Chapter 1
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{OS: Blissfully Lost}
An old picture we never found,a pair of sock which disappeared magically,the teddy bear which we lost somewhere on the way of growing up-Lost to be never found again.Sometimes these mere trifles we lose are never worth it,because at that precise point a little girl loses her childhood,a family loses its home ,a mother loses her son at the battlefield-and sometimes we get lost ourselves.Wandering among the fantasies sounds much easier than facing the real life miseries.And then we find a person who no matter where we go or which path we take-will always find us.
'Khushi!!where are you?''
A feisty 6 year giggled ,her sound tinkling softly like the tiny bells in her anklet.She nimbly ran on her small feet ,not making a sound and went inside the old storehouse.
Payal looked around for her younger sibling with a smile on her face.
''You know I won't lose this time!come out fast!''she played along as usual ,though she knew that once again she would pretend to lose just for that cheerful smile on her sister's face.'
' where IS this girl?''Payal pretended to search behind the flower pots and the huge neem tree in their backyard.
''khushi!payal!come in for lunch!''amma's voice flowed out through the open windows.
''khushi the game is over now come out!''payal yelled ,expecting khushi to come out from her favouriting hiding place behind the huge old idol of devi maiyya.
''khushi it's not a joke come out now!''Silence empowered.
''khushi?''payal's voice grew worried ,a tense glimpse now peeking on her face. She frantically searched around,looking in every corner of the huge backyard.
''thud!''a huge box fell behind khushi as soon as she entered into the storehouse.''Aaa!!''a scream escaped from her lips.She ran back trying to move the box with her tiny hands,but no avail.The door was covered now and there was no way she could squeeze through and get out.
Darkness creeped upon her seeking its pray,she opened her lips to shout but her voice failed -dying inside her throat.Her hands scrambled ,trying to move the box-breath stuck in her parched throat.Each breath came out heavily and her heart drummed on her chest pounding it every second.Khushi tried to let out a cry ,her misty eyes preventing her from moving ahead ,waves thrashed about in her head making her feel dizzy.Her legs went weak and her whole body threatened to fall behind,growing weaker every second until..
''Aaa!!!''She woke up perspiring heavily heart beating faster,pumping blood through her veins.Khushi clutched her hand to her heart and turned to see him sleeping next to her.She let out a sigh of relief,and looked at her clammy hands.Breathing deep breaths she closed her eyes to let out the nightmare.Sinking back onto her pillow ,Khushi laid down with her head towards him.How peaceful he looked when he was sleeping,she smiled.
Every cell in her body now relaxing under the aura of protection.Somehow his presence simply gave her a silent consolation ''If I was ever lost ,You will find me won't you?''whispering silently she clutched onto his hand .It felt surprisingly cool ,passing a current of calmness through her.She slept peacefully , in a blissfull state of dreams and fantasies never to be lost again.
**
''Khushi get ready fast!Mr.Singhania has persisted me to get you along ."Arnav curtly said ,not even looking towards her.She silently pulled out a simple white suit from the wardrobe.He gave a surprised glance towards her,expecting a string of enthusiastic sentences to tumble out.But he was greeted with silence,her mysterious eyes lost in another world.
"Khushi?!!"he snapped her awake.She stared at him and before he could question her,moved out of the room clutching the white suit.He was confused and thought about her fingers holding onto his hand,when he woke up -her angelic face buried among the silky folds of her hair.
"Why am I even thinking of her?!"he shook himself out of the daydream back into his businessman persona and moved towards the mirror to fix his tie.
**
Arnav pressed hard onto the accelerator,khushi silently looking out of the window.His insides screamed ,willing her to speak to say something-without her lilting voice interrupting and annoying him,his uneasiness increased.But the Arnav hidden inside him was stifled by the mighty Raizada who laid above-controlling each word he spoke.
''Damn!!''Arnav banged his hand on the steering wheel,the car screeched to a halt releasing fumes from its engine.With a tiny glimpse towards his watch he quickly got out the car and with khushi in tow ,hurried towards the nearest metro station.
''Where are we going?!!our car is still there!!Arnavji !!!''Khushi suddenly burst out of her dominating gloom,glancing behind.Arnav silently rejoiced -her voice sounded like music to his ears like the soothing tone of a flute playing in the midst of a desert -floating in the air with tiny grains of sand.
''Khushi don't ask questions,I don't want to be late for the meeting.''Composing himself he charged forward with a surprised khushi following behind.
They climbed down the stairs reaching the underground station and Arnav quickly bought two smartcards.
''whaa...''she started off only to be silenced by his glowering stare.They reached the entry doors where one had to press the smart card against the touchpad.
Khushi stared at it confused,the card still in her hand.Arnav with a tinge of impatience held her hand with the card and pressed it against the touchpad.His cool hand touching her warm one sending a spark through her veins up to her spine making her shiver.
He noticed the effect and smirked basking in his own victory.
''Madam move forward!are you both planning to spend your whole life here?''finally a man behind them shouted.Suddenly jerked from their moment both removed their hands ,khushi blushing in embarrassment and arnav with a wicked grin playing on his face.
''The next train to Noida will arrive in two minutes''Soon people started trickling into the station- businessmen on moblies and shoppers chattering aloud.In this din,there hung an awkward silence between both of them-him pretending to fiddle with his blackberry,her playing with the tiny bells at the end of her dupatta.
The crowd grew and the train could be heard coming ,its distinct sound heard clearly through the hustle bustle.People scrambled forward as the train came to a halt.In the midst of all this Khushi didn't realise that Arnav no longer stood next to her."Arnavji let's ..."she turned to find an unfamiliar lady staring at her."I'm really sorry"Khushi quickly apologised her legs moving towards the door of a coach and suddenly coming to a stop."Hey Devi Maiyya where has he gone?How do I enter into the train now?what if he isn't there?"Her anxiousness rose with each passing second.
All around her people pushed and jostled while she stood still rooted to the same spot.Her eyes frantically turned towards every direction not knowing where to go.
Lost?Yes she was.
But not today,she had lost the path years ago, tending to the needs of her family ,always others before herself- the 18 year old still wandered among the dense forest,the mist enveloping her into an invisible curtain.Her heart no longer knew which path to choose ,decisions beckoned her -messing up her mind like an abstract painting.The pieces in the jigsaw still waited to fall into place.
Lost,yes she was.
The train moved forward ,the empty station swallowing her into nothingness.Her eyes drowning into an ocean so deep,making her gasp for life .For love,for a candle to ignite the path ahead.
"Khushi!!Khushi!!!"footsteps merged with the chaos her mind was in.She turned ,her hair flaring about in different directions,to see him.
He ran,his eyes desperate-relieved and pulled her into a tight hug.Both his arms cradled her ,held her upright ,protecting her-"Never ever lose yourself again!!" his voice was a mixed tone of relief anger and protectiveness.She held him ,breathing on his chest,feeling his heartbeats.
Sometimes we all get lost once in a while,a part of us living on the edge between dreams and reality.But regardless of where we go ,we are always found.And that someone who finds us,is the only one who can make us lose our senses & unleash our inner turmoil.Someone who can make us Blissfully lost again.
[MEMBERSONLY]
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