Chapter 9

 

Khushi hadnt said a word after leaving Dr. Mehra's office. She sat beside him in the car, not uttering a word and remaining immobile as if her senses had failed her. Arnav took her home. At first, he was hesitant if Khushi would agree to go back but she didn't protest when he pulled over outside his house. He carried her in his arms all the way to the Khushi's bedroom. He pulled the covers over her and sat beside her, stroking her hair.

Khushi's heart was still bleeding from the wounds of the past but her heart was finally starting to heal slowly. It was only a while before Khushi fell asleep, tired from the counselling sessions. Arnav's eyes didn't leave her face for a second. He kept by her side till she fell asleep and then he bent down, gently kissed her forehead and left.

...

It was past midnight when Arnav woke up suddenly hearing Khushi's screams. He rushed to her bedroom and saw Khushi withering in pain on the bed. Her eyes were closed while she screaming in her sleep.

"Don't take her away from me. Please. You got what you wanted, don't hurt my baby"

"khushi? khushi? wake up" Arnav called her

"please, don't hurt her. she is just a baby. NO!"

But this time, Arnav shook her gently holding her shoulders to wake her up. Khushi opened her eyes and saw Arnav leaning over her. She threw her arms around his neck and buried her face in his shoulder. She was shaking with fear. Arnav's heart wrenched seeing Khushi in so much pain. He encircled her in his arms and slid in next to her. He stroked her hair till she calmed down.

"Arnav, where were you? Why didn't you save me from my pain? Why did you abandon me?"

The tears flowed down once again. Arnav tightened his hold around her and pulled her closer, "I am sorry Khushi. I never wanted to hurt you. I became selfish and I dumped my guilt on you because I couldn't bear to keep it with me. It was the biggest mistake of my life that nearly cost me your love. I promise I'll make it up to you. Your pain is mine now"

Arnav's heartfelt words soothed Khushi's pain a little. She didn't realize when she drifted to sleep in his arms.

Next morning

Khushi opened her eyes and found herself alone on bed. she remembered how Arnav was there for her, for the first time in 2 years. tears pooled in her eyes. if only he was there with her 2 years back, if only. Khushi wiped her tears and was about to leave bed, when her eyes fell on the bunch of her favourite flowers, Gerberas. There was a note placed next to it. she picked it up and read

Tip of the day: keep smiling

Love,

A

Khushi looked at the flowers for good few minutes and then placed them in the vase. She freshened up and walked down when a strong smell hit her. she looked at the dining table and found that the breakfast was ready and laid already. She knew it was him.

Arnav came near the dining table wearing an apron. He smiled," breakfast is ready"

"I am not hungry" khushi was about to move away when Arnav held her hand," stop, khushi. have something. you have to take medicines too."

"I am not hungry"

"khushi, please?"

"for gods sake Arnav, what part of sentence you don't understand, I said I am not hungry"

Arnav sighed," look, I know you are angry, and probably hate me, but please, eat something. its not good for your health" but khushi ignored him.

"khushi, please? For sneha? I am sure wherever she is, she would be sad seeing her mother like this" the name of Sneha, brought tears in her eyes. Arnav walked upto her and wiped her tears. he pulled her and made her sit on the chair. "eat" he commanded. But khushi didn't budge. Arnav shook his head, and for the 1 st time in 2 years, he fed her.

...

"no, don't, please don't kill her. I gave you what you wanted. Please don't"

It was yet another night when khushi was withering in pain, and as usual, Arnav came to her and shook her awake. he lied next to her and took her in his arms, "sshhh, its alright. Its fine"

"Arnav, Sneha? They killed her. she was crying. I couldn't save her. she left me. she..." Khushi sobbed like a baby. Arnav soothed her like he was doing past few nights," she is happy, khushi. she is in a better place."

...

Khushi was getting better day by day. The wall Khushi had created around herself was easing away. Arnav was doing everything he could for just one smile from her. And he was succeeding. He would place bunch of her favourite flower everyday accompanied by a tip of the day which read keep smiling' and one day, it happened

Khushi woke up and the first thing she did was check her side table which had flowers along with the note. But this time, the note didn't contain only the usual tip, but something else too.

Smile, smile. see? I can see a slight smile, there...yes, yes, right there. OMG!! Its coming. Finally, just a little more, little, little, Cmon, you can do better. Little, little yes, you are doing good, little more and there..

I know I did it! Finally!

Tip of the day: Keep Smiling.

You look beautiful

Love,

A

Khushi broke in smile. This is how Arnav used to make her smile when she used to be sad and after reading it, she couldn't help but smile, imagining his face. She still had fear in her heart but finally she was letting the cause of her fear to ease it away.

Days were passing by. She still had nightmares but she would always find Arnav next to her. He would hold her, soothe her, care for her. Today after a long time she was smiling alone all by herself thinking about him. Life was again changing for her but this time for good.

...

Arnav decided to take a new step. Khushi had started smiling but she wasn't talking to him much. He had to make her open up. He wanted to know what was going on in her mind. He decided to take her out for dinner at the same place where they had their first date. Arnav saw Khushi folding her clothes in the bedroom. She looked at him but didn't say anything. Arnav sighed, "Khushi get ready. We are going out for dinner"

Khushi didn't look at him," I don't want to go. And I have almost have dinner ready"

Arnav looked at her. Her face was agitated. He started walking towards her and stood a foot away from her. He knelt down and took her one hand in his," Khushi please let's go out today. You haven't left the house since long. You aren't working now days. Please?"

Before Khushi could reply, she started sniffing. She pushed Arnav and rushed to the kitchen. Arnav followed her few minutes later. He saw Khushi who was having helplessness written over her face. She sighed," its burnt. Let's go out"

...

Arnav and Khushi had occupied a corner seat just like on their first date. They were waiting for food to arrive. Khushi was remembering the place. The same place where she sat 5 years ago and with the same person. She found Arnav looking at her. Finally she decided to break the ice," why are you doing this suddenly? Taking me out. Caring for me. Looking after me. Trying to make me smile. Why?"

Arnav smiled," you already know why?"

"no I don't!", she snapped

Arnav looked into her eyes," because I love you. I know I was a jerk to you. I blamed you for something you didn't do. But I couldn't help myself. I am not justifying myself but I just want you to know the reason. Khushi its very easy for woman to cry and let out all your pain. But what about me? I couldn't cry. I was regretting the day, the time when I told you that I wont be able to join you and Sneha... when I told you to take her with you alone. It was haunting me. It still haunts me. I had to ease my pain and I did that by being cold and put the blame on someone who was so precious and close to my heart. And it was you! I am sorry Khushi for everything I did. I am repenting it every minute. Forgiveness is a small thing but I still ask for and will continue it till my last breath. I want to heal you Khushi. I want to heal myself. I want you to be happy. I want us to be happy."

Khushi had tears in her eyes. She didn't speak a single word. The food arrived. They ate it in silence. Arnav kept looking at Khushi while eating but Khushi was just staring at her food.

That night Khushi wasn't able to sleep. Arnav's words were haunting her. She knew he was repenting. But should she give him a chance? What if he breaks her heart again? But for how long will this keep going on? She had decided. With that she went to sleep.

Next evening Khushi was waiting for Arnav in living area. Arnav was surprised to see her waiting all dressed. He asked," are you going somewhere?"

"yes, WE are going out", she said

"we?", Arnav was confused

Khushi didn't look at him," I want to go out for dinner. You will come with me right?"

Arnav was stunned. It was like life was giving him a second chance all over again. He was back to the time when Khushi had surprised him by asking him about their second date. She was asking him out today. He was elated. He wouldn't let this chance go," ofcourse we are going. Give me sometime. I will just freshen up"

Khushi nodded.

That night Arnav kept speaking. He was filling her in whatever happened in his life. how much he missed her. how much he wanted her everytime. Khushi just smiled. She didn't know what she did was right or wrong but after a long time she listened to her heart.

Days passed by. They went on many dinner dates. Khushi had finally started to speak up. She talked about her job, her life, whatever she could think of. When Arnav held her hand, she didn't protest. He was drawing circles with his thumb. She smiled. She felt good. Things were getting slightly better between them.

...

Khushi had started working again. Her health had improved. Today Khushi was late due to work. She was tired and hungry. She thought she would warm up something from last day. Khushi used her spare key and entered the house. She stunned to look at the house. the house was dark with just candle light illuminating the place. She saw rose petals spread on the floor making a pathway. It was beautiful.

"Arnav? Arnav? where are you?', she called him following the path which led her to the terrace.

She reached the terrace door and twisted the knob to enter. The whole terrace was decorated with candles. Every wall was covered with her favourite Gerberas. Rose petals were spread on the floor. There was a table in the centre which was decorated with fairy lights. She smiled. She wasn't tired anymore.

Arnav slowly tiptoed and stood behind her. Khushi knew he was standing behind her. before Arnav could react, Khushi turned and hugged him tightly," Arnav this is beautiful. thank you"

Arnav hugged her back kissing her hair and led her to the table. They had they dinner, they talked, and laughed together after a long time.

...

One night Khushi was wandering in the kitchen. She was in a very irritating mood. Her cramps were increasing and medicines weren't helping her too much. Her whole body was in pain. She wanted to eat ice cream. It was her routine. Whenever she had similar problem, she would go to the kitchen and have bowl of ice cream. But to her luck, there was no ice cream.

Arnav came downstairs searching for Khushi. he knew where to find her. it was one of those ice cream days when she would be irritated and would snap at anyone or everything. He saw Khushi sitting at the kitchen counter pouting muttering something. He went closer to hear what the problem was.

"stupid, idiot pain. I don't even have ice cream to eat. But I so want to have it. I would feel so much better. Its 10 at night. I cant even go out alone. I want to have ice cream now"

Arnav was smiling listening to her ramblings. It had been too long since he had heard Khushi doing so. After a long time he saw a glimpse of old Khushi. He stood in front of her smiling looking at her. Khushi saw him doing so," stop smiling. If you cant help me then get lost"

"You want to eat ice cream?", he asked

Khushi nodded. Arnav pulled her hand and started walking towards his car. She didn't protest. She was in no mood today. She knew Arnav would be taking her to ice parlour. Once they reached, Khushi immediately rushed inside ordering every possible flavour she could order. Arnav parked the car and followed her. he chuckled looking at her. that was Khushi! his Khushi! always a child.

Khushi was trying every flavour alternately while Arnav was just looking at her. she didn't offer him once and he was also in no mood. Arnav kept admiring her. Khushi was feeling much better now. by the time she finished her ice cream, she found herself alone with Arnav. she didn't realize when everyone had left.

Khushi had her lips slightly covered with ice cream. She picked up tissue paper to clean but before she could do it, Arnav brushed her lip with his finger. Khushi just looked at him shyly. When Arnav's eyes met hers, she looked away smiling. Arnav heart swelled with love. She was smiling once again. And he was the reason.

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