Chapter 8

 

 

"Sneha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Khushi screamed but there was no reply. She frantically asked the people around if they had seen Sneha but no one knew anything. She cursed herself for leaving Sneha alone. She didn't know what to do now. Her phone rang loudly, interrupting her thoughts. She picked up the call and a cold voice spoke from the other end, "I have your daughter. If you want to see her alive then come back to the same park at night around 7 and with 50 lakhs cash. And if you breathe a word of our conversation to anyone, I'll gut your daughter before you even catch a glimpse of her. I am watching you at all times so be careful because I can find other fishes to fry but you only have 1 daughter"

He cut the call before Khushi could say anything further. She was sweating with worry now. Where will she find that kind of money! She didn't have so much in her bank account, but Arnav did. Khushi breathed a sigh of relief. His parents left him a huge fortune before they died. Maybe that's why this man targeted Sneha. She pulled out her phone again and called Arnav.

He picked up after 2 rings, "Khushi, I am so sorry I left you and Sneha alone especially on her birthday. I'll do my best to get out of office as fast as I can. By the way, how is my princess? Did you find a present for her?"

Khushi tried her best to sound normal so that he doesn't suspect anything, "Uh Arnav, I need you to send the driver over with some money."

"Did the money fall short? How much should I send over?"

Khushi held back her sobs," No, its not for Sneha's present. Actually I need this money for myself. I need 50 lakhs."

Arnav sat up in his chair, "What? 50 lakhs? Khushi are you buying the whole mall? Why do you need this money?"

Khushi remembered the warning about not telling anyone. She couldn't take any chances with Sneha's life. She quickly lied, "Arnav actually, Maya's mom is having an operation and she is falling short of money."

"Khushi, but 50 lakhs?"

Khushi cried silently, "Arnav please don't ask any questions right now. This is really important. Please!"

Arnav could tell Khushi was upset," love, are you ok? Is Sneha fine? You sound upset."

"No, nothing its just that I am in the hospital right now and I am really close to Maya's mom so I was worried. I am fine, and Sneha is also fine. She is with me. Can you please send the money over?"

"Ya sure. It will take some time but I'll send it over. So what time will you come home? Do you want me to come over? I cant see you so upset."

Khushi wished Arnav was there with her right now. She needed him. She was hell scared for Sneha. She wanted to cut the call before Arnav suspects anything," No Arnav everything is fine. I come home by 7:30"

"Ok, but anytime you want me to come, just call ok. I'll be there."

"Of course Arnav. I'll see you at home. I have to go now."

"Ok, cant wait to see you and Sneha. Take care of my little princess. I love you."

" I love you too."

She quickly cut the call before she burst into tears, "I want my baby back"

Khushi waited in the park with the suitcase in her hand. The park usually closed at 6:30 and so no one was around. Each time she heard a car pass by, she would jump up and look around but there was still no sign of the kidnapper. She checked her watch again and again and prayed silently that Sneha be safe. 5 more minutes passed and then she heard footsteps slowly approaching. 2 men approached wearing masks. Both had guns in their hand and one of them had Sneha. Sneha was crying, tears running down her face. Khushi's heart broke seeing her baby like this.

She tried to coax her," Sneha don't cry princess. You'll be with mommy soon okay. Don't cry."

Sneha stretched her arms towards Khushi wanting to go to her but the man holding her hit her fingers with the tip of the gun. Sneha pulled her hands back and yelped in pain, "Shut up you little brat"

Khushi's temper rose," Don't hurt her you lowlife mongrel"

But the man just gave a laugh,"I really don't think you are in any position to insult me b****. Hand over the money already" Khushi threw the suitcase across to them. They checked the contents and the man holding Sneha put her down on the ground and they walked away. Sneha ran towards Khushi. Khushi bend down and held out her hands to hug Sneha. She was ecstatic that her baby was now safe. She promised herself never to let Sneha out of her sight again. But sadly, fate had other plans. One of the men turned around, aimed the gun and fired before Sneha could even reach Khushi. In that moment, time stopped for Khushi. Her beautiful world come crashing down like a pack of cards. Her outstretched arms kept waiting while the reality slowly sinked in. Her baby was dead. There was nothing left other than the excruciating pain in her heart where the wounds of her loss will forever remain.

Khushi finally cried for her daughter after such a long time. All the hurt that she had kept locked away in her heart came pouring out. Siddharth was at a loss for words for the first time in his career as a psychologist. He was surprised how Khushi managed to repress these emotions in her heart for so long. No wonder they got the better of her. Khushi felt a familiar tightness in her chest once again. Siddharth realized Khushi was getting a panic attack again and quickly poured some water in a glass and handed Khushi some medicine. Khushi calmed down a little after taking the medicine.

"Khushi, I think we should continue this session some other time. You need to rest your mind. The first session has been too emotional taxing on you."

Khushi shook her head," No, I just want to get it over with. I am tired of carrying this around with me all the time."

Arnav watched Khushi through the glass from the other room. He closed his eyes and cried along silently with Khushi. His little princess was gone and he will never get to see her again.

Arnav, why don't you come with me and Sneha?

These words had haunted him ever since he came to know about Sneha's death. Only if he had been there, if he had chosen his daughter over his work, then everything would have been fine. But fate had always been cruel to him. It took his parents first, and then his daughter and now fate is trying to take Khushi away from him too. He wanted to rush to Khushi and take her in his arms and always keep her safe in his embrace but his guilt held him back. He was ashamed of himself for how he treated Khushi. As Khushi continued recalling the past, Arnav realized just how his mistakes costed Khushi's sanity.    

It had been 3 three days since the funeral. Many people had come and expressed their condolences and tried to comfort them. But there was nothing anyone could say to lessen the pain that Khushi was caging in her heart. The tears refused to fall, the pain refused to come out. She needed Arnav, his love, now more than ever. But Arnav hadnt spoken a word to Khushi since he found out. His face was expressionless. There was no sadness, no emotion. He hadnt even touched her once. Khushi couldn't take it anymore. She walked into the bedroom and saw Arnav putting his clothes back in the cupboard.

She ran to him, hugging his back, "Arnav please say something. I cant bear this silence"

Arnav pushed her away roughly and spat out at her, "You want me to say something to comfort you. Why should I? You don't deserve to be comforted Khushi. Not after what you did. I told you to take care of her. I told you to watch her. You are responsible for her death. You killed her. You killed my daughter."

Khushi couldn't believe this was her Arnav talking. Her Arnav would never accuse her of such a thing. He wouldn't hurt her like this.

Khushi spoke slowly feeling the strength draining from her body, "Arnav, please don't say that. I never meant for this to happen. I love Sneha as much as you do. I was her mother. I gave birth to her then how can I do anything to harm her?"

Arnav's eyes hardened. He looked down at Khushi in contempt, "Think what you want Khushi but I will never forgive you. You are dead to me. You mean nothing to me anymore."

Khushi's heart pained more and more with each word that Arnav spoke. She put a hand on her heart which was scarred permanently," Arnav, please don't. I need you!"

Arnav left without saying a word. He slipped under the covers and kept on his side. Khushi turned off the lights and slided in next to him and turned to her side. She tried to comfort herself, "Arnav needs time to mourn. He didn't mean what he said. He will save me from drowning in this pain. I know he will"

Months passed since the tragedy that broke Arnav and Khushi apart. But time could not heal Khushi's wounds and Arnav remained cold as ever. He would spend most of his time in office now so that he doesn't have to see her face. He would come home late at night and by that time, Khushi would fallen asleep. He never touched her, never spoke to her. It remained this way always. But what he didn't know was how much Khushi was yearning for him, how much she needed him to help her. Almost an year had passed and the situation was the same and suddenly one day, Maya came to see Khushi. Maya hugged her tight knowing fully well how things are still difficult for Khushi, "Khushi, you look terrible. Have you even been out of the house? Why are you punishing yourself like this?"

Khushi had lost a lot of weight and looked very fragile and vulnerable. The dark circles evidently stated the nightmares she had been enduring during her sleep," Maya, please. Can we not talk about this. I need time to come out of this, Sneha was my daughter after all and now my baby is gone."

"I know Khushi. I cant even begin to imagine the pain of your loss. But you need to move on from this. For how long will you keep torturing yourself?"

Khushi's voice broke, "its my fault Maya. It all my fault!"

"What? Are you crazy? How can this be your fault Khushi? It was those heartless men who killed her. You couldn't have prevented this Khushi"

"I don't know Maya. I just want to open my eyes and find all of this to be some bad dream."

Maya sighed," You cant escape the reality Khushi but you cant let it take over you like this either. You need to move on before this pain crushes you. I have had it. You are going out with me and you will not say no."

Khushi protested but Maya forced Khushi to go and get dressed. They went for shopping and then went for a movie and then Maya introduced Khushi to her fiance Karan. Khushi was surprised at how right Maya was. She did forget her troubles for a while. For once, she found her pain to be bearable. Maya dropped Khushi back home, whispered a "I told you so" and left.

Khushi was smiling in such a long time. She entered the house and found Arnav waiting for her. She was so happy that for a moment she forgot all that she had left back in the house, "Arnav, Maya came and we went out. And guess what, she is engaged. Isnt that great news?"

Arnav was taken aback seeing Khushi all smiling. But his heart had died a long time ago to even care to be happy for her," Well I am glad you had such a good time enjoying yourself while my daughter lies in a coffin."

Khushi smile disappeared and every painful memory that she had left behind her for a while came crashing back. She didn't have any words to justify herself anymore and she was even starting to believe Arnav's words. She noticed 2 suitcases by Arnav's feet.

She hesitantly asked," Are you going somewhere?"                        

"Yes, London. I have to go there and handle the branch office for a while. In fact I came home early to pack and inform you before I leave. But you were obviously unavailable."

Khushi ignored the jibe and asked," For how long?"

"4 months"

"What? 4 months? But Arnav that's too long. We cant stay apart for such a long time. Let me come with you."

Arnav rudely dismissed her plea," You are not going to come with me. And 4 months is not that long. Its not like I am going for a holiday. I'll be at work all day. Whats the use of you accompanying me?"

 Khushi tried to control the pain within her," But Arnav, I'll be all alone here."

"What can I do about it? You lived without me before we met so I think you can manage."

Khushi didn't want him to go. She wanted him to be with her and always keep her in his embrace. She yearned for him. She had missed him so much, just waiting for him to stop being cold, to stop hurting her. Her eyes were heavy with tears as she slipped her shaking hand across the table towards him just craving for a comforting touch.

Arnav picked up the plane tickets from the table and his passport," I'll call you once I reach there."

Khushi looked into his eyes and tried to find the Arnav she fell in love with. But there was nothing left of him now. There was only an emptiness disappearing into a black hole. She slowly pulled her hand back. Once he left, Khushi fell to the floor not able to stand anymore. Her Arnav was gone and he is never coming back. Khushi lost all hope of ever being happy ever again.

Khushi's tears continued to flow endlessly. She couldn't take it anymore. Finally, she was letting all her grief out in the form of tears. Siddharth was stunned after hearing her story. He had treated many people. He had come across lots of cases but this was the first case where he himself felt the pain. He couldn't understand how Khushi had managed to lock all her pain in heart.

Khushi kept crying. Siddharth didn't stop her. He was at loss of words for the first time. Arnav was rooted in his spot. He had hurt her so much. How could he blame her? Their grief was same. They both had lost Sneha yet he blamed her.

"I am sorry Khushi. Losing Sneha was the most painful thing I had to deal with in my entire life. On so many occasions I thought that if only I had come with you then Sneha would have been alive. But I couldn't bear the blame, so I blamed you. My pain became easier after that but I never thought it would cost me my love. I tried to stop hurting you but I was far gone by then. I had started to believe in my own lie. Please forgive me Khushi" he whispered to himself.

Khushi was still crying. Arnav rushed towards and took her into bone crashing hug. He too had tears. Tears of pain, love, guilt, anger. He was undergoing myriad of emotions. Khushi clutched him tightly. She didn't want to let him go. After a long time they were living their pain TOGETHER which she always wanted. She felt loved. She felt safe.

Arnav kept soothing her. It was all his fault. He was never there for her when she needed him but today, he was there. today he felt how deep the wounds were. He had to heal her wounds. He had to heal her heart. Khushi looked at him still sobbing," you..you don't ha..hate me right?"

Something clenched in his heart. He felt thorn prick his heart," ssshhh..Khushi I don't hate you. I can never hate you. I love you, always had and always will. I am so sorry. I know sorry would never be enough but still I want to say, I am truely sorry Khushi. I am truly sorry. I hope you will forgive me with time"

Khushi again burst into tears. She hugged him again. Siddharth was a silent spectator. He gestured Arnav to take her home.

"Khushi! lets go home"

She nodded. Arnav wiped her tears and held her hand. He vowed to heal her with his love

 

                                              

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