Chapter 11

 

Khushi was crying uncontrollably. She had just left Arnav. She was angry, on him, on herself. After all that she gave to her marriage, after loving him for so many years he still doubted her love for him? He thought of her love for him to be so weak that he would think she would give her heart away to someone else so easily? Khushi was walking on lonely road with her luggage. She couldn't go back to her apartment for she had already sold it a month ago. She had been ready to start her life afresh but her happiness was short lived. She couldn't bear to go to her parent's place. All she could think was her best friend. She didn't want to be alone.

Maya was walking lazily in her apartment when she heard bell ring. She yawning pushed herself to the door only to see Khushi standing with her luggage.

"Khushi?"

That was all which took Khushi to break down. She burst into tears hugging Maya tightly," how could he do this to me? how could he?"

Maya soothed her," what happened? Khushi, first stop crying"

Karan heard the commotion and rushed outside his room to find Khushi crying. "what happened? why are you crying?" he asked

Maya held her and lead her to the couch. She handed her a glass of water," drink this and tell me what happened? where is Arnav? what did he do?"

Tears rolled down her eyes. She wanted to talk her heart out but she couldn't find her voice. "its ok Khushi, calm down and tell me what happened" Maya said. After some time, Khushi had stopped crying. Maya and Karan were still waiting to know what happened.

Khushi sighed," I am sorry but I couldn't help myself. I didn't want you both to bother this way but.." Maya interrupted," why are even saying that? We are friends. Don't hurt our friendship this way and now cut out this sorry business and tell me what happened"

"Arnav..he..he signed the papers", Khushi said

"what?" Karan yelled

"but why? what happened?" Maya asked

Khushi explained everything that happened today. How she wanted to surprise him, how Aditya came, what Arnav saw, everything. "he is a moron, Khushi" Karan said

"I know" Maya agreed

"he needs a good piece of mind. Maya, take Khushi to guestroom. Stay with her tonight and I am going to see him" Karan said

"Karan no need", Khushi tried to stop but in vain. "shut up Khushi! I am not taking your permission. I will be back soon"

...

Arnav sat in the dark. His eyes were cringed in pain. He held Khushi's letter in one hand and kept drinking with the other. He couldn't believe what had just happened. Did he just lose Khushi? Why didn't he give her a chance to explain? Why did he just have to assume things? Arnav kept drinking. Today no one could stop him. He had hurt Khushi once again, he hurt her trust. He threw the glass on the floor breaking it into pieces. He caressed the letter and kissed it. Tears didn't stop from his eyes.

"I am sorry Khushi...so sorry. I wish time could go back. I don't deserve your love but don't punish me like this. I'll die!! I love you Khushi. I love you soo much! Just come back"

...

Karan reached Arnav's house. he rang the bell but no one responded. He realized that the door was open. He entered the house which was pitch black. He searched the lights and switched it on.

"Arnav?"

But no one responded. Where was he? He walked further only to find glass broken into pieces and then saw Arnav passed out on the floor. He rushed towards him. Arnav was murmuring Khushi's name. He had a letter held tightly clutched to his heart. He helped Arnav up and placed him on the couch.

"Khushi, I love you. I am sorry. Come back. Khushi..khu..shi..Khushi" Karan couldn't help but feel pity at Arnav's condition. He decided not to tell Khushi about this. She doesn't need to suffer more.

...

Next night

Khushi stayed in bed all day. She couldn't find the strength to get up. There was over a 100 missed calls from Arnav but she didn't pick up although she craved to hear his voice. Maya occasionally came and tried to bring Khushi out of the room and take her out just to get Khushi's mind off things for a while. But Khushi refused to go anywhere.

"Maya, I know I am mess right now and its hard for you to see me this way. But I have to get out of this on my own. You have already done so much for me. You let me stay here. I couldn't even think of going home and facing mom and dad"

Maya shook her head, "Khushi, Shut up! You are always welcome here. I am glad you came over. I was really missing my best friend"

Khushi smiled but it flickered away as soon as it came, "I wish I could just get rid of all this. I cant stay with him, I cant stay without him. Its just never easy for me. I took a decision and left but I cant seem to survive it Maya. What should I do?"

"Khushi, you'll figure it out what you have to do. I cant make that decision for you"

Khushi sighed, "I don't know Maya. No matter what I decide, whether I stay with him or I leave, either ways I always end up getting hurt. Sometimes I wonder if my life would have been better off if Arnav hadnt come.."

She couldn't bear to say it as her voice caught up in a lump. Although all the pain followed after her marriage to Arnav but she knew no matter how much he hurts her, thinking the alternative of how her life would be without Arnav somehow seemed even more painful. No matter what he does, she can never imagine herself without him. Being without him makes her feel lost and insecure. Despite everything, she still craved to be with him, "Maya, I just want all this to be over. I want him to be gone"

Khushi burst into tears. Maya rushed forward and hugged her comfortingly, "Khushi, please don't cry. Everything will be alright soon enough. Just have faith"

Maya stroked her back till she calmed down. There was a knock on the door. Khushi turned to see Karan standing at the door. Maya brushed Khushi's tears away and got up to leave, "I'll make you coffee" She eyed Karan to stay with Khushi and left the room.

Karan came and sat beside Khushi, "Are you fine?" Khushi nodded ever so slightly. "Khushi, you know you want to return to him then why are you giving yourself this unnecessary heartache?"

"Karan I cant take any more of this. What to do to stop Arnav from doing this again? How could he misunderstand me like that?"

Karan tried to defend Arnav, "Khushi he made an honest mistake. He didn't mean to hurt you. He only did this because he thought this is what you want. He only wanted your happiness"

"Do you think I left because he misunderstood me? That is not what hurt me Karan. What hurt me is that he didn't fight for me. He made his assumptions and he was ready to leave me so easily. He didn't put up a fight. If he loves me so much then why did he end everything without thinking twice? He ended it Karan not me. I just walked away"

Karan felt helpless. Khushi was right in her place but Arnav's love for her was unquestionable. He didn't deserve this pain and neither did Khushi. He wished there could be a way of fixing this dilemma. Khushi's cell rang yet again. Khushi looked at the screen flashing Arnav's name on the caller ID. Khushi turned her head away and just stared at the walls. Karan picked up the phone, "Arnav, this is not a good time.." But stopped hearing a voice different from that of Arnav's.

"Hello? Oh thank God someone picked up. I have been trying to reach this number for a long while. Do you know the guy who this phone belongs to?"

Karan felt a jolt of panic. Was Arnav alright? "Ya, I know him. What happened? Is he okay?"

Khushi jerked her head towards Karan and anxiously listened in.

"I guess. He's not hurt or anything. He came to my bar a few hours ago and he had far too many drinks I reckon. He passed out on the counter. He doesn't seem to be in very good shape. Can you come and take him? He seems to be a bit out of commission"

"Sure, I'll come and get him. Can you please tell me the address" Karan quickly noted down the address and put the phone down. Khushi caught his hand in a tight grip, "What's wrong Karan? What happened to Arnav?"

"Khushi, he passed out drunk in some bar. I have to go get him"

Khushi got up from the bed, her body clenched in agitation, "I'll come with you"

Karan wavered for a second and then nodded.

...

Khushi and Karan entered the bar and rushed to the counter finding Arnav lying face down with a glass of Whiskey clutched in his hand. Khushi rushed towards him and lifted his face. Arnav faintly opened his eyes and saw Khushi standing before him, tears dripping from her eyes. He lifted his hand and touched her face as if to convince himself he wasn't dreaming. He closed his eyes and smiled, "Khushi..You are here. I must be dreaming. You look so beautiful"

Khushi closed her eyes too, relief washed through her seeing Arnav was okay. He called her name again trying to gather as much of his dream as he could. He stroked her cheeks lovingly brushing away her tears, "Khushi, don't cry. You have to be happy. I have to make you happy. I will kill whoever makes you sad, and if I make you sad, then I'll kill myself" Khushi put her hand on his mouth. He caught her hand and kissed it desperately. Khushi bent forward and kissed his forehead.

"Um..Khushi, we have to get him home" Karan's voice brought her back. She moved back and let Karan help Arnav up and helped him walk by supporting his shoulder. Arnav didn't let go of Khushi's hand and held it tightly in his.

They reached Arnav's house in a matter of minutes. The bar was mercifully close. Karan helped Arnav reach the bedroom and helped him onto the bed. Khushi entered the house against her own better judgement and followed Karan. She took out Arnav's shoes and pulled the covers over him. She looked at his face pained by his condition. She was about to move away when Arnav caught her hand again. He muttered faintly, "Stay. Don't go! Please don't leave me"

Khushi's heart yearned at her to stay with him. She couldn't see him like this. She couldn't bear to leave him. "Just this one night", she told herself trying to pacify the lover in her.

"I presume you'll be staying" Karan stated seeing the torn look on Khushi's face. Khushi looked up at him and nodded. Karan smiled understandingly and left from there.

Khushi sat down beside Arnav on the bed. He placed his head on Khushi's lap clutching her hand. Khushi stroked his head trying to get him to sleep. She felt his forehead and found it burning hot. She jerked into attention. How did she not notice it before? Arnav was running a fever. She got up and searched for the medicine box. She shook Arnav trying to wake him.

"Arnav, you have to take this medicine" She lifted his head and helped him take the medicine. She couldn't understand the reason for the fever. "Arnav, did you eat anything?" Arnav shook his head. "No, you left..All my fault...Didn't want to eat...Punishment" Arnav's eyes grew sad with emotion even though his mind was dazed.

Khushi was appalled, "Didn't you eat anything since I left?" Arnav shook his head. Guilt washed through Khushi. Arnav was punishing himself like this. Tears gathered in her eyes, "What will I do with you Arnav?" Arnav cupped her face and raised his head to kiss her tears away. He brought her face closer and planted small kisses all over face. Khushi closed her eyes in satisfaction loving the feel of his lips. She made Arnav lie down and made him close his eyes. She sighed. She was willing to give anything to not let this night end.

 

 

 

 

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