Chapter 8 - As You Hold My Hand...

She lay snuggled up to him on her bed as he entwined and untwined his fingers with hers, his other arm around the small of her waist. She still marveled at how well their bodies moulded in together. She didn't even know how long they had just lay together like that for. She hadn't seen him all morning and he had decided to surprise her by turning up at her door that afternoon. She wanted time to stop when she was with him, she never wanted this to end.

"Babe," his husky voice pierced through her thoughts. "Hmmm". "I think I should go, it's getting late." "No," she protested, pouting. He smiled lightly and touched her lips with his, "pouting makes you look even cuter," he joked, his smiled widening. She rolled her eyes, "and joking around annoys me," she attempted to sit up but felt strong arms pull her down and suddenly she was on top of him, her face mere centimeters away from his. His chocolate brown eyes melted into hers, she could feel the raw passion emanating from within him. He brushed back the loose strands of hair from her face and cupped a side of her face as she moved her lips closer to his. They kissed passionately, their breaths mingling, his hands making patterns on her back. He didn't want to let her go, his fingers tangled through her hair, he slowly moved her head back and began kissing her neck, she made room for him by rolling over, letting him lie on top of her. She moved her head back giving him room, digging her nails into the back of his neck, her skin ablaze as his lips touched her soft skin.

Took my hand
Touched my heart
Held me close
You were always there

By my side
Night and day
Through it all
Baby, come what may

Swept away on a wave of emotion
Oh, we're caught in the eye of the storm
And whenever you smile
I can hardly believe that you're mine
Believe that you're mine

This love is ubreakable
It's unmistakable
And each time I look in your eyes
I know why
This love is untouchable
A feeling my heart just can't deny
Each time I look in your eyes
Oh, baby I know why
This love is unbreakable...

Then they both froze, their was a knock on the door. "Shit" he murmured and got up, off of her, fixing his shirt as she bit down on her lip and smiled up at him. "Now are you going to check who's at the door or just keep on staring at my face?" He smirked. She slapped his shoulder lightly, "shhhh, remember I haven't told anyone about us yet?" She whispered, openely staring at his handsome features. Arnav chuckled, she was such a child, "okayyy, shall I hide then?" he whispered back mockingly. "No we'll just pretend we aren't here," she whispered back winking playfully whilst giving him a light peck on the lips. "Oh god," he rolled his eyes and resumed kissing her neck.

"KHUSHI! I know you are in there! Open the damn door!" Came Alishas screech as she thumped on the door.

He lifted his head and raised his eyebrow, she chuckled quietly. "I think she's on to us," he whispered, his lips brushing against her ear. "I think so too," she whispered back pecking his cheek lightly. "And I think it's time I told her," she said attempting to sit up. He got up off her and rolled off the bed, fixing his shirt and hair. Khushi also got off and moved towards the door to open it.

He didn't know what to do, should he stand, should he sit, he decided to just lean against the wall. Maybe, if he stood still enough Alisha would just think he was part of the furniture. "Arnav, stop making faces! Standing like that won't make you blend into the wall." She narrowed her eyes at him, telling him off. He scowled back at her but felt happy inside at the fact that they were able to read each other so well.

Khushi opened the door by a crack, peeping out to see a growling Alisha. What was wrong with her? She forced the door open, almost slamming it against Khushi in the process. Alisha stormed into the room, saw Arnav leaning against the wall, growled at him. Then she saw the crumpled up sheets and her eyes widened, then her face turned to an expression of anger and she threw a disgusted look at Arnav. "Urgh he's such a creep!" She thought to herself.

"Khushi! Out now!" Her voice was stern, annoyed. "What? Why?" Khushi didn't know what was going on anymore. What the hell was wrong with Alisha. "I said now Khushi!" And with that Alisha dragged Khushi out of the room leaving a shocked Arnav staring back at them and then slammed the door shut on the way out.

"What the hell is wrong with you!?" Khushi shouted prying Alishas fingers off her hand and flinging it off. "What's wrong with me? What the hell is wrong with you? Do you even know what you are doing?" Alisha was furious, possibly the angriest Khushi had ever seen. "What the hell Alisha!? Stop beating around the bush and come to the point!" Khushi didn't have the patience to play games anymore, she had been cherishing her moments with Arnav and already Alisha had interrupted that and now her tone was just irritating. "Oh I will Khushi! You are sleeping with him aren't you?" Her tone was accusing, hurtful. "What?" Khushi exclaimed, "are you fucking mad?" "I'm mad? Do you think I'm stupid, him in your room at midnight! The sheets all crumpled up! You not opening the door! You not telling me about your secret affair! And you think I'm mad!" "For godsake Alisha! We were just talking! Are we not allowed to talk? What's it to you anyway? As far as I'm aware I'm allowed to make my own decisions and go out with whoever I want!" She was seething with anger now, a second away from lashing out and slapping Alisha for her accusations when suddenly she felt powerful arms grab her and drag her back. "Khushi, calm down," his voice was low, soothing, calm. He looked at Alisha now, "Alisha I don't understand what's going on but I think we should talk about this rationally and not create such a scene," he attempted to calm down the situation. "Rationally? About you!? You sick creep! Are you going to sleep with her too and then throw her away like trash? Like you do to every other girl that you've went out with?" She spat out, his face darkened almost immediately and Khushi felt his grip on her loosen. "Urgh do you know what I don't care. I only came to warn you Khushi, to tell you what kind of person he is but if you are going to take his side I don't see the point anymore," and with that Alisha stormed off, leaving a shocked Khushi and a frozen Arnav behind.

"Well?" She turned around to look at Arnav this time round, her eyes questioning. He looked up at her face, then back down again, his mind confused totally unaware of what to do. "Would you mind telling me why my friend was so angry?" Why the hell wasn't he replying? "It it must have been about those girls I slept with during freshers," he struggled out. She looked at him now, a new found anger now flushing her face, "So you mean to say I just had an argument with my best friend because you actually did go around sleeping with every whore in town? God what does that make me? Another whore?" Her tone was accusing, hurtful. "I... please don't take it the wrong way Khushi, that was a year ago, I was going through a rough patch," his voice was barely audible, shrouded with guilt and shame. "And was this another thing you wanted to keep from me Arnav? Why is it I constantly have to make an attempt to break your walls? Why am I the only one making an effort with this relationship?" She was on the edge of a breakdown now, she couldn't take it anymore. The guilt of keeping her relationship from everyone for worry that they would judge, the irritation of constantly prying answers out of Arnav had got to her and she was letting it all out. He listened to her, let her go on and let the words hit him one by one. He knew he wasn't perfect and constantly feared that she deserved someone better, would find someone better and for that he let her go on. "Urgh! This is exactly what I mean! You don't even retaliate Arnav! I can't go on like this!" She stepped into her room and shut the door in his face.

Khushi took a long hot shower that night, let the steam open her pores, open her mind. She had been wrong. Hadn't she accepted him with all his walls? Hadn't she learned how different he was to what others perceived him to be? Okay, so he had slept with all those women during freshers, was that really a crime? She felt angry at Alisha for making her lose her balance. Why did she always end up ruining things?

"I'm sorry :'("

She text him all that she could say at the time. 

It's okay babe, it never happened. Forget about it and get to sleep. Don't want to be seeing a zombified jaan in the morning ;). G'night! x

Why was he so understanding? Why did he make her feel so happy inside. The text calmed her and she slowly closed her eyes to go to sleep when it was abruptly broken through her vibrating phone.

"Khushi!" Her mothers voice was urgent, panicked at the other end of the phone. She shot awake and sat up on the bed. "Maa?" 

"Bitiya come quickly! On the next flight you can get!"

"What maa why?"

"It's your babuji he's met with an accident! He's been unconscious for more than a day. I can't handle things alone. You need to come home now bitiya." Her mothers voice was almost pleading.

"Yes I'm coming! I'm coming right now!" She flung her quilt on the flow and started to get ready, packing, throwing everything she could find into a bag. She needed to go...

Mwaha! Bet I got you there! Don't worry though she won't leave without seeing him ;). You'll get a teeny bit more of these Arnav Khushi doses ;).

Chapter 7 - Flying Without Wings

Khushi tossed and turned on her bed, she wasn't able to sleep, her crying had finally seized but an overwhelming amount of guilt shrouded her whole being. She should have comforted him but all she had did was listen. He had finally broke down his falls and she hadn't been able to tell him that he wasn't at fault, that he shouldn't blame himself. His story had chilled her to the core, she had been too shocked to say anything, but that was in no way an excuse. She wasn't the one that had had to go through it. "No wonder he just walked away."

She still couldn't fathom the amount of courage a woman would need to have to kill her own husband and then sacrifice her life in order to save her childrens, with each thought Khushis respect for Arnavs mother just increased, she couldn't even begin to understand what the woman had been through.

She was still tossing and turning attempting to just go to sleep, wake up in the morning and think through it logically when she felt her phone vibrate under her pillow. "who's texting me at this time?" She was slightly irritated at this thought, it was probably that Aryan, he was possibly the only person that purposely stayed up this late. She fished her phone out from under her pillow and stared at it, her expression changing from one of irritation to surprise to the tiniest of smiles.

"Hey babe, don't worry about it and don't get too emotional. I wanted to tell someone and thanks for letting me. Thanks for listening, that's all I needed. You were there for me in a way no one else could have been and I'm sorry if my story shocked you a bit too much. And sorry for getting all emotional on you, that never happened ;). G'night!"

People seemed to have him figured out so wrong, he was such a gentle person, one capable of so much love. You just had to peel away the layers. She was glad she hadn't listened to the rumours, that she'd stood her own right and given him the chance to prove himself. And with that she finally closed her eyes and fell asleep.

----

Arnav looked out of the window and smiled, he felt weightless as if he could fly and take on the world. He had needed to unload what he had been hiding deep inside for so many years, he had needed to tell someone and she had let him. He closed his eyes and for once slept without a single nightmare, free of the burdens of his mind.

There was a change of wind, two souls were letting go and floating, floating towards each other and they were unaware as to how unbreakable the bond they had formed that night would be.

----

Khushi stepped out of her room in the morning to the chirping of birds, she inhaled the smell of fresh earth and a night of drizzle, leaves with droplets of water. She closed her eyes and opened them in the anticipation of a new day, filled with hope and desire. The rollercoaster of emotions she had gone through last night had turned over onto a leaf of new dreams, of anticipation. She wanted to see him, cup his face in her hands and let him know how much she cared, to give him all the love he deserved. And that's when she saw him standing at the gate, smirking, his eyes alight with an unknown emotion. She couldn't hold it in any longer, desire overpowered her, all she wanted to do was be in his arms, she started to run towards him. His face changed into one of confusion, unaware of what was happening when suddenly her body crashed into his hard chest, his arms went around her of their own accord, holding her close.

She looked up at his face, into the depths of his eyes as he smiled back at her and her lips crashed into his. He was hesitant at first, taken back by this sudden show of passion but could not withhold any longer. He parted his lips letting his desire take over. Her fingers entwined through his hair as she kissed passionately, whilst he held her close, she felt so fragile, he wanted to protect her from the world. He took her upper lip between his, their breaths ragged, hungry, eager. His hands slowly moved down to her waist, she moved her head back letting him take over, parting her mouth slightly letting his tongue slip in. He felt his whole body flush with passion as their tongues met and entwined, they were lost in their own world now, she made him feel alive.

The drizzle suddenly stopped, the clouds cleared and made way for the piercing rays of the sun as Khushi and Arnav stood bathing in all its glory as they lost themselves in a new found love....

Everybody's looking for that something
One thing that makes it all complete
You'll find it in the strangest places
Places you never knew it could be

Some find it sharing every morning
Some in their solitary lives
You'll find it in the words of others
A simple line can make you laugh or cry

You'll find it in the deepest friendship
The kind you cherish all your life
And when you know how much it means
You've found that special thing
You're flying without wings

So, impossible as it may seem
You've got to fight for every dream
Cause who's to know which one you let go
Would have made you complete

And you're the place my life beings
And you'll be where it ends

I'm flying without wings
And that's the joy you bring
I'm flying without wings...


...And that beautiful Autum day bore witness to two souls letting go and becoming one, two heartbeats beating to the same tune...

Lyrics Credit: Flying Without Wings by Westlife
Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ladanceuse/4035283318/in/photostream/lightbox/

Chapter 6 - Breaking Down Your Walls

Arnav came to an abrupt halt. "Damn it! I forgot my phone!" He had already jogged for 10 minutes but jogging was now only an excuse to get away. The situation at home was worsening day by day, everyone was changing, he didn't know who he knew and who he didn't know anymore. Should he trust anyone? When the one person who he had had the most faith in, his role model had let him down? He wanted to escape it all, just get away. He craved oblivion.

But there was this impulse, he never left anywhere without his phone and he didn't want to worry his mother. She was already going through so much. "Is it really that important?" Yes it was, something was pulling him back...

His pace was slower on the way back, a memory in each step, anger, pain betrayal, disappointment. This wasn't supposed to happen to him. Things did not end this way. He had been blessed with a happy family and it was supposed to continue that way. In a split second every thing was over. Everything. He closed his eyes and let the events of that night consume him. Things would never again be the same.

He needed to find strength in himself, take responsibility, but would he be capable? He wanted to back away, yes it was cowardly but he wasn't sure if he could face it anymore, if he could bare the pain written over his mothers face. That man had taken everything away, he had turned her into a soulless creature who had seeked revenge, had got revenge. And now she couldn't face the world. She knew what she had committed, they all knew, she knew it was only a matter of time before they found everything out. Arnav quickened his steps, he needed to talk to his mother whilst no one else was there, he needed to make her understand. He had took his decision and he was going to attempt to fix it, put the broken pieces back together.

----

She stood pacing around her room, her movements measured, slow, thoughtful. She had been going over and over it in her mind, one impulsive decision had possibly lead to even more disaster than she had ever imagined. Her kids would now no longer have a proper future, her daughters life was already ruined and her sons would be too. They would forever be known as a murderers children, be mocked and made fun of over and over again. And it was all her fault, first her failing marriage, then her betrayal and now what she had done.

She suddenly stopped pacing. She had made her decision. This was the way things would end, the way things had to end. She couldn't let this continue, she couldn't let her past overshadow her children's future, she would have to make this sacrifice for them.

----

Arnav stepped into the house his gaze fixed towards the stairs, it was eerily quiet but no one else was at home and it was always like that these days. The bubbly happy people that had once inhabited the house were not the same anymore. They now had difficulty facing each other, facing themselves, facing reality.

"Maaa, maaa!" He made his way up the stairs, taking slower steps than usual, preparing what he had to say in his mind. He knew he should have did this earlier but hadn't been able to. He hadn't had the strength to, but it was now or never. He had to attempt to make things better before it was too late, before she started blaming herself before he lost her too.

He couldn't hear anything, she must have heard him. "Maaa!" Louder now, quickening his steps, his heart beating faster on its own accord. He was running up the stairs now, along the corridor, at the back of his mind he knew something was wrong. Something had happened....

"MAAAAA!" The scream escaped out of his mouth, tears sprouted out of his eyes. "MAAA!" It was a cry out of desperation, out of fear, out of knowing what had happened, out of knowing what was going to happen.

He scrambled over towards her body, she was still alive. "Maa Maa! Maaa get up! get up! Maa I know you are still alive! Come back to me! Come back!" He screamed, shaking her, willing her to get up, to look at him. "Maa it's okay, it'll all be okay," he reassured her. "Why isn't she getting up damn it!" "Get up! Maa! Get up! GET UP! You can't leave me! You can't leave di! YOU CAN'T LEAVE ME!" He was screaming at her now, his face soaked with tears.

Her hand fell limp out of his. Her body gave a slight jerk and slackened. He immediately took her into his arms and hugged her lifeless body close to his, rocking it.

"MAAAAAA!" It was a cry of a boy who had lost everything dear, of a boy who was seeing his life breaking down in front of his eyes. It was the cry of a boy who would never be the same again.


I close both locks below the window
I close both blinds and turn away
Sometimes solutions aren't so simple
Sometimes goodbye's the only way

And the sun will set for you
The sun will set for you
And the shadow of the day
Will embrace the world in grey
And the sun will set for you

Pink cards and flowers on your window
Your friends all plead for you to stay
Sometimes beginnings aren't so simple
Sometimes goodbye's the only way

And the sun will set for you
The sun will set for you
And the shadow of the day
Will embrace the world in grey
And the sun will set for you...

----

"I was too late Khushi, I was too late! I could've saved her, I should have told her. I was too late." His voice was barely a whisper, hoarse with raw emotion, his eyes brimming with unshed tears. She was too shocked for words. Khushi wanted to comfort him, let him know that he shouldn't feel guilty but her thoughts were scattered all over the place. She was still attempting to comprehend the events of his memories.  Still trying to understand why the world had been so harsh.

Suddenly his grip on her hand loosened and he stood up. She stared back at him taken back by his sudden movement. "I'm sorry, it's late and I've kept you out way too long already. Come on I'll drop you to your door." He was back to the shut out Arnav Singh Raizada now, all evidence of the one that had been there a mere few seconds ago gone. His walls were back up and this time it was her fault. She hadn't been able to utter a single comforting word in return. She gulped in guilt and stood up unable to form a coherent sentence. He pulled on her hand and led the way, she walked back in a daze, still processing his story, repeating it over and over again in her mind and didn't even realise when they had got to her door. He let go of her hand slowly and turned around to walk off as she looked at his retreating back as her eyes welled up with tears. She cried that night, for god knows how long, for him, for his family, for a person who had so much love to give and was given so little in return, for the man she was falling in love with and for the walls that he would never break down...

Lyrics Credit: Shadow of the Day by Linkin Park
Picture Credit Ladanseuse http://www.flickr.com/photos/ladanceuse/4887522765/in/set-72157624344220589

Sorry for taking ages to write up this update after promising to update two on thursday. I finished  my exams on thursday, started typing it up but the sun was finally out in gloomy old Aberdeen and I couldn't help but go relax in the sun. And then I went a bit over board with the relaxing, spent way too long in the sun and just slacked off doing nothing. But I do promise to update the next part as soon as possibly and try and put two up by tomorrow :).
Once again thanks for reading and all the comments! They really do encourage me to write! x

Chapter 5 - Shades of Pink, Shades of Us & Shades of Grey

"MAAA!" He saw her face again as she lay lifeless. He ran up to her. Grabbed her feet.

"Maa maa" His sobs came before he knew it, he was panting. He tried to move his limbs but they wouldn't move. Why couldn't he move his limbs? He had to save her! She was still alive. He had seconds left.

"Move damn it! Move!" He willed his limbs to move but to no avail. He tried to stand up. He had lost all sensation. He was numb.

"Maa" He formed the words in his mouth but didn't hear them being said. And it all went blank...

"Chote come here, don't you run away from me. You need to have your breakfast!" She was running after him, smiling attempting to make him even more late than he was going to be. "No ma. I need to go," he heard himself say.

"Chote, you know I'll always be there," she hushed him stroking his hair. Her touch still felt so real.

"No! Maaa!" He saw it again. Her body lifeless.

"MAA!" Arnav shot up, shivering, his body drenched in sweat. He closed his eyes, let the pain seep through him. He still relived the moment. He slowly stepped out of bed, already late, the nightmare was nothing new...

----

It was the second week in and Khushi was already engrossed in revision, they hadn't been joking when they said uni was a lot of work. They had been shopping earlier, it had been fun to finally go out of the university boundaries and explore the town. Glasgow was such a lively places, a city of cobbled streets, the hustle and bustle of people busy going around with their daily activities, the sun blazing down, groups of people chatting in outdoor cafes. She was in love with the city, with the sunshine, with the happiness she was feeling.

Life was now flowing smoothly, she still missed her parents, but she was slowly getting used to it, like Arnav had said. "Arnav," she whispered to no one in particular. She hadn't talked to him in almost a week. Every so often her heart would nudge her into thinking of him, but she didn't want to. She didn't want to unnecessarily worry herself. She wasn't sure if she had the courage to confront him once more. She had the urge to talk to him on several occasions but he had always been around a group of friends and he didn't seem to be taking his normal park route anymore either.

She quickly dismissed thoughts of him in her head and continued to make notes. Humming to herself lightly. Life was good when it was simple.

----

Everyone had told her how the good weather didn't last and she saw it for herself for the first time since moving to Glasgow. There was a light drizzle it had blurred the view out of her window and she hadn't even bought a bus pass. "Oh well Khushi. Better get used to the rain," and with that she set off on foot. But you had to admit it was a sight to see, after days of warm weather, the insects and plants were rejoicing, they were quenching their thirst. Little droplets here and there, puddles on the side of the paved road. Everything looked brighter, greener, livelier than she had ever seen. Khushi felt all happy inside, a bright smile adorned her face.  And that's when she saw him, it had to be him! She had to speak to him, this had gone on for too long. That day she had decided to get answers and she still hadn't acted upon it. He wasn't that bad.

"Hey stranger!" She jumped in front of him. Arnav had been lost in his own world and jumped back a little at seeing Khushi, who seemed a bit too excited at seeing him. "Hey," he managed to mutter, attempting to contain his surprise and unusual sense of joy. "Not seen you in a while! Figured you had gone into hibernation till next summer."

He had caught onto what was happening now, he had given her space, given himself space. He didn't want to hurt her anymore so had decided to let that connection be. But he couldn't ignore what was there, what was so tangibly real. They were automatically drawn towards each other, in a way he had never known or imagined of before. He had unconsciously made the decision to take his old route again because his heart yearned to talk to her. She made him feel happy inside and he wanted to escape the pain.

He gave a small laugh, "Well too bad for you I don't do that till autumn." "Oh damn, so I got my hopes for no reason then?" She was much more at ease now, he seemed his normal calm self. "Pretty much. Wait! You got your hopes at the fact that I was hibernating, ouch!" He laughed. "Oh such a drama queen," she rolled her eyes at him. "Says the one that jumped in front of me, nearly giving me a heart attack. Thought I was going to get raped!" "Yeh because that's the way rapists approach," she retorted, glad the conversation was going nowhere bad. "That's the way I imagine them to, not done a masters in rapists like you seem to have," he winked. "Urgh, whatever, leave me alone!" She said pretending to be upset. "Okay, okay Miss too excited for rain! I'll let you off." "What's wrong with rain? It's made everything look so bright!" "Seriously? Are you joking?" He asked surprised, this one really was one of a kind. "Yes! Nature is beautiful, in each and every one of its forms!" She sounded so untouched by the cruel world, he hoped it would remain like that. That she never be made to feel a pain like the one he lived with. He smiled at her genuine happiness, the joy she seemed to take from every simple aspect of life.

----

Khushi stepped out into the constant drizzle, her mind wondering off to the events of the past two months, too happy for words. He always seemed to put her through a roller-coaster ride of emotions and yet she didn't seem to mind. In fact it was almost as if she craved it. He had said he'd meet her after her lecture so she looked round, he was nowhere to be seen. "Maybe he got a bit late," she thought and checked the time, no she was the one that was twenty minutes late. "Great! He probably left thinking I had," she nearly kicked herself in annoyance. "Oh Khushi how you can't be punctual on the few occasions you need to be I can't understand!" She was arguing with herself. "Do you always mumble and growl at yourself?" He asked, almost giving her a fright, eyebrow raised with that smirk of his she loved. "You scared me!" "Good. We are even now then," he replied, his voice full of mischief. "I didn't see you," she said attempting to brush off the fact that he had seen her talking to herself. "Oh I was wearing my invisibility cloak," he replied sarcastically. "Very funny," she pouted aiming a light slap his way as he jumped back, attempting to avoid it. "What's up? You seem stressed," Arnav had caught on to it the moment he'd seen her step out, she was such an open person that even the subtlest of changes was obvious. Khushi was left baffled once again, they had been hanging out a lot yes, but she really couldn't grasp how he was able to read her so quickly. "Just got my first exam coming up," she replied truthfully, sulking. "Aah, not to worry, I'm sure you'll do fine," he smiled at her reassuringly. She wished he would smile more often, it made him look even more handsome than usual and gave a softer tone to his normal rugged look.

They took the park route back, Khushi desperately wanted to cross that 2cm distance between his thumb and her small finger. She had this desperate desire to just entangle her finger in his, then her hand, see how well her fingers would fit into the spaces between his fingers. She could feel heat radiating off of his body, pulsating through her own. They were nearly at her flat when she finally plucked up the courage to ask the question. "Arnav..." "Hmmm," he continued to look forward but she knew he was listening. "How come you never talk about your family?" He froze, his eyes wide and slowly turned around to face her. His eyes at first showed confusion but slowly transitioned into a distant vacant expression, his face darkening as she watched. He looked down, away, it was almost as if he was in pain. But she wasn't one for stopping. The rain had seized now, there was a calm quiet in the atmosphere that was slowly engulfing them. She led him to a wet concrete slab and sat him down. He was still lost in thought. She wanted answers, she needed to know why he turned so grim at the mention of his family.

"Arnav. I have all night and neither of us are leaving till you tell me what's wrong."

Hard to find a way to get through 
Its a tragedy
Pulling at me like the starts do
You're like gravity
Even if the wind blows
It makes it hard to believe

He slowly turned around to face her, his expression torn. He wanted to tell her he wanted to unload his pain but he wasn't sure he was ready yet, if he would ever be ready. If someone else should be put through the tale he had to say.

Doesn't even matter to you 
To see what I can see
I'm crawling on the floor to reach you
I'm a wreck you see
When you're far from home
Makes it hard to believe


She slowly took his hand into hers and looked into his eyes, her features had softened. "You know you can tell me Arnav, it doesn't matter what it is, you can tell me."

How ya gonna love
How ya gonna feel
How you gonna live your life like the dream you have is real
And if you lost your way
I will keep you safe
We'll open up all the world inside
I see it come alive tonight
I will keep you safe


And that one gesture was enough, he knew he had to tell someone and he knew that if he had to choose one person to say it to he wouldn't choose anyone but her.

It was going to be a long night. ...

Lyrics credit Safe by Westlife
Image credit Sheree (http://www.flickr.com/photos/shereezielke/3246648717/)

Thanks for reading! 
This is my last update till Thursday, I have too much cramming planned and if I attempt to write anymore, the story will probably end up loosing its essence. But to make up for no updates I will attempt to put up two chapters on Thursday :) x

Chapter 4 - We Live In a Strange Bubble

"Where are you lost?!" Aryan questioned taking a seat opposite Khushi. He had waved at her at first but she had been lost in her own world. "Oh, nowhere," Khushi replied, returning back to reality. Aryan rolled his eyes at her, this hadn't been the first time she had been lost in her own world. Something was clearly up with her but if she wasn't going to tell him, he didn't see the point in probing. "How was the lecture?" He questioned, changing the subject. "It was okay," she smiled, not that she had been listening. "Where were you? I called you like five times!" She asked in an unimpressed tone. "Oh, I fell asleep and then I had to iron my clothes. To be honest, I had a look at the lecture last night and the notes weren't that good," Aryan replied glumly. "You had to iron your clothes? Seriously Aryan?" She rolled her eyes at him. Aryan was unbelievable!. "Well I like to look presentable, urgh! I can't stand people that walk into lectures with just their pyjamas on. I don't think they should be allowed to enter if they can't dress normal," he commented, annoyance clear in his eyes. Khushi laughed at that, he really was such a drama queen. "Wheres Alisha anyway?" "Oh, she wasn't feeling well," there had been something off with Alisha this morning. "Oh, well that's a shame," Aryan replied.

"So what were you thinking of doing this afternoon then?" Aryan asked, trying to move the conversation on but Khushi didn't seem to be listening, she was too busy looking elsewhere. "Khushi! What is wrong with you?" He shook her elbow, causing her to loose her balance for a second. "Oh my god. You are ogling at that guy from the flat party!" Aryan exclaimed quickly catching onto who she was so intently staring at. "I'm not ogling!" She shot him an annoyed look. She had noticed Arnav walking into the cafeteria suddenly and had been trying to deduce what he was doing, if he had seen her. She looked back and he was no longer there, now she was really annoyed at this Aryan. "Aryan! Oh my god! Where did he go?" "Oh god!" He rolled his eyes, "he's such a creep!"Aryan then commented, forming a disgusted face. "And how is he a creep?" "That's what's his name right?" "You mean Arnav?" "Yeh ARnav," he made a face again, whilst emphasising the first two letters of his name. "There are way too many rumours around him. Plus look at him, half the time he's walking around alone, like a loner." "Aryan, walking around alone doesn't make anyone a loner and nor does it make them a creep," she replied exhausted.  "Well it kind of does!"  He snapped back.

"Hi guys!" Alisha exclaimed, joining them at the table, whilst two pairs of eyes looked back at her surprised. "What is up?" She questioned, baffled. "Oh sorry," both replied at the same time. Aryan opened his mouth to reply, but Khushi cut in. "We were just having a very heated discussion about Arnav, who Aryan thinks is a creep because he walks around alone." Khushi explained, throwing another dirty look Aryans way. Alisha burst out laughing. They both looked away from each other. Alisha managed to calm her laughing down and started to make an attempt to cool down the situation. "Okay okay guys. Just chill. Why do we care anyway?" She questioned now curious. "Because Khushi is obviously in love with him," Aryan laughed. Khushi was clearly growling and angry now. "What?! Seriously?!" Alisha screamed. "NO!" Khushi exclaimed back. "What I can't look at people now?" "There's looking and then there's ogling!" Aryan corrected. Khushi turned away in a huff once more. "Oh ghosh guys, calm down. Plus Khushi I haven't really heard good things about him either," Alisha quickly added in. "What do you mean?" She was almost scared. "It's just apparently he sleeps around with like everyone. And apparently he can be quite violent. Someone said he also did drugs for a while." Alisha was mumbling now, concerned at how quickly the colour had drained off of her friends face. "Yeh see! I told you he's a creep!" Aryan continued. "I think you should just stay away from him to be honest. He's just a weirdo." "Hmmm," was Khushis only reply.

----

"They could all just be false rumours you know," Khushi quietly mumbled to Alisha, once they were back in her room. "What could all be rumours?" Alisha asked confused. "All the things you were saying about Arnav, he seems like a genuinely nice guy." "Yeh I guess," replied Alisha, "I mean when it comes to guys you can judge them a lot better than I can. Plus Khushi you are capable of handling difficult situations, much more than me anyway. So I really don't know." "Hmm," Khushi replied, "you know what? I'll try hanging out with him a bit more and find out for myself what he's really about. I've never believed in rumours before and just because I'm in a different place, I don't think I'm going to start either." "Up to you," Alisha replied with a reassuring smile. She knew her fried was more than capable of dividing right from wrong. "But then why do you care so much?" Alisha, knew why but she just wanted to hear it from Khushis mouth. Khushi looked back annoyed, why were her friends after this poor guy. "I don't care. I just find him nice to talk to and he's being nice to me." She replied, attempting to stay calm. "He's being nice to you? I don't remember your first impression of him being the best." "Well you can't always judge people on first impressions, if he's making an attempt then I don't see why I shouldn't give him a chance." "Well Khush did you try asking him why he was so rude to you on the first day?" What Alisha said sounded so logical to Khushi but it just hadn't entered her mind. "Oh my ghosh! I totally should!"

----

The next morning Khushi didn't see Arnav. She wanted to talk to him. She'd even rehearsed her questions. Damn it where was he. Then she realised she was being stupid. Maybe he didn't have any lectures that day.

----

"Nani! I'm running late! I told you I'll come if I can make it! Stop creating a fuss!" Arnav exclaimed into the phone. This conversation had been going on for half an hour and they were getting nowhere. "Chote!" Her voice was stern, even more angrier than the previous times, "stop making excuses. I know you have nowhere to go. We haven't seen you in two months. This is getting beyond ridiculous." "Nani! Stop being such a pest. I do have somewhere to go, I have a lot on my mind." "So does everyone chote," she was exhausted of his excuses now, "start facing the world! Stop following in the cowardly footsteps of your father!" And with that she slammed the phone down.

Arnav was seething with anger, this was the way every argument with his nani ended. She always compared him to a person that he wasn't, a person he never aspired to be. He had tried to face it all, to attempt to mend broken relationships, forget the past. But it was difficult. He didn't have that much strength left in him anymore. He just wanted to move away from it, pretend nothing was wrong with his life...

----

Khushi headed out of the building after the lecture, she wanted to go to the library alone and browse for some books. She was making up a list of books to check out in her head when she saw someone that looked like Arnav walk out of the library. She immediately followed. Yep definitely was him, that strong frame, those toned arms. She was surprised at how she could even recognise him now by looking at his back. "Hey! No hi today? Just going to walk away?" She asked coming to a stop in front of him, her face beaming with a smile. But she noticed his face was glum, his mouth fallen. "Oh hi," he replied, a lot quieter than usual attempting to smile. "I didn't see you," he replied casually, no witty comment in return. Something was up. "Is something wrong?" She asked concern clear on her face. "No why would anything be wrong?" He sounded somewhat annoyed. Khushi continued to walk with him, in the opposite direction to the library. "Weren't you going to the library before?" He asked now curious as to why she was continuing down the wrong way. "Oh yeah. I decided I didn't need to check the books out till next week, so why waste an extra week of keeping them," Khushi quickly made up an excuse. Arnav couldn't help but smirk at that, you had to admit it she had a knack for making up excuses. "So what have you been up to today?" She continued attempting to create conversation. "Nothing," he replied glumly. His answers were too short, this couldn't be the same guy who had made Twilight jokes at her yesterday. Khushi was too engrossed in thoughts of what was wrong with Arnav to realise that she was now off of the pavement, standing inches away from an approaching bus. She felt strong arms almost lift her up and move her. "Can't you watch where you are going?" He exclaimed, anger flaring out of his face. Khushi stared back in astonishment, also angry at his sudden outburst. Then she realised that she had been standing in front of a bus. Okay that was kind of her fault but there was no need to get that angry. "Hey! There's no need to shout! I don't know what the hell has got into you! One minute you are nice and the next minute you are the coldest person I know! You know what I'd rather not attempt to make conversation with a brick wall! And a rude one at that!" He stared at her  baffled as she continued to scream at him. "You know what?!" She continued "You might be okay with having some sort of split personality disorder but I don't associate with people like that! So goodbye Arnav!" And with that she stomped off. His face turned from an expression of disbelief to hurt. He knew he had hurt her feelings, she had attempted to understand what was wrong and he had shunned her away. Why was it that he always ended up doing the wrong thing.

Khushi came to an abrupt halt. Only then did she realise that he hadn't uttered a word in return to her outburst of anger. He had saved her from an almost accident and she had yelled at him in return. Wasn't it her own fault for not concentrating on where she was going. She turned back around to go back and apologise but he was no longer anywhere to be seen...

She would make things right again...

How can I decide what's right?
When you're clouding up my mind
I can't win your losing fight


He knew it wasn't fair. He had lashed out in anger at her when it was someone elses fault. It was what he always did. It was all someone elses fault and yet the people around him were paying.

Nor could I even own what's mine
When you're always taking sides
But you won't take away my pride
No, not this time
Not this time


She had to find out what was wrong. What he was hiding, was eating him up from the inside, he needed to tell someone and she would make sure that she was there to listen to him. Like he had been there for her.

The truth is hiding in your eyes
And it's hanging on your tongue
Just boiling in my blood
But you think that I can't see


What kind of man that you are
If you're a man at all
Well, I'll figure this one out
On my own... On my own...


Lyrics credit: Decode by Paramore

P.S I may not be able to update the next chapter for a while. My exams start on Monday so not sure if I'll find any time to write, depends on how tight my revision schedule becomes xxx

Chapter 3 - Whispers of Hope

Khushi sat at the steps to the university union, twirling a lone flower through her fingers, staring into space. It had been three days since that incident, Aryan had received a good telling off from Alisha but Khushi was still lost in thoughts of Arnav.

Alisha was at her vaccine appointment and Aryan had gone to enroll himself at the gym, Khushi hadn't felt like staying in her room alone and therefore accompanied them till the union and stayed back. She wanted to think through things in the open sun, she was basking in all its glory and it made her happy inside. After a week, staying away from family was taking a toll on her. Although she had talked to amma and babuji just the night before she missed them dearly. She felt lonely and lost and just wanted to go back, warm hugs from amma and babuji, one more taste of her ammas food. She was too lost in her own world when he came and sat next to her.

"I take it you always stare in to space randomly then," his husky voice broke her out of her trance. "Huh?" She blinked focusing her thoughts back to reality. He smirked at that, she liked the way one corner of his mouth twitched up and at the same time disliked how much such a small act severely affected the pumping ability of her heart. "Nothing, it's always a good day when I pass an almost insult and Khushi doesn't notice," he joked and watched as her lips slowly parted into a smile and she looked down. He had remembered her name, that evoked an unusual amount of joy in her. He was beginning to get worried now though, things were different with her today, something was wrong. "What's up?" He asked gently, surprising her once more. She looked at him confused and saw his face scrunched up in worry. This guy really was a total enigma. "Nothing, just missing home," she admitted, her voice heavy with sorrow. "I know it's stupid, like it was my decision to move away from family to find more independence. I wanted to move away and somewhere along the lines I had forgotten that there would be other feelings involved too. And that they wouldn't just affect me but my parents too." Her words came out quickly, she looked like she was on the verge of tears. "And now. Now all I want to do is go back. All the other students are going away this weekend and I realised that that's not even an option for me. I just really miss them. I, I..." She stopped realising that she had spoken a bit too much. She looked up to see his face again and was surprised to see how intently he was listening to her. "I'm sorry, I just completely bombarded you with my emotions there," she apologised. She hadn't been able to tell Alisha because Khushi knew she probably felt the same way and she hadn't intended on telling anyone else either. "It's okay, you needed to let it all out," he reassured her, smiling with his chocolate brown eyes. They had an intensity to them that she had never noticed before. "And trust me, you are not alone. Everyone goes through this process. It's because you've only been here a week. I would have felt the same way if I had had to move away from my hometown," he reassured her once more, placing his hand on her knee. Khushis heart started to gallop at his mere touch, she was now finding it a little difficult to breathe. "I'm sure you'll be okay in a few weeks time," he smiled. "Anyway, it's a sunny day and they only last a while here so I think you should enjoy it while it's there," he winked. "So want to go get like an ice lolly or something, I'm way too hot anyway." He stood up and attempted to lighten the mood. She smiled up at him, blinking and attempting to escape the rays of sunshine that now assaulted her view. "Sure! Ice cream always cheers me up!" She laughed.

Walking with him, their hands so close that they were almost touching, Khushi was surprised at herself. He was such a puzzle to figure out, but he made her feel different, he had offered her comfort when she needed it the most. This Arnav Singh Raizada really was a mystery. She risked a sideways glance at him and noticed his face scrunched into one of confusion, three lines had made their way onto his forehead and she had the impulse to smooth them out with a kiss. "Khushi! What the hell is wrong with you?" She stopped her mind. "Do you live in Glasgow then?" She slowly broke the silence, attempting to make conversation with a now very silent Arnav. "He turned his head, snapping out of his thoughts. "Erm yeah, I was born her," he replied, smiling slightly. "Oh that's good then you don't have to go through this whole deal of missing your family. I feel so envious now, " she added a slight smile playing on her lips. "Hmm," he nodded, not seemingly happy with that comment. "How much I'd love to just see them every single morning, I think that's what I miss the most you know. You are so lucky!" She continued, unaware of his face now clouding over with an emotion held deep within. "Do they make lunch and that for you?" She asked, now a bit too excited with this new found news, she attempted to find happiness in the fact that at least someone else she knew wasn't far from their family. "Erm, I don't live with my family," his reply came out quietly with an edge of sorrow. Khushi watched him with eyes wide in surprise as he stared off into the opposite direction, with his hands stuffed inside his pockets. They had stopped walking now. "But why? Like they live in Glasgow too right?" She quickly questioned. "Yeh," he replied quietly. "Then why?" She questioned again unable to comprehend why in the world anyone would want to live away from their family if they had the choice no to. "Err, I'd rather not talk about it," his voice came out an audible whisper, he was still looking away from her, unable to meet her eyes.
Khushi was confused now, she had just spilled out all of her emotions in front of him and he was now acting cold. "Besides, it's getting quite late, I forgot I had somewhere to go tonight," he said turning back to face her suddenly. "You look okay now, we'll get ice cream some other time, I'll see you around." He looked hurt in some sort of way, his face a mask of emotions. Khushi was taken back but even before she could form her words he had started to walk away.

He confused her to the core. One minute he was nice and charming her and the next minute he had turned into this cold person, shunning her off and walking away.

----

"What's up Khush?" Alisha lightly hit Khushi on the back whilst take a seat next to her on the bed. Alisha had noticed how quiet Khushi was. She'd barely uttered two words after Alisha returned from her vaccine appointment. "Huh?" Khushi looked up, not too sure if Alisha had even spoken. "I asked what's wrong?" Alisha now asked a bit louder. "Nothing," Khushi replied glumly and stood up to walk off. "Seriously Khush! There's defo something wrong with you! And you better tell me what it is!" Alisha was now angry. This had been happening a lot lately, at first she had dismissed it as being about that bastard James. Then she had thought it was because Khushi was missing her family, but now she wasn't so sure it was either of them anymore. "Nothing na. I told you," Khushi replied from the other end of the room, a bit louder now. "You have to tell me if there's something wrong. There's no point in keeping it to yourself," Alisha now spoke to Khushi with genuine concern. "Seriously Ishu! I'm fine," she smiled, "it's just homesickness," she lied. Alisha was okay with that response, at least it wasn't something else.

----

The next few days passed normally, friendly banter, a lot of sunshine and more random parties! And by then Khushi had pushed all past incidences completely to the back of her mind. Life was not about reveling in the past.

----

It was a bright early morning and Khushi was taking the park route to her first lecture. She loved the feel of the morning sunshine playing on her face and the fresh smell of flowers as they peaked out into the sun.

"Hey! Wait up!" He shouted and quickened his steps to catch up with her. "Felt like talking to me again then?" She snapped as soon as he had caught up, annoyance clear on her face. Arnav instantly understood why, looking back on the previous times conversation. "It was her own fault," he thought to himself, "over-excited about everything". He didn't reply though, he decided to let it pass, he'd only regret it later, he seemed to be doing a lot of that lately and it was extremely unusual for him.

They walked in silence for a while and then Khushi started to feel bad. He'd actually made an effort to come speak to her and she'd been harsh for no particular reason. After having thought over it for a long time she had come up with the conclusion that it was infact his personal life and he didn't need to tell her. At least he hadn't been rude about it. So she decided to restart the conversation.

"So lecture first?" She asked. "No, just heading over to the library. Thought I might as well make a start on my first assignment," he smirked. "First assignment? Already?" "Yehhh," he replied sheepishly, "we business students don't have the privilege of three assignments a year like you medics." She frowned at that. "How did you know I was a medic? And we have 9 to 5 days remember? Bet you don't get those?" She replied, her argumentative nature resurfacing. "Err because you are always around the medic building, don't get too happy, I haven't been stalking you," he smirked again. "And okay, whatever, it's still unfair you don't get assignments though." "Aw that's a shame I had your whole stalking fantasy drawn up in my mind as well," she laughed this time. He gave a small laugh in reply. "And may I know what that involved?" He asked turning towards her and raising an eye brow. "Well you know, the normal, following me home, watching me sleep through my window. Mostly watching me sleep." She winked. "Oh my god!" He exclaimed, "Seriously? Edward Cullen? Because I obviously sparkle in the sunlight too!" "Oh whatever! A girl can fantasise!" "Yeh about normal things!" He retorted shaking his head in amused disapproval.

And with that light-hearted conversation they hadn't even realised when they reached campus. "Well that's you then Bella Swan," he smiled stopping in front of her building, "I'll see you later," he turned around to walk off. "I'll be checking your eyes tomorrow!" She shouted to his retreating back. He turned around smiling, "I'll make sure I feed tonight then," he winked walking backwards and almost banged into a randomer. She laughed at his antics and walked into the building.

She liked spending time with him, he was so easy to talk to. She smiled to herself, sitting in the lecture hall. If anyone had noticed they would have taken her for a mad person. Khushi wanted things to continue like this, she liked this side of him....


Kyun raaton ko main ab chain se so na sakoon
Kyun aata nahi mujhe din mein bhi chain-o-sukoon
Kyun aisa hota hai main khud se hi baatein karoon
Kyun tu jo bole koi sune main hi sunu
Dil ye bekarar kyun hai
Ispe dhun sawaar kyun hai
Kyu hai ye khumaar kyun hia Tu Bataa.....

Tera intezar kyun hai 
Kyu hai ye khumar kyun hai tu bataa
Tu Bataa aa aa ...
Tu Bataa aa aa ...

Lyrics credit Dil Yeh Bekraar Kyun Hai, Players.

Chapter 2 - Falling Wishes

It was a lovely sunny day and Khushi caught a single dandelion on the palm of her hand and smiled. The little things made her happy. She then blew it away and closed her eyes making a wish...

-----
Arnav abruptly threw his phone at the wall. He was shaking with anger, Arnav Singh Raizada did not let himself feel fear, instead it was always contorted into a perfect mask of anger. He had called his Di for the sixth time in the space of 2 minutes and she had not picked up. She knew he would be worried for her, she had a doctors appointment today and they were going to tell her if any improvements could be made on her leg. Why was she not picking up the god damn phone?

He had been walking a complete path of anger lately anyway, ever since two nights ago when he had seen her last and she had blatantly chosen to ignore him. Somewhere deep inside he wanted to talk to her, he wanted to know her name. She had a smile that lighted up the whole room and the guts to face anything and anyone. He closed his eyes, clenching his jaw, "what is wrong with me?" he growled through gritted teeth, clenching his fist and thumping the wall. He rested his forehead against his arm, leaning against the wall, not knowing what to do with himself.

The sound of the phone vibrating brought Arnav out of his thoughts.

"Hello Di! Where the hell have you been? Do you know how many times I've called you?" He bellowed into his phone, concern and fear evident to his sister on the other end of the phone.
"Chote, chote! Calm down! I went to take a shower, am I not even allowed to take a shower?" She laughed, not surprised at her brothers little tantrum.
"Di! That's not an excuse! I told you to call as soon as, not after taking a shower! Simple instructions Di simple instructions!"
"Okay okay baba, I'll keep that in mind okay?" Anjali was all too aware of her brothers erratic mood changes and she knew the only reason he fussed over her was because he cared and loved her more than anything else in the world.

----
"Flat party tonight!" Aryan shouted, actually skipping towards Khushi and Alisha. "We need to go!" He exclaimed again. "I dunno man. I'm not too keen, I don't like lying to my parents" Alisha replied, disappointment clouding her voice. "Oh come on Alisha! Just one flat party and lying once won't kill you!" Aryan tried to convince her, these two didn't seem to be interested in any parties and he wasn't prepared to go alone to another one. "Aryan I'll come with you," Khushi quickly reassured him. "Alishas right, it's not good to lie to your rents, mines don't mind so I'll come," she continued smiling. "Okay done then! Tonight at 7! I'll come get you so that you know where we are going," Aryan replied eagerly, all too happy now that he didn't have to go alone.

----

Khushi was standing at the kitchen counter making mindless chatter when she felt someone's eyes boring into her back. She suddenly turned around to face a shocked looking Arnav, his brows scrunched up in confusion, his eyes large and unreadable.

"This is not good!" he thought to himself. She currently occupied his every thought, he thought he heard her laugh everywhere he went and right now he was sure the back he was facing was hers. "snap out of it Arnav! What is wrong with you?" He was unable to comprehend exactly what game his mind was playing.

She scrutinised his scrunched up, part shocked, part confused face and he quickly averted his gaze. He then gave her a sideways glance, almost afraid to show her he was giving her a second look, tightened his jaw, clenched his fists and abruptly walked away. "That's right!" Khushi thought to herself. "Walk away! Hopefully that'll be the last time he dares to stare!" she rolled her eyes and turned around in satisfaction letting her mind wander back into the conversation.

Arnav went and made himself comfortable in a corner and started to make small talk with a couple of others sitting around. He was in second year now and hadn't been too keen on attending a freshers party but his friend was throwing it and hadnt taken no for an answer. Although his mind was brewing up with irritation, deep down inside he felt an unusual calm and knew she had been the one to cause it. He continued to steal glances at her as she laughed and made conversation. She was so unlike him, she seemed so loud and vivacious. Too outspoken to handle, but he constantly felt drawn to her. That's when he saw another face staring at her with hunger and lust. He felt himself slowly losing control.

Khushi was standing alone at the kitchen counter now. She was tired of talking with uninteresting people and having to make an effort to make conversations. It was only the first week and uni was already draining her.
Thats when she felt someone's hot breath on her back, someone's ragged breathing and felt their eyes almost devouring the curves of her back. She made a move to turn around, to give them a piece of her mind, when suddenly she felt a rough hand grab hold of her half exposed waist. She froze in horror and a sliver of raw terror passed down her spine, sending shivers down her whole being. She willed her mind to let her move her limbs when she felt a rock solid chest in front of her and felt arms almost embrace around her. She wasn't even able to comprehend what was going on, it happened too quickly! "Oi back off!" growled Arnav shoving the slime ball back. "Orite Arnav! No need to use force you could've told me she was your shag and I wouldn't have wasted my time!" spat out James. "Whatever James I don't have time for your nonsense. She's nobodies shag, not everyone's as easy as your ones," he bellowed his eyes violent with rage. James threw a dirty look at him, and winked at Khushi, "Arnav you better watch your back!" He threatened and stumbled off.

Khushi was disgusted. What had just happened? Some random slime ball had just dared to touch her, her body had gone numb and refused to reply and the one person who had irritated her since day one had saved her? She continued to stand frozen to the spot still unable to grasp what exactly had happened. "Hellooo! Hey! Hey!" He snapped his fingers at her, "have you gone into shock?" "Wait what are you doing Arnav, if she has gone into shock she wouldn't be able to answer that anyway. Stupid!" He muttered to himself. "Helloooo!" he shouted once again, this time waving his hands in front of her face. "God it would help if I knew her name!" He muttered to himself once more. "It's Khushi," he then heard her mumble. Khushi blinked several times and repeated "It's Khushi." "Oh okay, Khushi," one corner of his mouth twitched up into a smile, "are you okay?" She almost lost herself in that husky voice, "Huh?" she asked dreamily staring at his face. This time he smirked, "I asked if you were okay" and with that he gave her the tiniest of smiles, but that was enough to send butterflied fluttering through her. She blinked several times and managed to gather her thoughts into more coherent ones. "Yeh, yeh I'm fine," She mumbled still looking as though she was in some other place. "And thanks," she looked up at him with eyes of gratitude, her voice a small whisper. "I'm sorry was that a thanks? An apology would have been enough to be honest." Arnav replied, obviously having turned back into his normal self.

"What? An apology? For what?" Khushi had regained full consciousness now and was slowly heading towards rage. "Erm, let me think, first for walking into me at the airport, then for passing stupid comments and getting in my way again, then gaping at me as if I was some sort of weird alien walking the Earth and finally for making me bellow at a random guy." "What? Are you alright in the head? Why would I apologise to you, I have not committed any mistake!" "You know what none of this would have happened if you had just stayed in your room!" He retorted now annoyed. "Excuse me! Who told you to intervene. I would've handled the situation fine on my own! And who are you to tell me what to do and what not to do?" She was screaming now, who the hell did he think he was? "Yeh coz you were obviously handling it well before I stepped in!" He growled back and he was too late to realise he had crossed a boundary. She froze and then slowly closed her eyes, remembering and replaying exactly what had happened. She felt vunerable and exposed, what if he hadn't stepped in? "Oh shit! Arnav you need to control yourself!" He thought to himself and placed his hand on her shoulder, she flinched. "Okay never mind," he said attempting to change the topic, "lets forget about what happened, plus I think we need a proper introduction, my names Arnav," he smiled extending out his hand. "She smiled, okay she didn't get an apology, nor did she get normal behaviour, but at least he was making an effort to ease out an awkward situation. She grasped his hand "Khushi, it's nice to finally have an introduction." His lips spread out into a broad grin, "he should smile more, he's so handsome," Khushi thought to herself, loosing herself in his eyes. And they stood there staring at each other.

"Hey Khushi! I've been looking for you everywhere! Where the hell have you been?" Aryan shouted breaking up what looked like a staring competition between Arnav and Khushi. Khushi immediately looked away, Arnav also looked down, a smirk now adorning his face. "I'll see you around then," he said looking back at her and walked off. "What was all that about?" Aryan questioned, perplexed. "Nothing," lied Khushi, "it's not important. Come on now we were supposed to have fun?" She questioned. "Yeh sorry! I've found a different flat party. Lets go there!" And with that they walked off.

----

Khushi couldn't get to sleep that night, his face kept on replaying on her mind.

Faili thi siyaah raatein, aaya toh subah leke
Bewaja si zindagi mein jeene ki wajah leke


What was this guy? He was such an enigma.


Khoya tha samundaron mein, tanha safeena mera
Saahilon pe aaya hain, to jaane kis tharah haan leke
Kuch toh hai tujhse raabta
Kuch toh hai tujhse raabta
Kaise hum jaane hume kya pata
Kuch toh hai tujhse raabta


Arnav lay awake, staring at the sky, filled with joy, after what felt like years.

Meherbani jaate jaate mujh pe kar gaya
Guzarta sa lamha ek daaman bhar gaya
Tere nazara mila, roshan sitaara mila
Takdeer ka jaise koi ishaara mila


She lay awake staring at the stars, smiling to herself like a crazy person, oblivious to a changing mind.


Kuch toh hai tujhse raabta
Kuch toh hai tujhse raabta
Kaise hum jaane hume kya pata
Kuch toh hai tujhse raabta....

Lyrics credit - Raabta (Siyaah Raatein)

Chapter 1 - To New Beginnings!

I'm going to dedicate this chapter to Shyam for coming up with the amazing titles and Naveen for just being random. Love you guys!


"Khushiiii! Khushi! What the hell is wrong with you? Do you know him or not? Can you even hear me!? God this is useless!" "Khushiiii!!!" Alisha exclaimed as she took hold of Khushis shoulders and begun to shake her. "Earth to Khushi!"
"Yeh, yeh sorry what? Did you say something Ishu?" "Yes I did! I've been saying a lot of things for ages now! Think you went deaf to the world for a bit there. What is up with you? Are you okay?" "I'm fine, I just I dunno I need some thinking space," muttered Khushi slowly walking away. "This way Khushi! Alisha exclaimed again, grabbing her hand and leading her into the lecture hall. "I don't know what the hell has got into you, but this is our first lecture and we are attending! You can have some thinking space whilst sitting here," Alisha said in a disapproving voice and pushed her into a chair. Khushi spent half of that lecture in a sort of daze, then she got herself back together. Why was she wasting her time over a small incidence? Yeh he was in the same uni as her, so? "Time to focus Khushi!" She thought to herself and reverted her attention to what was actually happening.

"Well that was a complete waste of time! I swear I wouldn't have attended if I knew it would be this crap!" Khushi practically stormed out of the lecture hall, even leaving Alisha behind in her rage. "Okay I know I know but come on it was a little interesting," Alisha suggested attempting to see a positive side to it, as she always did. "Urgh whatever! No point in dwelling too long in it. My excitement is still here!" Khushi declared her face brightening up with that smile again. "Well that's more like it. I was worried after that whole thing this morning. What even was that?" Alisha questioned now that she was reassured her friend was back to normal. "I'll tell you about it later, it's nothing serious don't worry about it," Khushi winked.

"So are we still going to that dinner thing tonight?" Alisha asked not too sure what was happening anymore. "Of course we are! How else are we going to get to know more people?" Khushi replied, a bit surprised at the nervousness that she now saw emanating from her best friend. "We'll just go find the guy that organised it to find out what's actually happening," she continued attempting to reassure Alisha. "Okay lets go!" Alisha agreed excitedly, turning to go look for him and walked straight into another guy.

"Oh my god. Here we go!" Khushi thought to herself. "Oh I'm so sorry! I really should watch where I'm going," Alisha quickly apologised. "Oh that's okay," replied the friendly voice. "I walk into everything! I'm Aryan by the way," he quickly added. Oh no Alisha had gone into one of her "blank moments" again, Khushi quickly realised and stepped in to introduce themselves. "Hi! I'm Khushi and this is Alisha!" "Hi!" Alisha finally joined in, stepping out of her daze. "Okay nice to meet you guys!"

"So are you guys going to the dinner tonight?" He asked, not wanting to lose conversation. Aryan didn't know anyone except for his flatmates and he was eager to make friends, plus these two looked pretty nice. "Yep. Defo! Just looking for the guy that organised it so that we can find out how to get there," replied Khushi. "Oh yeh, same. I need to find out how to get there. I get lost so easily," Aryan admitted laughing. With that, the three of them walked off together to look for the organiser.

...


Zoron se dil gaa raha hai mera
Bata confusion suljha raha hai mera
Josh hai ab hosh hai aur hai junoon sa mila
Jaise raaston ne paa liya hai manzilon ka pata

Ab toh nayee subah hone ko hai
Khud se dosti hone ko hai
Zindagi yaar si hone ko hai
Ho ab toh nayee subah hone ko hai



...


"Okay! So what's up with you and this Arnav guy?" questioned Alisha as soon as they were in Khushis room, lying back on a bean bag. Khushi stopped mid-way through her unpacking and turned, "Excuse me? Me and which guy?" "Arrey Arnav! Don't pretend like you don't know!" Alisha was impatient now. She threw a cushion at Khushi. "Tell meeee!!!" "Urgh Alisha you are making a situation out of nothing. There is nothing between me and whatever his name is," Khushi replied in part annoyed with where this conversation was heading. She just wanted to unpack and relax for a bit. Alisha stood up and started pacing across the room. "Aah so the whole wink wink, gape, eyes popping out of sockets situation was obviously all in my imagination?" Khushi couldn't help but laugh. Nothing escaped Alishas eye, she had been foolish to think that particular incident had. "It's nothing huge. I just don't like him." "Then tell me why, god too much suspence!". Alisha was now on the verge of irritation.


Well basically... and Khushi started to explain why his presence irritated her so much. She had first saw Arnav at the Dubai airport, he was striding down looking the wrong way and had walked right into her. She had opened her mouth to say sorry, even though it was not her fault, but then gulped back the word. He was glaring back at her. "Can't you watch where you are going?" He growled. "Excuse me? You are the one that was looking the wrong way!" She threw back angry now. "What the? First you walk into me and then blame it on me? Unbelievable!" he retorted with gritted teeth. "What is wrong with you! I think you should actually be apologising to me!" She was nearly screaming. "Oh whatever!" And with that he had walked away. "Urgh what a rude person!" She remembered thinking to herself and stomping away, the rest of her time clouded with that annoying incidence. But of course that hadn't been the end of it. She had once again bumped into him in the queue out of Glasgow Airport. He had been moving towards his specified queue and had pushed her out of the way. "Oh my god! I'm a person not an object! If you had used a little excuse me I would have actually let you through!" She had screamed at the stranger walking away. He had turned around and she remembered her face as turning to an expression of rage almost immediately. "Oh him again!" "You need to stop getting in my way! Listen to me carefully, because I'm only going to say it once." He had threatened pointing a finger at her face. "This face, see it, it's Arnav Singh Raizadas. Got it? You walk into or get in the way of it again. You won't be going anywhere after that!" Arnav had violently threatened and strode away. Even now, thinking of that incident made Khushis blood boil. Never before had she encountered such a rude person!


"WHAT?" Alisha screeched as soon as Khushi had finished. "How rude! So he just. What? Who does that?" "Well obviously Arnav Singh Raizada" Khushi replied in annoyance, mocking Arnavs voice. "Dude just forget about it! Never mind. He's not on our campus so we probably won't see him much anyway. So much for good-looking guys being nice!" Typical Alisha stereotyping everyone, Khushi smiled and smacked her lightly. "Stop your stereotyping and lets get changed. We need to meet Aryan and get to the dinner!" 




------


Arnav looked up and their eyes met and held. She immediately looked away.


Where you been? Where you been all my life?
Girl you glistening, the way you look in the light.


He hadn't been able to get her out of his head all day. He shouldn't have been so rude to her in the airport but he had been stressed out and running late. And then he had seen her on his way out of the lecture hall. He didn't know what it was but something kept on pulling him towards her. He heard her tinkling laugh and smirked to himself. 


I can only imagine, only imagine...


For the first time Arnav was falling and he was completely unaware. 


Lyrics credit: Nayee Subah FALTU
                   I Can Only Imagine by Chris Brown feat. David Guetta

Prologue

First day of a new chapter!

Khushi was ecstatic and ready to embrace the world. Moving from India to pursue her studies in Britain was a decision made more in the pursuit of independence than anything. She was pampered way too much at home. Granted she didn't have her birth parents but her adoptive parents adored her with as much affection as she imagined her real parent would have. This journey, she hoped would change her life forever, for the better!

"Khushiiii!!!!" Alisha exclaimed as she practically pounced onto Khushi and squealed with delight. "Finally dude! Thought I would die out of awkwardness! No one is normal here man!" Khushi rolled her eyes. "God Alisha you will never change!" She exclaimed. "I just got here and you've already started going on about random people I don't even know yet," she said whilst smacking her friend on the shoulder lightly.

"Okay okay whatever tell me how your flight and all that was then. And how are you liking Glasgow? Fell in love with it's sunshine yet? Apparently we don't get it that much you know? Oh well might as well enjoy it whilst its here then right?" "Khushi! Are you listening to me!?"

"Yes hunny! I'm listening to you, did you even give me a chance to stick in a hmm with your continuous questions? Looks like someones already a bit too high! Have you had alcohol a bit too early missy?" She laughed.

"Shut up dude! I've just missed you so much!" Alisha exclaimed hugging Khushi once more.

Khushi and Alisha had went to school together, they had known each other ever since Khushi had moved in with Alisha's neighbours after the death of Khushis parents. It was together that they had put their application for university in and it was together that they had planned their "pursuit for change". Alisha had arrived in Glasgow a few days before Khushi as her accommodation registration had been booked for an earlier date. She had missed her friend dearly and Khushi could see that the few days of separation and not being able to communicate with each other had clearly affected Alisha. They spent about an hour or so catching up on things and planning the rest of their Freshers week and then began to make their way up to the lecture hall.

"Oh my ghosh Alisha! First lecture! First step in to our pursuit for change! Woohhooo!" She exclaimed.

"I know right? Who would have thought! I can see this going so well!"

"Khushi! Khushi!" Alisha exclaimed as she snapped Khushi out of the almost trance that she seemed to have gone into. Khushi on the other hand was stuck for words. He was here. She gaped at his handsome features with a feeling of utmost annoyance. "What the hell? Yeh yaha kya karraha hain?" She muttered under her breath. He was striding out of the lecture hall with a large group of people laughing and gesturing animatedly with his hands. She could not believe her eyes.

Arnav slowly turned his head around, mid-conversation, as he felt someones eyes on him and that's when his eyes met hers. His eyes immediately narrowed and then he raised his eyebrow and chuckled to himself. "Well well this will be a fun year!" He thought to himself as he winked and walked past her putting his mind back into the conversation that now seemed to have moved onto something else.

Khushis eyes almost shot out of her sockets as she stared at his winking face in shock and with that she looked away fuming with anger.

"Oh la la! Alisha chimed. "The hottest guy in this uni just winked at you! Is there something you are hiding from me KKG?" said Alisha inspecting Khushi from head to toe with narrowed eyes.

"The hottest guy in uni?" Khushi asked, curiousness now getting the better of her.

"Yeh and arrogant - Arnav Sign Raizada! He's like oh my ghosh urgh don't pretend like you don't know!" Alisha exclaimed, becoming even more impatient by the second. While Khushi just stared back at the entrance too confused for words, granted he was handsome but how the hell did Alisha know he was? And why the hell was he at the same uni as her?

P.S this is the Prequel to my Fanfic "When Truth Prevails":
When Truth Prevails


... The characters that have been added on top of the Iss Pyar Ko characters are mostly based on my friends. Each has different character traits which I hope you will enjoy throughout the Prequel. x