Helloooo everyone

I am back with a 6k word back to back update.

Will let you all dive in without further delay.

Pls ignore editing errors haven't proofread.

Thank you for all the time and support to my work.

Much Love Guys.

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CHAPTER 16 – WHAT IS THIS 'THING' BETWEEN YOU AND ME?

Arnav's POV

Bangalore – Ritz Carlton – 11:10 PM

We'v just finished a late dinner with the team and are now making our way back up to our rooms.Some of the boys just got off the elevator on the floor, and now its just Ravi and Me.I look at Ravi as he's tapping his feet nervously in the elevator and I say – " seriously you gotta stop doing that everytime we are in the elevator, Ravi.."

Ravi leaned back against the other side off it as he says – "well, you do know I am semi claustrophobic right??"

I nod – " ofcourse, I know that..",and I pause as I ask – " but you did say it was getting better.."

Ravi nodded – " it is.."

So me and Ravi played together for the Mumbai team in the IPL

And I say honestly – " I am sorry.."

Ravi gave me a shrug and a sad smile , because he knew what I was hinting about – " well thank you for trying my friend, but I guess your sister has it all decided in her head already..she wont just listen..and honestly im done trying now, maybe I should just let it go.."

I shrug – " maybe..",and I state softly – " but you aren't over her yet..",and I admit now – " and I don't think she is over you..shes just very hurt, I just hope the two of you can atleast talk things out.."

Ravi smiled – " I hope so too..but maybe I just need to let it be for a while..iv been trying to get her attention in the last two months too but it hasn't worked in my favour right..",and the elevator opened and we both stepped out, our rooms were on the same floor, and he spoke as we walked down the corridor – " anyways im excited about the semi's tomorrow, and if we win , we met Cap in Chennai for the finals on Sunday.."

I grin – " yes...we will be meeting him in the final in that case for what the fifth time now??"

Ravi grins but admits honestly – " it still amuses me how we have to play on all these different teams in the IPL pitched against each other and then go back to being one team again..but then I guess it is what it is..we learn so much from playing in the same team as our various international counterparts.."

I nod – " exactly, and the talent that's coming up every year , all these amazing players are given a chance..i think it's been amazing platform.."

Ravi grinned – " yes indeed...and time flies look we are the end of IPL almost..and then in a weeks time we are off to the West Indies.."

I grin – " you love Jamaica.."

He grins – " you love it too......."

I chuckle – "yes I do...",and I admit honestly – "but im glad its only a ten day tour with the five odi's.."

Ravi nods – " I know what you mean man, its been so hectic, I am so looking forward to that little break we have post the west indies tour.."

I smile as I admit honestly – " I am too..",and we reach Ravi's room and he gets in and I wish him goodnight and make my way to my room.

I step into my room and look at the time on my phone its 11:10 PM, which means I still had to wait for another 20 minutes to get on that video call with Khushi.

I feel myself relax and smile immediately as her thoughts return,and I sit in my bed and relax myself into the

She was probably finishing her shift at the café now.

Khushi.

What can I say??

I mean – where should I begin??

She was my Sunshine.

She really was the light of my Life.

If I just start talking about how many times iv fallen in love with her all over again in the last two months, it will literally be morning right here.

To cut the long story short – I am truly, madly and deeply – in Love with Khushi.

She was that missing major puzzle piece that my Heart had been longing for, all its Life!

So when I was a kid, I used to love my lego and puzzles (mom goes on and on about it till date and she says that the only way to get me sitting straight for hours could be by giving me a puzzle or a lego)

Anyways, I loved them because it fascnitaed me greatly.I mean you know how you go about bit by bit trying to fix all these smaller pieces together to finally come to that big picture.And how in the process you twist around a smaller piece so many times trying various combinations,until it finally fits right in its place and then you go on and on trying to do the same with all the other pieces until this picture is complete.

So when Khushi came along, it felt like my heart finally picked out a little puzzle for itself on reflex,and then started throwing all these pieces together in order to finally reveal that final picture to me, the picture that would be the answer to all that longing in my heart.

And I had realised it precisely two months ago that the picture in my heart was now complete.

And the picture of was that of Khushi's.

She was my answer to two very important things – Happiness and Love

Everything about her fascinated me greatly, not only because I Loved her, or because she was such an amazingly pure and innocent person in her heart , or because she was definetly one of the most inspirational persons id ever met, or because she was just so beautiful inside out.

It was because – There was something very exquisitely wonderful about the way she made me feel.

It was because she was the perfect fit into the puzzle of my Heart.

Everything about us is all signalling to the fact that – We are meant to be!

Gosh.

Only I know how difficult it is for me to still hold onto all this love and emotion within the walls of my heart as a secret.

I am doing so because I have to take it slow and steady with her.

I know she was falling for me.

We were heading in the exact direction my heart wanted, but I was being extra cautious also because I didn't want to overwhelm her or scare her away by all these heavy duty emotions that im feeling deep inside for her.

Oh.

And why do I call them Heavy Duty Emotions??

Because that's what they are.

The roots of her Love have marked my heart in a way that's way too deep.And along with being deep, they are also directly proportionate to all these happy and thrilling emotions, my hearts been glowing and basking in the warmth off.

Iv had so much endorphin release into my system due to all this happiness she makes me feel that I think I am permanently just high on Life, these days.

I pick up my phone on reflex and I open up our whatsapp conversation and look at our conversation from a while ago and I find myself grinning from ear to ear.

This is what I mean.

Even though I am physically alone right now, I am not alone.

She is with me.

Until her, I had no tale of Love brewing up in my heart ever, and even though I was living a very hectic and a busy lifestyle and was always surrounded by people, there was that corner in my hearts that was always just alone, basking in longing and hope that maybe one day it would meet the one who was meant for it.

She was the one meant for me.

And now I was starting to kind off also believe that she was falling for me hard and fast too.

It was on her face.

In her voice.

In her eyes.

In her words.

But I still had to hold onto that patience for a little longer, because I obviously didn't want to confess to her over the video call.

I wanted to do this in person, face to face.

And that is why I was super excited about this little break we had after the West Indies ten day tour.

Because I had full plans to fly into Cape Town and surprise the daylights out of her mind and then hopefully out of her heart too.

The time was nearing for me to sway her up in the air with that UpperCut shot in my signature style.

I am literally grinning like an idiot as I imagine the look on her face when she would see me standing in front off her.

She'd probably just stay rooted to her spot in shock, with those big innocent eyes widened up,and the emotion of complete surprise and emotion on her face.

What would I do then??

Kiss her mindlessly maybe?And then tell her a little bit about all these emotions I was felling, so that to get things going for us in a official way.

Or maybe the other way round??

Maybe I will just leave that to my heart to judge and decide once it was in that moment.

I probably still had to wait to tell her about how deeply I loved her.

I planned to tell her that by flying in to see her on her 23rd bday in November, which would also give her enough time to be comfortable in our new phase as well.

Her comfort with our pace was very important to me.

I loved her.

I respected her.

I admired her.

I wasn't going to do anything to cause her any sort of a discomfort.

To be this patient wasn't easy ofcourse!

But then they do say – That the fruits of patience are very sweet.

Im still lost in her thoughts when my phone buzzes.

Its Mom on a video call.

I grin as I pick up immediately and I see Mom's and Anjali's faces fill in my screen and I smile – " hey you guys..why aren't you asleep yet??"

I see a worried look on their faces.

And they are not smiling.

I feel worry creep in immediately as I ask – " is everything ok at home?? Dadi?? Dad??? Guys pls??"

Mom gives me a small smile – " yes yes, it is ok ..i mean we are all ok..but..",and she pauses as she nudges Anjali – " go on tell him.."

I ask on reflex – " what is it??"

Mom sighs – " gosh I feel like this is all my fault..im so sorry beta.."

I ask on reflex – " mom relax, why are you sorry??what happened??"

Anjali takes a deep breathe – " ok bhai...so because you are not on social media, you are not aware but the public and your fans and the media have literally gone beserk.."

I look at her confused – " what do you mean??beserk?? why??what??"

Anjali – " and this time its about your personal life.."

I ask – " huh?? Whaatttttttt??"

Mom takes a deep breathe – " so, remember how we were at your match the other day at the Feroz Shah Kotla for the quarter finals and then because Sheena was in Delhi because of Aisha's shoot, I asked them to accompany us for the match.."

Ok.

Sheena aunty was Mom's old friend from her theatre days in Bombay.

And Aisha was her daughter.She had made her Bollywood debut last year with a major blockbuster.

Sheena aunty has been Moms friend for so long that obviously Aisha is an acquaintance, from over the years.

I remember catching up with her a little after the match in a little casual chat.

I wait for Mom and Anjali to continue and I ask – " go on..."

Mom – " ok, so I think I shouldn't have ask them to accompany us in the first place.."

Me – " huh??"

Anjali – " ok..just so you know, the media and the fandom has gone crazy.."

I look at them confused – " about what though???"

Anjali – " bhai you can be so naïve sometimes too..obviously about you and Aisha..the media, the fans, twitter, theyv snapped a picture of the two of you talking together after the match and its gone viral now, and #asraisha #bollywoodsprincesscricketsprince #thehottestcoupleintown..its all trending on twitter now.."

I sat up in my bed in shock as I asked – " whattttttttttt?????? What the hell???????? From where did the media conjure up something like that??"

Mom shot me a worried look – " I think the fact that me and Sheena are such good friends may have something to do with it.."

Anjali – " ofcourse it has everything to do it..its all over social media..people are predicting a engagement on the cards already?? There is a picture of mom and sheena aunty talking to you both gone viral on the media too.."

I groan – "what the hell?? Such bullshit.."

Anjali – " yes bullshit, we know..but because you aren't on social media and we are obviously not going to react to this news and keep our silence...people are obviously going to keep talking.."

I say – " look I don't care about what the people say..i think sheena aunty and aisha will be as upset about this.."

Anjali – " so yes about that..aisha was just cornered by the media outside a restaurant 30 minutes ago, and I think to get them off her back , she did tell them that you were just a family friend, and then people cornered her again and she just joked about the fact that there was nothing ever going on in between both of you even though shes been crushing on you forever.."

My eyes widen in shock – " waittt??? Whattttttttttttttt?????????is she crazy??? Who talks like that ya?????

Mom sighed – " she is in Bollywood beta...things work like this in there..and then ofcourse a rumour of a link up between you and her, is publicity right??she cant help it even if she wants too, infact she messaged us right now to let us know about this.."

Anjali – " now the netizens have gone crazy half your female fan following is heartbroken because of the though that you are probably taken now, some are trolling her, and the rest half are already conjuring up memes about the couple name theyd like to give you both, or the date of your wedding, for that matter..."

I feel my anger boil now – " what bloody bullshit dammit..",and I ask Anjali – " how many articles are there in the papers??"

Anjali – " on all major dailies and page 3's, but all online still..but its trending on twitter and insta now.."

Mom sighed – " that's why we called you first thing, you need to tell Khushi before she sees any of this yourself..i know its not official between you both yet, and that's why this can be damaging, because you cant fly down to Cape Town yet..you have the ipl matches still and then the west indies tour beta.."

Oh SHIT.

I feel dread grip my heart.

Khushi was anyway very jittery because of all my limelight and now this.

God, I have absolutely no idea how was she going to react.

This was going to scare the shit out of her and overwhelm her on another level all together.

Anjali took a deep breathe – " bhai you have paled into a white sheet.."

Mom sighed – " obvious because he loves her.."

Mom and Anjali both knew how I felt about Khushi- ofcourse.

Anjali – " ok so you did say that khushi isn't very much into all this social media, so lets just hope she hasn't seen any of this yet and you get to give her a heads up.."

I nod as I say – " ill figure it out..i will call you guys later??i have to speak to khushi asap.."

They nod and hang up immediately.

Right then my phone buzzes.

Its khushi.

Her : Hello hoodie guy, I came to my room fifteen minutes ago but I thought ill get ready first for the dinner and then message you, so that I can talk to you until I have to leave.Are you free hoodie guy? I am good to connect on a video call.

I instruct myself to calm down as soon as possible and drink two glasses of water and I take a couple of deep breathes to steady my nerves.

And I finally call Khushi.

She picks up in a second.

And the minute her beautiful face fills in my screen.

I feel my worry ease a little.

She gives me her gorgeous smile – the one that lights up my Life.

And I feel myself at ease a little more.

She's standing in front of her little fridge sipping on some coffee and shes looking so freaking gorgeous in that dark grey – boat necked knee length skater dress and she wore sheer black stockings underneath and flat pumped shoes.

And her hair are left straight open,and shes had them flipped them to one side.She didn't have too much make up on, just a sheer natural base and some nude matt lip stain.

Godd.

She was so naturally stunning , so so so bloody gorgeous.

I cant even begin to talk about how attracted I was to her.

I was attracted to her from the very beginning.

She had been a magnet to me from the start.

But now.

It was different.

It was heading onto a very high spectrum on the scale.

And it had everything to do with the fact how deeply I loved her.

Attraction obviously heightens to a different level when you feel love root your heart.

Now - Everything about her was a magnet to my mind, body and soul.

I see her walk up to that little chair of the dining table and she sits on it and keeps her mug aside and she finally speaks, waving her hand in front of the screen – " hey you...where are you lost????can you see me?? Is the connection ok????????i can see you hoodie guy, but I feel like youv kind of hung up on the screen..can you see me??wait ill just call you again.."

She hangs up and my phone buzzes the next second and I instruct myself to conjure up a way of wording it to her.

I pick up and I see her grinning face fill in the screen, and my heart warms up.

She looks so happy.

I smile – "hey you..sunshine..look at that smile..now I know that your paper was more than just amazing..."

She grins – " yes it was hoodie guy...ok..you tell me did you have a good dinner?? Im so excited for dinner tonight..aunty and diya have all my favourite dishes ready.."

I ask on reflex – " really????"

She nods in excitement.

I smile – " that's amazing khushi...I hope you have a good time.."

She grinned – " yes I will...you tell me have you settled in and relaxed a little?? Its going to be a hectic day tomorrow no?but then by now I know its nothing new for you..god Arnav..i still don't know how you all pull all this travel off...its amazing.."

I nod and give her a small smile – " yes khushi I have settled in and relaxed and had a good dinner too.."

She grins – " amazing..ok..so I think I forgot to tell you about one thing.."

Me – " what thing??"

Khushi – " so there is a little get together for all of us big bus guides tomorrow at the head office like a networking mixer..i think I will go for a while and then just leave early for my uber schedule..you know how I haven't been able to do any of that all week..."

I smile on reflex – " that already sounds like an interesting event khushi.."

She now folds her hands on the table and asks looking straight at me – " somethings worrying you right?? What is it??"

I ask in a surprised reflex – "how do you know??"

She rolls her eyes – " I know you yaaa...now cmon tell me is everything ok with you?? Or back at home??",and she oaused as concern was evident on her face – " or wait..have you injured yourself again??tell meee...and don't you dare lie..i can see that worry frown lines on your forhead and your nose wrinkles up a little when you are deep in thought always...can you please talk to me now???Arnav?? please????????????"

I feel Love gush through my heart.

Now you know what I mean by How she was the perfect fit for my Heart and Soul.

I take a deep breathe – " ok khushi..so I was just on a call with mom and Anjali.."

She nods – " ahann..Anjali still not forgiving Ravi yet??"

I nod – " yes that's there..but this isn't about that.."

She asks – " ok..then what is it??"

I take a deep breathe.

I have to tell her.

I speak – " ok so, the other day after the quarter