TC of KG - Chapter Twelve

"The single biggest problem with communication is the illusion that it has taken place"

6:30 AM, Bed

Agenda for the day

1.       Start on the short story. Topic- Romance/tragedy.

2.       Sneak around some more to figure out Shyam-Arnav equation aka Mystery Of The Century.

3.       Don't skip lunch, no matter what.

4.       Bring back Payal's salwar suit from the dry-cleaners.

5.       Buy jelabies to munch on.

6.       'Try' cleaning up the bed room (completely optional.)

7.       Remember to buy new batteries for the camera otherwise die at the hands of The Devil aka Mr Sinnah.

8.       Take umbrella, looks cloudy.

Well I guess I'm set for the day.

7:15 AM, Arnav's Car

"We need to get batteries." Was the first thing I told Arnav when I got into the car and fastened my seat belt.

His answer was a raised eyebrow as the engine roared to life.

I rolled my eyes and let out a dramatic sigh.

"For my camera." I stated as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

He muttered something that vaguely sounded like unbelievable under his breath.

"If you use rechargeable batteries then you save up to 100 Rs for every ten that you buy." Right he wasn't kidding about being a know-it-all-wannbe-millionair-by-27.

"Show off." I folded my arms against my chest and turned towards the window, slightly pouting.

"Yes but you see it's a very attractive quality or so I'm told." His smirk was practically mocking.

"Yeah on people who can wear it."

"What does that mean?"

It was my turn to give him a slight smirk.

"You know, on people who are attractive." His eyes narrowed. Suddenly I felt that that was definitely the wrong thing to say. My smirk immediately dropped and I looked away from him.

"Is that so?" There was a threatening edge to his voice.

The rest of the car ride was silent, almost as if letting a storm brew- literally as well as figuratively. The sky had suddenly darkened and a roar of thunder broke the silence. I instinctively reached out to him, holding onto to the sleeves of his shirt.

He turned to look at me but he didn't say anything.

"Looks like a storm is brewing, reckon we'll have classes today?" My hands still clutched his sleeves, for some odd reason it felt oddly comforting.

The sky had considerably darkened.

"Only one way to find out."

9:30 AM, cafeteria.

I guess the tutoring session is indefinitely postponed.

It was drizzling considerably by the time we reached college. And obviously I can't risk my only camera getting tarnished.

"No way am I taking my camera out."

"Don't fuss Khushi, look how picturesque it is. The monsoon is the most beautiful time of the year."

He reached for my camera which I was shielding under my dupatta.

"Nuh-huh." I moved back before he could reach out to me and then promptly collided with a warm body.

Boy is it getting hot in here.

Arnav's smirking face immediately dropped as I was grabbed and spun around.

"ASR, why are you antagonising poor Khushi here." I knew that my prince charming would come for me.

Yep I am definitely a puddle of goo now.

"Hey Anil."Arnav said and I couldn't help but notice the sudden defence in his voice.

Anil, however, was looking down at me.

"Ditch this downer Khushi." His eyes were sparkling and did I mention that he has the dreamiest smile ever?

"We here for tutoring." Arnav answered before me.

"Come on ASR morning classes are cancelled, let's all go grab something hot to drink from the canteen." He then turned to look at me again. "See what I mean by a downer." I smiled up at him, nodding like a lunatic.

"Khushi has an assignment due in two days if I am not wrong."

Stupid Laad Governor why does he have to ruin everything?

Anil put on a mock-grave expression.

"One of the many difficulties of being ASR's friend, he takes studies far too seriously."

"Yes that's why I'll be a millionaire CEO while you'll my assistant."

I was puzzled with their odd friendship. God knows they are poles apart. Anil is full of sunshine and openness, while Arnav is just a storm with too many secrets.

"Well as long as you pay me shit load of cash..."

"Grow some Anil ...  Show some pride ... "

"With you ASR? Never! I mean why do you think I hang around you? It's all about the money ... "

That got Arnav to smile, not the smirks he usually sends my way, but a genuine one. My heart beat involuntarily quickened. Because right now he didn't look like Laad Governor at all. He looked handsome, almost. Ish. Kind-of. Maybe.

Anil quickly took hold of my hand before Arnav could protest more.

"Come Khushi lets ignore this spoil sport and grab something to drink."

Anil Sharma is holding my hand.

Gulp.

He dragged me away from Arnav and we were headed toward the cafeteria.

"He's accepted you, you know."

"Come again?" I asked, a blush rising up to my cheeks.

"Arnav." Anil said, as if that explained everything.

"Hmm ... umm ...  what do you mean?"

"It's very peculiar for Arnav to make friends, or in general socialize ... .."

"Why's that?"

He gave me a sideways glance.

"You have to ask him that ... "

A thought suddenly struck me and damned if I don't act on it.

"Hey Anil if I was to ask you a question would you answer it truthfully?"

"That sounds ominous." He shot me a confused smile but didn't protest.

"It's about Shyam ... " His shoulders immediately tensed and we stopped walking.

"What about him?" There was a definite edge to his voice.

"I ... . Well ...  he seems mighty interested in me ...  and I ... "

He irrupted me instantly and turned to fully look at me.

"What did he do Khushi? Did you tell Arnav? Did he touch you? Are you hurt? You have to tell Arnav.." His questions came mile-a-minute and my head was reeling.

"Whoa ...  whoa.. calm down Anil ... . Why should I be worried in the first place?"

"He's not a ...  good guy ... .. Khushi ...  Stay away from him at all costs ...  okay?"

"And why should I tell Arnav?"

His stance further tightened and he sent me a forceful smile.

"You know 'cause ...  he's ...  your friend?!"

Honestly how dumb do people think I am? Do I have a neon sign above my head that flashes 'LOSER' or something?

"Anil ... ." My tone was impatient and held a warning.

"Look, okay, Shyam is a sicko ...  I think he wants something from you ... . You fascinate him ...on some sick level ... .  Arnav is going to kill me when he finds out ... ."

"If it concerns me, I have the right to know!"

His eyes held a sudden zeal.

"Khushi do you trust me?"

"No." And I didn't, I hardly knew him after all.

"Fair enough ...  but do you trust Arnav?"

That silenced me.

"You do." It was just a statement but why wasn't I vehemently protesting against it? I stared ahead not really focusing on anything.

"For now just let things be, okay?"

"Okay." I conceded, figuring I wasn't getting anything more from him.

11:30 AM, College Grounds.

After my rather profound conversation with Anil, I went outside and perched myself on the walls lining the building, enjoying the slight pitter-patter of the rain.

That was a lot to take in. An A-Grade psycho, who's possibly a rapist/drug addict/po*n artist/killer/all of the above, is 'fascinated' with me. You know that can rattle a girl. Just a bit. Why me? I mean I wasn't ugly or anything but neither am I great looking. Why would he pick me? What does it even mean? What does that sicko want from me? Well I'll ponder on that later.

As I took out my writing pad to get started on the story a sudden warmth (or was it chillness?) took over me.

Because standing in front of me was the very wet and very tall figure of Arnav Sigh Raizada. Was he a ninja, because I can swear he wasn't even close to me a few minutes ago.

"Is that in the stalker handbook?" Was the first thing I blurted out, my mind was slightly muddled. His very white and very transparent shirt clung on him as the rain continued to fall on him.

He folded his hands in front of him with his signature smirk firmly in place. His response was an arched eyebrow.

"You know appearing out of thin air."

He ran his hands through his hair pushing it off his forehead. Then he leaned forward, bending slightly so that he was at eyelevel with me. I inched back instinctively.

His smirk grew more acute.

"Yes, do you want a copy?" He was definitely mocking me.

"Do you work out a lot?"

I need to tape my mouth shut. That's absolutely the only other option left. Hai Devi Maiya ... .

"Why do you ask?" He leaned further, covering the distance I was trying to create. His breath washed over my face, an instant blush rose up my cheeks.

Gulp.

Underneath his clinging white shirt, his muscles were clearly visible. The hard plane of his stomach were ... Shit shit shit ...  Khushi.. stop it ...  stop right there...

Don't go further. Don't go further. Don't go further.

That stupid water droplets cascading down him were not helping my already light headed disposition.

He snapped his fingers in front of me bringing me out of my trance. The blush in my cheeks intensified 10 times as he caught me staring.

I looked down thoroughly embarrassed.

My stomach dropped down and the tips of my finger tingled as he cupped my chin and made me look at him again.

His eyes were swirling with an array of emotions.

"What are you doing to me Khushi Kumari Gupta?" His voice was barely above a whisper.

I bit my lips involuntarily trying to shake of my light headedness. He closed his eyes for a moment and then reached behind me taking his bag. (Why didn't I notice that before?)

What on earth just happened? One second I was contemplating my Shyam dilemma and the next second Arnav is standing too close to me. Does this guy do this to me on purpose?  What the hell is his problem? Calm down Khushi he was just taking his bag. Don't read too much into this.

"Do you like the rain?" Okay now I'm one hundred percent sure this guy is bi-polar.

"Whaa?"

"The rain, do you like it?"

He looked at me expecting an answer.

"Are we seriously going to talk about the effing whether?" I bit out. The Shyam matter was still fresh in my mind.

"Why? What else are we going to talk about?" His tone was irritatingly mild.  And I don't why, perhaps it was the new found knowledge on Shyam coupled with Arnav's proximity but a sudden anger pulsed through me.

I got up abruptly, grabbed my things and started to walk away. As if almost on cue his hand shot out to grab mine, turning me around.

"Don't walk away when I'm taking to you Khushi Kumari Gupta." There was anger laced in his words. How dare he? He wasn't the one who was in the dark.

I forcefully extracted my hand from him.

"Go to hell Raizada." I have no idea where all the venom was coming from. But I determinedly looked away from him.

He let out a resigned sigh.

"Khushi, are you alright?" The question was soft and it made me look up at him.

"What happened you were fine this morning ... ." His eyes were searching my face as if trying to figure out some great mystery.

"Nothing, just leave me alone."

"No."

"What?" Did I just hear him right?

"I won't leave you alone, what are you going to do about it?"

"Why?" I asked feebly. "Why won't you leave me alone?"

"Do you want me to?"

"I asked you a question Arnav."

"And I asked you one Khushi."

We stood there staring at each other. There was definitely something charged in the air between us. His eyes were unwavering, they were strained on me.

"No."

"No, what?"

"No I don't want you to leave me alone."

"Good, I wasn't planning on it."

"But just let you know, I will figure out what you're really up to ... "

I have to give it to him, he didn't even flinch.

"I have no doubt you will ... " His voice was completely even, not giving away anything.

"Do you want to make things easier and tell me now?" Hey it's worth a shot.

"Nice try, but no."

"Hey a girl's got to do what a girl's got to do."

He gave an off-hand smile and said, looking at his watch,

"I think you have class now."

I looked at the time, I was dangerously close to being late.

I smacked him on the shoulders.

"You crazy person why didn't you tell me before?"

"It's nice to watch you squirm ... ." Ass hat.

This time I smacked him harder and ran before he could catch me.

How much drama can a girl take? Davi Maiya have I become your soap opera or something? Do you sit up there and laugh at me every day? Humph.

CHAPTER13

INDEX