Chapter Eighteen

With the movie complete and the shopping done, everyone met up by the cars.

"So you're going home now," Virat asked Sana.

"Yeah, I've actually got some things to do, especially with the party coming up."

"Oh, cool."

Avantika couldn't help her expression as she glanced at Virat with distaste, and then quickly looked away with a roll of her eyes.

"I hope you're all coming Friday night; it's going to be so much fun," Sana beamed.

Khushi glanced at Arnav and Avantika. Arnav had said in the morning that he wasn't sure if he wanted to go to the event at the Kapoor's. It made perfect sense before they had seen the recreation of Sana Kapoor, but now....

Mm hmm, Sana Kapoor.

"We can't wait," Virat said, once again throwing Avantika off.

Earlier, Sana had called for her car to come and pick her up, and it arrived. She quickly put her bags in - with the help of Virat - and sat inside. "Great! I can't wait to see you guys then! Bye!"

The car pulled away and Virat waved, causing both Arnav and Khushi to arch their eyebrows at him.

"What," he said innocently.

"Un-fucking-believable," Avantika huffed, and she went to the car, confusing him even more.

"What," he repeated.

"Nothing bro, just forget it," Arnav said. "Need a ride?"

Before Virat could even respond, the car Avantika had gotten into pulled away, leaving them. Khushi was a little surprised but she also understood - Avantika really liked Virat, not to mention for quite some time now. She knew her friend was a little heartbroken.

"What the," Arnav frowned. "What's wrong with her?"

Khushi quickly shook her head, gesturing to him to not worry about it... that is until she realized that that was her ride home.

"She is just... whatever. Khushi, get in the car, and you clueless, take a walk."

"Hey," Virat exclaimed and Arnav chuckled in return, getting in the car.

Khushi simply stood there, looking at the two, especially at Virat when he got in the back.

"Hey, I know you're always shotgun, I'm not even going to bother," Virat said, holding his hands up.

In the old days when they would hang out, unless Avantika was there, Khushi would always sit shotgun besides Arnav; the guys really had no choice. Luckily they didn't really complain much, especially since it gave Khushi GPS duty if necessary.

"Come on Khushi, get in," Arnav said. "Its starting to get late."

Pursing her lips, Khushi got in the car and shut the door behind her. She truly wished she didn't have to, but she did need to get home. And after her traumatic experience....

Simply put, it was very difficult for Khushi to be out on her own.

Arnav first headed to Virat's place, dropping him off. Bidding their farewell, Arnav headed home.

The drive home was rather silent and an awkward vibe filled the air. Khushi kept glancing at Arnav from the corner of her eyes, fidgeting with her fingers.

"You really must think of me as a stranger."

Khushi's eyes darted up to Arnav. He was still focused on the road, but he briefly glanced at her before looking back. Khushi looked down at her lap, folding her hands. She felt like she was a little schoolgirl who was about to be scolded.

"You're that angry with me that you've turned me into a stranger now?"

Khushi's eyes slightly widened but she didn't look at him.

"I thought we were best friends Khushi."

So did I, and oh how wrong I was.

Tears threatened to fall, but Khushi controlled herself. She turned her gaze out the window so that Arnav wouldn't notice her tear-filled eyes.

"Are you going to tell me what it is that has you so upset that you're about to cry," Arnav asked softly.

Khushi gasped, her eyes springing to him, finding him to already be looking at her. They were at a stop light, which meant that Arnav wouldn't be removing his penetrating gaze so quickly.

Hai DM!

Arnav looked into her eyes and could see the pain, see the hurt that she felt. But what he couldn't figure out was why and it was ready to drive him insane.

"I want to know what it is, Khushi, that has you so upset with me that you're behaving this way towards me."

Khushi looked away, returning her gaze out the window.

"Khushi-"

People from behind him honked, Arnav then noticing that the light had turned green. It wasn't long before they arrived to Raizada mansion and just as they did, Khushi let herself out of the car and dashed to her cottage, leaving Arnav to himself.

He simply couldn't understand it - what was it that had his best friend so upset with him? What was it, that the woman he loved, loathed him so much?

*~*

Through the rest of the week, Arnav was once again engrossed with work. He was mostly at the office, leaving Khushi in peace. She couldn't help but to wonder how Arnav had figured out that she was hurt by him, but then again, the dynamic between them was so much more different than what it used to be years ago. It was only a matter of time before he had noticed it.

All Khushi wanted now, was to avoid him, and fortunately for her, she was able to. However, the weekend arrived much quicker than she would have liked, and Arnav would now be at home. Luckily though, the entire family had decided that in fact, they would be going to the Kapoor's for their party, which meant that Khushi could get some more time away from him.

Or so she thought.

"I don't care if I have to drag you by the ear but you are going Khushi, and that's my final word," Deviyani said, holding the outfit Amoli had gotten for Khushi.

Khushi repeatedly shook her head, not wanting to go at all - especially given her situation with Arnav. But Deviyani was a stubborn old woman and she wasn't going to give up, no matter what! And to her perseverance, Deviyani won, and Khushi would be joining the Raizada family.

Oh, and she would have to see Arnav as well.

Khushi got ready in Avantika's room, Anjali and Avantika helping her. It wasn't long until they were ready and joined the others downstairs in the family room.

"Where's Chote," Vijay asked, fixing his cuff links.

"He forgot his phone in his room, he'll be down soon."

Khushi glanced to the side, toying with her fingers.

"Is it really so bad to be my daughter?"

Khushi snapped out of her thoughts and looked at Amoli, shaking her head. Amoli gave her a small smile and caressed her cheek.

"You know you'll always be like a daughter to me Khushi, you're a part of this family just like everyone else. Is it so bad that we want you to attend events with us?"

Khushi looked down, feeling bad, but Amoli tilted her chin back up. She gave her another smile and pulled back.

"You look beautiful Khushi, I knew this would look good on you."

Khushi looked down at her lehenga; it was a beautiful navy blue covered in golden embroidery and stones, her dupatta a lovely shade of peach. All together, her outfit looked absolutely amazing, courtesy of Anjali, who lent a hand.

Speaking of Anjali, she was very excited. Shyam was coming back to town tonight, his current case on hold, giving him a small break. He would be joining them at the party and Anjali simply could not wait to see her man!

"Chote," Amoli called out.

"I'm coming, I'm coming," Arnav huffed, coming down the stairs. "Ready to go?"

Although they were all ready, they were now all completely stunned.

"...What?"

"Nice suit, Bhai. Navy, huh," Avantika smirked.

"Peach tie, hmm," Anjali said, mocking her impression.

"And don't forget those golden cuff links he has on," Deviyani pointed out.

Arnav was absolutely confused. "Will someone tell me what's going?"

"You tell us," Avanatika smirked. "Or should we ask Khushi?"

Arnav looked at his sister in confusion and then looked at Khushi - and that was when he realized that somehow, without any communication, they were matching. Khushi was absolutely shocked by this, her eyes wide.

Hai DM, how did this happen?

"I guess best friends think alike," Amoli said. "Then again, I chose this outfit for her and you didn't know about this so...."

Vijay chuckled, wrapping his arm around his wife's waist. "That's coincidences for you. Now then, shall we get going?"

Coincidence or not, Khushi truly felt weird and simply couldn't understand why such things were happening with her.

This is just too weird, I mean the matching outfits, the car ride, the jealousy, the neck kiss thing, like no! Stop!! 

Khushi glanced at Arnav as she followed the Raizada's to the cars.

It doesn't matter how much I love him, and even after everything, want to be with him - it just doesn't! People always say it hurts more when the person you love doesn't love you back, and I just need to stop falling weak to him! I have to be strong. I can't let all these weird occurrences keep happening, I can't just fall back to the way things used to be all those years before.

Arnav sees me as nothing more than a servant, done! As much as it hurts, done! Just stop! No ifs or anything, and definitely no more feeling jealous, I mean seriously Kush, where did that come from? At the end of the day, the Kapoor's are one of the richest and most successful families in town, so if Arnav and Sana were to be a couple, it would be great for the family, and at the end of the day, that's all that matters. I have to stop falling weak to my heart and my emotions.

The Raizada's were busy among themselves, figuring out which cars they would take and who would be sitting in which car. While they did that, Arnav got his car and patiently waited for them and for his baby sister to stop fussing about taking her Audi R8 just for herself. From the corner of his eyes, he noticed Khushi standing away from the commotion and looked at her. Khushi was too lost in her thoughts to even care to notice, even though her eyes were on him. Arnav was curious as to why, but couldn't remove his eyes from her. Eventually Khushi did notice, but she didn't remove her gaze.

He. Does. Not. Love. You. He does not feel any type of feelings for you. Enough is enough Khushi... just... enough.

Look at it this way - you can at least say that once upon a time, in your life, you got the chance to experience the feeling of love. And that's more than enough and all it ever will be.

But oh was she in for a surprise.