Chapter 45

Part 42

The plane touched down the ground of Srinangar Airport, Kashmir India. The six of them walked out from the arrival gate, dragging their luggage towards the waiting car at the entrance. The suitcase been stored in the tank by the driver.. The cold wind touched their skins almost creating goose-bumps. Khushi sneezed as she didn't wear the heat sweater and probably it been placed in her suitcase. She thought of taking it once they reach at the hotel. However, her condition been witnessed by Arnav. Below the goggles he could see she was shivering and her arms unlocked on her chest as she was pulling her entire body to crumble in a small form. He walked nearing her with his fingers already pulled down the black leather jacket he was wearing. Before he could reach her, Zain came in between and gave her his own brown sweater. Khushi smiled thankfully. Even she didn't ask in a person but she really hope someone could borrow her small piece of cooler as she was almost transforming into ice.

The satisfaction smile that she gave to Zain literally twitched Arnav's heart. He thought he wanted to care her but seem she had another man for her. The soft touch on his shoulder brought him back in present. Krystal was watching him since he wasn't sure enough.

Krystal: "Is this jacket for me?" She was already wearing one but another one won't farm anyway.

Arnav: "Yes.. It's for you.." He was sure Khushi heard him. That's the reason she turn unintentionally and then avoided him as she saw nothing. She was really good in acting, thought Arnav.

Krystal: "You are such a sweetheart. Thank you." Krystal pecked his left cheek and pulled him towards the car. Whereas, Khushi stared like someone stabbed her soul. She knew she wouldn't like the proximity between Arnav and Krystal. Recently, they were getting close and that was wounding her entirely. She believes just in next few days everything would be back in normal and after the marriage, she would be leaving this country. After that, she doesn't have to witness the coziness between the duo. Sigh! Khushi too followed Zain and went inside the Toyota Voxy.

***********

The dinner went pretty well. Today, in the afternoon they only visit the nearest place of their Hotel. The actual plans started tomorrow due to the plan that Krystal arranged for all of them.

Khushi and Zain were seating at the back of the Garden with hot coffee in their hands. There were pin drop silences around them. Seem, they were new to each other.

Zain: "Why do I feel that you are not happy with the marriage?" He breaks the silence to gain Khushi's answer. But her expression was calm. She somehow guessed that Zain would ask her one day. And the lucky day was today!

Khushi: "Every woman in this world desire for a marriage. But sometimes, the choices aren't theirs." Her indirectly words didn't shock Zain. This was bound to happen. Her words clearly showed that she didn't want to marry him. He wasn't her choice. He was her brother's choice..!

Zain: "What you wanted to do with your life now?" She put her head on his shoulder just like she used to do during their old days.

Khushi: "I'm sorry.." The apology was for putting Zain in hope that somehow she loved him even she didn't.

Zain: "You don't have to Khushi.. It's not your fault." The marriage plan was makes without Khushi's present. She had no idea though. The proposal came like a surprise and on the same day they get engaged. Everything happened in hurry without anyone asking Khushi that did she agree? Her silence taken a YES by Sanjay and Zain. These showed they were equally wrong. "So, who are the men that owe your heart?" She smiled but didn't reply. Well, Zain knew at what level Khushi's stubbornness could reach. He thought of talking with Sanjay once he return from business trip.

Unfortunately, the men in his half formal attire were staring at the back of Zain and Khushi. He didn't hear anything but made an assumption through the gesture that they shared with Khushi's head on Zain's shoulder and the smile adoring their lips. That already caused damage in Arnav Singh Raizada.

**********

It was getting colder outside. Khushi took the space to leave. Whereas, Zain was engage with important calls. She didn't want to disturb him and choose to exit. While walking, she dumped into a muscular form which literally pushed her backwards. The hot coffee cup fell on the ground after dropping on her hand. She hissed as it was causing a lot of pain. Khushi avoided her burnt skin and lifted her eye to meet the person she accidently dumped in. She knew the men but he wasn't looking pleasant. Anger erupting within his cells..

Arnav: "You ruin my shirt DAMN IT..! Can't you put your eye straight before walking?!" He roared.

Khushi: "I'm sorry.. I will clean that shirt for you." She was about to erase the distance. BUT! He stopped her.

Arnav: "Just stay where you are standing now!" He screamed..

However, Khushi was taken back with his action. She found no reason for him to shout at her like this! The coffee stains can be removed after the wash. But the anger he was showing totally not tolerable.

Khushi (Mockingly): "I deeply apologize if I ruin your favourite shirt. I'm ready to pay a new one if you'll stop screaming. I didn't dump in you purposely. It happened accidently. I'm sorry, if my action caused any harm on your valuable body.." She was about to leave but his voice certainly stopped her move.

Arnav: "You were right Khushi, we should move on.. In these last few days, I felt my interests in you are decreasing. I guessed I had never loved you either. It was just a normal feeling I used to feel which I misunderstood as love. But today, I realize that I shouldn't waste my time behind a woman who has no self respect. I should accept Krystal, after all she is trying to make our relationship work. It will be my bad luck if I didn't appreciate her value. She is made for me..!" His words literally shaken Khushi's world. She didn't turn to meet his eye but her ears were enough to understand what exactly he meant. Tears rolled on her cheeks which she don't have the strength to wipe them off. She don't care if anyone saw her crying. She don't care about what other thought as her heart was on verge of exploding.

The soft voice from behind distracted the vulnerable scene.

Krystal: "Is there anything wrong? Khu -" Her lips been slammed roughly by a male lips. Krystal words disappeared within her throat when Arnav kissed her.

The moment Khushi turn behind, her heart sink.. Her legs were shivering as she might collapse on the ground if no one holds her. But she knew, currently no one was in her favour. If she waits here, she would be hurt even more. Her jelly legs rushed out from Hotel Premise.

Her legs took her back at the place she was seating with Zain previously. He was still available there with the phone glued on his ear. When he saw Khushi rushing towards his direction in tears, he already guessed something was probably wrong. He gets hold of her and made her seat on the bench. He touched her hand to assure her but the next second, Khushi hissed in pain.

Zain: "What happened to your hand?" It was terribly red. The combinations of her white skin make it look even more obvious. "We need to get a Doctor for you.." He thought, she was crying because of the pain she felt on her hand not otherwise. Whereas, Khushi remain quiet and only let the sobs to fill the silence.

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

Zain Hotel room

The Doctor just left after diagnosing Khushi and injected her as her body temperature was little high due to the changes in weather. Zain covered Khushi with the comfort and get the couch for his tonight sleeps. From what the Doctor said there was nothing to worry with her health. She would be fine by tomorrow morning. Her hand been bandaged and pain releaser was given to reduce the pain. He already informed Mahi about Khushi's health and even told her that she was staying with him tonight. He even told her not to mention to anyone regarding her health as it wasn't that serious.

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

The next morning, Khushi was feeling fine then yesterday. Her body was little exhausted but yet it was tolerable. She walked out from Zain's room to get into her own private den and catch a bath for her body. However, she met Arnav at the corridor once she closed Zain's bedroom door from outside. His expression showed he was literally shocked seeing her coming out from Zain's room in the morning. She didn't exchange any words with him and choose to dismiss.

Arnav: "Good to see, you have move on.. Indeed a nice move.." He glared the bedroom door then Khushi before walking away from the corridor.

Certainly, Khushi felt bad when he misunderstood her action. But at the same time she doesn't think so she needed to clarify him. There was nothing left between them. He chose Krystal. Khushi looked at the bracelet that once he gifted her with sorrow gaze.

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

At 3pm

They were getting ready for ice skating sport and dressed in their finest sweater and shoes. Mahi helped Khushi to wear the shoes before they could tell the organizer that they were ready to go inside. They were told to return before 6pm as the place won't be a safe venue after the period. The wind speed would increase and the place would be closed until the next morning. Everyone from their team was present except for Arnav. He was nowhere to be seen. He didn't even show up during breakfast and lunch. Krystal informed them that he was little busy with office related work.

Sharp at 5pm, they came out from the slopes and went to their bedroom. The last two hours were really entertaining. Khushi had gala time with Mahi and Aman. They threw ice on her even after Zain scolded her for getting into it. Last night she wasn't feeling well and today she started to get in the ice. After learning, she wasn't well yesterday, the others didn't try to play ice bucket with Khushi. They only attempted small curves as they didn't want her to feel left out.

Khushi: "It was so enjoying." She said while seating on the couch. Krystal was nowhere to be seen. Mahi was taking out clean clothes which she going to wear after the bath.

Mahi: "My entire body paining but must say its worthy.." They laughed together. Mahi fell down for couple of time and that burst all the laughter. Khushi walked towards the wardrobe next to Mahi and suddenly, her hand been caught by her. "Where is your bracelet?" Surprisingly! Khushi started to scan her hand. She remembers it was on her hand in the morning. Then where did it go now? She can't lose it at anyhow. "It might be somewhere here, try to find.." She suggested after seeing the gloomy look of Khushi. From her expression she could say the bracelet was really special for her. Well, why won't it be? It was given by the only man once he fell in love.

Khushi started to search the entire room but the result was idle. The pain in her chest was ripping her off. No matter what she'll find it. That's what she told herself. She rushed outside to search at the place that she walked. It might slip from her wrist.

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

Two hours passed, Aman and Zain were talking with the Hotel Manager. Whereas, Krystal and Mahi were looking for Khushi who were probably missing from the moment they came from the ski slopes.

Manager: "We will try our best to find her.." He assured.

The footsteps of someone running made them turn behind. Mahi and Krystal were breathing roughly. They needed to deliver important information but their breath was interfering their intention..

Krystal: "Someone saw Khushi.." Anxiety, Aman asked Where?

Mahi: "Towards the ski slopes.." They were shocked as now the place was not safe for anyone to visit.

To be continued..

**PM LATER