to fight anyone for you. He got that apartment near the junction-“

“Yes! But I didn’t want him to give up his family. I want him to have everything he wants”

Khushi closed her hand over Payal’s fist.

“He loves you. And if a few sacrifices are what life demands from him, that’s okay. Because how happy he’ll be with you matters the most!”

She smiled, her eyes filled with unshed tears.

“Thank you Khush”, she choked out.

————-

She stood by her window, gazing out at his closed one, her hand drying her waist length hair gently.

 Payal had texted her this morning, asking her to be one of the witnesses for their registered marriage. 

It was happening. After all the hardships, Akash was finally marrying Payal. She couldn’t be more happier for the two of them.

Raizadas were going to lose another son, she thought. Arnav had left the grandiose of Sheesh Mahal two years ago, to live in this humble settlement.

“Just exhausted, Khushi. They wanted to control everything. My life, my soul, my very breath”

She recalled his words with a pang. He had to suffer so much, before he could finally break free.

And now Akash…..

Walking over to her almirah, she looked for her favourite Anarkali. 

White. For purity. For innocence. For new beginnings. 

For Akash and Payal.

She was happy for them. Why wouldn’t she be? She had been a Cupid to their story, nonetheless.

But when her gaze settled on the neighbouring window, she felt a twinge of anxiety. She hadn’t revealed her own heart to Arnav, let alone expect him to return her love. 

She had her share of sleepless nights, worrying that any day now, he will bring home a woman. Her heart will break. And all those unplayed heartbreak CDs in her possession will finally get a chance to echo in her room.

Slipping on a pair of jhumkas, Khushi draped a dupatta over her and walked out to say goodbye to her mother.

———-

“Arnav!”

She couldn’t believe her eyes. Empty tea cups rested on the coffee table. Her mother greeted her with a soft, serene smile.

“Amma-“

“Isn’t it time? Payal will be waiting” , her mother interrupted.

“But-“ , she frowned.

“After all, you'll be late when you reach there”, she turned back to Arnav, “I think you should stay there tonight beta”

“The register office is fifteen minutes from here!”

“We are going to Agra. Did you think the Raizadas would let Akash get married here?”

She stared at him. Unsure of the change in plans, of this tea with her mother, unsure of him and the way he was looking at her.

“It’s a four hour car ride Khushi, you better leave now!” Her mother was now on her feet, almost pushing her daughter out of the door.

“Shall we?” 

Her hand slid into his.

Agra it is.

————

“Please sign here” the grumpy man mumbled.

She looked on as Akash’s two colleagues signed the paper.

“Khushi”, Arnav placed a hand on her waist, pushing her forward.

She took the pen in her hand, muttering a prayer under her breath before noting down her signature.

Joy and claps filled the air as the couple was pronounced husband and wife.

Khushi looked on with tears in her eyes and a smile on her face, as Akash kissed Payal softly, ignoring the registrar’s gasp of outrage.

Love had won again.

————-

She was a romantic. She had always been. Even when she had first visited the Taj Mahal with her mother at the young age of ten, she had found her heart aching at the majestic symbol of love. Shah Jahan’s number of wives or his harem didn’t matter. There was love that thrived beyond graves, and that’s all that mattered.

Khushi soaked in the beauty the monument was, under the cover of the night. Wrapping her dupatta, firmly around her shoulders, she walked beside Arnav, who seemed so deep in thought, she almost felt jealous.

“I never thought it could be more beautiful”, she broke through the silence.

“You love the nights, not surprising”, Arnav smiled.

Rows of trees lined their path, the distant lights illuminated their footsteps, as the breeze swayed.

“Shab-e-intezaar”, he said out loud.

“Shab-e-intezaar? What are you waiting for?”, she asked, puzzled.

He smiled in that mysterious way of his.

Her breath left her as he caught her wrist and pulled her against him. Wide eyed, she looked up at him, pure shock and pleasure running through her whole being.

“This”, he whispered, before his mouth came down on hers. 

His lips were unbearably soft. The slight way he moved against her was driving her crazy. Something primitive rose within her, as her hand clutched his shirt, pressing herself against him firmly.

He was quick to know her. Entangling her within his arms, he tightened his hold.

Breathless she broke away, resting her head against his. She felt his warmth on her nose, before her head was tilted up.

“I love you Khushi”, he kissed her again.

Khushi’s hand tightened on his wrist.

“I love you too”, she whispered back.

Arnav broke into a delicious smile. Holding her hand he stepped away.

Ignoring the sudden bout of shyness flooding her, she held his eyes as if her life depended on it.

He bent down on one knee.

“Happiness found me, while I was leaning against my bedroom window one night. I still thank whatever gods are up there, who brought me to you, Khushi. I am in love with you. With your spirit, your heart, your eyes. I am just a man in love with you”, his voice wavered at the end.

She swallowed thickly, her vision blurring with emotion.

“With the blessings of Garima aunty”, he cracked a wry grin, “I would like to ask you if you want to be my wife? Spend the rest of our lives, no longer separated by walls and windows?”

“I will”, she let out a sob.

She crashed into him, arms entwining around him as he almost tumbled onto the ground.

His laughter filled her ears, and she glanced up at the beautiful Taj Mahal, framed by their night.

Love had found them. After a long shab-e-intezaar.

----------

Hope you liked this story! Dedicated to all those beautiful nights ~ I urge you to look out your window tonight and wish something special for yourself ;)

Let me know what you think of the story! All constructive criticisms welcome ❤️

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

Let me know if you want to be added or removed from the tag list!

[featheredclover]

WE'RE GETTING SOME DELICIOUS CRUMBS???

Legit news, Barun and Sanaya are going to appear in an ad together!

Its been 134400857 years since they were on screen acting together SO YES I AM VERY MUCH SEATED AND READY, SELL ME SOMETHING!

[featheredclover]

September Rain

Chapter Eight

Also on Wattpad

Read from the beginning

Chapter Seven> <Chapter Nine

She was like a dream. She was like September rains. She was his.

He had known when he saw her that fateful day, clutching her red skirt, her deer-like eyes skirting around nervously. He had felt the disappointment weigh heavily in his chest as he found they were not in the same house. He remembered buying the soda bottles and running across the grounds lest she waited too long for him on the stairs.

His innocent affection had deepened over the years. Sitting in his favourite spot on the red house terrace, his eyes always found the green rooftop, a splinter of longing burning within him. 

He had been thirteen when his tonsils were removed. Surgery was a scary thought, and the doctor had told him to take a deep breath and think of “happy thoughts”.

And when his mind had turned to thoughts of her, he knew.

Raizadas and Guptas had become friends, after a few clever manoeuvres by Akash and Payal. A few parties and dozens of dinners later, they were spending the summer together.

——

“Guess what papa got me!” Khushi brandished a shiny, jet black camera at him.

“Nice!” He smiled,sitting up straight, afraid of tilting the hammock over.

“No, no ,no! Just lay there!” 

She clicked the button, her hair fluttering against the wind. He smiled awkwardly, as she clicked several more. 

“You look pretty Arnav!” She teased with a smile.

——

That summer, Khushi had created an album. An album of just their photos. He had bit his lip, hiding his joy at finding the album packed with more than half with just his photos. 

But things were changing. He could sense it. He couldn’t help but feel the electricity hum beneath his skin, when his shoulder brushed hers, when he held her hand, feeling skin against skin. Seeing her dance was like watching an angel trapeze. 

——

“Can’t believe it’s raining!”

He hid his smirk behind the book he was trying to read.

“Arnav, you are boring me now”

“We can’t go out Khushi “

“I know that! But can we have fun?”

“Fun?” He set his book aside with a sigh.

She walked up to his speakers. After a few minutes, soft music filled his room.

She smiled, “It’s ‘These dreams’ by Heart” 

She moved gently, mouthing the words.

“And the full moon that hangs over, these dreams in the mist” she sang as she extended a hand towards him, tilting her head.

He slipped his hand into hers, as she pulled him off the bed.

Her arms entwined around his neck, and his hand found them on her waist.

He breathed out, as they swayed to the music. The lyrics were far from clear to Arnav by this point. His senses were on an overdrive, as he felt enveloped by her warmth, by her floral smell, by  the heart beating against his own.

——

He was in love with Khushi Gupta. 

He felt no jolt, no shock. He felt like he had been in love forever.

He looked at her across the table, as she took bites out of her cotton candy.

They had been on five rides so far. Dhruv had taken the seat beside her on two, Lavanya had insisted on him being with her on two, and one had single seats only.

A frustrated frown revealed his feelings, as he watched her laughing at something Mona whispered into her ear.

This just won’t do.

“Anyone want ice cream?” Aman stood up.

“You stay here, I’ll go get it” , he said, leaving the table without waiting for Aman’s reply.

——

“Hi”

Arnav startled as he heard the whisper behind him.

“Lavanya, what are you doing here?” He turned towards her.

“I couldn’t let you stand in line alone, could I ?” She smiled and tilted her head.

Annoyance creeped up on him, like a wave.

“We talked about this, Lavanya. You can’t make friends by sticking to me. You need to talk to others.”

Her eyes widened in shock. Probably at the harsh tone he had used.

“I don’t want that, Arnav. No one gets me like you do”

“Well I want to be with others! You can’t get through school like this, Lavanya. And I know that my friends have been doing everything to make you feel comfortable”

“Come on Arnav! They are your friends, not mine. We have fun together, just us two! I don’t want anything more” 

He ran a hand through his hair roughly.

“I wanted you to be well settled in because the teachers asked me to. But you have been looking at it all wrong. I like you Lavanya and I want to be your friend , but I cannot be with you all the time!”

“Whatever! You can leave if you want,” she rolled her eyes.

Arnav walked off, his brisk steps taking him away, leaving a scorned girl behind.

--------------

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September Rain

Chapter Seven

Also on Wattpad

Read from the beginning

Chapter Six> <Chapter Eight

“So listen up! I want all of you in your buses. The class monitor will take the count. No cellphones allowed, no funny business under my watch! Is that clear?”

“Yes ma’am “, came the bored drawl of the classes of X and XI.

Mona wiggled up to Khushi, grinning ear to ear.

“Dhruv is here”, she sang.

Khushi narrowed her eyes, “I know. Everyone is here”

“Silly! I am saying picnics are the best opportunities to start dating! Teachers are all cooped up in the shade, enjoying their break. We can do whatever we want!”

“Dating?! What are you talking about?  “

“Well you need to move on from Arnav and who better to move onto?”Mona winked.

Khushi stared at her friend for a long moment.

“Lavanya is not his girlfriend”, she whispered.

She found herself lost as Mona looked at her blankly, her lips pursed in displeasure.

“What?”

“K, I love you that’s why I am telling you this. It happened to my cousin. Do you remember Sharvi di? She was strung over a guy for ages. And this new girl entered the scene, but he used to keep assuring her that nothing’s going on. And after a year, she found them making out at a house party!”

She felt anger flood through her. And if she was honest with herself, a little desperation too.

“Arnav isn’t like that guy, Mona. He won’t lie”

“I won’t let him break your heart. Do whatever you want K, but if you don’t want to be careful, I will” 

“Aw! My bodyguard “, she battled her eyelashes.

“Who’s the bodyguard?” NK swung his arm around her shoulder.

“Mona is, “ Khushi smiled.

“What are you defending Khushi against? A mosquito?”

“I’ll smash your teeth in Khurana. It will suit your pretty face” Mona smirked.

“Violence already Mona?” Arnav sauntered up to them.

“You’ll see Raizada “ Mona glanced at Khushi.

————-

“I can’t believe Preeto is fraternising with the enemy!” Mona whispered angrily into her ear, as she eyed her sitting beside Lavanya.

“She is playing polo with her,” Khushi mumbled.

Ignoring her friend’s outrage, she pushed her bag up on the luggage rack. She grabbed Mona’s sack and placed it next to hers. 

Settling down on the window seat, Khushi looked on as her classmates filed into the bus, chattering away.

She looked away as she caught a glance of Arnav. She frowned at herself. 

Hadn’t they solved this? Why then did this uneasy feeling that she was going to lose him persist?

Her heart is driving her mad.

—————

The spectators at the traffic signal must certainly be amused at the noise blaring from the school bus, Khushi thought.

NK wouldn’t let her sit, especially after he had convinced the bus driver to let him use the speakers. She swayed, as everyone sang off key as loudly as they could. She laughed as she saw everyone dancing with as much gusto as they could muster in the cramped space. 

NK held her hand and attempted an awkward spin, leading her to stumble all over him.  She giggled as her cheeks flushed in embarrassment. He set her alight on her feet with a wink.

Khushi brushed her hair off her face, stilling as she felt the brunt of a stare pierce her. She didn’t have to wonder for long, for in the next moment her eyes met Arnav’s intense gaze. She smiled hesitantly, unsure of the sudden stillness he seemed to be caught in. 

He didn’t smile back.

A bag of chips thrust themselves into her view. She looked up to see Aman.

“Eat up Gupta! The park is still an hour away!”

—————

The shiny board of ‘Topsy World’ shone magnificently across the skyline. The weather seemed to be kind to them today, as the sun stayed dim behind the clouds. 

“There!” Preeto yelled, “My brother said this ride should be done first”

“I love this place!” Lavanya smiled.

“It is nice,” Khushi sighed.

“Red thunder? Are you serious ,Preeto?” 

Preetika smirked, “Why? Scared ,Mona ?”

And that was it. Mona thumped her way to the line, while Preeto chased her. And the gang just followed along.

The line was long. Khushi fixed her cap, as she leaned against the railing.

“Red ranger, K? You sure it’s the right choice?” Dhruv smirked as she looked up, startled .

“For me, yes. For faint hearted ones, no. So you might want to think it through, Mr Iyer” Khushi smiled.

He laughed, “Let’s see who’ll call for their “mummy” first up there shall we?”

Khushi blushed, “Hey! I was 12 okay?!”

Dhruv shrugged, “You’ll have to prove it to me, I guess”

“Khushi come on!” NK hollered.

She rushed along the railings, followed by the group of eleventh graders.

“Come on” Arnav grabbed her hand. 

“Hey, Arnav “ Dhruv called out, “can I borrow your friend just for this ride? You see there is a challenge which madam has undertaken…” Dhruv smiled, not taking his eyes off Khushi.

She felt Arnav’s grip on her hand tighten. 

“Ya sure! I wanted Arnav to sit with me anyway “ Lavanya interrupted with a hand on his shoulder, “Khushi you can sit with your friend “ 

“Oh come on guys! The operator is waiting” Aman yelled from his seat.

Khushi looked at Arnav, trying to read his face. She felt his grip loosen, and a hollow opened in her chest. 

“Come on K!” Dhruv grabbed her other hand and pulled her to a seat.

The seat belt clicked in. The operator counted down. 

“Phew! No matter how many times I get into these things, my heart never gets used to it” Dhruv chuckled.

Khushi smiled faintly. Her heart was also thumping incessantly. But it had nothing to do with the ride. 

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September Rain

Chapter Six

Also on Wattpad

Read from the beginning

Chapter Five> <Chapter Seven

“Topsy World it is” NK said, swinging his legs in the air.

Khushi walked over to the bunch sitting across the rocky ledge.

“Isn’t there also a water park somewhere inside that park?”

“Yes! Aqua Land! So don’t forget to pack your swimsuits” 

Mona raised an eyebrow,” How excited are you for this picnic ,NK?”

He grinned,”The second last one day trip before we get to go on weekend long trips? Hell yeah! I am excited “

Khushi giggled, “I have heard good things about the place”

“Aman is upset class 9 is going to a different place”

“I am not!”

Khushi climbed up, sliding beside Aman.

“It’s okay to be upset a little Aman”

He smiled, “I guess,K”

“So after lunch is the water park?” Preetika noted in her tiny book.

“What are you doing Preeto? Scheduling the picnic?” Mona scoffed.

Khushi hid her smile, while Preetika glared.

“Aah here comes the supermodel” NK whistled.

They twisted their necks as Lavanya Kashyap walked towards them, a dainty smile on her face.

“Hello guys” her voice settled down like mist against a window pane.

“Hi” , Khushi joined the chorus in a small voice.

“Arnav asked me to wait for him with you guys”, she shrugged.

“How nice,” Aman said dryly.

“Aha! Time for us to get to know each other more Lavanya “ NK grinned

“You can sit with us, you know ? Climb up!”

“No thanks NK, I don’t feel like sitting”

Khushi found herself rolling her eyes as her friends kept on asking Lavanya mundane questions. She desperately wished for Arnav to come and occupy his girl’s attention.

“So Khushi ? Aman tells me you are leading the dance club with him”

Startled at the sudden spotlight on her, she fell quiet for an awkward moment.

“Um yes Lavanya. Are you interested?”

“I don’t know. I did Bharatanatyam like you for a couple of years. But I don’t know if I should take up this or polo”

“Oh, you should take up polo! I could help you “ Preetika clapped.

“Thank you Preetika “ Lavanya shot her a charming smile.

Khushi looked up as she heard footsteps. 

“Hi everyone “ Arnav huffed out, catching his breath.

“You were in a hurry to get here, hah?” NK raised a brow.

Arnav laughed, “I am just getting away from Bakshi sir! He has been paranoid ever since green won against yellow ”

Khushi looked away as the thoughts of the last game flooded her mind.

“Eviscerated yellow house, you mean? We crushed them!” Mona laughed.

“Isn’t someone a little too smug for a match she didn’t play?” Aman teased.

“Ask Khushi! We brought luck to the team simply with our presence!”

“Khushi? You watched the match?” , the incredulity evident in NK’s voice.

“Yes. So?”

“So?” Aman chuckled, “You have never been at anything except the-“

“Finals”, Arnav interrupted. 

She didn’t need to look around to know she was bearing the brunt of all eyes.

“Things change”, she shrugged. 

Her eyes unwillingly met his. The storm visible in his depths. 

——————

Her fingers skimmed over the thick bindings, searching for something. Something which will last her for a week. Khushi looked up, to see golden letters gleaming from the bind of a brown leather bound. 

‘Emma’

She rose on tiptoes, an arm stretching out,a frown marring her face as she tried to reach it.

A warm breath of air grazed her neck. A shiver ran down her spine as her book was grabbed.

“Here” Arnav said hoarsely, “Jane Austen again?”

“Yes” Khushi whispered, “That one was ‘Pride and Prejudice’”

“Aah! Both your signature qualities !”

He grinned slyly, as she gasped in outrage.

“What the hell Arnav!”

“Sshhh!” 

Mrs. Roy’s disapproving glare was enough to stop their bickering. 

Sticking a tongue out at him, she brushed past him and placed the book on the desk.

“Miss Khushi I admire your reading habits but whenever Mr Raizada accompanies you,you spoil the sanctity of this library “ 

“Sorry ma’am, I am to be blamed” Arnav intervened charmingly, “And oh! The sanctity of this place is too strongly maintained by you to be broken by us!”

“Shoo off boy!” A rare smile broke across Mrs. Roy’s face.

————

Khushi stared at their entwined hands. Arnav had not let her have a moment of respite since they got out of the library. Her hand was quickly grabbed. And now, she was being dragged across campus.

She knew where they were heading. She knew they had to talk. But fear gripped her heart as she felt this could end up being worse for them. What if he confirmed her suspicions? Her hand turned rigid as an unpleasant feeling flooded her body. She was distracted as she felt Arnav clutching her hand tighter. 

She sighed. He was going to make it happen. Come hell or high water!

————

The bricks were home, Khushi thought as she climbed up the stairs, took off her bag and settled down in her usual spot, leaning against the wall.

Arnav smiled at her woebegone expression. He reached into his bag. And then brandished two sodas before her.

He threw his bag aside and settled down beside her.

“Thanks”, she cracked it open against the wall and took a deep sip.

“How was Payal di’s party?”

“You wouldn’t have had to ask me, had you been there”

Arnav looked away.

“You missed me?”

Khushi paused. She didn’t want to be flippant with him anymore.

“Yes”

Hearing his breath hitch, she felt her heart go a mile a minute.

“I am sorry Khushi” , he held her hand, “I just couldn’t come and be- be normal. I knew we couldn’t talk the way I wanted us to, had I been there. I was just too angry to see things clearly”

“So you admit you were unreasonable that day?” She raised a brow.

He frowned, “No. I wasn’t “

“Khushi, let me explain, “ he said as she struggled to free her hand.

“You’ll explain?”, she gave him a dubious look.

“Yes, just let me speak”

“Okay” she grumbled.

“I don’t like Dhruv. And I hate that he has asked you to attend every match of his. But because you want to be there for him, I won’t say anything again. But…I just want us to be us. If you are going to the ground, I would want you to tell me and not scatter off without a word!”

Khushi smiled at his exasperation.

“Dhruv is just the sub captain of our house, Arnav. He wants to be the captain next year. And if he feels, having visible supporters will help him win,I have to go, as his friend. I didn’t mean to brush you off but…”

“Lavanya is not my girlfriend “

She froze. Clutching her skirt, she felt cold. Her stomach was not being her friend.

“Khushi, she is new here. And we talked while I was showing her around. Her parents…NK must have told you. They are having an ugly divorce. It’s all in the papers. And she is getting stuck in between their fights . It was actually her grandmother who felt she would feel better here, away from the mess.”

She sighed, “I understand “

“And she is so reserved that she doesn’t even want to talk to other girls in our house. Even with NK and Aman around, she will fall silent! I just wanted to get her out of her shell. I feel sorry for her Khushi. And yesterday, I told her to go wait for me with you guys, so that she could make some friends”, Arnav shrugged.

She bit her lip.

“I get it, Arnav. I had just never seen you so occupied. I felt…that everything was changing. We were changing. And I was- I was simply upset”

A breath of air huffed out of her as Arnav mauled her into a hug.

“Never! We are never going to change Khushi “ his furious whisper reached her ears and calmed her heart.

She clutched him tightly, ignoring the flutter of butterflies in her stomach.

Everything felt right again. 

Under the dome, against the evening sky, they held each other, waiting for the twilight to chase away the sun.

————

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