Chapter 26
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[MEMBERSONLY]
Banner Credit: Naach_Basanti
Iss Pyaar Ka Naam-The Epilogue
(Part Two)
Shashi stared at the man in the doorway, and his gaze took in the visible signs of exhaustion that suggested the aftermath of a long international flight.
He said nothing, and neither did Khushi.
They didn't even take one step towards each other.
And yet, Shashi got the distinct impression that he was intruding on something private and personal.
Something decidedly intimate.
He looked away quickly, to find that Garima's eyes were trained on their daughter, a small smile gracing her lips.
His gaze took in the new mother, and found that both Lavanya and NK were staring at Khushi with identical smiles.
And then it hit him.
His family knew something he didn't.
Something that should have been obvious, if only he hadn't let his prejudice blind him to the truth.
The man at the doorway was the only reason why Khushi was living a full life again.
And that was why they were all happy to see him right now.
As everyone gazed at the couple, Shashi's eyes beamed with pride at this family.
A family that was bound by something elusive and precious...something that made them happy when the others were glad.
Even if that happiness came at a considerable cost.
Shashi knew that this couldn't have been easy for NK, and yet his son had looked past that to focus on his sister's happiness.
Pride, affection, and an overwhelming love for his family swept over him, and he glanced quickly at Garima.
She wiped her eyes discreetly, then smiled up at him.
He smiled back, silently acknowledging this bond that was beyond love.
_______
An hour later, Arnav heaved a sigh of relief as he pulled out of the hospital's parking garage.
He turned his head , his eyes clashing immediately with concerned hazel ones.
"Arnav...are you alright?"
"I'm fine, Khushi."
"This couldn't have been easy for you..."
It hadn't been easy, not by a long shot.
But if there was something he had learned over the past one year, it was that nothing worthwhile could be achieved without bypassing the easy route.
Their relationship was a case in point.
The early days had been marked by conflicts, doubts, anger and uncertainty, and only one thing had kept them together through it all.
The fact that they couldn't even think about living without the other.
Whenever they had disagreed, he had made it a point to sit down and discuss things with her, rather than let the bitterness fester.
Their fights had been short-lived, they had both made sure of that.
And whenever the past had threatened to raise it's ugly head, neither had run away in apprehension.
Instead, they had tackled the issue head-on , and had emerged victorious.
Their relationship had given him the opportunity to deal with his own issues regarding the past, and he could feel the difference as the bitterness finally left him.
The past three months had given rise to a new level of understanding between them, but the journey to get to that point hadn't been easy.
And neither had this morning been easy for him.
Seeing NK with his wife was something he had always tried to avoid if possible, but there hadn't been any choice today.
Khushi was here at the hospital, and that was where he wanted to be.
He had struggled through the congratulations that had been their due, but after that he had largely ignored NK and Lavanya.
The sight of their domestic bliss still had the power to open old wounds, and he hadn't wanted to take that chance when he was finally within arm's reach of the woman who had invaded his every waking moment.
He had bided his time until an hour had passed, and then he had been given an excuse to take Khushi away when her parents had announced that everyone should leave NK and Lavanya alone with their baby for some well-deserved rest. The Guptas had then left for home, and Khushi had told them that she would follow in his car.
He had wasted no time in taking her down to the white SUV, and now that he finally had her all to himself after days, he did not want to waste any time with discussions about the nightmares from the past.
He looked across at her and noted the concern in her gaze, then took one hand off the wheel and placed it over hers.
"I won't lie, Khushi. Seeing your brother wasn't easy...but I don't want to talk about that right now."
"I'm sorry that I made you go through that..."
"Made me?"
"Yes! You came down here because you finally received that message I left you at your hotel, didn't you?"
"Message? I don't know what you're talking about. I left for Delhi immediately after the merger was signed, and when I got there, I found out that you were in Bangalore. So naturally I followed..."
She was staring at him with wide eyes now, and then the welcome sound of her laughter rang out through the car.
"Naturally? Only you could say that, Arnav!"
"I've missed you, Khushi."
The gleeful light went out of her eyes, to be replaced by a tender regard that he could never get enough of.
"So have I. But the separation was for a good reason, right? Your deal went through..."
"Yes, it did. A.R is now expanding to the waterways of Southern India, in equal partnership with the Smythe group."
"That's wonderful! I think it's going to be an exciting year for A.R!"
He smiled at her enthusiasm, reflecting on how much her opinion had come to mean for him.
She took an active interest in A.R, and her curiosity regarding it's day-to-day activities never failed to surprise him.
"I think so too. Expanding to Asia has been really good for our bottom-line so far...makes me glad that I had the good sense to give up the ministry!"
She looked up at him quickly, and he turned towards her when he stopped at a signal.
"You hated it, didn't you?"
"Hatred is a strong word, Khushi. I just didn't feel that it was the right fit for me, that's all."
She looked away from him towards the window, then bit her lip.
"Khushi...how are things at the party headquarters?"
She took a deep breath, then turned to face him again.
"I'm beginning to think that this isn't really the right thing for me, either."
_______
Khushi knew that she had shocked him, and she hastened to explain.
"Arnav...when I resigned from my job and decided to go with Nani's plan, I did it despite the fact that I knew what your objections were. But now...I'm not ashamed to admit that you were right, after all."
"I wasn't happy with your choice all those months ago, Khushi. But I told you then, and I'm telling you now...I'll be there with you in every step, no matter what you choose. And it doesn't give me the least bit of satisfaction to learn that my worst fears are coming true. I can't bear to see your disappointment."
"More like disillusionment, Arnav. When Nani first told me about this proposal all those months ago, you know that I initially refused, don't you? But then...when I went back to work at the Ministry under the new minister, all I could think of was that I could be in his place, doing a far better job than he ever could."
"Humility is clearly not one of your virtues."
"It's a trait I learned from you."
"Touche. But that aside, I know exactly what your motivations were for taking Nani up on her offer, Khushi. So what has happened since to make you change your mind?"
"Politics has happened, Arnav. The more I see the internal workings of the party...the more I want to stay away from it all. You have no idea about what actually goes on behind closed doors at the meetings, Arnav. The cold-blooded bargains...the deals...the lust for power above all else...it made me feel dirty."
"I know that too, Khushi. You've told me all this often enough. So what has changed now?"
"It just...got too much for me, I think. I realized that I want the power to make a difference...but I don't want to sell my soul in order to gain that power. And in the end, that's what it all comes down to."
"Have you spoken to Nani about this?"
"Yes, I have. But she has already been grappling with another issue regarding my acceptance into the higher echelons..."
She watched in apprehension as his grip tightened on the steering wheel.
"If this is about your religion again..."
"My religion will always play a huge role, whether we like it or not. It makes it difficult for the members of the other faiths to accept me in their midst, while those from my own look at me with suspicion. I end up losing, no matter which way you look at it."
"So that's it? You're giving up?"
She stared at him curiously.
"I thought you'd be happy, since this is what you wanted."
"It may be what I want, but why the hell would I be happy to see your dreams shattered before my eyes?"
"My dreams are unrealistic, Arnav. I want all the rewards of being the one in power, but I'm not willing to go through filth for it. And my faith..."
"...is your own business, and that's the way it should remain."
She sighed, then gently caressed his tense hand.
"The world doesn't look at it that way, Arnav. Do you know how many people have asked me if I have converted? They assume that you have asked me to..."
He laughed, but there was bitterness there.
"Why would I do that when I don't even believe in any religion?"
"They don't know that, do they?"
"Who cares about the bigots, Khushi? That's not the point here. The point is that you are giving up,and I hate to see that happen. When I started the first A.R store, I got nothing but discouragement from all quarters. People were convinced that I was crazy to try something like that. But I stuck it out, because it was my dream."
"And that's what I want to do too, Arnav. But I just can't..."
"You can, dammit! I'll make sure that you do!"
"What...do you mean?"
"It's simple, Khushi. I understand your discomfort, so I won't stand in your way if you decide to step away from it all. But not before giving it one last shot."
"And how would I do that?"
"By making me your sounding-board. Your partner...and your trash-bin."
"What?!"
"Yes. That's a simple concept, Khushi. As you work your way through the day, you absorb only the good...and dump the bad on me."
"How?"
"Call me, text me..whatever. Just make sure that you tell me the disgusting stuff, then forget all about it."
She laughed.
"If only it were that simple!"
"It's not. But that's only one of my strategies. I will outline the others too...but only if you are willing to do this, Khushi."
She stared at him in the dim light, knowing that she would agree.
Not just because he said so, but because his words had just given her the courage to keep going.
He had changed her in so many ways...or rather, their relationship had.
She had learned to leave the past behind, and embrace the present in it's entirety.
She had allowed herself to dream...to break free and be the woman she wanted to be.
And now he wanted her to challenge herself...
Before she knew what she was doing, she had turned back to him and nodded.
A smile broke out on his lips, and he clasped her hand in hers.
"That's my girl."
"I'm counting on you, Mr.Raizada."
He opened his mouth to reply, but his attention was diverted by a car that swerved suddenly into their lane.
He swiftly changed lanes, and she breathed a sigh of relief.
Which abruptly turned to a gasp of surprise when she saw that...
"Arnav, this isn't the way to my parent's house!"
"I know."
His smile now held a teasing quality to it, and all the pieces suddenly fell into place.
"You've kidnapped me from the hospital."
"Yes, I have. What are you going to do about it?"
"You never had any intention of going to my parent's home, did you? And I played right into your hands by asking you for a ride!"
"Great realization, but it's too late now."
She stared out at the parking garage, and realized that it was too late.
She stepped out immediately, her hands on her hips.
"My parents will be frantic with worry when we don't turn up!"
"You can call them. Later."
"Later? Why not now?"
"Because I have plans for you."
"What are you..."
Her words ended on a strangled gasp when he swung her up into his arms, then stepped into the elevator.
"Arnav! We can't do this!"
"Of course we can. This isn't the first time, remember?"
They were out of the lift now, and she blushed as they passed a startled watchman on the way to the apartment.
"I know that. But why now, of all times..."
"Because it's been so long..."
"It's been a week, that's all."
He fitted the key in the lock, then shouldered open the door and put her down before closing it behind them.
For a moment, neither said a word as the air thickened with desire.
He placed both hands on the door, then spoke to her with his back to her.
"Take off your saree if you don't want a repeat of last time."
Her cheeks flamed as she reached up for the pin that held her pallu in place.
She vividly remembered their frantic lovemaking when he had torn her saree before she could take it off properly, and the memory made her hands fly across the pleats until they were loosened, and the burgundy silk pooled on the floor at her feet.
For a moment, she stared down at the rich , vivid color, one that was echoed in the myriad bangles on her hands.
That was something that he was responsible for as well.
He had brought back color into her life...and she had never been without it since.
Her thoughts ground to a halt when her skin flamed, and she realized that he had finally turned to face her.
They stared at each other across the dimly-lit hallway,then reached for each other at the exact same moment.
His hands were everywhere, blazing a trail of fire across her heated skin.
She fisted her hands in the fabric of his shirt, and pressed herself closer to his tall frame.
This was something that he had taught her too.
To give in to her passions...to allow her feminity free reign...and it was all for him, and him alone.
She tilted her head up for his kiss, and he gently caressed her lips with his before leaning back.
He ran one hand down her neck, then looked into her eyes.
"Do you know how much I love you, Mrs.Raizada?"
Tears sprang to her eyes, and pure, unsullied love for this man overwhelmed her for a moment.
Mrs.Raizada.
She had been that woman for all of three months now, and she still hadn't gotten used to it.
The name...their marriage..it meant so much more than the validation of their relationship before all society.
It was a symbol of their triumph against the shadows of the past...and their victory against everything that had torn them apart.
His declaration of love was something else that she treasured, no matter how many times she heard it from his lips.
But she was too overwhelmed to reply, and so she chose another way to do so.
She placed her lips on his, telling him without words just how much he meant to her.
Because in the end, their love really needed no words.
When she drew back, she gasped at the change that had come over him.
The tenderness had been replaced by raw passion, and she barely had time to draw a quick breath before he made his move.
He swept his hand along her collarbone, then yanked her close by tugging on the string of black beads around her neck.
This time, his kiss wasn't gentle.
He gave and demanded in equal measure, his lips pressing hers apart as his body bore down on hers.
She wrapped one hand around him, then felt herself falling back against the hall-cabinet behind her.
She put one hand against it to steady herself, and accidently nudged a crystal figurine in the process.
Lost in the haze of their desires, neither of them noticed as the figurine fell to the floor and broke into a thousand shards.
Shattered, just like the barriers that had once been between them.
*********************************
A note for all my wonderful readers
To everyone who has silently read, liked , commented, PMed , Scrapped and Tweeted about 'Shattered', thank you!
Every word I write has been inspired by you all, and I love you, dammit!
A few words about why I chose to write this story: It was that video of the promo ,really.
It made me realize that the terrace MU and subsequent developments never really lived up to the whole 'Kaash main tumse..." part, and I wanted to make an attempt at writing a story that did just that. The political backdrop was something that had been brewing in my head for a while, and I hope that I was able to do justice to this alternate universe as well.
The interlude to 'Shattered' was probably the most difficult update I've written after 'Sins'. The past was actually the starting point of my story, and I wrote the entire tale around that. I was incredibly nervous while posting that part, so thank you for all the wonderful feedback!
The ending was unlike my other stories too, since Arnav and Khushi weren't in any sort of committed relationship when the tale ended. Once again, I was uncertain about how that would be received, another thank you for the positive response to that!
There are a few people I must thank for their support throughout this journey.
LooneyLuna, for her update-length comments and that wonderful banner!
Semanti and CravingKhana for being my anchors in the storm, and pushing me to write the story I wanted.
Naach_Basanti , for her support, kadkas, and that beautiful banner.
My friends on the CC, for making me feel like a celebrity whenever I posted an update. Come here, all of you!
And finally, my readers, for making this possible in the first place. I cannot thank you enough for inspiring me, motivating me, and staying with me for the past five weeks!
Like I have always said, I want to continue writing ArHi stories as long as there are readers here who are willing to come along on the journey with me. However, the next few months are going to be very busy ones, and there will be no time to write an FF or SS.
Stories in one part or two parts are the most I can do, and these will be at infrequent intervals as well. I will come back here to write whenever I take a break from the asli duniya!
To begin with, I will be writing a story soon for the 'Udaan' series started by Naach_Basanti, so watch out for that!
And later, if time permits, I will return to the "ArHi Tales: Dhadkanein" thread for Season Two.
I really hope that you all will join me there!
I will continue to come online as often as I can, but there will be a delay in my comments, PMs and replies to scraps, and I apologize for that in advance.
Until we meet again, here are links to a few stories on my current reading list as requested by some of my readers:
The Same Coin-An ArHi FF by Semanti
A Word's Worth- An ArHi FF by Meera30
Chasing Dreams:An ArHi FF by Naach_Basanti
Boomerang:An ArHi SS by Naach_Basanti
Closing the Loops-By BlueMystique
Once again, a word of gratitude for everyone who has read my stories on IF. You are the reason I'm here, and the reason I'll be back.
So until we meet again on another thread, another story, Rabba Ve everyone!
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