Chapter 26

Chapter 26: Witnessing The Unexpected

Ok so after I read your comments I realised that I'm practically confusing you guys. Some of you feel that Khushi did the right thing in giving Arnav hell. Some felt doubtful if she'll ever forgive him. Some felt that I'm dragging the track too much. Some felt that Arnav is not repenting at all and being a jerk. Some feel, to hell with the past, get them together already. And then there is Shradds who doesn't answer any of those questions. But I think let the story do the talking...

Honestly I'm surprised even after so much confusion, so many of you still stick with me. Thank you for the love and support that you have given to my first writing attempt. I'm taking a huge risky twist with this chapter. Hope this goes down well.

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The incident with his friend Sonya had Arnav in complete shock. He couldn't believe that Khushi had said all those words. The next few days he didn't force any more rules on her. Khushi too felt a little good about this calm phase though she wasn't sure how long it would last. Arnav stuck to his promise, not forcing upon her but he still held her hand, stroked her hair or occasionally wrapped his arms around her lightly, all of which she did not resist in fear that if he got angered by her actions, he might break his promises.

So a week later when Akash and Payal returned from their honeymoon, Khushi was in a much better state of mind than she had ever hoped to be in RM. With Payal by her side Khushi didn't feel lonely.

Rohan had started working from the head office and he visited only once a week but they did speak over the phone and things were better there too. One evening Khushi was busy wrapping up her work in the studio. Arnav would be coming to pick her up any moment and he hated to wait, when Rohan called.

"Hey Khushi. How's it going?" Rohan asked in his lively voice.

Khushi smiled, "Great... How about you?"

Rohan sighed. "Khushi I'm telling you dad is trying to kill me here. There's so much work, I forget half of it. I swear I was better off at Emerald."

"We all miss you here but you can't always stay at Emerald." Khushi said.

"Yeah, I know." He sighed again. "Anyways I called to tell you something important."

"Yes?"

"Khushi you know the Chandigarh clients right?" He asked.

"Of course, the upcoming project." She replied.

"Yeah, the client wants to meet you personally. She wants to discuss her preferences. So you need to go to Chandigarh tomorrow afternoon." Rohan said.

"Chandigarh? Tomorrow?" She asked surprised. "Can't we video conference?"

"No Khushi, I tried that already. She wants it to be a personal meeting and you know that project is worth Crores." He explained. "Susie and Shaan will accompany you. It's only about designs, if she discusses money, ask her to contact me. You'll be back the next day. I've done the bookings, I'll get them delivered tomorrow morning at your house."

"Alright, I'll manage it, don't worry." She answered and the moment she ended the call, her phone buzzed again. She checked, it was Arnav.

"I've been trying to call you for a while now. Why was your phone busy? I'm waiting for you since 10 minutes." He growled as soon as she answered.

"I'm coming." She replied and disconnected not wanting to argue.

As she sat in the car he kept glaring at her. After a couple of minutes, she turned to him.

"I thought you didn't like to wait so what happened now." She asked.

"Don't you ever disconnect my call again." He warned. "And answer me when I ask you something."

She sighed and rolled her eyes. "I was at the work and I get official calls that I have to answer, just like YOU. My phone was busy because I was TALKING to someone. That's what cell phones are for."

His jaw clenched but he didn't say anything, just started to drive. He knew she was right.

"I... wanted to tell you something." She said unwillingly and he quickly glanced at her. "I have a client meeting tomorrow. My assistants Susie and Shaan will be going with me."

"So?" He asked a little confused as to why she was telling him about her schedule.

"It's in Chandigarh, I'll be back the next day." She said slowly waiting for his outburst and he didn't disappoint. The car stopped with a jerk and Khushi had to grab the dash board for support.

"NOWAYS, YOU ARE NOT GOING." He roared. "AND DEFINITELY NOT WITH A MALE ASSISTANT."

She was expecting something like that. "Are you implying that I am not ALLOWED to travel on business trips? And have MALE assistants?"

"YES."

"Are you sure?"

"YES."

"And you are OK to follow that rule?"

"WHAT?" He looked at her shocked.

She was calm. "I've made it clear Arnav. If you make ME follow a rule, the same will apply to you. If I'm not allowed to travel for business then you can't travel either. If I can't have male assistants, you'll have to fire your entire female staff, including the models that work for your company."

He just stared at her with disbelief.

"Exactly, it won't work right? Stop being ridiculous Arnav, I'm going on a business trip not eloping with my assistants."

"Alright." He said finally. "I'll take you to the airport. What time is your flight?"

She wanted to decline him but then thought better of it. At least he had agreed to let her go.

"It's in the afternoon. Rohan is sending the details tomorrow morning."

"He's not going with you?" He asked surprised.

"No." She replied and he relaxed.

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Ever since Arnav had witnessed Khushi's nightmares every night he would wait for Khushi to come into their room and fall asleep before he slept. Slowly her sleep talking was reducing and even if she woke up she didn't panic much if he was already asleep.

But today Arnav waited for a long time but she didn't come to their room. He started to come down to check but from the top of the stairs itself he saw that she and Payal were sitting in the lounge talking. The two sisters seemed to have settled down for a long chat. He came back to their room and lied down on the bed and fell asleep before Khushi returned.

Khushi and Payal hadn't got a chance to talk ever since Payal had returned from Honeymoon and since Khushi was leaving for Chandigarh late in the afternoon and also didn't have to go to work early, they sat talking.

Khushi: So Jiji, how was your honeymoon.

Payal: It was good. But I wish you could go too.

Khushi: Really Jiji? You think so?

Payal: Khushi, I know you married him under what circumstances but now that you ARE married to him I think you should give him a chance.

Khushi: I don't know Jiji.

Payal: At least think about it Khushi. It might lead to a happy future.

Khushi: I gave up any such false hopes, the moment I agreed to marry him.

Payal: It's not good to be so stubborn Khushi. Devi Maiya never gives you everything in a silver plate. You have to work hard for it.

Khushi: Jiji, you don't know what you are asking of me. You have no idea.

Payal (Desperately): Then give me an idea. You never share the past with anyone. What is it that haunts you so much? And what are you going to gain living in the past? Just let go Khushi, just let go. At least TRY.

Khushi: It's getting late Jiji, Jijaji must be waiting for you.

Payal: Don't run away...

Khushi: I'm not running away. Jiji I don't want to discuss this anymore. I have to get up early and pack.

Khushi got up and after a moment Payal too got up, giving up. When Khushi returned to her room, she saw that Arnav was already fast asleep. She went to the bathroom and changed into her nightwear. She came out and moved to switch off the lights when she heard him call out softly.

"Khushi..."

Surprised she turned back and saw that he was still asleep but had a disturbed expression on his face.

"Khushiii..." He called out again a bit more urgently.

She stood rooted at the spot watching him. He looked as if he was in pain, shaking his head vigorously.

"Khushi... don't... don't go... No... don't leave me..."

She took a step towards him slowly. He looked very scared and had started sweating though the room was quite cold.

"Please Khushi... I'm sorry... don't leave me."

She moved to the bedside. He had his hands stretched forward as if trying to grab something.

"I... I'll die... don't go... forgive me... please... Khushiii..."

Her eyes widened and she climbed up on the bed next to him. Her hand hovered over his shoulder, hesitating to touch him.

"No, no, no... I'm sorry... don't please... Khushi... Khushi..."

She finally took in a deep breath and shook his shoulder firmly.

"Arnav, wake up."

"NO Khushi... come back... I'll die... please... please... I'm Sorry... Sorry..."

Her attempts to wake him up were failing miserably. She took her hand off his shoulder and he screamed...

"KHUSHIII... NOOO..." He sat bolt upright, his hands stretched forward and terror filled eyes wide open.

His eyes had a haunted look in it as if he had seen something terrible. There were tears flowing down his cheeks as he still continued but much softly as if his voice had drained suddenly, "Khu... Khu.. Khushi... Kh.. Khushi..." His eyes were restless, searching.

Khushi was so stunned she couldn't move. He turned to his right and saw her sitting right next to him. His eyes widened in shock. He raised his hand and touched her cheek lightly as if to confirm that she was really there. They both stared at each other with shocked expressions and then he pulled her in his arms and held on to her tightly.

"Khushi... I'm sorry... please don't leave me... I can't live without you... I'm sorry... I'll never hurt you again... please... please..."

Khushi had gone totally numb. She didn't know what was going on. When he let her go she somewhat regained her senses. She held him by the shoulder and made him lie down. He turned to face her, taking her hand in his and holding it against his chest. He never took his eyes off her, scared that she may disappear any moment. A while later he fell asleep again, holding her hand.

She too lowered herself on the pillow, letting him hold her hand. She was in a state of shock due to what just passed. When she finally fell asleep after a long time, there was just one question in her mind... Did he suffer from nightmares too???

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