Heart wrenching adoration Part-9

"Arnav,what's wrong with you?Why are you behaving so peevishly?"Aman asked for hundredth time.

We were on our way to the Boys' hostel after the school hours got over.I walked absent-mindedly,not paying attention to anyone and simply turning a deaf ear to Aman and Akash who were surprised with my behaviour.

I had spent the better part of the hours after lunch in yelling and screaming at anyone I could find and had quite literally seriously annoyed most of my class mates with my crabbiness,but I couldn't help it.

The reason was that I felt guilty of getting khushi reminded of her trauma and obdurate as I was,I simply couldn't get over it,even though it wasn't exactly my fault.Well...technically at least!Despite my futile attempts to cheer her,I had seen the shadow of grief in her eyes and that was what which bothered me the most! Who wanted to get reminded of their ordeals when they were to embark on something new?

Anyway,I stormed about angrily and after a while my brother and my best friend stopped pestering me resignedly,which was good as I didn't want to make them upset on the first day of the session.

After changing into my casuals and wasting an hour on trying to concentrate on my studies,I left it for good and marched out of the hostels into the ground and that's when the idea struck me.

I saw Brijesh bhaiya,the Chemistry Lab attendant who was also the secret supplier of the things that we asked for in the boys hostel and which or surly warden didn't approve of, leaving the school premises and I rushed to him,

"Hey,Brijesh Bhaiya wait!"I yelled as I ran towards him.He stopped on hearing my voice.

"Arey Arnav,how was your first day?"He asked casually,smiling at me.

"Just fine!Brijesh Bhaiya,I need you to do me a favour,please!"I panted as I reached him.

"Started goofing around from the first day?Sure!Now,what do you want?"He asked,grinning conspiratorially.

I handed him some money and asked him to get me a box of chocolates.I remember that khushi fancies sweets so I decided to gift it to her.

Soon Brijesh Bhaiya came back and I took from him the beautifully decorated basket of chocolates and put it inside a polythene bag.

"Thank you so much bhaiya.I owe you for this."I said gratefully,waving back at him as I rushed towards the library where I had seen khushi just moments before.

"Hi khushi!"I greeted her enthusiastically.

She looked up at me from the book that she was studying and smiled.She was simply clad in a peplum top and jeans,yet she carried it beautifully.Her long hair were tied in a ponytail casually and few of her fringes fell on her face,enhancing her beauty.

"Hey Arnav.What's up?"

"Uh,I brought this for you."I said,handing her the plastic bag.

"Wow,Chocolates!"She squealed as soon as she took the basket out.

"Thank you so much!"Khushi gushed,smiling benignly at me.I stared at her fascinated by her bubbly effervescence as  she opened the packet and took out a chocolate.

"Here,Arnav."She offered me some.

"Thanks!"I murmured and we both munched chocolates happily until our hawk-eyed,grim looking librarian,Mrs.Smitha Zarine interrupted our happy moment with her usual cackle.

"This is library,and not your cafeteria or something!If you want to eat something than better go out!"She growled,her large spectacles glinting furiously magnifying her eyes so much so that she looked like and over sized owl!

Khushi and me rushed out,leaving her screaming at our wake and laughed.

"That was fun!"I said as we walked down the verdure length of our school football ground.

"Yeah,that was,but..."Khushi began,but she was cut short by Lavanya who came barging.

"ASR I want to talk to you!"She said sullenly,glaring at khushi.I groaned inwardly.Now,she was really annoying me!

"We can always talk later Lavanya.I've some work now."I said trying to ward her off,but that set her off.

"Why?Because of this ugly rag doll?"Lavanya screeched,flying into one of her tantrums.That ticked me off.How dare she slander khushi like that!But before I could give her a piece of my mind,I was brought up short by a furious voice.

"Excuse me!How dare you call me by that name,when I don't even know you! If you enjoy spreading displeasure in your wake and walk around like a real snob, then do it!But don't you dare show your useless temper on me,got it?"Khushi yelled,as me and Lavanya stared at her agape.

Then,she turner around and stormed off huffily,with her little nose in air!

Heart wrenching adoration Part-8

“I’m an orphan.”Khushi  continued,her tone was that of deepest melancholy.

I gaped at her, too stunned to find my voice to say anything comforting.Her face was warped with pain and it hurt me to see her that way.Her beautiful,doe-like eyes were dimmed with tears and her lips trembled incessantly.She clenched and unclenched her fists to keep her grief at bay,but I could see  the last vestige of her will power fading away.

There were lot of students in the mess and many of them shamelessly,obviously curious about khushi’s piteous countenance despite her earnest attempts to hide it and I disliked it for  I knew that many shallow and pigheaded amongst them were simply looking for some hot topic for gossiping around!

"Khushi,lets' go from here."I whispered firmly,urging her st get up.

I guided her out of the poking,sympathizing crowd of the cafeteria to the lush green lawn,proceeding towards our school library.I took her to the second floor- which was usually deserted- of our three-story library and gently helped her on a chair.

Just as I had correctly anticipated,the moment khushi found herself in the silent isolation of the library,she broke down completely!She covered her face in her hands and sobbed relentlessly while I,being unable to think of anything to make her feel better,gingerly stroked her head soothingly.

"Shh Khushi.Please stop crying!"I pleaded.It hurt me to see her face so warped in hurt and agony.

"Ar...nav..they...le.. ft...me!M..my par...ents.I loved ....the..m so much!"Khushi chocked,hiccuping.

"I know khushi,I know!Please calm down!Don't cry!"I implored again desperately.I've never been quite verbose when it comes to emotional talks, though I could well understand her pain,having felt it myself.

"I can understand the emptiness that you feel khushi!I know how scary,how..how terrible it feels to not to have parents...to be an orphan."I whispered,almost against my better judgement.Nobody in the school,apart from Akash and Aman knew about this hideous truth of my life,not even Payal,though I doubted that she had a vague idea.Still,I was filled with a desperate urge to tell her,to confide in her the truth of my past.

"I can empathize with you khushi because I'm an orphan too...well,I should rather say,almost an orphan."I continued,staring determinedly at my hands that I had clenched into a double fist.

"My dad died when I was two and my mom couldn't withstand the loss of her husband whom she loved so dearly and went into shock.She slowly lost her sanity and is till date admitted in an asylum in Lucknow,with no chance of recovering ever again!...She doesn't even recognize me."I said into the absolute silence for khushi had calmed down,maybe due to the unnatural gravity of my voice.

I raised my head a fraction to look khushi straight in her eyes and I could see the same pain smouldering there,though this time,it was meant for me!I was shocked to see tears brimming in her puffy eyes,though this time round they were meant for me!

"Khushi,shh,I didn't meant to hurt you!What..."I fidgeted bewildered.

"Arnav,that must feel so so terrible,to have your own mom not recognizing you!...I'm so sorry!"She chocked,looking even more despondent and low.

"Yeah,it does feel wretched!I never got to know her and its all because of a bunch of bloody,orthodox scoundrels who believed in age-old bullshit and screwed others life!"I swore so vehemently that khushi nearly jumped.

"Wh...what do you mean?"She whispered,frightened of my sudden mood swing. I stared at her as I mulled whether to tell her the greys  of my shady past,and just as I decided to go with my instinct and desire to confide in her,we were rudely interrupted.

"What are you two doing here alone?"Payal asked,staring suspiciously at me. 

Akash was close on her heels carrying a toasts and plum cakes wrapped dexterously in tissue paper.

"We got this for you two!There is a near bedlam over there.Not even a tiny crumb would've survived till your arrival."Akash said as he slumped into a nearby chair,unaware of his in-the-process-to-become-girlfriend's glare.

"Khushi,why didn't you wait for me!I was searching so frantically for you!" She chided gently,ruffling khushi's hair gently.

"Di,I didn't feel like eating anything.I'm not hungry."Khushi muttered,shading her eyes,which were still puffy and red due to her recent crying jag.

"Yeah,but you should eat something.It helps a lot in escaping the monotone of the boring lectures of teachers on first day regarding do's and don't do's by inducing a good slumber!"I joked glibly,winking at khushi,to make her at least crack a faint smile and I got the desired effect.

She laughed at my tongue-in-cheek comment,forgetting her ordeal for once and making me feel buoyant with her ebullience.I ignored the unnerved gaze of Payal as I reveled in her silver laughter!

Heart wrenching adoration Part-7

"The size of biggest heading in HTML is H6,isn't it Arnav?"Ankit whispered inconspicuously,surveying our class teacher from the corner of his eyes.

 

"No,its H1!"I replied irritably.

 

We were taking our first day test,another boring and monotonous aspect of the first day in class.Every year at the start of the session,we had to take first day test for all the subjects,course being what we had learned in the previous year. Our teacher liked to think and gave the same  reason to us that it was for our own benefit,that the test helped them to assess the strengths and weaknesses of their students,but I never really saw any point in these tests.The reason being,that everyone depended to much on -what we liked to call-'sharing and caring' for these tests!

 

That was the reason why our first day test annoyed me so much!All my classmates,right from those who were seated surrounding me to those who acquired back benches at the far ends,everyone asked answers and I had to tell them,otherwise they started their show of 'peeping tom' with my answer sheet.

Time went as sluggishly as it can ever be and we attempted the test of all the subjects.The answer sheets were supposed to be handed over to the class teacher of 11th 'A',the in -charge of all the sections so naturally I jumped at the opportunity.I needed to get out of the class anyway.

I searched around for her as apparently I couldn't find her in her won class.Teachers have a natural flare of getting wiped off the face of the school when you want them the most!

So anyway I searched her in all the corridors and classrooms where students were still busy with their tests,until I spotted her!

Khushi was writing her paper with such a furious concentration that she really had no idea what a cute picture she made.Her smooth brows were furrowed, her lips jutted out in concentration and her nose was literally touching the paper as she wrote.When she rose her face to check her answer,I had a hard time stifling my laughter!

Her nose was dabbled in blue ink and she was sticking  her tongue out like a small child!I gawked at her,absolutely entranced by her innocence and so lack of self-consciousness!She looked so small and so child-like that I felt a serious urge to simply embrace her and wipe that blue little nose of hers clean!

"Arnav,why are you standing here child?"A sweet voice broke my abstraction and I turned around to face my Vice-Principal,Mrs.Remani Thomas. She was one of my most favorite teachers, and for that matter for all the students who studied in the school.So gentle and compassionate was her disposition and such a serenity enshrouded her face that I was always reminded of the murals of the pious saints that adorned the walls of a nearby church,whenever I looked at her.

"Uh actually ma'am,I was searching for Shaziya ma'am to hand over these papers of our first day test."I said hastily.

"Oh,but she is in the Library dear!Go and give it to her."She said sweetly.

"Thank you ma'am!"I murmured and scrambled off,after a last,quick glance at khushi.

"Khushi,have these plum cakes!I'd wager that you wouldn't have tasted one as tasty as these!"I prattled,placing a plate of delicious-smelling plum cakes.But to my immense chagrin and bewilderment I saw the smile that had adorned her beautiful face moments before completely wiped off!

 

It was lunch time and we were seated in cafeteria.Enticing wafts of the sumptuous lunch that the cooks had prepared was redolent in the air,making our mouths water.Khushi was  ensconced with me in a far corner,away from the hustle-bustle, waiting for Payal and Akash who hadn't arrived yet.The wait was pretty difficult as we watched others lavish the delicacies,so I decided to get started to make the wait bearable!

"Khushi what's wrong?Don't you like cakes?"I asked stupidly,unable to comprehend the catalyst behind her wistful look.

"No,Arnav,its not so.In fact,I love plum cakes.Its just that...I...well,I was reminded of my Ma.My Mum used to bake plum cakes for me every weekend and they used to be so delicious that I used to wait for weekends like anything and though,I liked to sleep late,I used to be the first one up and about and bathed, as my Mum was a strict disciplinarian and allowed me to have breakfast only when I had had a shower!"Khushi smiled sadly,her beautiful eyes dimmed with tears.

Her pain twisted my insides and I was truly desperate to see the beautiful curve of her lips,  pulled up in merriment,that made my heart skip several beats.So,I immediately whipped out my i-phone and handed it to her.

"Hey,cheer up khushi!You can talk to her now!"I enthused smiling at her,hoping to pass her willful mood,but it went in vain!If she had looked sad moments before,it was nothing compared to the look that she now had on her face,an expression of deepest anguish.

"I can't talk to her Arnav,...ever!"She whispered,blinking back the tears that threatened to spill out.

I gulped and I nearly dropped my phone as I reeled in horror of what she had just said!

Heart Wrenching Adoration! Part-6

The first day of the school was at its insipid best!No sooner had we reached the class room,we were whisked off to the great hall for assembly,something each of the five thousand four hundred forty students despised!

The hall was built over a huge area behind the football ground and was ostentatiously decorated. Heavy drapes hung from the windows and the walls were oak panelled.A huge,mahogany podium dominated the stage and maroon curtains hung from the roof at its  edge.Several chairs  were arranged in the room in neat rows and students competed with each other to reach the hall first so that they could acquire the last rows,where they could afford a quick nap or friendly chatter to escape the tedious lectures of the School Principal without being caught by the teachers!

Soon the rows filled and I quickly ensconced in the last row with my friends while other students filed in.I spotted Payal and Akash walking in together,surrounded by their friends,there was Lavanya, beckoning me to her and other girls battling their eye lashes at me which I studiously ignored. I looked around trying to spot khushi,futilely.

“Hi ASR!”Lavanya chirped coquettishly.

“Hi!”I replied only half-heartedly, adhering to the modicum of courtesy which I had!I thought that she would go away hearing my unenthusiastic response but Lavanya can be remarkably thick headed and deaf- eared when she wants to be!She immediately got Manish Sharma,one of my friends who was sitting beside me to get up and find other seat while she herself sat beside me.

“What  is it Lavanya?”I asked irritably,glaring at her.I hated her persisting nature.Heaven knows how I withstood her pigheadedness for six years that I had known her!

“Oh I just wanted to talk with you ASR,that’s it!”Lavanya’s matter-of-fact voice pushed me off the edge and so did her flirtatious fluttering of her eyelashes.I don’t know why and how but girls seem to have this ridiculous notion that they can round a guy up if they resorted to such kind of nonsensical tactics!

“Lavanya,if you’ve got something in your eyes then go and wash your face instead of bothering me with your useless prattle!I would be much thankful if you left me with my friends and scuttle off to your lot!”I said through my gritted teeth,not attempting to hide my irritation and turned away from her.

My best friend Aman who had been seeing the entire exchange in silence was regarding me with an expression of deepest shock.You would think I had popped up wings or horns for instance.

“What?”I asked. I felt the slight movement of chair beside me as Lavanya stormed off in greatest dudgeon.

“You have changed a lot Arnav!”He stated,not beating about the bush and I flushed. Even though, Aman was my bestest friend,yet I didn’t quite enjoy being with him when he held a public display of his knack of saying embarrassing truth face- on!

“Don’t be ridiculous Aman!There’s nothing like that!”I murmured uncomfortably.

“Whom are you kidding Arnav?We’ve been together since we both were in nappies!” Aman chided gently and I couldn’t find an appropriate reply.

“Its  because of that girl isn’t it,Payal’s sister?”He was so direct that I was disarmed.Unable to think of anything suitable to say,I simply averted my face to gaze at the streaming crowd of chattering students and I finally found her!

She was chatting with her classmates,her new friends and they seemed keen to hear her. It was apparent that they liked her,especially two girls that flanked her,but then again it was impossible to not to like khushi once you get to know her!I watched her intently as she made her way through the hustle-bustle,chattering and smiling.I didn’t realize that seeing her smile I had one on my face too, which didn’t go unnoticed by my best pal.

“See I was right.You like her!”Aman said with satisfaction,a smug smile pulling his lips up.

“Stop being a jerk Aman!There’s nothing like that.I bet your impending Schizophrenia is beginning to surface.”Derisory was the only option left with me otherwise the news of my first-time-serious-attraction, as my brother and best friend were very astutely   seeing it, will reach my beloved di faster than Mallinga picked up a Yorker and then,I’ll be in great trouble!

Apparently like any quintessential elder sister my di always admonished me of my flirtatious,colourful ways.In fact,that was the only thing that could get her yelling at me! So naturally she’ll be the happiest and most euphoric  if she got to know that I was serious for some girl and then,she’ll go overboard,sparing absolutely none from her enthusiasm and teasing me till my head burst into splinters!

I glared at the stage where the  Principal took the dais to deliver her welcome address and state a number of changes in school curriculum,but I was too lost to heed to any of it.My mind was buzzing and I attempted to grapple with the issues.Were my brother and friend right?Had I truly fallen for khushi?I could see how it was!It was as easy as falling!She was a beautiful girl with hell lot of brain and just the right spunk.

But it wasn’t that which drew me to her so irresistibly!It was her easy-going-nature,her innocence and sweetness.She had a raw force,a thirst for knowledge which matched with mine which was what invoked my interest.She had an indomitable will and an aura...an enigma!It was true that I liked her... maybe a lot,but love?I wasn’t so sure!

Then inadvertently, my memory of her as she laughed and chirped with NK filled my mind and I felt a stifling sensation as if my breath was chocked out.I felt hot adrenalin rush through my nerves and felt a flare of resentment which was almost fury!I remembered guys staring at her in the morning and it only fuelled my ire!

The powerful emotion unnerved me!It was clear that I didn’t like to see her with other guys,or others ogling at her.Heck,I banked on her to give all her attention to me with near desperation,but that did nothing to ease my chaos!

I didn’t realize when the assembly ended,but suddenly Aman urged me to get up and I followed him out absentmindedly,lost in my abstraction.As we sauntered across the cemented pavement to our classes,sun hid behind the dark-bellied clouds, promising an overcast day.

I sighed seeing the austere crowns of the primordial trees that swayed in the distance,dancing to the rhythm of the gentle breeze!

I shall leave it on the omnipotent  time to decide what was in store for me and khushi!

PART-5

I hurried to the hostel,my mind preoccupied.There were so many nagging worries that I had to tend to,but all those vanished in a puff of smoke as soon as I saw the clock in my dorm and realized it was already 6:50!Lost as I was I hadn't realized that it had taken me so long to reach my room from the grounds.

I hurried through my daily routine,not wanting to be late on the first day of the session and more so,if I were being frank I was eager to see khushi again.I wondered how she would look in the uniform and the though got me rushing. 

I dressed and got ready,pulling on my sweater and blazer to ward off the constant cold that seems to grip Dehradun all year round and rushed to join others for breakfast,almost colliding head first with my dorm mates.

The cafeteria was packed and a noisy affair as the-first-day-of-the-new session excitement gripped the place so much so that it was almost tangible,a frenzy.I quickly spotted Payal and Akash ensconced in a corner,side-by-side and sauntered to them.

"Hey guys,what's up?"I pretended to be cheerful,though I realized from their sullen expressions that the two of them weren't quite engaged in a friendly conversation,still mulling over the morning row.I sighed at their pretentious greetings.What a mess!

But,I didn't get much time to muse over the grey mood of my brother and best friend as soon khushi came bounding with such gaiety that it dispelled the overcast like the bright sun emerging out of the grey clouds dispelling bleakness!

I stared at her unabashedly as she prattled on about how nervous and excited she was to attend her new class.I just couldn't care because her beauty enraptured me. I had always though of our School uniform in most tasteless a fashion,but looking at her clad in bottle green and dark grey of the school,I realized how very mistaken I was.Obviously it depended on who wore the dress.With her long hair pulled up in a pony with few tresses caressing her breathtaking face,she looked no less than a diva,straight out of some fashion magazine,not that there was anything provocative about the way she dressed!

I could feel Payal's eyes probing my face,but I couldn't care less.I was having a moment now!So,my reverie wasm't broken,until the subject of my fascination decided to impediment it.

"Arnav,all of us are wearing green blazers but you are sporting a blue one,why?" Khushi asked sweetly.

"Because this one is Scholar Blazer.You get this if you win Scholar badge for three consecutive years."I replied promptly.

"Scholar blazer!Wow!I mean...that must feel so great!You must be so proud!" Khushi said awestruck and for the first time in my life I felt proud of my academic excellence!

Since childhood,my dexterity and prodigious skills in academics and sports had shone.In fact,I had stacks and stacks of medals,shields and certificates,but I had never given them a thought.Maybe I was haughty but those things came naturally to me,but seeing khushi's awe gave me a huge sense of accomplishment...and a queer feeling of contentment.

 

"Thanks!"I said and blushed,making her laugh.

 

Soon food was placed in humongous piles in front of us and the enticing aroma had our mouth water to no end.Pakodas,Kachoris,dabeli,chocolate sandwich,Pasta,noodles,everything ranging from Indian to continental made us famished.My stomach growled and I realized how hungry I was...almost ravenous!

 

So,we laden our plates with as much food as it can hold and started.Food was one of the best facilities provided to the students in our school.Suddenly khushi started coughing after taking a bite of 'Pyaaz ka pakoda',and tears came out of her eyes.

"Khushi what's wrong?"I was alarmed to see her delicate face turn red.

"It..s so spicy!I think I ate chilly!"She gasped,groping around for water.

I immediately took a glass of water and helped her drink,rubbing her back soothingly,absolutely unaware of the stunned gaze and slack jaws of my friends who were seated around me!

Heart wrenching adoration Part-4

The great yellow orb appeared on the horizon,painting it a delicate and loveliest shade of gold and crimson.I woke up,rubbing sleep away from my eyes having slept a peacefully.

My dorm mates weren't awake as yet so I decided to go down for a bit of walk and hopefully with any luck,catch khushi on her own.

I put on my sneakers and donned my jacket.The hostel was still and silent.I moved out quitely,savouring the serenity and beauty that wrapped the verdure. I lolled around,wandering towards the football grounds when I caught up with Payal and Akash.

I wasn't surprised to find them there as my brother had been roaming about like besotted,moony-eyed fellow.I could wager that it was his idea of some early morning romantic walk!So,I decided to let them be and walk past silently,but Payal's words caught my interest.

''Akash,Arnav seems to be very fond of khushi.''She whispered and I swear I blushed.

''Yeah,I could see that!They seem to have hit it off!''Akash replied and I could almost hear his smile that must have spread form ear-to-ear.

''That's all right,but I....I don't like it.''Payal grumbled and I was startled and so was Akash.I inched closer to hear,feeling quite nutty.

''What do you mean?''Akash demanded.

''Listen Akash,its not as if that I've some problem with Arnav or something and you know it very well that he is one of my best friends,but khushi is my sister too and.....well knowing Arnav's track records of flirting even with a stone is unsettling me.I can see he likes khushi,even a blind man couldn't ignore that,but can you understand why it makes me anxious?Khushi is already messed up.I mean,that she had to go through a lot recently ,yet she is trying to cope up.But ,if something happens then she won't be able to bear it.She is not in a position to endure more,or something.So,I think it will be better if Arnav stayed away from her and...''Words came out in tumbled rush as Payal grew more uncomfortable with every utterance.

''Are you doubting my brother Payal?''Akash asked sharply,his voice cold.

I was too numb to react.I had always thought of Payal as me best friend,but it was the first time that I was seeing that calm,anachronistic,sweet girl in a fiercely protective,elder-sisterly avataar!Yet I couldn't blame her though I felt bad not because she had said those words,but for my deeds,my flirting and cheekiness.

Though,I had always enjoyed girl's company,yet never had a girl friend,which was of course a record of sorts considering the number of girls who ran behind me,battling their eye-lashes coquettishly,I had never given a damn about how people thought about me or how many hurts I had given to gals whom I had rejected.

But,now I thought of it and felt repentant.I wasn't mad on Payal,but my brother felt otherwise.

''Do you really think that my bhai will ever hurt khushi?''Akash's voice notched up a few octaves.

''No,Akash I was just...''

''Just what Payal?How could you even think that way?''Akash snapped.

I immediately strode towards them.I didn't want to have them started over me!

''Hi Payal,Akash!What's up?''I asked cheerfully,acting as if I hadn't heard a word.They both flushed.

''Hi,Arnav!''

''Bhai,how come you are here?''

''Oh,I was just having a walk.What about you two?''

''We too were just roaming about.Umm..Excuse me guys,I've to do a bit of touch up to my English essay.''Payal scuttled away and it wasn't long before Akash excused himself and was gone.

I sighed sadly,feeling wistful.I brooded on Payal's words and they constantly gave me conscientious scruples.I didn't notice when I took the path to girl's hostel but the site that greeted me made my day,making my anxiety vanish in an instant.

Khushi was striding down the way looking very stunning even though she was all messed up.Her hairs were scattered around like haystack, and it was evident that she was coming straight out of the bed.She was wearing a loose T-shirt and hot pants,which clung on to her.

She was the most innocent girl I had ever seen,yet she looked so....sexy!

''Hi  Arnav!''She chirped,breaking my sweet delirium.

''Hi!''I breathed.

''What are you doing?Jogging?''Khushi asked smiling,her cheeks still flushed.

''No,just walking around.How about you?You are up so early.''

''Did you see the time?Its already 6:30.I need to get ready for school.''Khushi was incredulous.Dang!I too was running out of time!

That's when I saw some of the boys ogling at khushi and I realised that the pants she was wearing was too short.I glowered at the guys.

''Khushi,go and change your clothes!''I hissed.She was startled with the sudden change in my mood.

''Why?What's wrong with this dress?''She asked bewildered.

''Just go and do as I say!''I growled,catching her be her arms and pulling her to hostel gates.

''Arnav what?....''

''Just don't wear those pants out of the hostel.Its just too short!Guys stare.''I told her,nodding towards the group of boys that were hurriedly looking here and there to feign disinterest.Khushi's cheeks turned red and her eyes flashed as she glared at the group and then turned towards me.

''Thank you!I'll take care.''She said with a smile and then she was gone.

 

Heart wrenching adoration Part-3

''On hi there!''Nk said nervously.

''Um Nk,he's Arnav and Arnav,he is Nk.He is my classmate and really sweet.In fact,he is helping to catch up!''Khushi introduced us excitedly and I couldn't help but grimace on hearing praises for that good-for-nothing twerp.

We shook hands and I grasped his hand just way too hard to let him know that he really shouldn't get any ideas!When I released his hand Nk flexed his fingers and I smirked satisfied.

''Khushi,you can talk with your classmate later!''I said,emphasising the word 'classmate'.

''Payal and Akash must be searching for us.''

I pulled her along away from that Nk without giving her time to even bid a goodbye.

''Where were the two of you?''Akash asked as we caught up with them in the library.

Payal scooted some books aside,finally emerging from her as she called it,'deep reading'!

''Oh nothing jiji,I was just roaming about in the grounds,exploring.''Khushi said sweetly.

''In fact,I just wanted to talk to you guys!My class teacher told me that I need to make a choice amongst Hindi,Sanskrit,French and German for my second language and I'm really confused!You see,Sanskrit is simply not my cup of tea and Hindi,well,its my mother tongue,so I already know it.So,that leaves me with German and French and I'm unable to decide which one to choose!''Khushi concluded in a single breath.

Before Payal or Akash could utter a word,I beat them to that.

''Khushi,why don't you take German?I mean,you yourself have ruled out Hindi and Sanskrit and as for French,you will have to catch up with all what they had taught since 6th and that may pose quite difficult for you as neither me nor Akash and Payal had opted for that.If you go for German,I can help you to catch up as I myself was A german student.''I looked at her expectantly.

Payal and Akash looked at me in a bewilderment so I wild that it seemed that I had cropped up webbed feet and eight eyes at that instant.Akash was the first one to recover from the impact.

''Of course,why didn't we think of it?You can take help from bhai!In fact,he was Marker's Cup holder for German language for three consecutive years!''

''What's a Marker's Cup?''

''Its given to the highest scorer of a particular subject in the entire class!'' Payal told her,somehow finding her voice.

''Wow!That's really cool!If you're ready to help me,then I will definitely go for German.''Khushi looked at me awed and I felt my stomach flip in joy.

''Sure,and you don't have to thank me,khushi!After all we're friends.''I grinned at her thumping her on back.

''If you don't mind,can we please start with some basics now itself?'' Khushi's eyes shone brightly.

''Sure!Why not?Let's first begin with Alphabets,its pronounced the same in English and German,and Der Zahlen,which means numbers.So,'A' is pronounced as 'aa','B' as 'bay','C' as 'cay'.....''I began and  it continued for the rest of the evening,during which I had -to my utter contentment-monopolized and undivided attention of khushi.

She was not just girl with beauty and anachronistically, gentle disposition,but with shrewd brains too,a perfect example of the phrase 'beauty with brains'! Khushi was quick learner and keen listener.It was only a matter of an hour or two when she learned all the the alphabets,numbers and simple conjugations by heart.

We continue until,the bell rang shrilly to announce dinner time.

''Its 8 o'clock!I didn't even realize!Time flew away so quickly.Thanks Arnav!'' Khushi said,glancing at her watch in amazement.

''My pleasure! We'll continue tomorrow!''I replied half-heartedly.I was not ready to let go as yet.

We left khushi and Payal near the entrance of the Girls' Hostel and pootled towards ours at a leisurely pace beneath the star-dappled sky.

''So?''Akash began and I had the feeling that he was bursting to broach the subject.

''So,what?''I asked,feigning disinterest.

''You like khushi,huh?''He asked starightforward,leaving me disorientated.I didn't know what to reply when I myself wasn't sure,so I decided to refute him.

''Don't be ridiculous Akash!I was just trying to help her out because she's Payal's sister!''

''Literally bhai!Whom are you kidding?Your face shrivelled like a roasted brinjal when you bade her goodnight!''Damn!Akash was more observant than I ever gave him credit for!

I simply kept my mouth shut and rolled my eyes.Akash sighed.

''You should've seen how you were looking at her,absolutely gooey-eyed!Wow! Arnav Singh Raiazada in love!Di,will bring sown the entire hose in jubilation when I'll tell her!''Akash sniggered and ducked into the crowd of boys,swarming down the stairs to dining room for dinner,before I could find something to throw at him.

Heart wrenching adoration!Part-2

''Hi khushi!How are you doing?''I asked as I caught her strolling on the school grounds.

It was evening and I was hanging around with my friends playing football.The ground was swathed in the gold and burgundy of the setting Sun and the dewdrop strewn grass swayed in gently in the breeze.There could not be amore beautiful sight than than dusk in Dehreadun.

''Hello,I'm fine Arnav!''She replied with her breath taking smile.

''So,how do you like the school?''I asked conversationally,just for getting an innocent reason to hear her melliflous voice.

''Oh,its perfect!It has a certain charm.''Khushi answered,perking a bit.It was evident that she had developed a liking for the school.S far so good!

''So which class did you get?''I asked,hoping against hope that perhaps by some chunk of good luck,she would be placed in mine,though she looked way too young to be in XIth.

''I got IX 'G'.''She prattled.

Though I tried not to look disappointed,I knew my face floundered.

''I was just...''Khushi began but a high-pitched,girlish voice interrupted  her.

''ASR there you are!I was searching for you in the entire place!What are you doing here and who is she?''Lavanya queried,somehow injecting a leer in her last word.

Jealousy was written all over her face and she shot a look so disdainful at khushi that it made me clench my fist.

''She is khushi,Payal's sister.''I introduced,my voice wrapping around khushi name,almost caressing it,which didn't go unnoticed by Lavanya who immediately resorted to a different tactic.

''Hey ASR,come and play along!''Lavanya purred,leaning on me entirely as if clinging on to dear life.

Usually this flirting would have invoked some cheeky and corny response from me,but suddenly I was electrically aware of khushi's presence.To hide my chagrin I yelled at Lavanya.

''What the bloody hell do you think you are doing?''

Out of the corner of my eyes,I saw khushi blanch and cussed me fate.Why did Lavanya had to follow me around like a flea pestered dog?

''Excuse me guys!''Khushi said and rushed off hastily.

''Why can't you leave me alone for some moments Lavanya?What's with you thrashing around with me like an ugly seal?''I spat.

''Why are you behaving so rudely ASR?Its because of that bitch khushi,isn't it?'' She asked tearfully and my temper rose.How dare she slander my pure,innocent khushi?

''Enough!''I snarled so loudly that everyone turned to look at me.

''I don't want to hear a word from you!Get lost!''I screamed,disentangling myself from her clutches and looking around for khushi.

I marched out from the football ground,not even glancing towards a sniffling Lavanya.I finally found her engaged in conversation with a junior whom I knew just be his face.I edged closer and what I heard literally made my ear stand!

''Wow!You're in my class!That's great.I'll help you out if you'll need anything.''I heard the guy speak.

''Thanks Nk!I really do appreciate that.''Khushi said so enthusiastically that it made Nk euphoric and me just the stark opposite.

''We all are there to help her out if she needs anything!Thanks for your help.''I growled dismissively,making the duo jump.

 

Heart wrencing adoration,Part-1

I woke up with a start from some wild,colorful dream.Someone was shaking me..I rubbed sleep away from my eyes,blinking and my younger brother Akash's tall profile came in my view.

''What is it Akash?''I asked visibly annoyed on having woken up so early in the morning that too on a Sunday!

''Bhai,let's go jogging!''Akash said sheepishly and I groaned.

I knew that line too well on having heard it since past six years.

''Why don't you drop pretenses and just say that Payal is coming today and so in order to not look like a love sick pup in front of her parents,you're taking me along?''I snapped sarcastically,groping in the darkness for my shoes.

''Uh bhai please!''Akash plaeded and I could almost see him blushing.

''You owe me for this.I'm going to get it milked for its worth someday kid!''I vowed and followed him out of the dormitory.

Corridors of the hostel were deserted and I presumed that everyone were asleep, snuggled in their cozy beds and here I was walking down the drafty hallway like an idiot!

We emerged out of the door to sprawling green grounds of our school,St.Marcus's Boarding School and cool wind swept my hair across my eyes.

Involuntarily,I glanced towards the girl's hostel which looked deserted and wondered ideally how much awed murmurings and giggling I was going to invoke that day.

Girls truly panted after me!Whether sophomores or seniors,it was considered to be their common dream to be my girlfriend,though I never brooded on that fact. Reason was just too simple-commitment was not a word in my dictionary and certainly not when all those chicks were mad behind me!Why to get tied up with one and miss on the pleasure of life?

Frankly,I had never found a girl who could impress me or make me look back, however fleetingly and I was sure no one will ever be capable of doing that!

I gazed at my brother who had his eyes nearly glued to the gates and rolled my eyes.Akash proclaimed his feelings for Payal as true love but I thought of it as madness,a perfect testimony of the fact that my brother was nuts!

The far away gates opened and a sleek, silver car came in.I glanced at my brother who was bright-eyed and rolled my eyes.Apparently Payal Gupta had arrived!

The car pulled to a stop in front of the Girls' hostel and we walked up to the group that alighted from it at a leisurely pace.

''Hi Payal!''Akash chirped.

''Hi Akash,Arnav!''Payal replied,smiling broadly.

We exchanged pleasantries with Mr. and Mrs.Gupta,a kind-hearted,loving couple whom I've come to regard as my parents,that's when I saw her!

She stepped down with grace and I felt myself drawn towards a girl for the first time in my life.Her skin was white,almost translucent and she had beautiful hazel nut for eyes.Her nose was sharp and subtle crimson of her cheeks resembles that of a fresh rose.Her lips were softest shade of pink and were pulled up in a slight smile which was the most mesmerizing sight I had ever seen!Her brown hair danced in the air and I felt a sudden urge to tuck them behind her ears.

''This is khushi,my cousin.She used to live in New York and has recently moved down here.She'll study here with us!''I heard Payal speak and her voice sounded distant.

But,I registered what she had said about the girl-khushi,she had a nice name and the fact that she was going to stay here made my heart soar.

''Khushi these are my friends Arnav and Akash.''Payal introduced us.

''Hello Akash,Arnav!''Khushi greeted us in a sweet voice.

I flt a thrill go through me as she said my name.It sounded so nice in her tinkling voice.

''Hi khushi!''I smiled at her,utterly besotted.

I felt my brother's curious eyes on my face but I couldn't have cared less.I seemed to have lost my capability of blinking eyes.She smiled at me and my heart skipped several beats,going a ragged rythem.

I hadn't noticed in my preoccupation,how populated the grounds had become and suddenly I noticed some of the seniors eyeing khushi with interest.They were literally ogling at her innocent beauty and I was surprised with the flare of resentment that ensued in me.

I wanted nothing more than to block their view of khushi and with a jolt I realized that I was being possessive for any girl for the first time in my life!

 

CHAPTER 2 RENDEZVOUS

I took a deep breath and entered the Principal's room,even as my jiji thumped me on the back and mouthed all the best!

The Prinacipal's room was sprawling and beautiful,befitting for the head of one of the top notch schools of India.The wall-sized glass french window looked down upon the  spacious lawns of the school.

The west walls were entirely dedicated to a huge bookshelf which housed several autobiographies of great men and women and finest of literature.Plush carpet covered the floor and heavy fabric hung from the wall which also had several beautiful,antique-looking paintings!A light colored, leather sofa occupied the right side along with several tables whence proudly kept were gleaming shields and trophies.A sweet musky smell hung in the air that had nothing to do with air fresheners.

I stared around at the impressive decor until my father's polite voice made me focus on the woman that sat behind the massive claw-legged table and in the process I found the source of the smell that made the air redolent.

''Good morning ma'am.''

''Good morning Sir,ma'am.Please have a seat.''The women greeted.

I looked at my new Principal and immediately got the impression that she wasn't someone to be trifled with.Mrs. Evelyn Williams,as the name on her denomination plate,kept on her table read, was clad in a simple peach,chiffon saree with her hair tied in a tight bun.Spectacles were placed on her sharp nose and she wore the sternest expression that I had ever seen on anyone's face.

Her desk was covered with wads of paper,all pretty neatly arranged and there was no scope for purfunctoriness.A beautiful crystal vase contained a grouping of multi-hued local blooms which was the reason of the cloyish smell.

''Ma'am this is my daughter Khushi kumari Gupta.''My dad introduced me and I gulped to greet her.

''Good morning ma'am.''I chocked out nervously,feeling all fluttery.

The Principal's sharp eyes seemed to give me a queer feeling,as if she saw through me,sort of like in X-ray.

''Good morning dear.I welcome you to St.Marcus' Boarding School.We're glad to have you as our student.I went through your educational record and I must say they are quite impressive.You seem like a brainy child!''She complemented approvingly and I flushed.

I could see my dad's chest swelling several inch.

''Thank you ma'am.''I muttered shyly.

''You're welcome.Now,since you're joining our school,so being the Principal its my responsibility to get you acquainted with the rules and regulations of this school.Ours is one of the best school in India and hence at no  pint we can possibly let our hair down.There's no scope for frivolous tomfoolery and rule-breaking id dealt in strictest manner possible.Of course we'll  lean you our full support and cooperation and ergo we accept the same from you.I hope I've made myself clear my dear?''Mrs.Williams queried and I simply nodded,too stupified.

She seemed like a ringmaster to me,mechanical and absolutely staid.

''Good,then you may go and get yourself settled in the hostel.'' She said and after the necessary courtesy,we  came out.

''What do you think?''Dad asked.

''Well,she seems like and autocratic sort of woman.''I complained,raising my eye-brow.

''No,she's the woman of finest disposition.But,your doubts about her will clear with time.''My dad assured while my mum patted me encouragingly.

We found my jiji engaged in conversation with a guy and as soon as we drew level with them,he greeted my parents.

''Good morning Uncle,Aunty!''

''Good morning dear.''My mum replied and my dad shook hands with him.

He was tall and fairly handsome.His wheaty complexion and deep set brown eyes had me lost and I gazed at him like an utter moron.His jet-black hair was neatly kept and he was already dressed in the school uniform with the exception of blue blazer.I frowned.As far as I remembered,the school had green blazer.

''Why are you wearing this blue blazer?''I blurted and then blushed.

You really don't ask questions to a stranger that straight-forward!

He looked at me and I realized how deep his eyes were,as if storing unfathomable mysteries in their great depths.

''Uh,I forgot to introduce you.Khushi,this is Arnav Singh Raizada,one off my friends and Arnaz,this is my little sister khushi.''My jiji acquainted us.

''Hi!''I chirped,smiling at him.

''Hello!''He said quitely,smiling a lop-sided smile and I noticed how husky his voice was.So desirable!

''And he's wearing that blazer because that's Scholar blazer that is awarded to the prodigious students by this school.''My dad informed me.

''Oh wow congrats!You must feel so good and proud and so must your parents.''I jumped excitedly.I was awed,but to my immense surprise his face got warped in ,what was unmistakably pain.

''I should go.I've an appointment with Principal ma'am.''Arnav tried to pull up a smile,but the anguish in his eyes was unconcealed.

My jij stomped hard on my foot,lightly smacking my head.

''What did I say?''I asked bewildered by the looks my family was suddenly giving me,as if I had committed a felony.

''He's an orphan.He lives with his maternal relatives.''My dad explained.

''Poor child.As if he needed to be reminded of that hideous incident at the beginning of the session.Khushi you're really mad!''My mum chided me.

But that was nothing to what I felt.His grief stirred the chords of my heart and I couldn't recall any other time I had felt so crappy and so,so terrible.I seriously wanted to give myself a good,well-deserved kick.

''Let's go and get you two in the hostel.''My dad sighed.

''Dad,do you mind if I stay here for a while?I need to...you know um..apologize.''I pleaded my dad.

''Ok,but come back soon.Just follow the pavement down the front and come to the rear of the building.We'll wait for you!'' My dad ruffled my hair slightly and went out with mum and jiji.

I waited for Arnav to come out,feeling terribly sorry for him and at last he came.

''Excuse me.''I called as he made his way to the staircase without so much as glancing at me.

He stopped with his back towards me and I hurried over to him.

''What do you want?''He demanded,a bit rudely and I knew I more than deserved it.

Though he kept a poker face,I could see the intense hurt smouldering  in his deep brown eyes.My tear ducts started to work seeing his agony.

''I'm so sorry.I didn't know that you..that you...''I chocked, holding my ears.Tears spilled over my cheek.

''No,please don't cry.You aren't at fault,you didn't know!That's ok!''Arnav assured,looking appalled.

He smiled at me and before I could so much as open my mouth,he turned on his heel and walked away.