The next morning, the sun filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow in the living room of the Raizada residence.
Akash, Maddy, and Aman pulled it open, the sight before them was nothing short of a spectacle.
There lay Khushi, sprawled atop Arnav, her hair tousled and her face buried in his chest. Maddy burst into laughter, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Guys, wake up!" she called, unable to suppress her giggles.
What's going on guys?" Akash muttered
Khushi jolted awake, realizing her position. Her cheeks flushed tomato red as she quickly stood up, glaring at everyone. "This isn't what it looks like!"
"Sure, it isn't," Akash teased, smirking knowingly.
Furious, Khushi spun on her heel and stormed into the garden, her heart pounding not just from embarrassment but from the confusion swirling within her.
"Khushi, wait!" Arnav called, stepping out from the tangle of limbs. "I need to talk to you!"
"Why? So you can explain how you took advantage of me?" she shot back, hurt evident in her voice.
"Do I really seem like that kind of person?" Arnav asked, incredulity flooding his words.
"Yes!" she shouted, the frustration pouring out. "You've kissed me without my consent before!I don't remember anything!" How am I supposed to trust you?"
"I apologized for that!" he replied, his own emotions flaring. "But last night? It was different. I didn't force you; What happened was entirely your choice," he responded, attempting to clarify.
" she interrupted, tears threatening to brim her eyes. "What happened?"
"What happened," he said softly, stepping closer, "was something that happens between people who care for each other."
Confusion swirled in her chest at his words. "What does that even mean?"
"Hey," he whispered, pulling her into a nurturing embrace. "Nothing happened that you didn't want. You were just enjoying yourself. You don't have to be upset."
Khushi leaned into him, desperate to feel the warmth and safety, even as the tears began to flow. "Alright?" he coaxed gently, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Just let me help you understand."
Watching from a distance, Maddy, Akash, and Aman exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of concern and hope.
But reality hit Khushi hard. She pulled away, blinking through her tears. "No nonono sir this isn't right. We're making a mistake!"
"Really?" he replied, his voice rising in disbelief. "You're the one who confessed your feelings to me last night! You said you liked me!"
"That was before!" she exclaimed, her tone turning defensive. "You think I'm in love with you? I'm not! Whatever happened last night was the result of being drunk. It doesn't mean anything!"
Arnav clenched his jaw, feeling the sting of her words deep in his chest. Just when he thought they could find common ground, the façade of her feelings crumbled.
Suddenly, the tension in the air thickened as Arnav's parents arrived, alerted by the commotion. His mother's sharp voice cut through them like a knife. "What are you doing, Arnav? Who is this girl ?
Before anyone could respond, Akash intervened, "Mom, you were supposed to come tomorrow! How are you here?"
Arnav's dad interjected, "Your mother heard about a girl being in here with Arnav last night!"
"This is the girl, isn't it?" his mom demanded, eyes blazing at Khushi.
Akash attempted to clarify, but his words fell on deaf ears. "No! Mom, please! It's not like that."
"Get out of my house!" she shouted at Khushi, who stood frozen in shock.
"Mom, stop!" Arnav pleaded, coming to Khushi's defense. "She's not going anywhere. We love each other."
"What?" his parents exclaimed in unison, a mixture of disbelief and shock painted on their faces.
"Yes!" Arnav declared, his voice firm. "I'm in love with her!"
"But you never liked her," his father replied, confusion writ large on his face.
"I didn't realize it until now," Arnav insisted, desperation creeping into his voice. "She's captivated me in ways I never expected."
Arnav's mother, still clearly upset, turned and stormed back into the house, leaving tense silence in her wake.
Khushi, hearing all this, felt a rush of emotions but was uncertain. "Sir, what you're saying… it can't be right. You should understand we're from different worlds! We can't—"
"Khushi, this isn't just a fling; please don't run away!" Arnav said, reaching for her hand. But she pulled away.
"Leave my hand," she said, her voice trembling. "This isn't going to work; we can't be together. The sooner you realize that, the better."
With those words, she turned and fled, her heart heavy with the bittersweet memory of what could have been.
The echo of her footsteps faded as Arnav knelt down, feeling a gaping void open within him. Heartbroken, he whispered into the quiet of the room, "What have I done?" before retreating back into the darkness of his room,
And there, amidst the shadows, he longed for their chaotic moments that had brought them so close, to hold on just a little tighter before letting go.