The Way We Were

Chapter 9

(Library: Delhi University)

Payal was tapping her shoes, while she added another post-it in her notebook. Picking up her pen, she scribbled down the subject matter. Sighing, she flipped the pages till she found the next headline. She picked up another post-it and repeated the process.

Lost in her documentation, she was startled on feeling a hand on her leg. She looked up, ready to yell at whoever had dared.

"You're anxious."

Well, she wasn't now. A lot less than before.

"It's just a couple of tests, Payal. Khushi is very bright. She'll manage."

"I know... but... Akash, what if we have to take another loan? She won't come back another semester... She won't be there for our wedding."

"Then we'll postpone it. The pro of it being our wedding, Payal, is that we get to decide when it happens." Akash smiled.

"But the loan... Mamaji isn't so financially secure, Akash."

"I know what you're thinking. And it's an extremely good thought."

"You really think so?"

"I know if anyone can do it, it would be you." He caught her wrist.

"I love you." She placed her other hand on their intertwined fingers.

Akash smiled. "I love you, too."

(Corridors: Oxford)

Khushi gasped as she was pulled into a room by strong hands. Familiar hands.

"Just what do you think you are avoiding, Khushi?" The voice had become quite rough with his age.

Her wrist hurt, so she jerked it off his clutch. "I am not avoiding anything. I just don't want to get in the middle of anything."

"But we're already in the middle of it!"

Khushi turned to leave, and yet again her wrist was in his clutch.

"Don't you dare leave when I'm talking."

"Arnav, let go of me!"

"No, I won't! Don't you understand, Khushi?" He turned her around. "Our friends are unhappy because of us! They broke up because of us! Aman and Lavanya are meant for each other, Khushi!"

She thought she saw empathy for the couple in his eyes. She blinked and it was still there. How could he even empathize with someone who was in love? It wasn't lost on Khushi that Aman Mathur was in love with Lavanya Kashyap. And if she accepted deep down, behind the makeovers and shopping and drinking, Lavanya was indeed heartbroken at her decision. Not that Lavanya Kashyap would ever change her decision.

"Khushi, this isn't good. I asked the TA for their scores. They aren't far behind you to lose their scholarships. Aman's family isn't that well off, either. He is one grade away from being in your shoes." Every conclusion came with the tightening of his grasp on her.

Suffocated as she was, she knew no one could help those two but her. Lavanya might listen to her. "I'll try to talk to her. But Arnav, I can't promise positive results." His grasp loosened and Khushi took the opportunity to flee.

(Graduation: Part I)

Over five months, Lavanya grew irritated, annoyed and frustrated with Khushi's 'extra advice'. Not that she ever talked back. Their flat was always clean, she was being woken up on time, she was accompanying Khushi to the library more often, she was attending tutoring sessions with Khushi and her new mentor, Adam Hughes. And finally when the exams came, Lavanya was surprised to realize that unlike dreading the papers, she was looking forward to get it over with and get the hell back home, soon.