Love Me Like You Do

Do you know who was at fault?

Akash sighed. Now he had to tell. "I met her today. For lunch."

"You asked her?" Arnav questioned.

"No. I wasn't able to."

"Kya... acha choriye. Hum jiji se puch lenge. Pahle ye nannav ki paheli suljhaiye." (Translation: What.. ok leave that. I will ask my sister. First tell me this story of Nannav)

"No Khushiji. I don't want Bhai to kill me."

Khushi smiled at Arnav.

"Later, Khushi."

"Okay."

"Waise how did you remember to pick him up? I completely forgot." Arnav asked Akash.

"Actually, Payalji and I were saying something about Buaji's nand kishore. Then I remembered that this nand kishore was about to land."

"So jiji already met him?"

"Yes."

They arrived at the office and dispersed.

Khushi immediately asked Arnav the question he expected once they reached his cabin.

Arnav sighed but had to answer. "I used to call myself by that name when I was a toddler. He does it to annoy me."

"Or maybe, he does it to remind you to always be a child at heart." Khushi smiled. "But it annoys you."

Arnav shook his head. "Let's see, what our agenda for tomorrow?"

They dove into work mode, just like that.

**

Khushi was extremely happy when she reached home.

"Aaj to hum jiji ko khub sataenge. She went on a date and didn't tell me." (Translation: Today I will tease my sister a lot)

"Khushi, stop!" Arnav yelled. "Why do you want to embarrass her when she doesn't even know about Akash's feelings yet?"

"Uffo. Aap nahi samjhenge. Bye." She gave him a flying kiss and ran towards her home.  (Translation: Ugh, you won't understand)

Arnav returned home and sent the car for Akash as he had requested. He didn't know what he would be walking into, now that Nk was here. The living room was empty. No one was at the dining table either. He called for Hariprakash.

"Where is everyone?"

"Mamaji is not back yet. Everyone is in Anjali Di's room watching movie."

"Ohkay."

Arnav quietly went to his room, thankful to have avoided Nk for another few hours.

***

Meanwhile in Anjali's room, it was more of a gossip session than movie marathon.

Nk was regaling them with his college anecdotes and girls he went after. Then he remembered. "Waise Di, wo La-1-ya kidhar hai? Nannav ke saath jaegi kya?" (Translation: By the way, Di, where is L-1-ya? Will she go with Nannav)

"Arey jaegi nahi bitwa, aaegi." Mami laughed.(Translation: Son, she will arrive, not leave!)

"Nk bhai. Chhote aur Lavanya ab saath nahi hai." (Translation: Chhote and Lavanya are not together anymore)

"What!? Why? Weren't they living together?"

"They were living in the same house, not together."  Nani clear his misconception.

"Yes that. I thought I will hear wedding bells."

"Kahe ka wedding bells. Dono friendship ko hello hi karat rahe aur marriage ko bye bye." (Translation: No weeding bells for you to here. They broke off because they agreed that they are better as friends)