The Way We Were

Chapter 25

(Calling All Saints)

Khushi Kumari Gupta woke up with a jerk. She had been having a dreamless sleep for once. Grudgingly, she sat up on the bed. Her bed vibrated again, and she looked at her phone.

The lights at her window indicated it to be sometime before noon. Today being the 1st of January, she had planned to sleep in. She did not have any events, any plans, any appointments. It seemed, however, that her restful day had come to an end. Anjali only ever called if it was about Arnav.

"Hello?"

"Hello, Khushi? Can you come to Shantivan?" Anjali seemed extremely worried.

"Happy new year?" Khushi tried to ease her.

"Sheetal left."

It took her but a moment to realize what Anjali hadn't told her. "I'll be there in an hour."

Dropping the call, she searched her contacts for the number she had dialled months ago. "Hughes Residence. How may I help you?"

"This is Khushi Gupta. Is Adam home?"

"Not yet, mam. Can I pass on a message? He should be home in another hour."

Khushi chose her words carefully. "Yes, please. The no questions asked needs to be done today. Please note a phone number. 022-765-5645. Shivaay Oberoi will book the red-eye."

"One moment. No questions asked. Shivaay Oberoi. Could you repeat the number please?"

Khushi hurried to her wardrobe, ready to arm up as she repeated.

"I will get him the message. Khushi Gupta, yes?"

"Yes. Thank you."

(The Kiss)

Khushi walked into Shantivan, her heart beating wildly. She prayed to her Devi Maiyya that she had assumed correctly.

"Khushi. When did you come?" Payal hurried out of the kitchen.

"Just now. Anjali Di called me."

"He's in such a bad state. I don't know if even you can help."

Khushi thought otherwise. It she could do something right now, it was to help Arnav. "Where is he?"

"Locked away in his room."

Khushi gulped. "And Aarav?"

"We sent him to Lavanya's. At least with Ananya around, he will be distracted. He doesn't know, Khushi. Did you? Did Arnav have any other girlfriend in college?"

"What do you mean?"

Payal recited what she knew of the letter Sheetal had left to Arnav. At the end, she asked again. "Did he have any other girlfriend?"

Khushi sighed. Aarav was okay. She was going to tackle one problem at a time. "Is anyone with Arnav?"

"No. He's locked himself in, Khushi. I don't think he'll allow anyone in."

Khushi walked up the stairs, calming herself. This was the one time he would listen, and not explode. This was her chance to come clean, once and for all. And she would be a fool to not take it. "Shivaay might call you to get Shantivan's address. Don't ask any questions right now. Please."

When she knocked the door to Arnav's room, she thought she heard a lion mewling. Well, if he was going to be caged, she would give him memories worth living in it. She kicked the door with all her might.

Seconds later, the door opened, a shocked Arnav standing before her. "Was that you?"

"Yes. And this was me, too."