Intertwined Fates -- An IPKKND FanFic

Just a little less lonely

Payal smiled as she looked around the garden. Akash had arranged everything beautifully. "This is amazing."

"Thank you," he said. He held out his hand, and when she took it, he led her to a round table with a picnic basket.

Happily, they delved into the snacks from the baskets, their thoughts and conversation revolving around the future as they waited for the clock to strike twelve.

When it did, Akash took her hand again. "Payal...last year, at this time, I didn't know what love was. I didn't know what it meant to fight for someone nor did I have the courage. You've taught me all that Payal. You, your love has changed me for the better. Thank you."

She smiled. "You've changed my life, too, Akash. I thought of myself as defective, as someone incapable of being loved. When I first saw you, and I felt so strongly for you, I ordered myself to stop. I told myself that there was no use chasing after daydreams. But you made me realize that I'm not only worthy of being loved, I'm worthy of a love as pure as yours. So thank you."

"Happy New Year, Payal."

"Happy New Year."

***

Khushi blinked once, then softly questioned,"Mr. Raizada?" Suddenly her voice rose, "What are you doing here?"

"Shh," Arnav hissed. "I dropped my phone..."

"Your phone? What is your phone doing here? Your phone came with you, obviously. How did you even get here? Hai, Devi Mayan, did you climb through the window..."

He put a stop to her frantic questioning by placing his hand over her mouth. "Shut up, will you? Someone will hear. Payal is out with Akash; she texted you."

Realization dawned across Khushi's face and then she slowly wrapped her fingers around Arnav's wrist, pulling his hand away from her face.

Digging into her bag, she checked her phone, which she hadn't looked at since she'd left the house earlier. Payal had indeed texted her.

"See?" Arnav said triumphantly. "I told you."

"Your cousin is turning my friend into a rebel," Khushi muttered.

"Or the other way around. Akash never would have done this for anyone else."

"Hmmm," Khushi said contemplatively. She sat down cross-legged on the bed as she chewed on some more jalebi. "Do you want me to get you some sugar-free ones?"

"No, it's fine. I just need to find my phone..." he trailed off as he spotted it on the ground.

Picking it up, he glanced back towards Khushi, who'd taken out her laptop and was reading something on the screen.

Why did it disappoint him that she wasn't looking at him?

Whatever. He was about to climb out the window when he muttered an expletive and drew back.

"What is it?" Khushi asked, looking up.

"There are some people outside; I can't climb out without them seeing me."

"I think everyone else is already in bed; you can leave through the front door."

He followed Khushi as she opened the door and stepped out only to be taken aback when she suddenly pushed him back inside, shutting the door behind her and locking it. "What the--"

She clamped her hand over his mouth. "Buaji's outside," she whispered, face pale in panic.

If anyone asked Arnav, he would be adamant that it was the fear of getting caught by Buaji and not Khushi's hand on his lips that made his heart swoop down to his stomach. Just as she had before, he slowly wrapped his fingers around her wrist and pulled her hand away but didn't let go as he lowered it.