Chapter 2

Thank you guys for your likes and comments on the first part.
There was No such inspiration behind making Arnav a Grocery wala, i just wanted to change him a bit. ;)

Note: There was a typo in the last Update! The Flashback was 3.5* yrs earlier instead of 2.5.


Here is the last Part:

*warning almost 5,000 word*😆

(Banner Credits: Jas0308👏)

It had been 3 months since her arrival to Laxmi Nagar. Buaji had been unwell and this time Khushi had no other option but to return to the place she had left 2 yrs ago.


2 Yrs! 2 Bloody long years she spent away from- this place, her motherly Buaji, her best friend Preeto and him! These 2 yrs had changed a lot of things except for her feelings for him. They had only grown stronger with time.


During her initial days at college, Khushi had become bitter, quiet and almost dumb. Loneliness had become her companion and the heart ache had refused to go. So many times she wished she had done something to Lavanya, she wondered at times about what would have happened if she had told Arnav about her.. All these thoughts had choked her till she felt suffocated. It was that time, when she finally understood her parents, for the first time.


She remembered she had one day asked Madhumati innocently if she would also beat her like her parents did? Madhumati had lovingly denied and had kissed her saying 'she was her princess and she would never hurt her.'

"Buaji wasn't I Amma Bauji's princess? Why did they beat me? Didn't they love me? Did I do something wrong? Did they hate me?" Khushi had asked her, desperately trying to know the reason behind their behaviour.

Buaji had explained to her how her parents always wanted a boy and so they were just sad that they couldn't get one, saying so she had cleverly changed the topic and the kid Khushi was, got manipulated.

But now she understood them. Not getting what they always had prayed for, left them angry and disappointed. Although their
anger was misplaced, yet Khushi now understood the yearning her parents felt.

She too had the choice that her parents had, yet she chose the right path. Rather than ruining Lavanya's life, she accepted the truth and moved on, a decision she felt proud of later.


With a lot of effort and a new resolve, Khushi finally picked up the pieces of her life and guided her energy towards studies and work. Her efforts paid, as she was able to earn some extra money for buaji as well and her scores were good too. During these 2 yrs not even a single time did she come in Laxmi Nagar, it was always Buaji and Preeto who came to visit her.


Times have changed Now, Buaji needed her and thus, Khushi decided to come back to her, the only women who loved her truly. She knew once back, she won't be able to stop herself from seeking him and yet she tried..Tried hard not to visit his shop or deliberately go towards his home. But she failed miserably. In fact on 3rd day of her return she found herself, in the same shop, looking at the Adonis she had lost her heart to.

***************

"When are you going to tell him?" Preeto asked her one fine day. Not expecting such a direct question, khushi could only gape at her in surprise!

"Cut out the Drama Khushi! It had been more than 3 yrs since you first came in Laxmi Nagar and almost 6 months since you've returned and the only thing that has remained in you is the way you look at him. You might have grown pretty, a little taller and a lot sexy and smart, but the way you stare at him, lost.. It's just like how you did one the first day I caught you looking at him, in fact the intensity in your eyes seemed to have grown with time." Preeto paused for a bit and then said "I don't need any answer, i know i'm right. But You Khushi, You need to do something. You are about to turn 19 and soon suitors will be lining up outside your house and Buaji will start pestering too, what will you do then Khushi?"


"I DON'T KNOW!.. I don't know anything" Khushi shouted, not bothering to hide her frustration. "YOU tell me what should I do?"


"Go and Tell him. You know I had realized it just after you left, that you loved him Khushi." Putting a comforting arm around her shoulder, she then added "When Arnav and Lavanya's was baby was born just after 8 months of their marriage, rumours about Lavvu di's affairs spread widely, I didn't tell you about them, so as to not give you any false hope and just after 3 months of that when Lavanya ran away with that Shyam along with 'Their' daughter, i didn't tell you, because i still thought that maybe Lavanyawould return. She didn't. What are you waiting for now? The whole Laxmi Nagar knows that they got divorced 9 months back( i.e. After 21 months since khushi left). But right now its Me who's telling you to go and tell him. Why can't You approach him now?"


"Are you even listening to yourself preeto? You think I should jump on him now, when he is finally available again? What if he still feels for Lavanya, what if that baby was indeed his and lavanya's? What if.."


"yes Khushi.. Its all What if! You won't know anything till you won't try."

"But Preeto he has never seen me that way, for him i always had been a kid, he treated me no different than you all. So-


"No buts Khushi, just do it. And don't say that you aren't any different, i see boys 'See' you these days and i see how you only 'See' him. You never know maybe he too is looking for someone. Try Khush.. Try."

***********
One month Later:

"Ye vivah ab sampan hua."

Just then Khushi Arnav Singh Raizada turned to look at her husband, only to find him staring back at her with a soul shattering intensity in his deep caramel eyes.

*************

Staring down at his young wife's face, Arnav felt a sudden rush of contentment. Wrapped in just white sheets, sleeping peacefully with a small smile on her face, she looked like a nymph, so serene, alluring and peaceful.

They got married in Devi Maiyya's temple today afternoon infront of his sister's family and Khushi's friend Preeto and her new husband Aman. All of this seemed to be a part of a beautiful dream or an endless Mirage.


Staring at Khushi's face he still couldn't believe she was the same skinny, scared little girl he had once saved. Although this thought did bring a sudden bout of guilt in him, yet for now, he overlooked it. Closing his eyes, he let the memories wash over him.

FLASHBACK:

Having lost his parents at quite a young age, Arnav to mature really soon. He had a younger sister to take care of and their grocery store and various plots to look after. He was just 17 when his parents died. Skipping school, leaving aside education, Arnav gave himself to work. He was new and young. The world of business was challenging and he learnt it very soon that nothing in life comes easy. Life made him learn many lessons at quite an early age and he learnt them whole heartedly. He was able to provide a good life and education to his younger sister, Anjali, his life. When she got married Arnav almost thought as if life has taken from him, his reason to live but he didn't let the loss settle and pulled himself up. Though soon his sister started pestering him for marriage too. It was sometime then only, when he first saw Khushi. Saving her wasn't something he had planned. He was just coming back from store when he heard a girl shouting for help and by god's grace he was able to save her. That day, It was her scared, vulnerable face that undid him. The pain in her innocent eyes and helpless like she had already given up, pinched him. After that he saw her often, everyday almost. She was Madhu aunty's niece. Madhu aunty who had always been like a mother to him. She was so shy, quiet and always at her toes. Whenever he would try and talk, she would run away, reminding him each day of her same vulnerable and scared face. In fact during her initial months, he had never seen her smiling, ever. Like other kids that often visited his shop, he gave her each day a toffee, and the shine in her eyes all those times made him happy too.

Soon Anjali became pregnant and her only wish now was to see him married. He has never been able to refuse his baby sister ever. Besides he too wanted someone to share his life with and so he agreed.

Anjali wanted nothing but best for her brother and so Rishta was sent to laxmi Nagar's prettiest girl, Lavanya Kashyap, who accepted it whole heartedly. Lavanya was a sweet girl. Confident, outspoken yet loving and most of all she was amiable and charming. Within a few days of their first meeting, she and Anjali became friends and even with Arnav she got along really well. Just like any arranged marriage, the dates were set and the whole wedding happened traditionally with full pomp and show.


But the glitter faded out soon. The reality he had been ignoring since the first day of his marriage was staring right at him.

Lavanya was Pregnant and he knew he wasn't the father. Lavanya tried to manipulate him, but he knew better. Even then, he accepted both her and baby. He wasn't someone to hold grudges, though truth hurt, yet Arnav believed in moving on and so he did. He didn't ask her any questions and she returned the favour by not giving any answers. Then Arnav was hopeful, that they'll settle down now

Someone had said : Ignorance is bliss. And it is. Only that the person who said it forgot to mention that the bliss is often short lived, the bliss came with an expiry date. Arnav ignored. Every time Lavanya did something, he ignored. He ignored her smoking habits, her drinking habbit, her late night partying habit, but infidelity was something he couldn't ignore, it was his hard limit. Just as his patience began to wear off, the arguments began! Arguments turned to fights amidst all this, Their baby girl.. 'Pari' was born and he was Happy, really! He knew people were talking, heck his own sister had her doubts, but he cared less, 'Pari' was truly his daughter, maybe now things would get well he thought, because Lavanya was Happy too. But then again, Fate played its part and 'Pari' was gone along with her mother. Lavanya ran away with her Lover Shyam, taking 'Pari with' him, god knows he was shocked, for he truly believed that they'll work out. But even that didn't hurt as the words she had last told him before leaving:

"You know Arnav.. Why I am leaving you? Look at yourself and then look at me! You can't even manage to speak a single sentence in English. Tum main kapde pehnne ka to dhang nahi hai aur tum mere pati banoge.. Huh. Me, Lavanya Kashyap, the college topper, College president and my husband he is just a 10th pass! A school dropout.. What shame! You can not buy Love and respect with money and looks Arnav and I do not respect you forget about Love, I can't even bear to stand next to you. If not for mum and dad and my pregnancy I would have denied you the very first time kyunki Shaadi apne se baraber ke insaan se ki jaati hai, apne se chote se nahi, ye baat yaad rakhna tum. I had made my intentions quite clear, it was you who was hopeful. I'm sorry but I cannot compromise with my standards so Good bye.

And she was gone. She had left, just a day before their first marriage anniversary. She had ran away with Shyam,
her boyfriend, father of 'Pari', while he was left alone, and this time it did hurt, Not because what she had insulted him, but because all she had said was truth and it was only him who had never been able to see it. Although love or even like wasn't a part of their relationship, yet after the divorce he was left Broken, because for the first time his in-capabilities were staring right at him. Their divorce had been easy, both parties were mutually willing and reasons had been many, he had gone through it silently, while his insides were screaming, afraid of the looming cloud of loneliness that threatened to burst right over him.

That was when Khushi came and that was when HE noticed HER, properly for the first time. In localities like Laxmi nagar, against the nature's rule, "Sounds of gossips travel faster than the lights of daily soaps." so when she had gone away to her college, He had received the news too. But lost in his new life, he didn't bother. Period.

Now when she returned, a blind could only have not noticed her. She was beautiful! Gone was the skinny small girl, she was now decently tall, curvy and slim girl. Her pale skin literally glowed and her hairs were always tied up in a loose wait length plait. In fact when he first saw her, he almost couldn't recognise her. She was still shy but instead of running, she had developed the trait of blushing. In fact she now talked too, although still less, but it was still a change!

As time passed, Arnav realised many things, like before, Khushi came it his shop often. Although every time she had to buy one thing or the other, but he began to notice her gaze at him. Many a times he caught her staring at himself, all those times she had blushed so beautifully. In fact he often found her gazing at him from the shop opposite to his. At first, her attention towards him did feel good. His life felt lively again, but Lavanya's words had been tattooed on his mind and he knew it was better to ignore her then to give into her childishness. He had realised soon that she had feelings for him, unlike Khushi herself, her eyes are very expressive, they show everything that she feels and Arnav had read her emotions.

It was the last month that changed everything. One calm evening, Madhu aunty got a heart attack. The whole locality including Khushi herself had gone to attend Preeto's wedding, but due to bad knees, Madhumati had stayed behind. It was sheer luck, that Arnav who was just passing by their house thought to check over his Madhu aunty. After his divorce, Arnav had mostly stayed away from such functions.


Madhumati was hospitalised and Khushi too came rushing to the hospital as soon as she received Arnav's call. A frantic, sobbing Khushi ran straight into his arms and he too took her in, to comfort her, assuring her all the while. The days that followed saw Madhumati's health detoriating rapidly. Heart attack was massive and her body hadn't taken it too well. Various neighbours came there to meet Khushi and provide her with support, but it was Arnav who didn't leave her side, at all.

When Madhumati gained conscious, Khushi had rushed in, taking Arnav along with her, holding his hand in hers and That was how Madhumati had seen them. Things that happened next went in blur for Arnav. It was only when Madhumai silently put Khushi's hands in his, that he realised what she was hinting at. His first instinct was to grab Khushi's hand tight and assure aunty but on second thoughts, he almost had wished to pull his hand away. One look at Madhumati's ashen, weak face, he merely nodded, taking Khushi's hand in his, he assured Madhu aunty that he would always be with her niece, no matter what.
All this while Khushi had been silently crying, instead of pulling her hand away, she threaded her fingers with Arnav's and hugged Madhumati, begging her to stay with them.

Next few days Madhumati remained in ICU, her condition although was stable, yet still was critical. During those days, Khushi opened up to him. She told him about her childhood, her parents, her friends, her university and he in return, told her about
his childhood, his sister, Lavanya, their Divorce and everything. That time he expected anything but a big relieved smile that he got from Khushi. He had received pity, sympathy, support, consolation.. Never before had he received such a reaction, which unknowingly lightened his heart and filled it with warmth! Both of them in those few days were closer to each other than they had ever been in past 3.5 years. In fact after hearing the haunting childhood she had been through Arnav had resolved it mentally to fill her life with happiness she deserved, the protectiveness he felt towards her increased multi folds and so did his feelings for her.


Just when things had began to look brighter, Madumati left them for her heavenly abode, but not before ensuring her niece was in safe hands. As soon as the rituals were over, they decided to get married. Although Arnav did ask Khushi to rethink about it, yet she remained firm and within a week, they are now, together and Married.

FLASHBACK OVER...

It had a been month since they had got married and enough time for her to realise everything was not as good as it seemed though Their nights were passionate, days were warm, yet Khushi knew something was missing. Although he never ignored her or hurt her, yet he wasn't completely himself. He was unusually silent at times and even lost. His eyes sometimes spoke of guilt. Tired with all this, Khushi shared her thoughts with him, directly, as time for hiding was long gone. 'They were now husband and wife if not for each other whom else would they share their thoughts with?' Khushi thought. Arnav though at first vehemently denied her claims but when he spoke and all that he said, left her speechless and surprised.

"You don't deserve me Khushi. You are young, barely 19, you don't deserve to be tied down to a person like me. You are so good at studies, while I'm barely 10th pass, I can't even manage to speak a single straight line in english, I have no aesthetic sense, what will your friends say? Besides I'm a divorce, I have nothing good to offer to you Khushi. Why must you be tied down with me? Why should you be punished without any fault of yours? You can't be happy with me Khushi. You deserve someone better. I thought I could provide you with all the happiness you deserve that's why I even promised Madhu aunty, but I've realized Khushi you can't be happy with me."



" Why didn't you think about all of this before our marriage? Before consummating our marriage? So should I Leave you Arnavji, Is that what you want? are you bored of me now? Am I not good enough.. Is that why you are dumping me this way?"


"NO. What utter non-sense are you talking! How can you even think of something like that! Do you think such low of me, tell me Khushi?"


"huh.. Low? I can't even tell you what you mean to me, besides its You who's talking about leaving not Me. But I would go if you want me to, I don't wanna keep you tied with me in an relationship if you're not happy. I don't want to be a burden on you Arnavji."



"Damn It! Why don't you understand it? I'm 13 yrs elder to you, completely a generation apart. I don't want Myself to be a burden at you. I don't want you to feel hurt or used like you did with your parents, I'm afraid to hurt you, I'm scared I'll let you down. And even with all these fears I went ahead with our marriage, because I want you Khushi, I want you in my life, I don't think I can survive alone this time. This loneliness.. This emptiness bites me. So I became selfish, and I made you mind in every way, but this guilt.. Guilt of having snatched an entirely different and better life that you could have had, if not for me, it has started to creep into me. I can't even face myself in mirror these days. I've let Madhu aunty down, I'm a failure Khushi..I-

"Bas Arnavji, I've heard all I wanted to and now you hear me and hear me well. There isn't anywhere else I want to be right now than your arms. There isn't any place other than your heart that I ever wanna possess. It should be me worried about our age Arnavji not you, I'm young, I dunno how to cook properly or how to manage house properly.. I'm bound to make mistakes but with you around I know I'll learn it all, from you, for Us. You can't keep me happy? You are MY Happiness Arnavji. I don't deserve you? Its You who doesn't deserve me. Look at you Arnavji, you have such a big heart, such a nice soul, such a loving personality and such handsome looks, while I have is a burdened past and a scarred body. How does it even matter till where you are educated or what my friends think of you? They weren't the ones who saved my virtue Arnavji, it was You! It was always you. For me, since that day, it was just you. And Don't you dare call my husband a failure, he is anything but that. He took care of his baby sister, managed the work at such a young age, the whole society speaks of his manners and values, he is the best guy I've ever met and I won't take anything against him."


"Tum samjhti kyun nahi ho Khushi? Main ek baar ye galti kar chuka hoon aur main nahi chahta tum bhi vo hi bhool karo, shaadi apne se baraber ke insaan ke saath hoti hai, apne se chote insaan ke saath nahi. Apne se chote insaan ke saath sirf samjhota hota hai aur main nahi chahta ki tum apni zindagi koi bhi samjhota karo."

"insaan chote bade kab se hone lag gaye Arnavji? Kya Sabhi insaan baraber nahi hote? Kya farak hai hum sab mein jo humein chota aur bada banata hai? Aur Shaadi do insano ka milan hai, jo do adhure insaano ko poora karti hai. Aur aapko lagta hai ki aapse shaadi karna mere liye samjhota hai? Aap hote kaun hai aisa sochne wale? Aap aisa soch bhi kaise sakta hain?."


"Main tumhara pati hoon Khushi Singh Raizada, aur agar ye shaadi samjhota nahi to aur kya hai? Main to asliyat mein tumhare peeche khade hone ke laayak bhi nahi hoon, lavanya ne bhi-


"for God's sake Arnavji, hum Lavanya nahi hain! Har mod par hum aapke saath-saath khade honge Arnavji, apke haathon mein haath dalkar. Hum aapko chod kar kahin nahi jaenge. Infact hum aapko kabhi chod hi nahi sakte"


"Kyun? Kyun nahi chod sakti tum?" Arnav yelled frustrated.


"Because I LOVE YOU DAMNIT! Kyunki hum aapse pyaar karte hain, hamesha se aur hamesha karte rahenge." saying so Khushi was about to slump down, when Arnav held her strongly in his arms, hugging her close, he whispered in her ears,"dubara kaho."


"Kya? Kya kahen?"


"Khushi.."


"i Love You Arnavji."


"ek baar phir.."


"hum aapse bohat mohobaat karte hain Arnavji."

that night, although Arnav didn't say it in words, yet his eyes spoke for him. The way he made love to her, worshiped her, his actions spoke for him, making Khushi aware silently about his Love for her.

**********

The year that followed, saw Khushi attending college during the day while managing the shop during evening. While Arnav during the day managed their shop and attended evening college. He always wanted to study Administrative governance ,
after a lot of persuasion and begging and blackmailing from Khushi's side, Arnav finally gave into her demand to fulfill his wish, reluctantly. The journey ahead wasn't easy, yet with Khushi's determination and Arnav's hard work and above all, their constant support to each other, changed their lives!

*********

10 yrs later:

"We Now welcome on stage, one of the youngest Education secretary at Delhi's Panel, Mr.Arnav Singh Raizada."


In a simple white cotton shirt with a deep blue coat over it along with a pair trousers, Arnav made his way on the podium, in his simple clothing and gentle smile, ready to face the questions of the media persons around him.


"Sir How are you feeling?"


" Sir why did you chose this line after clearing Admistrative exam?"


" Sir what are your plans for 'Umeed'?"



"Sir what's the reason behind your success?"

and the questions went on..

"Good evening ladies and gentlemen. I've heard your each and every question and I would like to answer them all, if you all allow me to." Pausing for a second, Arnav continued "I'm feeling as happy as any person would on be designated to this post. 10 yrs back if anyone would have told me that I'll hold this post some day, I would have prescribed that guy to go for a mental check up! Seriously, I was nothing but a 10th pass, school drop out. But Life changed, I went to college, eventually cleared IAS too, got into Education administrative department and here am I the Education secretary, I should be both amazed and disbelieving, not that I am. I know its reality and its truth because I've gone through the process of making this Unbelievable present of mine. Someone who said - Behind every successful man there is a women, is not wrong, but he isn't correctly right too. With every successful man, there is a women holding his hand guiding him through. My wife is 'that' women of my life. She made me what I am today, she is in me, the reason I'm me today. People often think I exaggerate, but they don't understand what true love means to a guy who's seen worst of betrayals, what support means to a guy who had started to fear loneliness, what trust means to a guy who doubted himself, what confidence means to a guy who was a failure.. People never understand all this. I'm here now, because there is one person holding me here, reminding each second of the hard work, determination and above all faith of hers, that she has in me. I was insecure, she held my hand till I had to believe she would be there, I was broken, she stitched me back, she completed me. She made me believe in myself. Right now I stand here, living her dream that she saw for me. She is my wife, the mother of my children ,my guide, my soul, my love and my everything! Funny how I forget everything when I talk about her.. She was my 'Umeed' for a better life. Here I am, now, because I'm educated, I'm empowered, I possess a power that I was unaware of 10 yrs back. But now, when I have the power, I'll take 'Umeed: school for elders' from the roads of Delhi to across all Indian streets. I along with my friends started this school few years back and now we have 5 schools going on in Delhi itself. If this trend continues, than no one in India shall remain bereft of his/ Her Fundamental right i.e Right to Education. I grabbed mine, with 'Umeed' I want rest others to grab theirs, because in life there is 'Umeed' for all of us, to change it for better! Lastly, one important lesson that I've leant is - Life is like clay, we can mould it itself or let others mould it for us, the choice always is ours! Thank You"

***********

"Khushi...?"


"Hmm.."



"Thank You"



"Kis liye?" (What for?)


"Bas. Yun hi." (just like that.)

.
.
.
.
.
"khushi..?"



"Hmm.."



"I Love you."



"Kis liye?"



"Bas. Yun hi."



"Huh... Laad governor kahin ke."
.
.
.
.
.
.
"Arnav ji??"


"Hmm..."



"I love you too."

"Jo reh na saki jubaan par ban ke khaamoshiyan,
jo simat na paye zindagi mein ban ke Khushifaamiyan,

Ye wo deewana pan hai pyaar ka,

jisse har aahique har din kehta hai Gustakhiyaan!"
By- Me!

[MEMBERSONLY]

P.S: Not proof read

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Check my index too: Open Happiness

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Thank you for all your support.