Chapter Sixteen

Arnav led Khushi back inside, music thumping all around them. Bodies moved and swayed around them, some quite more, er, graphically than others. Khushi's eyes widened at the sight and she immediately looked away. Compared to earlier, the room was definitely more buzzed than when she was last here, and she didn't mean the buzzing from the amps.

Avantika went out to the dance floor, joining the swarm. She gestured for Khushi to follow, but once again Khushi denied. Avantika urged her once more, unaware of the guy behind her that was coming a little to close to her.

"Oh nah," Arnav huffed, ready to pounce on the guy.

"Whoa dude, let's not swing any fists," Virat said, blocking him. "I got this."

Khushi quickly grabbed onto Arnav, knowing that his protective instincts were coming out to play, and they weren't so nice. Luckily Virat took care of it, scaring the guy away with one glare. But Arnav was heated, so Khushi moved in front of him and warned him with her eyes, telling him to calm down.

"But-"

Khushi gestured to Virat, who had his arms crossed while Avantika innocently grinned, still dancing.

"But-"

Khushi scowled at him and Arnav sighed in defeat. "Fine... but I'll beat up the next fucker who even thinks of going close to her."

Khushi rolled her eyes, knowing all to well that no one would go near Avantika, not with Virat next to her. She couldn't think of anyone who dared to intimidate Virat.

Arnav sighed, looking at her. "You always know how to handle me Khushi."

Khushi rolled her eyes. No duh!

Arnav couldn't help his grin. "Obnoxious much?"

Khushi arched her eyebrow at him and rolled her eyes again, Arnav unable to help his chuckle. Just then, Justin Timberlake came on, singing about bringing sexy back, and Khushi's eyes widened. Arnav knew then that there was no controlling her - so did Avantika. So Avantika took it to her full advantage and grabbed Khushi's hand, dragging her to the dance floor, Khushi grabbing Arnav, taking him with her. Khushi instantly felt the beat and her hips swayed to the beat, Avantika getting lost in the track as well. Arnav couldn't believe his eyes, unable to remove his gaze from Khushi. She still had it, that much he knew, but it was nice to see her so relaxed.

What he didn't like, however, was the guy behind her, taking notice of her and getting a little too close. With a scowl Arnav scared the guy off and moved closer to Khushi, making sure no other douchebag came closer to his Khushi.

Yes, that's right - his Khushi.

But Khushi was oblivious of his doings. She was too busy, getting caught up into the music, swaying her hips to the beat. Nor did she realize when Arnav was getting into the beat and dancing along with her. Of course, it wasn't long until she did and she danced with him.

For a moment, all was good in the world. Khushi forgot of her hurt and Arnav could only think of the love he had for this woman. Smiles covered their faces, the two holding onto each other as they danced away.

Yes, for a moment, all was right in the world. That is, until an idiot dropped his beer on the floor, causing people to recoil, bumping into the two and taking them out of their bubble.

I know, annoying right?

Coming back to reality, Khushi looked up at Arnav. Her arms were still wrapped around his neck and his hands were still at her waist. Both simply gazed away at each other and Avantika had definitely noticed this, so naturally, she had to take advantage of the moment... so she purposely bumped into Khushi, Khushi falling into Arnav's chest, Arnav taking a firm hold of her.

"Are you okay," he asked.

Khushi nodded, trying to get her balance back, but there were just too many people.

Not to mention Avantika continuously bumping into Khushi.

"Hold on."

Arnav held onto her, supporting her, and led her off the floor. He headed to where the snacks were and gave Khushi a drink. Of course, Khushi glanced at it with her eyebrow arched and Arnav rolled his eyes.

"It's just punch, drink up."

It better be, and Khushi took the drink, chugging it down.

"See? Not alcoholic," and Khushi rolled her eyes. "You've still got it Khushi, even after all these years."

And that's when reality hit Khushi. This wasn't the old days where she purposely used to dance to get Arnav's attention. This wasn't the old days where all was good between them. No, this wasn't the old days, and his hurtful words came back to mind, instantly transporting her back to the present, causing her to look down at her feet.

Arnav noticed this and before he could ask, Avantika and Virat rejoined them. The two spoke away, Khushi paying attention to them and Avantika's silly antics. But Arnav couldn't - he simply couldn't figure it out.

What is it Khushi, that I have done, that to this moment, you're still mad at me?

*~*

Due to his intoxicated state, Virat stayed over at the Raizada's that night. In the morning, Amoli scolded the two but what could she do? Young men would be just that - young fools.

Everyone sat down together for breakfast, Khushi and Bhromor serving the food.

"By the way Arnav," Virat began, "are you going to that thing at the Kapoor's?"

Khushi was placing rotis on the table and she noticed Arnav pause for a fraction of a second and then reached over to get more roti.

Strange... why did he pause like that?

"Not sure," he simply replied.

Virat didn't seem to mind by his response, giving a simple nod. "Hmm."

Huh? What's going on?

Before Khushi could think more on the two's strange behavior, Arnav pushed back his chair and got up.

"Ma, we have to go," he said, Virat getting up as well.

"But Chote, you two haven't even finished breakfast-"

"We're running late, we have some work to do."

"But Chote, it's Sunday," Vijay said.

"It's something else, we'll see guys later."

Not wasting another second, both men left, leaving everyone in a confused state.

Well, except for Avantika.

"How immature," she scoffed, rolling her eyes.

"And you happen to know something of their odd behavior," Anjali questioned.

"Last night while we were at the party, I got a text from Sana saying that she's back from Australia and she's coming over today to visit. I'm assuming Vikram let them know this news."

Now things made perfect sense for Khushi. Sana was none other than Vikram's sister, who was Avantika's age. In the old days, when the boys first became friends, they used to tease her. That's because sweet little Sana was this young girl with pigtails, horrible acne, glasses, and braces; giving the boys no limit with the teases. Of course, young Sana hated that her brother and his friends would tease her, and Khushi always scolded Arnav for it. However, over time, young Sana developed crushes on her brother's friends, and the poor thing was exposed when Vikram snooped through her diary and found each of his buddies' names surrounded by hearts. Poor Sana was horrified, as her brother exposed what else was in her diary - fantasies that she had with each of his friends, thus creeping the guys out a little (more like a lot) and causing them to run in the other direction. Again, Khushi scolded Arnav for hurting the young girl's feelings, but Arnav simply called Khushi crazy for supporting the girl who fantasized him riding shirtless on a horse, coming to her rescue.

Oh yeah, that bad.

Khushi felt bad for her, the young girl only having innocent crushes on her older brother's friends. Avantika was grossed out when she learned of the fantasies her friend had of her brother. However, Sana was just absolutely mortified and forced her parents to send her away to Australia and she would complete her education there.

Drastic, I know, but these were rich people problems.

"I swear, they're so dramatic," Anjali said with a roll of her eyes. "She's such sweet girl, I felt sorry for her when that happened."

"Trust me Di, I know what Sana is, and sweet does not even come close to define her."

Khushi scrunched her eyebrows at her. What does she mean? I mean Sana was always this nice girl, quiet like a little mouse. So why is she-?

The doorbell rang, cutting Khushi's thoughts.

"That must be her," and Avantika headed towards the door.

"Perhaps we should cover our ears," Deviyani quipped.

Khushi frowned at her. But she was just saying-

The sound of shrieking filled the air and everyone immediately covered their ears, hoping that their hearing wouldn't be permanently damaged.

Hmm... Avantika is up to something. To says something like that and then to be shrieking like they're best buds? Nope, something is up.