CHAPTER 7 - SHARING IS CARING!

Arnav leaned on the car staring at Khushi.

Khushi looked at him: Let’s go..

“I don’t want..” Arnav shrugged his shoulder.

“Why? She has given you everything and you deny going to her house??” Khushi asked pointing to Mandir.

“She hasn’t given me anything, I did what I did myself..” Arnav said gritting his teeth.

“Don’t be so proud of yourself. DM has given you everything only okay.. see DM you choose him to be your best friend and me not.. just look at the way he speaks about you..” Khushi frowned.

“Khushi don’t talk nonsense. I’ve my own reasons for why I do not pray for her, it’s very easy to talk when you’re not in my situation..” he said, his eyes turned dark with only pain and nothing else.

She looked at him and could read his eyes perfectly, “What happened?” she asked serious.

“Why should I tell you? Who are you to me?” Arnav asked.

Rabba vee.. Rabba vee..

Khushi didn’t had the answer to his question, she looked away and faked a smile: Right.. why would you tell me? We just know each other from one day only.. who am I to you?.. Just a stranger..

“I don’t have much time..” he said.

Khushi nodded and went running to the mandir to pray.

****************************************************

Gupta mansion:

“Listen na..” Buaji patted Garima’s hand smiling entertaining herself by telling Garima news about her favorite serials.

“Madhu app bhi na.. now I can’t stay all day listening to what happened in each serial..” Garima looked at her in disbelief and went to the kitchen.

Payal was passing by, a upset Buaji smiled again seeing her: Payalia come, I want to tell you about my serials..

Payal started singing pretending to not hear what she said and went running back to her room.

Lali came smilingly to Buaji: Buaji I can listen to you all day. I don’t mind..

“Lali just get lost..” Buaji shouted glaring at her. Lali pouted and went running from there, “She hates me so much..”

Khushi and Arnav reached, Khushi ran and sat on the floor near Buaji, Buaji was on the sofa as soon as she saw Khushi, she smiled brightly.

“Don’t take tension Buaji, Khushi is here. I will listen to you..” Khushi smiled resting her head on Buaji’s lap.

Buaji caressed her hair smiling: I was just waiting for you bitiya..

Arnav sat staring at both.

“Hmm.. you both are here.. means I’ve two people company..” Buaji said excited.

Khushi smiled, “Haan.. today you’ve Mr.America here also.. he doesn’t speak much, so I think he must be a good listener..”

“What the..” Arnav glared at her.

“Lali bring water for Arnav bitwaaa…” Buaji shouted. Arnav rolled his eyes yet again, he must avoid saying “What the..” now everytime, otherwise at each what the he will receive a glass of water.

Khushi laughed out loudly, shaking her head.

“So, today.. I’ll start telling the story from the start only.. Ankita, is a bubbly and chirpy girl just like my Khushi bitiya..” Buaji clenched Khushi’s cheek.

“And Prem, an angry young business man just like.. Arnav bitwa..” Buaji smiled surprised how both characters of the serial turned out to be like Arnav and Khushi.

“Both met with each other and their first meeting wasn’t a good one, both fought a lot.. they just can’t live without irritating each other, they just fight like kids..” Buaji giggled.

Arnav and Khushi looked at each other. Khushi stuck out her tongue to him: I’m sure Prem is better than you..

Arnav: And I’m sure Ankita is better than you..

“How do you know? Did you ever met her?? Budhuu.. she is inside the TV..” Khushi argued.

“Dumbo.. she is not inside the TV, she’s a real life girl playing a character in a television serial..” Arnav said.

“I know that.. I’m not that dumbo..” Khushi said glaring at him.

“At least you know you’re..” Arnav smirked irking Khushi more.

“Buaji continue the story..” Khushi said with her eyes throwing glares at  Arnav.

“Then after fighting a lot.. they finally realized they can’t live without each other..” Buaji said dreamily, “What do you both think happened next??”

“Dosti..” Khushi quickly replied smiling.

“Dumboo pyaar hua hai.. (love happened..)” Arnav replied.

“Nahin, it’s friendship that happens next na Buaji..” Khushi said, “Do you remember how much I used to fight with Rohan when we were kids? And now we can’t live without each other??”

“No, Khushi.. love happened next.. you and Rohan are best friends, while you and Arnav are more than best friends..” Buaji replied.

“What??” both asked confused.

“Ohh, I mean Ankita and Prem are more than best friends..” Buaji hit her forehead for the mistake.

Arnav and Khushi nodded. Buaji kept telling them what happened next, and by that time both fell asleep.

Garima returned and saw Arnav sleeping with his head resting on Buaji’s shoulder, and Khushi sleeping on Buaji’s lap.

She smiled, “Madhu..” she whispered slowly.

Buaji looked at her, Garima gestured her to look at both. Buaji smiled, Garima giggled: You made them sleep with your stories..

“I thought they were enjoying..” Buaji whispered smiling sheepishly.

*****************************************************

Dinner time..

Everyone were silently having their dinner. Khushi pouted seeing everyone so serious, she started throwing her legs on air under the table irritated, and one of her leg hit Arnav’s.

“Ouch..” Arnav hissed in pain.

Khushi widened her eyes staring at him, she muttered “Sorry” to him.

“What are you doing? Can’t you stay quiet and eat your food??” Arnav asked irritated, he has been noticing her antics.

Khushi got angry and hit him again with her leg, this time purposely.

Arnav glared at her, she smiled victoriously at him.

He took his glass and pretended to drink, but then purposely dropped on her dress.

“Aaahh..” Khushi stood up brushing her wet dress now, “Don’t you know how to drink properly?? See you spoiled my dress..”

“Khushi this is not a way to talk with guests. He didn’t do it purposely, it happened by mistake. Say sorry to Arnav beta now..” Garima scolded her.

Khushi: Mumma he did this purposely only to irritate me.. he loves to eat my brain..

“How can I eat from an empty plate??” Arnav teased her whispering only to her.

“Shup Khushi.. say sorry to him..” Garima glared at him.

“I won’t.. I hit on his leg purposely and he also spoiled my dress with juice.. tit for tat wala situation hai mumma…” Khushi crossed her arms sighing.

“You also hit on his leg?? Khushi enough of your crazy things..” Garima said.

Arnav: It’s okay aunty. Now let her change her dress, otherwise this little kitten will catch cold..

Everyone laughed on what Arnav said.

Khushi pouted thinking, “When he talks everyone laughs, and when it’s me they scold me..”

********************************************************

Later, everyone gathered to the living room to watch TV together, Arnav didn’t want to but they forced him, so he also agreed to his bad luck he had to sit between two girls, Payal and Khushi.

“Oyeeeeeee it’s a six..” Khushi screamed and stood up jumping and dancing, they were watching cricket.

Arnav frowned, he just rolled his eyes and continued watching.

Buaji passed popcorn to Khushi: Share it with Arnav bitwa..

Khushi hugged the bowl containing the popcorn, “They are mine.. I won’t share it with anyone..”

“Yesss.. another six..” Shashi said smiling.

Khushi looked eagerly at the TV again and jumped once again in happiness, this made her all popcorns fall on the floor.

Arnav face palmed: Khushi your brain went to some permanent holidays or what??

Khushi looked at her popcorns on the floor with a sad face, “You cast an evil eye on my popcorns..” she looked at him angrily.

Payal: Just leave her Arnav! She is totally mad, you will really waste time with this mad sister of mine..

Arnav looked at Payal: Didn’t you all ever tried to admit her in a mental hospital? Maybe she needs a check up..

Payal giggled.

Garima came with another bowl of popcorns for Arnav, “Beta take it, I made this especially for you..”

Arnav smiled a little, if there is one person in this house that he started liking then it’s Garima, she treats him like her own son. He feels mother’s warmth when he is with her.

Khushi smiled: Please share with me!!! Sharing is caring..

“I don’t care for you, why should I share?” Arnav asked her.

Khushi pouted, “I know I denied to you. But trust me, I would share with you.. Khushi never denies sharing food with anyone.. I swear..”

“But I do..” Arnav said eating his popcorn with a smirk on his face.

Khushi glared at him, she looked back at TV.

After sometime, Arnav placed the bowl of popcorns on her lap.

“I don’t want you to die because of popcorn only..” he said teasing her.

Khushi smiled brightly, and took the bowl and put in between both: Let’s share it..

Arnav stare at her.

Rabba vee.. Rabba vee…

Time passed by, they changed many channels and watched a bit of everything today. Arnav never watched TV so much as he did today, and frankly saying, he did enjoy it!!

Khushi fell asleep resting her head on his shoulder,  Arnav looked at her uncomfortable, he tried to wake her but she was in a deep sleep.

She snuggled more to the crook of his neck finding comfort in it, Arnav shut his eyes: What is this Chipkali doing man? What will other think when they see us like this??

Khushi hugged him tightly as if he is her pillow, Arnav tried to move a bit. Khushi frowned and held him more tight, “Noooo..” she muttered in her sleep.

“I’m trapped now..” he thought “It’s better to take this Chipkali to her room before anyone switch on the lights and find us in this positions.. what’s wrong with this girl man? She’s squeezing me as if I’m her pillow..” he looked at Khushi weirdly.

Silently he managed to get up and before Khushi could cry like a baby, he lifted her and tip toed to her room, Khushi smiled after finding comfort again. 

Reaching in the room, he left her on her bed and covered her properly with the blanket. Khushi frowned again, she held his hand pushing him to stay. "Pillow.. come to me.. why are you falling..every..time on the..flo..floor??"

"What the.. she really thinks I'm her real pillow and I fell on the floor when she's not able to catch me??" Arnav widened his eyes. 

Khushi pushed him with force, he fell on top of her. 

Khushi frowned feeling a weight on her, she opened her eyes slowly and was shocked seeing Arnav on top of her. Arnav was quickly trying to get up, but failed miserably. His eyes landed on a shocked Khushi.. 

Before she could scream and gain everyone's attention, he placed his palms on her mouth: Shhh.. 

Both kept staring at each other.. Rabba vee.. Rabba vee..