Part 1

“Khushi..!” Lavanya called out excitedly.  Khushi’s heart ached.  “Haan Lavanya ji?” she asked forcing a smile on her face.  

“You know, you have to come in the evening..!” Lavanya said almost screaming.  Khushi didn’t answer. “Khushi..!” Lavanya waited for the affirmative answer.  “Umm.. Lavanya ji.. I mean.. babuji’s health..!” Khushi tried to find out some excuse.  

“Look, Chamakili... nothing doing..You have to come! Its a new year party yaar.. and I want you to be in the party..!” she pestered.  Khushi had no intention to go. 

“I am sending a car...!” Lavanya said authoritatively.  “If you are my friend, you will come!” She played the emotional card and Khushi heeded to it, as usual.  She sighed disconnecting the phone. 

“Khushi, you should go! You haven’t gone out for days..!” Payal too was of the opinion that Khushi deserves some enjoyment.  Khushi went into the kitchen without a word.

“How can I go?” she didn’t want to.  But she couldn’t say no!

*********   *********

“we are engaged, ASR! At least we can party together..!” Lavanya was totally disappointed.  “I am not coming Lavanya!” he was firm.  He went away and Lavanya sat on her bed thinking about their relationship.  Since their engagement, he had stopped going out with her. 

“What’s your problem, Lavanya! You wanted the engagement...!” he had barked when she pestered him for a dinner date. “ASR! We are engaged couple.. !” she had said disappointed.

“Main aisaa hi hoon, Lavanya! I had told you, before we got engaged!” he snapped back.

“What’s the use of getting engaged, then?” she retorted.  “You insisted, Lavanya!” he said and barged out of her room.

“Di, I am going to the office, will be back in the evening..!” he said marching out of the house.

*********   *********   ********

“What is this, Chamakili? Saree? No way!” Lavanya disapproved Khushi’s attire.  Khushi wore the best one she had, but Lavanya dismissed it.  “Chalo!” She ordered Khushi and took her inside. 

“What?” Khushi was flabbergasted looking at the packet.  “You are wearing this!” Lavanya ordered.  Khushi had no other option.  She wore the black gown with red satin flowers on it, with a black starry sash.  “Chamakili, you look so nice..!” Lavanya complemented hugging Khushi lightly.  

“Oh hi, yash... yeah... no i mean ASR is not coming..!” Lavanya said over the phone sulkily to Khushi’s big relief.  She was more relaxed.  “Devi Mayya.. thank you!” she said looking up in the sky.

“Oh, ASR.. Yash was asking for you..!” Lavanya had called up ASR.  She was missing him badly.  “You know what, ASR? Everyone is asking for you..!” she said sulkily.  There was no response from the other end.

“Chamakili.. wait..!” Lavanya said loudly when she saw Khushi moving out of the door.

“What?” came a question from the other end.  “No.. Nothing ASR, this Khushi..!” Lavanya couldn’t complete as the phone was disconnected abruptly.  

“Khushi?” He couldn’t stop himself from picking up his car keys.

“ASR!” Lavanya hugged him tightly.  He patted on her back lightly looking around.  “Oh! I am so happy..! This party is going to be the best one!” Lavanya said gripping his arm.  He only smiled at her with a nod.  His eyes kept moving on the crowd, searching for someone. 

Khushi turned abruptly.  “What is this? Breeze? Is he around? No.. not possible!” she went with PAM, Lavanya’s friend.  “But why do I feel his presence?” she had no answer.

“It was over.  Everything was over... there is nothing between us now! I am getting married and so does he!” she thought consoling her heart.  

“She is here, I know she is around!” he kept moving between the groups to find a trace for Khushi. 

“Come on ASR!” Lavanya pulled him on the dance floor.  He stood there withdrawing his hand.  “Lavanya, I don’t dance!” he moved out of the cheering crowd.  Lavanya sulked.

“He is here!” Khushi concluded.  It was not her hallucination.. He actually was there.  Khushi winced and looking around hid herself in the crowd.  Barring few from the old office, she didn’t know anyone.  She kept to herself feeling lonely in the crowd of cheering people.  Her makeover played the trick.  ASR kept looking for a Salwar Suit or Saree! 

“Hey, Chamakili... give this to Lavanya!” PAM gave her the clutch to give it to Lavanya and he saw her turning back.  “Khushi?” he couldn’t believe his eyes.  He followed.  She had vanished again.  The foundation day flashed before him.  He clenched his fists.  “Again?” he gritted his teeth.  Now he knew where to search.  Lavanya was irritatingly disturbing in his mission.  “ASR!” she kept pulling him into her friend circle.  He kept shaking hands and nodding and greeting people, looking lost somewhere else.

“ASR! Why are you looking so lost?” Lavanya asked him and he gazed at her. 

“By the way, I am so happy that you came, but how did this miracle happen, ASR?” she asked him wrapping her arm around his.  He gave her a smile and as usual refrained from answering.  “Whatever is the reason, ASR! The face is my fiancé is here with me on the eve of New Year!” she closed her eyes happily.  He looked up to see Khushi talking to someone.  He withdrew his hand from Lavanya’s and moved towards Khushi only to find her vanished again.  

“ASR! I think, its time for us to announce the date of our wedding..!” Lavanya said moving her eyes on the hep crowd gathered for the party.  He didn’t respond.  “ASR!” she pulled his hand.  “Stop it Lavanya! You know!” he reminded her.  She broke apart with disappointment.  

“ASR! I want you  to be with me at the moment of new year!” She thought she deserved at least that moment with her boyfriend and fiancé! He had not heard her.  “I will be back!” he blurted and left Lavanya alone!

The countdown for the new year was about to begin.  He kept moving now looking at the black gowns in the crowd.  The countdown began...

TEN : He saw a familiar figure in the crowd going behind the pillar in a western black gown!  He sensed her. 

NINE : he dashed to confirm.  The figure had vanished behind the pillar.  

EIGHT : She indeed was behind the pillar.  The cool breeze blew his hair back ... she tried to tidy her hair.

SEVEN: A hand was placed on her shoulder giving her shivers.  She froze with that touch.  Her heartbeats could be heard in that bustling crowd.

SIX : He turns her around with a force, stopping her from moving away.  Their eyes met and

FIVE : He froze mesmerised at her stunning beauty.  He gazed at her gown and pulled her towards him.  She couldn’t resist.  

FOUR : Touching her creamy cheeks meant cupping her face gently for him.  She was disarmed by the touch.

THREE : Their eyes locked to find some traces of their moments together in the past. 

TWO : She couldn’t bear his gaze and closed her eyes. He closed the gap between them..

ONE: he lifts her chin with his fingers, her lips parted quivering slightly.. and   Puff! The lights went off.  The crowd erupted in cheers, welcoming the new year.  The fireworks illuminated the skies. 

“Khu..!” he still held her tightly and she came back to her senses with the lights.  She looked at their position and tried to break away from him.  He still was in that world of darkness.  She pushed him away shaking from head to toe and he was still living that magical moment.  The kiss had confirmed that the flame in his heart was not put off.

“ASR!” Lavanya broke his trance and he looked around in search of disappeared Khushi.  Then onwards he only had his eyes for Khushi forgetting the crowd, his girlfriend, their engagement and even Khushi’s engagement!

Khushi had no desire to talk to anyone.  She merged herself in that faceless crowd trying to avoid his gaze.  She was introduced to many people either by Lavanya or her acquaintance.  Khushi just nodded or joined her hands.  

“Wish you could get your fiancé, Khushi!” Lavanya said trying to cheer Khushi up.  “Missing him, haan?” she teased her.  Khushi smiled faintly. 

“Hey Lavanya!” A bright looking guy stood before them.  “Hey Doc! Happy new year!” Lavanya greeted her doctor.  Khushi thought of going away.

“Hey, meet my friend, Chum... I mean Khushi... I mean...!” Lavanya pulled Khushi back.

“Khushi Kumari Gupta!” Khushi said introducing herself looking at Lavanya’s confusion, joining her hands.  “Namaste” she said in a low tone.

“Khushi Gupta?” the person looked confused too.  Something clicked.  He stared at her face.  She felt embarrassed.   She looked up.  Her hazel green eyes confirmed. 

“Are you by any chance are from Lucknow?” he asked taking a step ahead.  She looked puzzled.  “Ye  Yes!” she said a little scared.  “Shastri School?” he wanted to be sure..! She nodded.  “ye.. yes!”

“Junior Champion in 4^th class?” he asked her almost bumping on her.  “Yes... what? How..?” she couldn’t assimilate.

“Avinash, Senior Champion 10 th class!” he introduced himself in a unique way.  She looked up shocked and then her eyes lit up.  “Avi?” she blurted.  “Yes, bahatii naak! Yes, my dear running nose!” he said and she banged on his chest.  Lavanya had already moved away looking at them talking to each other.

“I am not a bahatii naak now!” she said pursing her lips and he roared in laughter.  “For me, you are still a bahatii naak” he  said teasing her.  She smiled broadly.  “Let it be!” she said wiping her nose with the handkerchief.  He couldn’t stop laughing.  “You are still the same! Only grown into a beautiful woman!” he said surveying her from head to toe.  She felt awkward.  “And you? You have over grown!” she said taking revenge looking at his size.  

“Hey Lavanya! She is my school mate! You know? We won School Championship.. She was primary School champ and I secondary champ. together we had brought the trophy to the school!" He said proudly.  Lavanya shrugged.  “Whatever Doc.  Now that you know each other, carry on!” she went away again.  Khushi was happy.  A smile appeared on her face.  She had a company of her childhood friend.  She needed nothing else.  Two brown eyes followed her burning with rage.  Now she had a reason to ignore them.

“Humm... I still remember school days..!” she said dreamily, missing her Lucknow.

“Yes old lady... I miss our felicitation ceremony where you had fallen down lifting the trophy..!” he pulled her legs for being so emotional.  She pushed him with mock anger.  “Wish Anita was here!” he missed his wife.  She looked up questioningly.  “My wife!” he said and she smiled broadly.  “She didn’t come?” Khushi asked.  Avinash shook his head. “Hospital Duty! She too is a doctor!” he said smiling.  “I think I had called you up, sometime back!” Khushi remembered.  He looked questioningly.

“I mean, we were in Nainital and Lavanya ji was ... I mean... not well!” she felt awkward to say Lavanya was drunk.  “Yeah.. her regular problem.. can’t handle the drinks!” he remarked. Khushi looked away to meet two brown eyes glaring at her.  Her phone rang and her time sense returned.  “I need to push off..!” she blurted looking out for Lavanya.

“Lavanya ji, I should be leaving now!” she pointed at the time now.  A figure in dark suit appeared next to Lavanya and she shuddered.  “Khushi, wait for some time.. I will drop you !” Avinash appeared next to her.  She looked away saying.. “No Lavanya ji! I will manage!” she turned her back and disappeared.  Thats what she thought but he was following her.  She came out in the corridors.

“Chalo!” he ordered walking with her.  “No!” she tried to move away.  “Shut up and sit in the car!” he had come back to his dominating character.  She looked around to find some familiar faces to escape from ASR.  She could find none. His hand moved to clutch hers and she took a step back.  “Ok!” she blurted and he raced away.

She was determined not to talk, not to look at him.  She was seeing him after a long time.  Her heart ached.  “No Khushi! You have left everything behind! Don’t think about it.  Accept your destiny..!” she folded her arms to stop her thoughts from coming out of heart! 

He focused on the road ahead not looking at her.  He had locked up everything.  Arnav with all the moments with her were buried deep inside.  Nothing can change his decision now.  He didn’t understand why was he with her again, why did he go after her, why was he craving for her; when she had shattered everything, without even once looking back.  He gripped the steering.  Her giggles with another person ringing in his head, he couldn’t stop himself. “Tum uskay saath kay baatain kar rahi thi?”  

She was silent.  “Answer me damn it! How do you know Doctor Avinash?” he asked banging his fist on steering causing it to honk shrilly.  Khushi shuddered and looked at him. He stopped with screeching breaks.  Khushi removed her seat belt.

“What?” he asked bewildered.  “Getting down!” she said opening the door.  “Fine!” he gritted his teeth.  She started walking away and he slammed on the accelerator.  The car behind stopped with screeching breaks and the head lights blinked.  He looked into the mirror to his horror.  The car behind had stopped with someone’s scream.  “Khushi..!” his heart didn’t think of anything else.  He stopped, hopped out of the car and broke into a run.  “Khushi..!” he screamed in panic.

The door of the car behind had opened and closed.  He reached the car to see it racing away.  He jumped aside and ran behind it.  “Khushi...?” she was nowhere.  “KHUSHI!” he screamed in rage clenching his fists.  Frustration mounting he slammed the door of his car racing away.

“Aray chote?” Anjali was surprised to see her chote alone.  “Lavanya...!” her voice trailed looking at her brother’s back.  He had already reached his room closing the door behind him.  “Humm!” she sighed hopelessly.  

He was pacing the room trying his best not to think about her.  “It’s over! “ he kept telling himself.  “I don’t care, whom she talks to, who she got engaged to! I just don’t care!” he threw the vase breaking it into pieces.  The crashing sound reverberated in his vault like room shuddering him.  The crashing sound calmed him down a bit.  He threw himself on the bed.

“What was that? Same passion? Longing! No!” he got up with a jerk.  “No!” that’s not true! He consoled himself, pulling his laptop and burying himself again in the work.  Late in the night his phone rang and glanced at the screen..

“Khushi?” he picked up immediately glancing at the time.  “Itani Raat ko?” he was surprised.