Chapter 6

It was the last night of the year. Arnav was thoroughly confused. On one end were his feelings for her and on the other end his hurt. It had been a while since he last spoke to her, the real Khushi. Not this stubborn new version she had come to being. He folded the collar of his shirt looking at the mirror. Anjali had tried convincing him to meet Khushi once. However, Arnav refused her suggestion. He needed time to figure out. A part of him was in doubt, what if she had really moved on? No, his heart knew. She wouldn't have. He had decided to face her finally.

* * *

Khushi entered her room hurriedly to change into something more presentable. It was nice to be around Anjali again. It was almost like before expect that there was this weird feeling in between. Khushi couldn't forget the fact that Anjali had walked in to see her in the arms of Arnav in a pretty embarrassing position. Anjali had tried to convince her at many times to talk to Khushi. However, Khushi always deviated the topic giving her the hint that she wasn't interested. It wasn't easy to forget the past. With the baggage of past she could not go back. It was both embarrassing and awkward. She still felt guilty for whatever had happened.

She quickly took a shower and slipped on her marron dress. She had been careful to avoid any remote chance of running into Arnav anywhere in the resort. However, she knew it would be hard today. She anyhow was prepared in case she met him. She wasn't going to let him know that she still felt the same way in her heart. She still loved him. But there was no point trying to go back. The past would always remain as remembrance of pain, anyway. She didn't want to even by mistake be the reason for pain to the Raizaadas. That would be only if she stayed away from them.

* * *

Khushi kept to the shadows around the party venue. Occasionally she would move around making sure everything was going smooth. Dinner was going on in full swing. It was only ten now. In thirty minutes the entertainment programme would kick start. She stood in the corner keeping her eye on things going around. Her phone beeped. She unlocked it and a small smile made it to her face. It was a text message from Jatin, her colleague. He so desperately wanted this Goa project however it had been handed to her.

Hate you for being at Goa. I am sulking here at this wedding. People are way to orthodox here. Can you believe it's a dry day here? No drinks on New Year! I hate you Gupta!

Khushi giggled reading the message. "You deserve it Jatin. Happy Healthy New Year!" She typed grinning. Khushi looked up from her screen to see Anjali approaching her. She maintained her smile. "Khushi why are you here? The event is about to begin let's go."

Khushi gave a smile placing her hand on Anjali's. "I will join you in a while. I have a little work to see." Khushi lied very convincingly. "You will right?" Anjali asked meeting her eyes. "I will.." Khushi nodded quickly and walked away. Anjali stared at her retreating figure a pang tormented her heart. What had she done!

* * *

"Since when did you become a loner?" Khushi's eyes widened slightly listening to the voice. How did he always find a way to her? She took a deep breath and chose to not respond. Arnav looked around. The sky was dark and the waters kissed the shore. She sure had found an isolated spot for herself at the report's private beach. He sat beside her. "How much more running Khushi?" He asked softly. Khushi didn't bother to glance at him. She continued staring at the endless expanse of water.

A minute of silence passed. Khushi decided to walk away. It was easier. She tried getting on her feet but was pulled down by a tug from him on her wrist. "Stop running away." He stated rather angrily. She blinked noticing his angry demeanor. She took a deep breath. "I am tired Khushi. Tired of your stubbornness, tired of your escapades. Just tired." Khushi stared at him, he yet hadn't released her wrist from his hold.

"Then let go off me, Arnav. It will be peaceful." She whispered not taking her eyes off his face. He looked even more handsome than before. Perhaps he hadn't considered trimming his stubble it was almost capable of being called a beard.

"You want that don't you? I am no longer important as I used to be right? Did you find someone else?" He questioned releasing her wrist from his grip.

"It's hard to go back Arnav. I can't forget what happened. I cannot erase the guilt and the feeling of that pain. I don't want to hurt you or her again."

"REALLY Khushi? You think you're not hurting now? DAMN, this hurts Khushi. Your walking away without looking back hurt. When you love someone you fight with them, you don't just leave! You just left. Do you know how hard it was for us to not worry about you? No address, no number, no way of contact."

Khushi silently heard him out. She had never before seen him so vulnerable. She hated to see who the cause was. She had hurt him despite not wanting to. Perhaps this stupid feeling called LOVE was responsible. It never came without hurt.

"Khushi, I am human too. It hurt when you walked away after I told you I loved you. It hurts when you ask me to move on. You know I love you and you still are adamant. You know what Khushi, I am done. I kept my promise, I waited. But now I understand that you don't want me to wait. Fine. I won't, I will move on. You can put as much as distance you want between us. I won't care. I will move on and you wait and watch- how I move on!" His voice was loud and clear. He got up walking away leaving Khushi alone.

Khushi broke into cries. She knew she was giving him pain but only now she realized that she was terribly hurting him. He was right. She was escaping the past. She was scared of love. It hurt. She didn't want to get attached to him again. It was hard. But what she didn't realise was that she was always connected to him. She had never distanced from him no matter how much distance she had put in between them.

She hadn't realised how long she had been crying. Until she felt arms wrap around her. She turned sideways to find Anjali. Their gazes met. Khushi couldn't hold back and cried while Anjali held her and silent tears rolled down her cheek. Anjali's guilt that she had buried deep inside her heart erupted. She felt terrible. Not one but two people were in pain because of her. Her brother never showed but she knew he was still in pain. Over the years she had seen how he would barely interact with the family. He busied himself in work. However there wasn't a day when he didn't stop by her room to ask her how she was. Every time Arnav spoke to her, she was reminded of Khushi. She hadn't just lost her best-friend but also her brother. There was no one else to blame than herself.

"I am sorry Khushi! I am very sorry!" She spoke between her sobs. "This is all my fault. I am sorry." She whispered. Khushi pulled her closer and they both cried their hearts out. In hope that it would reduce the weight that bagged down their hearts. The weight of guilt. Each guilty for having wronged the other.

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-Anami!♡