IAL Chapter 24: Day 3

Chapter 24: Day 3

 

Arnav had woken up extra early today as it was Khushi’s first day at work. The first thing he did was go to NK’s room and knock on his door. After a few knocks and no response, he decided to barge in.

 

“NK didn’t you hear me knocking?!”

 

NK groaned and pulled a pillow to his face. “Of course I did, but I was choosing to ignore you because it’s midnight.” came a muffled sound.

 

NK wasn’t much of a morning person. Everyone knew that.

 

“It’s 5 o’clock.”

 

“Same thing!”

 

“I need your help.”

 

“Come back when it’s midday.”

 

“NK this is about Khushi.”

 

NK slowly sat up and rubbed his eyes.

 

With a smirk he said, “I never thought I’d live to see the day that Arnav Singh Raizada would become a needy love sick puppy.”

 

Arnav’s cheeks redden. “Shut up NK!”

 

“Stick and stones Nanav. Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone that the big bad Arnav has turned into a gooey-eyed softie.”

 

“Shut up!”

 

NK threw a pillow at Arnav which hit him in the face.

 

“If you want me to shut up, leave my room!” He flopped back onto his bed.

 

Arnav ignored the fact that the pillow had just hit his face and proceeded to shake NK awake. “But I need help.”

 

“What is it?!” snapped NK.

 

“I need you to go to a pawn shop-”

 

“Why would I need to go to a porn shop? If I need porn, I have my laptop.”

 

“First of all, too much information. Second, pawn shop not porn shop. You know, where you go and give something valuable in exchange for cash.”

 

“Oh those pawn shops. Ok, why do you want me to go there?”

 

“You know how Mr X is gathering data about Shyam.”

 

“Yeah.”

 

“Well I asked him to gather data about Khushi too.”

 

“Nanav! Seriously?” NK gave him a disapproving look. “After all this you still don’t trust her?”

 

“No no, it’s not like that. I just wanted to know more about her.”

 

“So you sent a strange man to find out everything he could. You are such a stalker.”

 

“Shut up!”

 

“Make me!”

 

“Look I don’t have time for your stupid games. I just need you to buy back the bangles Khushi sold to get me and Lavanya back together.”

 

“Just give me a picture and the address and get out.”

 

“I don’t have a picture.”

 

“God, Nanav you are so useless.”

 

Arnav’s patience was running out. He wanted to pick up Khushi and he still hadn’t done his morning routine yet. He needed to wrap this up fast.

 

“Just buy every bangle you see! Here’s my credit card and the address.”

 

He placed the two things on NK’s night stand and left. NK then advanced to go back to sleep.

 

 

 

Lakshminagar

 

Khushi had just left the house. She was very excited about going to work again. If truth be told, she hated doing housework; she’d rather be out in the world doing real work, earning real money. Also, she couldn’t wait to see Arnav, though she’d never admit that.

 

She soon as she was on the road, she recognised a very familiar white car. She started walking towards it. When she was within 2 feet of it, the driver got out and walked towards her.

 

“Arnavji, what are you doing here?”

 

“I’m here to take you to work.”

 

“What will people say?!” she asked incredulously.

 

Arnav took a step towards her. “You’ve never before asked me that question when I used to go dragging you around everywhere.”

 

Khushi’s cheeks redden. It was true. “That’s because I can never think clearly in those situations.”

 

He took another step and their bodies were practically touching now. “Can you think clearly now?” he asked in a husky tone.

 

Khushi’s breath quickened and she was sure that her face was now tomato red. Arnav let out a slight chuckle.

 

That’s enough teasing…for now.

 

Khushi struggled to keep her cool and get a sentence out. “Woh umm you didn’t answer my question.”

 

Arnav smiled and took a few steps away from Khushi. “People won’t say anything because we’re friends, right Khushi?” Khushi visibly relaxed a little. “And friends pick each other up all the time. Come on, I have a surprise for you in the car.”

 

He led her towards the car. Once she was safely strapped in, he handed her a box of jalebies. Khushi’s face lit up, she tore open the box and began devouring them.

 

Arnav watched her eat them intently. “Are they any good?”

 

“They are some of the best I’ve ever had!”

 

Arnav smiled. What Khushi didn’t know is that Arnav and NK had stayed up most of the night trying to perfect the art of jalebie making so that Arnav could make a fresh box in the morning.

 

Khushi had somehow managed to finish the whole box and was now licking her fingers. “Where did you get them from? I want to buy all my jalebies from this shop.”

 

Arnav tried to control his smile. “I made them.”

 

Khushi’s eyes widened and her jaws dropped and that’s how Arnav knew that today was going to be a good day.

Please don't get offended by my housework comment in the chapter. It's just that some people prefer work to housework. I honestly admire people who stay at home and do housework because I get tried just hovering my room. But I apologise if I did offend anyone, I genuinely didn't mean to.