Chapter 18
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[NOCOPY]
RECALLING ARNAV - II
Part 19
Darlings, thank you for your infinite patience. Am sick. ASR's virus travelled all the way from Delhi to my home to flatten me... ha..ha.. I should be more careful what I write about... ha..ha...
"Di, I need to get to Lucknow," Arnav said, trying to sit up in bed.
"Chotey," Anjali exclaimed. "How can you travel in such a condition? You are too weak!"
"The phone... get me the phone, Di. I need to call Aman... the copter... I have to go. Khushi..." he said, panting due to weakness.
"Bhai, I will go to Lucknow and bring Khushiji here if you are determined to see her," Akash said, a frown of worry on his face. "You rest, please."
"I will go with him, Nannav. If I ask Khushiji to come with me, she will never refuse," NK assured him.
Arnav scowled at NK. "I will go," he rasped.
"Chotey, you are too weak to walk to the bathroom on your own. How will you go to Lucknow?" Nani asked.
"Arnav bitwaa, listen to Saasumma. Take food and medicines and become Complan boy. Then you go to Lucknow and carry Khussi bitiyaa on your shoulder like that boy who doejj not wear kapde, only chaddi... that Tarjjan (Tarzan) and bring her here, Hello Hi Bye Bye!"
"I will phone Khushi and tell her how sick you are, Arnavji," Payal assured him. "She will understand."
"I want to go to Lucknow," Arnav repeated.
The next day dawned and the door bell rang.
Hari Prakash opened the door to see Khushi standing in the doorway, her face pale and strained.
"Khushiji," HP yelped in surprise and delight.
"Hari Prakashji, where is Arnavji?" she asked, her voice trembling.
"In his room. Arnav bhaiyya has fever, Khushiji. I am so glad that you came to Delhi to take care of him. He has been shouting at everyone since yesterday and threatening them that he will go to Lucknow barefoot if need be," HP said, wiping the sweat off his forehead.
Khushi drew in a deep breath and walked in to the house, almost running up the steps to Arnavji's room.
Anjali, who was coming out of her brother's room along with Nani, Mami & Payal after forcing pills down her Chotey's throat, stopped short.
"Khushiji!" she exclaimed.
"Who ijj this? The missing bridewaa?" Mami was loud in her surprise.
"Devi Maiyya is kind. My Khussi bitiyaa is here," Nani hugged Khushi in relief and joy.
"Khushi," Payal hugged her fiercely.
"Khushiji, Chotey was too sick to talk to you but didn't want you to worry. That is why we had to lie to you. Please, aap hamein maaf kar deejiye," Anjali pleaded nicely.
Khushi tried to smile. "How is Arnavji?' she asked.
"Go and see for yourself, Khussi bitiyaa," Nani invited. "He has been trying to bully Aman in to taking him to Lucknow. While trying to get out of bed his phone fell down and broke. Otherwise he would have called you every minute and apologised."
"Khushiji, did you come alone?" Anjali asked.
"No, Amma, Babuji and Buaji are at Laxmi Nagar," Khushi said.
Khushi walked in to Arnavji's room to see him in bed. His face was dark with stubble and his cheekbones were prominent against his sunken cheeks. His hair flopped untidily against his forehead. His pills littered the bedside table.
"Di..." he murmured as he felt movement near the bed. "Get Aman. Khushi...I have to go to Lucknow," he murmured as he moved his leonine head restlessly on the white pillow.
Khushi sank on the bed, feeling her limbs trembling at his plight.
Arnav opened his eyes feeling someone sit by him.
"Khushi..." he whispered, sure that he was hallucinating.
She stared at him, silent, beyond words, her eyes moist with tears.
"Khushi..." he murmured, his husky voice caressing her name.
She looked at him, her eyes filled with love and tears.
"You...you are really here?" he asked softly, scared that she would vanish if he spoke loudly.
Khushi nodded, tears dripping down her cheeks.
"Don't cry, Khushi...Khushi, please don't cry. Why do I make you cry even in my dreams?" he asked, his voice pained. He lifted his hand towards her to wipe away the tear drops.
She watched as his hand hesitated near her face, fearful of trying to touch her and discovering that she was only a mirage, a mere figment of his imagination born out of his desperation.
Khushi leaned her face in to his hand, shutting her eyes, taking comfort from his palm cupping her wet cheek.
"Khushi, you are really here?" he asked, incredulity making his voice thin and high-pitched.
"Arnavji," she whispered.
"I am not dreaming, am I?" he asked.
"No, you are not dreaming," Khushi smiled through her tears.
"Khushi, I am sorry. I was sick. That is why I didn't call you..." he began.
Khushi placed her finger on his lips to silence him. Then she threw her arms around his neck and hugged him.
"Khushi..." he began a few moments later. "Khushi, you will fall sick..."
Her arms tightened around him and her plump lips pressed a warm kiss on his lean cheek.
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