Chapter Fifteen

As Virat had asked, Khushi had quickly gotten ready and rejoined the guys, while Avantika was still getting ready.

"Avantika, we're leaving," Arnav called out.

"Wait, wait," Avantika hollered as she put on her earrings, running down the stairs. "I'm ready, I'm ready."

"About time," Arnav huffed, and the four of them left.

They all got into Arnav's car, the boys sitting in the front, the girls sitting in the back. Every now and then as Arnav drove, Arnav would glance at the rearview mirror and look at Khushi. Mostly she would look out the window or give her attention to Avantika as she babbled away, but never once did she look at him.

Or so he thought.

Although Khushi wouldn't look at him when he was looking at her, Khushi occasionally would glance up at him, catching him trying to catch a glimpse of her. She could feel his gaze burn through her, as if it were a physical thing, and Khushi could only hope for the drive to be over so she could get away.

It wasn't long before they arrived, the party turning out to be at one of Arnav's buddies' mutual friends. There were quite a number of people there and the smell of booze was in the air.

"Aww yeah, beer," Virat grinned.

Khushi scowled at him and Virat chuckled, scratching the back of his head nervously.

"No beer for you sir," Avantika frowned. "Did you forget you have to drive home from our place."

"I could always just crash at your place, right bro?"

Arnav nodded.

Avantika rolled her eyes. "Fine but Bhai, if you even think of drinking, then its round 2 between you and Khushi."

Both Arnav and Khushi looked at each other, remembering the other day and their crazy antics... especially what had happened afterwards.

"Enough standing around," Virat said, "let's party!"

The four of them headed inside the house and saw Shivaay and Anurag, the guys doing their bro-shake, Avantika rolling her eyes to it all.

"Come on Khushi, let's get some punch."

Khushi nodded and followed her over to the snacks table. Avantika got them each a glass and they looked out at all the party members.

"I haven't been to a party like this in ages," Avantika said.

Khushi nodded; she, too, hadn't been to one in a long time. In the past, Khushi used to go with Arnav, especially during their high school days. After Arnav went to college, Khushi would beg him to take her to the college parties, and he eventually would give in and take her with the other guys.

"At least we're all grown now, so no more stupidity, like spiking the punch bowl."

Khushi looked down at the bowls, clearly labeled if it had been mixed with alcohol or not. At least they had the decency to do that.

The music was starting to get louder and more people began to join the dance floor.

"Oh come on Khushi, let's dance!"

Khushi shook her head, heavily objecting. Oh no! No way!

"Come on Khushi, it'll be so much fun," and Avantika grabbed her by her hand and dragged her out to the floor.

Khushi's eyes widened in shock and she stared at Avantika as people came around them and began to dance. Avantika began to shimmy along with the music, but Khushi simply stood there. 

"Come on Khushi, dance," Avantika shouted over the music.

Khushi shook her head and quickly slipped away, going out of Avantika's reach.

"Khushi," she called out, but Khushi was already out of earshot.

Khushi moved through the house, walking past people. She headed to the back patio, finding more people out there. While some hung out along the patio, others were down by the pool. Music surrounded them, beating through the air, but it was much more relaxing outside than within the heated house.

Heading over to the corner, Khushi sat down on a lounger, holding onto her glass of punch. She glanced out at the people below and immediately spotted Arnav. He was talking to Virat and Shivaay, all three of them holding a drink in their hands. At first Khushi scowled at them but then she stopped herself. 

Stop it Khushi, stop caring about him so much.

Khushi looked away, but hard as she tried not to, she kept looking back. She was really curious if Arnav was drinking alcohol or not and hard as she tried to divert her attention to anything else, it just wasn't working. 

Down below by the pool, however, Shivaay had noticed. He noticed Khushi glancing at them now and then, a little frown marring her face.

"Dude, you sure you're not drinking tonight," he asked Arnav. 

"No, why?"

"Well I wouldn't mind if Khushi chased you around with a recreational weapon again," he grinned. 

Arnav was curious and Shivaay gestured to Khushi.

"She keeps checking on us and I think her mind is getting the best of her cause she looks angry, well, kinda."

"But I'm not drinking."

"She doesn't know that."

Arnav opened his mouth but shut it. Given the circumstances, he wondered why she would be angry about him drinking when they were on an awkward basis. But then again, Khushi was Khushi, and even if things were awkward between them, she'd always care for him, no matter what he did. 

"I'll be right back," and he stepped away from the two. 

Khushi noticed Arnav leaving the others and looked away. She glanced at him from the corner of her eyes and noticed him come up the patio and towards her way. 

Oh no!

"Hey."

Khushi looked up and saw Arnav before her. 

"Mind if I sit?"

Khushi shook her head and Arnav sat down on the lounger beside her. She looked away, avoiding any sight of him.

"How much longer are you gonna be mad at me?"

Khushi's eyes widened and turned to his, which were filled with concern. What?

Arnav sighed and looked down at his drink. "Khushi, don't act like I can never tell if you're angry with me."

Khushi looked away. Takes you a moment though....

"It's been one week, three days, three hours and forty minutes about - are you not going to forgive me?"

This time Khushi couldn't help it and her eyes widened into disks, returning their gaze on his. That means....

"Yeah... I remember," Arnav nearly whispered.

Khushi couldn't help her shock. He... he knew all this time?

"I am an ass! I admit it, I am an ass, I shouldn't have behaved that way with you, the alcohol got the best of me..."

Khushi didn't listen to the rest of his words. So he regrets it? But... why am I feeling bothered by this? He should feel bad for doing what he did and yet.... Why is it hurting me that he regrets his actions? I know how he feels about me, why am I letting this bother me? He was under the influence of alcohol, he wasn't thinking, I can't let it get to me!

"...so do you forgive me?"

Snapping out of her thoughts, Khushi looked down at her drink. 

"I'm really sorry Khushi."

If only you would apologize for the thing that really hurt me.

Instead, Khushi nodded, looking up at him. Arnav let out a sigh of relief and hugged her.

"Finally, I'm a complete ass," he muttered. "It's been so weird and awkward, promise it won't ever be like that again Khushi, you're my best friend."

Khushi couldn't help her shock once again. I'm... I'm still his best friend?

"There you are!"

Arnav and Khushi split and looked up to see Avantika, who had her hands at her hips.

"Come on Khushi, you gotta dance, they're playing such bomb ass songs!"

Both Arnav and Khushi arched their eyebrows at her and Avantika rolled her eyes.

"Whatever, stop judging me. Now Khushi - dance."

Khushi rolled her eyes instead and Avantika gaped at her.

"What-? Bhai, now you're the only one who can convince her, she always does what you want."

Khushi scowled at her but Avantika ignored her.

"Bhai!"

"What? I can't force her if she doesn't want to," Arnav replied.

Exactly, Khushi thought, frowning at Avantika.

"But Bhai," she whined.

Just then Virat came walking over and seeing the expression on Avantika's face, he couldn't help his chuckle. "What's wrong Chatterbox?"

Avantika scowled at him and he held his hands up. 

"Hey I didn't do anything," he defended. 

But Avantika's scowl didn't drop.

From within the house came a holler, everyone glancing inside to see what was going on.

"See! I told you the music was great," Avantika said, as the crowd within whooped.

"Let's check it out," Virat said with a nod.

Khushi instantly shook her head and Virat frowned at her.

"Oh come on Kush, I know how you party, I've seen you bust a few moves in the past."

That was true, there was no denying it.

 But that was in the past....

"Come on, let's check it out."

Khushi still felt iffy about it, not moving. Arnav could see it in her expression but he knew how to take care of this, and held his hand out. Khushi looked at his hand and then at him in confusion.

"No one will force you to dance, but at least you'll be with us inside rather than staying out here alone."

"Bhai has point," Avantika chimed in.

Khushi ignored her to which she frowned.

"So, will you go in with us," Arnav asked.

Khushi looked down at his hand again before returning her gaze to his. Flashbacks passed before her eyes, reminding her of the old days and of the parties they had gone to before. Khushi used to always be excited at these parties and would always bother Arnav, trying to get him away from his male posse. But Arnav was ever so occupied with his boys as he used to put it back then. So to make him jealous and get his attention, Khushi would bust a few moves, as Virat would put it, knowing she would get attention from at least one guy, which would cause Arnav to get defensive.

It's not like he truly cared, given what he thinks of me....

"Khushi?"

Khushi snapped out of her thoughts and looked at Arnav who was looking at her curiously. She shook her head in return, gesturing that it was nothing.

"So will you join us?"

With a sigh, Khushi nodded. Arnav gave her a small smile while Avantika shrilled and went back into the house. Virat called out to her to telling her to slow down, which she did when he once again called her Chatterbox. Khushi rolled her eyes at the two of them, knowing all to well that she would be hearing about this later from Avantika, possibly with such a shrill that Khushi would go deaf.

"Shall we?"

Khushi returned her attention to Arnav, who still had his hand held out. With a gulp, Khushi placed her hand in his and instantly felt a spark, his warmth spreading all through her. She tried hard to not make any notice of it, but Arnav could tell she felt something.

The same way he had felt something.

Chapter Fourteen

Khushi did not stop running until she arrived to her room. She shut the door behind her and leaned back against it, catching her breath. Once her heart slowed down and she regained control of it, Khushi went to her bed and laid down. Her mind swarmed with what had just occurred, and her eyes shot open.

I can't believe he....

Khushi turned to her side and shut her eyes once more. She could only think of the pleasure she had felt and her eyes shot open.

No Khushi, you can't think of that!

She sat up and huddled her legs together.

Remember the things he said about you, to that Vikram.

"Khushi? She's just a poor girl! Forget that servant! She's no one important to me."

Tears threatened to escape, but Khushi controlled herself. She took in deep breaths, calming herself and her broken heart. With a sigh, Khushi got up and looked into the mirror. Arnav hadn’t nibbled on her flesh that hard, so there wouldn’t be a mark. However, it did glow a bright red shade, so Khushi would have to play it off as if it were a rash.

I have to get back to work before they question where I am.

With another deep breath, Khushi regathered herself and made her way back to the big house. She entered from the back, going straight to the kitchen. She helped the cooks get dinner ready and it wasn’t long until it was. The family started to arrive to the dining room one by one, all except Arnav.

“Where’s Chote,” Amoli asked.

“He said he wasn’t feeling well,” Anjali huffed.

“Serves him right,” Avantika said, twitching her lips.

Khushi felt relieved that she wouldn’t have to see Arnav, especially after what had happened. Unfortunately for her, this was caught by Anjali, making her curious.

Did something happen, Anjali wondered.

*~*

The sun was not Arnav’s friend this morning, and his headache had to agree.

“Rise and shine dearie!”

“Ugh! Please Di, not too loud.”

Anjali moved away the rest of the curtains and turned to him. “Too bad,” she grinned, and Arnav scowled at her.

Anjali went over to him, a glass in her hand. “Don’t ask what it is, just drink it and you’ll feel better from your hangover.”

Arnav looked at the concoction in her hand and grimaced. The fact that it was going to taste bad was inevitable, but any cure right now was fine by him. So he took the glass from her and chugged its contents, holding his breath to not catch a whiff of it. Arnav finished it entirely and handed the glass back to Anjali.

“Good boy, now don’t drink again Mr. I don’t get drunk.”

Arnav simply glared at her and reached over for his water, which sat on his bedside table.

“You should thank Khushi; she still remembered how to make this crap from back in the days.”

Arnav remembered how Khushi used always get mad at him for drinking, but would take care of his hangover situations. The only difference now was that instead of Khushi coming to him, screaming her head off, it was his sister now coming to his aid.

Why would she come? After what I did....

Arnav clearly remembered his actions from the night before and he was ashamed of himself. Although he’s had his feelings for Khushi for years now, even back in the day when he would get drunk would he never lose his control like the way he had the night before.

Aww fuck!

While Arnav regretted his brash behavior, Anjali simply watched him. Something was wrong, or at least, something had happened, and she was going to find out.

“What’s going through your mind Chote?”

Arnav looked at Anjali. Her face made it evident to him that she knew something was going on and he knew there was no point in denying it. “Di....”

Anjali arched her eyebrow and Arnav sighed.

“Chote, you know you can tell me right? It’s not like you haven’t told me things before.”

She had him there - in the past, when Arnav felt like he had no one to turn to, and couldn’t even talk to Khushi about these things, he would turn to Anjali.

Especially because it concerned his feelings for Khushi.

“Well?”

“I fucked up Di... I shouldn’t have done it.”

“What?”

Arnav told her of what had happened the night before and Anjali was shocked.

“You actually did that?”

Arnav nodded. “It was the alcohol, I swear, you know I’d never do anything like that-“

“And this is yet another reason why you shouldn’t drink! The poor girl, who knows what’s going through her head. Are you going to talk to her?”

“I have to apologize to her... or just pretend like I don’t remember it happening.”

“Chote!”

“What?”

Anjali scowled at him and Arnav shook his head, clearing his mind.

“Just... leave it to me Di, I’ll worry about it, ‘kay?”

“You better,” and she left the room.

Arnav sighed and laid back down, shutting his eyes for a moment.

Fuck!!!

*~*

He knew he was wrong for doing so, but Arnav felt embarrassed by his own actions and couldn’t get himself to say anything to Khushi. So instead, he pretended like he didn’t remember. Khushi at first was confused by his casual behavior and then remembered all of the beer he had chugged. She actually felt grateful that he didn’t remember, avoiding an awkwardness she just didn’t want to deal with.

The two continued on with their daily doings. Khushi focused on her work at the house, feeling ever so grateful when it was decided that Arnav would start working at the office. Like Vijay, Arnav spent most of his days at work, relieving Khushi of any distractions from him. In fact, the weeks swept by without a problem. 

But it was the weekends that Khushi dreaded. 

Every now and then, Khushi would catch Arnav looking at her. He would immediately flinch away and Khushi wondered if he had remembered what had happened between them. But the actuality was that Arnav still felt ashamed of what he had done and wanted to apologize, but couldn’t gather the courage. Luckily for the two, they would get distracted by Avantika. 

"I mean seriously Khushi, like its so unfair! Mom said I could have a puppy and now she does a 180 and says no? Like what?"

Avantika complained away and Khushi simply listened to her complaints, a small smirk on her face; she knew from the start that it wasn't going to happen.

"Like I can take care of a dog, I take care of Bruce."

Khushi arched her eyebrow and Avantika rolled her eyes. 

"Okay, fine, maybe I don't, but I was scared of him for like half of my life!"

Khushi grinned, rolling her eyes. 

"Hey-!"

"Hey guys!"

Both Khushi and Avantika looked up to see Virat. 

"Oh hi Virat," Avantika grinned, and Khushi knew she was a goner. 

"What's up chatterbox?"

Avantika scowled and Virat laughed, Khushi unable to help her smile. 

"Hey Khushi, have you seen Arnav?"

The smile on Khushi's face went away. She pursed her lips and pointed at the stairs, gesturing that he was upstairs.

"Cool; he's not working in the study again, is he," Virat frowned. 

Last week when Virat had visited, Arnav had been busy working in the study, the two not even getting a proper chance to chill. 

Khushi shrugged, honestly not knowing. 

"No clue," Avantika frowned. 

“I’ll go check," he grinned, and headed upstairs. 

The two watched him head up and disappear, Avantika letting out a heavy sigh when he was out of sight. 

"His smile... fuck Khushi, he's just so fucking gorgeous!"

Khushi's eyes widened in amusement. 

"And those arms like fuuuccckkk!!! If I were a monkey, I'd hang off of those arms any day, any time."

Khushi was absolutely entertained. What in the world?!

"I-"

Arnav and Virat reappeared, Avantika shutting her mouth immediately. Khushi looked away as the boys came over and joined them. 

"We're heading out to a party, wanna come Khushi," Virat asked.

Before Khushi could even object, Avantika chimed in. “Heck yeah!”

“He asked Khushi, not you,” Arnav scowled.

Avantika placed her hands at her hips. “First of all, I’m not a child and can go to a party.”

“So?”

“So I’m inviting myself.”

Virat chuckled. “You know, she has a point bro; she’s not underage anymore.”

“Exactly,” Avantika smirked.

“I don’t want my sister at some party surrounded by drunk dudes,” Arnav scowled.

“Oh, but it’s okay to take Khushi to party full of drunk dudes,” Avantika asked, arching her brow.

“No-“

“Exactly.”

Arnav let out an exasperated sigh. “Fine, would you like to join us?”

“Thought you’d never ask!”

Virat couldn’t help his chuckle. He turned to Khushi. “So what do you say Khushi, wanna go?”

Khushi looked up at them and before she could object, Avantika wrapped her arm around her neck. “Of course she will.”

Khushi scowled at her and Avantika rolled her eyes.

“Oh come on Khushi, you haven’t been to a party since Bhai left.”

Arnav glanced at Khushi and Khushi glanced at him.

“Come on, let’s go! We’ll keep each other company.”

Khushi tried to object again but Virat spoke up.

“Come on Khushi, we haven’t even had the chance to hang out in some time, although, that’s mostly my fault. But if you don’t join us today, I’ll assume you haven’t forgiven me.”

Khushi’s eyes slightly widened and she shook her head, gesturing that she wasn’t mad at him.

“Then you’ll go?”

Khushi wanted to object but she didn’t want for Virat to think she was mad at him for any reason, so she agreed, nodding her head.

“Great! Why don’t you guys go get ready and please ladies, I beg you both, please don’t take too much time.”

“There’s nothing wrong in being fashionably late,” Avantika said, rolling her eyes.

“Fast,” Arnav scowled, and Avantika ran off, intimated by his fierce eyes.

Khushi watched as Avantika ran upstairs and looked down at the floor. Arnav looked at her, noting that she felt slightly awkward.

“Go get ready Khushi, we’ll leave in 15 to 20 minutes.”

Khushi looked up at him. Ever since the incident, so to say, Arnav hadn’t really exchanged many words with her. So for him to say these few words to her , were somewhat surprising.

Khushi nodded and left, heading back to her cottage to get ready. When Khushi was out of sight and earshot, Virat turned to Arnav.

“You still haven’t spoken to her, have you?”

Although the two didn’t have much time to chill, Arnav had told Virat of his regretful actions.

“No,” Arnav simply replied.

“Dude I don’t get you at all,” Virat said, shaking his head. “You’ve been in love with her since fucking forever. So why don’t you just tell her? She’s your best friend after all.”

Arnav’s eyes remained in the direction that Khushi had gone. “You wouldn’t understand.”

Virat arched his eyebrows. “Oh yeah? And why’s that?”

Arnav looked down at the ground with small, sad smile. “Because she’s angry with me.”

“Angry for what? For what you did drunkenly did?”

Arnav shook his head. “No, not for that.”

“Then?”

“I don’t know... but I will find out.”