Crazy but Mine

1. Who Is She?

Delhi City.

Night 8.30

Heavy rain pours over the city. Streetlight shimmer as water flows across the roads car move slowly, horns echoing through the rain. People rush under the umbrella, some stopping near chai stalls, and steam rising into the cold night air.

A black luxury SUV cuts through the rain. Arnav Singh Raizada is driving. He's heading home early today.

His phone rings. He stopped his car at the roadside and answered the call.

"Yes, Aman."

"ASR, have you reached home?"

Arnav looked outside the city rushed past him.

"No... on the way home."

"Mmm... It's raining heavily after you reach home safely, give me a call."

"I will,"

He is about to disconnect the call... suddenly, his hand stopped, and Arnav’s eyes stopped across the road...

A girl standing in the rain, she laughs softly... she begins to dance freely, spinning under the pouring rain, her hair flows, hair soaked, face glowing with pure joy. Time slows, rain falls around her like magic. Her bangles jingle. Her smile lights up the dark street.

Arnav freezes his heartbeat echoes louder than the thunder for the first time, and ASR forgets the word.

"ASR, are you listening..." Aman's voice came.

" Aman, I will call you later." In lost, he said, his eyes never leaving her.

The girl lifts her face to the sky, rain washing over her. Because of the darkness, Arnav struggled to catch a clear glimpse of her face.

Rainwater streams down the car window, blurring everything outside

Arnav lifts his hand and wipes the foggiest, rain-soaked window with his palm. His breath catches the girl, turns slightly before her face is fully clear... Thunder flashes. The entire road lights up, and her face is revealed.

Rain kissed her skin, expressive eyes. A smile untouched by the world's cruelty for a second, everything stops. The ruthless businessman forgot every harsh truth he believed about the world.

She laughs, spinning again in the rainwater splashed, bangles sparkle.

A bell sound cuts through the rain. An ice tricycle trolley slowly passed by. The girl suddenly stopped dancing.

Her eyes light up.

" Bhaiya... Stop! I want an ice popsicle" she excitedly called out.

The ice seller stopped and looked at her in surprise. " In the rain, beti?" He asked perplexed.

Because of the rain, nobody was buying ice cream from him, so he was heading home. He was surprised to see this girl eating ice cream in such weather."

She nods eagerly.

"Yes, Bhaiya! Give me the orange one."

The seller smiles, hands her an ice popsicle. She gives him money.

" Thank you!"

The ice trolley move away, disappearing into the rain.

Arnav watched everything, stunned.

She unwraps the popsicle and takes a happy bite, closing her eyes in pure bliss standing there.

Arnav frowns " Is she crazy? Would anyone eat ice in the pouring rain?"

She laughs to herself as cold rain mixed with the melting ice cream, completely unbothered.

Arnav lips twitch almost a smile seeing her.

" but... she's cute"

She happily takes another bite of the ice. Suddenly her phone rings. She freezes. Her smile vanishes. She hurriedly pulls the phone out of her soaked bag and look at the screen caller ID showing BUAJI.

Her eyes widen in horror.

"Oh... no... I'm dead today." She whispered.

She gulps and answered the call.

" Hello Buaji" soft, innocent tone.

"Hey KHUSHI! Where are you? It's pouring so heavily, are you again getting wet in the rain and eating ice cream? Anger and loudly she asked.

Khushi swallowed hard. She looks down... from her wet hair to her soaked clothes... then to her hand. The ice popsicle melting, dripping onto her fingers.

Khushi quickly straightens up.

"N.. no buaji... I haven't gotten wet in the rain at all and I'm not eating ice either."

"Don't lie to me! It's already late, come home quickly"

"Ji, Buaji " she cuts the call and stares at the phone.

" you're gonna get it today" she gulped again and looks up at the sky " Devi Maiyya... please save me!"

She hurriedly hide the ice popsicle behind her back like a guilty child.

Arnav has been watching everything. Her expressions... her fear fave... a faint amusement flickers in his eyes.

He don't know what she's saying his gaze softens as Khushi bites her lip nervously. But whoever is on the other side.. they’re definitely scolding her...

He watched her wip her melting ice cream on her dupatta, panicking.

He leans back his eyes still fixed on her " Unbelievable "

Khushi truns and leave worry writing all over her face and Arnav Singh Raizada can't stop watching her.

And Arnav Singh Raizada the man who never believed in love, who thought emotions were weaknesses couldn’t stop watching her disappear into the rain.

He didn’t know her name. The rain softened. But Arnav didn’t move.

His fingers still rested on the steering wheel. His eyes remained fixed on the road where she had just walked away.

Why am I still sitting here?

The SUV rolled forward slowly. And then He saw her again.

She was standing near a small roadside temple, trying to squeeze water out of her dupatta. Her face scrunched in frustration as she shook her wet hair like an annoyed kitten.

Arnav’s lips curved unconsciously.

Suddenly, a speeding bike splashed through a puddle nearby. Dirty water splattered all over her.

Khushi froze.

She looked down at her now even messier clothes.

"Hey! Are you blind?" she shouted at the disappearing biker, stamping her foot.

Arnav’s eyebrows shot up.

Fire. There was actual fire in that innocent face. She looked ready to chase the bike. But instead, she sighed dramatically and looked up at the sky again.

“Devi Maiyya… is this part of your grand plan to test my patience?”

Arnav almost laughed.

The girl who danced in rain… who ate ice cream in a storm… now arguing with God?

"Unbelievable."

She hurried toward the temple steps and folded her hands sincerely.

“Please make Buaji’s anger cool down before I reach home… and also… don’t let me get a fever. I hate kadha.”

Arnav shook his head slightly.

Who prays like that? He had seen people pray for wealth. For success. For power. But this girl? She prayed about kadha.

Khushi stop a auto rickshaw and get inside and went from there. Arnav watched her disappear into the rain, slipping into the auto rickshaw.

He couldn’t explain it… but something about her lingered in his mind, refusing to leave. The way she laughed at the rain, the way she argued with the world and God alike, the way her. she argued with the world and God alike, the way her innocence clashed with her fire....it was maddening. And yet, utterly captivating.

Arnav started the SUV again. He drove slowly, his mind restless.

“ Who is she? he muttered under his breath.

And for the first time in years… Arnav was curious about someone.

........

Rain water drip from Khushi's hair as she standing at the door. She hesitates... then knocks softly...

"Hey... coming " a voice called from inside.

The door swung open, and Buaji appeared. The moment her eyes fell on Khushi, they widened

" hey Sanka Devi" she exclaimed, shock and anger mixing in her tone.

Before Khushi could react, Buaji pulled her inside and gave her a critical look, scanning her from head to toe.

"You are completely drenched "

Khushi gulped she shivers slightly, teeth chattering.

"Buaji " a small voice, before she can finish Buaji twists Khushi’s ear.

"How many times have I told you! Being in the rain is forbidden! And that too at night."

Khushi winces " Aahh... Buaji "

Her big eyes glistened, her lips pouted, and she made her most innocent, baby-like expression.

"I made a mistake, okay" Khushi pleading

A gentle voice interrupted

" Jiji..."

Khushi’s face lit up instantly. She slipped out of Buaji’s grip and ran forward.

“Babuji!” she exclaimed, throwing herself into Shashi’s arms, burying her face in his chest.

Buaji let out a sigh, hands on her waist.

"Shashi... you two are spoiling her far too much.."

Khushi peeks out from Shashi's arms and pouting.

"Buaji..." making puppy eyes.

Buaji looks at her. Wet, shivering... she turned away pretending to be angry " First go and change your clothes... then we’ll talk" grumbling

"Ji..." smiling, she kissed Buaji's cheek and Khushi disappeared inside to change.

"Crazy girl... if she keeps coming home drenched like this, she's going to fall ill."

At that moment, Garima came from the kitchen.

"What happened Jiji? Why is Khushi so late?"

Buaji folded her arms, annoyed "What else would happen! Her majesty has come home soaking wet from the rain."

Garima's face fills with concern " In the rain?"

She moves toward Khushi's room but Buaji stops her.

"She's changing her clothes right now."

"You scolded her, didn't you.."

'I have to scold her. If we don't say something, then who will?" Buaji gruffly. "It's just that..she would have caught acold, wouldn't she?"

"You love her very much, Jiji." Garima is gently teasing.

"I'll go make some tea... the ginger.."

Garima smiles.

............

The grand doors of RM open. Arnav walks in.

"Chott..." A voice stopped him. "Why are you late today?

Arnav stops... but says nothing He loosens his coat slightly.

"Aman called. He said you suddenly cut the call. He tried to reach you so many times, but you didn't answer." The person said.

The person steps closer "What happened, Chotte? I got so worried hearing this."

"Nothing, NANI." He took out his phone and glanced at it "There was no signal on the way. That's all. Nani, why haven't you slept yet?"

"Even though I'm tired, I can't fall asleep until you come, Chotte.."

"Nani... how many times have I told you? Don't wait for me; please eat on time and go to sleep..."

" If I don't look after you, who else will? Who will look after you when I'm gone?"

"Nani, please... don't talk like that. You aren't going anywhere." Kneels down beside her, his tough exterior softening instantly.

"If you marry a good girl... even if I'm not here, she will look after you with so much love. I just want to see you happy and settled, Chotte."

The thought of marriage and perhaps a certain girl in a Chikankari suit flickers in his eyes. He stands up abruptly, trying to hide his emotions.

"I have a meeting early tomorrow. Please go to sleep now, Nani. Promise me?"

"Chotte... Should I ask Hari Prakash to heat the food for you?"

"Okay... You go and sleep. I’ll change my clothes and come down to eat. I promise."

She nods.

"Make sure you eat properly. Don't just drink that bitter coffee of yours and call it a meal."

A tiny, almost invisible smirk plays on his lips "Goodnight, Nani."

Arnav disappears into his room. Nani stands in the silent hallway for a moment before calling out.

"Hari Prakash!"

HP running in from the kitchen, wiping his hands on his apron "Ji, Nani ji?"

"Arnav Baba has just returned. Heat the food for him, okay? Make sure everything is hot."

"Ji, Nani ji. I will take it to the dining table immediately." Nodding diligently

Nani watches him head toward the kitchen. She turns and enters her own room.

...........

In the Gupta home. In Khushi's bedroom.

Khushi lies on her bed, wrapped in a blanket. Her hair is slightly damp. She shivers and pulls the blanket closer.

" Devi Maiyya… please don’t let me fall sick tomorrow"

Her eyes slowly close. She drifts into sleep. After some time, the door opens softly. Shashi and Garima enter quietly.

"She doesn't seem to have a fever," Garima whispering

Shashi sighs in relief.

"She’s probably just a little tired." He carefully pulls the blanket up around Khushi. Khushi murmurs something in her sleep.

" Babuji…" murmuring.

Garima smiles lovingly. Shashi bends down and kisses Khushi’s forehead.

"My baby girl…" Shashi said softly.

Garima switches off the bedside lamp. They walk out quietly, closing the door behind them.

To be continued...