Chapter 28

Chapter 16

A harried Arnav rang the bell impatiently with one hand while with the other he wiped his perspiring brow as beads of sweat gathered there obstinately, his concern for Khushi overriding every other thought, horror scenarios running through his head at a mile per minute.

What was wrong with her? And more importantly why was anything wrong with her in the first place?! How could she let anything be wrong with her?! Did she not realize that if anything were to go wrong with her, it would be very very wrong for him because he wasn't sure exactly what wrong he would do if only he could right whatever was wrong with her!

He was still engrossed in a battle of wrong and right when the door swung open and the most right person in the world stared up at him in surprise and with joy mixed with a little blushing here and there and if the rules of gravity could be overlooked for just one moment, Arnav would have sure floated around in happiness and pleasure.

But gravity was here to stay and so was his concern as it rushed back to him at the speed of a bullet train and his words came out a notch faster than that.

"How are you? What happened to you? Are you okay? Why aren't you resting? Is no one home? Did you see the doctor? Should I take you to the hospital? Did you take some medicine? Is everything fine?"

Things must be more serious than he had anticipated, Arnav thought to himself, his worry levels shooting up as Khushi stood laughing in front of him, laughing so hard that she actually had to clutch her stomach or maybe she was crying out in pain because her stomach was paining...he was not too sure.

He looked uncertainly at her for a few seconds before his hand reached the front pocket and fished out his iPhone. He was just about to hit the number of his and Khushi's common physician when his phone was plucked right out of his hands by an amused looking Khushi who then proceeded to look around as if to check if the coast was clear before clutching his arm and ushering him outside. She did not loosen her grip on his arm till they were seated in the back gardens of the Guptas - the one they had helped plant as children - well more destroy than nurture if their rather boisterous cricket and badminton matches and wrestling stints were to be remembered among other rather strenuous (including and specially for the grass) activities!

"What are you doing, Khu! Tumhari tabeeyat kharaab hai na? Chalo andar chalo! You should rest! Come , lets go!" he was on his feet again as soon as her hand had left his to play with a blade of grass.

She looked up at him - an annoyance now flickering in her eyes before she grabbed the hand he had stretched out for her and tugged it down to make him sit next to her again, speaking before he could have the chance to berate her for no reason.

"I am completely fine, Arnav! I couldn't come to office today because Papa told me not to. And that he did because I couldn't sleep last night and the reason for that at least you should know!"

She flushed just as she finished her part as if her words caught up with her just as they were belted out making her look down and curse softly.

It was the exasperated "Damn!" that escaped her lips which broke the reverie in which Arnav had found himself wound up in at her rather up front admission of why exactly she had not come to the office or rather why exactly had she been unable to sleep the night before and he felt a shy smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

He ran a hand through his hair, tousling them so that strands escaped the hold of the gel he had applied on them in the morning and gave him a more boyish look, before taking his seat next to her. She had her legs folded atop each other by her side while he sat Indian style. Not a word was exchanged between them, a deep but profound silence having enveloped both.

The afternoon sun beat down their backs yet for the two young adults no amount of harsh heat could take away from the cooling bliss of the moment as they sat beside each other, not needing to fill the space in between with unnecessary words - the emotions that flowed were enough to hold their attention and it was with trepidation but still a strange sense of belief that Khushi allowed herself to take a step in the direction that her heart tugged her to and the next moment her hand rested atop his.

And it gave the jolt that she had expected it would to Arnav and she could not help but let out a giggle as she felt him jump at the contact and almost let out a exclamation of surprise, his eyes wide and his mouth agape before her laughter stilled on her lips as she caught the look on his face as he gazed at her.

Love.

Thats what it was and she knew because that was the look that she had spied on her own face in the mirror countless times when she had thought of him, even if in heartbreak and in that one moment something of that heartbreak healed.

Suddenly, without any preamble her heart hurt a little less - the happiness she felt taking precedence over any sadness of the past and she felt the weight of all the bad memories, of all the harsh words and the harsher thoughts, of all the nights spent crying, of all the days spent yearning, of all the times spent wishing but never getting - all of that weight faded away into the best kind of nothingness and the sun shined brighter, the flowers scented sweeter, the air crisper and the sky bluer.

She was free.

Finally.

Free to breathe without constraint.

Free to live without worry.

And all of that because she was finally finally free to love without fear.

Free to love the man she had loved for as long as she could remember.

And free to expect his love in return without questions or doubts, without fear or worry, without constraint.

And she laughed out loud, the cheery ring to it a stranger even to her, her head pushed back on its own as her arms struggled to support her weight in the awkward position she had twisted her body into. But it was not to be as she carelessly let herself topple, the laughter still strong even as her body gravitated towards the grassy ground but before she could tumble, two strong arms gathered her in their hold and thats when the laughter faded away, its reminiscent smile still in place as her eyes found his.

He lay on top of her with his arms holding her safe to him, their noses brushing at the tips, their breaths mingling. She saw his eyes flicker to her trembling lips before they raised back up to gaze at her - a question burning bright in their depth.

A question that she felt herself answering as she raised her face and let her lips meet his - her heart soaring as she felt him smile under the gentle pressure her lips exuded on his and she smiled back into the second kiss they shared, both wishing in their hearts that it was the second of many many more.

And both knowing that they would fight till the very end for it to be just that.

For they were finally together.

Finally.

Your love is bright as ever
Even in the shadows
Baby, kiss me
Before they turn the lights out
Your heart is glowing
And I'm crashing into you
Baby, kiss me
Before they turn the lights out
Before they turn the lights out
Baby, love me lights out

In the darkest night hour
I'll search through the crowd
Your face is all that I see
I'll give you everything
Baby, love me lights out
Baby, love me lights out
You can turn my lights out

Next Chapter - Page 110

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*Not proof read

I know I know that this chapter has been posted abysmally late but AD has been hectic and well...what else can I say? Also I know this chapter is short but consider it like an interlude of sorts...I just thought Khushi sort of needed a self realized closure and thats what is depicted here.

The song at the end of this chapter helped me to come into the mental zone to write it and so please do listen to it! Will try and post the next chapter soon! :)

Hope you all enjoyed this chapter! Your feedback inspires me to write! :)

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