Part 10

This was a strange night. Even the cosmic objects seemed to have noticed it. As the moon was watching with an anticipation, the stars were twinkling in nervous energy and the calm water in the pool waited with a patient form, as a man and a woman that were destined to be together yet were forced apart, now stood facing each other...

Khushi had slowly turned around, all the while aware of her wildly thudding heart, when she had heard him call her.

And now as she looked into Arnav's eyes that were intensely focused on her, she felt nervousness and confusion engulf her. But it was nothing in comparison with what followed next. Because in the next few seconds, she saw him do something she never thought he would do with her.

Arnav was not sure why he did what he did. To be honest, he had followed Khushi here with a firm intention to tell her everything about their past, about who she was to him. And he had hoped she would still give him a chance.

But when she turned around and looked at him with those gorgeous, gorgeous eyes and that beautiful face that had become his anchor in life, he forgot everything. Figuratively and literally, forgot. The irony! She was the one with lost memories and here he was complaining of a momentary lapse.

All he remembered in that moment was her, and the love he had for her, and the urge to complete something he had left incomplete in the past.

He stepped closer. Close enough where he could extend his hand and easily hold her face in his hands.

Instinctively, she stepped back. Not like she did in the past overcome with shyness. But with unsurety on her face this time.

He smiled. Still in his own entranced state where he was just expressing his love to her. With actions. He slowly sat on the ground on his knees. He had to make her wear the payal first and then take the next step, he thought. Well, not thought, because all his thinking was hindered that moment. He was purely following instinct.

Thinking back, maybe this was not the best thing to do. Maybe he should have talked about who she was to him and what were his intentions to her first.

And he realized it the moment he felt her hand on his arm, stopping him from making her wear the payal and heard her say, "Nahi (No)!"

Khushi was taken aback by the look in his eyes when she turned around. Although she had glimpsed this look in his eyes at times, he had quickly veiled it. But today it looked like he was letting her see his brazen desire for her.

And that made her uncomfortable.

When she stepped back from stopping him touching her, she felt even more shocked when he sat on the ground and took out the payal.

The payal(anklet) that was his wife's.

What was he doing?

A part of her brain also reminded her of a particular dream that involved them and this payal. Was it turning out to be true? Was it not a past memory but in fact a future moment she saw? Or did she manifest it?

In either case, the payal belonged to his wife and she couldn't let him do this.

And thus, she firmly kept her hand over his arm and stopped him from doing anything further, and said, "Nahi."

She saw his face contorted in confusion and then denial as he still tried to proceed. But then she moved two steps back and said in a firmer tone, "No. You cannot do this, Arnav. It is not right."

And before Arnav had a chance to process what just happened, how his perfect plan to talk to her and to finally tell her the entire truth backfired so badly, she left from there in hurried steps. All because of his one action.

Damn it! Frustrated, Arnav ran a hand through his tousled hair. Of course, she would react like this. How did he forget that he and her were at two very different levels of their relationship. While he had the advantage of knowing every small and big details of their past, she stood at ground zero where he was no one to her! He had no right to enter her personal space.

And this was the woman he had once accused of being in an extra-marital affair! The woman who even in her state of oblivion, didn't indulge in one!

--*--

Anjali saw khushi nearly sprint to her room and close the door. And then watched as Arnav emerged from poolside with a sunken face. She realized something had gone wrong.

And this definitely needed her to step in. For the sake of both of them.

So, as Arnav passed in front of her, she called him and stopped him, "Arnav, a word?"

If the look on her brother's face was anything to tell her, she gauged he also needed her at this time. So, without waiting for him to reply, she went towards her room with him following her.

She looked at his defeated stance that once was always rigid with authority and couldn't stop the tears forming in her eyes at rapid speed.

"I am sorry, Arnav." she said.

He stilled. Although he had not been angry at his sister, had accepted her distancing herself from him after knowing what he did on her behalf, her apology acted like an acknowledgement that his di did realize she had been harsher with him. Of course, it was his decision to leave their lives 3 years back, but her stopping her unconditional affection had affected him...

"I know, I am not the ideal person to discuss relationships, but as they say, we learn from our mistakes. And I've certainly had my share, especially in my most significant relationships as a wife and a sister." she said, in a sincere confession of her thoughts. Arnav listened with silent attention.

"However, I've learnt my lessons. And I think you've as well. After all, who better than us to understand the sting of betrayal, the breaking of trust, and the weight of regrets in relationships, hai na? Our parents' failed marriage has showed us the pain of betrayal, Shyam taught us about losing faith, and Khushi– she reminds us of the regrets we carry, right?" She asked him while he tried to take the right decision at this moment. A decision that was best for all. A decision expected out of him...

"I know, I made a mistake di, and I know what you want to me to do." he said.

Anjali had sensed her brother would have once again taken the onus on him to correct things and made some hasty decision. But she wouldn't let him do it this time. So, she asked, "Really? What do I want you to do?"

"That I should leave, right? That I should not be around Khushi any longer?"

Anjali sighed. "No, Arnav." And she came to sit beside him, "Earlier, yes, I wanted you to do exactly that. Because I thought it was the right thing. I had hoped that I would be able to give khushi everything she needs, make up to her for all the wrongs that happened with her, because of me and because of you. But I realized, I cannot give her everything. Even if I give her all the things she wishes, there would still be one thing she will need." Anjali said, caressing his face with love, "And that is you, Chote."

He thought he didn't hear correctly. No, he was sure he didn't hear her correctly. It sounded like she called him 'chote' again. After 3 years. Did she?

"Di?"

"Tumne thik suna, hum ne chote hi pukara (You heard it right, I did call you chote). But do you know why I stopped calling you that? Because I felt as if I had lost my 'chote', my little brother who was sure tough-hearted but was never evil. But when I got to know everything about shyam and about your forced marriage with khushi, and me being at the center of it, I started thinking that somewhere I am responsible for your misled actions. It was because of me turning a blind eye to your occasional waywardness that led you to take that step. And thus, I tried to rectify it by letting you go away." She shared why she did what she did.

"But now, as I have seen you trying to be less reproachful, I've seen you try to listen to others, and importantly, I've seen you behave with khushi, keeping her needs and her safety as your priority, I feel my chote is back."

His Di's words brought a sense of peace to Arnav that he strongly needed that night. But then, there was still that one thing that she didn't know. About what happened minutes ago between him and khushi.

"You may have to reconsider your words Di. Because I messed up again today. I- I tried to get closer to her...and she stopped me. She must be thinking the worst of me now!" he said, fisting his hands tightly.

Oh. So that was what had happened.

Anjali smiled and reached out to hold and untangle his fingers, "Shh, it's ok, chote. Don't lose heart. She doesn't know where you are coming from, that you and her already shared a past where she might have been comfortable with you behaving like that– without you saying anything."

"But do you think she will even listen to me after what happened today?" he asked with uncertainty.

"She will. I know a perfect way to do that." Anjali replied, forming a plan in her head.

--*--

For the past few days, Payal had been watching Khushi with increasing concern. In fact, over the last three years, she had seen Khushi grow closer to Anjali than to her. But Payal had made every effort to keep looking out for Khushi, staying in the background. Except when it came to Arnav. With him back in their lives- especially in Khushi's life, she became more worried than usual.

But slowly a few things became clearer to her during Arnav's stay there in the past week. One thing was he had become softer, more gentle towards everyone in general including Khushi and second, he and Khushi were still drawn to each other.

So tonight, as she observed the tense, longing-filled interactions between them throughout the evening's party, she began to question whether it was time for her to set aside her objections against Arnav and support his efforts to win Khushi back.

It was at that moment that Kashish approached her, tapping her on the shoulder. "Payal Bhabhi," she said as Payal turned around. "Have you seen Khushi or Anjali? The guests are starting to leave, and a few of them have been asking about our hosts."

Payal frowned, realizing she hadn't noticed that Khushi had left the party early. "No. Have you checked in khushi's room?" she asked.

"Actually, I forgot which room is hers. There are just so many rooms in this house," Kashish said sheepishly.

Payal nodded and gave a small smile and gestured for Kashish to follow her. They walked through the house and up the stairs, finally arriving at Khushi's room.

As they approached her room, they saw Khushi emerging from the room and closing the door behind her. But her face showed a flicker of surprise when she saw Payal and Kashish.

"Khushi, why did you leave the party early?" Payal asked with concern. "Are you feeling okay?"

Khushi was touched sensing the concern in payal's voice. Payal was a woman of few words, but her caring nature wasn't hidden from khushi. "I am fine, bhabhi. I just needed something from the room."

Payal wasn't entirely convinced but said ok.

Turning to Kashish, Khushi added, "Actually, I was looking for you, Kashish. I wanted to discuss something important."

That made Kashish curious. In all these days, she and khushi had become sort of friends. But never had she asked for a private talk!

In the meanwhile, seeing the exchange, Payal hesitated, feeling uncertain about her place in the conversation. And as she started to leave, Khushi called out, "Bhabhi, you can stay if you want to. I don't mind."

With a nod, Payal followed them back into Khushi's room. Once inside, Khushi closed the door and turned to Kashish.

"So, what is it that you wanted to talk about?" Kashish asked as Khushi bit her lips in nervousness.

"Something about Arnav and his wife." Khushi said, the quiver in her voice not easily noticeable.

However, Payal and Kashish were shocked hearing that unexpected query.

"Arnav and his wife?" they both asked in unison.

Khushi frowned at their reaction but nodded.

"Did Arnav say something to you? Or did something?" Kashish asked, wondering if her allergic-to-words brother made a blunder in some way for khushi to approach her like this. Because if he had told her about his 'real wife' she would definitely not be having a conversation with Kashish here! "I hope he didn't propose a marriage again, I told him to control his impulses this time!" she mumbled the last part.

"What?" Khushi asked, as she didn't hear it.

"Nothing. You tell me, what did Arnav do?"

"He didn't do anything, Kashish. But I was just thinking it might be a good idea to reach out to his wife and ask her to come here. It's been quite a while since you both arrived and extended your stay. She must be missing him too." khushi said with her expression carefully controlled despite the uneasy feeling in her stomach talking about calling his wife.

At that moment, Kashish looked at Payal and a silent conversation passed through them. One which had the same conclusion.

It was time to clear at least one misunderstanding from khushi's mind. At least as much was in their capacity.

"Khushi, this is something you might need to hear directly from Arnav himself. But I can tell you this much: Arnav and his wife are not together..."

--*--

A/N - Sorry, if I disappointed you with that arshi scene, but it was not an ideal moment for the truth. I'll tell you this, Khushi knowing the truth will happen soon and will happen without much build up- after all, big turning moments in life happen without any notice, right? Anyhow. Anjali-arnav conversation was critical as her POV was pending from the start and fit here. I hope her character makes more sense now. And lastly, I've not forgotten snakewa, neither has Arnav (or the police), he will have a showdown he deserves :)