Chapter 23

Welcome to the D-day! This chapter is full of good old IPK moments but of course, under different setup. I hope it goes well with the essence of the story. Chapter 24 will be epilogue; so this officially is the last chapter of this series.

23

"Many times in life I've regretted the things I've said without thinking. But I've never regretted the things I said, nearly as much as the words I left unspoken."

- Lisa Kleypas, Sugar Daddy

Arnav felt his heart sinking as he stared at the small house in front of him in Laxmi Nagar. The house was generously illuminated with fairy lights; the nearby trees too did not miss the touch. The front door was open and he could clearly see the hustle and bustle of festivity inside the house. People, mostly women in colorful Saris, were coming out of the house giggling and leaving in group.

Where were they all going?

Arnav looked for the familiar face, standing few feet away from the house. He remembered the last time he had been here, only a few days back. He remembered having her in his arms, in his hold. His heart twitched. He wanted to have that back. He wanted her back in his arms.

Was she there?

Arnav swallowed hard as he felt the noise gradually fading away. The house seemed almost empty now. He could only see through the open door, a woman in her fifties, picking up a few bags.

Arnav tentatively stepped towards the house but stopped at the stairs. He had not felt this confused and nervous ever in his life. He knew why he was here. He knew what he wanted to do. But he was still unsure of himself. Could he do it? What would he tell her? Why would she listen to him?

Did he make a mistake coming here?

Was he too late?

"Are you looking for someone, bitwa?"

The soft query startled Arnav and he looked up to meet a pair of kind eyes staring at him. It was the lady from the house, standing in front of him, with all the bags in her hands.

"Ji .."

"Ladke waale ho?"

Arnav swallowed. Ladke waale. The tremor of fear grappled him again.

"Ji .. nahi .."

The woman stared at her with curiosity in her eyes.

"Ji .. mein .. woh .. Khushi .."

"Khushi se milne aaye ho?"

The surprise in her voice was evident.

"Ji .. Haan .. woh .."

"Tum ..?"

"Ji. Mein .. Arnav. Arnav Singh Raizada."

"Arnav … Oh! Aap .. Khushi ke boss ho?"

Arnav could hardly hide his surprise but the expression of surprise on the woman's face was stronger.

"Pagal ladki. She did not even tell us she had invited you."

Arnav smiled mildly as he watched her shaking her head in disbelief.

"Haan. Thodi si pagal zaroor hai." He murmured.

The woman smiled back.

"Mein, Garima. Khushi ki Amma."

Khushi's mother. Arnav stiffened a bit as an unfamiliar nervousness grew on him.

"Ji, Namaste Aunty. Mm.. I am sorry .. I was not sure if she was here .."

"She is. Still getting ready. Tum andar aao na, bitwa."

"Ji .."

Arnav stood confused not being able to decide what to do. She was here. She was in that house. Should he go in? Would she come out? Could he tell her?

"How long will you wait outside? Come in. I will call Khushi."

Arnav followed her into the house hesitantly. There were still a few people in the house. They eyed him curiously while continuing with their work, chattering.

"Please have a seat. Would you like some tea?"

"No. I don't have tea."

"Accha? Ok. I will have to go. I will see you at the function then."

She turned to a closed door and called out.

"Khushi!"

Khushi.

Arnav waited with his heart clenched anticipating the familiar voice. Three days. Three f**king days since he had last heard or seen her.

She called out again.

"Khushiii!"

Few seconds later her reply came.

"Kya hua, Amma?"

Her voice came from behind the door. And Arnav's heart lost a beat before it started beating fast. She was here. Just beyond that door. Was that the door to her room? Had he been there?

"Someone is here to meet you. Jaldi aao."

Garima turned to Arnav and smiled.

"Theek hai, bitwa. Tum baitho. Will meet you later."

Arnav waited nervously, continuously fidgeting as Garima and the other women left the house. Clock ticked away - Arnav felt like hours going by as he waited with bated breath. Suddenly a soft click broke through the nerve-wrecking silence.

Arnav stiffened as soon as he watched the door opening. And there she was. His eyes, hungry for three days, grew alight as she came out smiling, looking back inside the room, not knowing who was there waiting for her. Arnav could hear the sound of laughter coming out. She was not alone. But she was there .. right in front of him. To quench his thirsty soul.

Khushi had thought the mithai wala was here to discuss the contract for the wedding day. But her smile froze as soon as her eyes fell on the man waiting for her.

Arnav ji.

Was this for real? Was that really Arnav Singh Raizada sitting on their old couch?

Khushi could sense the instant pickup of her heartbeat and then it went pleasantly erratic. He was here. The man her eyes were sore for. The man her heart was bleeding for. Three days felt like three lightning years. And now he was here?

There was something a little different about him today. He was in a black suit, no waist coat, the top three buttons of the shirt open. His usual gelled up hair was rather tousled. He sat there, looking up at her face, his eyes expecting, like a child. It was him. Him indeed.

Khushi's breathing hitched.

What was he doing here? Today? Now?

Arnav felt a poignant loss as her smile vanished seeing him. When she came out, she was shining in her bright yellow lehenga with contrasting magenta embroidery. All her jewelry was made of natural flower, even the maang tika. Her hair was open, her belly was vaguely visible beyond the dupatta covering her front.

Arnav stood up, his brain frozen, his blood rushing at lightning speed as if it was fed after days.

"Hi!"

The unexpected greeting made Khushi fluster and she put together her hands quickly in response.

"Namaste."

Arnav was staring at her intensely not knowing how to strike up the conversation. Khushi too could not bring herself to say anything else. This was not even the last thing she could expect from Arnav Singh Raizada. Definitely, not after the way he had behaved with her for last three days. Why was he here?

"Aap ..?"

Watching Khushi flustered, Arnav's nervousness slowly started to disappear. He took a step towards her.

"Haan main."

He took another step and watched her stepping back with every step he took forward. Why did she always do that?

"Tum hamesha peeche kyun jaati ho?"

Khushi could suddenly feel all those familiar feelings bubbling inside her. What was he trying to do? Showing up like that, after three days of complete indifference? She knew she should be angry but she could not help feeling all tingly as her confusion merged with her innermost hidden desire. She watched him cautiously stepping towards her like a predator and her heart fluttered. She gulped.

"Kyun ki .. aap hamesha .. aage aate hain?"

Arnav could feel a slow smile creeping up his lips as he watched her breathing heavily. Her lips trembled, eyelids fluttered, chest heaved. Hell with Gautam! She was still as affected by him. She was still his lemon. And he would make sure she remained that always. She was his.

Arnav had almost backed her against the wall by now. He stared into her eyes, wanting to read her inside.

"Tum theek ho?"

Khushi missed a heartbeat as his husky voice reached her. Why her whole body shuddered every time he asked that?

"Ji.. Haan.. Main .. theek hoon."

Khushi swallowed. What was the meaning of all this? Why was he here? Why was he asking her all this? Now? What was the point? What was he up to?

Khushi tried to control her racing heart. She looked away to compose herself a bit.

"Have you come here .. to ask that?"

Arnav faltered and was startled back to the cruel reality as Khushi bluntly wanted to know the reason for his sudden appearance. He moved his eyes away from her for a second and swallowed. There was no way to run away from the bitter truth.

"I .. just .. came to .."

Khushi stared at him wide eyed as he struggled with his words. She watched as he closed his eyes and clenched his fist. As if gaining back his determination, he opened up his eyes and stared straight into hers.

"Khushi .. can we talk somewhere .. alone?"

Talk. Alone. Again.

What was there to talk more?

Wasn't he done hurting her?

"What do you want to talk about, Arnav ji?"

Arnav took a deep breath. It was time to shake off all his inhibitions. It was time to face it.

Jab faisla dimag se nahi, dil se liya jaata hai na, toh sab achcha hota hai…

"About us. About you and me."

Khushi gasped and her eyes widened as she felt a twitch in her heart. About us. There was no "us".

"What is left there to talk about now?"

Arnav stepped ahead minimizing the distance between them as the pain in her voice did not go lost on him. He could not let this chance go. He was here. He had to tell her.

"Five minutes. Only."

Khushi stared at him observing the intensity playing across his face. She knew he was serious and she knew he was here because he really wanted.

"Wait."

She whispered and carefully moved away from him, sliding against the wall and walked into the adjacent room. Arnav paced across the room restlessly waiting for her as she took her time. She came out ten minutes later. With her came out few other girls around her age, all adorned in yellow or red lehengas.

Arnav halted as the girls eyed him curiously.

Khushi turned to one of the girls and held her hands.

"Jiji, you, please go with them. I will be back in 10 minutes."

"Par Khushi .."

"Jiji please .. "

Payal curiously eyed the sinfully good-looking man and whispered to her sister.

"Kaun hain yeh?"

"Meri boss hain, Jiji. Arnav Singh Raizada."

Payal gasped. Bald-headed middle aged arrogant jerk. Wasn't that what she had thought he was?

"Khushi," she whispered, not hiding her surprise, "I thought he was some sadoo Buddha .."

"Oh Jiji! When did I tell you something like that?"

"When? Kaisi kaisi baatein karti thi tum … chhodo. We will talk about it later."

Payal glanced at him once and started walking toward the door along with the other girls.

"Khushi, come fast. Everyone will be waiting for you."

As everyone left, Arnav and Khushi stood silent for some time, each fidgeting and expecting the other to break the silence.

Khushi watched him opening his mouth quite a few times but every time he backed off. Ye Laad Governor kabhi nahi sudhrenge. She shrugged.

"You wanted to talk?"

Arnav swallowed. No more running away.

"Yes."

He clasped his hands together touching his nose tip, his lips pursed. Finally, he looked up to meet her eyes, letting his hands fall on his sides.

"Khushi .. why are you doing this?"

Khushi's eyes widened in surprise.

"Again? Same question? What am I doing?"

"I know you are not happy with this. Then why?"

Khushi did not hide her frustration.

"Arnav ji. I am tired of hearing the same thing from you. Again and again. Kya kar rahi ho.. Kyun kar rahi ho.. Faraq padta hain .. If you have anything else to say, please say it. Else I should go. This is a very important day for me. And everyone is waiting .."

Arnav stepped ahead and suddenly held both of her hands and pulled her a bit nearer.

"So all this .. everything .. between us .. meant nothing to you?"

Khushi was a bit startled at him holding her hands but his question shook her to the core. Meant nothing. He was asking her?

"What was there between us? Kuch bhi to nahi?"

"Kuch nahi tha?"

Khushi looked away, removing her hands from his hold, trying to ignore the frustration and pain in his voice. She did not want to look into his eyes. She did not want to drown in that whirlpool of emotions again. She was done with all this.

"Arnav ji we have talked about this already."

Arnav ran his hands through his hair in frustration. It would never be easy with her.

"Yes we have! But .. how could you .. how could you .. move on like this, Khushi? "

"What else did you expect? That everything will still remain the same?"

"Khushi, ye sab hone dogi tum? Yun hi khatam hone dogi? Itna easy hain tumhare liye?

"Ab humara in baaton se koi matlab nahi."

"Koi matlab nahin?"

"Aap achchi tarah se jaante hain ki hum ye sab kyun kar rahe hain. Is liye hum iske baare me na hi baat kare to achcha hoga."

"Ok. Sure. Kuch discuss nahi karte. Sab kuch yun hi khatam hone dete hain."

Khushi stared at him in bewilderment as the last sentences came out from his mouth in sheer pain and anger. He was hurting. But why? Why was he here? Why did he want her to admit it mattered to her? It meant something to her?

"Arnav ji, ab aap kya chahte ho?"

"Tumhe nahi pata main kya chahta hoon?"

"If you tell me, perhaps I can understand?"

"Oh, Khushi .."

Arnav turned away from her in frustration, running his hands through his hair again. She kept asking him things he could not find words to answer to.

He wanted to believe what he had seen in those hazel eyes were real. He wanted to believe it meant something to her .. he mattered to her. But how could he believe unless she said it? How could he believe someone like him could matter so much to someone like her?

Khushi suddenly started feeling exhausted. He kept asking her things she did not want to answer.

She wanted to believe what she had seen in those coffee eyes were real. She wanted to believe it meant something to him .. she mattered to him. But how could she believe unless he said it? How could she believe someone like her could matter so much to someone like him?

"Arnav ji, can we please talk later? I really don't want to spoil this night."

Arnav felt his heart pierce. So all this was really that important to her? This night .. this ritual .. this meant so much to her? What was the point of talking later?

"I never thought you could turn so cruel, Khushi."

Khushi looked up in shock as the bitterness in his voice touched her. Cruel? Her? He was saying that?

"Cruel? Me? What did I do?"

Arnav's face crunched in pain and bitterness.

"Even now you are .. saying things about all this .. don't you even understand how it makes me feel?"

Khushi looked confused.

"I don't understand .."

Arnav turned away. This would go nowhere if she was so much in denial. What was the point talking when this night had suddenly become so important to her?

"Jao tum. This night is more important to you than me. Than us."

"Arnav ji .."

"Khush raho tum. Hamesha. I will send you my wishes for you and .. and Gautam."

The expression of confusion and shock in Khushi's face was at its peak now but Arnav hardly noticed.

"For me and Gautam?"

Arnav shook his head in disbelief. She was still not getting it, how much it hurt. He started walking away, not wanting to hear that name from her mouth one more time. Oh Khushi!

Khushi stood bewildered for some time, her brain trying to fit the puzzle. Did Arnav ji think she and Gautam ji were … Oh no!

As she watched him crossing the threshold, Khushi ran and stopped him by holding his back.

"You thought hum aur Gautam ji .. ?"

Arnav did not turn.

"Khushi, stop it…"

"Suniye! Aapko laga Gautam ji aur humaari Shaadi hai?"

Arnav jerked her hand away off him and stepped to walk away. Khushi did not stop him this time.

"Arnav ji. You can walk away. But at least listen to what I am saying. Aaj meri Jiji ki haldi hain. Gautam ji humaare hone wale Jijaji hain."

Hone wale Jijaji. Arnav halted in his tracks, shocked and confused.

"Gautam is not your fianc?"

"Nahi. Humne aisa kab kaha aap se?"

Arnav turned swiftly and charged at her.

"Tumne khud kaha."

"Humne? Kab?"

"When I asked you what was your fianc's name?"

"Haan. But you did not ask "my" fianc's name. I thought you were asking Jiji's fianc's name. That's why .. I was surprised how you came to know about Jiji's marriage."

"And this ring?"

Arnav pointed at the emerald-diamond ring still shining on her finger.

"This was my mother's ring. Last weekend Amma gave it to me. It is .. it is very close to my heart."

Arnav stood frozen as the truth dawned on him. All this time he was hurting over a chimera. She was not engaged?

He stared at her for some time and then walked by her into the room and sat on the couch. Khushi too followed, realizing he had been reeling under a great misunderstanding till now. And was it why he sounded so hurt? Thinking she got engaged?

She stood by the corner of the couch and Arnav looked up.

"So you are not engaged?"

"No. Not yet."

Relief flooded through every vein and nerve of his body. But ..

"Then why was Lavanya telling me you are getting married?"

"I invited her to Jiji's wedding. She was asking me about my plans. So I told her I will be getting married soon too .. that my parents are looking for a suitable groom."

Arnav finally sighed a breath of relief. She was his. Still his. She was not getting married. A mix of happy emotions engulfed his senses as he finally relaxed on the couch.

"In fact, I left a card for you with Simran ji too. Since you were not in office .."

Arnav shrugged. He hardly had listened to anything Simran had said today. He had sat at his desk for hours after talking to Lavanya, not attending any meetings or calls. He had left office before lunch and had taken his time to decide what he wanted to do.

"I didn't .."

He could not finish his sentence as Khushi cut in.

"Humara phone. Ek minute."

Arnav could hear a phone ringing in the distance. Khushi ran towards the adjacent room and Arnav followed her.

"Haan .. Amma .. haan .. Nahi .. haan .. dus minute. I am coming."

Khushi could just cut off the phone before she suddenly felt being pulled by two hands on her bare waist and in no time, she was in Arnav's hold, their bodies flushed against each other.

More than being shocked, Khushi shivered.

"What are you doing?"

"Khushi.." His voice came out hoarse. "Do you have any idea how I have been last 3 days?"

Khushi stared into his caffeinated eyes. Vulnerable, pained, expecting. This man would make her crazy. Staring into his eyes, she could feel her determination to stay away from him melting away. She could feel the butterflies back and active in her stomach. She could feel that desire to be in his hold growing again by leaps and bounds.

She swallowed.

"You have any idea how I have been last 2 weeks?"

Arnav could finally see the haziness slipping away from her eyes, baring the raw emotions of hurt and pain. He tightened his hold.

"I thought .. I thought .. you were leaving me alone .."

"Aap ne aisa soch bhi kaise liya?"

Arnav was startled as Khushi suddenly roared.

"How could you think I would get married just like that? How could you think I would do something like this?"

Arnav stared at her amused – his lemon – little sweet, little tangy, little bitter.

"That is exactly what I have been thinking of all this while, Khushi .. how could you .."

They stared at each other for infinity, baring their heart through their eyes. And finally they both broke into laughter. A laughter that washed away all their confusion, agony, grief, misunderstanding. They kept laughing, as Khushi's hands rested on Arnav's back unknowingly. They kept laughing in each other's arms, like they had never before. Like there was no tomorrow.

As the spasm of laughter slowly dissolved, Arnav bent his forehead to touch hers. They stood like that panting, their hearts racing fast but at peace.

"You lashed out on me in the garage. Then you acted all strange with me. And then .. You kept me standing, waiting for you .. for two days. You didn't even tell me you weren't coming .. I waited .. I still waited .. "

Arnav moved away his forehead and held her face, as she poured her heart out. The pain in her voice touched the deepest chord of Arnav's heart.

"I am sorry, Khushi. I was confused .. and .. I was .."

Though Arnav could not say it, Khushi knew he had felt hurt. But how could he ..

"How could you think I could ever hurt you like that? I .. I wanted to move away .. because you .. you .. asked for that .. but I could never .. .."

Arnav could see the tears forming in her eyes. His heart twitched. He was suffering. So was she. He thought she had hurt him. And he had hurt her unknowingly in return.

"I am sorry, Khushi." He kissed her right eye as he murmured.

Khushi's breathing faltered. Her hold tightened.

"You should have asked me, you know."

He kissed her left eye this time, kissing away the tears.

"I know. I tried. That is why I am here."

Khushi closed her eyes feeling herself in his arms. Had she ever wanted anything else more than this?

"Khushi .. I have come here today actually to give you back something."

Khushi looked up, little surprised. He smiled nervously and took out something from his pocket. With his eyes downcast guiltily, he held it in front of her.

An earring. Her earring. The one which she wore to the party and lost.

Arnav touched his left ear with his hand and gestured meaningfully. Her hand automatically went to touch her left ear too. It was empty. The jhumka was not there.

What happened? Arnav raised his eyebrows.

I don't know where I have lost it. Khushi pouted.

He had it. Her eyes widened and her surprised eyes met his. Arnav smiled guiltily, like a little boy caught stealing.

"I had it with me, Khushi. All these days. And then I have been thinking ... I can have you with me, all my life or I can have just this."

Khushi suddenly felt her breath caught in her throat.

"This will not work for me, Khushi." Arnav stared deep into her eyes. "I cannot live with just a beautiful piece of metal. I cannot live with mere memories. I want to live with you."

"Arnav ji .." Khushi failed to respond.

"I have thought about it, Khushi. A lot. I still could not figure out why .. how .. this happened. I .. I have tried to stay away from you .. but .. Kya kar diya Khushi tumne mere saath?"

Khushi stared at his face. Lost, perplexed, expecting. And she smiled.

"Kuch cheezein bas yun hi ho jaati hain, Arnav ji. Bina soche. Bina samjhe .. Zaroori to nahi .. ki ye galat ho?"

A slow smile crept across Arnav's face. He placed the earring inside her palm, folded it and kissed her knuckles.

"Khushi. Aaj main yahan bas tumhare liye khada hoon. That I am here, does not mean I believe in marriage now. But I want to try .. I want to be with you. In some way or the other. I just want you to let me try."

Arnav sighed as Khushi waited for him to say. More.

"Khushi, I have seen marriages only falling apart in my life. My parents. My sister. My uncle .."

Khushi watched the play of pain and fear across his face. She tightened her hold on him wanting him to say more.

"And .. my father was not really the best husband of the world. So .. I feared .. I just don't want to be his shadow. You know what I mean, Khushi?"

Khushi stared at his eyes, taking in what she saw there. A revelation. A lost man, a vulnerable man .. a man hidden beneath his armor always, alone, hurting .. and in need of love and assurance. A new Arnav Singh Raizada. A man she knew she loved. Not part of him. But the complete man – with armor or no armor.

If he could rise up so much for her, could she not, for him too?

She held his face between her palms, tiptoed, angled her face and before Arnav could realize anything, placed a soft kiss on the bridge of his nose.

Arnav's body stiffened as he felt the touch of two soft lips on him. He watched with surprised eyes as she got back on her feet and smiled.

"Hum jaante hain."

Arnav could feel hope forming inside him, lighting up everything around him, making his heart warm.

"Khushi .. will you let me .. try?"

She smiled and nodded.

"We both will try, Arnav ji. And we will find a way."

Arnav felt a surge of emotions flooding through his whole being. This woman was all he could ask for in his life. This woman was all he needed for only himself. This woman now he knew he loved. Just as she was.

"Khushi." He murmured. "We will find a way."

Arnav bent his head to seal this deal, the most important deal of his life. He searched her eyes, seeking permission and smiled as she gave it.

In not time his lips were on hers, kissing them slowly, massaging them softly, biting them gently. He felt her shiver, he felt her arms tightening around him. His lemon was his now. Only his. He coaxed her to respond by halting and breathing on her between his kisses and in no time, she started to kiss on his lips most tentatively.

As much she was his, he was hers.

He gave in to her innocent attempt and let her guide him. Happy surprise spread warmth through his veins, as she did not stop and her kisses started to take pace. Suddenly, the soft, playful kisses turned into a frenzy of passion as both of them let their guards down and found a vent to let go their days of hurt and grief. They kissed to let each other know that it mattered. They kissed to let each other know that it meant something. They kissed to let each other know they would try and find a way. To be together.

They panted softly in each other's hold as they broke free. They had turned each other's world upside down in two months only and they both knew they could not have got anything better.

In his arms, Khushi sighed. All these days, she had waited for him to tell her something. Finally, he had. But more than that meant the things he had not said but she could read in his eyes. Khushi knew she would fight for him. She knew she would fight for them. She would give it a chance and she would see it to the end. He had risen up so much for her. She would be by his side so that he could rise up even more.

In her arms, Arnav sighed. He knew he neither had told her much nor promised. But she understood. She had promised to give it a try, to find a way. And he would do everything possible to make it work too. If nothing else, he knew this much .. he could not live without her.

He breathed her in and smiled. His lemon.

He angled her head back by pulling her hair gently.

"Ek baat kahun?" He murmured.

"Hmm?"

"You are beautiful, Khushi."

Finally his heart was speaking.

Arnav smiled fondly as her cheeks flushed the most beautiful hue of red. He caressed her warm cheek as he dipped his nose into her hair and smelled in closing his eyes.

"And .. you smell .. like lemon."

Devi Maiya sighed in happiness. Sometimes it was far better to be just an audience and let them write their own fate than to intervene at every step.

All fairytales end with a happily ever after.

But this .. was just the beginning.

Reviewed By: Dipu (bs_deeps) & Ritz (iritz)

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