IAL chapter 23: Day 2

 

Chapter 23: Day 2

 

Arnav woke up early the next morning and went to see if they had any post.

 

“Hariprakash, Hariprakash! Has anything come in the mail?”

 

“Just letters.”

 

“What about any big packages?”

 

“No.”

 

Arnav was very relieved that Khushi had decided to keep the token of their friendship.

 

Now to put the second part of the plan in action.

 

 

2 days ago

 

NK had gone straight to his room from Arnav’s and called Khushi.

 

“Khushiji!”

 

“Nanheji, how are you?”

 

“I’m fine. Listen Khushiji, what’s your favourite flower?”

 

“Why?”

 

“Oh ho just answer the question.”

 

“It’s red roses.”

 

“Favourite colour?”

 

“Green.”

 

“Favourite cuisine?”

“Indian.”

 

“Favourite food?”

 

“Jalebies!”

 

“What’s your favourite thing to do?”

 

“Eating jalebies while I watch Salman Khan movies. He’s just so good looking yaar.”

 

“Yes he is. Finally, do you prefer grand gestures or small gestures?”

 

“I like all kinds of gestures as long as it’s from the heart.”

 

“Great thanks.”

 

“Nanheji, will you tell me what this is about?”

 

NK thought quickly. “Oh this is a game we play in Australia called 20 questions.”

 

“But you didn’t ask me 20 questions.”

 

“I’m saving some for later. Bye.”

 

 

NK then went back to Arnav and reported all that he had found out.

 

 

Today

 

Arnav wasn’t a patient man and the waiting was killing him. Finally he decided to call Khushi.

 

“Hello?”

 

“Hi, Khushi it’s me, Arnav.”

 

“Hello.”

 

There was an awkward silence.

 

“So from the lack of packaging I received I presume that you have accepted my friendship?”

 

“How do you know I wasn’t about to send it back now?”

 

Arnav was shocked. He hadn’t thought of that.

 

He tried to gather himself, “Umm because umm you-”

 

A tinkle of laughter came through the phone. “I’m just joking Arnavji, that’s what friends do.”

 

Arnav breathed a sigh of relief. “So did you like the presents?”

 

“I loved them! Especially since you picked them out yourself.”

 

“Well, I find that no matter how big or small the gesture, it only counts if it comes from the heart.”

 

Khushi gasped. Her heart started beating a little faster and  she had butterflies in her stomach. She had no idea that he of all people felt this way.

 

Back in the Raizada Mansion, NK was eavesdropping into the conversation.

 

“Nanav, you silver tongued devil, you.” He said while grinning.

 

Back in Lakshminagur, Khushi had finally managed to get her heartbeat back to normal.

 

“Um, I should go, I’m job hunting.”

 

“Job hunting? Why?”

 

“Well I need to support my family somehow and Jiji’s wedding cost a lot of money.”

 

“Why don’t you work in AR?”

 

Khushi was hesitant. “I don’t know, the last time-”

 

“I promise to be a nicer boss. Come on Khushi, it could be ages until you find another one.”

 

Khushi thought about it for a minute. “Ok but on one condition.”

 

“Anything.”

 

“I don’t want to work as your assistant.”

 

Arnav felt a stab of pain but he knew he had brought this on himself. “There are other jobs in AR besides being my assistant you know. You start tomorrow, don’t be late.”

 

Khushi jumped up and down with glee. “Thank you thank you thank you!”

 

“Friendship means not saying sorry or thank you.”

 

Before Khushi could reply she heard voices on the other side of the line before Arnav said a hasty goodbye. What she didn’t know is that NK had come out of his eavesdropping spot to start talking.

 

“Nanav, that’s from Om Shanti Om, it’s a Shahrukh Khan movie, not a Salman Khan movie.”

 

Arnav turned around and dropped the phone.

 

“Damn it NK, I know that.”

 

“I told you she likes Salman Khan movies, make references from them.”

 

Arnav bent to pick up the phone.

 

“NK I know what she likes. Bye Khushi.”

 

He cut the call before Khushi could hear any more and continued to argue with NK.