Chapter 2

To New Endings - Part 2

So pretty much EVERY comment I got wanted some sort of part two. And if I'm being honest with you, the fangirl side of my brain couldn't have ended it just as that.

Enjoy!

He looked up as he heard the movement of the water, the small waves crashing against the edges of the pool. As he stared at the repetitive movements of the waves, he noticed droplets of water hitting the surface.

It had begun to rain.

He didn't particularly care.

This was one of his favourite places. In the past twelve months, he had spent more time out here than he had in his own bedroom - a room that felt too empty.

In his hours by the pool, he would often simply look at the clear night sky. He was positive he had one of the best views of the stars in all of Delhi. Over time, Arnav began to appreciate their beauty - a beauty that lied simply in the fact that they existed as they did and one that he had not been able to see before.

_{"Baat sach ya jhooth ki nehein hain, baat vishwas ki hain"}

The stars were a sanctuary of sorts. He often came out to look at them as a reminder of her.

But as the clouds took over and the rain began to fall, they were hidden away. And in a matter of seconds, Arnav was taken out of the memories that the stars often provided him.

The rain began to fall down harder now, soaking through his clothing. He could feel a shiver down his spine as the cold water hit the top of his head violently, dismantling his perfectly gelled hair until it lay across his forehead.

He looked down at his watch.

It was 9 p.m.

The wedding would be long over by now.

After seeing her leave the room, Arnav didn't have it in him to stay any longer. He also did not trust himself to see who this other man was. Yet it took all the strength in the world for Arnav to leave, the silver key being the last glimmer of hope he'd latched onto.

He'd texted his Di, letting her know that he'd left.

They didn't say anything, letting Arnav return home in his loneliness.

As the rain fell down harder, Arnav got off the pool chair gruntingly, throwing down the cigarette in his hand while stomping on it to take it out.

He turned to open the pool door.

Yet something caught his eye before he could step inside.

He froze in place.

She was standing as he'd seen her before but now the traces of rain were evident on her clothing and face.

Her face was red and her eyes held a slight bit of indifference, glaring directly into his.

"When did you start smoking?"

He heard her quiet voice, barely above a whisper.

Arnav almost missed her fluttering eyes.

His eyes widened.

As he saw that she had begun to sway, he was taken out of his shocked state and quickly ran to her, holding her arms in his. Arnav looked down at her face.

Her eyes were closed, her body completely limp.

"Khushi?! Khushi!" He shook her, desperate for a response.

Many things were running through Arnav's mind at that point - majority of which branched by her presence at this particular time. Arnav however, placed his curiosity in the back of his mind before he gently lifted her in his arms, and carried her to his room.

He removed her shoes, quickly placing her down gently. He felt a slight tug on his collar, her hand latching onto his shirt as she lay on the bed in her unconscious state.

Arnav felt this gripping feeling of uncertainty, an emotion that was often stranger to him. He was used to control - of his thoughts, actions, and often the events surrounding him. But at this moment, this control seemed non-existent.

Arnav sprayed drops of water on Khushi's face, doing anything he could to get her to wake.

Her lack of response was only increasing his worry.

What was happening to her?

He was about to reach for his phone to call the doctor when he felt a slight tug on his wrist. He quickly turned to face her, sitting on the bed on the spot next to her while taking her hand in his.

Khushi's eyes began to open as she scrunched them in discomfort. She took her hand, pressing it against her temple as she felt a throbbing pain form from the back of her head.

Seeing her sudden movement, Arnav rose quickly, placing his hands gently on both of her arms in order to help her up into a seating position before handing her a glass of water.

"Please, Khushi sit."

He pleaded with her, his voice being the quietest that she'd ever seen.

She gave him a slight nod.

They sat in silence, as Khushi finished drinking her water.

Arnav wanted to know why she was here, desperately. But his priority lied within something else.

He was the first one to speak.

"When was the last time you ate Khushi?! Or is there something else, are you sick?!" He spat out hurriedly, the last question filling him with a sense of dread.

She didn't look at him.

"I...I don't remember. I'm not sick Arnavji, I'm just dizzy. I don't think I've eaten all day."

Anger filled him as he heard her answer. How could she not have taken care of herself?

In an instant, Arnav was up and on his way towards his cupboard, taking out his grey sweater and black track pants. He walked over to Khushi, finally handing the pieces of clothing to her.

His sudden movement caused Khushi to finally meet his gaze.

She looked at him questioningly.

"I'm going to go get you something to eat. You need to change Khushi. Your clothes are soaking and you might fall sick."

Arnav hardly saw her nod as he was out of the room and on his way to get her food.

Holding a tray, Arnav waited at the closed door for a few seconds before it was swung open - a dried up Khushi on the other side of the room.

He knew his clothing would be too big on her. When Khushi had left, a lot of her belongings had been left in his room. It was only one day when he'd come back home a couple of months ago that he realized her things had been moved. He was furious. He however, didn't have the strength to argue with his Di who was still in her own devastated state.

Arnav eyed Khushi for a few seconds, causing her to look down at her hands, unable to meet his gaze.

His sweater came well past her waist and his track pants had been rolled up to sit right at her ankles. Khushi had removed almost all of her jewellery. Her hair was now opened up, wet from the rain as it sat on the side of one shoulder.

Arnav didn't understand how something so simple could make his mouth go dry.

He followed her gaze down to her hand.

There was no ring.

He looked at her in confusion, only to remember the tray of food in his hands.

"Let's sit," he motioned towards the bed with his head.

She quickly sat down as Arnav placed the tray on the bed and took a seat opposite to her.

She looked at the tray and in a matter of seconds, her face broke out into a smile.

"Jalebis! I don't remember the last time I had them!"

She quickly grabbed one as she looked at Arnav excitingly. He smiled at her enthusiasm over something so simple, despite the state she was in. But as Khushi looked at Arnav, her smiled died and she quietly finished the food, not meeting Arnav's gaze once. Yet, he couldn't take his eyes off of her.

Seeing her finish, Arnav finally broke the silence.

"Are you feeling better now Khushi? Do you want me to get you anything else? Are you sure you don't need a doctor? I can call-"

"Nehein, I'm fine Arnavji," she cut him off quickly.

Arnav only nodded.

He didn't know what to say. There were a million questions running through his mind and it was becoming more obvious that Khushi was not willing to say anything herself.

But like Khushi often did, she surprised him.

"I left."

She spoke quietly, looking directly at him.

Arnav wanted to comfort her but he spoke without giving it much thought, saying what had been on his mind since he had seen her by the pool.

"Why?"

A single tear began to make its way down her cheek.

Arnav wanted nothing more than to brush it off but he scrunched his hand into a fist, wanting to give her some space.

"You know why Arnavji...I couldn't...everybody is still there. They're all going to hate me but I couldn't..."

"Because you don't love him."

She didn't reply, only staring at him.

It was only then that Arnav noticed her violent grip on something in her hand, making her knuckles partially white.

It was the silver key.

Arnav could feel his rapid heartbeat. Humari dil ki dadkane...

"Aur mein?" He asked her, dreading her response.

She looked at him, her eye widening slightly. They were filled with fear.

"I...I don't know. I don't think I ever stopped. From the day of Jiji's wedding - during the contract marriage or in the past year."

Her response ignited a glimmer of hope in Arnav, something he hadn't experienced in the past year.

"But I don't think that's enough Arnavji. I don't trust you, for everything you said or the contract marriage. I'm still hurt."

Khushi didn't hold back anymore, her vision was blurred as the moisture filled her eyes.

Arnav took both of Khushi's hands in his, holding them tightly.

"I know Khushi. Not a day goes by that I don't regret what I did. I should have talked to you when I saw you and Shyam. But I didn't. And besides all that, you still risked your life to come save me."

Arnav felt his own voice shake.

"I know why you did what you did Arnavji. I knew you were sorry once you learned the truth. But what hurt me more was when you brought up that contract again, after knowing the truth. And then blaming me again, as if it was my fault. How do I trust you to never do that again Arnavji?"

He was speechless.

Arnav took a few seconds find his voice.

"I know you have no reason to, but I will prove to you that you can, if only you'd give me the chance."

He paused.

"When you left Khushi, I felt as if the ground was slipped beneath my feet. I spent every waking moment looking for you, trying to apologize to you. I never blamed you for leaving. When I found about your wedding...I... I know we can't go back to how things were during Akash and Payal's wedding. I want to make this work Khushi."

She nodded.

"So do I Arnavji, that's why I ran all the way here in this heavy lehenga," she smiled at him, laughing quietly.

"But I need time Arnavji. I can't live here as your wife until I'm ready."

Arnav's heart sank, despite understanding why.

However, her next words, which were so quiet that Arnav was almost positive he hadn't, heard her, gave him something to latch onto.

"But I don't want to live without you either."

Arnav moved forward, leaning his forehead against hers as he closed his eyes, still holding onto her hands.

"Neither do I Khushi."

Khushi felt his warm breath fan her lips briefly, making her head spin. His voice was low as he spoke in the same husky voice she loved hearing.

Arnav removed his hands from hers before placing them on either side of her face. He took his forehead off of hers and opened his eyes to look directly into her gorgeous hazel ones.

He hesitated for a few seconds, but then continued.

"I love you Khushi. I have for a very long time and I didn't ever stop loving you, even during the contract marriage. I love you so much, I'm sorry for everything I did, and I only want to be with you."

Khushi only nodded, looking directly into his brown eyes. She could see his sincerity as well as the build- up of moisture. She knew he was telling the truth.

Arnav knew she wouldn't reciprocate with the same response. She needed time.

"But there is something that I've wanted to do for a while."

He gently lifted his hands off of her cheeks and placed them on her waist, tugging her forward lightly.

They continued to stare at one another as Arnav moved closer to her face.

He looked at her for approval or any other signs of hesitation.

Khushi only nodded, giving him a slight smile.

Arnav genuinely smiled for the first time in what felt like a lifetime.

However, as he inched forward, he saw Khushi's nose scrunch, her eyes forming a slight scowl as she pulled back slightly.

"When did you start smoking Arnavji?" Khushi had smelt the slight bit of smoke on his breath as he inched forward. It was incredibly faint, but it disturbed his musky and pungent smell that she was used to smelling whenever she was around him.

Arnav laughed out loud.

"A few weeks after you left. I've quit though, about an hour ago after a runaway bride showed up at my pool."

Khushi smiled and for the first time in a while, Arnav saw genuine happiness and light in her eyes.

Arnav inched closer again, stopping when he heard her voice.

"Any other new habits I should be aware of Arnavji?" Khushi asked lightly.

Arnav smiled again.

"I might take classes to teach me how to make these jalebis that make your smile the most radiant thing in the world."

And with the final comment, Arnav closed the distance between them as he captured her lips in his and sealed the beginning of their journey truly together.

Author's Note:

And so this is what I wanted to see on the show. I loved Arnav standing up for Khushi, their ENTIRE wedding which was SO adorable, and pretty much everything from Rakhi onwards. However, I wanted to see all of that AFTER this - after Khushi left on her own terms and then came back to Arnav, ON HER OWN TERMS and only after he thoroughly apologized for what he put her through.

I hope you guys enjoyed the ending!