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.