From Smile Mates To Soulmates

Chapter Five

PRECAP: Arnav and Khushi are acquaintances for sixteen months, who smile at each other every morning, unaware of the fact that they both harbor mutual feelings for each other. They live in the same building, merely three doors apart and have adhered to their ritual of smiling at each other for more than 1½ year when suddenly, Khushi stops showing up at the door, unaware of how her smile mate, Arnav would be affected by her unannounced disappearance. After waiting for one whole week and not getting an explanation of her absence, Arnav decided to pay her a visit which turned out to be the starting point of a relationship that none of them had thought plausible. In an intriguing twist, Arnav is not the middle class IT Guy that he had initially introduced himself as, to Khushi but the son of Khushi's boss, Dr. Arvind Raizada. Fearing her withdrawal, Arnav has not yet mustered up the courage to come clean to Khushi about his identity. All this while, their relationship has grown leaps and bounds, with Arnav and Khushi growing closer and closer to each-other with every meeting. Over the next few weeks, Arnav and Khushi met and talked daily, with Arnav dropping her to (their) office and them texting constantly with one another. In the last chapter, Arnav brings Khushi home after an impromptu dinner date, the next morning Khushi ends up cooking and having her breakfast at Arnav's place. They talk a little about Khushi's parents and she becomes understandably upset, only to be soothed by her smile mate. Another week later, Arnav is at Khushi's place watching a movie when Khushi requests him to stay over for the night. As the night comes to a close, Khushi ends up confessing her feelings for Arnav and Arnav reciprocates equally. After their confession, Arnav realises that he couldn't keep lying to her about who he really is and decides that it was finally time to tell her, no matter the consequences.

NOW:

Arnav took a deep breath before knocking on the door of his father's study. He had visited after literal months and he was about to give him the shock of a lifetime. He couldn't decide if he wanted to go through with it or not but Arnav knew that he couldn't delay this anymore. He was in love with a girl that he knew meant a lot to his father and there was no person better than him to open up to. Arvind Raizada smiled as he opened the door and perceived the form of his son before pulling him into a hug. 

"What calamity of nature brought you to our end of the woods, Arnav?" He asked cheekily and Arnav rolled his eyes, as a fond smile tugged at his lips. 

"Well, it is not a calamity per se. It's more of a miracle." Arnav answered, fidgeting with his fingers. 

Arvind chuckled softly. "Come on in. This looks serious." He said, ushering his son inside his study. 

Arnav looked around the room, smiling. "You remember when Di and I were kids, the study used to be off limits to us. It was the grown-up room and I really just wanted you to invite me in one day, telling me you're allowed now. It was, for me, the only thing that I wanted to have at that time, to be allowed into this room." 

Arvind chuckled, "You and Anjali used to linger around this corridor half the day, trying to sneak in."

"We hoped to, but we were terrified of getting caught, so we never even tried. Good times." Arnav was clearly in a reminiscent mood.

Arvind nodded. 

"So, what is this miracle you were talking about earlier?" He asked.

Arnav sighed. "Okay.. It's--" He exhaled, nervously. 

"Are you coming out to me?" Arvind asked, now genuinely curious of what was on his son's mind.

"Wha--No! Dad.. you-- No!!" Arnav responded, rightfully bewildered at his father's wild assumption.