Part 30 Matured

Q/N - You're not hallucinating, it's really an update back on this site. And I'd be glad if you review again even if you've already read it on blog :)

Rated PG-13

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Khushi felt as if she were floating amongst the clouds. Soft, cool, featherlight touches tingling over her body. She smiled, her eyes still closed, and stretched her slender arms, only to feel a restriction on one side. The firm, muscular chest of her husband. Slowly, she opened her eyes and looked beside her. Arnav was soundly asleep, his face just inches away from hers, sharing the same pillow. One of his arms was thrown protectively over her tummy, his hand gently drawing soothing circles on her skin, a gesture that had continued well into the late morning. It had done more than soothe the ache from their first time together; it had comforted her in ways words could not express. Though they had only been intimate once, a dull ache was there in her lower body, a reminder of the night of union of two soulmates.

Turning her head to the other side, she caught a glimpse of her reflection in the large mirror attached to the wall-length wardrobe across their king-sized bed. The image before her made her awe-stricken. Her hair was a tangled mess, her sindhur smudged, and crushed rose petals surrounded her. Each of it told a story, a sweet, intimate story of the night she had given herself to Arnav. And in return, he had been tender and caring lover who had put her needs above his own.

This was their second day in Santorini, Greece. They were on their honeymoon, a gift from Aman and Kashish. Of course, they'd also received a 'goody bag' containing a box of condoms, a bottle of the finest whisky to chase away any last-minute anxiety, scented candles, and chocolates. Khushi had been scandalized on seeing the contents of the gift, while Arnav had merely given them an amused look. She had an inkling that, deep down, he was quite pleased with the thoughtful(!) gesture.

After spending their first day as married couple in Delhi, doing post-marriage rituals amidst a lot of teasing, they had spent their first night sharing their dreams, their hopes for their beautiful future together. In each other's arms.

And then they had flown to Greece early next day.

Their tired jet-lagged bodies had used an afternoon nap and then the beautiful evening followed by an unforgettable night.

This was the first time she was sharing herself with him and he had ensured to make it as memorable, as special as she could imagine. He had held close to himself and then, slowly, gradually, lowered her on the bed. With each caress, each kiss, each touch, he had introduced her to a beautiful world of intimacy that was only for him and her. Like a bumblebee helping a rosebud to bloom, taking its nectar yet only enriching its beauty, Arnav had enhanced her beauty. As cliché as it sounded, he had completed her...

Arnav's eyes opened instantly as he felt her shift beside him. And then he quietly watched her, allowing himself to fully believe that she was truly there, in his arms. Safe, loved, and respected, just as she always should be. Last night, he had made her his, in every way that mattered, surrendering himself to her completely in return. His happiness, his sadness, his health, his very being, everything was now in her hands. Arnav Singh Raizada's life was at Khushi Singh Raizada's mercy, and he wouldn't have it any other way.

He felt his eyes well up slightly, his throat tightening with emotion, a vulnerable moment which was just for him to feel. He had finally got her love; he had finally got Khushi as his, the feeling was euphoric and delicate at the same time. They say that sex is often more about physical intimacy than emotional for men, but moments like these proved that some things were meant to be felt deeply.

Soon, Khushi sensed he was also awake and turned to look at him.

"Good morning." He said in a sleep-filled, husky voice that made her heart flutter.

"Good morning." She replied shyly, and then unable to bear the intensity of his gaze, she buried herself against his chest, seeking comfort in the warmth of his embrace.

It was the start of their new life, their beautiful togetherness.

The following week was spent exploring the picturesque landscapes of Greece, breathtaking beaches, charming villages, and stunning vistas.

But the evenings and nights were reserved for exploring each other, their weaknesses, their secrets, and the ways they could bring joy and pleasure to one another.

Life was beautiful like this.

Or so they hoped.

--*--

6 Months later:

It had been 6 months to their marriage. Everything was going perfect.

Akash and Payal were expecting their first baby, due in a month, and recently, Anjali had also announced her pregnancy, making everyone ecstatic.

Aman also had finally proposed to Kashish, and their families had met to fix the alliance. The wedding was set for next year. However, Kashish who finished her degree and had nearly moved to Delhi, often stayed at the Raizada mansion. And her favorite indulgence was teasing the lovebirds - Arnav and Khushi - whenever she had the chance...

That morning, as Arnav cornered Khushi in the hallway near their bedroom, to steal one more kiss before they headed down for breakfast, Kashish caught them in action.

"*Ahem*" she dramatically cleared her throat. Khushi instantly pushed Arnav away, "The way you two are going at it, like rabbits, I won't be surprised if we hear about another pregnancy news soon." Kashish said cheekily.

Arnav, although annoyed at the intervention at first, felt a warmth spread in his heart at the thought of his and khushi's child. They hadn't yet spoken about family planning. Though Khushi was on pills and that was that.

He looked at khushi and didn't miss her face fell momentarily before she abruptly straightened and excused herself from there.

He glared at Kashish. "Kashish! Stop third wheeling us, will you?"

"Wha-? What did I do, bhai?" she said in mock-offense and then pretended to think seriously, "I think Khushi just felt shy with realization, so she left." Kashish said, tongue in cheek.

Arnav shook his head at kashish's antics, ignored her drama, and went to look for khushi.

He found her near the breakfast table, thankfully no one else was there yet.

"What happened there, khushi? Why did you leave like that?" he asked.

Khushi was startled at first but kept her back towards him, "Kuch bhi toh nahi (Nothing)." She replied and started arranging the plates, that were already properly kept.

Arnav sighed. Taking her hand in his, he led her to the patio, to ensure he could talk to her privately without anyone eavesdropping on them.

Once they were away from anyone's earshot, he cupped her face and said, "Khushi, if you are upset because of what Kashish said, please don't mind her. You know how she is."

"It's not that." She replied, not meeting his eyes.

"Ok. Then?"

"I don't want a baby, Arnav."

He frowned and moved near her, holding her hand, "khushi, there's no pressure on you for a child. I know we never spoke about it but-"

"No. I don't want a baby, ever." She said, taking her hand away...

Arnav was stumped. It wasn't that he wanted to be a father right away, but he wanted to have their baby sometime in future. It was only her who had changed his views on family, awakening this desire in him to be a dad to their mischievous son or their innocent daughter. But here she was totally denying that possibility.

But he decided he would never force her for it if she didn't want to. He had her, that was enough.

"Ok. We won't have one then." He said, smiling warmly at her, hiding his pain and disappointment within himself.

To say Khushi was surprised would be an understatement.

"Won't you ask me, why I am saying so?" she asked, eyes widened in shock.

"Only if you want to share, Khushi. But you have all the rights to decide about it, after all this is a big decision of your life." Arnav said with all the seriousness and sincerity in his voice.

"OUR life, Arnav. Whatever I am saying will equally affect you too." she said and then went to wrap her arms around him, wordlessly asking for him to hold her close. He did exactly that.

"I don't want a baby because I am afraid, Arnav. I am scared that one day I might forget him or her too. Just like I had forgotten you. It has been 4 years and still I don't remember anything from our past. Despite you being my husband, being in front of me all the time. What if another accident... ek aur haadsa ho aur hum apne bacche ko bhul jaye (one more accident happens and I forget my baby)? You are a grownup man and still it was hard for you to accept my memory loss. Then our baby...he or she will be so small... they will need their mother... not someone who forgot them...I won't be able to tolerate it. And our baby, she shouldn't be subjected to it..." she said, looking in his eyes, "So, I don't want to bring our baby in this world."

Arnav felt his own heart constrict in pain, hearing her fears, her quite rational fears. She wasn't denying a baby out of any other selfish reasons, but she was already thinking like a mother of their yet-to-be-conceived child and his or her future...

He pulled her even closer to himself, as if to shield her from every worry. He kissed the top of her head softly, murmuring, "It's okay, sweetheart. I understand. It's ok."

However, he decided to talk to Vikrant about this. He wouldn't pressurize her for anything but if her fears were becoming a hindrance to her living a normal life for her own self, her own dreams, he had to help her.

And that is what happened.

First, he discussed the matter with Vikrant, who, in his dual role as both Khushi's doctor and elder brother, reassured her that the chances of her retrograde amnesia recurring were practically nonexistent. In fact, it was as less likely as it would be for anyone else, Arnav, Vikrant, Anjali, or Payal. There was no medical reason for her to fear another memory loss incident. Or of her forgetting these intervening years if her old memories do come back.

And then, they consulted Kashish, whose psychology degree proved incredibly helpful.

Her one advice that chased away any last fears from khushi's mind was, "Just like a child doesn't quit learning to walk after he fumbles in his first step, we adults shouldn't quit doing something after one accident. Haadson ke darr se hum zindagi jeena nahi chod sakte. (We can't stop living our lives fearing accidents)."

It truly resonated with khushi and slowly, she began to push the fears about memory loss or regain to the back of her mind.

.

.

That was nearly a year ago.

There was a stunned silence between them as arnav and khushi exited the hospital premises, and he held the car door open and helped her sit inside.

But both of their minds were replaying what the ob-gyn told them on their first sonogram. "We are hearing two distinct heartbeats." she had told them.

Two heartbeats. Khushi was pregnant. With two babies. Arnav's babies... it was too surreal to believe, almost too incredible to believe.

But it was true. Devi maiyya was blessing them with two little ones at once. An answer to their prayers, a gift to make up for all the struggles and hardships they had endured together.

Especially to get this news today, on Arnav's birthday was like cherry on top!

The entire family was going to get together for a party that evening. And the main attractions included newly married Kashish-Aman, fully recovered Shashi Gupta, and party's little stars- Akash-Payal's 1 year old son Palash and Anjali-Vikrant's 4-month-old daughter Anvi.

And then this amazing news to top it all!

The family had originally wanted to celebrate his birthday in Lucknow, at Sheesh Mahal. This would also introduce Khushi to that venue, she had somehow been never told about it or visited it until now.

However, khushi's pregnancy put a halt on that plan as travel in first trimester wasn't advice.

Thus, they once again, cancelled their trip to sheesh mahal and kept the celebrations to Delhi instead.

Albeit that was the first time Khushi had heard about Sheesh Mahal so much and that was the first time she had a strange dream. In the dream, she was wearing a heavy lehenga, had plaited her hair which she never remembered doing in her present memory, and then she collided onto Arnav... which was this place?

--*--

A/N - This was penultimate chapter as you know. Next will be finale with Khushi's memories coming back. (ArShi being blessed with twins was based on most of your preferences, especially Gurshit who's a twin). Also, Merry Christmas for all who celebrate!❤️

P.S. thanks for supporting me through this plagiarism issue we're facing. While I haven't found a permanent solution yet, I didn't want to hold back the last two chapters from those of you who don't have blog access. Finale will follow soon. However, please be vigilant and keep an eye out for any suspiciously copied ideas. As readers, you have a better chance of spotting this than I do.