What is Love?

Another name for pain.

Yes, it is a pain with no gain.

Khushi had been blindly in love with her childhood best friend, Arnie. Every day, she prayed for his happiness, but she forgot that his happiness didn't necessarily mean being with her. He had his own priorities, his own dreams.

Just because he liked to spend time with her didn't mean he loved her in the same way. For him, she was always just a friend. But for her, he was much more than that. She had always seen him as her life, the very essence of her existence. She couldn't imagine a life without her Arnie.

From the day Sonia entered their lives, Khushi had come to understand that she couldn't force her emotions on others. Arnav liked Sonia, and that was his choice. Initially, she had thought Sonia was a brat, but after getting to know her, she realized that Arnie had indeed made a good choice. Sonia was confident, outgoing, and a much better match for Arnav than she could ever be.

Sonia called herself Arnav's girlfriend, and if they loved each other, who was she to interrupt? Despite being together for so many years, Khushi now realized she didn't know Arnav as well as she thought. She couldn't even be a good friend, let alone dream of a life with him.

Her love for Arnie couldn't be judged. It was pure and true, like the air she breathed. But her love would remain hidden, as it always had been. The only regret she had was that she wasn't bold enough to confess her feelings when she had the chance. The choice could have been his, but at least he would have known her feelings.

She had gone to him, ready to confess her love on Diwali night, to lay her heart open on the festival of lights. But she overheard a heartbreaking sentence: "I'll stay away from Khushi" Arnie had told Sonia.

He was right. It was better to stay away. She couldn't keep hurting herself by seeing him and Sonia together.

They were going to Mumbai, and Aru's recovery would take around a year. Hopefully, that time would be enough for her to let him go, and for Arnie to move forward with Sonia.

But little did she realize, it was the calm before the storm.
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"Why you came late, Khushi? You could've come with Aunty.. only she came on time" Abhi asked her as soon as she came towards him

"Sorry Bhai.. wo, you know about girls na.. we take time to get ready" Khushi tried to sound funny but anyone can hear the pain in her voice

"Then the time's worth, because my princess is looking beautiful. But, Are you alright, baccha?"Abhi kept his hand on her head

"Yes Bhai, I'm good" she smiled which didn't reached her eyes though

"Hmm. What about Aru? he isn't being active like before! Before, he used to come here daily and pester me a lot .. Bhai ye .. Bhai wo .. Yesterday also he promised to celebrate diwali with me.. Blame my work that I can't even come to see him .. where is he? Aru being at one place in Diwali party, is impossible.. is he watching the fireworks?" Abhi started scanning the surrounding to locate him

"Bhai.. wo .. Aru didn't came.. also, papa is with him.. actually he's having some fever.. so" Khushi said in an apologetic tone

"What? Khushi .. how many times I've told you.. if there's anything like this.. you should inform me.. I could've brought doctor to home.. How's Aru now.. wait .. let me call the doctor.." before Khushi can say anything in reply to Abhi .. someone came and informed him that the clients have arrived

"Bhai. Relax.. it's just some fever.. actually we had a lot of ice cream na, that's why he got little sick.. you don't worry, he'll be alright. Now go, attend your clients" She covinced Abhi

"Clients can wait.. but Are you sure, Aru is okay?" Abhi asked to confirm

"Yes bhai" Khushi lied keeping a stone in her heart

"Ok. I'll talk with uncle about this.. By the way, Khushi. Who's that girl with Arnav?" asked Abhi to which Khushi turned and saw Arnav standing with Sonia, both laughing at something

"Sonia Raj. Ronit sir's daughter" Khushi told in a soft tone

"I don't like.. I mean.. You should be with Arnav.. what? Why are you looking at me like that? You think, I don't know, how you feel about my stupid brother!" Abhi told as a matter of fact

"Bhai .. wo .." unknown to her, blush crept on her cheeks, before she can say anything .. clients came over

"Listen Khushi, I'll talk to you about this. For now, I want you to be with Arnav.. go.." Abhi whispered to her and turned towards his clients

Khushi walked towards Arnav in a trance wondering how Abhi bhai knows about her feelings for Arnie, is it that much obvious? Why is it visible to everyone, except for him?

"Khush..! Who invited you, here?" Arnav was surprised to see Khushi infront of him

Ouch..! That hurts! Did she now needs invitation to come to his home?

Oh ya! How can she forget, he has promised Sonia that he'll stay away from her.. so, obviously he'll feel bad that she interrupted them.

But just because of his promise, she cannot not come here.. that doesn't make any sense. there's Aunty and Abhi Bhai who expected her to be here like every year.

"Wo Abhi b.." before Khushi could say anything Sonia interrupted

"Yay.. Abhi and you look good together.. perfect pair" Khushi was Shocked to hear Sonia

"Shut up Sonia, She calls him Bhai" Arnav screamed, fuming in anger

Khushi felt good that atleast now Arnav, talked sensible.

"Sorry" Sonia whispered with a twisted mouth

"That's alright" Khushi fake smiled but Arnav was still having angry expression

"You know Khushi.. finally, we are done with all the preps.. now just hoping that the performance go well, day after tomorrow..we will give our best.. right, Arnav?" Sonia asked to which Arnav fake smiled

"All the best" Khushi wished them with a smile

"Khush, You are saying, as if you won't come to see the performance.. infact we will take Aru too, I've promised him" Arnav smiled thinking of Aru

"Wo Arnie.. actually.." before she could say that they cannot come because they're going to Mumbai, Abhi Interrupted them

"Khushi? What's Aunty saying? Why didn't you told me?" Abhi held Khushi's arms making her hiss

"Bhai, careful" Arnav came forward and freed Khushi

"Did you also know Arnav? Why didn't you told me?" Abhi asked frowning

"What are you talking about, Bhai?" Arnav displayed confusion

Khushi was terrified, does Abhi Bhai came to know of Aru's condition? Where as, Sonia didn't understand the head or tail of the conversation

"Oh, so she didn't even say it to you..! Ask her.. ask her why they are leaving this place? Arnav, they are planning to shift to Mumbai" Abhi told in a no nonsense tone

"What?" Arnav turned towards Khushi in shock

"Arnie.. wo .. I .. we .. Abhi bhai.." Khushi tried but she couldn't form any word due to chocking

"Why suddenly this decision? What's the reason, khush?" asked Arnav

"Aunty says, it's for Uncle's work.. but I don't believe it..!"Abhi shrugged his shoulder

"Why would uncle leave this place, for work? We know, how much uncle is attached to Lucknow .. he would never take such a decision!" Arnav pointed

"Exactly. Uncle is nearing his year of retirement. His family, friends . We are here.. why would he leave a place with all the benefits?" Abhi seconded his brother

Oh! So Abhi Bhai doesn't know the reason

should she tell them about Aru?

No.. her mother has refused her to do so .. And it's for betterment of everyone.. the soon she goes away from Arnav, the better.. Besides, they can't depend on Abhi Bhai for everything

"Khushi bitiya.. you've got a call" Kaka interrupted her thoughts informing about the call she got on landline

"This isn't over Khushi. You and Aunty will tell us the reason before going from party" Abhi warned before letting her go

she simply nodded and went to attend the call

"Papa?" She panicked hearing her father's worried tone

"Relax papa.. give him the medicine on second drawer, he'll be fine" she told trying to be strong

"Is he okay now?" She asked and relaxed hearing a positive reply

"Pass the phone to Aru" she said in a low voice

"Aru.. baby, are you okay?" She asked sweetly

"that's good. My bro is very strong" she spoke animatedly

"You sleep for now, Me and Mumma will come soon" her tone was convincing

"Haan.. your Arnie and Abhi Bhai both asked for you..!" She replied to his query before he passed the phone to their father

"Papa?.. Aru will sleep now.. you don't worry.. he'll be fine" She hid her sorrow

"No Papa.. Mumma just told them that we are shifting because of your work needs and.." before she could complete Someone snatched the receiver from her hand making her still

"Uncle.. I'll drop Aunty and Khush.. will talk to you tonight, about this" it was Arnav who told authoritatively, all the while staring at Khushi

"Arnie?" Khushi was shocked to see his determined posture

"I thought you didn't knew about Aru's health, Khush.. I thought, if you knew .. you would've shared it with me .. but I was wrong.. wasn't I?" Arnav displayed his hurt

"How .. you.." Khushi choked with tears

"How I know? That's what you want to ask, right? I knew it through Aru's doctor.. I had seen Uncle Aunty at hospital when I went to visit one of my friends there.. I tried asking them the reason for being in hospital but instead i overheard their conversation, they had wanted to keep it a secret .. so I thought, even you didn't knew..and hence i didn't discussed anything about Aru's health with you.. I got all the updates from doctor" He revealed

"I just came to know before few days" Khushi justified herself

"Still you didn't told me, dammit!!!" He shouted

"When? When exactly should have i told you? The time, when you ignored my company and took Sonia on bike? The time when you were planning for the so called performance? The time when you were busy with her, enjoying your drinks? Or the time, when you were giving her the promises" Khushi finally exploded her inner turmoil

"What?" Arnav was shocked hearing her point underlined with accusations

"Do you know Arnav, what I was going through? Do you even know how it feels when someone so close, ignores you and changes their priorities? Do you know how much it suffocates, when you cannot do anything for your brother who's on the death bed? To convince him that he'll be fine! To show Mumma and papa, that I'm strong..! Top to it, I didn't had you to share my feelings with.. and you say 'I didn't told you!' .. I ? I was dying to be with you.. to share everything with you.. but you were always with Sonia.. and I .." she left her sentence incomplete and started sobbing

Arnav shook his head, he took a deep breath and held her arms

"I .. I acted like it wasn't a big deal, when it was really breaking me inside out" she pushed him away, no more hiding her pain

"I'm sorry Khush. But you are living in a huge misunderstanding" he was equally raged

"Misunderstanding? Please Arnav.. just go.. remember, you have promised your girlfriend that you'll stay away from me! .. and let me go.. it's better for everyone, if we shift to Mumbai" she told with finality in her tone

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Love, ❤
Uzma.