Chapter 10

                             CHAPTER 9: SHATTERED DREAM 

"no, please no, don't kill her, she is just a baby. No!" Khushi murmured in sleep. Arnav knew what was coming. This was a ritual now. He shook her lightly, "khushi? khushi, wake up"

"no, no, please, don't, no"

"khushi? wake up"

"No, NOOO" khushi woke up drenched in sweat. Her eyes were brimming with tears. She felt Arnav's arms around her waist. She looked at him and jumped in his arms. she crushed herself in his chest and cried.

"why? why, arnav?"

"ssshhh. Enough, khushi. you have cried enough"

"I lost her, arnav. why me? why..why us?"

"I don't know. I am sorry, khushi. I am so sorry, for everything"

...

7 months passed. Arnav and Khushi drew closer to each other as time passed by. They were beginning to overcome their past by finally letting go. Khushi still had nightmares but they had reduced, reduced to a large extent because she knew Arnav would be next to her. Neither of them realized that only one day was left for 7 month court order to get over.

Arnav was running late for office. Khushi was still asleep. It was a custom. Everyday Arnav would wake her up. Arnav was running in the room fumbling with his shirt buttons. He went near Khushi and shook her up lightly," Khushi, get up. Its late. Have breakfast. You have to take medicines too."

Khushi didn't budge. She had a slight smile on her face. Arnav leaned and kissed her forehead, "get up sleepy head" Khushi shook her head and mumbled still with her eyes closed," let me sleep." Arnav shook her again," Khushi get up! You need to have medicines too"

"no!", Khushi threw nearby pillow at him.

"I am warning you Khushi!", Arnav said. Khushi didn't answer. Arnav picked up the water jug nearby and poured on her. Khushi was startled and got up straight," what the hell! Can't you let me sleep in peace? And what did you do? you moron"

Arnav rolled his eyes," shut up and get up or else I could be worse"

Khushi pouted and crossed her arms across her chest and shook her head," no"

Arnav knew what he had to do. He immediately scooped Khushi in his arms. Khushi protested hitting his chest with her hands but he was too strong," Arnav! Put me down"

"I told you to get up. Now bear the consequences"

"Arnav now!", Khushi whined like a child but Arnav was already walking down stairs. He placed Khushi on chair near dining table. Arnav picked up a toast and brought it near her mouth. "eat!", he commanded. "no!", Khushi said stubbornly.

"why?"

"Because you didn't even let me brush my teeth", Khushi smiled. Arnav chuckled.

...

Khushi finished her breakfast. Arnav handed her the medicine. Khushi's doctor's appointment was due. Arnav made a mental note to fix the appointment with Dr. Mehra. His eyes fell on the calendar and eyes widened. He realised that 7 month court order would get over tomorrow and they had a hearing in court. Arnav was still staring at the calendar. Khushi looked in the direction and saw him staring at the calendar and realised what he was thinking.

Arnav looked at her," Khushi, 7 months is about to get over". Khushi nodded but didn't say anything. Arnav continued, "Time passed so soon that I didn't even realize it was time. Um, Khushi..so what have you decided?"

Khushi's heart had answered this question a long time back. Khushi knew what she had decided. She wanted to spend the rest of her life with Arnav. She couldn't live without him. But after Arnav's antics in the morning, she was in no mood to give her answer so easily. She wanted to keep him on the hook to have some fun of her own. She wanted to surprise him. She answered him with a grim face, "I need time to think Arnav. I will let you as soon as I decide"

Khushi said acting all lost. Arnav's face fell. He was so sure of that Khushi was ready to be with him again that he hadnt considered the alternative. He reached out for her hand, holding it gently. "I understand, take all the time you need Khushi". He smiled at her once and then got up to leave. Khushi left bad seeing the sad look on his face but she wanted to do this the right way. She wanted to surprise him well.

...

Khushi knew what she had to do. She decided to prepare Arnav's favourite dishes. She decorated the living area with small fairy lights and candles. Mesmerising lilac fragrance filled the air. A table was decorated in the centre. She created a miniature of their first date. She knew Arnav would love it. She was looking forward for Arnav to come because today they would start a new life with each other.

The door bell rang. She was surprised that Arnav had returned home so early. She needed to stall him. She wasn't ready with her surprise just yet. She opened the door but to her surprise it was Aditya with a bouquet in his hand. "Aditya, what are you doing here?" Aditya gave her the orchids and smiled," why? Cant I come here?"

"ofcourse you can. I am being so rude. Come in"

Aditya was surprised to see the living area decorated beautifully. He looked at Khushi. She had little blush on her cheeks," Khushi, its beautiful. Any spcial occasion?"

"er..erm..", Khushi stammered.

Before Khushi could speak further, she saw Aditya sitting on his one knee. "what are you doing?", Khushi asked

"sshhh! Khushi the moment is so perfect that I don't want to lose it. I want to tell you something. Khushi, from the first day I saw you I was always in love with you. But I never got a chance to confess. You were in love with Arnav. I waited for you hoping I'd get the chance to tell you what I truly feel but it was too late. You and Arnav were married. I was heartbroken. I left town hoping that some distance will help me get over you but fate is a strange indeed. I met you again. But the circumstances were beyond my imagination. I saw how much pain you were in. My heart pained seeing you like that for I had never stopped loving you. Tomorrow 7 months would be over and I know you have taken your decision. But before you say anything, I want to confess, Khushi I love you. I will always keep you happy and I'll never ever hurt you the way he did. Will you be mine?"

Khushi was shocked. What was he saying? He was just her friend. He knew she loved Arnav. "Aditya, you are my friend and I have never felt for you differently. I love Arnav and I want to spend my life with him. I know he has hurt me but that will never have any bearing on the fact that I will always love him as much as I did before. The only person I imagine 40 years later with me is Arnav. I am sorry Aditya"

Aditya's eyes grew sad. He knew somewhere deep down that Khushi would chose Arnav but he had to say it today to live his rest of his life knowing that at least he told her. He smiled," its ok Khushi. I knew you love him and somewhere I knew your decision but still I didn't want to regret it later. I wish you both all the happiness in the world. Have a great and happy life ahead. But Khushi, 1 thing. The next time if he ever hurts you let me know. I will break his legs. Khushi, before leaving, can I have a last hug from you?"

Khushi smiled happily and embraced him.

Arnav stood frozen on the driveway watching Khushi and Aditya through the glass window locked in a tight embrace. Khushi face was flushed with happiness along with a hint of pity. What was obvious to him was that she had made her decision. Its Aditya who she wants to be with. He looked at the well decorated living room, all the preparations she made for Aditya as he assumed. He grasped everything now. It was after Aditya came back in her life that she decided to divorce him and she came out of her depression quickly. Her grim response to his question in the morning had already given him his answer and now he knew her reasons as well. The hint of pity was for him. He had lost his battle with fate. He had failed to bring Khushi back. The pain of losing Khushi and her wanting to be with someone else was excruciating. All he wanted was to go back to all the happy times which he shared with Khushi. If only he had listened to her, let her explain, if only he had been there for her, he wouldn't have lost her. It was no one's fault but his. He was horrible to her. She saw Sneha die before her eyes, her pain was greater than his. And he elected to blame her, accusing her of killing her own daughter just to lessen his own pain. He tried to convince himself that Khushi deserves happiness, and she deserves a person who can make her happy. He loves her too much to willingly accept that. He knew what had to be done. He got back into his car and left.

Khushi pulled away from Aditya still feeling bad for him. He tried hard to mask his disappointment but it was perceptible to Khushi.

"Khushi, I am really happy for you. You got a chance to work out your marriage and Arnav does love you a lot. I just hope he never repeats his mistakes and hurt you again. I wont leave him if he does"

Khushi smiled, "You are a good friend Aditya. You were there for me at a time when I was drowning in pain. You helped me out of it. I am forever grateful to you. And any girl would be lucky to have you"

He smirked at that thought, "So if you have any single friends, you know where to find me"

Khushi pretended to play along, teasing him, "And here I was thinking you like me. I am offended" he laughed at the light moment. Aditya volunteered to help her with making the dinner ready. After he left, Khushi went back to finishing her preparations for the date. She quickly changed into the sequined black cocktail dress she had worn on the first date. She was setting up the table when Arnav came entered the house. She thought of playing a little more but she could no longer contain her excitement. Her face glowed with happiness. But her happiness dimmed seeing Arnav's face. He was being unusually quiet and refused to meet her eyes. He had a document in his hand which he kept in front of her on the table. Khushi was confused with Arnav's behaviour and looked picked up the papers and the colour drained from her face. Arnav had got the final divorce papers drawn and his signature was already on it. She looked up at him flabbergasted.

Arnav maintained a straight face though his heart lay broken, "Khushi, I am sorry for the way I treated you. You didn't deserve that. You have every right to be angry with me and leave me and I never should have forced these 7 months on you. It wasn't fair to you. I know your happiness can never be with me"

Khushi's eyes filled with tears. She didn't realize Arnav still blamed himself. She raised her voice to protest but Arnav's next words silenced her for good, "Your happiness is with someone else. I was selfish not to see it but you want to be with Aditya. I understand and I respect your decision. You don't have to be part of this marriage anymore. I just wish I could undo my mistakes but I cant. I can only try to rectify them. Tomorrow, the 7 month period ends. You wont have to stay with me"

Khushi looked at him pained by all the deductions he made. He broke his promise and hurt her again. This time she wasn't ready to forgive anymore. Arnav moved past her and went to the bedroom to change. Khushi headed for her room and took out her clothes from the closet and threw them in a suitcase. She packed everything and then picked up a notepad and a pen and wrote out a note for Arnav as tears of frustration poured down her face.

 

Arnav,

 

We are again at the same place we were 7 months ago. Back then also, you broke my heart and today you did it again. You always find a way to hurt me. I don't know what made you think that I was having an affair with Aditya but 1 thing I do know is that you will never even come close to understanding me, let alone be responsible for my happiness. You always go by your presumptions and opinions and you didn't even have the courtesy to ask me first if it was indeed true or not. Just like the last time you didn't ask me what happened in the park. I wont ever forgive you Arnav. I don't want anything to do with you.

These divorce papers are of no use to me. Its just a piece of paper after all. Our marriage had ended a long time back the moment you went back on your vows. You were supposed to protect me and keep me happy. You never did. You abused and insulted my love. I am leaving Arnav so that you cant hurt me anymore.

 

Khushi left the note on the table beside the divorce papers. She picked up her suitcase and left the house.

  

NOTE: I have this fic complete in my laptop. the sooner everyone reads, the earlier i will update. let me know if you want one update everyday 😳

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--peehu--2013-12-06 13:32:58