Love Me Like You Do

Do you know how to hide?

"Lavanyaji humein ghar jana hai." Khushi said after a few moments of silence. (Translation: I want to go home)

"Khushi... " Lavanya said. Khushi didn't remember the last time Lavanya addressed her by her name.

"Please."

"Mai aap ko drop kar du?" Akash asked. (Translation: May I drop you?)

Khushi just got up and left.

"Akash please jaiye." Anjali asked of her cousin. (Translation: Akash, go)

"Di I'll see ASR."  Lavanya said and left to Arnav's room.

Anjali nodded.

"What a story! Just like a movie, you know." Nk commented, totally oblivious to the feelings of everyone involved.

"Nk bhai, abhi nahi." Anjali said. (Translation: Not now)

"I'm just saying. It's like hero and heroine meet in movies. Baar baar, you know." Nk smiled.

Anjali looked at Nani, exasperated at her cousin's behavior.

"Bitwa, bas. E toh acha hai Lavanya abhi yaha nahi hain, nahi toh unko kitne bura lagta. Kabhi to soch samajh ke baat kariye." Nani said, closing the matter and Nk stopped finally. (Translation: Enough, son. It's good Lavanya isn't here. She would have been hurt hearing your comments. Think twice before you speak)

***

Arnav was in his room. Lavanya saw his eyes were red.

"I want to hit you so bad." She said.  Then she hugged him. She knew he needed Khushi, but Khushi had left. Lavanya couldn't be her. "Do you want to go meet her?" 

Arnav nodded, unable to thank her for the understanding she had for him.

"Akash went to drop Chamkili home."

Arnav texted Akash the address to his Greater Kailash apartment. With a message. 

Please bring her.

***

Akash was about to cross Greater Kailash went he saw a message on his phone. Khushi hadn't spoken in a long time. She looked lost in thought.

Let's see. Akash thought and changed the route. Khushi didn't even notice. While he had asked to drop Khushi home purely because he wanted to talk to Payal, the need of the hour was more dire.

He reached the apartment and saw another car stop behind his. Arnav was here. He must have driven faster than usual.

Arnav came to Khushi within seconds. He opened the door and hugged her.

Akash slid out of the car to give them privacy.

***

"He loves her so much." Lavanya told Akash.

"She loves him too." Akash said.

"Will he marry her?"

"Payalji asked me the same question today."

Lavanya raised an eyebrow at him.

"She knows about them."

"You didn't answer my question."

"He needs to understand that it's love. And with such strong roots, marriage is the way to go. But Bhai... he's had bad examples. First his parents, now Di."

"They weren't in love like them." Lavanya sighed.

"You know what I can't believe?"

"What?" Lavanya asked him. He was smiling.