From Smile Mates To Soulmates

Chapter Three

It had been two months since ArShi had had a new start in their relationship. They had practically been living next door to each other, for more than eighteen months at this point but for the last two months, their relationship had changed for the better. They had both made efforts to grow closer and closer to each other with every passing day, grown from friendly acquaintances to good friends in a short period of time. For various different reasons, Arnav and Khushi could never interact with each other, the way they would have liked in the initial stages of their relationship for Arnav was too awkward to approach her and Khushi was too shy. The last two months had given the two of them a much needed freedom to explore their relationship without any awkwardness or fear of rejection that overtook them earlier whenever one of them thought of taking a step in the direction of the other.

They talked for hours, on texts, calls, even non-verbal gestures. Arnav had always been fiercely protective of his personal life and tried actively to guard himself from the world, but with Khushi he was a carefree child, smiling and laughing, holding nothing back. Khushi, although relatively more relaxed, was also private in her own way but like him, became a little child when around him. Their daily morning tradition now involved a good morning wish and a drive to their workplace together. Khushi was still not aware of the true identity of her smile mate and although Arnav felt bad about lying to her, he couldn't risk her knowing anything about him, at least not yet.

Arnav was waiting for Khushi in his car outside the office complex. It was way past the office hours, and Arnav's patience was running thin. He glanced at his wristwatch, a frown marred his face. It was seven thirty in the evening, twenty minutes past her usual time of leaving the office. The whole staff had left the building, with the exception of the girl that he had been waiting for, for what could easily have been half of an eternity to him. She walked out of the building, just as he was about to call her to inquire what was taking her so long. Arnav shook his head, his annoyance was long gone and was replaced with a warm feeling in his chest. He smiled.

This was her affect on him, she could literally change his mood with her mere presence.

Khushi got into the front seat of the car, "I'm sorry!"

"Twenty whole minutes Khushi! What were you even doing in there all alone?" He asked, frowning at her.

Khushi sighed. "I know Arnav, I'm sorry." She pouted cutely, trying to pacify him. Arnav smiled, taking her hand in his own. "You're the hardest person to be angry with, you know that?"

Khushi chuckled. "I'm aware, I have a pretty irresistible puppy face." She said mischievously.

Arnav agreed, stepping on the accelerator. "Hungry?" He asked. Khushi nodded. "Famished."

Arnav smirked, driving away from the office complex. "There's a pretty decent restaurant just down the lane. They have amazing Indian food."

Khushi nodded, "I've heard of it too." She said. "I have always wanted to go there but I hate going to restaurants alone. It feels weird."

Arnav blinked, acknowledging her answer. "Well you could've said something before today, I'd have gladly accompanied you to wherever you wanted to go." Arnav told her. Khushi allowed a small smile on her face. "You're taking me there and I didn't even have to ask you to."

"Well.." The man started, his gaze fixed at the road in front of him, one hand entwined with Khushi on the gearshift, the other securing the steering wheel. "That's not the same thing. It was a coincidence."

Khushi bit her upper lip, smiling sheepishly at him. "It is for me." She shrugged.

Arnav clicked his tongue. He parked his car in the restaurant's parking area, got out of the car and went to the other side of the car, offering his hand to her.