Chapter Fifteen

"So where have you been," Arnav asked.

They just got out of class, after hearing their boring professor go ranting on with the intro of the class.

"Where have I been? Where have you been," Khushi asked.

"I've been around. Question is, where have YOU been?"

"I've been around."

The two looked at each other and started to laugh. They laughed away and then walked to Khushi's next class.

"Oh yeah, before we split," Arnav said, "lemme see your schedule."

Khushi handed it to him and he compared his with hers.

"Hey! We have Culture Discovery together!"

"Really?"

"Yeah! Guess I'll be seeing you then, huh Khushi?"

Khushi nodded. "I'll see you then."

"Great. See ya."

He gave her a side hug and left. Khushi stood still, shocked that he had hugged her. Still in daze, she turned to the room and walked in, one thing going through her head.

OMG! He hugged me! OMG! He hugged me!

Nonstop.

The day went by and finally, the last class of the day: Culture Discovery.

Khushi was walking over to her class, when she saw Arnav, leaning against the wall, one foot on the wall (just imagine seeing him like that?! I'd be dead LOL). He was standing right at the corner and when he saw her, he pushed away from it and looked at her.

"Hey Khushi."

"Hey. What are you doing here?"

"Waiting for you."

Khushi was touched. "Really," she smiled softly.

"Yeah. Plus I'm not so sure about this class."

"Oh come on! It'll be fine!"

Arnav shrugged and Khushi held his arm and led him to class. They went inside and and saw other students, already there.

Unlike other rooms, this was just a plain room. No desks, no nothing. Just rows of benches on two opposite sides, with big mirrors all around. The sun shone in from glass windows, shining down to the floor.

Arnav nudged Khushi. "Where you wanna sit?"

"Um, I don't know?"

They just randomly chose a spot and went inside the room. And then they heard HER.

"Hey Arnav!"

The two turned and saw Anisha, waving at him like a little preppy chick. Neetu and Naina were there as well and they waved at him as well. Arnav gave a simple nod and the two continued to head towards their seats. Anisha and her duplicates fumed, but not for long when they heard:

"Khushi!"

Everyone turned and looked at Lavanya at the door. She came running in and attacked Khushi.

"OMG! We finally have class together!!!"

Khushi suffocated. "Tell' me about it."

Lavanya let go and looked at Arnav. "Hey Arnav!"

"Hey!"

They hugged and Khushi scrunched her eyebrows.

"We have history together," Arnav said.

Khushi nodded in acknowledgment.

Lavanya sat beside Khushi, Khushi in between Arnav and Lavanya. The three talked and Anisha and her dupes were fuming by the second.

All of a sudden, they heard heels clacking, and everyone turned to see who it was. In came a woman, not that old, maybe low 30s. She was beautiful, that's for sure, and some of the guys started to wolf-whistle.

"Settle down boys," she said. "We don't need any of the'. Anyways, welcome to Culture Discovery. I'm your professor, Professor Saniya, but everyone can just call me Sani."

The students just nodded.

"Now, for those of you who are wondering what this class is about, pay attention. This is a required course that you HAVE to take all four years. I'm sure many of you have taken it last semester. But if you haven't, it won't affect you. This class MUST be taken in order for you to graduate and you must pass the class with at least a B-.

In this class, you will learn the values of our tradition, and mainly, our culture. Unlike other professors who teach it in a boring classroom with textbooks that you'll have to pay for, I prefer this way: in a studio."

The students looked around and then at her.

"In this class, we will NOT be doing it "the traditional way." Nope, not at all."

Everyone scrunched their eyebrows.

"In this class' we're going to dance."

Some people yelled out what, while others were excited. Anisha, Neetu, and Naina got excited, thinking this could impress Arnav. Khushi was excited, as well as Lavanya. As for Arnav, he was unsure about the class."

"Oh, and for those thinking of dropping out," Aliya continued, "you WILL NOT be able to. I have set strict rules about leaving my class and it will NOT happen. In order to leave, you must pass MY class with an A- or up. No excuses."

Anav slumped. Damn, he thought.

Sani gave introductions about the class and what they would be doing. When the class ended , everyone headed out. Khushi and Lavanya were excited, but Arnav followed behind, slumping. Khushi noticed and went over to him.

"Arnav?" She placed her hand on his shoulder. "You okay?"

"No. I don't wanna take this class."

"Arnav, you know her policy. Plus-"

"Yeah, but'! I'm just gonna cut-"

"Young man, don't you dare."

Arnav raised an eyebrow at her.

"Cutting is bad, and you know what? If you wanna cut, cut yourself."

Khushi turned away to leave, when Arnav stopped her.

"Hey! Wait! Whoa! ' Khushi? Relax. Fine. I won't. 'Kay?"

Khushi remained stubborn.

He held his ears "Sorry."

Khushi turned and looked at him and realized what he was doing. "Arnav stop! It's okay! Don't hold your ears!"

"Appology accepted?"

Khushi sighed. "Accepted," she softly smiled.

The two headed towards Lavanya, and the three left. As for Anisha and her dupes, they were not happy at all.