Part 2 Their First Meet
Arnav stood looking at the shopping mall all annoying. Something clicked in his mind. Taking his mobile out, he called his friend Akash who was an assistant commissioner in Mumbai. Akash picked up his call.
"I need someone to pinch me. So that, I will believe that Arnav Singh Raizada called me" Akash said teasingly.
"Akash, I need your help," he asked, seriously not giving heed to his tease.
"My help? The whole Delhi is in your hand and you are asking my help?"
"I'm not in Delhi but Mumbai..."
Akash was shocked.
"Whaaaat? Are you in Mumbai? When did Mumbai city got blessed with your arrival?"
"Akash, please listen to me... I'm in a problem. I need your help. It's urgent" Arnav said restlessly.
"Ok, ok, what do you want me to do? Tell me"
"I want your help to find my wife"
"Wife? Where did you miss her?"
"No... she... left me"
"Left you? Why? when?"
"One and half years ago... I have been searching for her in Delhi. Today, I saw her in Mumbai, Regal Mall"
"Where are you now?"
"Right in front of the Regal Mall"
"Regal Mall? Are you in Colaba now?"
"Yes, just now I saw her and again I missed her"
"Don't worry... we will definitely find her. By the way, what about Anu? How is she?"
Arnav became silent.
"Arnav... I asked you something"
"Anu... is no more" he stammered.
"Whaaat? But how? What happened to Anu?" he almost shouted.
"We will talk about it in person. Can I meet you?
"Wait for me... I will be there in ten minutes"
"Ok..."
Arnav disconnected the call and waited for Akash. He could not hold himself from thinking about Khushi and Anu...
Anu... Arnav's baby sister. She was no more now. if she was alive, Arnav and Khushi would not have gotten separated. Anu would not have let it happen.
Flashback
Arnav loved his sister like anything. She was his life. He did anything for her happiness. The only aim of his life was to make his sister smile. He didn't think of getting settled in his life because he wanted his sister to get settled down first. Until then he was not ready to think about his wedding. And more than that, he thought his wife would not understand his love for his sister. It may lead their life into trouble that he didn't want to happen. So, he was not interested to get married.
But... his sister Anu had a different plan from Arnav. Her love for his brother was no less than his love. She never wanted to get separated from her brother even after her wedding. So, she wanted her friend Khushi to marry her brother. She believed that Khushi will not separate her from her brother as Khushi also loved Anu very much.
Arnav's sister Anu and Khushi became best friends in college. Arnav heard about Khushi many times from Anu but he didn't get a chance to meet her. It was purely Anu's plan. In the beginning, Anu didn't have the idea to get Khushi married to Arnav. As time passed, the idea stroke in her mind, seeing Khushi's morals and pure heart. Khushi's love for her seemed so genuine. Khushi looked so honest and loyal. She did anything with dedication and perfection. She was so cute in expressing her feelings which attracted Anu so much. She didn't want Arnav to meet Khushi just like that because he knew captivating his brother's mind was next to impossible. So, she created a good image of Khushi in his mind slowly. She raised expectations in his mind about Khushi by talking about her continuously. She did the same to Khushi also. Khushi wished to see Arnav as same as Arnav wanted to meet Khushi. Yes, Arnav was also eager to meet Khushi but he didn't show it in open.
Khushi was an easy-going girl. There won't be any problem in making her talk to Arnav. But Arnav was not like her... he needed a strong reason to do anything. So, Anu waited for such a chance.
It was Anu's birthday. Anu invited Khushi to her house. At first, Khushi denied it. But Anu's continuous effort made her say yes. without any choice left, Khushi agreed to come to her home. She could not disappoint Anu though.
Arnav saw Anu working in hurry-burry. She prepared jalebi for Khushi.
"what's the matter Anu, you look excited?" Arnav asked leaning on his back to the kitchen slab.
"My friend is coming, Bhai" Anu continued her work while answering.
"Which friend?"
"Khushi..."
Arnav got stuck for a few seconds. Was she coming to their house today?
"Who is she?" he asked plainly.
"What kind of Bhai you are? She is the only friend of mine, Bhai." Anu pouted disappointedly.
"Oh yeah... I have forgotten about her... I have a lot of important work to do other than remembering your friend, Anu"
Of course, he wanted to meet the girl but he was not ready to admit that he was interested. After all, he was Arnav Singh Raizada...
"You are right Bhai..." Anu said plainly.
"By the way, how many friends of yours coming to your birthday?"
"Only Khushi"
"Only one friend? Don't you have any friends other than Khushi?"
"No Bhai... don't you know me? I don't like fake people... Khushi is the only one who remains with such quality"
"Oh...it seems you are fully set to enjoy your holidays with your friend..."
"Yes... by the way, are not you getting late for the office?" Anu asked.
"Yeah... but you may need something as this is your birthday"
"I will manage, Bhai"
"But how will you manage when your friend is here?"
"What can I do Bhai? Who is here to help me? HP Bhai went to his native" She intentionally asked. Who else other than she knew her Bhai?
"Don't you know I will do anything for you?"
Anu smiled inwardly.
"But, I know you won't like to be with a stranger... that's why I don't want to disturb you"
"No problem... as today is your birthday, I will help you"
"Thanks, Bhai"
Arnav nodded yes. He got a call on his mobile and he attended it. At the same time, they heard a calling bell sound. Anu rushed to the door. Though Arnav was on call his eyes were on the entrance.
Anu opened the door. she became glad to see her friend Khushi. Arnav could not see her as Anu was hiding her, standing in front of her. Anu turned around and saw Arnav. Arnav turned his gaze immediately as if he was not looking at them. Anu took Khushi to her room making Arnav disappointed. Arnav sighed. He came to her room and saw Khushi facing her back to him.
"Anu..." he purposely called her.
As he expected, Khushi turned around and saw him. Words didn't come out of his throat but got strangled in. he stood being unable to picture himself for a while. Khushi smiled at him softly, seeing his gaze on her. Arnav's lips automatically stretched with a beautiful smile.
"Haan, Bhai? Why did you call me?"
"Oh... shall I order lunch for you?" he asked switching his gaze to Khushi.
"Shall we order our lunch Khushi?" Anu asked.
Khushi nodded no.
"We will prepare..." she said.
"But, I don't know to cook, Khushi"
"I know... I will do it"
"You? No way... you are a guest here. Am I right Bhai?"
"From when I became your guest from Friend?"
Khushi was about to say something, but she stopped hearing,
"You can cook for us another day... now have fun with Anu," Arnav said.
Anu nodded yes, pressing her lips.
"You can cook for us another day..." Anu said seriously.
Khushi sighed.
Khushi made Anu cut the cake that she brought for her birthday. Arnav ordered lunch for them. They had lunch chitchatting. Neither Arnav interfere with their talks nor did he leave the place. Obviously, Anu was observing her brother.
"Bhai... you can go to the office if you have work"
"Haan... no... I mean... I don't have any important work. Aman will call me if needed"
"Oh... Ok..."
Arnav was not just at home. He was observing Khushi and her trying to steady her character. Of course, he was impressed.
Arnav opened his eyes, as Akash shook his shoulder that bringing him out of the flashback.
To be continued...