Chapter 24

Thank You! for all your love and support. Our Arnav and Khushi are starting to come closer to each other but the point is will it last.

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Chapter - 24

Now that's more like my Khushi, he thought as Aman led her away from him. It became so natural and organic now that he didn’t even realize he just called her ‘my Khushi’. His heart finally took over his mind. Letting out a small smile Arnav took a deep breath and ASR stepped out of the conference room. OK, the heart may not have won over the mind completely, or maybe it is Khushi who makes all the difference.

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Back at home Khushi was becoming restless by the minute. “He will come, Khushi. He said he will not go to Delhi today. Don’t get tense” she repeatedly told herself. Looking at the clock for the umpteenth time she sighed, cursing “Why is time not moving today?” 

Just when she thought she would go crazy Payal walked up to her and asked “Khushi, if you are free then let us chat for some time, just the two of us. We haven't had a chance since you came.”

Settling down in Payal’s room the soul sisters talked about the upcoming marriage, Payal’s new life, Akash, his family. Recollecting Payal said out of the blue “Anjali Di and Deeksha aunty adore you. I don’t know what you did but Deeksha aunty is in love with you. Naniji too. What did you do? Did you put a magic spell on them like you used to do when we were young or something?”

“No, Jiji. Nothing like that. And I am a grown-up now. I don’t play such games.” she pouted, acting a little upset.

“OK, ok. I won’t make fun anymore. But you used to be such a sucker for princess and prince stories. You would be like ‘Jiji, When will I get my prince? Why is he taking so long?’ And your made-up spells - they were the best. You would come up with such funny names. You....” she stopped midway sensing Khushi getting more upset. “Ok, sorry. No more.”, she said zipping her mouth with her hand. Trying to divert the topic she asked “But Khushi, bol na(Tell me). What did you do that they are all praises for you?” 

Taking the bait, Khushi explained what transpired that morning. Listening intently, Payal said at the end “No wonder they adore you!”

“But Jiji, I did nothing. By the way, Di kept mentioning about their father being in an accident. Do you know what happened?” she asked bitten by a curiosity bug. 

Payal nodded and spoke “Around 6 years back, Uncle met with a very bad accident. But unfortunately, that was not all. Uncle was a very kind man who always helped others. He had a best friend who was not from a well off family like him. He made his friend the manager of his company. Always treated him like family. Everything was going well until the accident. At that time their company was working on some new project and a lot of money was involved. Maybe greed makes people inhuman. Using the opportunity the friend ran away with all the investor’s money. He cheated the Raizadas. And they lost everything. All their properties were auctioned off to pay back the investors. Anjali Di was engaged at that time, her alliance broke off. They went to live with Naniji after that. Manorama Aunty, Uncle, and Naniji forced Arnavji to go back to the US to complete his final semester of MBA. Once he returned he started his business. Whatever the Raizada’s are now is all because of Arnavji. Akash says, his brother worked really hard these last 6 years to get to where he is today. He admires Arnavji a lot. Even though Naniji and Akash’s parents are well off, he said Arnavji never accepted any kind of help. Even the money he borrowed to start his business, he returned it saying he will never ask for their help again if they don’t take it back. At first, I was very afraid of him. You know how they talk about him in the news and stuff. But now that I met him, he is not that scary.” she smiled.

Khushi silently and attentively heard everything Payal said. Fighting back her tears she spoke with a heavy heart “Poor Anjali Di and Deeksha Aunty. It must have been hard for them. It must have been very hard for him. To suddenly lose their father, taking care of his mom who lost her husband, her life, and sister who is shattered after everything she endured. It must have been very painful. More for him as he hides his emotions to stay strong for them. And all this while he never let anyone take care of him. It must have been really exhausting for him. Hai na(Right), Jiji? Now I understand why he is what he is.”

Payal stared at Khushi in disbelief. “Khushi! How do you understand people’s pain so well? I mean I do understand their pain and I do feel bad for them too but the extent to which you can understand someone in depth amazes me.” she said awestruck

*Knock**Knock* Both the ladies turned to find Hariprakash the servant at the door. “Madam is calling you both for dinner.”, he announced

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Once everyone retired to their respective rooms for the day Khushi walked to her room still thinking about what Payal said earlier. She couldn’t help but keep thinking about all that suffering Arnav and his family had gone through. “He never shows.”, she muttered under her breath. “He never shows his pain. He tries to be brave for his family. It must be tough. And at times lonely. How does he do it? How does he maintain that brave front? He is really amazing.” she completed crashing on her bed. Trailing around her eyes fell on the walk clock and sighing loudly she spoke out “It’s already 10. Why are you not coming? Are you taking revenge for what I did? You will come, right? Please come. Hey Devi Maiya, I can’t give him more pain. I just can’t. Come fast, Laad… No, no” she shook her head in disapproval. Correcting herself she whispered “Arnavji.”

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“Aaaa--Choooo!” Arnav sneezed.

“Someone must be thinking about you, Sir.”, Aman said with a tiny smile

In return, ASR gave him a death stare. “Sorry, Sir” Aman immediately blurted out scared.

Arnav was not angry at him, he knew Aman was right. And he could easily guess who it might be. “Khushi!” he thought. He had a pretty good idea of what she wanted to talk about this afternoon. He knew she would definitely say sorry if and when she remembers everything. But he never thought she would barge into his office unannounced. “She is crazy” he chuckled and leering at his watch thought to himself frustrated “I want to see her”. He was angry at himself because now he is stuck in office only because of his ego. He was so engrossed in meeting Khushi this afternoon and about going home after the press meet that he totally forgot about ordering Aman that everyone is working tonight till the afternoon’s deal was done. First, the press meeting took longer than he anticipated, then an urgent call took his time and now this. Dragging his head back into the game, he told himself “I have to get this deal signed on my terms. How dare they? I will show them who they are up against.”

45 minutes later ASR walked out of the office with a smirk on his face saying “ If only they agreed to the deal today morning I would have been with Khushi right now. Serves them right. They tried to twist my hand this afternoon and I twisted their entire world. They should know the consequences of challenging ‘The Arnav Singh Raizada’. I always get what I want. Always.”

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Entering the house Arnav looked around and at his watch. “It’s 11:15, everyone must be asleep. Is Khushi asleep? She must have, it’s really late.” he thought, a little disappointed. As he got closer to his room, he could distantly hear some sound. Changing his direction, he started walking towards the origin of it. The sound got clearer as he moved closer. “It’s music.” he mentally noted. “And it is coming from that room.”, he mumbled, taking faster strides.

Pretty sure of the person responsible for the sound, he slowly opened the door and silently stepped in. What he saw then took his breath away. He just stood there rooted in that spot watching her. She was waving her blue anarkali around twirling, resembling the boundless sky as the song “Ghar more Pardesiya, Aao Padharo Piya.. (Come Back Home O’Stranger, Come visit O’Dear)”, resonated around the room. Watching her twirl, jump, move her hands and feet rhythmically, he wondered, “I read once that peacocks are beautiful when they dance. But I doubt that it's as alluring as the one I am watching.” And as always the best part was her expressions and not to forget her enchanting eyes, which convey so much without uttering a word. As he stood there basking in her beauty, the song lyrics started registering in his mind. He let out a smile. The song - its meaning, it was like she was calling to him. Waiting for him. His heart wanted her, needed her, and craved for her. He wanted to run to her, hold her in his arms, and never let go. “Khushi” her name escaped his lips involuntarily.

Even in that Loud music, she heard him, how he didn’t know but she instantly stopped and turned to see him standing there. “Aap agaye!?”(You are here!?)” she squeaked as she gave her million-dollar smile and ran to him. He almost felt she was going to hug him but she stopped right at the moment. Was he just reading too much and imagining it, he didn’t know. But he felt a sharp pang in his heart when she didn’t. 

Her expression suddenly changing from happiness to that of annoyance, she demanded as she pointed her index finger at him “You? Where were you? Do you know how long I waited for you? Is this the time to come home? You knew I would be waiting? Are you trying to get back at me for today morning? I..” Realizing why she was waiting for him in the first place she stopped talking mentally smacking her head. “Khushi! You have to apologize not to fight”, she reminded herself.

“As always unpredictable.” he thought, looking at her amused.

“Woh! I wanted to say that… about today morning..I know..”

Arnav cut her off mid-sentence “Khushi, can we talk after I freshen up? It was a long day.”

“Oh! My bad. Yes, sure.”

As Arnav was stepping out of the room she yelled “I will be in the garden” bringing a smile on his face as he walked out. 

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Arnav walked into the garden and found Khushi sitting at the far end bench, staring at the stars. He never saw anyone so attached to stars. People do enjoy watching them once in a while but with her, it was like a ritual. Almost every time he met her she wanted to gaze at stars. “Strange hobby.”, he mumbled walking towards her. Sitting next to her silently he said, “Hi!”

“Oh! Hi!” she turned to him, a bit startled.

Sounding apologetic “Didn’t mean to startle you. I just..”,

“No. It’s fine. I am fine.” she completed before he could. 

“I was delayed at work. Some..”

Cutting him off again she said “Wait. Can I go first? I have been waiting since morning to say this. I can’t wait.” With that she took a deep breath, looked right at him, and spoke earnestly “I.. I want to apologize for everything I said this morning. I am so sorry. I shouldn’t have said all those things. You might be thinking I am a drunkard. But I am not. In fact, yesterday was the first time I ever had alcohol. I really don’t like to drink. I have no idea how I didn’t notice that it was wine and not water.” 

“Even I was wondering how. Did it not burn your throat?” he asked a bit curious

“I think it did, but I didn’t pay attention to it.” she replied honestly.

Looking at her intently he asked “Why you were upset yesterday?”

Her gaze shifting away from him. She fell silent.

Waiting a few minutes, he said subtly “You need not tell me if you don’t want to. It’s ok. I shouldn’t have asked.”

She glanced at him for a few seconds before raising her head towards the stars and answered “No, it’s not that. It just… I don’t usually talk about me. So, I don’t know what to say.” 

“Why don’t you?” he promptly asked, curious over her unexpected response.

She fell silent again.

Gasping what he said, he mentally cursed himself. “Again, I shouldn’t have asked. Didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. No need to tell me. But you don’t have to stay silent.”

“My uncle, he doesn’t like it when I talk about myself or my family. He says I will be in danger if I do.” there was a strange sadness in her voice.

“What!? Why?” he snapped surprised, not able to wrap his head around what she was saying. 

Khushi didn’t like where this was going. Not wanting to talk about this anymore she tried to distract him by changing the topic “Look it is full moon tonight. Isn’t it beautiful?” she pressed a smile.

Arnav who was staring only at her could see her face clearly under the moonlight and tell right away that her smile was not reaching her eyes. He very well understood what she was trying to do. But he couldn’t stop himself anymore, he wanted to know. Even though he sensed that she was not comfortable talking about it, he decided to probe her. “You still didn’t tell me why you were upset yesterday?”

Again silence ….

But this time he chose to wait. He just sat there giving her time. Hoping she will eventually speak. And a few minutes later she did. 

“Yesterday…” she paused as if still contemplating what to say. “Yesterday, one of Payal Jiji’s friends was talking rudely about his parents and that made me angry”, she spoke softly.

“So... you were upset because someone spoke ill of his parents?” he couldn’t follow her.

“No. Not that. I was angry because…., he could speak with his parents and I can’t. That he can live with them but I can’t. He can have a wonderful relationship with them, I can’t. And even though he can, he didn’t want to do any of the above things. And I… I would do anything, just anything to be able to do at least one of those things.” she completed, her voice filled with pain and disappointment. She stayed still, staring at the stars, as tears started falling one after the other, rolling down her cheeks and shining like pearls in the moonlight.

Now it was his turn to fall silent. He didn’t know what to ask or say. At this point, he can already guess the answer to his next question. But he wanted to confirm if he was correct rather than assuming things.”Your parents  …?” he trailed off, unable to complete his question. 

Khushi slowly raised her hand to the sky and pointing her finger said “The one there, one which is shining the brightest is my Babuji and the one right next to it is my Amma.” As she spoke, her tears now flowed uncontrollably but in silence.

Arnav just kept staring at her, helpless. He could feel her pain like his own.  He could distinctly see her silently shedding tears in the night. His soul was crying with her, for her. He could sense her loneliness for the first time in her eyes. He knew nothing. He never knew the eyes which captivated him, smiled at him, accused him, made his heart skip a beat, and made his life so difficult were hiding such pain. Such agony. Such loneliness. And he just sat there, not sure how to help her. What he can or should say to console her in order to take away her pain, her suffering, her loneliness.  

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