September Rain: An IPKKND FF

Chapter Eight

She was like a dream. She was like September rains. She was his.

He had known when he saw her that fateful day, clutching her red skirt, her deer-like eyes skirting around nervously. He had felt the disappointment weigh heavily in his chest as he found they were not in the same house. He remembered buying the soda bottles and running across the grounds lest she waited too long for him on the stairs.

His innocent affection had deepened over the years. Sitting in his favourite spot on the red house terrace, his eyes always found the green rooftop, a splinter of longing burning within him.
He had been thirteen when his tonsils were removed. Surgery was a scary thought, and the doctor had told him to take a deep breath and think of "happy thoughts".
And when his mind had turned to thoughts of her, he knew.

Raizadas and Guptas had become friends, after a few clever manoeuvres by Akash and Payal. A few parties and dozens of dinners later, they were spending the summer together.
--

"Guess what papa got me!" Khushi brandished a shiny, jet black camera at him.

"Nice!" He smiled,sitting up straight, afraid of tilting the hammock over.

"No, no ,no! Just lay there!"

She clicked the button, her hair fluttering against the wind. He smiled awkwardly, as she clicked several more.

"You look pretty Arnav!" She teased with a smile.

--

That summer, Khushi had created an album. An album of just their photos. He had bit his lip, hiding his joy at finding the album packed with more than half with just his photos.

But things were changing. He could sense it. He couldn't help but feel the electricity hum beneath his skin, when his shoulder brushed hers, when he held her hand, feeling skin against skin. Seeing her dance was like watching an angel trapeze.

--

"Can't believe it's raining!"

He hid his smirk behind the book he was trying to read.

"Arnav, you are boring me now"

"We can't go out Khushi "

"I know that! But can we have fun?"

"Fun?" He set his book aside with a sigh.

She walked up to his speakers. After a few minutes, soft music filled his room.

She smiled, "It's 'These dreams' by Heart"

She moved gently, mouthing the words.

"And the full moon that hangs over, these dreams in the mist" she sang as she extended a hand towards him, tilting her head.

He slipped his hand into hers, as she pulled him off the bed.
Her arms entwined around his neck, and his hand found them on her waist.
He breathed out, as they swayed to the music. The lyrics were far from clear to Arnav by this point. His senses were on an overdrive, as he felt enveloped by her warmth, by her floral smell, by the heart beating against his own.

--

He was in love with Khushi Gupta.
He felt no jolt, no shock. He felt like he had been in love forever.

He looked at her across the table, as she took bites out of her cotton candy.
They had been on five rides so far. Dhruv had taken the seat beside her on two, Lavanya had insisted on him being with her on two, and one had single seats only.

A frustrated frown revealed his feelings, as he watched her laughing at something Mona whispered into her ear.
This just won't do.

"Anyone want ice cream?" Aman stood up.

"You stay here, I'll go get it" , he said, leaving the table without waiting for Aman's reply.

--

"Hi"

Arnav startled as he heard the whisper behind him.
"Lavanya, what are you doing here?" He turned towards her.

"I couldn't let you stand in line alone, could I ?" She smiled and tilted her head.

Annoyance creeped up on him, like a wave.
"We talked about this, Lavanya. You can't make friends by sticking to me. You need to talk to others."

Her eyes widened in shock. Probably at the harsh tone he had used.

"I don't want that, Arnav. No one gets me like you do"

"Well I want to be with others! You can't get through school like this, Lavanya. And I know that my friends have been doing everything to make you feel comfortable"

"Come on Arnav! They are your friends, not mine. We have fun together, just us two! I don't want anything more"

He ran a hand through his hair roughly.
"I wanted you to be well settled in because the teachers asked me to. But you have been looking at it all wrong. I like you Lavanya and I want to be your friend , but I cannot be with you all the time!"

"Whatever! You can leave if you want," she rolled her eyes.

Arnav walked off, his brisk steps taking him away, leaving a scorned girl behind.

Author's desk: I realised that Arnav's pov was needed at this point (public demand) , so here it is! Hope you liked it! Please let me know what you think by your votes and comments 💗