Part 31

Note: Long chapter alert! Also, this finale/epilogue that some of you have read on the blog, hope you enjoy re-read 😊

--*--

'Teri Yaadein' Khushi ran her fingers over the folder she had maintained for the past four years. Ever since she had learned she was going to be a mother. That she was carrying two tiny lives. Now, she had double the reasons to hold onto these memories, to not forget either of her babies.

And so, she had started this log of memories- written, audio, and sometimes even video clips. She would talk to herself, telling her future version her story: about her life as she knew it, about her and Arnav's marriage, and about her impending motherhood. She continued this even after giving birth. Only when the duo became a handful did her entries became fewer and farther apart.

But lately, she had felt the urge to clutch the folder tighter to herself. She felt like holding onto it protectively... Especially ever since their trip to Sheesh Mahal was finally confirmed, after years of cancelling the plan. AR had planned an haute couture fashion gala in Lucknow, with Sheesh Mahal chosen as the venue. Arnav, who had finally transitioned back to Delhi from London five years ago, was eagerly looking forward to it as his ambitious launch. And it was special for Khushi too. Though her full-time profession was still as a dance instructor, running her own dance institute, but she worked part-time at AR as a consultant during her free time...

Kashish and Aman watched the sleeping duo. The girl was enjoying her beauty sleep, while the boy was having a peaceful slumber. Their tiny frames were both covered in a soft duvet made from their grandmothers' sarees, providing them warmth and blessings. Since it was early June, first monsoon showers had made the weather quite chilly.

The little ones in focus here were Aashu and Anshu, the 3-year-old twins of Arnav and Khushi.

Kashish looked at her adorable niece, who slept peacefully with one hand resting against her cheek, almost as if posing for a photo!

"Bro! Your daughter is a Diva! Look at her, already so stylish!" she commented, not taking her eyes off Aashna, aka Aashu. Arnav beamed with the proud smile of a doting dad.

"That, she probably gets from Khushi Bhabhi." Aman whispered in Kashish's ear, making her chuckle and Arnav who didn't quite hear it yet glare at him. He then added, glancing at Anish, aka Anshu, "This little champ is no less either. See how he has his hands spread above his head, like a king who's resting."

"I know right? So cute!" Kashish crooned.

"Tch-tch. I sent you two to wake them up-" Khushi commented, walking into her bedroom where her children were napping, and to her surprise, her children's father, along with bua and uncle, were all fawning over them. "-and you are busy gushing over them? We have to leave in an hour, they're not even ready yet. Aap ko pata hai na ye kitna mushkil kaam hai (you know that it is a tough task, right)?" she asked, rather complained.

Arnav gave her a sheepish look, feeling guilty. But Kashish and Aman, on the other hand, didn't seem the least bit so. They continued their 'adore Aashu and Anshu' session, as they were living in a world of their own. Perhaps imagining their own little one, as they'd been trying to get pregnant recently.

"Khushi, why are you so worried? It's not like we have to catch a bus or a train. We'll be flying in our own jet, you know that." Arnav said, trying to reassure her. But it only irked her more.

She didn't know what had happened to her in the past few weeks. Or maybe past 2 months. Ever since they had planned to visit Lucknow, especially Sheesh Mahal.

She couldn't quite explain it, but she had started getting strange flashes, sometimes dreams. She would see Payal's older house, Gomti Sadan, a place she had visited a few times. But now, she would see her own younger version in it. Dancing away... making jalebis, eating jalebis.

Jalebis? She didn't even like them until now!

Then there were bits and pieces of information that Arnav and others had told her about Sheesh Mahal. The most recent one being when Arnav mentioned meeting her there for the first time. Although he couldn't explain how that moment had been, since their son started crying exactly at that time, asking for attention. But Khushi had felt as if she had fought with Arnav when they first met.

And many such moments, flashes of forgotten memories, were making her restless.

On top of all this, Arnav was not helping, leaving her stressed with getting both their kids ready for the trip.

"We need to reach Lucknow before evening, Arnav. Why is it only my responsibility to take care of everything?" Khushi couldn't hide tension in her tone, betraying the stress she'd been holding onto these days.

Aman and Kashish exchanged a look, silently nodding that it was time to leave the couple to sort out their little disagreement. With a gentle nod, they quietly backed away.

Once they left, Arnav approached Khushi and gently held her arm, turning her fully towards him. "Kya hua hai, Khushi? Why are you so stressed?"

She didn't meet his eyes. "Nothing. It's just... this is the first time we're hosting a big event away from Delhi." she replied, not wanting to burden him unnecessarily with truth.

In the 5 years since their marriage, and the 3 years before that, a total of eight years since her accident, there had been many moments when she wondered if her memory would come back, if she would finally remember everything from her life. But aside from a few glimpses here and there, and some déjà-vu-like incidents, nothing substantial had surfaced.

So why worry him now, when this could just be another one of those fleeting moments?

Arnav stared at her face for a few long moments, debating whether to believe her or not. But then gave in. Releasing her, he watched as she moved towards their sleeping children, gently lying beside them and caressing their heads to wake them up. He smiled at the sight they made. This was his life, his world! He had spent years wishing for a day like this, and he would do anything to keep them safe and with him.

Suddenly, something came to his mind, something he had found in his locker the other day, something he had to show Khushi.

"Khushi?" he called out. "I wanted to show you this." He held out a key. Well, not just any key, but the 'mannat ki chaabi (key for a wish)' she had given him almost a decade ago when they first met in Lucknow. She, of course, didn't remember it now, but he wanted to tell her about it.

However, he was taken aback when she looked at the key and her face lit up. "Do you think we will have time to visit the dargah?" she asked, without him even telling her what key it was.

Arnav was stupefied hearing that. But it seemed she herself didn't realize what she had just said. Had someone else told her about it?

"Khushi, do you know about the dargah?"

Khushi sat up on the bed, excited. "Haan. Of course, this is your mannat ki chaabi. You had nearly lost it and I had given it to you that day-" and then she stopped mid-sentence, as if struck by a sudden block. Her memory had gone blank after that.

She looked at him asking for help, not knowing what had just happened, and he wordlessly came by her side, holding her close. "Shh. It's ok. It's fine, sweetheart. Don't stress yourself." He said, kissing the side of her head. Maybe this was one of those glimpses of her suppressed memories, he thought.

Just then, both kids finally woke up and khushi was fully distracted.

She then totally 'forgot' about all her worries as her kids who were 100-steps ahead of her sanka-devi avatar in mischief, kept her busy.

--*--

They reached Lucknow late in the evening. Instead of staying at Sheesh Mahal or Gomti Sadan, they had decided to book a hotel. Sheesh Mahal had been completely transformed into an event venue, and Gomti Sadan wasn't big enough to accommodate the entire Raizada family, along with Mr. and Mrs. Aman Mathur, Vikrant, Anjali, and their little Anvi.

The main event was still two days away, but the next day, Arnav took Khushi and the kids to oversee the ongoing arrangements at Sheesh Mahal.

As soon as Khushi set foot inside, a rush of memories surged in her mind. She remembered coming here on her jiji's wedding night- not Payal Bhabhi's, but Jiji's-, she remembered she wanted to save her babuji's shop and she had been looking for someone here to meet. But who was it? Her jiji was getting married to whom?

Khushi held her head with her hands, pressing her fingers to her temples as her brain got overloaded with more and more memories.

Meanwhile, Arnav had walked slightly ahead, as Aashu and Anshu ran through the vast corridors, loving the new 'playground'.

Khushi closed her eyes and tried to compose herself, massaging her head. She knew, she wouldn't stress herself to remember more than her brain was allowing.

Slowly opening her eyes, she looked ahead and saw Arnav had come back searching for her, his face showing worry. His eyes already asked her the question before his lips, 'tum thik ho?' and she smiled, reassuringly, nodding her head in reply...and looping her hand with his, walked further into the palace.

But throughout that visit, she was struck by flashes of memory, especially of that day with Arnav. But stronger, more frequent fragments of the past kept flooding her mind. Clearer with every passing moment...

When they returned to their hotel that night, the main event was just a day away, Khushi couldn't help but feel a very strange anticipation in her heart. It was as if something was on the verge of happening. She glanced at the Devi maiyya idol she always carried with her, praying for everything to go well, for her, for Arnav, and for their children. She needed them as much as they needed her.

.

.

Finally, the day of the event arrived- June 20th, exactly two weeks after June 6th, the original date when khushi had first met Arnav...

Just like that night, tonight, too, Sheesh Mahal was in its full glory, hosting some of the most prestigious figures from the fashion and entertainment world.
The only difference was that this time, Khushi was sitting alongside Arnav, rather than arriving unannounced to his show...and to his life...

The fashion show had begun. Khushi and Arnav were sitting in the front row as models walked one after another onto the stage. Aashu was in her lap and Anshu in Arnav's. After the showstopper's entry, Arnav and Khushi were scheduled to go on stage and announce something important, the launch of their new clothing line at AR titled 'Anaisha' which means unique. It was a special and ambitious project for Arnav, the name was a combination of their kids' names, and the media had already been buzzing about it for days, thanks to successful PR efforts on their side.

However, ten minutes into the show, Khushi felt a tug on her hand, which was wrapped around a mini version of herself sitting on her lap. "Kya hai, Aashu?" she asked, concerned.

The little one shyly whispered, "Mamma, I want to pee."

And as if on cue, Anshu, in his father's lap, piped up, mirroring his twin's request. "Mamma, I also need to go."

Ah, the classic twins synchronization, Khushi thought with a soft smile. It was clear they both needed to visit the restroom, and since they were still small enough to need assistance, Khushi knew she had to take them to the backstage family restroom.

"Arnav, hum abhi aaye (I'll be right back). We still have time, na?" she asked, glancing at her husband, who was focused on the runway.

"Yes, 20 more minutes. No rush." Arnav replied, looking down at Aashu with a small smile as he gently brushed her chubby cheek. "Take your time."

Khushi took both the kids to the bathrooms located just behind the green room for the event.

.

After five minutes, once both kids were done, Khushi tidied them up, making sure they looked their cutest best before heading back. But then, she heard someone calling for help.

As she turned around, she realized it was Tina, their showstopper. Her dupatta had gotten stuck in the door, and she needed assistance.

"Aashu, Anshu, stay here. No running around, okay?" Khushi said firmly, her eyes on her mischievous little ones as she walked toward Tina to help her.

However, both Aashu and Anshu, the ever-naughty ones in a playful mood, saw the perfect opportunity to slip away while Khushi had her back turned. And before she could realize it, they darted out. Albeit, not toward the exit, but straight toward the stage!

The music for the showstopper suddenly blared through the speakers, and as everyone turned their attention toward the stage, gasps filled the air as they saw the little girl and boy walking confidently onto the stage with their chubby little legs.

"Isn't that ASR's daughter?" someone whispered.

"And that is ASR's son, Anish!" another voice joined in.

"Oh my god, they're adorable!" someone else exclaimed.

As the crowd buzzed with excitement, Arnav instantly stood up with an amused smile forming on his face. His mischievous little ones must have slipped away from Khushi's watch, making an unplanned but utterly charming runway entry. As always, his sharp mind quickly began to spin it to their advantage, making it seem like a surprise element to the launch.

But before he could take a step onto the stage, however, Khushi rushed there too.

Realizing Aashu-Anshu had slipped away from her and hearing the loud commotion from the audience, Khushi immediately understood that her children must have made it onto the stage. Fearing that her fall-prone babies might trip, Khushi ran to the stage, unbothered by the flashing cameras and blinding lights.

She saw Aashu standing confidently on the stage and slowly turning to look at her, striking the perfect showstopper pose.

Khushi quickened her steps to reach her daughter.

And then it happened.

In her haste, Khushi didn't realize that she had tripped over her saree and lost her balance. And before she could register what was happening, she fell off the stage.

Her heart thudded loudly while she braced for a messy fall, her eyes tightly shut!

But she never hit the ground. Arnav's strong arms had safely caught her. Just in time. As he was always destined to.

Khushi slowly opened her eyes, her lips quivering with fear and some alien feeling... and time stood still.

Like a divine intervention, this moment slowly cleared the fog, cleared the clouds from her mind. It triggered a long-forgotten memory in her mind.

Many years ago, she had walked onto a stage like this, albeit unintentionally. She had tripped and fallen, only to be caught by Arnav. And then both of them had gotten lost in each other's eyes. An unknown, unnamed emotion back then. But always meant to be as love.

She remembered it. She remembered it all, clearly.

Meantime, cameras clicked repeatedly, capturing this romantic moment of the power couple.

Khushi continued to look into the soulful deep-brown eyes of her soulmate...Arnav and impulsively gave him a radiant smile.

She so wanted to tell him that she had remembered a part of their past, crystal clear. No more blurry images. And she hadn't forgotten any in between events either...Oh, he would be so happy! Her 'Arnavji'.

But realizing they were in the middle of a significant event; she curbed her urge.

Soon, they heard their kids' excited cheering and they saw that Aashu and Anshu had started clapping with their tiny hands, gleeful to see their mamma and daddy together.

Arnav gently put Khushi down with a teasing smirk, holding her hand as he walked onto the stage with her by his side. Of course, he didn't know she remembered it but he was happy that they revisited a very special moment from their past. A moment when it all began.

He reached Aashu and Anshu, scooped them up in his either arm, and then signaled Aman to connect his collar mic to the main speaker.

Then, with a proud smile, he announced their new clothing line, Anaisha- inspired by Aashna and Anish-his precious babies. He cleverly mentioned how proud he was of his kids for making their debut on stage today and how his lovely wife had agreed to pose in a daring 'bridal-style fall' in his arms.

The media immediately picked up the headlines: 'AR's innovative way of launching Anaisha with ASR's kids as the showstoppers and his wife's bridal-style fall in his arms!'

.

.

It was the after-party of the event. Nani and Mami ji were looking after all four kids, Palash, Anvi, Aashu, and Anshu- while the couples enjoyed a slow dance on the floor.

The atmosphere was about glamour yet it felt homely in strange way tonight.

Safely held in Arnav's arms, Khushi looked around at the familiar faces of her family. The same people she had always known as certain relationships now held past connections too. No longer based on what she had heard but what she now experienced with the return of many memories.

And as the music swirled around them, she knew it was time to tell Arnav what had been on her mind, instead of waiting any further, that she remembered a lot of her past now. Mainly she remembered all about that night now.

"Arnav, aaj jo hua, pehle bhi thik aisa hi hua tha na? Hamara girna aur aap ka sambhalna (Whatever happened today has happened in the past too, right? Me falling off the ramp and you holding me)?" she asked softly, causing Arnav to glance at her with a look of curiosity, which soon turned to realization.

She remembered it! Didn't she? His eyes asked her.

She smiled and continued, "I was pushed onto the stage that day, by mistake. And I ended up in the showstopper's spot. My dupatta got stuck in my sandals and I lost balance...hum stage se girne wale the (I was falling off the stage) but I never actually hit the ground. Because, just like today, you were there to catch me." She gazed up at him, her smile full of fondness as the memories flooded back. "And that was how we met for the first time. Right?" she asked, a thin line of tears in her eyes while his lashes were also shining with some mist...

Gulping past the emotional lump in his throat, Arnav nodded.

"You remember all of it?" he asked, curious, overwhelmed, nervous.

"Most of it." she replied softly.

He nodded, pulling her closer, guiding her to rest her head on his shoulder.

They would need to talk to Vikrant soon, but they also knew they had to be cautious, not to overwhelm Khushi with questions in the coming days. Patience was key as she slowly pieced together more and more of her past, without pushing her too hard.

But for now, this moment felt like coming to a full circle. Their story had begun in the same place, under similar circumstances, though with a wrong-footed start. And now, almost a decade later- through a turbulent love-hate relationship, a troubled contract marriage, a life-threatening kidnapping, a memory-erasing accident, a three-year separation, and five years of happy married life later, life had brought them here. To reclaim the missing piece of their story. Khushi's memories.

It would likely take more time for her to remember everything, but this was the first time she had clearly recalled events from her past. And it felt fitting that the memories she had regained were about her meeting Arnav.

The soft, romantic tune continued playing as Arnav slowly glided with khushi, both their hearts beating in sync, narrating their love story, some old, some new.

Tum aaye toh hawaon mein ek nasha hai
Tum aaye toh fizaon mein rang sa hai
Yeh rang saare hai bas tumhare
Aur kya, aur kya, aur kya

(There's an intoxication in the air as you've come
There's a colour in the atmosphere as you've come
All these colours are there due to you
What else, what else, what else)

--*--

A/N - And that's a wrap, people! Heartfelt thanks to all of you who kept showering your love through votes, reads and reviews. This story gave me so much love, took me through some unforeseen times and will remain as a special one in its own might. Some of you were here since the start, some joined midway and a few we lost...so let me quote 'Memories' by Maroon5 and say - 'Toast to the ones here today, Toast to the ones that we lost on the way, Cause the drinks bring back all the memories...Of everything we've been through'. Until we meet again, tc!❤️

ps. I meant to ask this way back but missed to do so, what are your favorite memory loss movies? Some of my favorites are: 'Sadma' starring Sri devi/Kamal Haasan and 'Fifty First Dates' starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore.