CHAPTER - 10
Arnav felt something hit him, disturbing his sleep. He drowsily opened his eyes to find Anjali pushing him, again and again, saying something. Trying to get his ears to work he grumbled, "What Di? Let me sleep."
As his ears got adjusted he heard her gasp and say dramatically, "Chote, You ...you want to sleep more? You are the first person to wake up every day at home. The mighty ASR who thinks sleeping is a waste of time wants to sleep today? Are you sure you are ok?"
Finally giving up on more sleep, he sat up rubbing his eyes saying, "Oh! Di, Please. Now don't make a scene. I am just a little tired. That's all."
Anjali pretending to be angry said, "I am not making any scene. You are acting different and I am worried about you. Twice in one day. Yesterday afternoon and now, it had been very long since I saw you sleep this peacefully."
Her last sentence made him think. Yes, it is true. He was never able to sleep peacefully, not since that dreadful day. His family thought it was his erratic work schedule that kept him away from his slumber but only he knew that it was the other way around. He worked at night because he couldn't get himself to sleep. Even though he held an upfront, strong ASR looks for everyone, he knew how insecure he actually felt. Anjali's voice broke through his chain of thoughts, "Did you forget, we have to leave for darshan soon. Get ready quickly?"
His expression suddenly turned serious as he spoke, "Di, you go with Akash. You know I don't believe in god. For me the statue you call god is just a stone like any other."
"Chote, how many times do I have to I tell you not to speak like that.", Anjali tried to explain.
"Please Di, let this topic slide. I don't believe in God anymore and you can't make me. Where was he when we went through hell. Did he come and helps us then? NO. That's all that matters to me." He took a deep breath trying hard to keep himself from being engulfed by his past knowing it will only lead to more pain. "I don't want any more discussions on this. Also, I have a lot of work to catch on to." There was such finality in his voice that Anjali instantly knew that the discussion had ended.
All broken Anjali moved out of Arnav's room disappointment written all over her face. Akash who just walked out of his room all dressed up inquired the reason for her sulk face. Anjali completed narrating the happenings to Akash and added, "I had such high hopes for this trip. I am tired of seeing my brother filled with hate and anger. I forced this trip on him hoping that we three would visit the temple and also have fun in the process as we used to while we were kids. What happened to him, Akash? He always used to come with me and mama to the temple, but now he doesn't believe in god. Now he never laughs and though I see him smile once in a while it never reaches his eyes. How did I lose my little brother, Akash? Where did that Arnav go?", she broke down crying covering her face in her palms.
"Di, please don't cry. Everything will be fine. You want him to come with us - that's all, right. I have a plan for that. Now wipe your tears and do as I say." Akash gave her a mischievous smile.
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Arnav was getting dressed when he heard Anjali's shriek. Panic taking over he ran out into the hall where he found Anjali moaning while holding her feet. Concern etched on his face he asked, "Di, Are you ok? what happened? Where is Akash?" and he roared "AKASH."
"I am fine, Chote. I think I sprained my ankle a little. Nothing big. Akash just went inside." She pulled her leg away from Arnav before he could check on the sprain.
"Di, you need to be careful. What if something happened to you? How can ..." Just then he saw Akash walk in and snapped, "Where were you? You were supposed to take care of Di."
Anjali cut him off before he blasted Akash more, "Now don't yell at him. It was not his fault."
Trying to keep his anger in check he ordered, "Di, you are not going anywhere. You need to rest."
"I am going for darshan and you can't make me stay.", Anjali said adamantly.
Realizing that she is repeating his earlier statement he said, "Di, please. Listen to me. You can go tomorrow."
"You never listen to me and expect me to listen to you. No way. You get back to whatever work you have. I can feel the pain subsiding. We will leave soon, Akash.", she completed looking at Akash.
Arnav who was kneeling by her side till now, stood up exasperated. After a few seconds he said, "Ok then, I will come with you. I can't let you go like this with Akash." He glared at Akash as he spoke. "Give me a few minutes to get ready. Akash gets Di some pain killer and also, check the leg once."
As Arnav walked out of their sight, Akash and Anjali exchanged a hi-fi. "I feel bad for doing this.", Anjali signed.
"Don't worry, Di. We did nothing wrong.", Akash reassured her.
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The trio reached the area where the darshan line starts. Shiva handed the tickets at the gate. As they walked into the line he informed about the location where he will be waiting for them and left.
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It had already been an hour since they entered the line but they were hardly anywhere near the temple. Arnav's restlessness was increasing as they waited and waited in line. Anjali and Akash tried to make a healthy conversion hoping it will cool him down but no use.
As people around him pushed and squeezed him, he cursed his day. He knew Di and Akash played him this morning but even then he couldn't take any chance when it came to his Di. Also, even though he knew his family always used his love and concern for Anjali to get him to do certain things, Anjali never did, until unless it was something very important to her. So he had no choice but to come, for her happiness and his mental peace. But he never expected the outcome of his decision to be this bad. "How the hell can they allow so many people at once into a line?", he thought. He was so used to the VIP treatment wherever he went that this experience was a first for him.
Anjali and Akash on the other end were enjoying themselves. Anjali ensured Arnav that she was fine and made it clear that he need not try and protect her from every disciple passing them.
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After a few minutes the line they were split into two. As Anjali, Akash managed to squeeze into the same line, Arnav was pushed into the other by the crowd. Looking at Arnav's frustrated face, Akash yelled to him, "Bhai, don't worry. We will meet you where the lines join again. I will take care of Di. You be careful."
Before Arnav could say anything Akash and Anjali were pushed further ahead making it hard for him to even see them. "Damn It!", Arnav let out a cry startling people around him. "If only Di gave me enough time to arrange everything, I would not have been in this position now. This trip is a disaster since the very beginning." Suddenly his thoughts drifted to those big caramel eyes and he murmured to himself, "Disaster?... maybe not entirely." while recollecting the previous night. His reverie broke when people pushed past him, making him realize that he was standing still. He slowly started moving with the crowd, his thoughts still affixed on her. "Khushi", he whispered, enjoying how the name played on his lips.
Startling him, a sudden cry came from behind him. Instantly he turned around, catching a short glimpse of someone falling. His hands reached out before his mind could contemplate anything. For some unknown reason, he felt an intense pull to save the person. His heart started beating rapidly as he gawked the lean figure hanging between his two hands, with her face covered in red-colored dupatta. His mind went numb while his heart throbbed erratically against his ribs. In a daze, he slowly lifted his left hand to her face while carefully balancing her body with his right. His heart started racing more and more erratically each passing second with anticipation, making it hard for him to breathe. He very gently held the dupatta and cautiously pulled it down.
Everything around him froze as he stared at the face of a person in astonishment. It was her, she was right there, in his arms.
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