ARSHI: STAR CROSSED LOVERS

Part 4

Late-night when Arnav went to his room to sleep after spending time with Khushi by the poolside, all he could think was about Khushi. Her hazel eyes, the way she smiles, her theory about stars, everything about her is mesmerizing. He tried to sleep, but her hazel eyes haunted him. So, he decided to stay away from her, until he realises what is wrong with him.

So, the next day Arnav went to the office early in the morning so that he can avoid Khushi. He also came late in the night, so that he can directly go to his room and then sleep. Even though he was away from Khushi all day, her thoughts never left him. But how wrong he was, he saw Khushi sitting in the living room, as soon as he entered, she stood and came towards him and called him, "Arnavji." The way she called him, gave him goosebumps all over her body and his insides were churning. He just loved the way she took his name. In reply, he just said, "Huh?" Khushi asked him, "Aapne dinner Kiya?" [You had your dinner?] Though he didn't have his dinner, he nodded his head as yes. But then he saw her facial expressions changing, she felt bad. But why he didn't know, so he asked, "Aur tum?" [and you?] Khushi nodded her head as no. He asked, "Khushi itni raat tak tumne khaana kyu nahi khaya? aur ghar mein kisini tumhe khilaya tak nahi? Di..." [Khushi why did you not eat till now, it's already very late. And why nobody in the house fed you? Di...] He was about to yell, but she placed her palm on his mouth, stopping him from shouting and disturbing everyone's sleep. The moment Khushi's palm touched his mouth, his heart started beating fast. Her face was so close to his, his breath became uneven. Even Khushi's condition was the same. Both could hear their heartbeats racing, as there was pure silence. But a relief spread over their faces, that they're not facing this alone, that both of their heartbeats start racing whenever they're close to each other. Slowly Khushi removed her palm and said, "woh hum aapka intezaar kar rahe the, bhabhi ne bahut baar poocha khana khane ke liye. Par meine hi unki baath nahi suni. Hume laga aap akele honge, isliye aap ke liye intezaar kar rahi thi." [Actually, I waiting for you. Sister-in-law asked me many times to have food, but I didn't listen to her words. I thought you'll be alone, so I waiting for you.]

He was so touched by her gesture but he said, "Par Khushi tumhe yeh sab karne ki jarurat nahi hain. Itni raat tak khana nahi khana, sehat ke liye achi nahi hain." [but Khushi you don't need to do all this. Not having food till late night is not good for your health.] Khushi muttered, "Hume kya patha tha ki lord governor, bahar hi khana khayenge. Mujhe bhabhi ki baath sun leni chahiye thi. Ab mujhe akele khana padega" [How would I know that this Lord Governor will eat outside. I would have listened to Sister-in-law, now I've to eat alone.] Arnav who heard all this smiled and said, "Khushi tumne mujhe kuch kaha?" [Khushi did you say something?] She just nodded her head as no, he smiled seeing her antics, and said, "Toh chalo phir khana khayenge" [Then come let's go and eat.] She said, "Aap kyun khaayenge, aapne bahar khaana khaya na. Aap jaayiye, jaake so jaayiye." [Why will you eat? You ate outside, right? You go and sleep.] Arnav replied, "agar mein kahunga ki meine khana nahi khaya, to bhi tum mujhe khane nahi degi?" [What if I say that I didn't have my dinner outside? Even then you'll not let me eat?]

Khushi was confused, she asked, "Par Arnavji, aap hi ne kaha tha na ki apne khana khaya. Aur ab kah rahe ho aapne khana nahi khaya. Hume kuch samaj nahi aa raha hain." [But Arnavji you only said that you ate already. And now you're telling that you did not eat. I'm not understanding anything.] Arnav smirked and replied, "Khushi meine yeh kab kaha ki meine khana khaya hain?" [Khushi when did I say that I ate already?] That's when Khushi realized that he just nodded his head, but didn't say anything regarding it. Now Khushi was angry, she pointed her finger towards him and started scolding him, "Matlab agar meine khana khaa liya hotha, toh aap khaana khaye bagair hi so jaathe. Aap aese kaise kar sakthe ho Arnavji? Aapko apni sehat ki bilkul bhi parwa nahi hain, aapko dawayi bhi khani hain. Aaj se hum bhi tab tak nahi khayenge, jab tak aap nahi kaoge. Samje aap?" [That means, if I had already had my dinner, then you would have slept without dinner. How can you do this Arnavji? You don't care about your health; you also have to take medicines. From now I will not eat until you eat. Understood?]