Part 17

Vikrant reviewed Khushi's CT scan reports as well as other medical test reports with careful eye. He was sure he did not miss anything and nothing abnormal was observed with her. The part of brain that stores memories- located in temporal lobe- seemed to be perfectly normal now. This was what they had concluded suffered damage when she had that fall 3 years ago. But now there were signs of healthy healing. Basically, the way she was able to function normally, had perfect ability to store all memories post her accident told him that her memory loss was not degenerative. He had emailed her reports to two of the renowned doctors abroad and was awaiting their answers, but he was sure they would also come up with a similar conclusion. There was nothing to medically treat here further.

Or perhaps, there was only one way. And that was to build a strong support system around her.

Thankfully, her nightmares had nearly stopped after Arnav came back to Shantivan. So, his initial thought was correct, her subconscious mind related Arnav's presence around her to safety!

Now if only she started regaining some part of her memory, or start accepting some of it, then everyone would stop walking on eggshells around her.

But apart from a very few glimpses she had, nothing significant had happened on that front yet.

.

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The first time Arnav realized he loves to watch Khushi dance was when she performed at Akash-Payal's sangeet night. Well, technically in his and Lavanya's almost-engagement night but he was too daft to accept it at that time. So, Akash-Payal's sangeet night is what counted! Oh, the songs she had chosen and the way she had danced her heart out, he had no chance of not being smitten. As if he weren't already so. The passion she poured into her performance completely captivated him. Her opening dance to "Hawa Hawai," dressed in a flowing maxi and twirling a paper fan, had filled the room with her infectious energy that no one could stay immune to. And then came her hilarious parody of an 90s Hindi classic, "Jiji Tere Jeth Ji Deewane," and he couldn't help but laugh out loud. One of the rarest 'ASR laughter's'. He had also felt a rush of excitement wash over him as he understood that she had prepared that song just for him. She had considered him so important! The thought had left him grinning from ear to ear.

Her third and final performance of the night was supposed to be a duet, but with her partner absent, Khushi stood alone on stage, feeling defeated. There were hushed whispers around the hall which only increased her sense of loss, leaving her looking vulnerable and deflated in the spotlight. And seeing Khushi stand lost on stage had done something to Arnav's heart, something that made him feel as if it was his loss!

And then his feet had automatically taken him to her, like a moth to flame, willingly-no- whimsically- ready to burn.

What followed was pure magic woven with synchronized flow of steps, tantalizing touches of hands, soft caresses of fingertips and intermingled breathing of him and her... they had not practiced this dance let alone know the steps. Yet, they instinctively followed each other and created a never-seen-before performance on stage! As people say, one for history books!!!

Back to today, he felt the gush of these memories of the past as he watched her get ready to take part in another dance competition. How he wished he could bring back that time from the era bygone?

Khushi was distinctly aware of Arnav's gaze on her as she practiced her dancing skills before Nani, Anjali and Payal. This wasn't the first time she had noticed him notice her, and now with the knowledge that he always had a rightful reason to observe her, she felt butterflies in her stomach. She liked knowing that she could hold his attention, that she had his appreciating gaze on her.

But with that, came a self-doubt. Was she really worthy of this attention, this appreciation? A girl with no memories of her own marriage, her own love story, what would she offer him? Why did he want her back? Sometimes when too much happiness suddenly falls in your lap without any expectation, you feel lost, and that is exactly what had happened to Khushi... she was in self-doubt. Sadly, it was Arnav who was going to be on the receiving end.

Khushi didn't realize when she finished one of her solo dances and a round of applause from her family echoed in the hall. Wiping a few drops of sweat gathered around her forehead, she went to sit near her Di. A quick stolen glance told her that Arnav was busy checking something on his phone.

"Arre manorama, aap kaha thi itni deir (what took you so long)?" Nani asked as Mami ji entered there with her raised hands moving on her sides in her funnily unique walking style.

"Make-upiya touch up karwane gaye rahe sasu ma (I went to do a touchup for my makeup). Waise toh hum hi sabse bootiphool hai lekin fir bhi (I am the prettiest anyway, but still)." Mami ji said, making them all nod their heads while also holding their laughter with tightly pressed lips!

Soon, Mami's eyes found Arnav standing at a corner and she went to talk to him about something.

"Pata nahi mama ji kaise rehte hai mami ji ke sath (Don't know how mama ji bears with mami ji)." Anjali commented with a hushed murmur audible enough to Nani, Payal and Khushi.

Khushi looked at her Di's mischief filled eyes and chuckled. Truly, Mami ji was one rare piece of amusement!

"Shaadi ki hai bitiya, nibhaani toh padti hi hai (Once you have married someone, you have to see it through)."

Nani's words spoken as a general wisdom unexpectedly stung Khushi. Was this what Arnav was doing? Fulfilling his duty? Seeing it through because he was married to her? The thought disturbed her.

Meanwhile Mami ji was busy convincing her dearest Arnav bitwa to take the next steps.

"No more thinkingwa, Arnav bitwa, time for actionwa. Go and ask phati- meanings- Khushi bitiya for a dance."

It seemed that the universe was also on his side because just then Anjali asked Khushi, "You also have to practice your duet performance, hai na Khushi?"

Khushi's eyes went to Arnav as she nodded in answer to Anjali's question. Her dance partner for the actual event was her Dev sir, but how would it feel like if it were Arnav and her? Even the thought made her heart race. It didn't help much that she found him already looking at her intently as if thinking the same thing. However, she quickly turned her gaze away and pulled Payal by her arms, "Yes, and I will practice with Payal bhabhi."

Honestly Arnav was entertained seeing her find an excuse to avoid him. 'For how long would you avoid me, Khushi?' he thought in his mind. Looked like what he told her last night hadn't really registered in her brain yet!

And that was when they heard Payal's reply to Khushi.

"Me? No Khushi, mujhe kaha dance aata hai (what do I know about dance)? You should dance with- err- Arnav ji." Payal's unexpected reply made Khushi's eyes widen in shock and Arnav's in surprise.

He looked at Payal who gave him a small, imperceptive nod, indicating she indeed did it intentionally.

Khushi had no further excuse. And thus, she hesitantly took a few steps in his direction.

Arnav breathed in relief, finally seeing her shed her inhibition.

And as they stood close to each other, him extending his hand to her with a smile tugging the corner of lips, Khushi tried to not be nervous! However, it seemed the more she tried to focus on dance which was cakewalk for her, the harder it suddenly became.

Meanwhile, Mami ji slyly started playing 'Teri meri'- the song to which they had danced to. and everyone watched with bated breath as memories from their dance to this same song from 3 years ago played on their mind.

There was a common hope, a common anticipation that any moment now, Khushi would recollect their dance, their chemistry, their love.

Albeit nothing of that sort happened.

Because utterly cautious of dancing with him, Khushi kept fumbling in her steps making him falter as well.

After Khushi lost her balance for the third time, Nani signaled Manorama to stop playing the song.

"I think Khushi bitiya is tired, why don't you stop here for today hmm?" Nani asked, coming to the rescue.

Khushi felt as if she had been saved from making an absolutely embarrassing show of herself and giving Arnav an apologetic look, she hastily left from there...

It was as if he and Khushi were the same two people, and still they were not. Because they had come together with different mindsets today unlike how they were in another point in another timeline in their story...

Arnav couldn't shake off a tinge of disappointment at having lost this chance.

--*--

After that incident in the afternoon, Arnav had gone out with Kashish to get her renewed visa and passport from the British embassy. Arnav was still citizen of India, so he didn't need to worry of this but Kashish being British, she needed to renew her visitor's visa as their stay extended.

"Remind me again, why are you not going back to London?" Arnav asked seemingly casually. It was a huge relief that Kashish's company always brought his playful, older-brother side, allowing him to distract himself from the stress of his life by teasing her.

Kashish narrowed her eyes looking at her brother "You're not as innocent as you pretend, are you?" she replied, matching his playful tone. "I am here for you, brother. Why else? Your love story won't move without me!" she said.

"Sure. Right!" Arnav replied but the mention of his 'love story' brought back memories from earlier that day, and his expression turned serious.

It didn't miss Kashish's observant gaze. She had been away most of the day today, but she knew Arnav and Khushi both were at home. Did something happen?

"Something happened with khushi today, right? Come on bhai, spill the beans!" Kashish demanded.

And finding it natural to confide in her like he had always done in the past 3 years, Arnav briefly told her about how he and khushi were not able to recreate their past moment and how that had made him sad.

"Hmm. So, you are worried that Khushi is not able connect with the things associated with your past, right?"

"It's as if nothing can bring back those memories for her, Kashish. She ran away when I tried to give her the payal. I agree, at that time she didn't know who she was to me. But what about now? She just keeps pushing me away." he said with a frown marring his face.

"Arnav, remember when we first arrived in Delhi? You were so fixated on avoiding Khushi because of your past. I told you then to let go and focus on the present. I'm saying it again now. Don't focus on what she can't remember. You two are creating new memories together. Tell me, how many people get to fall in love with the same person twice in one lifetime? You have that chance. I think you should make the most of it!" Kashish said passionately. And maybe it was a sister in her or a psychologist, but her words made an impact on Arnav restoring his faith in himself as well as their love.

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Payal saw Khushi stroll around the dining area long after everyone's dinners were done that night. She had seen how Khushi hardly ate and kept looking towards the door. She didn't need a prize to correctly guess that her younger sister was waiting for Arnavji.

Payal went near her and touched her shoulder, "Khushi? Who are you waiting for?"

Khushi visibly jumped, not having anticipated Payal to be there. "Bhabhi? Haven't you slept yet?"

"That's not an answer to my question." Payal softly replied making Khushi look away.

Payal smiled. She lovingly cupped Khushi's chin and asked again, "Arnavji, isn't it?"

Khushi nodded, not looking at her.

"What happened this afternoon, Khushi?"

"I don't know." Came a barely audible reply, still not meeting payal's eyes.

"Don't you like him?"

"I do." Khushi instantly replied meeting payal's pointed gaze and then got flustered realizing what she said, "I- I mean-"

"He is the same man you knew from last 3 years, Khushi. Just because you don't remember the past, it doesn't negate what you DO KNOW from these many years right? And as far as we all know you were always comfortable around him."

"Yes but now I know he is my husband." khushi complained, however it sounded bizarre to her own self too. How was that a problem?

"Exactly. Now you know that you are his wife, letthat be a bridge not a barrier between you two." Payal said, caressing the side of her face. She had seen Arnav completely transform himself for her sister, she had seen him win her trust with his patience around her so now she really wished that Khushi too would give a chance to his love.

When Arnav walked in Shantivan later that night, he had not expected to see Khushi waiting up for him. The sight of her sitting on the dining table chair, her head rested against her folded hands on the table, some loose tendrils of her hair framing her beautiful face, instantly warmed his heart. He was reminded of a night similar to this one from the time they were in that contract marriage phase-newly married and all. He had returned home late to see her like this. At that time, he was hell bent on hating her for a crime she didn't do. But now his heart was only filled with love for his sweet wife!

Sensing his approaching footsteps, Khushi stirred and slowly opened her eyes, blinking to adjust her vision. She had been waiting for him and hadn't realized when she had dozed off in such an awkward position.

The moment she saw him, she stood up. "Kaha the aap? Hum kitna pareshan ho gaye the! (What took you so long? I was so worried!)" she exclaimed, overcome with worry and anger.

"Mere liye? (For me?)" he asked, a grin slowly spreading across his face.

"Haan! Aap ke liye! (Yes! For you!)" she replied, still in her irritated state.

Another memory. Another beautiful moment of their shared past. Kashish was right, they were indeed weaving new memories but also recreating some old ones. Without intentionally trying. It was as if someone polished old jewelry or added a few jewels in a precious heirloom!

"So, you were waiting for me. And you were worried because I was getting late." Arnav stated in a teasing tone, making her more flustered than ever! Something similar to what he always did! Oh, that thing would never change.

And that was when Khushi realized her slip. She had herself given him a chance to confront her confusing emotions on a silver platter!

It was time to recover.

"N-nahi toh (not at all). I wasn't waiting for you, neither was I worried." Khushi replied with a fake determination in her stuttering voice.

Arnav shook his head at her childishness. She never made it easy for him, did she? Guess that also didn't change!

--*--

A few kilometers away from Raizada mansion, Inspector Sameer was pleased with the progress he had made in just two days. After tracing the name "Malik" on Shyam's call, he had painstakingly researched every individual with that surname in Lucknow, looking for connections to Khushi or Arnav Singh Raizada. He hadn't gone home, spending an entire night at the police station, utilizing every resource at his disposal to uncover the truth.

Finally, his efforts led him to two individuals with significant ties to the Raizadas: Subhadra Malik, the elderly grandmother of Anjali and Arnav, who lived in an old-age home, and Pratap Malik, an uncle who was thrown on the streets by ASR four years ago. And if Sameer's experience as a police officer taught him something, it was that a strong motive is crucial for any crime. And so far, all of it was pointing towards that homeless uncle who likely became Shyam's partner in crime!

--*--

Precap: "Shh. Don't think about anything else, Khushi. Don't look anywhere else. Just be in this moment. Just focus on what you're feeling right now. Focus on us. Can you do that for me?" Arnav asked, his soft and convincing voice, got her nearly hypnotized.

Khushi dazedly nodded.

And as his fingertips grazed her skin, Khushi felt her breath hitch in her throat, yet she trustingly held onto his shoulder as the song started playing...

to be continued.

--*--

A/N - The first half of the chapter was (obviously) not the dance parallel you were waiting for, but later part is buildup to the next one (or so I hope). Please let me know if you like the progression in their story. Meanwhile throw in your guess for when Khushi would confess her love and what will bring her memory back (if something will) :P

Also, hope you're happy that dadi isn't the villain for a change! I've always felt they should've brought back Arnav's uncle shown in the first episode. He had motive to be a villain, besides Shyam couldn't pull off all those crimes alone.