Chapter 13

                      

                       CHAPTER 12: BIRTHDAY OR NIGHTMARE

 

Khushi sat by the window enjoying the cool breeze. Her eyes were stuck to the full moon radiating its silver bright light all around but that light was missing in her life. Yes, she was happy today, but the void in her heart seemed to take a permanent place. A single lone tear fell from her eye. Suddenly, she heard her clock wall ring. It was 12 at midnight. And she realised, it was her birthday. There was a time when her birthday used to be very special, full of love, galore, celebration, laughter and happiness. But today? She sighed. 2 years. Its been 2 years since Arnav had wished her, since she had celebrated her birthday, since she had enjoyed or laughed on this day, since her daughter wished her, since she thanked God for sending her to her loving parents. Since 2 years, every one wished her on this day, except him.

Khushi stared at the moon and remembered her last birthday when she was happy..

It was 12 at midnight when Arnav and Sneha tiptoed into the room with a cake, balloons and birthday caps in their hands. Khushi was sleeping peacefully cuddling with her blanket with a soft smile playing on her lips.

"daddy, Mommy is sleeping" Sneha said little loudly.

Arnav placed a finger on his lips, "shhh, Sneha softly." Sneha giggled and placed her little finger on her lips. Arnav placed the cake on the small table lighting a small candle. Sneha wore her cap while handed another one to Arnav," daddy, its wakey time. Wake mommy. I want to have cake" She pouted her lips.

Arnav chuckled looking at his daughter. He picked the balloon along with a needle," cmon princess. Follow me" Sneha climbed on bed and stood next to her mother while Arnav stood on the other side of bed, "one, two, three"

BURST

Khushi was startled when the balloon burst and sat up on the bed immediately yelling, "AAA"

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY" Arnav and Sneha yelled together. Khushi sat still for a moment placing a hand on her racing heart and glared at both of them. Looking at her mother, Sneha immediately got down of bed and hid behind her father while Arnav gulped.

Sneha pulled Arnav's track pants," daddy, we are dead. Mommy is showing her big big eyes"

"quiet Sneha"

"daddy, do something, or my cake is gone" Sneha said. Arnav looked at her daughter in disbelief," you are worried about cake?"

"ofcourse daddy. What did you think?" Little Sneha shrugged her shoulders. Khushi pursed her lips together to stop herself from laughing out loud after listening to her husband and daughter and soon gave up. she laughed out loudly. Arnav and Sneha looked at Khushi and soon joined her into laughing.

"mommy, fast. Lets cut the cake" Sneha pulled her mother towards the cake while Arnav followed them. Khushi was about to blow the candles when Sneha stopped her," mommy wait. Make a wish and then blow" Khushi smiled and did as her daughter said. Candles were blown and cake was cut. She fed her first piece to Sneha who was very eager to have first bite. Next she fed Arnav who in turn wiped the cake on her face. Sneha giggled looking at her cake smeared mother.

"ARNAV! what the hell did you do? Argh!" Khushi yelled and had just taken a step towards bathroom when Arnav held her hand," where are you going?"

"obviously to clean this"

"let me do the honours"

"what are you doing? Sneha is right here" Khushi said scandalised.

Arnav smirked," princess, close your eyes for some time. Your daddy is about to kiss your mommy" Arnav pulled Khushi towards himself crushing her against his chest and leaned to touch his lips with her delicate ones whereas little Sneha closed her eyes with both her hands and sang," Sneha is disturbed from having cake because mommy, daddy are K-I-S-S-I-N-G"

Khushi came out of her thoughts when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She folded her legs across her chest and rested her head on her knees. a sob escaped her lips with tears rolling down her cheeks.

Arnav had just entered his bedroom when he saw Khushi lost in some thoughts and right then he knew, he knew she was thinking about her birthday 2 years back. He walked towards her dreading what was to come next.

"Khushi? Khushi?" he called but there was no response. He placed his hand on her shoulder, and right then he heard a sob and he knew she was crying. Arnav pulled her towards him and crushed her again his chest," ssshhh. Its alright"

Khushi sobbed, tears rolling down her eyes," Arnav, I miss her. I want my baby back. I want my Sneha back." Arnav closed his eyes in pain. he didn't knew how to console her. he sighed and scooped Khushi in his arms and placed her on bed. he lied next to her taking her in his arms. Khushi lied against his chest, her face hidden in his neck and sobbed. Arnav caressed her hair while kissing her head occasionally," please Khushi. don't cry. Or you will fall ill"

"I want my baby back" she chocked.

"we will have our baby back, Khushi. we will have her soon" he said

"you promise?"

"I promise" they lied in the same position for a long period of time. soon her sobs subsided and Arnav heard her soft and steady breathing, right then he knew she was asleep.

Arnav closed his eyes in pain, "I miss you Princess. Daddy loves you"

...

NEXT DAY

Khushi opened her eyes and saw that it was past 8. She sat with a jerk. She looked around and Arnav was nowhere. She checked her phone and surprisingly, there were no calls or messages even though it was her birthday. Even her parents didn't call or else they always used to be the first one to wish her from past 2 years. And Arnav? would he wish her? did he remember it? No, he didn't, she concluded. Had he remembered her birthday, he would have wished her. or may be he didn't want to. he never did in 2 years. A tear rolled down her eye. Since 2 years, on every birthday she would wait for Arnav to wish her just once, to acknowledge her, but he never did. and now she was used to it. Another tear rolled down her eye. Yet she had hope, that he would wish her, some day. She wiped her tears and shook her head at her own stupidity and headed towards bathroom to freshen up.

Arnav sat on the dining table having his breakfast. Khushi was lost in her thoughts playing with her food. Arnav shook his head," whats wrong with you? Why aren't you having your breakfast?"

"I am having it" Khushi took a bite from her plate. Arnav saw Khushi who was again playing with her food.

"that's it! tell me whats wrong?" he asked

"nothing is wrong" she snapped

Arnav looked at her clearly. He knew what was wrong with her. she was obviously thinking about her birthday, "stop lying Khushi. you can never lie to be. I know you very well"

"really? Then you should also know whats wrong with me. after all you know me very well"

"Khushi? whats.."

"don't ask that question again. Maya wants to go shopping. I am accompanying her." she picked up her bag and walked off. Arnav laughed. Khushi was definitely in for a surprise.

...

Maya laughed looking at annoyed Khushi. Her eyes grew sad," yes, laugh all you want. You don't understand Maya. I thought everything was fine now. we were Ok. But he..he didn't wish me once. he never did in 2 years but this year, I really thought he would wish me."

"Khushi, its alright. I am sure he will remember."

Khushi accused her," you don't even support him. you yourself didn't wish me. hadn't I blurted out while complaining about him, you would have never remembered. even my parents didnt wish"

"Khushi, cmon, I said I am sorry. we are allowed to forget atleast one birthday in your whole life"

"says who?"

"me", Maya laughed," lets go home. Its late"

...

"why the hell its so dark?" Khushi asked Maya while entering the house. Maya smiled secretly. So the stage was set. She mused.

"Arnav? Arnav? are you..." the lights came.

"SURPRISE" everyone yelled in chorus. Khushi froze on her step. The words were stuck in her throat. The house was decorated beautifully with lights, flowers and balloons. She looked around and saw everyone smiling at her. even her parents were smiling looking at her.

"surprise, surprise, happy birthday Khushi. Again" Maya hugged her Khushi tightly. "you knew?" she asked. Maya chuckled," why do you think I wanted to go for urgent shopping"

Everyone came forward and wished her. Garima hugged her daughter tightly," Happy birthday, baby. I am sorry I didn't wish you earlier. But Arnav had warned us not to." her father too wished her," happy birthday, Khushi"

"thank you mom, dad" Khushi said but her eyes were only searching for Arnav. where was he? Shashi saw his daughter looking around and sighed," Khushi, can I ask you something?"

"ofcourse, since when did you need my permission to ask me something?" Khushi said.

"are you happy?"

Khushi smiled," yes, I am"

"is he treating you well?"

Khushi nodded," yes, he is. I haven't been so much happy in 2 years. he is treating me well, infact pampering me. I am very happy"

"you are not lying, right? Look, I don't trust him. the only reason I am here, is for you. I agreed to this stupid idea of surprise party just for you. I am sure you must be hurt with us not wishing you. I will never forgive him for what he did to you. I hope you didn't..." but Khushi wasn't listening. She was searching for him and soon she spotted him. her eyes met with his and then she saw him climbing up the stairs, "excuse me"

"Khushi! Khushi, listen to me, I wasn't..." but she cut him off while walking away," later"

...

Arnav had his eyes only for Khushi since the time she entered the party. He could see her smiling but her eyes were searching for someone. And he knew it was him. he saw her talking to her father and then their eyes met. And soon, he started climbing stairs, walking to their bedroom. He knew Khushi would follow him.

Khushi stood in front of her bedroom confused. What was he doing inside? She twisted the knob and pushed the door open, "Arnav, what..." but she couldn't complete her sentence. She gasped. Her room was decorated beautifully with candles and flowers. The only light illuminating her room were from candles. The entire floor were covered with rose petals while she could see candles placed on the floor which read "happy birthday" she saw a huge teddy holding a heart which read "happy birthday" along with lots of cards reading the same.

Khushi had tears in her eyes. he wished. He finally wished, after 2 long years, he did. "Arnav? where are you?" she felt someone behind her. she turned only to find Arnav sitting on his knees holding his ears.

"Arnav, what are you..." but he cut her off. He had tears in his eyes," i am very sorry Khushi for everything I did, for the cold behaviour I had towards you, for blaming you, for staying away from you, for not wishing you on your birthday, I am sorry. very sorry for everything that I did to you."

"Arnav?"

"Khushi, happy birthday."

Khushi burst into tears. she knelt in front of him and removed his hands from his ears. she wiped his tears," thank you. Thank you so much, Arnav." she placed soft kisses all over his face," thank you, Arnav. thank you. I have waited for 2 years, Arnav. 2 years. thank you" she mumbled with every kiss and hugged him tight. Arnav separated himself from her and wiped her tear and kissed her forehead.

"lets go down. They might be wondering where birthday girl disappeared to. and we have to wrap this party fast. we need to save something for our private party too" he winked at her.

"Arnav!!"

...

The party was on full swing. Everyone were laughing and enjoying themselves. The cake was cut. Elders were dining while couple chose the dance floor. Khushi was tired dancing. She was seated on a chair waiting for Arnav while he was out to attend an important call.

"ma'am?"

Khushi heard a voice and saw waiter," yes?"

"this is for you."

Khushi saw a letter an envelope in his hand," what is this?"

"there was a man at the gate, he said to deliver it to you" he handed the envelope and left. Khushi saw the envelope. Nothing was written on it apart from her name. Curiosity took in and she opened the letter. She froze reading the content.

AFTER SNEHA, IT IS ARNAV

What did it mean? Khushi looked around. she ran towards the door and looked outside. But there was no one. Suddenly, her phone rang. It was a private number. She dreaded to pick up the call. She took a deep breath pressed the answer button," hello"

She heard a horrendous laugh on the other side," save him if you can."

"who are you?"

"your well-wisher. Now listen to me very carefully, a word goes out about our conversation, you will lose him early"

"what do you want?"

"wait for my call"

And the phone was disconnected. Tears rolled down her eyes. who was he? What did he want? She had already lost Sneha. She didn't want to lose Arnav. what should she do now? should she tell Arnav? No. she couldn't take a risk. But was it right to hide it from Arnav? she had already made that mistake once. was she willing to do it again? she wiped her tears. she knew what she had to do. She had already lost Sneha and no way was she going to lose Arnav now.

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