Chapter Eight

"Arnav?"

Arnav snapped out of his trance and looked at Khushi. Yeah?"

"Who'-s the girl? That you loved?"

Arnav looked side to side for an escape. "Uh, forget it Khushi. It was a long time back-"

"Arnav," she whined, "that's not fair! I just told you my story." She pouted. "Please?"

Seeing the look on her face, Arnav couldn't refuse. "Fine," he smiled lightly.

Khushi sat up straight and turned her body towards him, though she was somewhat off, so Arnav helped her out. She giggled lightly, feeling silly, and then got serious.

"Okay, I'm all ears," she said.

Arnav chuckled lightly and then looked at her. "Well... there was this girl I liked, in college."

"Oh? In college?"

"Mm hmm. She was cute. She was always happy, bubbly... and she would get mad time to time... but she didn't go over the top."

He looked at Khushi and saw how attentive she was. So he continued.

"I remember the first time I saw her. I had just arrived onto campus and she was with a friend of hers, her best friend it turned out. The minute my eyes landed on hers, I just knew at that moment that she had snatched my heart."

"Wow. Seems like you had it bad," Khushi said.

Arnav chuckled. "Yeah, I guess you could say that."

"But you're still not with her are you? I mean know you for a while now and I've never heard of a girlfriend."

"No, we're not. In fact, we never were."

"What," she said in shock. "Why?"

"Well... it just never happened. I've tried in many ways to let her know how I felt of her, but she never understood."

"Aww.... Then?"

"She got with another guy. And they dated until graduation."

"Aww! I'm sorry Arnav."

"It's okay."

"Is she still with him?"

No, because he's dead, he said in his head. It's you Khushi! You! "I don't know," he lied. "After college, I never saw her again."

"Ouch. B-but, you never told her your feelings?"

"I tried to, in the end, that is, while she was still with the guy."

"And...?"

"And she turned me down," he said lowly.

"That bad?"

"Really bad."

"Oh you poor..." she reached out and hugged him.

Feeling her warmth, Arnav relaxed. He let her hold him and inhaled the smell of her hair, which smelled like cherry blossoms.

Khushi pulled back and held his face in her hands. She looked at him, though it seemed like she was looking at his nose. "If I were that girl..."

It was you, Arnav said in his head.

"... I'd have left that guy."

"Why?"

"Are you kidding me Arnav? In the short time we've been together, you have been nothing but a sweet guy. People may think of you as a big, scary boss, owner of AR, but you're a sweet guy. That girl doesn't know what she missed."

Arnav tilted his head to the left and looked at Khushi, admiring her. If only you knew, he said in her head.

"Have you gotten over her though," Khushi asked.

"I hated her the minute she was done insulting me."

"Good. She deserves it."

No you don't. Look at what it's done to you.

Khushi stood up. "Come. Let's walk around."

Arnav stood up. "You sure?"

"Yeah. There was a reason why I was sitting here, and I'm done with that."

Arnav nodded and Khushi held his hand and took the lead, and then Arnav led her.

"Why exactly did you come here," Arnav asked.

"Well, remember how I told you about me loving Dhruv?"

"Yeah?"

"Well... in the past three years, the feelings for him faded. It made no sense to me at first. I mean I heard that when the person you love passes away, your love grows. Instead, I had the opposite affect. And thinking it clearly, I only loved him thinking he loved me, leaving the gifts and all."

"So...?"

"I don't know. I just left it at that."

"So... do you think you love the guy who left the stuff for you?"

"Psht! As if! If there's anyone to blame for Dhruv's death, its him."

Arnav stopped, making Khushi stop.

"What," Khushi questioned.

"How can you just blame him?"

"Had the creep never said anything, everything would've been fine. He'd be alive today. It's the creep's fault-"

"You think its his fault? Khushi its not like he was driving the truck or instructed the driver to kill Dhruv."

"I know... but still," she said stubbornly. "The creep shouldn't have opened his mouth at all."

"Khushi-"

"I don't wanna talk about it. 'Kay?"

Arnav just nodded. "Alright," and he began to walk.

Suddenly, he felt Khushi grab his arm.

"What now?"

Khushi moved forward. "You're not mad at me are you?"

Arnav sighed. "No."

Khushi smiled brightly. "Good," and she wrapped her arm around his and followed him as they walked around the area.

Chapter Seven

What... the...? "He's dead," Arnav managed to finally speak.

"Yeah," she nearly whispered.

"What happened?"

Khushi faced the ocean. "It was one of the worst nights of my life."

Arnav really couldn't help but want to know.

"I got into a fight," she said lowly, "with this guy..."

Arnav looked down.

"... and I later met up with Dhruv." She took a deep breath. "We were in his car and we were driving and I was telling him about the argument and..."

"And?"

"Well, the guy was telling me how Dhruv was fake and never gave me any of the things I mentioned earlier. I told Dhruv that and..." she sighed, "... and Dhruv admitted he was right."

Arnav looked at her wide eyed. "What?"

"Yeah. He admitted he never did any of it, and that got me mad. We yelled and argued - me mad that he played me over, but the he admitted how he really does love me. Truth be told, I loved him too and when he was waiting for my answer, he was looking at me and..."

"And?"

"And we got hit by a truck..."

Arnav was in shock. He didn't really think or care about Dhruv, but he kept imagining the situation with Khushi.

"I got injured, since it hit from his side... and he didn't make it," she whispered, tears in her eyes.

Arnav felt bad and hugged her. Khushi cried into his chest, holding onto his waistcoat.

"I'm sorry Khushi."

Khushi sniffled and let go. "Not your fault..."

But it is, he thought.


"... but I will never forget him."

"I can understand you'll never forget Dhruv-"

"No, not him."

"Then?"

"The other guy," she sniffled.

Arnav stayed still. "He can't be that bad?"

"Are you kidding me? Arnav, he was a creep! A weirdo! I don't even remember his name! Then again, I only talked to him once in my life, that night that is."

Arnav looked away.

"Arnav, seriously. How would you feel of a guy who never had any friends? He was a loner. Not to mention a geek."

Arnav shut his eyes.

"He was a nerd, going class to class, always getting the highest scores in everything. Heck, he was even valedictorian! He had a full 4.0 GPA! Even higher! The kid was genius, that;s for sure. Of course, if you have no friends and are always trapped inside, what would you expect?"

Arnav opened his eyes and looked at her.

"Plus, the weirdest thing about him is the fact that no one, and I mean no one, knew his last name. No one. No one knew his name, or ever even met his parents. We didn't even think he had, but he did. Once I overheard him talking to his dad as I passed the headmasters office."

Arnav said nothing.

Khushi sighed. "Enough of that weirdo. He's probably out there, being a geeky professor or something. Who cares!"

Arnav looked at his hands. If you only knew.

Chapter Six

Arnav headed to the school to meet up with Khushi. He walked down the hall and entered the classroom. He was a bit early, but Khushi never minded and nor did the girls of her class. But today when he arrived, instead of finding Khushi, he found Lavanya.

"Lavanya," Arnav called out.

Lavanya looked up and the girls got excited. The girls followed his voice and went to him and Arnav gave them all a hug. The girls went back to their work and Lavanya went over to him and they went to the hallway to talk.

"What's up," Lavanya said.

"Where's Khushi?"

"Oh… um…."

"Lavanya… is there a problem?"

"Well…."

"Well what?"

"I-it's nothing-"

"Shut up Lavanya, and tell me."

"You're so mean!"

"And you're changing the topic."

Lavanya just looked away.

"Tell me Lavanya."

"Alright, fine! But I'll only tell you a bit, not giving any details."

"Fine. Now tell me."

"… Khushi didn't come to school today. She's out at the ocean front, by the cove. High peak."

"Why?"

"I told you - I'm not giving you any details."

"Alright fine. I'm going there."

Arnav left and he got in his car. He drove out to the ocean front, over to High Peak. He knew that Khushi used to like coming out here from college. It was one of her favorite places.

He got out of his car and saw a figure sitting down on the green grass. She was wearing a plain white churidar, her dupatta flowing in the wind. As Arnav approached her, he was in daze. The sun was shining down over her, her hair flowing in the wind.

"Khushi?"

Khushi turned her head. "Arnav?"

"Yeah," and he sat beside her. "Hey."

"Hi," she softly smiled.

"Um, what are you doing here?"

Khushi looked down and looked back up, towards the ocean. "The wind is lovely, isn't it?"

"Yeah, it is."

"You know, this is my favorite place in town. I just love it!"

Arnav just nodded, mmm-ing along.

"Sometimes I would come just for the heck of it."

"Oh…."

Khushi sighed. "Arnav," she called out softly.

"Hmm?"

"Can I ask you something?"

"Yeah, sure."

"Um… well… have you ever been… have you ever been in love?"

Arnav just looked at her wide eyed. "What?"

"Have you ever been in love?"

Is she being serious? "Why?"

"Just asking…."

"Well… have you?"

"Arnav! That's not fair! I asked you first!"

"So?"

Khushi frowned and Arnav chuckled.

"Okay fine," Arnav said. "If I answer you, will you answer me?"

Khushi nodded.

"Fine. … yeah… I have. And you?"

Khushi sighed. "… yeah."

"Well… whats his name?"

Khushi raised an eyebrow.

"Just asking."

Khushi lightly smiled. "Well…" she took in a deep breath. "His name… his name was Dhruv."

Arnav shut his eyes, the name echoing in his mind, his ears ringing.

Khushi sighed. "Dhruv and I met back in college. … he was a really sweet guy." She scoffed. "I used to have a major crush on him when I first saw him on campus. … he just seemed… hot," she chuckled.

Arnav looked down at his hands. "So… what happened?"

Khushi lightly smiled. "In the beginning, he used to leave like, little gifts for me. Cards, chocolates, teddy bears… sweet stuff like that. …it was just absolutely adorable! Truth be told, I didn't even know it was him in the beginning. But then when I noticed him glancing at me on campus, I figured it was him." She sighed. "We started talking and then one day he asked me out and… and next thing I know, he was my boyfriend."

Arnav nodded, already knowing everything. "Then?"

"Then we went out for a while, although, our relationship wasn't perfect. We had problems now and then, but then again, which relationship doesn't?" She chuckled.

Arnav took his chance and asked his question, the question that had kept wandering in his brain. "So… so where is he?"

Khushi sighed and looked out towards the ocean. "He's not in this world anymore."

Arnav's eyes widened and he looked at Khushi immediately, his jaws dropped. "Wha… what?"

Khushi nodded. "… he's dead."

Chapter Five

It hadn't occurred to Arnav much in the beginning about him, but as the days passed and he and Khushi got closer, he kept coming back to his mind. Sometimes it drove him nuts, and sometimes it just made him sit and wonder.

Before any of them realized, it had been about six months since the two had begun to hang out. Arnav had invited her to parties that AR held and to ones he was even invited to. Khushi would feel awkward since she wasn't really anyone big who belonged there, but with Arnav always being by her side, she had no problem.

Although one problem was the fact that on the internet, magazines, and newspapers, people kept gossiping about who the "special girl" was. At first people went hype when they found out she was blind. People made harsh comments and Khushi had even stopped keeping contact with Arnav, not wanting to ruin his image. But after hearing Arnav defend her in an interview, it touched her heart on how much he cared for her. She slowly let him back into her life and now, after six months, she was happy to have such a special friend.

School had ended and Khushi was in her office. She had waited a bit in the classroom, but Arnav hadn't arrived, so she decided to go to her office. It had been ten minutes, but Arnav hadn't arrived yet. More time passed, at least, for Khushi it felt like months, when Lavanya came in.

"Hey Khush-"

"Lavanya, what time is it?"

"Time?" She looked at her phone. "3:20."

Khushi sighed and leaned back in her seat. "Arnav still isn't here yet," she whined.

Lavanya couldn't help but crack a sly smile. She went over to her desk and sat down on it. "Hmm, I see we're missing Arnav."

"Not exactly. But he's supposed to be here!"

"Supposed to?"

"Yeah, supposed to."

"Why?"

"Today's a special day!"

"Special day? For what?"

"Ugh! La, really?"

Lavanya's eyes widened. "When was the last time you called me La like that? Anyways,  I'm serious."

Khushi sighed. "It's been six months since Arnav and I have met."

Lavanya squinted her eyes. "So?" She wondered if Khushi was getting feelings for him.

"So?! I met one of my best friends six months ago! You're my first and he's my second!"

"So? Big deal! Six month friendship, dope," she said sarcastically. "And yeah, aren't I the best?"

Khushi frowned. "He's not just my best friend, La. He's… he's…."

"He's what?"

"He's… he's special."

"Special?"

"Yeah, special."

"Special as in…?"

"Special as in… special."

Lavanya was about to open her mouth, when Arnav came in.

"Hey! Sorry I'm late," Arnav apologized as he came in, sitting down across Khushi.

"Sorry? Sorry?! Arnav! You're late," Khushi exclaimed.

"I know. It's only because I was in a big meeting-"

"I don't care about your stupid meetings! Especially today!"

"Geez! What's so big about today-"

"WHAT'S SO BIG ABOUT TODAY?!"

"Uh-"

"It's been frigging six months since we've met!!!"

"Oh… okay…?"

Khushi pouted and stood up and turned away. Arnav knew she was impossible and he found it really cute the way she was acting. He got up and went over to her to pacify her, while Lavanya watched them.

They're like a couple, she said in her head. They have cute moments, but they also have silly arguments. … I knew I was right in bringing these two together. The way Khushi was saying he's "special" makes me wonder if she's getting feelings for him too. She has to! I mean the things Arnav did back on college… she just has to.

She looked up and silently prayed. Please let them be together.

Chapter Four

Arnav keeping his word, met with Khushi from then on. At first Lavanya would be around, but as time went on, Lavanya slowly faded away and Arnav and Khushi began to hang out on their own.

Arnav would see Khushi after school and would meet up with her then. Sometimes they would just stay there, other times they would go out and go places. As time went on, Arnav began to fall for her once again.

The other day they had gone to the park and had sat down beside the lake. It was a beautiful sunny day and Khushi was enjoying the sun, laying back on a picnic blanket. They had planned on the picnic, along with Lavanya, but Lavanya not wanting to come in between, came up with an excuse and cancelled.

While Khushi laid back on the blanket, keeping her eyes shut, Arnav felt bored, so he was doing work on his smartphone. He turned to look at Khushi and was mesmerized. She looked beautiful, like an angel. He moved closer to look at her. Khushi didn't have a clue and remained with her eyes shut.

She's just as beautiful as she was back then, he said in his head. No, she's even more beautiful now. ...she's just stunning. …why did she ever have to say those things to me?

Khushi stirred and opened her eyes. "Arnav?"

Arnav moved away a bit. "Yeah Khushi?"

"Are you still sitting?"

"Yeah…?"

Khushi found his hand, moved it up to his arm, and pulled him down, making him lie down. He looked at Khushi in surprise and Khushi just smiled.

"Just relax Arnav. Take in deep breaths and let everything out."

"What the?"

"Ugh! Stop saying what the! It's like your catch phrase," she laughed.

Arnav shook his head and did as she said. It was as if all his work stress had disappeared. These days work had increased as their new spring line was coming out.

"Feeling better," Khushi asked, her eyes shut.

"Yeah…" he looked at her. "Much better."

He gazed at Khushi, as she had a faint smile on her face, and her chest heaved as she breathed. She looked beautiful and Arnav felt the urge to hold her. He wanted to pull her close to him and tell her all his feelings for her.

"Arnav."

"Hmm?"

"… nothing."

Arnav leaned up in his arm and got on his side. "What is it?"

"Nothing really. It just got too quiet."

Arnav chuckled. "Khushi, you're just…" and he chuckled once more.

Khushi sat up. "Making fun of me are you?"

Arnav sat up as well and faced her. It looked like she was looking over his shoulder. "Yeah, I am."

Khushi pouted and Arnav felt like covering her lips with his.

"Anyways," Khushi said, "I should get going."

"Why?"

"Gotta make plans for tomorrows class."

"Oh, okay."

Arnav helped her up and helped guide her to his car. He drove her home and dropped her off and then he went home. As the days passed by, Arnav had felt that he had changed. He was slowly turning back to the Arnav he once use to be, back in his college days.

Arnav arrived home and went into his room and changed into a burgundy t-shirt and jeans. He went back to the storage room and went through the stuff of his college days. He looked through one of the year books and found a picture of Khushi and Lavanya along with… him.

Arnav may have been hanging out with Khushi all these days but his question was still not answered - where is he?