Chapter 1: The Intro

Dehradun...

Surrounded by a dense forest, its beautiful changing seasons and magical snowfalls... These were the witness of a true friendship and a forever love.

Arnav & Khushi... Soulmates.. Drifted apart by destiny!

It was 3 in the morning... and sleep didn’t reach her yet. Naina leaned on her elbow sitting at her desk.. She looked through the window and admired the full moon.. It had been hours that she had penned down those few words.. but she couldn’t bring herself to write more.. in fear that her writing would not bring justice to such a true love story.. Since the day Bunny told her about Arnav Singh Raizada and his eternal love, she was going through sleepless nights. Under the dim light of the table lamp, she leaned half of her tired body on the desk and slowly drifted into a light slumber...

*****

9.30 am

Naina jerked up from the desk at the sound of her ringing mobile.. Her hairs in a disastrous state while her specs in the wrong position.. She got hold of her ringing mobile and checked the caller id while yawning loudly.

Bunny calling...

Shock gulped down her yawn. Her eyes shot wide open and she jerked up from the chair.

Naina: Oh Shit! I’m late...

Immediately, she pushed on the green button and in one breath she said to the caller..

Naina: Listen.. I’m really very sorry.. I know I’m late.. as usual.. sorry sorry sorry.. I’ll be here in 30 minutes.. please don’t go!

A dreamy smile adorned his playboy look as he listened to her sweet voice over the phone.. She was such a treat to listen to.. Her voice sounded like a melody in his ears... Waiting since the last 1 and half hour in the coffee shop.. all Bunny managed to say to her..

Bunny: Ok.. take your time! I can wait...

Naina: Oh you are such a sweetheart Bunny.. Thanks.. I’m coming soon.. bye!

And she disconnected the call.. Bunny smiled stupidly at himself and turned towards the amused waiter..

Bunny: Waiter.. 1 more coffee..

Waiter 1: Ok sir!

The waiter looked at the other waiter and both laughed as one said...

Waiter 1: Coffee number 12..

Waiter 2: lagta naya ashiq hain.. (seems he’s a new lover..)

*****

12th, 13th,  14th and 15^th.. Bunny lifted his eyes from his 15^th cup of coffee of the day.. and instantly a smile curved on his lips when Naina stepped into the coffee shop at 10.30 sharp. Well she said 30 minutes.. but seems that it took her 30 minutes additional. In simple top and jeans and her cute specs, he was awed by just her appearance. Beauty and simplicity! She was the girl he was waiting for.. since always! Lost in her.. his trance broke when Naina snapped her fingers in front of him..

Naina: Hey bunny, where are you lost?

He stammered as he came back from a dazzled state.

Bunny: hmm.. hiii.. Naiina..

Naina chuckled at him while he stood nervously and pulled the other chair for her..

Naina: Thanks..

They both sat and Bunny raised his hand signing to the waiter..

Bunny: Waiter! 2 Cappuccino please..

The waiter nodded in affirmation from the counter and turned to the other waiter..

Waiter 1 : Dekha jaise ladki aayi, coffee se cappuccino.. (See as soon as the girl came, from coffee to cappuccino..)

And the two waiters laughed.. Some minutes later, the waiter served them and turned away. They took a sip from their hot cappuccino and smiled at each other...

Bunny: So? I was.. surprised.. after your text last night! You wanted to see me first thing in the morning.. Any problem?

Naina lowered her eyelids nervously.. She knew this was difficult.. but within only 2 weeks, they’ve become so good friends and she was hopeful that Bunny would help her. But will she be asking for too much? If he gets angry.. or worst if he refuses? Whatever happens.. she had to try.. else every night she’d be sleeping on her desk thinking about the same thing, the same story and the same arnav and khushi.. She looked at Bunny and brought her hands to him on the table.. As soon as she touched his hands, his eyes popped out.. shocked, amazed and shy! He composed himself not to let his inner feelings out. Holding his hands, Naina looked into his eyes, saying...

Naina: I don’t know how to say this.. so I’ll just go straight to the point..

“Dhak.. Dhak.. Dhak.. Dhak”

Does she also have feelings for me??

For few seconds, his heart raced as the same haunting thought crossed his mind again and again.. He mentally prepared himself to reciprocate her love.. but...

Naina: I want to meet Arnav Singh Raizada.

She said it in one breath with confidence and determination while Bunny’s jaw dropped in shock. What was he waiting for and what did he get? When reality finally struck him, he burst out laughing.. Naina was so relieved till he stopped laughing and in a serious tone he said...

Bunny: Are you freaking crazy? Arnav Singh Raizada... you want to meet Arnav Singh Raizada.. business tycoon Arnav Singh Raizada.. you are definitely insane girl... Oh god help her.. Naina will meet the angry man.. Arnav Singh Raizada..  you got to be kidding me, right?

Her eyes wide opened.. Naina was totally annoyed by his reaction.. Here she was expecting him to help her but instead he was having a real fun in ridiculing her.. She stared at him furiously as she yelled..

Naina: Fine! I don’t need your help.. I’ll help myself.. Thanks for the cappuccino.. and sorry for the dozens of coffee you had in waiting for me..

She stood and walked away angrily. Bunny threw some cash on the table and ran after her..

Bunny: Naina.. naina.. listen yaar.. I was kidding!

His car was parked in front of the coffee shop.. but he forgot about it and kept walking after her while she took a shortcut through the forest. He talked non-stop and she ignored him..

Bunny: Arre yaar.. where are you going into this forest, you’ll get lost.. Naina listen yaar... Ok Fine, I’ll introduce you to ASR.

On the spot, her steps stopped and she turned to face him... An excited happiness glowing on her face.

Naina: Really?

Bunny gave up and nodded in affirmation..

Bunny: Yes!

Naina: Promise!

Bunny: Yes promise...

She approached him and excitedly passed her arm around his arm as she said..

Naina: Ok let’s go!

Bunny: What? Now? Look we cannot go now.. he must be busy!

She pouted and pleaded innocently..

Naina: pleeeeeeeease.. please please please!

Bunny: God.. where am I stuck man? Save me from ASR!.... Come let’s go, before you start crying!

Naina: Yaaayyy..

Naina jumped in excitement and gave him a side hug. They both rushed to the car and zoomed off towards the Raizada. When they passed through the gate, Naina was awestruck.. the yard, the garden, the house which looked like a real castle.. Was she in a fairy tale? Bunny tapped her shoulders to get back from fairy land...

Bunny: Get back to earth naina and close your month!

Naina was still under the spell of the Raizada Castle..

Naina: This is unbelievable...

Bunny smirked.

Bunny: Well have you heard of this story?

She looked at him questioningly...

Naina: Which one?

Bunny: When Shah Jahan built Taj Mahal for his beloved wife Mumtaz..

Naina was confused about what he meant..

Naina: Yeahh.. everybody knows it!

Bunny: Well my dear friend.. it’s quite the same.. This castle has been built for Khushi.. not in her memory but for her.. the place where she’ll live with her prince when she comes back... Everything in this house is just the way Khushi likes it...

Bunny stepped out of the car while Naina stared at the house like castle with tears in her eyes.. Her thoughts broke when Bunny opened her door.. She stepped out of the car, quite moved on with the sight of this place.. She hadn’t met him yet.. but she felt the love and passion for this one girl.. Is love truly eternal???

They walked up the few steps to the main door when suddenly Bunny’s mobile rang. He checked the caller id and looked at Naina..

Bunny: It’s from office.. I have to take this call.. You stay here ok..

Naina smiled.

Naina: Sure!

Meanwhile, Naina looked around admiring the garden.. when suddenly a music caught her attention.. a beautiful tune.. someone was playing a guitar and without thinking she pushed open the main door and stepped inside the huge house...