🌠First Semester🌠

One week later..

First day of College was enough to make someone hell nervous and excited at the same time. Khushi was going through the same feeling these days, she just couldn't stop thinking about her college, if she would be able to make good friends or not, if she would be the best student or not, if her professors would be strict or not, if she would like her classroom or not, if she would be bullied by the seniors. Many thoughts about her college life were running on her mind from past one week, but she didn't have anyone to share her feelings and thoughts with, as it's just been a week she moved in Raizada family apartment, she's still not close to anyone to the extent of talking comfortably and openly with them about her feelings. She still feels very shy and timid around them, and only reply by nodding or shaking her head or by few words. She's very conscious about what she does in front of them and always behaves composed and politely with them.

Keeping these thoughts aside, she looked at her phone to check the time for the umpteenth time, laid on her bed. It showed 3:50 am on her phone screen, too early to get ready for college but she wasn't able to sleep anymore. Sighing to herself, she pulled the blanket away and stood up from her bed, wearing her slippers she headed to bathroom.

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Khushi walked out of her room at 4:30 am, dressed in a plain white and red salwar kameez and wet hair left open.

She made her way towards the small temple in the house and after a quick prayer, she went towards the kitchen and got startled by Arnav and Nani's presence at the kitchen.

"Khushi bitiya you're ready to go to college already!" Nani exclaimed, blinking her eyes in disbelief, "It's so early bitiya.. You still have sometime to rest."

Khushi smiled embarrassedly, fidgeting her fingers, as she stood timidly at the entrance of the kitchen.

Arnav had his gaze fixed on her while he gulped down the water from his glass. Once he finished drinking, he wiped the corner of his lips with his fingers and replied to Nani, "It's first day na.. that's why she's excited and nervous.. once she gets used to college life, she'll start bunking classes to sleep."

Nani giggled in response, but Khushi frowned slightly offended. Perhaps, he doesn't know that her studies are very important for her, as it's the only way she has to achieve her dreams of becoming an engineer. So, the thought of bunking are never going to wander in her mind. 

"Come here bitiya.. Why are you standing far?" Nani called her smiling politely.

Khushi too returned the smile and walked towards them.

"You know my Chote was such a lazy student during his college times. He would never touch his books, but as soon as his exams date neared, he would stay locked in his room and study whole night and next day, would go fully confident on himself and write his exams. He was his college topper, you know.. No one could believe it.." Nani said proudly of her grandson, she caressed Arnav's hair smiling to him.

Khushi stare at him, but as soon as his eyes met hers, she looked down again.

"We expect you to be even more intelligent than him, but please hard working like Akash bitwa.. Chote and Chiku are such lazy boys!" Nani said with complaining tone.

"It would be a miracle if you praised me without adding a complaint about me," Arnav smiled sarcastically to his Nani. 

Nani slapped his arm in return, then shifted her attention to Khushi, "Are you hungry bitiya?"

"No," Khushi shook her head.

"Feel comfortable bitiya. This is your house too. Tell me, do you want something?" Nani asked in a soft and sweet tone, patting her shoulder, trying to make Khushi feel comfortable among them. Not only she, but everyone in the house noticed how Khushi was struggling to adapt herself to the new ambience, new lifestyle and new people around her.

"Ji (Yes).. Water.." Khushi replied in low tone.

Arnav passed the bottle of water to her. He took a glass from the cabinet and handed it to her.

"Thank you Bhaiya," Khushi said as she took the glass from his hand.

Arnav coughed badly as his eyes widened. Nani patted his back frowning in worry, "What happened Chote?"

Khushi poured the water on her glass hurriedly and handed it back to him.

Arnav patted his chest with his left hand shaking his head, while he raised his right hand to her indicating that he doesn't want water.

"Are you okay?" Nani asked.

Arnav nodded his head once he was calm from the shock he just got. In one week she had spent with them, they never interacted with each other, hence he wasn't expecting her to call him Bhaiya. He just prayed this to be a nightmare.

"You don't need to call me Bhaiya.. Just call me Arnav.." he faked a smile.

"You're elder to her that's why she is calling you Bhaiya. You, Chiku and Akash are like brothers for her only," Nani said sternly.

"Does that mean she will call her Husband, Bhaiya if he turns out to be older than her?" Arnav asked sarcastically.

"Chote don't try act smart with me," Nani glared at him.

Arnav sighed. 

"Do you want to join me for a morning walk?" Arnav asked to Khushi.

Khushi shook her head, looking down.

"She will stay with me and help me with preparations for pooja, right Khushi?" Nani said, not leaving a chance for Arnav to convince Khushi to go with him. 

Khushi nodded her head.

Arnav knew very well that his Nani was trying to keep a distance between  Khushi and the young boys of the house, means him and Akash to prevent them from developing feelings for each other. As Shashi trusted his daughter to her, she had a huge responsibility towards Khushi. She had to ensure that Khushi keeps her concentration on her studies and does nothing that would bring her and her father to shame.

"I'll get going then," he replied, glancing one last time at Khushi before walking out of the kitchen. 

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Sometime later..

Arnav walked out of his room in hurry for being constantly called by his family to drop Khushi at her college as they didn't want to make her be late on the very first day itself.

He brushed his hair with his fingers on the way, cursing them for not having patience for someone to get ready.

"Chote what were you doing? Can't you see what time is it? Khushi will be late because of you," Ratna scolded him when he appeared at the living room, taking his bag from the couch.

"Teach your kids to be responsible as well Ratna. See Akash already left to Hospital with his father but Chote is still getting ready and Chiku is still sleeping," Nani taunted.

"Do you guys think I'm a machine?" Arnav retorted, clearly annoyed but soon composed himself when he saw Khushi's eyes moist and she quickly looked down at the floor avoiding eye contact with him. He knew by replying like this, he made her feel like she's a burden to him and his family forcefully made him take the responsibility of dropping and picking her up at her college.

"Aree we are just-.." Nani wanted to justify why she said that to him, but he didn't let her complete her sentence as he walked towards the door saying, "Chalo Khushi (Let's go)."

"Ji.." Khushi replied startled, following him while clutching the books in her hands and adjusting her ethnic mirrored embroidered bag properly on her shoulder.

"He gets angry so easily.. I was just-" Nani said feeling bad.

"It's okay Ma. You already know how Chote is short tempered" Ratna pressed Nani's shoulder lightly, calming her, "He will be okay. When he comes back, then he'll talk with you as if nothing happened. You already know he does this everytime." she smiled lightly.

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While Arnav opened the gate, the watchman who until now was having tea and snacks at the nearby tea stall, came running towards them to open the gate. Arnav glared at him, "This month I'll pay your salary to myself.. as I'm the one doing your job."

"Sorry Sir.." he gulped looking down.

Arnav moved aside, letting Khushi walk out, while he replied to the watch man, "Go and finish your tea.."

"Thank you Sir.." the watchman smiled genuinely and closed the gate for them, then rushed back to the tea stall.

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At College XYZ..

Khushi was nervously watching the students walking in through the college gate while she waited with Arnav outside. She was observing and curiously staring at everything around her, feeling butterflies on her stomach.

She hugged her books close to her chest while waiting for Arnav to finish speaking on his phone with someone she's clueless about, but since he asked her to wait, she did.

"Where are you? I can't see you anywhere" Arnav frowned looking around while talking over the phone when a girl tapped his shoulder from behind.

Arnav turned back and kept his phone back on his pocket, "Finally Lavanya Kashyap!" 

Lavanya giggled.

Arnav gestured Khushi to approach them and she obeyed taking two steps ahead, joining them.

"Khushi.. she's Lavanya Kashyap-"

"His best friend's sister.. I'm also doing same course as yours.. hence Arnav asked me to be your friend and take care of you and guide you here in college if you need my help" Lavanya completed smilingly.

Khushi smiled shyly at her. Arnav narrowed his eyes at Lavanya for speaking more than necessary.

"What's your name?" Lavanya asked, ignoring Arnav's looks.

"Khushi" Khushi replied shyly.

"Didn't I told you that Duffer?" Arnav rolled his eyes.

"We start friendship by asking each other's names ok!" Lavanya glared at him.

Arnav shook his head, then turned to Khushi standing close to her that made Khushi breathless for a moment. She lowered her eyes shyly to be standing this much close to him.

Arnav took out money from his wallet and handed it secretly to her, making sure Lavanya doesn't notice it, he whispered: Take this money.. You might need it.

Khushi looked up to him instantly and reluctantly denied, "I can't!"

"Khushi!" he said sternly making her take the money from his hand immediately without further discussion.

"And we already exchanged our phone numbers na.. so when your classes finish, call me to pick you up," he whispered again.

Khushi nodded her head, hugging her books. 

He moved back and looked at Lavanya, "Now go you both are already getting late."

Lavanya nodded dragging Khushi with her towards the gate, "Come Khushi.. I will show you the campus.. then the canteen.. and our classroom of course."

"Lavanya listen," Arnav shouted, grabbing her attention.

She left Khushi's hand and rushed back to him, "Haan?"

"Don't leave her alone even for a minute and don't let anyone rag her.." he said in serious tone.

"Do you want to say anything else that you didn't yesterday while giving me instructions on how to take care of Khushi like a baby?" Lavanya asked sarcastically.

"If you make her feel left out in your friends group, I'll make sure Aman doesn't buy you iPhone 13" Arnav threatened her.

Lavanya stuck out her tongue childishly to him before running back to Khushi and taking her inside the college.

Khushi turned back to Arnav who was watching them, but Lavanya's nonstop talks grabbed her attention again as she turned to Lavanya and listened to her talks.

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"Khushi this is the library.." Lavanya said while they walked around the college.

Khushi nodded staring at it but got disturbed when her phone rang, she looked at Lavanya, "Just one minute.."

"Yeah sure," Lavanya smiled.

Khushi went to a corner and picked up the call, "Namaste Amma."

"Namaste.. Khushi are you okay? Today is your first day na. Is everything alright there?" she heard her mother Garima's concerned voice.

"Haan Amma I'm okay.. I'm already at college.. everything is good going till now," Khushi replied.

"Khushi you know very well that your Bauji only accepted you to study in college because we insisted him a lot, otherwise he would have arranged your married by now like he did for Meera. Just concentrate on your studies now and don't do anything that will spoil our family's reputation and bring your father to shame. Do you get it?"

"I know Amma. I won't do anything wrong here. I came here to study only," she looked down sadly.

"And if anyone teases you there, then don't pay attention to them.. Haye DM.. You don't know how much restless is my heart right now.. I never let my daughters go away from me.. and now you're in another city.. so far from me.. I keep worrying for you.." she heard her mother sobbing.

"Amma please calm down.. I'm fine.. Nani and Ratna aunty take very good care of me.. They don't treat me as a stranger, but family only.. and here in college, I already have one friend.." Khushi tried to calm her mother and in the process, she too felt like crying. It definitely isn't easy to leave your parents and adjust in another city, another house, another family. But she needed to be strong and determined to achieve her dreams.

"I should hang up now otherwise I'll make you upset on your first day itself. Bye, take care of yourself," Garima said.

"Bye Amma.. You too take care.. Send my greetings to Bauji and Buaji as well," Khushi said and hang up the call.

Just when she was about to walk back to Lavanya, her phone rang again and she picked it up thinking it to be her Amma again, "Haan Amma?"

"Amma?" she heard Arnav's voice.

"Aap.." she widened her eyes and looked at her phone, then placed it over her ear again, "I'm so sorry.. I thought it was my Amma calling."

"It's okay. Tum theek ho? Is Lavanya with you?" she heard him asking with concerned tone that warmed her heart completely.

"Yes" she replied.

"Is your Yes a reply to my both questions?"

"Yes" she replied again shyly.

"Okay" she heard him chuckling softly before continuing, "Bye. Call me when your lecture is over."

"Ji.. Bye," she said.

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Since it was first day of college, the seniors welcomed freshers and later they had introduction classes, so Khushi left early from college and called Arnav to inform him that her classes ended for the day.

Arnav told her to wait for a while with Lavanya, as he needed to complete an urgent work. He was quick to complete his work and then he and Aman left hurriedly in Aman's car to pick up the girls, but before that they passed from an apple store to buy Lavanya's new iPhone 13 and Arnav took the opportunity to buy a 13-inch MacBook Pro.

As they walked out of the store and headed to Aman's car, Aman asked curiously: You already have MacBook. Why are you buying another?

"This is for Khushi," Arnav replied as took his passenger front seat.

"Bhai pagal hai tu? (Are you mad brother?). Don't be so blind to waste money on a girl and later get rejected by her," Aman said shocked once he sat comfortably on his driver seat and buckled up his seatbelt.

"It's nothing like that. Khushi comes from a middle class family, her parents are already struggling to pay her college fees and I noticed that she doesn't have a laptop and in the upcoming days, she will badly need one. So, I just thought to offer her one," Arnav shrugged.

Aman patted Arnav's shoulder enthusiastically, "That's why I chose you as my friend.. You've such a big heart."

Arnav rolled his eyes, leaning his head on the headrest, "Don't butter me up now."

"Aree.. I'm genuinely saying this.. You just made me remember on our way back home, I need to buy butter from super market otherwise I'll have to listen to my mother's lecture all night," Aman said while starting the car.

"Now drive faster.. Khushi must be waiting.. on top of that, I don't trust you sister.. I wonder if she left Khushi alone on her first day itself," Arnav said.

Aman chuckled, "Relax yaar.. Khushi is not a baby.. she will eventually get used to the college life and will have many friends as well like Lavanya has."

"I know she's not a baby.. It's just she is an introvert and shy girl.. she doesn't mingle easily with anyone.. she's not like Lavanya.. even at home, she doesn't talk much with anyone and prefers to stay alone in her room.. Ma literally has to drag her outside to the living room to watch something with us.. She's still not able to open herself up with us at home, that's why I get worried if she will be able to manage in college or not. But I know it's just one week she's here, she must be scared of her new surroundings, far from her parents, from her family.." Arnav sighed, staring at the other cars through the window.

"She's with my sister, na? Tension not.. In just few days, my sister will manage to make Khushi like her," Aman said trying to suppress his smile when Arnav gave him No-Way look.

"Are you mad or what? Your sister is headache," Arnav whined.

Aman laughed shaking his head.

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Aman parked the car near the college gate and called his sister to inform he has reached with Arnav. 

Two minutes later, they saw Khushi and Lavanya walking towards the car.

Khushi was still looking around searching for Arnav. Lavanya looked at her, "Come Khushi.. Arnav is in my brother's car.. they came together to pick us.. they work together na.. that's why.. Also Arnav's car is getting repaired.. so he only took lift from my brother."

Khushi nodded. Lavanya opened the car's door and asked Khushi to get in first, then she took her seat at the backseat and closed the car's door. 

"Finally you remembered your sister is in college waiting for you," Lavanya complained to Aman, "You took so much time Bhaiya.. Me and Khushi were getting bored of waiting.. and it's not surprising that you're late because you're with the great Arnav Singh Raizada.. whenever you're with this man, you forget about your sister."

"Shut up you Lizard.." Arnav rolled his eyes.

Lavanya slapped his shoulder, gritting her teeth: You shut up.. Don't you dare call me Lizard again.

"Aman just tell your sister to behave well with me because if she doesn't, then she won't get her iPhone 13 that's in my bag,"  Arnav warned. 

"Oh my God.. Bhaiya you bought my iPhone" Lavanya cried in happiness, smiling brightly than ever.

Khushi was just watching them silently.

"Give it to me.. I want to see it," Lavanya said patting Arnav's shoulder excitedly.

"First say Sorry for hitting me," Arnav smirked.

"I'm sorry Arnav," Lavanya pouted and said in low tone.

"Say it louder.. I'm not hearing it properly," Arnav teased her.

Lavanya leaned forward and screamed near his ear, "I'M SORRY."

"Lavanya don't behave childishly," Aman scolded her for screaming at Arnav.

"Bhaiya you always defend him," Lavanya cried, pouting.

Arnav chuckled mockingly at her, then took out a box from his bag and handed it to her. Lavanya screamed in excitement, grabbing her phone from Arnav's hand and kissed Aman's cheek loudly thanking him.

"Haan haan.. You're welcome.. Now please use this phone wisely and carefully.. don't get it broken.. otherwise Ma will scold me for wasting money for you," Aman said.

Lavanya nodded her head excitedly.

Khushi smiled staring at Lavanya as she leaned on her seat and unboxed her new phone, smiling to herself and lost in her own world. 

Arnav took another bigger box and handed it to Khushi, "And this is for you!"

"Fo.. For me?" Khushi stammered, looking at him startled.

Arnav blinked his eyes, "Yes, for you only."

Lavanya looked curiously at the box, then widened her eyes amused: Oh my God.. It's a MacBook Pro!

"Oh my God.. It's a MacBook Pro." Arnav mimicked Lavanya, rolling his eyes at her, "Why do you get excited for each and everything in your life?"

Lavanya pouted.

"Khushi," Arnav called her, gesturing her to take it from his hand.

Khushi nodded sideways nervously, "I can't accept it."

"Haww! Are you crazy Khushi? It's a MacBook Pro. Accept it yaar," Lavanya said shocked with Khushi's reply.

"Also Arnav already has one. What will he do with this one? Don't let his hard earned money go in waste Khushi.. Accept it," Aman said convincing Khushi to accept Arnav's gift.

"Listen you don't need to think this is expensive and all. I bought it with all my heart for you Khushi. Take it as a gift. You shouldn't refuse a gift," Arnav said softly.

"Haan take it Khushi.. This miser never bought gifts for anyone," Lavanya said taunting Arnav earning a sharp glare from him. 

Khushi reluctantly took the box from his hand, their fingers brushed against each other in the process that made both feel goosebumps as they stare at each other, feeling a strange connection for each other in their hearts.

"Thank you." Khushi said timidly to Arnav.

"You're welcome," he said staring lost at her angel like face.

"Bhaiya please stop the car when we reach that vada pav stall.. I want to show Khushi and make her eat my favorite vada pav" Lavanya pleaded.

Aman nodded, "Okay."
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While Lavanya and Aman went to buy vada pav for everyone at the stall. Arnav and Khushi stood near the car waiting for them.

"How was your first day?" Arnav asked leaned on the car with his hands on his pant pockets.

"Good," she replied, caressing her right arm awkwardly.

"Did you like the laptop?" he asked. 

"Yes," she nodded with a small smile, "Thank you so much Bh-"

"Khushi don't call me Bhaiya please," Arnav said annoyed.

"How can I not call you like that? Bauji said you, Akash bhaiya and Ayan are like brothers to me," Khushi said confused.

"I don't know about Akash or Ayan.. But I don't want you to treat me as your brother, but your friend only," Arnav said.

"I can't have male friends," Khushi looked away.

"I know how strict your family is Khushi. But I promise to you that I'll be a good friend of yours," Arnav said. 

Khushi thought for a while and found herself agreeing to be his friend.

Lavanya and Aman came back with vada pav and gave to Arshi as well.

Arnav took his vada pav and raised to Khushi, "Cheers to our friendship!"

Khushi raised hers and bumped it lightly with his vada pav, smiling at him.

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At 5pm..

"Wow Chote bought you a new laptop," Ratna exclaimed taking a look at it in her hands.

Khushi shyly looked down but a cute smile was growing on her lips unknowingly to herself.

"Is it expensive Arnav bitwa?" Mami asked curiously.

"It's very expensive Ma.. one of the best.. It's a MacBook after all," Akash said.

Arnav knew now that Akash said that,  Mami won't leave a chance to taunt him.

"Hello hi bye bye.. Instead of helping with the house expenses, you chose to buy an expensive laptop for Khushi.. Couldn't you buy a cheaper one? Was it necessary to buy this one?" Mami asked frowning, "These kids nowadays just waste money on these laptop tiptop things."

Khushi lowered her eyes again, fidgeting her fingers sadly. She always wanted to have one laptop for herself and when he gifted her one, she was really happy but denied knowing very well that it must be expensive. But since Arnav along with Aman and Lavanya insisted, she took it and thanked him genuinely from her heart. She was so happy until Mami uttered those words and snatched the smile from her face.

"Manorama keep your mouth shut. It's Chote's hard earned money you're talking about and he has rights to decide what he wants to do with his money. Thanks to DM we never faced financial crisis till now, so you shouldn't be worried about the house expenses," Nani glared at Mami. 

Mami pouted in response and muttered Hello hi bye bye silently.

"Thanks Nani," Arnav blinked his eyes at her.

"Bhai this is really not fair.. I've been crying for you to buy MacBook for me and you never bought it.. Now Khushi didi didn't even asked you and you bought it for her," Ayan whined.

"See.." Mami took the opportunity to taunt him again.

"Chup kar Ayan (Shut up Ayan)," Arnav frowned scolding him. 

Ayan pouted, hugging Ratna from behind. Ratna caressed his cheek smiling lightly, "Shh.. don't irritate your brother now.. he will buy it one day for you as well."

Ayan nodded his head.

Ratna handed the laptop to Khushi, smiling at her. Khushi took it from Ratna's hand.

"Go and keep it securely in your room," Ratna said.

Khushi nodded and went from there to her room.

"Congrats.. You just managed to spoil her mood now.." Arnav said sarcastically and went to his room irritated with his family's behavior. They couldn't even wait to express their displeasure over his act of gifting a laptop to Khushi in another moment when she wasn't present there.

"Manorama what was the need to say all that?" Ratna frowned.

"Hello hi bye bye.. I'm always wrong in this house.. and you're talking like that because you need to defend your dear son na. It's always my Akash bitwa who have to sacrifice his money for this family and never bought himself an expensive laptop like this. And look at what your son did.. he just wasted money in buying an expensive laptop to a strange girl.. Such an irresponsible man he is," Mami retorted angrily.

"Manorama!" Mama glared at her intensely.

"Haan haan.. Only you were left.. come on.. scold me as well.. defend your sister.. she's always right, hain na?" Mami smiled sarcastically and went to her room.

"Jiji don't feel bad about her words. You already know how she is," Manohar said to Ratna embarrassed.

Ratna blinked her eyes assuring him that she was okay.

"And Arnav is not irresponsible at all aunty. In fact, he did a good deed by gifting that laptop to Khushi." Akash said smiling.

"That's true" Nani smiled. Ratna smiled too proud of her son.

"I wonder when Bhai will think about me while doing a good deed," Ayan sighed.

Everyone laughed at him. 

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Sometime later...
Khushi's room..

Arnav knocked the door of her room and in few seconds, she opened it for him. He stare at her for a while realizing that she was crying.

"Can I come in?" he asked.

Khushi gulped frightened to let him walk in her room when no one was around.

Arnav understood her reaction and continued, "It's okay.. I just came to tell you that you don't need to feel bad about what Mami and Ayan say.. they're just like that.. They speak out what's in their hearts without thinking if they might hurt the other person or not."

"I was just coming to return your gift. They are right only. It's such an expensive laptop.. you should give it to your brother," she said looking down, trying to hide her moist eyes.

"Khushi please. I bought this laptop for you only. And when it's the right time to buy it for Ayan, then I'll buy him one too. I know what I'm doing," Arnav said, frowning slightly.

"Stop crying," he whispered and tears started rolling down her cheeks.

Arnav wiped her tears with his palms, consoling her.

"Khushi bitiya," Nani stood before them and called Khushi in a stern tone.

Hearing Nani's voice, Khushi immediately shoved Arnav's hands from her cheeks and took a step back startled.

"It's time for dinner.. Come you both to the dining room," Nani said and went from there. From her looks, she didn't like what she just saw but didn't utter a word considering that Khushi was upset over the laptop matter.

Khushi walked inside the room again to wash her face and Arnav followed Nani to the dining room.