The Contract of Hearts (Last Part Updated Pg.97) - Page 13

The Contract of Hearts: A FF (Continued)

Part IX: RIPPLES OF THOUGHT

What was happening after he pressed his foot on the accelerator of his car was still hazy in Arnav's mind. The most vivid thing he remembered was her voice bursting with excitement saying "Sameer, tum?" Why did it trouble him so much?

He ought to be home by this time. Di would tease him all the more for coming late. "It took you hours to return a single duppatta?" she would say. But he could not bear the thought of going home.

"How lonely I am?" thought Arnav regretfully. He had nobody in this wide world with whom he could share his pain and anguish. He could not go to her from whom he was actually running away. He usually shared everything with his Di but even that option was ruled out. It would mean revealing everything including the contract and his Jeeju's real nature.

Arnav could not afford to tell what he had strived so hard to conceal. If he could be near his plants, that would be the best antidote to all his pain and confusion. But home meant, Di! She would surely detect that something was wrong with him. He had crushed everyone who came in his path, rejected the friendly advances of outsiders and looked at everyone with suspicion and distrust.

Arnav had not looked beyond his blood relations for any sort of companionship. The result, today he was high up on the pinnacle of success with nobody to keep him company. He had not one true friend to call his own! Arnav cursed himself. Yes! He, ASR, was to blame for everything he was missing out in life.

How far he had come, and where he was, he had no idea. He stopped his car near a deep and dark pool of water. The birds were quenching their thirst in its cool waters. How carefree their life was! They didn't have to think beyond experiencing and living in the present moment. How much he would have paid to have his life like that! "'Things like happiness and peace of mind are not purchased! They are priceless' she would say" being reminded of her words once again this evening.

Arnav sat beside the pool. He started throwing pebbles stirring its peaceful waters to ripples. It seemed to soothe his disturbed state of mind where he did not understand what he wanted in life. When he was thus engrossed, he received a call on his cell.

"ASR, is that you?" the voice at the other end enquired.

"Yes, who is it?-----Lavanya, you?" ASR shocked to receive a call from the girl whom he thought had left his life once forever. He was a little hesitant on what to say because he had led her on and on when he should have been honest with her about what he expected from their relationship.

"I'm marrying in a month from now. Please don't blame yourself for whatever happened. Nobody can force love! It just happens. Sorry that I behaved badly with Nani and Di. But I had to as I wanted them to chuck me out on their own." So it was just a play act on La's part. She didn't really mean to hurt anyone in his family. If anybody was to blame, it was himself. Gosh! How bad and gross he had been!

"Heard from Sim and Pam that you and Khushi are-----Very happy for you and Khushi!" La spoke "At last, I have found the true love of my life. He is an old childhood friend of mine. We have planned for a church marriage. I'll wait for you and Khushi as you two are my only-----"

La continued, "Khushi's birthday is coming this Sunday, right? I'll call her to wish her many many happy returns of the day. And ASR, please don't do to Khushi what you did to me. Honesty is the thread which holds together any relationship."

"Lavanya I---" The call was disconnected. Yes! If not for La, he would not have remembered her birthday in all this confusion. Yes! He would make it so memorable that she would never forget it throughout her life!

Nani and Di were fussing over his absence since a long time when he returned home. Di scolding him, "Kahan theh aap? Chotey, tayyar hoh jayiye. Aapka partner, Khushi aur Payal aathe hi honge."

He went upstairs to his room and had a cold shower to soothe himself. He dressed up in his cream colored casuals for the dinner. He was most eager and yet most afraid to meet her. What would she think about his actions? He went to explain yesterday night and ended up creating a new confusion today. He was lost in his thoughts while climbing down the stairs when his jaws dropped at the sight of what he saw.

(Coming up next ASR ki jhallan and Khushi ki birthday ke mauke par ASR ko jana padega business trip par)

Originally posted by: asmita223188

good job shailu👍🏼 you demonstrated very acutely what a conceited person like ASR can make of himself.🥺 oh poor arnav i felt pity for him!!!! but wat did he saw, did he saw khushi dressed differently or something else. waiting for next update...