Love Thy Enemy

Prologue

 “Psycho”

“Moron”

“Pea-brain”

“Fathead”

 “Don’t call me that!”

“I’ll call you whatever I like Raizada. Now get out of my room.” Khushi screamed.

“Or what?” Arnav asked smirking as he leaned against her wardrobe.

“I’ll kill you.” Khushi picked up her tennis racquet & charged on Arnav, her eyes blazing in rage.

“KHUSHI..!” Khushi’s father, Shashi Gupta’s voice boomed.

Khushi stopped suddenly & turned around lowering her lethal weapon.

What looked like the entire Gupta & Raizada family was standing outside Khushi's room.

“Chote?” Anjali came in towards Arnav. “Why are you two fighting again? What did you do?”

“Di, why do you always blame me? Didn’t you see what Khushi was about to do?” Arnav said putting up an innocent face.

“Di, he started it. Look.. look what he did to my lipstick.” Khushi held out a broken, much abused lipstick to Anjali.

“Yeah, so you decided to practically kill me by smashing my head.. Pea-brain?” Arnav sneered.

“Nothing would damage that thick skull of yours.. Fathead! Why did you even come to my room in the first place?” Khushi turned on him.

“Khushi, Khushi calm down.” Anjali said turning her around. “I sent him to call you downstairs but it was clearly a bad idea.” She said giving Arnav an accusing look. “Chote you should apologise.”

“WHAT?” Arnav looked aghast. “Apologise? HER? NO WAY and for what..? Almost getting killed?”

“Don’t exaggerate Chote, I just asked you to call her. You had no business to damage her lipstick. Now apologise.” Anjali said sternly.

“Khushi you should apologise too.” Mr. Gupta said.

Khushi opened her mouth to protest but her father interrupted her, “Whatever he did, you had no reason to get violent.”

Khushi & Arnav both sighed in defeat. Arnav walked up to Khushi. “Sorry.. Pea-brain!” He smirked.

“I’m sorry too.. Fathead!” Khushi gave him a disgusted look.

“These two will never grow up.” Nani said shaking her head. “Come on, let’s go downstairs.”

§§§§§§§§§§§

This was always how it was for as long as anyone remembered. The Guptas & Raizadas had been next door neighbours & family friends for over 20 years. The kids had all grown up together. The families loved each other. But if the love between the families was strong, stronger was the hatred between the Raizada’s oldest son Arnav Singh Raizada (26) & the Gupta’s youngest daughter Khushi Kumari Gupta (20).

Arnav & Khushi never got along. Arnav’s younger brother Akash (24) & Khushi's older sister older sister Payal (22) would’ve sworn that Arnav & Khushi had never in their life exchanged a polite word.

But the things started changing when Akash & Payal fell in love & the two families decided to transform the age old friendship into a lifelong relationship. Everyone was very excited for the fast approaching union between the families and there were hints being dropped that Arnav & Khushi should be getting married too.

Arnav was blissfully ignorant to such talks as this topic was always discussed amongst the ladies of the families. Anjali had always had a soft corner for Khushi & wanted her as her sister-in-law for her dearest Chote. But who would bell the cat? Arnav & Khushi couldn’t stand the sight of each other.

Ever since she had turned 18, Khushi had to endure these discussions on & off, however horrifying the thought of becoming Mrs. Arnav Singh Raizada was for her. But she had brushed them off as a sick joke. But now with Payal-Akash wedding season on full blast, the Arnav-Khushi-are-perfect-for-each-other topic was once again a rage. It was driving her nuts.

‘I mean the guy is crazy. He does nothing but fight with me. How can they think we’re perfect for each other? I hate him.’ Khushi often thought to herself. Little did she know that very soon all that was to change!!!