Chapter Six

Later that day, Arnav really had to meet up with Khushi. With everyone talking shit in every direction, he knew at least one person would've offended Khushi at any cost. When he arrived to class, he didn't see Khushi there.

That's weird, he thought. Khushi never misses class.

Sitting in his seat, he looked around. Khushi wasn't in sight! Class began, and Khushi still hadn't arrived. Throughout the entire class, all Arnav would do was look up at the door. He kept expecting Khushi to come through the door, but she never came. It worried Arnav now.

Did someone say something to her? I hope not, he gritted his teeth.

When class ended, Arnav went zooming out the class.

"Yo Arnav," Viren hollered, but Arnav completely ignored him.

"What's his deal," a friend asked.

"Nah, don't worry. He'll be over it."

*~*

Arnav headed to the library, expecting Khushi where they normally sat. But once he arrived there, Khushi wasn't in sight. She wasn't anywhere in the library! This got Arnav mad and he didn't like it one bit. He went out of the library and looked for Khushi all over campus, but no dice!

This continued on a few days, but Arnav never saw her. Unfortunately, their Business Administration class had gotten cancelled for the week, so Arnav wouldn't be able to see Khushi whatsoever in that class for now. And every day he would go to the library, Arnav would never see her. This was really starting to irritate Arnav, and he wasn't going to take it for long.

Then it came to Arnav that she worked at the local daycare, so he decided to go there. After all his classes, he went over there and saw the lady at the front counter.

"Hi," Arnav said. "I'm looking for Khushi. Khushi Kumari Gupta."

The lady smiled. "Khushi? I'm sorry, but she's not here now."

"What? But she works after her classes."

"She used to. Now she comes in during the middle of the day, when she has her free time."

Now Arnav understood where she would disappear off during their free time. She would come here, so that this way she could entirely avoid him.

"But why are you looking for her," the lady asked.

Arnav snapped back to earth. "Oh, I have a surprise for her."

"Is that so?"

"Yeah. You know, since she's my girlfriend."

"Oh how sweet," she gushed.

"Yeah," he breathed. "Anyways, thanks."

"No problem," she smiled.

Arnav turned to walk away, when he turned back. "Excuse me?"

"Yes," she said looking up.

"Could you not tell Khushi I was here? So that I can surprise her?'

"Of course! I won't say a word," she smiled, pretending to zip her lips.

Arnav smiled and he walked out. He headed towards home and couldn't help but to think of his discovery. Khushi was avoiding him. She was truly avoiding him. But why? Did someone say something really offensive? But she still came to college; it was just that she was gone during her free time.

Then what could it be, he wondered. Whatever. It doesn't matter. I'm not letting go of you so easily Khushi Kumari Gupta.

*~*

Khushi walked into the daycare and set her things down in the back. She went over to the room with the little kids from 9 months to 2 years. Not only did this daycare watch kids for you, but it was also an orphanage. Infants younger were in a different room, taken special care of.

A new member had joined the daycare. He was only 10 months, and his discovery was sad. The owner of the daycare was walking around the outskirts of town, when she heard a baby crying. She followed the sound and saw the baby, abandoned, wrapped in a blanket, under a tree. Taking the baby in, it joined the family.

"What's his name Aunty," Khushi asked the owner.

"I was thinking we'd name this cute one Raghav. What do you think?"

Khushi nodded, taking Raghav in her arms. "It's a beautiful name."

The owner nodded and she left to take care of the younger infants.

Khushi walked around with Raghav, admiring his tininess. Khushi absolutely loved babies. They were just too cute! That's one of the reasons why she would work at the daycare. Seeing all the little children made her heart feel delighted.

"Alright you guys, nappy time," Khushi said.

The older ones got excited and quickly ran to their rugs in the sleeping corner and laid down. Khushi went over to them and tucked them in. Once the older ones fell asleep, Khushi put Raghav down and started to put the younger ones to sleep. Each one falling asleep, Khushi sighed, when Raghav cried. Khushi quickly went over to him and picked him up.

"Aw, why are you crying baby," she cooed. "Hmm? Why are you crying? Is it because I left you alone? Hmm?"

Khushi grabbed his bottle and placed it in his mouth.

"Don't worry Raghav. No one is going to leave you now. You're safe here. You're not alone."

"And what about me?"

Khushi froze. No, she thought. It can't be.

Slowly turning, she saw Arnav standing at the doorway, his arms crossed, him leaning against the door. Khushi gulped and looked away. She didn't want to see him. All these days, she had successfully managed to avoid him, and now here he was.

Arnav pushed away and walked towards Khushi. He stood inches away from her, but Khushi still felt the warmth radiating off his body. Seeing Raghav asleep, Khushi moved over to his crib and placed him down.

"Khushi we-"

Khushi ignored him and walked past him.

"Khushi?"

Khushi continued to walk away and left the room. Arnav followed behind her as she walked into another room. There were chests full of clothes, each chest with a nameplate, saying whose clothes were in the drawer. Khushi walked over to Raghav's chest and went through it.

"Khushi, we need to talk," Arnav said.

Khushi continued to ignore him and took out pajamas and shut the drawer. She walked past Arnav and went back to the baby room. She placed the clothes beside Raghav and moved to another crib. Picking up a baby girl, Abha, she shook her head.

"Abha! You're still awake," Khushi exclaimed. "You're so sly aren't you," she tickled Abha's stomach.

Taking Abha with her, she went back to the room with the chests. Arnav was feeling slightly irritated, but seeing her with children gave him a humble feeling.

"Hmm, what shall our princess wear," Khushi said.

Going through Abha's drawer, she pulled out yellow pajamas.

"No wonder you're awake. You can't sleep in this puffy dress, now then can you? No you can't! No you can't," Khushi cooed.

Placing Abha down on the changing table, Khushi removed Abha's dress and pants. Taking Abha's pajamas, she put them on and took Abha back to the baby room. She patted her lightly and soon Abha was asleep. Khushi placed her down and left the room, shutting the door behind.

"Khushi-"

Khushi moved and went to a computer. Setting the camera, Khushi turned the camera on and let the monitor run, like a baby monitor.

"Alright Khushi-"

Khushi ignored Arnav and walked outside to the back. Arnav really had had enough and stormed after her. Once he got outside, he grabbed Khushi's wrist and turned her to face him.

"Ah! Let me go," Khushi said, trying to free herself.

"No. Never."

"Arnav-"

"Khushi, why have you been avoiding me?"

Khushi looked up at him wide eyed. "I...." She looked away. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Oh really? Is that so?"

His grip tightened.

"Ouch! Arnav, you're hurting me-"

"And you're not hurting me?!"

Khushi looked into his eyes and saw the pain forming in his eyes. Khushi never wanted this, but she just had to.

"Arnav... I'm sorry but... I can't do this anymore."

"What," he breathed.

"Arnav... I just... I can't. I'm sorry, I can't."

She pushed his hand off and started to walk away. Arnav didn't understand. He ran towards Khushi and turned her to face him.

"What are you talking about? Khushi, don't you have the same feelings I have for you?"

"Yes-"

"Then why? Why are you doing this? To us?"

"Arnav please don't do this-"

"Why? What is stopping you? Where is the problem?"

"Arnav...."

"Tell me Khushi."

Khushi sighed and looked at Arnav. "It's my parents."

Arnav scrunched his eyebrows. "What about your parents?"

"They would never agree to this. If they found out.... I'd never be able to prove to my parents that as a girl, I can be something big and that I am NOT worthless," she cried.

"Oh sweetheart," and he pulled her into a hug.

Khushi cried into his chest as Arnav stroked her hair.

"I don't understand why my parents hate me so much," Khushi cried.

"Shh... they don't know what they're missing." He kissed her hair and cupped her face and made her look at him. "Khushi, it doesn't matter. Be it that we're together or not, you will be able to prove to them that you are capable of something."

"But Arnav-"

"No buts baby. You will prove them wrong. Understood?"

Khushi nodded, her lower lip quivering.

Arnav shook his head and leaned in and kissed her. Khushi had missed the feeling of his lips on hers and she pulled him in close. Arnav responded to her urgent want and kissed her with passion. Khushi let go first, and Arnav rested his forehead on hers.

"Khushi, why would you even think that?"

"I... well, Sheetal-"

"That bitch," he sneered.

"Arnav! This is a daycare!"

"I'm sorry!" He looked away, exasperated. Looking back at her, he cupped her face. "Khushi, don't ever listen to what that bitch says."

"Arnav-"

"I don't care if this is a daycare or not; do you understand what I'm saying?"

Khushi nodded.

He pulled her in and kissed her hard. "Don't ever leave me again," he muttered against her lips.

"I won’t... ever, ever again," she said, shaking her head, and they kissed again.