Chapter Three

After playing with Bruce, Arnav had gone straight back to his room, completely tired out. He thought he could have avoided the jet-lag, but there was no escaping from it. He was tired so he went straight to bed and knocked out. It was 8:30 and Arnav was still asleep. Amoli sent Anjali up to wake him while she set the table for dinner. Anjali found him sound asleep and she woke him up.

“Chote, wake up,” she said with a push.

Arnav groaned. “Di,” he whined.

“Come on Chote. It’s almost time for dinner.”

“I’m sleepy.”

“Chote, come on!”

Arnav groaned and turned to look at his sister. “You’re still annoying.”

Avantika came running in. “Not as annoying as me!”

She charged right onto his bed and grabbed a pillow. She hit Arnav with it and while Arnav tried to stop her, Anjali laughed away.

“Cha- Chatterbox stop,” Arnav yelled.

“Keep calling me that and I won’t” Avantika said, hitting him again.

“O- okay! Avantika stop!”

She did as he said and sat with the pillow on her lap.

“Crazy,” Arnav muttered.

Avantika heard him and grinned.

“You two will never grow up,” Anjali laughed.

“More like this one never will,” Arnav huffed.

Anjali got up. “Bring him down to dinner. And try not to kill each other on the process.”

Avantika saluted. “Yes ma’am.”

Anjali chuckled as she left the room.

“Come on, you heard Di. Time to get up and go down for dinner,” Avantika said.

“I’m getting up, calm it.”

Avantika smiled as her brother got up and went to the bathroom. When he came back out, he was all freshened up.

“Oh yeah! When am I getting my present,” Avantika asked.

Arnav frowned. “I knew you’d ask eventually.”

Avantika simply blinked.

“Come here.”

She beamed and got up. Arnav went to his luggage and opened it up. He went through it and then pulled out a packet. He handed it over to Avantika and watched as she opened it up.

“Wow,” Avantika said as she picked up the pink choli. “It’s beautiful,” she said, completely mesmerized.

“It’s the only one in the world. I had one of our designers create it. It’s special just like you.”

“Aww!” Avantika reached out and hugged her brother tightly. “Thank you so much!!”

Arnav smiled. “Like it?”

“I abso-fucking-tively love it!”

Arnav grinned.

“What did you get for everyone else?”

Arnav showed the wrapped up presents to his sister.

“… and that’s for Jeejaji. This is for Di, only one ever designed, just for her.”

Avantika nodded in acknowledgement. “Everyone’s gonna love their present.”

Arnav smiled.

Avantika smiled as well until she noticed a packet with a red choli in it. “What’s that?”

Arnav frowned and looked at what she was looking at. “What, that?”

Avantika nodded as Arnav picked it up.

“I designed this one myself.”

“Oh? That’s really cool. Who's it for,” Avantika asked, wagging her eyebrows.

“No one. Not yet at least.”

Arnav got up to put the choli away.

Avantika stood up. “Meaning?”

Arnav looked back at her. “Meaning what?”

“Meaning what I said.”

Avantika was confused for a moment until her head clicked. “Oh! I get it.”

“Get what,” Arnav asked as he put it away.

“It’s for her.”

“Her?”

“Her.”

 “You’re not making any sense.”

“For her. The girl of your dreams.”

Arnav rolled his eyes. “There’s no girl in my dreams like some sap story.”

“You know what I mean! It’s for that special someone.”

Arnav rolled his eyes. “Yeah, whatever, that.”

Avantika shrieked. “Eeep!!! Who is she?”

“Didn't you hear me? I said no one. Not yet at least.”

“Oh la la! Someone wants a little romance in his life.”

Arnav frowned. “Shut up Chatterbox.”

“Hey! I told you not to call me that!”

Arnav smirked.

“Anyways, how will you know she’s the one?”

“I don’t know.”

Avantika shook her head. “Seriously, you men are so… ugh!”

Arnav scrunched his eyebrows while his eyes widened. 

“You’re supposed to say that you’ll feel your heart flutter. You’re supposed to say that the moment you see her, everyone else in the room disappears.”

Arnav rolled his eyes.

“You’re supposed to say that-”

“Okay! I get the point Ms. Romanticist. Heart fluttering, only see her – got it! Okay?”

Avantika frowned and then she went to get the choli back out. 

“It’s really pretty so your eyes should go wandering for it.”

“Well genius, I don’t even know who she is. How am I supposed to give it to her before even knowing who she is?”

An idea clicked into Avantika’s head. I have got to tell Nani this, she exclaimed in her head.

Avantika turned around and looked back at her brother. “Don’t worry Bhai. Even without this, I know you’ll find her.”

“Maybe. We’ll just have to wait and find out.”

Avantika wrapped her arm around his shoulder. “Perhaps. Who knows – you just might meet her soon.”

“Oh? Is that so?”

“Well we do have that party for you tomorrow. Who knows – my future bhabi might be there,” she winked.

Arnav rolled his eyes.

“I’m telling you! She just might be! And- how about this. Let’s bet on it!”

“Bet?”

“Yeah. Like old times.”

Arnav thought about it for a moment. “Fine. Place your bet.”

“I bet that you will see her tomorrow night.”

“And I bet I won’t.”

Avantika shook her head. “Always the negative one. Anyways, if I win, you’re taking Di, Khushi, and I on a shopping spree.”

“Fine. And if I win, then… then you’ll have to manage all the accounts for two weeks.”

“Chi! I don’t wanna do business,” she said, as if it were something slimy and disgusting.

”I know you don’t. That’s why it’s the best thing to choose.”

Avantika stood up straight. “Well you’re gonna loose, so it doesn't matter.”

Arnav scoffed. “Oh yeah? You’re on,” he claimed, holding his hand out.

“Oh you’re so on,” Avantika smirked and she shook hands with him.

Chapter Two

Lunch was complete and Khushi went out to the patio. She watered all the plants then went out to the yard to check on the vegetables that were growing.

Suddenly, the sound of barking came from the distance and from behind the bushes, out came running a golden retriever. As he came running closer, Khushi crouched down to her knees and opened her arms. The dog came running up to her and Khushi gave him a hug.

Khushi smiled as the dog licked her with kisses. She stopped him and gave him a kiss then motioned him to follow her. She found his ball and showed it to him, wondering if he wanted to play. The dog was ready, panting for the ball. Khushi threw the ball and the dog went running.

"Good arm!"

Khushi turned around and saw Avantika. She came down the steps and stood beside her. Just as she did, the dog came running back, the ball in his mouth. He dropped the ball down in front of Khushi and wagged his tail.

"Good boy Bruce," Avantika grinned.

Bruce barked.

Khushi smiled and picked up the ball. She threw it again and Bruce went running after it. As Bruce ran off into the distance, a faint meow was heard. Khushi turned and saw Pepper, her kitty, walking on the patio ledge. She went over to her and picked her up.

"Hey there Pepper," Avantika smiled. "Such a cute little kitty!"

Pepper purred as Khushi stroked her fur.

"Khushi what can't you do? You take care of the house, take care of the family, are amazing with the pets, and fill up everyone's hearts! You aren’t a person Khushi, but a saint," Avantika smiled.

Khushi faintly smiled.

"You make everyone smile in this family – me, Ma, Papa, Nani, Di, Bhai-"

Avantika pursed her lips and peeked at Khushi. Khushi looked down at Pepper and slowly stroked her back.

"Well, you just might," Avantika said. "After all you do like him."

Khushi looked down. No, that was before. But you don't know that....

Avantika wrapped her arm around Khushi. "Now that Bhai's back, maybe there's a chance between you two. When we were younger, you made me swear not to tell him and I've kept my end of the bargain."

Khushi looked at her, cocking an eyebrow.

"O-okay, so I told Di. So what? That wasn't the deal."

Khushi rolled her eyes.

"Hey! Don't roll your eyes at me! I said I was sorry, like, a gazillion times!"

Khushi shook her head and placed Pepper in Avantika's arms and went over to Bruce, who had come back with the ball. She took it once more and threw the ball, and Bruce went after it.

"Khushi," Avantika said, going over to her again, "have faith! Maybe something might happen between you two. You never know!"

No… he only sees me as a servant. Nothing more. We were once something. We were once best friends. Now... now we're nothing.

"I wonder how Bhai feels about you? I can't wait for him to get moment alone with you and talk-"

Khushi looked down and Avantika pursed her lips. She placed her hand on Khushi's shoulder.

"I'm sorry Khushi. Sometimes I just blab away and-"

Khushi shook her head and gave her a smile.

Avantika smiled sadly. "Bhai doesn't even know what happened. You didn't let us tell him anything," she said sadly. "You knew how he'd react once he received the news."

Khushi looked away. He wouldn't have cared about what happened to me. But for them....

"Bhai would have ditched-"

"What would I ditch?"

Khushi and Avantika turned and saw Arnav standing on the patio. He came down the steps and joined the two.

"You would always ditch me, that's what," Avantika frowned.

Arnav smirked and messed with her hair.

Avantika pulled away. "I'm not kid anymore!"

Arnav chuckled.

Bruce came running back with the ball and Khushi bent down to hug him.

"Is that Bruce," Arnav asked.

"The one and the only," Avantika said.

"Hey boy!"

Bruce went over to Arnav as he crouched down. Bruce licked away as Arnav ran his fingers through his fur.

"Did you miss me? I bet you did! Who’s a good boy? Who’s a good boy?!"

Khushi smiled as she watched Arnav play with Bruce. She remembered the old days and how Arnav was crazy for that dog. He would always play with Bruce, take him out for walks, and take care of him. She remembered how for a while he was obsessed with Bruce and totally forgot about her. 

Avantika went over to Khushi and gave Pepper back to her. Khushi took the little kitty and headed back inside.

"Wait Khushi!"

Khushi froze at the sound of Arnav's voice. She turned slightly so that she could look back at him.

"Where are all of Bruce's toys?"

"What, you can't ask me," Avantika said, coming to Khushi's rescue.

"Oh? You're not scared of him anymore," Arnav teased.

Avantika frowned. "I was only 13 and he came running my way," she defended.

Arnav chuckled and petted Bruce on the side.

"Besides, I'm getting a puppy very soon."

"You are?"

"Mm hmm. A cute husky."

"What about the cat," Arnav asked, pointing at Pepper.

"The person selling him to me has cats as well. He's been around cats so it's all good. But just to be safe, someone will always be around when those two are in the same room together."

"That's good."

While Arnav was busy with dog talk, Khushi slipped away back into the house. Just as she made it inside, she sighed in relief.

"How long are you going to hide it from him?"

Khushi's head whipped up and she saw Anjali standing in front of her.

"You won't be able to hide it forever Khushi. He's going to find out."

Khushi looked down.

"I know you think-"

Khushi shook her head in denial, knowing that Anjali would try to defend her brother again. Anjali opened her mouth to say something, when Deviyani called out for Khushi. Using this as her escape, Khushi quickly dashed away.

Anjali sighed. "He does care for you though," she said sadly.

Chapter One

The ride back was just as buzzing as it was going to the airport. The only difference was that instead of Avantika chattering about her Bhai coming back, she was chatting away with him.

"Calm down Chatterbox," Arnav said.

Avantika pouted. "I thought you'd stop calling me that by now."

 "It's the only name that suits you."

"What?!" Avantika turned. "Di! Did you hear what he said?"

“Di won’t say anything because she agrees.”

“Di!”

“Alright, calm down you two. It’s like you’re still kids,” Anjali replied.

Avantika pouted while Arnav smirked.

“Wait till we get home and I tell Ma and Papa. You’re lucky they’re in the other car.”

“Oh. I just realized Khushi’s in that car as well,” Avantika said. “No wonder it felt kind of odd.”

“Not to sound mean, but why’d you bring her, that too alone,” Arnav asked.

Anjali placed her hand on his shoulder. “Chote-”

“Look, we’re home,” Avantika exclaimed.

Arnav looked up to see the iron gates pull open. The car came onto the driveway and went around the grand fountain to the front of the mansion. The car came to a halt and the workers came out immediately to greet Arnav. The car behind them pulled up and out came Vijay and Amoli Raizada. Khushi stepped out as well and she rushed over to the elderly woman standing in the doorway.

"Chote?"

Arnav came out and looked at the elderly woman. "Nani," he grinned.

Arnav went over to her and hugged her. Deviyani hugged her grandson back and greeted him home with a prayer. She led him into the house while the workers took up his luggage to his room.

"Was your flight okay," Deviyani asked.

"Perfect. Not a single problem."

"How's business going in France," Vijay asked.

Amoli nudged him. "Don't start with your business talk. Our son just came home after three years! Give him a break!"

Vijay held his hands up. "Okay, I surrender."

Amoli shook her head.

"Some things haven't changed," Arnav grinned.

"Are you hungry? You must be hungry. I'll go-"

"No Ma, I'm fine actually. I ate well on board."

"It's a private jet," Vijay said. "If they didn't, there would be a problem."

Arnav nodded. "I'm just tired. I was too busy working on my laptop on the deal-"

"No business talk, no business talk," Avantika said, covering her ears. "It's bad enough Papa says business stuff all day so don't you dare!"

Everyone chuckled.

"Fine Chatterbox."

Avantika frowned.

"Chote, why don't you head on up and rest," Anjali said.

Arnav nodded and got up.

"I'll take you to your room," Avantika smiled.

She took him by the arm and led him to the stairs. The family dispersed, Amoli and Anjali heading to the kitchen.

"I'll send you up some milk," Amoli called out.

"Ma I'm not a little kid anymore," Arnav said, leaning over the rails.

"Chote, age has nothing to do with drinking milk. It's good for you and I'll send some up for you. Avantika, make sure he drinks it."

"Yes ma'am," Avantika saluted.

While those two headed up, Amoli and Anjali entered the kitchen to find Khushi helping the chefs with lunch. Amoli shook her head and went over to Khushi.

"Not even a moment back home, and she sets right down to work," she said.

Khushi gave her a smile.

Amoli sighed and smiled sadly. "Bless you child."

Anjali walked on over to Khushi's other side. "What's the master chef got for us today," she smiled.

Khushi gestured at the food and Anjali took in the smell of all that food.

"It smells delicious," Anjali beamed. "And what's for desert tonight?"

Khushi revealed two pouches with batter in them.

"Your famous jalebis!!! Lunch is gonna be great but dinner tonight is going to be amazing!"

Khushi smiled while Amoli chuckled.

"You're married, yet you act like a kid," Amoli chuckled.

"Well my husband is away and I'm at home. Therefore I'm allowed to act like one," Anjali defended.

Amoli chuckled as she heated up some milk. Once it heated up, she poured it into a glass and placed it on a tray. Just as she was about to take it up, Vijay called out for her.

"Coming," Amoli hollered. She turned to Khushi. "Honey, can you take this up to Arnav's room. Make sure he drinks it all."

Khushi nodded slowly and Amoli gave her a smile before leaving to her husband. Khushi picked up the tray and caught Anjali smiling mischievously at her. She wagged her eyebrows at Khushi and Khushi simply looked away and left the kitchen.

I know what she's implying, but she doesn't know the whole truth.

Khushi went upstairs and went down the hall. She turned right and went towards Arnav's room. The door was slightly opened, but she knocked either way.

"Come in," Arnav called out.

Khushi opened the door and walked into the very familiar room. She would come here every day, regardless of the past, and would clean this room daily for the past 3 years. Khushi set the tray down on the table and when she stood straight, Arnav came out of the bathroom, dressed in gray sweats and a navy blue t-shirt.

"Can't believe Ma is still making me drink milk like I'm still little," Arnav said, shaking his head. He picked up the glass. "Thanks," he said to Khushi, and chugged it down.

When he finished it, Khushi took the glass from him and placed it on the tray. She picked it up and was about to leave the room, when Arnav spoke.

"We didn't get the chance to properly talk back there since Di wanted us to rush home. So tell me Khushi, what's up?"

Khushi clutched onto the tray.

Oh no, what do I do?

At that moment, Avantika came in. "Oh hey Khushi! I'm guessing you brought up Bhai's milk?" She looked at Arnav. "Did you finish it?"

Arnav rolled his eyes. "Yeah Chatterbox, I did. And I thought I sent you back to your room."

Avantika went over to his bed and sat down. "Can't get rid of me so easily Bhai! I've got three years of annoying you to catch up on."

Arnav groaned and covered his face while Avantika laughed away. Khushi took this moment as her escape and quickly left the room. She rushed her way back to the kitchen and set the tray down.

That was close.

Prologue

Hands… rough hands….

Eyes... Dark brown, piercing eyes….

I once loved these two features very much. To be held by those hands and to be gazed upon by those eyes… my body would fill up with life!

But now…

“Khushi! Come over here! His jet landed!”

Now it makes me feel empty.

I snapped out of my thoughts and looked at the jet coming closer to the terminal. The airport crew led us down and out of the terminal, taking us outside. The jet halted ahead of us and as we got closer, and the door opened, the stairs coming down. An air hostess could be seen standing by the door, standing with her hands held in front of her.

“I hope you had a good flight, Sir,” she smiled.

There was no reply and out came the man I no longer knew. Those hands that I loved were hidden in his pants’ pockets. And those eyes that I loved so much were hidden behind mirrored aviators. He came down the stairs gracefully and walked our way with grace and style.

I felt my shoulder get nudged, but I didn’t react. I just watched as the figure came closer to us. The moment he did, everyone surrounded him, welcoming him back. Hugs and kisses were exchanged, as well as blessings.

Although I couldn’t see it, I could feel him looking at me. I cursed myself. I hated my body for always feeling his presence and knowing what he was doing.

“Khushi? What are you doing standing back there all alone,” I heard Avantika say. “Come here! There’s no need to hide.”

I know she’s smirking. And by now Anjali Di must be trying to hide her grin. When I looked at her, I knew I was right. I looked at Avantika, who was giving me the teasing eye. With a deep breath, I stepped forward and walked towards him. As I did, memories flowed through my head.

“Give me my dolly back!”

“Come and get it Kit Kat!”

“Don’t call me that!"

Those sweet times....

“You want another apple Khushi?”

“No! You’re going to fall! Come down now before I tell Naniji!”

Those precious days....

“What the hell did you do with my iPod?!”

“Ha ha monkey butt!”

“Don’t call me that!!”

Those mischievous moments....

“Only me?”

“Forever you, Khushi.”

Those promises that were made....

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

The heart that was broken.

Avantika linked her arm with mine and had me stand before him. I didn't even look at him, only at the ground. I noticed him remove his hand from his pocket.

Those hands...

He brought it up and removed his aviators. I glanced up at him and saw those eyes I once loved oh so much.

"Hi Khushi," he said, his voice somewhat raspy.

"Hi Arnav."

Only, the words never came out of my mouth...

Because it won't.