The Way We Were

Chapter 4

(Ink my heart)

Arnav knew since his teens had hit that there was only one girl for him.

Kyu khwabon pe tere saaye hain

The strums of his guitar filled his room that had been silent for the past few months.

Dil kyu hai tanha mera

He had never lost her, but to find her today felt like a piece of his life's puzzle was in his hand finally.

Kyu khamoshi hai zubaan meri

He had been speechless for a moment this morning. Truly speechless.

Ashkon se keh paun na

But she was here, just within reach for him to tell her what he had been waiting for a few years now.

"Chhote?" Anjali Singh Raizada stood at his door. Arnav turned, stopping his delicate humming. "I see school was good today."

"It was, Di." Arnav grinned. He had forgotten how to smile lately, but his face was bashful right now.

"Made some new friends, I hope? Akash and Aman are not in your class anymore, right?" Anjali sat on his bed.

Arnav was bursting to share with his sister about the miracle that had happened this morning. But then his brain thought to surprise his sister instead. She had not once talked about Khushi since shifting here after their parents' accident. Maybe since he moved here, things had changed back home. Maybe Khushi was not as close to Anjali as she once was. When he was there, too.

Arnav decided at that moment that once this head boy and girl decision was done, he would bring Khushi and Payal home, wager or not. Di would be overjoyed seeing their childhood friend after so long. Yes, that would be the plan. "No they are not. Yes, I'm making friends."

"And when were you going to tell me that you are a contender for head boy, Chhote?"

Arnav was surprised. "How did you know?"

"Mamiji heard from Akash. Why didn't you tell us yourself?"

"I'm hardly going to get it, Di. I'm the guy who blew up his previous school." Arnav smirked.

"Never sell yourself short. You are mischievous yes, but the building lived." Anjali nodded.

Arnav chuckled. "It did, yes. The windows, though."

"Don't mess around too much now. You have to get serious about life. Will you promise me that, Chhote?"

Arnav's mind flew back to just before recess.

"You have to get serious about life and stop pulling such pranks and bets. Promise me, Arnav?"

Khushi had yet to say another word to him since Aman's stupid declaration of their fight. But Arnav knew it would be an uphill battle, getting Khushi to trust in him. His Di already did, though. She had been through his darkest days with him. His sister knew that he had changed.

"I promise, Di."

"Come on then, we're waiting for you to start dinner. Prakash Uncle prepared Aloo Methi just for you."

(Brain over heart)

Khushi entered the classroom her second day of school and halted at the aisle midway. Arnav had done a number on her scholar reputation the previous day.

First, the unprecedented hug. Then, claiming his rights over her, dragging her through the school even before assembly. Finally, the horror of being mistaken as a backbencher as multiple teachers had looked at her twice, the head girl contender sitting at the last bench beside a boy, even if that boy was equally academically gifted.