Destiny Tales

Chapter 7 : Just Friends

It's a new day but Khushi isn't too happy. The wave of memories hits her, and she remembers how her mother used to wake her up and her dad would hover around to see if she has got enough sleep.

After making her morning cup of coffee with the sugar she borrowed from her neighbour, she decides to talk to her parents. After an hour-long chat, she sits in the balcony looking at the clear skies, with tears in her eyes. What she doesn't notice is that Kabir too is out in his balcony and looking at her. He notices that she wipes her tears, and it breaks his heart. What could be bothering Khushi, he wonders.

An hour passes, and Kabir is unable to shake this feeling that Khushi isn't fine. But can he just walk over like that and ask her what's wrong? After what has transpired between them, can he really do that, he wonders? Well, no harm in trying, he reassures his wavering mind. He musters courage and smiles to himself. This so-called big celebrity is under the spell of this next door girl, really? He is the Kabir Sikand, and perhaps he has forgotten that himself. Finally, he heaves a sigh of relief. He has forgotten that he is the superstar Kabir Sikand. That timid boy who was shy and pure at heart is coming out, and Khushi is responsible for that.

He walks over, and rings the bell. His hands tremble, and he tries to hide his nervousness. Khushi opens the door. Her hair is tied in a messy bun with strands of hair caressing her sharp jawline. Her thin lips curve into a half formed smile upon seeing Kabir. The mascara of her eyes is a little runny owing to the tears that washed it away, yet she looks ethereal. Kabir thinks to himself, she is beautiful.

Khushi doesn't say anything but shows her amusement through her raised eyebrow. Kabir doesn't notice that at the beginning. He is too busy noticing her sharp collar bone that peeks through the loose top she is wearing over a flowy long skirt. Khushi coughs and Kabir finally realises that Khushi needs to know why he is here. He just shrugs his shoulders and Khushi rolls her eyes and lets him in.

"Why were you crying Khushi?" Kabir gets straight to the point. Khushi turns back and says, "Were you snooping on me? You do know that stalking isn't legal. Imagine the headline - The Kabir Sikand, Superstar Megastar, Caught Stalking A Commoner!" As Khushi smirks, Kabir too ends up smiling.

"I think we got off on the wrong foot! I have come to introduce myself, and make you feel welcomed. After all, that's what good neighbors do, right?" Kabir says these words and thinks to himself, who is he kidding. The reality is that Khushi has this indispensable pull on him and he cannot help but get pulled by her in every possible way.

Khushi looks at him and smiles as she extends her hand. "Hi, Khushi Grewal! Singer, and struggling actor. Nice to meet you Mr. Kabir Sikand. Unfortunately, I am not a fan. I didn't even know that you were this big a star. So please don't try and intimidate me with your stature!" Kabir is taken aback at her rudeness, but realises that it's a joke as Khushi starts giggling.

"So Khushi, why were you crying?" Kabir asks her again. Khushi realises that he really wants to know. Why? She quells that question in her heart and responds to Kabir's, instead. "I was missing my parents, my home..." Khushi becomes emotional as she starts remembering that exact feeling once again. Kabir moves closer and rubs her hand with love and concern.

"Kabir, why are you being so nice to me. Are you this nice to everyone? Why me?" Khushi asks him point blank. "I don't know Khushi," Kabir replies with full honesty. There's silence that speaks between them. As Kabir wipes Khushi's tears, he pulls her face close. Her body is trembling as she gives in to his move.

They are in their senses, not like the night before, Khushi thinks. They move closer and their lips touch once again, this time, with both of them being fully aware of their actions. Kabir's right hand wavers and toys with the top that sits loosely on her shoulders. As his fingers caress her bare skin, Khushi almost melts with his touch.

Not losing touch, their lips respond to each other with full intensity as their hands caress their bodies. Kabir pulls back only to leave a trail of kisses reaching her collar bone. Khushi, unable to bear it any longer, pulls off his t-shirt and goes on to remove hers.

They are closer than ever and they don't know why or how. They are just responding to what their heart says. As Kabir's hand reaches her back, he is about to unclasp that one lock that will pull down that line that they shouldn't cross yet, he stops. Khushi is confused. What happened? What made him stop?

Suddenly, she becomes conscious of what has just transpired between them. Not looking at him, she puts her top and runs her fingers through her hair in despair. "I am sorry Khushi," Kabir says. Khushi just looks at him confused. Kabir doesn't have anything else to say. He is surprised. Never before has this happened to him. He has never known to draw the line with anyone before. He does what he feels like. But for the first time, he doesn't give in to his carnal desires.

"Kabir, please leave," Khushi says. Kabir is adamant and doesn't move an inch. "Listen Khushi, whatever happened today, let's just forget it? We cannot do this, ever. You, me, this isn't right. Not yet. You don't even know me. Let's just start from the beginning? Can we be friends?" an exasperated Kabir asks.

"Fine. Just friends." Khushi says.

As Kabir walks towards the door, he turns back to ask one last question. "Khushi, this wasn't the first time we kissed, was it?" Khushi's face is bright red. Her silence and her smile gives him the answer he wanted.

What happened today, shouldn't have happened, Kabir thinks. At least not now. What happened today was beautiful, Khushi thinks, reimagining everything all over again. As both of them are lost in thoughts of each other, Kabir gets a message. It's Rheesa.

"Goodbye Kabir. I am going forever."