September Rain: An IPKKND FF

Chapter Seven

"So listen up! I want all of you in your buses. The class monitor will take the count. No cellphones allowed, no funny business under my watch! Is that clear?"

"Yes ma'am ", came the bored drawl of the classes of X and XI.

Mona wiggled up to Khushi, grinning ear to ear.
"Dhruv is here", she sang.

Khushi narrowed her eyes, "I know. Everyone is here"

"Silly! I am saying picnics are the best opportunities to start dating! Teachers are all cooped up in the shade, enjoying their break. We can do whatever we want!"

"Dating?! What are you talking about? "

"Well you need to move on from Arnav and who better to move onto?"Mona winked.

Khushi stared at her friend for a long moment.
"Lavanya is not his girlfriend", she whispered.

She found herself lost as Mona looked at her blankly, her lips pursed in displeasure.

"What?"

"K, I love you that's why I am telling you this. It happened to my cousin. Do you remember Sharvi di? She was strung over a guy for ages. And this new girl entered the scene, but he used to keep assuring her that nothing's going on. And after a year, she found them making out at a house party!"

She felt anger flood through her. And if she was honest with herself, a little desperation too.

"Arnav isn't like that guy, Mona. He won't lie"

"I won't let him break your heart. Do whatever you want K, but if you don't want to be careful, I will"

"Aw! My bodyguard ", she battled her eyelashes.

"Who's the bodyguard?" NK swung his arm around her shoulder.

"Mona is, " Khushi smiled.

"What are you defending Khushi against? A mosquito?"

"I'll smash your teeth in Khurana. It will suit your pretty face" Mona smirked.

"Violence already Mona?" Arnav sauntered up to them.

"You'll see Raizada " Mona glanced at Khushi.

-----

"I can't believe Preeto is fraternising with the enemy!" Mona whispered angrily into her ear, as she eyed her sitting beside Lavanya.

"She is playing polo with her," Khushi mumbled.

Ignoring her friend's outrage, she pushed her bag up on the luggage rack. She grabbed Mona's sack and placed it next to hers.

Settling down on the window seat, Khushi looked on as her classmates filed into the bus, chattering away.
She looked away as she caught a glance of Arnav. She frowned at herself.
Hadn't they solved this? Why then did this uneasy feeling that she was going to lose him persist?
Her heart is driving her mad.

-----

The spectators at the traffic signal must certainly be amused at the noise blaring from the school bus, Khushi thought.

NK wouldn't let her sit, especially after he had convinced the bus driver to let him use the speakers. She swayed, as everyone sang off key as loudly as they could. She laughed as she saw everyone dancing with as much gusto as they could muster in the cramped space.

NK held her hand and attempted an awkward spin, leading her to stumble all over him. She giggled as her cheeks flushed in embarrassment. He set her alight on her feet with a wink.

Khushi brushed her hair off her face, stilling as she felt the brunt of a stare pierce her. She didn't have to wonder for long, for in the next moment her eyes met Arnav's intense gaze. She smiled hesitantly, unsure of the sudden stillness he seemed to be caught in.

He didn't smile back.

A bag of chips thrust themselves into her view. She looked up to see Aman.
"Eat up Gupta! The park is still an hour away!"

-----

The shiny board of 'Topsy World' shone magnificently across the skyline. The weather seemed to be kind to them today, as the sun stayed dim behind the clouds.

"There!" Preeto yelled, "My brother said this ride should be done first"

"I love this place!" Lavanya smiled.

"It is nice," Khushi sighed.

"Red thunder? Are you serious ,Preeto?"

Preetika smirked, "Why? Scared ,Mona ?"

And that was it. Mona thumped her way to the line, while Preeto chased her. And the gang just followed along.
The line was long. Khushi fixed her cap, as she leaned against the railing.

"Red ranger, K? You sure it's the right choice?" Dhruv smirked as she looked up, startled .

"For me, yes. For faint hearted ones, no. So you might want to think it through, Mr Iyer" Khushi smiled.

He laughed, "Let's see who'll call for their "mummy" first up there shall we?"

Khushi blushed, "Hey! I was 12 okay?!"

Dhruv shrugged, "You'll have to prove it to me, I guess"

"Khushi come on!" NK hollered.

She rushed along the railings, followed by the group of eleventh graders.

"Come on" Arnav grabbed her hand.

"Hey, Arnav " Dhruv called out, "can I borrow your friend just for this ride? You see there is a challenge which madam has undertaken..." Dhruv smiled, not taking his eyes off Khushi.

She felt Arnav's grip on her hand tighten.

"Ya sure! I wanted Arnav to sit with me anyway " Lavanya interrupted with a hand on his shoulder, "Khushi you can sit with your friend "

"Oh come on guys! The operator is waiting" Aman yelled from his seat.

Khushi looked at Arnav, trying to read his face. She felt his grip loosen, and a hollow opened in her chest.

"Come on K!" Dhruv grabbed her other hand and pulled her to a seat.

The seat belt clicked in. The operator counted down.

"Phew! No matter how many times I get into these things, my heart never gets used to it" Dhruv chuckled.

Khushi smiled faintly. Her heart was also thumping incessantly. But it had nothing to do with the ride.

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Author's desk:
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