Silent Affair (On Hold)

Chapter Eight

Arnav barely slept that night. All he could think about was of what had happened to Khushi and her family. Memories of them played in his head and with each memory, his heart pitted more and more each time.

It was seven in the morning and Arnav was still awake. Curious about Khushi, Arnav got up and made his way to Anjali's room. When he reached her room, he found Anjali's door opened. Arnav knocked anyway and Anjali came walking over.

"Oh. Good morning Chote," she smiled softly.

"Morning Di. How's Khushi?"

Anjali looked back at Khushi, who was sleeping. "She slept peacefully for once."

Arnav scrunched his eyebrows.

"Sometimes when this happens, she cries out in her sleep," she clarified.

Arnav nodded in acknowledgement.

"Come in."

Both entered her room and looked at Khushi. Arnav opened his mouth to say something, when Anjali's phone rang. Anjali quickly dashed towards it and quickly picked it up.

"Hello," Anjali whispered.

"Rani Saheba, how are you?"

"Oh, it's you Shyam. I'm fine."

"Um, why are you whispering?"

"Khushi...."

"Not again," Shyam sighed.

"Yeah," Anjali said sadly.

"What happened?"

Anjali looked at Arnav and Arnav nodded, gesturing that he'd watch Khushi while she finished up with her call. Anjali smiled lightly and left the room to finish her call. When Anjali left, Arnav looked down at Khushi. She was sound asleep, looking very peaceful. Arnav crouched down and ran his hand through Khushi's hair. He continued to do so and within a couple of minutes, Arnav fell asleep with his hand in her hair.

As soon as she woke up, Avantika made her way to Anjali's room. She found her Di in the hall, twirling her hair as she smiled away. Anjali was totally lost in her own world and Avantika planned on taking advantage of it. She walked on over to Anjali and as she got closer, Anjali turned her back to her, still twirling her hair. As soon as she got close to Anjali, she quickly snatched the phone out of Anjali's hand.

"Hi Jeeju," Avantika grinned.

"Avi," Anjali hissed, trying not to be loud so that Khushi didn't wake up.

Avantika chuckled. "What's up Jeeju?"

Shyam chuckled. "You're never gonna grow up are you?"

Avantika tilted her head. "Why does everyone keep saying that?"

"Because it's the truth."

"Jeeju! Not you too!"

Anjali snatched the phone. "Until you stop it, everyone will continue to say it."

Avantika twitched her mouth.

Anjali went back to talking with her husband and Avantika turned to go check on Khushi. When she opened the door, her eyes widened at the sight of Arnav and Khushi.

"Di," Avantika hissed.

But Anjali was too wrapped up in her conversation.

"Di look," she hissed, but Anjali still didn't budge.

Shaking her head, Avantika caught Anjali's arm and pulled her over.

"Avantika-!" Anjali's eyes widened when she saw the two. "Eh. Ma. Gawd."

"I know," Avantika squeaked.

"What's going on," Shyam asked.

"Shyam, I'll call you later babe, kay? Bye love," Anjali said.

Before Shyam got the chance to say anything, Anjali hung up. Both she and Avantika looked at Arnav and Khushi, their eyes staying on them like a hawk's.

"I can't believe Bhai fell asleep like that," Avantika whispered.

"Neither can I," Anjali said. "I had noticed that he looked really tired but oh my gosh!"

They saw Khushi shift and quickly quieted down. Khushi moved her head slightly and then she opened her eyes. She blinked several times, clearing her vision, and when she saw Arnav, her eyes widened. Arnav had his head resting on his arm and Khushi realized that his hand was in her hair. Khushi blinked several times, shocked by their position. She tried to move his hand but as soon as she touched his arm, Arnav shifted. She withdrew her hand and watched as Arnav slowly woke up.

Arnav lifted his head slightly and looked around. His vision was blurry and once he blinked it out, he saw Khushi looking at him. Arnav's eyes locked with Khushi's. Neither of them could tear their gaze away from the other. They just gazed at each other, stuck in their position.

Arnav then remembered the night before. "How are you feeling Khushi?"

Khushi pursed her lips and looked down, nodding her head.

"Did you sleep well?"

Khushi nodded again.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

Khushi looked up at him.

"Why didn't you tell me what happened to your parents and Buaji? Why did you stop my family from telling me?"

Khushi looked back down.

"You told him," Anjali hissed to Avantika.

"He has the right to know," Avantika hissed back.

Both Arnav and Khushi heard the two bicker. Arnav looked at them and the two shot up immediately and hid. Arnav shook his head and looked back at Khushi. Khushi felt awkward and she slowly sat up. Arnav just watched her, forgetting that his hand was on her hand. When Khushi looked back at him, Arnav once more got stuck in gaze. He just gazed at her and Khushi felt a bit uncomfortable. She looked up at his hand and Arnav followed her line of sight. That's when he remembered and removed his hand. Khushi took this as her chance and quickly got up.

"Khushi!"

Khushi stilled and looked back at Arnav.

"Why did you hide everything from me?"

Khushi looked away and deciding not explain her reason, she quickly left the room.

"Khushi!"

But Khushi had already left. Anjali and Avantika watched as Khushi dashed down the hall and turned at the corner. The two ladies looked at each other and then at Arnav, who was looking down at the floor angrily.