Chapter 17

6 years later

Arnav stood near the sea shore feeling the sand underneath his feet. The waves of water gave him a soothing feeling. The cool mystic breeze made him smile. life has been sweet, serene and beautiful for him since six years. His life was peaceful. Finally. He couldn't forget the day when he had almost lost everything. That night was a fateful night. While doctors had been treating her, all he could think were the beautiful moments they had spent together. He wanted this one chance to have a happy life with Khushi. After coming such a long way, he didn't want to lose her. he didn't have strength anymore.

Arnav was in his thoughts when he felt an arm slid across his waist. His arms automatically draped around her shoulders. He felt her head resting near his heart. He kissed her hair," what happened, Khushi?"

"I am missing my husband. He has been keeping too busy these days." She sighed. Arnav smiled, "I am sorry, love, but things have been pretty messy these days. Once this project gets over, I will be all yours, I promise"

There was a silence for few minutes when Khushi spoke again, "I love it here. I am happy we left that place. Though we have beautiful memories there, but some nightmares never seem to go" Khushi felt his hold getting tighter," hey, its over. Its all over. I am here. we are here. finally. Together. Happy"

Arnav sighed," yes, but I cant forget that day. Aditya died. Though he deserved for every bit he did, yet I cant help but sometimes feel bad for him. and then you? You had scared the hell out of me. I had thought I will lose you forever"

"hey. hush...its all in the past. We promised we will never talk about it."

"I am sorry. so? How is the little one doing there?" Arnav asked gently placing a hand on her 8 months bulging stomach. Khushi smiled," he is very naughty. I sure he is going to be a footballer with the amount of kicking he does"

"well, I will say that my princess is very naughty then"

"not again, Arnav! we have already discussed. Its going to be a boy"

"no, Khushi. a girl"

"boy"

"girl"

"boy"

"girl"

"you always do this, Arnav"

"you too, Khushi"

"Arnav"

"Khushi"

"MOMMY" a little four year old came running towards them with her gardening kit, "are you two fighting again?"

"Snehal!" Arnav scooped her in his arms. He kissed her cheeks, "no baby. We weren't. we were just having a healthy, friendly discussion"

"yes, we were discussing about your brother" Khushi said.

"no, little princess, its sister"

"brother, Arnav"

"sister, Khushi"

"brother"

"sister"

"brother"

"sister"

"Arnav"

"Khushi"

"MOMMY, DADDY, Stop. You fight too much."

"baby, we don't fight" Khushi said. Snehal nodded," mommy, if daddy says it's a girl, then it is because daddys are always right. Right daddy?"

"right little princess"

"lets go daddy. We need to make sandcastle. Mommy, will you help us too?" Snehal asked pouting her little lips. Khushi shook her head.

"lets go" she smiled.

Khushi looked at her husband and daughter busy making sandcastle. The day she was shot, she had really meant when she said she saw Sneha. She never knew if what she saw was true or dream but that one incident changed her life.

Khushi was lying on hospital bed. she had lost lot of blood. The chances of survival were less. She was unconscious. But her mind was very much active. She had heard Arnav pleading to come back, to fight back, but she couldn't bring herself to that. suddenly, the voices had disappeared and she found herself somewhere in an unknown place in front of long staircase.

Khushi walked through the stairs. The place was beautiful with lush greenery, butterflies, fountains, birds and most importantly laughter. But what caught her attention was a unique laughter. She knew this laughter. It was Sneha.

Khushi walked towards the laughter and the sight brought a big smile on her face. She saw her daughter playing with a lot of children while laughing. 2 years. it had been 2 years she had seen her. she smiled and the same time, tears pooled in her eyes. she was still looking at her daughter when she heard her daughter yell, "Mommy!"

Khushi kneeled when she saw Sneha running towards her. She jumped in her arms and kissed her, "what are you doing here?"

Khushi kissed sneha all over her face with tears," sneha, baby, mommy missed you"

"I missed you too mommy " she kissed her cheeks

"how are you?" khushi asked

"I am very good mommy. But why are you here? you shouldn't be here"

"why? aren't you happy seeing me here?"

"I am very happy, mommy. But what about daddy? How can you leave him alone? Daddy needs mommy."

"and what about sneha?"

"Sneha will always need her mommy. Don't worry, I will be back to you and daddy soon."

"Sneha, I don't want to go. I want to live with you"

"and what about daddy? He will be very sad without you. I am also not there with him. if you will also leave him, my daddy will cry. Please go back to daddy. I promise I will be back" she said

"you promise?"

"yes mommy. I promise. I love you mommy and daddy too"

"we love you too baby"

Khushi smiled. She never said this to anyone, not even Arnav because this one little memory was only her memory with her daughter. She looked at the sky thanking God for giving her, her baby back. Snehal! Snehal is daddy's girl, just like Sneha. She is similar to Sneha in many ways. Arnav and Sneha finally did fulfil their promise. He gave her Sneha in form of Snehal and now another one was on its way. Life was perfect. They were happy. It was fate they met, it was fate they fell in love, it was fate they underwent so much pain, it was fate that now they are finally together bound with the thread of love and happiness, everything is fate. She chuckled. Fate is really by far the greatest mystery of all.

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[MEMBERSONLY]