Chapter 16
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[MEMBERSONLY]
CHAPTER 15
Arnav's phone rang, filling the silent room with its unpleasant noise, making both Arnav and Kushi to stir in their sleep. They both jolted up from bed when the phone continued to ring. His hand was still around her waist holding her securely as if this sound could harm her while her both hands were resting on his shoulders. She blinked in confusion trying to understand what is going on.
She pulled away from his embrace giving him some room to move. Arnav switched on the night lamp and checked the time before he began search for his mobile. Five minutes more to midnight. Thinking who it could be calling him at this odd hour, he picked his mobile. The name that was kept flashing on the screen made him to panic and he attended the call hurriedly.
Kushi massaged her temple as her head began to feel heavy since she woke up from a deep slumber. "Hello, Lavanya! What happened? Why are you calling me at this time? Is everything fine?" Kushi raised her head hearing her husband's alarmed voice. Arnav tensed form relaxed a bit hearing Lavanya's voice "everything is fine. You Relax, birthday boy."
He sighed "what the hell, Lavanya? You called at this time to wish me. Can't it wait till tomorrow morning? Do you know how frightened i got seeing your name? For god's sake understand that you are living alone at a place very far from me and..." his voice trailed off as soon as calm settled inside him reminding him that Kushi was there with him. He turned to notice her watching him with widened eyes.
Kushi lowered her gaze and picked her mobile and switched off the alarm. She wanted to wish him at 12 but she knew that she couldn't stay awake till midnight. Therefore she kept alarm so that she could wake up and wish him first. But in life something's are never meant to happen just like her relationship with Arnav. She lied on the bed facing opposite side.
Arnav noticed her reaction but he couldn't do anything expect to feel guilty. Understanding that it must be very hard for her to hear her husband talking with his ex, he swung his legs off the bed and tried to get up when something struck his mind. 'What will she think if I go out and talk with Lavanya?' there are chances for her to misunderstand that he wontedly left the place so that he could talk freely with Lavanya. She may even get suspicious if he cut the call all of sudden.
Arnav decoded which will hurt Kushi more; talking with Lavanya in front of her or behind her back. He settled himself again deciding to stay back. He knew it will hurt her. But it is important for their uncertain relationship. In Last two days, he noted that not only he but she was also trying to give their relationship another chance. If she wants to accept him and take their relationship forward, then she must accept the truth; the truth that he was in love with someone else.
Because whatever he do, his past will remain the same; nothing can change it. He loved Lavanya and he was sure he still loves her though he doubts whether he loves her with same passion he had loved her seven months before. Yes, his love towards Lavanya has changed a lot in past seven months. But he cannot just throw her out of his life because she had already secured irreplaceable place in his life.
He can never compare two of them. Kushi is his wife while Lavanya was just his ex-girlfriend but still they both are important to him. So if Kushi wishes to accept him means she has to accept him with his past or else she can walk out of his life which he never wants to happen. Once she leaves him, that place she left will always remain empty because she has also secured irreplaceable place in his life. She is his better half and she will be his better half till his death.
"Arnav, are you listening to me?" lavanya's voice interrupted his thoughts. "Lavanya, please don't tell me that you have called me at this time to chit chat with me." He said in an irritated voice. "I called you to wish. But still three minutes more to 12." She replied charmingly. "Then why did you call me five minutes before?" he shouted totally annoyed.
He bit back his words as soon as he heard her apologetic voice. "Sorry, Arnav. I just wanted to wish you first but didn't mean to disturb you." He sighed as she continued "Arnav, did I do anything wrong? Are you angry on me for staying here?" He denied it saying "it's not like that Lavanya." But she interrupted him by asking "then why are you avoiding me?"
They both remained silent for few seconds before she added "it has been a month since you talked to me properly." He didn't answer her because he didn't know how to answer her. He felt terribly bad for doing this to Lavanya. Till now he had never offended her, not even in a small way, but when she comes to know about what he did, it is going to hurt her big time.
Who told being not loved by anyone is only curse? Being loved by two people at same time is also a curse. He prayed that even his enemy should not get this situation where they have to choose between their loved ones. Of course, he had already took the decision. He chose Kushi. But still he is scared to face the consequences. "Happy birthday, Arnav." He heard lavanya's voice.
He closed his eyes in pain. Lavanya is going to get really hurt. Sooner he tells her the truth, it is better for her. But he cannot take that risk when she is away considering her health condition. "When are you coming back?" he asked her even forgetting to thank her. There was silence from other end. After sometime she hesitantly said "I am not sure."
"What do you mean by that?" He asked her and she replied immediately. "I will try to come there for one week by the end of this month. Then I will return back to Bangalore." He replied "good. I want to see you as soon as possible. Good night." He froze when she said "good night. Love you." His eyes involuntarily moved to Kushi in guilt.
Kushi heard him say 'I want to see you as soon as possible.' Not that she didn't expect it from him; actually she was expecting worst things. But still that single sentence made her feel bad. She clutched the blanket tight as she felt his gaze on her. Last thing she wanted to do now was to talk with him. So she acted like she was asleep.
He observed her tensed form. Knowing that she need some time, he left the room.
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Arnav smiled as Anjali applied tikka on his forehead and then fed him with sweet. "Happy birthday, chotey." She said in her own charming way making the birthday boy to smile more. "Thanks di. And also thanks for being there with me that night. It really meant a lot to me." he thanked his sister sincerely. "What made you think that I won't be there when you needed me the most?" Anjali pouted.
He hugged her wondering what he did to get such a wonderful sister like anjali. He noticed his grandmother coming to the living room and moved towards her. He flashed a smile but didn't get any response. Anjali signalled him to get blessings and he nodded and bent down to take his nani's blessing when his nani moved back.
"nani please, today is his '" anjali tried to defend her brother but devyani was in no mood to listen to it. "I remember very well what day is today. How can I forget this day? 28 years back I was so happy on this day. When your mother was pregnant, I prayed to every god that it must be boy. But now I regret it. I wish it was girl. It would have hurt me less than to watch him grow like this and destroy other's life."
Devyani left the place while Anjali followed her pleadingly. Arnav stood frozen too weak to react. That was it. His grandmother said it easily. All these 28 years, he grew up hearing her say she was lucky to have him. And today she said that she wished he was never born. The lady who he loved more than his own mother said that she wished he was never born.
"Arnav." Kushi stepped back when Arnav looked at her. She had never seen him so broken or devastated. No, it was not the Arnav she knew. His eyes were distant even though he was looking at her. Her heart shattered into millions of piece seeing him like this. She wished that he became angry and scolds her for something. She could have tolerated that but this. The pain she saw in his eyes wounded her so much that tears began to fill her own eyes.
She felt so angry on nani for hurting him although she very well knew that nani was right. She had never felt so bad. Why his pain is hurting her so much? Why? He was her enemy, right? She must be happy that what she wanted has finally happened. He had lost his family. But why she is feeling bad instead of happy? Why she can't see him in pain?
How can she love him even after what he had done to her? Is this why they say love is blind? That's where she understood it. She loved him. She loves him and will continue to love him no matter what he does. It doesn't matter whether he was responsible for her parent's death or not. It doesn't matter whether he loved her back or not. What matters is that she loves him. And whatever he does, she will continue to love him because she loves him.
"Kushi." She jerked hearing his voice. "I am leaving. Take care of yourself." He said without looking at her. She watched his retreating back angrily. This is why she hates him. She hates him because she can't stop loving him. She hates him because he had made her to fall in love with her enemy.
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"No Kushi. I have some pending works. Sleep with di. I might come late." She heard him say in distracted voice. "Okay. Bye." She said before she cut the call. She didn't force him knowing that it will be hard for him to stay at home. It was already 7.30 pm. She sat near Anjali and waited for her to finish her call. After finishing her call, Anjali turned to Kushi.
"What happened, kushiji?" she asked looking at worried kushi. "Arnav told that he will be late tonight." Kushi said and Anjali nodded in response lost in her own world. After long silence, Kushi spoke. "Di, why nani is so stubborn? I mean even I am okay with him now. But why she is still angry at him? I accept that he had done mistake but still'did you see how hurt he was today? I think'"
Kushi stopped noticing anjali's smile. Anjali smiled while her eyes were filled with tears. She cupped kushi's face with one hand and asked "you really love him, don't you?" Kushi gave her a sad smile making Anjali to shed more happy tears. "But chotey thinks'" Anjali started to speak but Kushi cut her off. "Your brother is an idiot, di."
Anjali chuckled while Kushi continued "he never understands other's feeling or not even tries to understand it." it somehow reminded Kushi of yesterday's event where he talked to Lavanya in front of her. She shook her head freeing herself from unwanted thoughts and then asked Anjali "di, why don't you talk with nani about this?"
"I tried kushiji. But you know she is ten times more stubborn than chotey. She thinks he deserves this punishment. No one can make her to change her decision. But this time I think you can do it." kushi's eyes got widened hearing anjali's word. "You are the daughter-in-law of this house. It is her duty to fulfil your first wish. And also you are pregnant. I don't think she will deny you."
Kushi nodded. "But what if she denies me? What if, if she gets angry on me?" kushi asked like a small child. "Why should I get angry on you, kushi betiya?" anajli and kushi stood up seeing nani. Kushi walked to nani and said "nani, actually'" nani stopped her. "Why do you want me to forgive him when you are the main victim of his act?"
"Because we both want to forget it nani." She argued back but nani was stubborn. "Do you really think you can live with him happily after what all happened?" nani questioned kushi. Kushi was silent for moment and then started to answer looking lost in some other world. "I don't know nani. I really don't know whether I will be able to lead a happy life with him or not. But what I knew is I can never be happy when he is in pain. It hurts me more than it hurts him."
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"Di, where is Kushi?" Arnav asked as soon as Anjali opened the door. "She was in kitchen. Why? What happened?" Anjali asked but it never reached her brother's ears as he stormed towards their kitchen. Arnav came to halt when he spotted his grandmother in kitchen instead of Kushi. Devyani was garnishing the kheer with dry fruits and nuts.
"Why are you standing on the way? Move. I have to give this to my grandson." Devyani said seriously to Arnav like they always do. Their mocking comment is sign of peace with each other. "To Who? The grandson whom you wished he was never born?" Arnav asked sarcastically making the elder lady to look at him. A strange but painful silence filled the place as their eyes met each other.
"Do you really hate me that much nani?" he asked pitifully gulping the lump in is throat. The elder woman was first one to break into tears while her grandson followed her in a second. He hugged her and cried out his pain which he was bearing from the time he heard those terrible words. Devyani didn't remember the last time when his grandson cried.
He didn't even cry when things were terribly wrong for them six years back. She understood how much she means to him and how much her words had hurt him. She cupped his tear stricken face and said "how can i hate you when you are the only hold of my life. I am living for you from the day you were born. What i told you in morning was due to anger! i swear i didn't even mean a single word which i uttered."
Anjali smiled looking at the duo and then walked to them. When they both looked at her, she mocked "so finally the drama got over." Devyani hit her slightly making her to pout. "Don't make fun of my grandson." Arnav smiled and thanked her. "Thanks nani. After hearing your words in the morning, i thought you will never forgive me in this life time."
His grandmother explained "if you want to say thanks, and then say it to your wife."
Arnav's eyes sparked with amazement hearing his nani's words. "What a girl she is? She doesn't know anything other than to love unconditionally. After what all you done to her, she forgave you because she loves you that much. She loves you more than we do chotey. She said she cannot see you in pain. I felt ashamed that i didn't love you that much." She continued "i still believe that what you did is absolutely wrong. But still i forgave you. Do you know why? By committing that sin, unknowingly you done one good thing. you brought her here. Otherwise you would have never got a wife like her. This may sound selfish. But i am happy really for you. After what all you had gone through in past, I certainly believe you deserve her love."
Arnav smiled, his eyes filled with tears and then nodded when devyani said "but chotey, dont forget that i will never forgive you even if you think of hurting her again." Their silent moment was disturbed when pia came running towards Arnav. Seeing prem entering the kitchen with cake box, Anjali shouted "i told you not to bring it into the kitchen. Careful, don't put it down."
"Di, where is Kushi?" Arnav tried to sound causal suppressing his excitement. Anjali placed the cake on the counter as she answered "don't know. She was here only before you came." Arnav nodded and tried to move out when pia held his hand. "Mama, where are you going? Cut the cake." Pia said making Arnav to give a small smile. He agreed, his eyes roaming somewhere else.
Anjali placed her hand on his shoulders and said "Arnav, You better go and find her. We will all celebrate together." Anjali's advice was only late because he already started to walk towards stairs. He climbed two steps at the time as his heart started to beat fast. Unknown yet familiar feeling started to settle inside him. He opened his room enthusiastically only to find it empty.
He checked his garden which also looked abandoned. He was about to leave when a big envelope on the bed caught his attention. He walked towards it slowly and picked it up. He pulled the sheet out of the envelope. As soon as he understood what it was, his hands became shaky, his breathing ragged his heart beat reached its maximum rate and his mind screaming one name. "kushi." Sonography image report.
It is not that he had never seen any sonogram before but this is totally different. This is his child. He couldn't believe what was happening. For past week, he was worried whether he will ever be able to see his child or not. but This feeling was overwhelming. It was better than he thought or imagined. He slowly traced the small creature on the image with his shaky fingers as his tears fell on it.
"i thought you would be happy to see it. My gift to you." He gripped the sonogram tightly as he heard her voice. He already sensed her presence few seconds before and also heard door closing sound. But he didn't turn as he didn't know how to face her. "How is it?" she asked as he turned, her eyes fixed to his hand. "Why are you doing this kushi?"
She rolled her eyes up to meet his. "Why are you doing this when you very well know that I don't deserve any of this?" his eyes showcased different emotions. Pain, hurt, happiness, gratitude and love. Yes, she saw love but she ignored it because she was scared what if, if it was all her imagination like previous time. She was not ready to get hurt again.
She sarcastically replied "because i am not Arnav Singh Raizada to get happy seeing other's pain." She wanted to leave the place because she didn't want to believe what she saw in his eyes. She turned to leave when he got hold of her wrist. Next second she went crashing on his body and even before she could react, she felt his lips on hers.
raise ur hands if you think that iam evil to stop here...not really😆😆...okay strike the like button and do comments...share ur thoughts
iam waiting with romantic chapter in my mind😉...so hurry up...make it 225+ likes.
wednessday is holiday for me..tell me how many of you want updates on that day...or should i update on sunday??????????
anyway 225+likes is must for an update
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