From Smile Mates To Soulmates

Chapter Six

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. Arnav visits his father for perspective and ends up becoming even more sure about telling Khushi everything about himself.

NOW:

Arnav sat on the dining table, glaring blankly at the laptop sitting open in front of him. His forehead was contorted in a frown, lip held between his teeth. He looked, at best, troubled. Khushi walked into the dining area, dropping her belongings on the couch, along the way. "Arnav?" Her voice was gentle, almost concerned. "Are you okay?"

Arnav looked at her, startled. "Hey sweetheart."

"You looked busy." Khushi slipped into the chair next to him. "Is.. everything okay?"

Arnav smiled, tugged at her slightly, pulling her closer. "I missed you baby." He whispered, kissing her forehead affectionately.

"You saw me.. like-- hours ago." Khushi looked at him mischievously. "Can't be too much."

"It was hours ago." Arnav deadpanned. Khushi giggled at his response, his honest, mischievous, adoring eyes glittering with mirth as he talked about her.

Khushi never really knew the kind of adoration that she was being showered with by the people that she had the good fortune of surrounding herself with. Dr. Raizada, Arnav, Anjali Di..

She smiled at the thought, "What's running in here?" Arnav asked curiously, tapping the side of her head.

"I met Anjali Di today.." Khushi answered, instinctively. Arnav frowned. "What?"

Khushi sighed, "Dr. Raizada's eldest daughter. Anjali Raizada. She came to the office and.. to my utter bewilderment asked for me to be let out." Arnav's frown deepened, "I don't.. understand."

Khushi nodded, agreeing with him. "I know. I didn't, at first either."

Arnav looked intrigued, "It was bizarre. Anjali di came to the office and called Dr. Raizada to let me out for the day and we went shopping. I was late in the morning too and I just.." She recounted the whole thing to him cheerfully. Arnav stared at her, at a loss of words.