Chapter 6

[MEMBERSONLY]

When I wrote the last story, I had no intentions to continue it further. But almost everyone who read it demanded another end for it as they could not see Arnav and Khushi in pain. And I was left with no option than writing next part of the story which I had left up to reader's imagination. Hope this part makes you happy

Note : This update is successive part of the last story

PART II

Bairiyaa...!

Khushi left an unpleasant sigh and her steps ceased their speed as her destination was only few feet away. 'Aastha women's hostel', her home; she smiled dryly... No matter how much she disliked living in that place but it was her only shelter for now.

As she stepped towards the entrance gate, evening breeze naughtily played with her loose strands. She chucked at that mischief and her fingers softly moved tucking her long tendrils which veiled her sight partially back ears.

Something beheld her there. A very familiar woody scent hit her nostrils. She bit her lower lip when a wave of ardency ran through her. Her heart had started pumping vigorously. There was something in the wind which touched her. It soothed her within like never before and she felt so tranquil first time in many days.

"I am being too poetic today" She joked to herself and refusing to delve into the alterations of her uplifted mood, crossed the gate. As she walked on paved path leading her to main entrance her eyes happened to fall on a silhouette standing near hostel door. Her vision blurred, her body froze and her breathe hitched.

"Arnav?" She cried loudly unable to abide the shock.

Her yell startled the man who was immersed in his own thoughts. He honed in on the source of the voice and he too got galvanized by what he saw. His eyes were on stalk as he watched the person approaching him.

"Khushi?"

Her name in that husky voice felt music to her ears.

What a serendipity it was!

Two years long period was that the fate had taken to bring them face to face again.

Their eyes met and her heart overflew with ineffable emotions. Her sense of existence evaded in depths of two eyes full of affection and amorousness. Her feet dragged her towards him as if they had been captivated.

Re baandhe, re baandhey, re baandhay

Aise mohe baandhe

Haan mohe baandhe wo nainon kee dor se

[It ties, ties,

ties me in a way,

He ties me with the thread of eyes,]

How beautiful her eyes were! Just splendid and pure, as much as her heart, as much as her once presence in his life; He thought. The flowing breeze flew her soft curls onto her face making her eyes shutter. And that blew his mind. His hands itched to slide away those wayward strings which obstructed his serene view. Bewitchingly he compiled his heart's wish. He tucked those hairs behind her ear quickly but his hand refused to break the contact with her silky skin lingering on her cheek. The separation of two long years had failed to ebb the effect she still had on him.

Hai ye pyaar kaisaa

is kaa raaz hai kyaa bol de

Keh bhee de..

[how's this love..

What's it's secret, tell me..

Say it..]

She was near him. So close that he could even feel her warm breaths. It all felt like a dream.

They both stood in a comfortable silence letting their brains digest the fact that it was indeed real.

The moment was too enchanting.

And as unexpectedly the magic had embarked, with the same abruptness the spell broke too.

Khushi deliberately created distance between them.

Tenderness in her eyes vanished and that gentleness was now replaced with fury.

"Arnav Sigh Raizada" She spluttered and aloofness in her voice stung his heart.

Kabhi sukoon, kabhi laage balaa hai

[Sometimes peace, sometimes it feels like a problem..]

"How did you get here?" She asked looking straight into his eyes.

Khushi did not wait too long for an answer and left out a sarcastic laugh biting her own words "How foolish this question is! It is not too difficult for a dutiful CID AGENT to get my new address, is it?"

He closed his eyes unable to take her accusing glance.

Kabhi duaa, kabhi laage halaa hai

Nainon se ye kyaa ho chalaa hai

[Sometimes it feels like a blessing, and sometimes like poison

What has happened from the eyes..]

Composing tornado of emotions evoked inside her, she patiently waited for him to speak. But when he maintained his mum even after considerable time passed, she again spoke

"Have you now come to meet me?"

"..."

"After two years?"

"It's too late, Arnav" Her voice wore off as she said those words.

Arnav gulped hard. How could he tell her the reason of his visit there?'

It was not in him to answer her question.

Khushi did not need to ask him anything more as at next moment she witnessed a girl from her hostel that came running and excitedly hugged him murmuring "Ohh God, I just can't believe that you are here."

Khushi stumbled back. No matter how much she had displayed her unpleasantness over his visit but the thought that finally he had come back for her had satisfied her immensely. But it seemed only a false hope. Now she was thrown in more agony with the scene unfolding before him. He had warmly responded to that hug. Watching him talking to her as if he had known her for long made put her nose out of joint.

Still a piece of her mind was hoping against hope that it might be only a coincidence that Awani, her hostel companion was acquainted with him and he truly had come to meet her. She pleaded him with her eyes to assure her that what she hoped was true, he was there for only her and no one else. But he simply refused to meet his eyes to her.

She sorely watched him leaving the place with Awani in tow

without speaking a word or throwing a single glance at her again.

Bariyaa o bairiyaa, mujhe sataa naa bairiya

[Here, the beloved is called Enemy since the lover is getting troubled due to the beloved.]

Enemy, O my enemy.. don't trouble me o enemy

Arnav sat in an easy -chair of his balcony with legs stretched out on the table front of him. In one hand he firmly held mug of hot coffee. Instead of letting sips of that hot drink flow through his system, he was acquired with discovering images in the wafting steam that hot brew generated. Strangely enough, every image his entranced mind found was matching to Khushi's face... to the Khushi he had met two years back and not with one he met today. As he recalled their evening encounter he noted that time had brought many changes into her. The more heart-pricking thought was, those changes were not for better. Her skin looked dull, her eyes did not sparkle as they once used to, her face was drained and her exuberant soul seemed lost. She was totally exhausted, too tired to even conceal a surge of emotions ran within her after seeing him.

She resembled a warrior who had lost his only battle in the life.

His trance broke as he realized steams floating over the cup were considerably ceased and the coffee was no longer hot. He left the mug on the table untouched and leaned back more sagging into chair. He looked around him with sorrowful eyes. The balcony was their most favorite place once. The place had witnessed both of them spending many soulful evenings together. How much he yearns to relive those beautiful days. Even those walls might be mourning over that lost time. As soon as he thought of it; as if to boost his cogitation, his surrounding walls turned up into existence and that too with sharp wagging tongues. One accused him for his deeds, another grieved over passed beautiful days but it was third one's emanated voice which repeated khushi's words in the evening kept ringing in his mind.

"After two years?"

"It's too late, Arnav"

'What did she mean by it? Was she expecting him to meet her back then? Was he supposed to pursue her for another chance? Had he tried at least once, was it possible to have her in life today?'

He was threw in dilemma when his other mind defended his decision. What I did then was the best decision for her. She could not have lived happily with a man like me who deceived her'

'Who were you to decide on her behalf? You should have left the decision to her! You did let go her easily not because she wished that but because you did not have the heart to face her rejection, did you?' The first attacked on his altercating one.

' But my only wish was to see her happy'

'And did you find her happily living today?'

Arnav sighed frustrated looking up at brightly lit sky. It was not the first time that the dispute had arisen dividing him in two minds. It was habitual for him now to argue with his inner self whole night leaving his sleep miles away.

Kaisi ye peer jo raatein jaage

Taaron ko chhaantey re

[How's this pain that wakes at nights,

and counts the stars..]

Khushi stood in her balcony slanting her back on iron railing and the only support was offered to her by her elbows rested over upper rail. It was so contrasting that she stood back-facing to the scenic view of brightly lit millions of stars spread over the vast expanse of sky which her balcony provided to her daily custom of staring at star filled sky at night. But she was lest bothered to note that as she was too immersed into her thoughts which emerged like swarming bees gone too wild to tame after someone had thrown a stone at beehive. With his one glance her heart had leapt into excitement conveniently forgetting the severe pain it had endured for last two years. Her own body had risen in rebellion against her. Her eyes were keen to drink his mien till they were thoroughly satiated, her cheeks craved to feel that warm touch again and her whole existence was dying to mellow into his embrace.

A part of her was ached to believe that he still loved her.

Her soul insisted to meet him at least once.

Palkon kee dibiyon mein rehte

Khwaab hain udne ko kehte

[In the boxes of eyelids, dreams stay,

and ask me to fly..]

'The much water has flown under the bridge and people change over the course of time. He might have realized his mistake.'

At least confronting him face to face could rest her mind in peace than jiggling in uncertainty.'

Haathon se chhootaa,

chhootaa chalaa hai jiyaa..

Bairiyaa..

[My heart is going out of my control..
O enemy..]

Her decision was made. She would meet him one last time to cut that lose rope which was still tying her to him.

Does he still live at the same place? Or has he changed his address too like his phone number?'

Awani could tell her about his whereabouts' suddenly stroke her.

And with that name came flashing the torturing scene of the evening. The girl hugging her, he holding her hand, both meeting each other like they have known each other all their lives.

Her hands turned into fists, her blood boiled in anger. Gone the endearment generated in her heart and left the strong determination.

' No, I won't let that happen again.'

'Arnav, I will stop you doing the same with her what you did with me!'

*****************************************

Finally she knocked on the closed door after juggling for quite some time to decide if she was doing right. She ran her tongue over her dry lips waiting the door to open. She did not know how to proceed next but only a single determination had become her forte.

The door opened and the person at the other side gasped in surprise. This meeting was never had been expected by any of them. They both stood still at the door contemplating over what to say..

It was finally Khushi who managed to end that awkwardness "Umm...I know I'm unannounced here and that to at very inappropriate time of the day but this meeting was inevitable"And she bolted in past the person she has come to meet even before she could be invited in.

"Have a seat" The person said mere out of formality and Khushi happily obliged resting her fidgety form on the chair.

"Awani" Khushi took a long pause before letting her next words out carefully. "Look, you may feel that I am invading your personal space but please listen to all I want to say before you advise me to mind my own business"She looked unsure at Awani who stood in front of her with her hands folded and eyes fixed on her.

"Go on" Awani nodded her head.

"See your boy.."

"I mean you frien.."

"The person you are dating.."

"The guy whom you met in the evening.."

Khushi was still struggling with words when her task was saved by Awani.

"Are you here to talk about Arnav???" she asked her settling in bed resided in front of the chair Khushi was sitting in with frowned face. "How do you know him?" Awani tossed the question as soon as she sat.

"I am one of his dupes" Khushi's reply was too quick and stern even for her own liking.

"Dupe??" Awani widened her eyes at choice of her word.

Khushi inhaled a deep breath before schooling her grim expressions and closed distance between both by kneeling in front of her and holding her hands in hers. "I know Awani, it is hard to believe but trust me.."

"Ohh my god!" Awani uttered in disbelief cutting through Khushi's word and clasped her mouth thoroughly shocked.

Khushi stared at her confused. Here she was trying very hard to show her some light and the girl was hardly paying any attention to her words.

"So you are that girl?" It was merely a question as Awani knew the answer already.

"You know about me?" Khushi's forehead creased.

This time Awani held her hands firmly speaking in excitement "You know Khushi, I had warned bhai that I would kill that girl if I ever met her but now when you are here ...in front of me.. I don't even know what to say"

"Bhai?" It was Khushi's time to get surprised now.

" Arnav Sigh Raizada is my cousine" Awani announced calmly taking pleasure of watching Khushi's rapidly changing maneuvers

"What?"

"Yes, he is my aunt's son"

"But he never mentioned about you when we..."

"Of course, he might not have because long back my father disowned his only sister, Arnav's mother for marrying to his father against his wish. It was me who tried to bridge this gap after his parent's accidental death. You should have seen him then. He was too lonely, too lost. Only after my numerous consistent attempts, he befriended with me. I had tried so hard to bring him out of his solitary, but it was in vain. I had lost my hope but then the miracle happened. He fell in love with a girl. She did the magic which I failed to. He again found a reason to smile. I thought now my brother could live his life happily but.." She babbled all in one breath and suddenly stopped. Her jaw hardened as she uttered "But then the girl pushed him in even darker place. You completely jinxed his life, Khushi"

"What? No...I...did ...not" Khushi stammered with this unexpected allegation

"Yes you did. You snatched his only hope of happiness. You abandoned him leaving him more depressed and desolate than last time." She pronounced.

Khushi pursed her lips. Her eyes filled with indefinable rage. She stood up on her feet and created considerable distance between two taking rearward steps. "I only loved him with all my heart and soul. It was him who betrayed me"

"Betrayed?" Awani too got on her legs matching Khushi's level of eyes. "Do you even understand the implication of your allegation Khushi? You don't have any rights to pass such harsh judgment without knowing his side of story. I agree, he hid his identity from you but never had he carried any ill wish in his heart to betray you. You claim to love him then why did not you ever try to understand the circumstances under which he did that? Why did not you give him single chance to defend himself? Why? How could you directly announce him culprit? " Awani was spitting fire through her words.

"Do you have any idea what have you done to him? Because of you, he left his dream job for which he had worked so hard in all his life. Since two years, he is just travelling from one place to another, fleeing from one country to other God only knows doing what."

"He left his job?? Because of me??"Khushi asked in utter shock of disbelief. Though he had lied about his profession, she knew that he loved his job a way too much. He had always told her that achieving this post was his biggest dream.

"Yes, just because he thought it was the main reason that he lost you. And now he is permanently leaving his home, this country too"

Further, the girl went on refuting Khushi's every argument with evidence of chronicles she was known to. And at the end Khushi left with only one question in mind which had left her agitated days and nights from the time of their break-up.

"If he held valid reason for his behavior then why did not he ever try to confront me? Why did he never contact me if he too loved me?" Khushi finally let it out.

Awani sighed helplessly. "The only reason for that is; he is a real idiot. He hardly spoke about this to me but I tried to convince him to meet you at least once every time we talked on phone or met but he straight away refused that saying, "She does not want me in her life. Her life is only better without me"

Khushi's eyes welled up listening to her words. How wrong I was all the time to consider him as a callous and uncaring!' The thought twinged her heart.

"Had he disclosed your name or address to me, I surely had looked for you and met. If not for making you see through your misconstruction of the situation then at least for admonishing you irreverently for what you did with him"

Awani's further words went on subsiding in volume as Khushi somehow managed to climb the stairs taking her towards her room. A big lump formed in her throat looking at her own reflection in the mirror of bathroom but somehow she failed to cry her heart out for the precious time of two years she had lost thinking he does not care for her when in reality he had cared only for her even by ruining his own life. She continuously splashed cold water on her face as if that would vanish his every pain caused by her.

"He lied to me but did not betray me." was her last thought before she dozed off by the fatigue of that strong emotional ferment.

****************************

"The place has changed too much to recognize" Arnav murmured to himself taking in the changed interior and arrangement of the place.

"Even people visiting this place have changed a lot" He heard a familiar voice speaking at his back. He turned around to see. As soon as he glanced the person, his breath hitched.

"You? Here?" The words left from his surprised mouth.

"Did you forget?" Khushi asked in shaking voice..

"It's Wednesday"

"It's Wednesday"

Both said in unison looking into each other's eyes through the thick curtains of tears brimming at the edge.

He held her hands a little hesitantly but she responded warmly by a slight squeeze.

His lips generously spread.

AND

A content smile hit hers.

The time froze, sounds stilled, surroundings invaded

&

world came to a halt.

As they stood there drinking each other's semblance thirstily.

"You look so aged."

"You too look wearied"

"I waited for you"

"I did not wish to hurt you again"

"The pain of not having you in my life was much sever"

"I don't wish to lose you this time"

"Neither do I"

Not a single word exchanged,

no any feeling shared,

not a lone emotion expressed;

still both spoke volumes through their eyes.

Udne lagee hain khamoshi se

Baaton kee parchiyaan

[ Silently, the slips of talks

have begun to fly..]

Arnav and Khushi both sat in a corner with their fingers entwined and eyes denying looking away from each other. Each wished to make up for lost time but no one knew what to speak after first rush of excitement had cascaded down. There was so much to share, so much to ask but their voices deceived and words failed.

Finally it was Arnav who broke the ice first by asking her for coffee. Of course she could not deny.

And when she saw him approaching her with a brimming cup of hot coffee; his eyes shone, lips nervously curved, breathing hastened and feet wavered. She instantly understood what was going to befall next. The history was repeating.

He too did not disappoint her at all. Kneeling down in front of her and offering a cup of once her favorite coffee embellished with those three precious words he desperately asked,

"Khushi, will you be mine...for ETERNITY?"

In that hurricane, when pools of eyes brimming with abysmal yearning met each other's; it was the moment when both of them realized that the entire universe had conspired meticulously to bring them together.

He knew, his proposal had been fleeting but his passion to have her in his life was going to be ever-lasting.

She knew; though his proposal had been unforeseen, his ardor to get her back was premeditated.

They both knew that their love for each other was so fierce that anyone or anything now could not deter them from being together.

Hone lage aadhe aadha

Aankhon se hi kayi vaade

Saansein jalaaye ishq ki sardiyaa

Bairiyaa..

[With eyes only, a few

incomplete promises are being made,

and the breaths are burning the winter of love..

O enemy..]

The mundane time passed without her saying anything turned to be truly treacherous for him.

Bairiya o bairiyaa, mujhe sataa naa bairiyaa

His unsettled heart drummed like a merciless rain battering a metal roof.

Kabhi duaa kabhee kabhee halaa

The moments till she closed her eyes and drew a long breath before slowly opening them felt like an epoch

Bairiyaa o bairiya..

"YES" was all she finally said in her sweet angelic voice.

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Movie: Ramaiya Vastavaiya

Music: Sachin Jigar

Lyrics: Priya Panchal

Singer: Atif Aslam, Shreya Ghoshal

My Take On The Song

I love this song for its simplicity. There are neither scores of instruments playing in the background nor ear-piercing chorus. Only two sweet voices of Shreya and Atif along with a calm, soothing tone. The lyric is at its best too. It's hard to find such a simple yet beautiful song in the humdrumness of item songs nowadays.

Dedicated to all IF- wasis

praj.shrish2014-03-18 03:23:53