FF: It's Not Right - Chapter 36

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Chapter 36


Arnav tapped his foot restlessly as he waited for Khushi to arrive, breaking into into a smile as she rushed into the cafe in a whirl of bright blue and came to a stop in front of him panting and out of breath.


'I'm so sorry I'm late! There was so much traffic and I couldn't find a taxi.'


'Well why didn't you call me? I could have picked you up.'


'It would have taken just as long for you to drive over to the office as it did for me to get here,' she said as she sat down next to him on the wide sofa, still trying to catch her breath.


Arnav sighed and pushed back Khushi's fringe behind her ear. The past month had been good for them, they hadn't seen each other very regularly because her father was still recovering but that only enhanced the enjoyment of the time he did get to spend with Khushi. Accepting that she was an integral part of his life hadn't as he'd feared suddenly turned Khushi into a redux of ex-girlfriends who turned clingy and over-bearing if they lasted more than a month.



In fact she let him lead their relationship and in contrast to his previous relationships he was always the instigator, he arranged dates, he called her for almost daily chats and Khushi seemed more than happy to follow the pace that he'd set for them without demanding more.


When her tea arrived Khushi took off her shoes and put her feet up onto the couch and closed her eyes in relaxation. This was the only time she could ever truly relax when she was with Arnav. At home, at work and even when she met Anjali or Lavanya she always had to be the one in charge and she didn't mind but with Arnav it was so hard to get him to relinquish control. Of course she still loved arguing with him and fighting him on various things but that was usually limited now to small arguments about where they'd eat and whether or not homeopathic remedies had any merit to them rather than their old haunting grounds of relationships and religion.


'Could you take a day off next Tuesday? As in the whole day?'


'Sure, I can ask Abhi, it'll be fine. Why?'


'I just thought we could spend the day together, just you and me. We'll go out of the city or something.'


Khushi nodded and sipped her tea, a feeling of warmth creeping over her entire body.

---

'What are you doing here?'


'Chote, don't be rude! I invited Khushiji and Payalji.' Anjali frowned as she saw Arnav give herself and the Gupta sisters a wary look before he walked past them to sit at the table. A long time ago, she had wondered if the antagonism between her brother and Khushi could possibly be harbouring something deeper but then the harsh realities of her own life had intervened and she'd temporarily lost her faith in love. But then she had seen Khushi arrive at the hospital wearing a dress that looked suspiciously like an AR design but not one that she recalled ever seeing before and her heart had dared to hope again.



She also hadn't failed to notice the increasing familiarity between her brother and her best friend. Khushi and Arnav seemed to know details of each other's lives before anyone else in the little group she'd formed around herself recently.



Anjali saw Khushi the most often and they spoke daily. It would seem odd to anyone that didn't know Khushi that Anjali could feel such fondness for the woman that had effectively been the other woman in her marriage but Anjali could not deny that she had truly found a best friend in the younger woman. Akash, Payal, Lavanya and Abhi were also regular confidantes of hers in various degrees and sometimes Anjali felt as if she finally knew what it was like to be 18 and carefree.



Arnav was often the hardest to convince to accompany her on shopping trips or dinners but she could usually play the guilt card of being newly separated and he would agree in an instant. Tonight however he had been almost impossible and guessed her motives correctly but Anjali wouldn't concede defeat. She had lied, begged, pleaded and eventually blackmailed him into what he had assumed to be a private family dinner with herself and Akash.


Anjali watched Arnav's scowl remain firmly in place as Abhi, Aman and then Lavanya arrived but she recognised the slight softening around his eyes and knew to take her victory in that small sign. She had seated herself, Arnav, Akash and Aman on one side and Abhi, Khushi, Payal and Lavanya on the other. Once they had all ordered, Anjali stood up drawing everyone's attentions from the conversations they were having.


'I know this was all last-minute so thank you everyone for coming. I just wasn't sure if it would actually happen but I am just so glad that he agreed. Happy Birthday Chote!'


Under the table, Khushi abruptly pulled her foot away from where Arnav had been rubbing his shoe against her ankle, 'It's your birthday?!'


'No actually Khushiji, his birthday is tomorrow but you know Chote. He has some business meeting he can't get out of.'


In her excitement at having all her friends around her Anjali missed the knowing glances that passed between 4 occupants on the table. Arnav avoided Khushi's gaze and shot a sharp glare at Aman who was looking at him with amused eyes. Khushi turned to look at Abhi to join her in her indignant shock but he simply shrugged.


Arnav never liked celebrating his birthday. Celebratory parties for a successful deal in business or an academic achievement made sense but to be congratulated on an event he'd had no power over seemed ridiculous. He had done nothing to help bring his birth about; and all that there was to celebrate was he had managed another 365 days without dying. If anyone was to be congratulated it was his mother and so every year on his birthday he donated a large sum of money and gifts to a charity she had been a patron of in Lucknow.

However as the evening drew to a close he couldn't truthfully say that he had had an unpleasant evening. Well, if you discounted the numerous bruises he would now have on his ankle as a result of Khushi's kicks over the course of the night that is. When the bill arrived there was a tussle as Akash, Abhi and Aman all tried to accost the waiter with their credit cards and Arnav suddenly found himself being pulled aside. 'What the'?'


'Why didn't you tell me it was your birthday?' Khushi held onto his arm with one hand and put her other one on her hip, her eyes darting from Arnav to the rest of their group who hadn't noticed them yet.


'It's not a big deal Khushi! I'm not really into birthdays and I just forgot,' he looked away from her accusing eyes.


'Oh you just forgot? So when you asked me to spend the entire day tomorrow with you that wasn't your way of asking me to be with you on your birthday without actually asking me?'


'Khushi!' Arnav tried to pull his arm away before Anjali noticed and he'd have to answer a thousand questions as to why Khushi was holding him with such familiarity. She was surprisingly strong considering her small frame. She'd said something or other once about 'dhai kilo ka haath' and he had no more doubts about the authenticity of her claims. 'Okay fine! I did want to spend my birthday with you! Now let go!'


Khushi let go instantly and smiled, 'that's all you had to say!'