Long chapter again, UshaVijay5 for ya 🤗
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Khushi was going towards the college library to study. The last few weeks had been tough for her, with her breakup with NK followed by his almost-immediate linkup with Preeti and them working in same place had taken a toll. But she kept herself calm. She couldn't afford to lose focus. Not now. Her final exams were only a few months away and after that she would be done with college! She will then take a few months break maybe visit Payal jiji and Aakash jiju in the US before starting a job somewhere else so that –
"khushi?" Arnav's voice broke her chain of thoughts, and she looked up to see him watching her nervously.
She frowned seeing his expressions and wondered what was this about, any intercollege competitions she usually participated in, or her upcoming exams or maybe her Sheetal di-
"Are you busy?" he asked
"umm- not really. Is everything ok?"
"uh – yes. Can I steal a moment to talk with you?"
Khushi nodded and followed him towards the canteen. Since it was nearly evening, most students had either left for home or gone out to have fun. Thus, not too many tables were occupied. They found a table in a corner and sat on the opposite side.
Khushi waited patiently for him to say something. Arnav sat tapping his left foot on the ground, nervously.
Khushi found his sudden nervousness, amusing! Was this the same man who spoke for an entire hour in his classes? It looked like he needed her help with something. Maybe with Anshu? He was becoming brattier day by day so maybe to convince him to behave? Or maybe for reema aunty. But in any case, he made a funny sight fidgeting like that!
"Aap ko kuch kehna tha(you wanted to say something)?" she probed.
"Yeah, but samajh mein nahi aa raha hai kaha se shuru karu(I don't understand how should I begin)?" his honest reply made her smile. He was looking around, trying to gather his thoughts.
"Arnav sir samajh mein toh mujhe waise bhi abhi kuch nahi aa raha hai(I anyway don't understand what you're trying to say). So, what worse can happen? I will probably still not get anything, right? But at least you have tried." she tried to help him.
Arnav took a deep breath and decided it was now or never! After all, he recently realized that no worldly logic works in heart's matters, a heart makes its own logic!*
"Khushi, I like you." he stated and watched a look of surprise pass through her honey-toned irises, eyes widening in shock. But then she controlled herself.
"What do you mean?"
"I know this may come as a surprise to you. But please, listen to me with a calm mind, ok? You don't know how much courage I had to gather to say this to you." He paused for a brief moment and she didn't let him speak further. She couldn't let him...She had spent so much time getting over him, forgetting him, to convince herself that this would never happen. This sudden confessions threw her off guard and she reacted angrily.
"I am sorry Arnav sir, but I can't! 3 years ago, you told me that my feelings would go away, you told me that you couldn't encourage them, and today you expect I will welcome you with open arms? How? Do you know how many days I spent telling myself that you were right, and I was wrong? How many times have I convinced myself that whatever I felt for you couldn't ever come to fruition?"
"Khushi listen-"
"No." she started getting ready to get up. She didn't want to listen as he played with her emotions again.
