Chapter Twenty Three

*On*Off*On*Off*

Khushi played with her lamp, turning it on and turning it off. Ever since she had gotten home, all she could think about was of Arnav's and Lavanya's conversation.

"How much longer are you gonna hide it Arnav? You can't keep hiding it from her."

Khushi sat up and stopped fiddling with the lamp.

"There's nothing to hide."

"Then why aren't you telling her what happened?"

Khushi tapped her index finger on her lips.

"Regardless on whether or not if I open my mouth, shit will go down, Arnav."

"No it won't."

"Yes it will. Be it me who tells her or you - problems will arise."

Khushi got up and walked out of her room. She walked around, her arms crossed, mind wandering away.

What are they hiding from me, she wondered.

Khushi walked down and went to the patio.

What could it be? 

The wind blew softly and Khushi shut her eyes. She let it consume her and let her body become light as air. She cleared her head of all her questions, letting her mind be free.

It was at that instant that her head produced an image of earlier in the day, when Anisha had waved at her. She saw that and her mind repeated Arnav's and Lavanya's conversation.

Khushi's eyes popped open immediately.

Why am I visualizing that? What does it-? Wait - could these two things be related?

Khushi thought about it for a moment. She shut her eyes once more and the visual played again, as well as the conversation.

They are, aren't they? They must be! But... but how?

Khushi paced back and forth for a moment.

Wait. She paused in her tracks. What if it isn't? I'm just guessing it is. But then why...?

Khushi was flustered.

I have to keep watch of these three. It's the only way I'll know whether or not if my hunch is true.

*~*

For the next few weeks, Khushi kept her eyes and ears open on the three. Arnav was his usual self, as well as Lavanya, but when they were in the same room together? There was nothing but awkwardness.

As for Anisha, well, she was still Anisha. The only odd thing was that whenever Khushi was around, she'd keep giving Khushi that tiny smirk. Khushi felt totally weird about it, no doubt, but it only added on to her hunch.

*~*

Unfortunately for Khushi, her little detective business had to shut down because her mindset shifted and focused onto midterms and finals. In the blink of an eye, those days arrived and soon enough, the semester was over. Winter break had begun and there was no more stress from school's side.

One day, Lavanya came over to chill. Ever since she hooked up with Aman, she barely got to spend time with Khushi and it totally sucked. So they decided to hang out, staying up in Khushi's room, chilling on the floor.

"Where's Aman," Khushi asked.

"He decided to go back home to spend time with his family after being, as he said, blackmailed, by his mother."

Khushi chuckled. "Blackmail?"

Lavanya nodded. "Honestly, he's crazy," she said, shaking her head.

Since Khushi hadn't gotten a chance to do much of a search during the semester, Khushi decided that she would have to take charge now.

"So what's up with you and Arnav?"

Lavanya's eyes had slightly widened, but Khushi had caught it, even though Lavanya tried to hide it.

"Well," she pushed forward.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean what's with you two and the solid ice barrier?"

"I-I dunno what you're talking about."

"Then why are you stuttering," Khushi asked, looking her straight in the eyes.

"Khushi-"

"Don't shit with me Lavanya."

Lavanya gulped. When Khushi spoke like this, she meant business and there really was no shitting her now.

"Spill it," Khushi said through her teeth.

Lavanya looked away and sighed. "It's more of something to show than to say."

Khushi scrunched her eyebrows. "What do you mean?"

Lavanya looked back at Khushi. "Arnav's changed Khushi. He's not the same guy."

"What do you mean? He's still the same as he was freshman year."

"To the eye, yes. But look in a bit closer and then you'll know."

"What? Stop talking in riddles and be clear La."

Lavanya stood up. "Then get up and go get ready - we're gonna go to a party."

Khushi stood up, totally confused. "A party? What-?"

"You'll see once we get there."

"What? La, you're not making any sense!"

Lavanya held Khushi's shoulders. "Just do as I say Khushi. Once we get there, you'll find out about everything you missed last year. Okay?"

Khushi simply nodded. "Fine."

"Good. Now go find a kick-ass, sexy black dress - we're going to a club."