Chapter 34
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Epilogue!
He thanked the delivery boy and closed the door. A smile paved its way to his face as he saw the name itched on the brown paper cover. It's from her.
Life was bliss, which he had started experiencing the day she came in his life. A part of his heart, without his permission, had fled to her the day he had seen her. He had tried to bring back that part, how hard he had tried, but had failed. The need to have her in his life was more powerful than taking that part back. And he tried, tried to bring her in his life. And as he had read from childhood about love, there were many obstacles in his path.. path of love. But he had crossed everything and reached her. And now she is with him, the love of his life... the only woman who has the power to exhilarate his heart
"Who was there?"
The sweet, cheerful voice reached his ears and he lifted his eyes to look at the enchantress in front of him, descending the stairs to reach him.
"Who was there?"
"Courier" he replied and smiled at her.
"Oh... So here it is. What day it is today?" she asked as she stood in front of him, smiling back at him, knowing very well who had sent this courier to her husband.
"Father's day." He replied.
"Father's day?" she shook her head. "I can never understand you both. It was started by her and now you too follow her. She sends you cards on Raksha bandhan, Friendship Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Valentine's Day and you do the same."
Raphael smiled. Yes! This is what they do. He was not lying to Arnav when he had asked him to pick any relation, it doesn't matter, it's the feeling that matters. And that is what they both are unable to fathom-- what's the actual relation they share. Sometimes he feels the pride of a father, sometimes he feels protective towards her like a brother, sometimes he just wants to sit and share everything with her like a friend.
"I love her. I don't know what relationship we share..." he smiled and took Anjali's hand in his and started towards the stairs "She is the most confusing thing ever happened to me" he chuckled. "First when I saw her, she was like a lost child, evoking a feeling of a father to hold his lost child. Then we became friends, who started sharing everything with each other, we still do. And then slowly the feeling of protectiveness slipped in, wanting to protect her from every hurt. " He looked down at Anjali. "And now we are left confused of our relationship."
"And so you both send cards to each other on every occasion, right?" Anjali giggled.
Raphael smiled and bent down to make better use of her lips when he heard the other voice.
"Daddy!!"
"Sweetheart!" He smiled and caught her as she jumped in his arms. "How is my baby? Where was my baby?" Raphael asked as he kissed her cute little nose.
"Daddy, I was in the garden... watering plants .. I am finished with that ... Now I am hungry..." she kept her head on her father's shoulder.
Anjali smiled and kissed her four year old daughter's cheek.
"I will bring something for my princess.." stroking her soft hair lovingly, she exited the room.
Life was bliss for her. She had never thought that she will have this again in her life. A life she had dared to dream but like freezing water, harsh reality of life was thrown her way. But she got a second chance. Dr. Raphael D'mello was her second chance. She never wanted this second chance ,because she was not strong enough to face a second heartbreak. But Raphael made her believe that this is part of our life, a constant fear of heartbreak is always there, but we should overcome that fear, we should manage to bury that fear inside us and live our life.
He had came and simply asked her to give him a chance. She didn't knew what chance he was talking about. She had met him only twice before. He had wanted a chance for himself, to show her that life is not what she had concluded. He was asking a chance for them. And she don't know why, but she had given a chance. And then there was no looking back, he never allowed her to look back. He loved her, made her realize his love for her on every occasion, been there for her through everything, cherished her, protected her, cared for her. And more than all this, he loved her little angle just like his own baby. She had no reason to deny him when after 6 months of her daughter's birth he had proposed her for marriage. She simply had no reason to deny him. And then they had married.
She chuckled.
Wedding. She can't forget her wedding where half of the family wanted a hindu marriage and half wanted as per Raphael's religion. She still can't forget Mami's sniffing and lamenting face when at last it was decided that they will go for a catholic wedding, and all because of her Arnav Babua. And Arnav wanted one because Khushi wanted one. And when Khushi wants something then she gets it , her Arnav ji makes that happen. She is happy for her Chhote and Khushi. After crossing all the hurdles , now they are together , in love and happily leading their life. She knows things between her and Khushi is still little awkward and so after her marriage she had decided to move out with Raphael. She didn't wanted to repeat the same mistake again. Not because she doesn't trust Raphael, but because she doesn't trusts herself and the relation she and her Chhote share. It was better to stay at little distance, and so they had shifted to Mumbai. Sometimes some relationship require distance.
And she is happy, more happy than she once was in RM with Shyam Manohar Jha. Raphael and her daughter had filled all the void in her life. And know all she needs is them to be near her. Her little happy family.
...
Arnav was about to enter his room after a tiring day at office when he heard some voices. It was coming from his room. He leaned little against the door. It was Khushi's voice. He immediately pushed the door open and entered inside. He looked at Khushi, who was sitting on the bed and now her wide eyes was staring at him. He noticed her hands, there was no phone in her hand. Whom was she talking to?
"Khushi.." his voice reflected worry and fear. He reached to her and sat in front of her. "Khushi, you were talking to someone?" Arnav asked.
Khushi shook her head, staring back at him.
"I heard Khushi .. I heard your voice. " Arnav said, the nightmare of his life, which he never wants to relive, flashing in front of his eyes.
"I...I was not talking to anyone, Arnav ji... "
The crimson that spread on her cheek made Arnav stare at her in confusion.
"Khushi?...What?"
"I was not talking to anyone else... I was talking to...to ..."
"To?" Arnav asked, his heartbeat taking a pace.
"To... to ... to ... to our baby..." Her bashful eyes lowered.
Arnav stared at her downcast eyes. Baby? He looked at her red cheek, her hands clasping and unclasping, nervous. Baby? Their baby?
"Khushi..." but before he can say something else, he was flat on his back as Khushi had launched herself in his arms. He closed his eyes and breathed in her hair as her silk curtain covered his face. "Khushi , is it true?" he asked softly.
Khushi lifted her face to look at him.
"Doctor said yes ..." she smiled nervously.
Arnav lifted his hand from her waist to cup her face.
"Really? What did she say?" Arnav asked , lost in her innocent eyes.
"She said I am going to have a baby. Everything is fine but I will have to go for routine checkups. I asked her if it's a boy or girl but she laughed at me and gave me the date for next checkup"
Arnav laughed at her and blinked away the tears that gathered in his eyes without his permission.
"Why are you crying? Aren't you happy?" Khushi asked in a worried voice as she wiped the tears that rolled down the corner of his eyes.
Arnav shook his head, his throat too clogged to say anything.
"You are not?" her eyes filled with tears.
"I am .." he managed through his chocked throat. "I am very happy ... Very happy, love. Happier than I ever was. You have given me this joy... I am so happy..." Lifting his head little, he kissed her tears away. "So happy ..."
Khushi smiled and rested her head on his chest.
"I am also happy... I was talking to him... I was telling him that I am going to knit sweaters and socks ... I was discussing the colors ... That's why I asked the Doctor to tell me if it's a boy or girl ... but she laughed at me..." Khushi pouted as she buried her face in the crook of his neck.
"Doctors are not allowed to tell that, Khushi... But at this early stage, no one can tell if it's a boy or girl... The infant needs to shape and grow inside the womb ... It's too early..." He smiled.
"Accha? Then I will make one pink and one blue. If it's a boy, then I will give him the blue one. If it's a girl, then pink. Accha hai na, Arnav ji?"
"Hmmm..." he hummed in reply, knowing very well that he needs to prepare himself for such crazy talks of his wife.
...
"Shhh...Shhh...Shhh.. Keep quiet please ... Sleep you little one ... Don't cry ... please please ...please ... " Arnav begged has he paced the poolside with his 1 year old in his arms. "Shh...shhh... "he patted his back , but his cry refused to die. Seeing him nowhere near stopping, he again entered the room and sat on the bed. "Shh... shhh... yaar ... what is your problem, you never cry when you are with your Mom, then why are you crying now?" Arnav asked, now little irritated. This is the first time he is seeing his son crying like this. "Please chup ho ja..." he said helpless and then his eyes fell on the frame on the table beside him.
Stretching his hand to pick the frame , he took it and showed it to his son.
"You want her?" Arnav asked as he showed the picture of his beautiful wife to his son. And to his surprise, his wailing died instantly. His amused eyes stared at his son's face.
"So this is what you want?" He looked at the loving face of his wife. "I want her too.." he pouted and looked down at his son, who was punching his both hands in the air, trying to reach the frame. "I know this is the first time she is away ... and I miss her ... And you too... but don't worry ... " he handed the frame to him. "she will be here soon and then we don't need to miss her .." he smiled as he saw his son leaving kisses on the picture of Khushi. It is their wedding picture. She was looking so beautiful in that white gown. Like a white fairy.
Bending, he took his son in his arms.
"Don't spoil the picture with your soggy kisses, little one... you can give the kisses to me .. " Arnav planted a loud kiss on his cheek earning a weird look in return. He laughed and again kept him on the bed, who was happy kissing his Mom's picture.
Arnav laid beside him. He tilted his head to his left and stared at her lovely picture. She is at her Buaji's place. And it's been only 1 day and he don't know what to do without her. Not only her 1 year old son but he too is lost without her. She had promised to come back tomorrow and all he want to do is close his eyes and open it in the morning. But sleep too eludes him without her. Taking his son under his arms, he closed his eyes, praying for the dawn to fall soon.
He felt something soft on his cheek and wriggled in his sleep. And there it was again followed by a giggling voice. And his eyes jerked open.
"Khushi?" he sat on the bed.
"Ji hum.. Why , were you expecting someone else?" Khushi asked as she caressed her son's forehead.
Arnav smiled and engulfed her in a tight hug, inhaling in her fragrance.
"I missed you so much. Now if you want to go then take us both along with you.." Arnav said, earning a giggle again.
"I will.." Khushi broke the hug and looked at his face. "I too missed you both. "
"How is your Buaji now?"
"She is fine now. And as she was fine, I came here.." she said as she kissed his cheek. "And how was my baby?" she asked as she looked at her little angel still sleeping.
"Don't ask. After I fed him, he refused to sleep and to make it more worse, he started crying.."
Khushi's worried eyes lingered on her son.
"So? How did he sleep?"
"After I gave him your pic."
Khushi stared at Arnav ji before shifting her gaze at her son. And there lay pic beside him, his one hand still on the frame. Hot tears instantly hit her eyes making her swallow the sudden lump.
"He too missed me?" Bending, she took his sleeping son in his arms, his soft touch soothing her heart. "My baby too missed me..." she kissed his soft lips. "I too missed you, sweetheart. "
Arnav smile at Khushi as she cuddled her son close to her chest. Shifting close to them, he took his treasure in his arms.
"We all missed each other. Only your Son never misses me..." Arnav pouted.
Khushi giggled.
"Who told that? He misses you. When you are late, he keeps looking at the door, waiting for you.."
Arnav smiled and looked down at his Son's angelic face just like his mother. Tilting his head to look at Khushi, he kissed her cheek.
"Thank you, Khushi. Thank you for everything you have given me."
"I have given you nothing. I just love you .. I love my Arnav ji.."
Arnav smiled and kissed the two most precious people in his life. Cuddling them both close to his heart , he vowed to always protect his small world, to love them, to cherish them, to be his Khushi's Arnav ji... Hamesha.
There you go with the epilogue! I know I am late , so pardon me. Hope you liked it :)
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