Chapter 12
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[MEMBERSONLY]
rulama 2014-02-02 00:49:09
[NOCOPY]
RECALLING ARNAV
Part 6
Section 2 B
Payal and Khushi showed the Raizadas to their rooms. Nani had almost collapsed in shock and grief, and making her travel to Sheesh Mahal was nothing short of cruel.
Payal helped a teary Nani and Anjali to a double room, Mami & Mamaji to another and Akash to a third room.
"Why didn't you let me know?" Payal asked her husband, upset. "Couldn't you have called me? Told me your plan?"
"Payal, Bhai heard Khushiji talking to Buaji. He felt there was something wrong. He set out for Lucknow. We tagged along. He gave strict instructions that we were not to inform you," Akash murmured in apology.
Payal sighed in exasperation. "Khushi has been through a lot. Can't you leave her alone? Can't you let her be?"
"Payal, what is the use of hiding the truth from Bhai and us? We... we are responsible for her present state."
"Yes, your Bhai is responsible. But how is your coming here going to help Khushi? It will only give her more pain," Payal had to speak her mind.
Khushi showed Nanheji to his room.
"You can see the tower of the temple from this window, Nanheji. And every morning, pigeons will come to visit you," Khushi smiled as she placed blankets on his bed and straightened the pillows for him.
NK smiled. "That will be nice. I can play with the kabootars and kabootaris."
Khushi laughed.
"Call me if you need anything," Khushi said on her way out to a waiting Arnav.
"I will, Khushiji," NK promised.
Khushi walked out of Nanheji's room to join the silent man standing by the door.
"Please come with me," Khushi invited him as she led him to his room next door.
She switched on the fan and pushed the wooden windows open, letting light in to the room.
Arnav stood by the door, watching Khushi to his heart's fill.
'Why is he looking at me in such a strange manner?' Khushi wondered. 'Is there something wrong with Jiji's jetji?'
She opened a cupboard, took out blankets and pillows and set them on the bed.
"If you need anything, please let me know," Khushi smiled, the perfect hostess.
"Khushi," he whispered.
The husky sound travelled through her ears up to her brain, causing some kind of a short circuit in its dark recesses.
"Arnavji," she whispered.
Arnav's eyes widened. He took a step towards her, wanting to clasp her in his arms and never let go. But his feet halted at the look of confusion on her face. She looked at him, perplexed.
"I used to call you Arnavji?" she asked.
He could only nod. She would recognise him one day. She would regain her memory soon, he was sure.
Khushi raised one hand to her throbbing temple.
Arnav swallowed, his eyes wet.
Khushi looked at his face, the tears that he was trying to control, his clenched fists, the pale face.
'Why is Jiji's jetji so moved at my plight? So sad for me? Poor man! So sentimental, so emotional, so sensitive! How does he live in this cruel world?' Khushi attributed many virtues to her Jiji's jetji.
"Are you a poet?" Khushi asked.
Arnav swallowed. "No."
"A writer atleast?" Khushi asked.
"No." He hated to disappoint her, but her guess was so wide off the mark that it was laughable. If he was in the mood for laughing. Which he was not.
"But you have a soft heart, a kind heart. Even though you speak little, you seem to have the empathy to feel the pain of others," Khushi declared.
Arnav could kill himself at that moment. He could kill himself and feel relief that the torture of having a Khushi who had lost everything including her memory because of his cruelty, prejudice and arrogance call him a good, kind man was finally over.
Khushi left him and moved to the door. At the doorway, she paused.
"Did you feel bad that I didn't recognise you at the temple?" Khushi asked, a serious look in her eyes.
What was the use of lying? "Yes," he said.
"I am sorry," Khushi said. "There are so many people, so many things, so many events I can't remember," she said softly. "If I try to remember, my head hurts." Khushi frowned.
"Don't try to remember, Khushi." Arnav could not stop himself from comforting her.
"But I want to remember," Khushi whined. "Do you know how strange it is not to remember your past? How terrible it is to have to endure people staring at you as though you are a freak? Their pity! Their horror! I hate it!"
Arnav swallowed hard.
"How horrible it is to have a big hole in your head? A big black hole?"
"Khushi!"
"A big black hole that will suck me in to it one day!" Khushi grimaced.
"Khushi."
She looked at him.
"I promise, Khushi. I promise that you will remember everything one day," Arnav said.
"Sachi?" Khushi asked.
"Yes."
Khushi smiled at him. "Will you help me?"
"Yes," Arnav whispered. Once she remembered her past, she would shun him as though he were a leper. But he deserved that.
"Promise?"
"Promise."
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