Part 6

Khushi stood near the window in her room. Her white colored salwar suit matching the glorious moon and its serene moonlight. A soft breeze flowing through the window played with her open hair, like a besotted lover!

It was a perfect setup to lend an ear to her mind! Her thoughts went back to the car ride she had with Arnav. Try as she might, she couldn't stop the smile that spread on her face remembering him. Yes, he was married, sure he was not hers but that didn't mean she would not find happiness in his company, did it?

He inspired her. He made her feel happy. Just being around, him made her feel...secured... and the last she checked, that was not immoral, right?

[Image credit to the uploader. Please ignore sindur and mangalsutra]

Khushi looked at the devi maiyya idol kept on a small mahogany table in her room. Payal's amma and bua ji had gifted her this idol. The first time she saw it at their home, she had felt entranced by it, and then had asked them where they bought that idol from so she could also buy a similar one. It was then that they gifted her the same one, also mentioning she had always been a staunch believer in devi maiyya since even before her accident.

Ever since then, she had found herself confessing her deepest secrets in front of this same idol. Secrets that she didn't even tell her Di, or her doctor, Vikrant. She only opened in front of devi maiyya. Perhaps because she felt devi maiyya was guiding her life and had given her another chance for a purpose. A purpose she didn't quite understand yet. But was Arnav a part of her journey? Was it allowed to feel pulled towards him?

"Aap ko kya lagta hai (What do you think), devi maiyya? Why do I keep feeling this way about him? He has never done anything to give me such ideas. In fact, he barely talks to me. Phir bhi, I keep thinking about him so much! That too when he- he is so in love with his wife..." she sighed and then held her palm in front of her eyes. There were lines of different lengths and forms. Which one was it for love and marriage, again? And was there any chance, any remote chance that she had someone's name on those lines? To give her an indication? Maybe something like an ...A?

"I wish there was some way that I could be with him, devi maiyya. I wish that he could be ...mine... but I don't want to break someone's marriage." She looked at the idol again, "So, please, maybe, in our next lifetimes, please grant me to have his love."

She finished her prayer slash talk with devi maiyya and turned around. And there stood her Di, looking at her with worry.

.

.

Arnav parked his car in front of AR. There was still some time before the evening, so he decided to work from the office instead of heading back to the hotel. He keyed off his car and his eyes caught the ring on his ring finger that khushi was looking at with so much longing.

If only she knew.

True, she had not made him wear the ring, but it still was HERS. He had bought the ring shortly after her accident and memory loss which wiped him out of her life. She had forgotten him and their marriage, but he had not. Before her accident, it was her who always respected their marriage vows-which they didn't really take- by wearing a mangalsutra all the time. Even when he was hell bent on disassociating himself with her. So, now it was his turn to keep his commitment to their marriage by wearing this ring. He knew she did not make him wear it, neither did he harbor any hopes of that happening. But this was his way of telling the rest of the world that he belonged to someone. That Arnav Singh Raizada was a married man!

He hurried through the entrance of AR Headquarters, intent on calling Kashish as soon as he settled into his cabin. It had slipped his mind to let her know about his changed plans; he wouldn't be able to join her for lunch, and dinner together might also be out of the question. Thankfully, their hotel boasted a reliable 24-hour restaurant, so he reassured himself that she would manage fine.

However, upon reaching his cabin on the first floor, its glass walls offering a clear view downstairs, he was surprised by what unfolded before him. There, entering the office together, were Kashish and Aman.

Coincidentally they also saw him at the same time and registered shock. They hadn't anticipated his presence in the office, let alone witnessing them entering together. Aman silently prayed that his job was secure, and that ASR wouldn't utter those dreaded words, 'You are fired' and mean it for the first time. Kashish on the other hand recovered sooner. She was an adult and was not doing anything wrong. Sure, she considered Arnav her brother and allowed him to look out for her like she did for him, but she was not going to be scared of him for simply going out with a guy.

It was imperative that they go to his cabin straight away from there. And they did.

As they entered his office, their expressions resembling schoolchildren caught in mischief, Arnav remained silent. He waited for them to say something, keeping a straight face. Honestly, after an initial moment of shock, he was somewhere happy if Kashish and Aman were finding a good company in each other. Aman was his trusted ally over the years as well as a very good man. He could trust Kashish with him. And Kashish, yes, a bit pampered and sometimes unreasonable with her heavy philosophical thoughts but was a pure hearted girl. So, if anything, he would give his blessings to them.

For now, he awaited them to say something.

Kashish broke the silence first.

"This is not fair bro; you keep yourself holed up in this office instead of showing me around in Delhi. Thank goodness Aman was around and he was nice enough to accompany me for lunch."

Arnav cocked an eyebrow, very much entertained by her way of putting this on him, avoiding any suspicion he may have.

Aman then came forward, "Err, ASR, that- that meeting in the afternoon was cancelled, and I just thought to check on your guest. That's all..."

Arnav realized he needed to intervene before he inadvertently complicated things further for them. He had already messed up his own love story; he didn't want to jeopardize his sister's and his secretary's happiness as well.

"That's fine. Aman anyway knows more about the places in Delhi than me." he remarked casually, then shifted his attention back to his laptop, dismissing them.

As Kashish started to leave, Aman remembered something important he needed to discuss with him before departing,

"ASR, I've scheduled your meeting with the police commissioner for late tonight; it was the only slot available for both of you. He'll make the necessary arrangements to increase surveillance at Shyam's jail as well as give additional security to your family and – and Khushi ma'm if you ask."

Arnav nodded in acknowledgment, a lingering unease about Shyam's activities gnawing at him. Especially he saw that blue bracelet outside khushi's college.

Kashish turned around hearing that,

"I think instead of doing all this from a distance, you should look after her while staying in the same house, Arnav. Wouldn't that save you all this stress and the police force of your country a lot of pressure?"

Arnav let out a noncommitted grunt and buried his nose in his laptop!

Kashish pushed on, "What are you afraid of, bro? Just face her for once!"

That triggered ASR! The erstwhile fearless ASR! He was never afraid of anything.

Until he nearly lost khushi!

"Sure Kashish, in fact why don't we just go and tell her that I am married to her? And while at it, tell her how wonderfully I proposed to her for a contract marriage, and then married her in a deserted temple with zero people in attendance." his voice was laden with sarcasm and annoyance.

Aman kept quiet. Although not very much aware in the beginning, in the past 3 years he had come to know pretty much everything about ASR and Khushi's love story.

On the other hand, Kashish held her urge to pull Arnav's hair and bring him down from this so-called moral high horse that he convinced himself he was riding. But she couldn't do it. One, he was older to her and second her profession taught her to be patient with people than use physical force!

Seeing her quiet, Arnav pressed on, his own irritation pushing him to speak,

"And what do you propose I tell her? That 'hey Khushi, you know what, I am actually your husband. No wait a second, your contracted husband! And the best part is, do you know who was the one who accused you of enticing Shyam? ME! I told you to marry me for 6 months or else I stop your sister's wedding. Mind you, I gave you no choice.' Pretty romantic, huh?" He spat out the words in one breath in a single breath, too tormented recounting his "glorious" history with khushi.

Aman winced hearing that. Kashish meanwhile rolled her eyes, she had heard him say this, a thousand times by now.

"No, it was not romantic, and you were horrible with khushi. There. I said it. Can we move on from it now?" Her question hung in the air, unanswered by Arnav.

She went near him placing a comforting hand on his shoulder, her tone coaxing like the one you use for a small kid, "Bro, all I am saying is you do not have to tell khushi anything of your past. Right away. Just create new memories with her."

"And let her think that we are in an extra marital affair? She thinks I am married to someone else, remember?" Arnav asked, his eyes pained.

"Yes. So, I am not suggesting you go and kiss her! And definitely don't go for a 'short-term-marriage' again." she scoffed, and Arnav gave her a stern look. "Look Arnav, you and everyone else feels that you would hurt khushi again, like the way you did in the past. You fear that you may end up messing up again. But you won't know it until you try, right? Just spend time with her. As a friend. Build confidence in yourself. And then slowly you can reveal the truth to her."

He didn't say anything but his silence was telling. He was not ready to follow what she was saying. So that left her with no other option but to make him face some real possibilities,

"Fine. Then see her date someone else. Let her fall in love with someone else. Let some other man hold her hand, kiss her, marry her, have a baby-"

"Ok. Stop."

Kashish chuckled, "You can't even hear about it in theory. How will you let it happen in actual?"

Arnav looked away, not knowing any better comeback neither ready to follow her plan.

--*--

"Di? When did you come? I didn't notice."

Anjali smiled warmly and walked further into the room, carrying a glass of kesar-haldi-milk for khushi. She kept the glass on the side table and sat beside khushi on her bed.

Gently placing her warm hand on Khushi's cheek, she spoke, "You were busy talking with your Devi maiyya. So, I didn't want to disturb."

Khushi flustered. "Aisa kuch nahi hai, Di. There is nothing that I keep from you."

Anjali's expression softened, though concern still flickered in her eyes, "Khushi, you know that you can tell me anything, right? Agar aisa kuch bhi hai (If there is anything) that is bothering you, or you feel confused about, you can tell me."

Khushi smiled reassuringly, "I know, Di. But there is nothing like that...for now." She felt a bit guilty for hiding her deepest desire for a London-based Raizada but honestly, she herself was not keen on fanning those thoughts more.

"Chalo, fir thik hai (Ok, good then). How are your friends? What are their names- I forgot-"

"Saloni and Asmi." Khushi answered with a chuckle at her di's forgetfulness, "you need to eat almonds, Di."

Anjali frowned momentarily before changing the subject. "And your salsa teacher? Devesh sir, that's his name, right?"

Khushi nodded, her eyes still sparkling with laughter, "he is good. But he doesn't speak with me more after you and vikrant jiju had a word with him last time. I don't know what you said to him."

"Nothing that you need to worry about." recalling their concern when Devesh, Khushi's young salsa teacher, had begun to show interest in her. Anjali and Vikrant had intervened, informing him about Khushi's history and advising him to proceed only if he could genuinely care for her. He had withdrawn afterward, fortunately without Arnav becoming aware.

Anjali got up to leave when khushi held her hand, "Err, di, actually I wanted to ask something."

Anjali sat back down, anxious and curious about what was coming.

"Di, I've been thinking... could I accompany Akash Bhai to the office sometimes?" Khushi asked earnestly. She was eager to witness the workings of their office firsthand, particularly the clothing design segment. Having glimpsed some of AR's catalogues, she found herself intrigued by the intricate details of the designs.

Anjali's face relaxed and a bright smile came on her lips, "Of course, Khushi. It would be great!"

After Anjali left from there, and Khushi completed her nightly routine of taking her medicines and milk, she once again found herself standing before the idol of the goddess.

"Sometimes I feel like all of this is unreal, Devi maiyya. As if it is a dream. But then I see that there are countless people out there who have no one to call family, no one to love them, no one to look after them. When I see them and then look at myself, I feel incredibly blessed. I have so many people who care for me." she said, thinking about everyone in her house.

She started making her bed, but her monologue continued,

"Yes, there's a part of my past that remains a mystery. Maybe there are things that have been kept hidden from me—how else can I explain why there's no information about me on the internet while there's plenty about everyone else in my family? But honestly, it doesn't bother me. Whatever it was, it's in the past. It's gone. Done and dusted. Maybe for better, maybe for worse. But it's still gone. And if I'm meant to know about it or remember it, I will. Until then, I refuse to let these thoughts bring me down. I refuse to look at my family, my sister, and wonder if they're hiding things from me. I want to cherish the life I've been given, the second chance to make things better from whatever it was before."

She lied down on her bed, pulled over the comforter, and the last thought on her mind before surrendering to sleep was,

"I choose to focus on the love and support I have now, and not dwell on the unknown. This life, with all its blessings and second chances, is too precious to waste on doubts and fears."

[Image credit to the uploader]

--*--

A/N - Thank you for sticking with me. I hope this chapter was up to the mark, and that you're beginning to grasp the essence of what this story is about. If not, don't worry—you'll soon find out.