Hate Me Like You Don't

Don't you know how to let go?

Khushi dreaded the moment she would see Arnav again. She had been actually glad to not come to this temple, when Shyam had offered to accompany them to another one. If not for her own stupidity, she could have avoided this.

"Jiji, you go. I want to look at some bangles."

"You sure?"

Khushi nodded and the sisters split.

***

Payal reached the main area of the Mandir and saw a worried Anjali.

"Payalji." It was Akash who addressed her. She grew conscious suddenly. This man had been stalking her. ASR's brother. He had gifted her that dupatta discreetly. Something was not adding up.

"Payalji?" Anjali turned to her.

"Aapke liye apki amanat laaye hain. Ye lijiye." Payal handed her the thaal. (Translation: I brought over something of yours. Here.)

"Ye aapke paas?"  (Translation: This was with you?)

"I think our youngsters got them mixed. Remember the vermilion holi?" Payal teased.

Anjali looked at Arnav who was looking elsewhere. "Chhote, phir se tumne ladai ki?"  (Translation: Chhote, you fought again?)

Payal was shocked at Anjali's tone.

"No, Di." Arnav protested. "We just... we crashed into each other. I wasn't looking."

"I guess she wasn't either. She's very clumsy." Payal supplied to Anjali to calm her down.

"Thank you so much. I was so worried when I found my puja materials had gone missing. For years I have used this thaal. Now I know who to blame." Anjali looked at her brother.

"Don't get angry with him. It was just a mix-up. I'm sure they didn't do it consciously."

***

Arnav left his family, excused by a call. As he talked, he saw Khushi coming up to the premises. She looked gorgeous in the orange saree. Get a grip, Arnav. This isn't your dreams where you have your way with her. The dreams had a way to creep up on him when he least expected them. When he hadn't thought of her all day.

Khushi stood on the last stair and swayed. Arnav saw her hold her head. "Fuck!" He cut the call and ran.

Khushi fainted and Arnav found himself breathing properly once he got a hold of her. He carried her in his arms and made her sit on a bench.

"Khushi." He called softly to her. He rubbed her palms and pressed her cheek. When nothing worked, he got her a glass of water. Sprinkling some on her face, he held the rest neat her mouth.

As Khushi opened her eyes, she grasped the cup alongside Arnav and drank the water. "Chakkar..."  (Translation: Feel dizzy...)

"Tum thik ho?"  (Translation: Are you alright?)

Khushi turned to her right at the familiar voice. Then she remembered. "Fuck!"

"What?"

"Why did you make me drink water?"

"Because you fainted."

"So, you could have woken me up na. Why did you make me drink? Haaye Devi Maiyaa, humein maaf kar dena, humara aise vrat todne ka irada nahi tha."  (Translation: My goddess, I apologize, I didn't want to break my fast this way.)

Arnav was shocked. He broke her fast. He knew how important these things were to his sister. Clearly, it was important to Khushi as well.

"You see all, right Devi Maiyaa. Babuji says you see all. Please don't punish me. And don't let Jiji find out that I lost the bet. Ek ghanta upar niche to chalta hai na?"  (Translation: One hour leeway is not a deal breaker, right?)