Chapter 2

“Will you ever grow up?” Arnav asked Khushi smiling at her. She grinned at him, “Maybe... maybe not.” She grabbed the balloons from him and let them go watching them float up into the sky. Arnav couldn’t help but stare. She looked so beautiful when she smiled like that. He was standing behind her and he wrapped his arms around her waist and rested his head on her shoulder. “Don’t. It’s one of the reasons I fell in love with you in the first place. If you hadn’t walked into the office and thrown a tantrum like a six year old four months ago I wouldn’t have been so interested in finding out about this girl who walked in like she owned the place,” he said smiling at the memory. Khushi giggled. “What’s so funny?” he asked turning serious. She turned around, his arms still holding her close, “The way you described it. You make me sound like a nuisance.” Her smile turned into a pout, “Then why are you still with me, leave me.” Arnav pulled her even closer, “Don’t ever say that,” Arnav said turning serious, “you’re the best thing that ever happened to me. I don’t know what I would do without you.” Khushi couldn’t hold back the runaway tear and threw her arms around his neck hugging him tight, afraid she would lose him if she ever let him go.

 

“Khushi! Khushi!” Adi almost yelled trying to pull her out of dreamland. Khushi came back to reality. Aditya sat next to her on the bed and Khushi leaned her head on his shoulder. “Thinking about Arnav?” Aditya asked looking at the picture hanging on the wall opposite the bed. He knew the answer but asked anyway. “That’s why you won’t let anyone come in here besides me? Isn’t it?” he questioned Khushi indicating towards the frame hanging from the wall. He felt her tears stain his shirt, “No one else knows. No one else ever knew. That’s why he’s gone Adi.” Aditya couldn’t stand to see his best friend in tears. It hurt him too know how much pain she was in. He wiped away her tears and turned to face her. “Garima Aunty sent me here to call you downstairs. Rohan’s here with his family. They’ve called a designer in for the wedding outfits. They want it to happen within this month before Rohan leaves for America,” Aditya said standing up. Khushi looked at him in desperation, “I can’t Khushi. You’ve held it off for two years. They won’t listen anymore. Even your parents say that you’re pushing it. It has to happen now and if you don’t agree they’ll drag you to a temple and marry you off there if they have to. I can’t stall them anymore.” With that Aditya left Khushi alone to get ready. Khushi got up from her bed took a deep breath, glanced at the photo and left the room making sure to close the door behind her.

 

“Arnav, hurry up please. We can’t be late. It’s not good for AR,” Kajal stood in his office whining, trying to make him hurry up. “They want the designer, moi, and you there within half an hour. The wedding is this month and it’ll take a while for us to design and make the clothes before the wedding,” Kajal was getting impatient and started pacing the room. Arnav looked up at his friend and closed his laptop. He sighed. “You know where to go?” he asked raising his eyebrows. She nodded and started dancing when she saw him get up and grab his coat from the back of his chair. She literally pounced on him, “Thank you,” she said with a huge grin on her face. It came as a relief to Kajal that Arnav had agreed. He usually stays in his office the whole day buried in work, at least that’s how it’s been for the past two years. They took the elevator downstairs and got into Arnav’s SUV with Kajal giving him the address and directions to the house. The address seemed familiar to him but he just couldn’t figure out why.

 

“Why the hell is she taking so long Aditya? You did tell her to come now didn’t you?” rohan asked Aditya impatiently. Aditya sighed and rolled his eyes, “Yes I told her. She’ll be down in a couple of minutes. Before the designers arrive. I promise.” At that exact moment Khushi entered the living room relieving Aditya of Rohan. She smiled at everyone and greeted Rohan’s parents. “Khushi,” Rohan turned towards her, “I’ve called Delhi’s best designers to make our clothes for the wedding. The wedding has to happen within this month before I have to leave to America because I’ve got to stay there for at least a year and I want you to come with me. You’ve put off the wedding for way too long. It’s been two years since we got engaged and I think you’re also a little tired of just being my fiancée considering you don’t even wear your ring,” he said sternly. Khushi was deep in thought, letting everything Rohan was saying sink in. She understood his plight, everyone knew where he stood and his situation but no one knew anything about her plight and her situation. Everyone always questioned what she did and said but never bothered to know why. “Khushi!” Rohan yelled, “Are you even listening to me?” Khushi turned her attention from the ground to Rohan. She could see he was going to say something else when the doorbell rang. “The designers are here, sir,” she heard one of the house helps say. “Thank god. It took them long enough,” Rohan said sighing. Khushi heard two people chatting as they walked into the room. She guessed they must’ve been the designers so didn’t pay much attention but shot up from her seat the moment she saw them.

 

Arnav had a terrible feeling in his gut as they approached the house. The house help answered the door and led them into the living room. Arnav froze the moment he saw her and noticed she was also shocked because she shot up like a rocket from her seat.

 

It was a surprise for both of them. They had both lost hope after two years and never thought they’d see each again. Arnav thought Khushi would have been married by now and Khushi thought Arnav might have found a girlfriend and at least be engaged if not married but they both were wrong. Rohan walked over to Arnav and introduced himself. He shook hands with both Arnav and Kajal and introduced them to everyone else leaving Khushi for last. “And this is my fiancée Khushi,” he said with a smug smile, he turned to Khushi, “Khushi this is Arnav. Arnav Singh Raizada, owner of AR Design and this,” he indicated to Kajal, “is Kajal, one of their best designers.” Khushi was taken aback by the introduction that Rohan gave. It’s not that she didn’t know who he was. She didn’t know what he was. Despite that she still couldn’t shake the feeling of wanting to throw her arms around him and tell him how much she missed him. She wanted to tell him he’s the reason she still hasn’t gotten married. She wanted to tell him that she still loved him, but did he feel the same? Arnav stretched his hand out to shake hers, “Congratulations Miss Gupta. We wish you all the best.” Khushi felt as if someone had just stabbed her in the stomach. How could he act as if nothing had ever happened? Had he really moved on? She didn’t know why, but it hurt.

Chapter 1

Arnav was waiting for almost half an hour and there was still no sign of her. “What’s wrong Romeo? No sign of  Juliet yet?” Kajal joked at she elbowed him in the ribs. “Haha very funny Kajal,” Arnav said to his best friend, his eyes searching the room. “She should have been here by now. What’s taking her so long?” Arnav was getting impatient. “Relax Romeo. She’ll get here sooner or later,” Kajal said and smiled at him before giving him a reassuring hug. They were at the Malhotra’s party. Aditya’s sister was getting engaged so his best friend was bound to rock up with her family. Aditya was walking past the two of them when Kajal grabbed his collar and pulled him back, “Look Adi,” she said with a very serious tone, “If Juliet doesn’t get here within the next three minutes I am going to wring your neck. Understood. She’s your best friend so get her here right now!” Aditya could feel his collar strangling him. Damn, this girl had guts. He had his eyes closed and was praying for his life when he heard her laughter. He thanked the gods for saving his life before he said with a cheesy smile, “Your Royal Highness has arrived as I’m sure you heard. Now please let me go.” She let go of his collar and paid no attention to him whatsoever as she watched Arnav’s face brighten with a huge smile the moment he caught sight of her.

 

Aditya ran to her at the door. “What took you so long Khushi? Do you have any idea what I had to go through because Romeo over there gets so restless?” he almost screamed at her. Khushi giggled, “Relax Adi. I’m here now so you are free to do whatever you want without anyone bothering you.” Khushi spotted Arnav at the back of the room leaning against one of the pillars and shoved her way through the crowd. She smiled at Kajal who was keeping Arnav company. Kajal returned her smile and left the two alone.

 

“I’m not talking to you. You’re late and I’ve been waiting for over half an hour,” Arnav said sulking like a four year old. Khushi smiled at him and wrapped her hands around him giving him a “I’m sorry” hug. “I couldn’t help it. Mom and Dad wanted to wait for Rohan. His family had left earlier but he wanted to come with us,” she pulled away from him and shrugged. She noticed the change of expression on Arnav’s face. “What’s wrong?” she asked concerned. “How long more Khushi?” she looked at him in confusion, “You know it’s more than just friendship. He likes you and you’ve known it for a while Khushi” Khushi closed her eyes and sighed in frustration. “How many times do I have to tell you he’s only my friend. I don’t feel that way about him Arnav.” Arnav was reaching a point of irritation, “You’re the only one that thinks that. I hope you know that much at least. I’ve seen you with him whenever your family is around and I know that they think you both like each other.” Khushi shook her head, “Arnav it’s not...” Arnav cut her off before she could finish. “Yes it is. At least to your parents it is. They’ve seen you and Rohan together for years. Other than the fact that you are such good friends you also know each other really well,” Arnav said a little disheartened. She puut her hand on his cheek to reassure him, “Rohan means nothing to me. He’s just a really good friend, that’s all. Adi is my best friend and you know him. I love you Arnav.” He placed his hand over hers, “I know that Khushi, but your family doesn’t. They’ve been fixing your alliance with Rohan and you’ve known it for a while.” Khushi took a deep breath, “I’ll tell them when the time is right. We’ve hid it for so long, a little longer won’t make a difference.” Arnav moved her hand away and shook his head, “It does Khushi. It makes a world of a difference. Especially when you’re the other guy.” He left her standing alone and went to look for Kajal. He needed time away from her. She needed to decide.

 

An hour later Aditya’s sister had gotten engaged and everyone was enjoying the party when Mr Sharma, Rohan’s  father, had called for everyone’s attention. “Good evening ladies and gentleman. First of all I would like to congratulate the newly engaged couple and wish them all the best for their upcoming lives together. Secondly I have an announcement I’d like to make but before I do that could I please have Rohan and Khushi up here on stage with me,” Arnav was chatting to Kajal but turned his attention to the stage at the mention of Khushi’s name. He saw her walk towards the stage together with Rohan and he stiffened. “These two,” Mr Sharma pointed towards the Khushi and Rohan, “have been friends for a really long time and the Gupta family and I have decided to finally give this friendship a name.” He pulled two boxes out of his pocket and both Arnav and Khushi’s eyes were open wide with shock. “Today not will you witness one but rather two engagements. That of Sneha and Amar and Khushi and Rehan,” Mr Sharma said smiling. Khushi’s parents had made their way to the stage and were now guiding her to stand across Rohan so they could exchange rings. Khushi was frozen. Her brain had stopped working and she didn’t know what to do.

 

Arnav stood amongst the rest of the guests with Adi and Kajal on either side of him. Adi had his hand on Arnav’s shoulder and Kajal did the same. He stared at the stage where he watched Khushi put the ring on Rohan’s finger and Rohan slip the diamond ring on the third finger of Khushi’s left hand. Arnav felt as if someone had just driven a stake through his heart. “Arnav...” he cut Kajal off. “Please Kajal. You don’t have to apologise. It’s not your fault. I should have known it was coming,” the hurt was clear in his voice. “It’s not your fault either Arnav,” Aditya reassured him. Arnav closed his eyes and blinked away the tears that wanted to surface. “Can you guys leave me alone for a little while?” he asked. Aditya nodded, “Sure. Just call us if you need us,” Kajal said before leaving him alone. He nodded.

 

Khushi couldn’t believe what had just happened. After leaving the stage she excused herself saying she needed to use the washroom and went to look for Arnav. She found him outside on the balcony lost in thought. She put a hand on his shoulder and he turned around to face her, “I told you didn’t I. A little longer would make a world of a difference and it has. I love you Khushi, I really do. You didn’t tell your family about us and I didn’t complain. You didn’t want to meet my family and I didn’t say anything. You didn’t want to know anything about where I work, who my family is, what my past is. Nothing. I didn’t complain but now I don’t know what to do Khushi. I don’t.” She moved closer to him and he took a step back. Khushi felt hurt but it was nothing compared to what Arnav was felling. “I didn’t know they were going to do this. If I did I would’ve said no and you know that. I don’t love him, I love you Arnav,” she said begging him to believe her. He looked into her hazel eyes for the last time, “None of that matters now Khushi. You went through with it because you didn’t want to embarrass your family in front of so many people. I understand, I have a family too. But if you couldn’t call it off now then you never will and I don’t want your parents to lose their faith and trust in you. You can’t change anything now. It’s too late Khushi. I was just the other other guy. The one that you should try to forget. It’s better that way, for everyone.” Arnav walked back into the hall and out the main door. “Arnav...” Khushi whispered after him. She wouldn’t see him again, she knew it but she didn’t want to believe it.