Chapter 1
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I don't know what I was thinking, but the urge to write came and this OS was created. Hope you like it!
Only You
He heard the faint clinks of anklets. The sweet sound whispered to the air, breaking the silence. He turned his head to the side as she joined him by the poolside, dipping her feet into the pool as she made herself comfortable by his side.
Arnav stared at her complexion. She was flawless. The moonlight cast a magical reflection on her face, leaving him spellbound as his eyes traced over her winged eyebrows, her wide innocent hazel eyes, her small round nose and her delicate full lips. She stared at him with a smile, the moon making her glow, creating a thin white line that outlined her petite form. Arnav struggled to keep his hands to himself.
"Why did this happen, Khushi? Arnav swallowed. "What, Arnavji?" Her voice washed over him, making him shudder. "How could this be happening?" Arnav asked in confusion. She simply smiled at him, her eyes soft and gentle. Arnav shook his head and looked away from her hypnotizing face. Her angelic face drew him in so deep that he felt as if she was staring at his soul.
"Why, Khushi?" He managed to ask. "You know why, Arnavji" she carefully replied, tilting her head back to look up at the sky. The clouds moved with the wind, covering part of the moon before vanishing. The dim stars adorned the dark night.
"Why?" He whispered. She sighed, moving her legs in the water, watching as the gentle ripples flowed through the calm water. "You keep asking that, Arnavji.." She trailed off, turning to face him.
"I know I keep asking." He said with a watery smile. "I just wish that-" khushi covered his mouth with her palm. "Don't!" Her breath hitched at the sight of his moist eyes. "You promised, remember?" She said gently. Arnav stiffly nodded his head and looked away, letting her arm fall away from his mouth.
"Even I wish that, Arnavji" she assured him. "But.." She trailed away. Arnav nodded again, the lump in his throat made it hard from him to swallow as he forced his tears to stay in his eyes. "It's okay to cry, Arnavji. People tend to cry when they have lost a loved one. It's okay" khushi tenderly laid a palm on his rough stubble and arnav turned to look at her just as a tear slipped out of his eyes.
"I don't want to, Khushi." He whispered. "I want to keep my promise to you. I won't cry." He wiped his tear and gave her a small smile. He stood up and helped her up too, before lifting her up into his arms and into their bedroom, leaving behind a set of wet footprints. Slipping his arms around her waist, he snuggled into her and waited for sleep to bring him peace. "You're the only one for me, Khushi.. Only you" Arnav murmured in his sleep.
The next morning, he woke to find the space beside him empty. His shoulders slumped, he dragged himself out of bed and left to work in a hurry. Immersing himself in the office work, he refused to be distracted and got so much work done that by the end of the day he was close to pulling his hair as he had nothing left to do. Soon the clock showed 7pm and he rushed back home. Dinner went by as a quiet affair and by the time it was over, it was 8pm. Arnav's hands fisted as he saw his Nani and Di in the hall by the temple, rearranging the flowers that surrounded a big frame as a candle glowed in front of it. Ignoring their calls, he spun on his heels and left for his room.
At 9 27pm sharp, arnav waited by the poolside patiently. Again he heard faint clinks of anklets and waited in anticipation for his wife. This was their routine. Without fail, for the past five days, khushi would join him by the poolside at this time.
Khushi took her place beside him and sat down, her feet in the water again, gently swaying. "Hi, Khushi" he smiled at her. "Hi, Arnavji" he was rewarded with a beautiful smile. His eyes teared up again. "Khushi, I-" "Shh" Khushi shook her head and Arnav fell silent. "I know what Di and Nani were doing, Arnavji. It's okay" she covered his fisted hand with her own. Arnav looked down at their hands, his heart constricting. "Khushi, my heart is hurting" he whispered, looking into her eyes. "No, it's not Arnavji. Your heart is with me, and I am keeping it safe" she smiled. He gave her a watery smile and intertwined their fingers.
After chatting for some time, before going to bed, Arnav stood up and helped Khushi up too. He was about to lift her up when she shook her head. "I can walk, Arnavji" she grinned mischievously. Arnav looked at her tenderly and smiled back. Together, they held hands and walked into the room, their wet feet leaving footprints on the wooden flooring.
After snuggling into her warmth again, he awoke ten minutes later as he shifted in his sleep. The space beside him was empty and he sat up on the bed with a start. He ran to the poolside, his heart squeezing painfully when he saw only one set of wet footprint on the wooden flooring. He slowly sat on the ground, startled when he heard the faint clinks of anklets again. He looked around, before his attention fell on the side of his shirt where something poked him. He reached in the side pocket to pull out two delicate anklets that once adorned his wife.
"It's okay to cry, Arnavji.." Her sweet voiced washed over him as the first tear slid down his cheek.
"People tend to cry when they have lost a loved one. It's okay..." Throwing his head back, he watched, his whole body filled with warmth as a single bright star twinkled amidst the otherwise dull sky.
Below, in the hall beside the temple, a bright candle burned in the memory of Khushi Arnav Raizada.
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