True Colors : ARHI FF Thread 1 - Page 29

Chapter 14

'A baby!" Khushi thought incredulously. She was going to have Arnav's baby…and hers too…which meant their baby. Khushi's entire being lit up with joy and warmth as she touched her stomach with a huge smile. Arnav's baby…a part of him in her…something no one can take away from her...Arnav would be so very ecstatic…and then her thoughts came to an abrupt halt…but how would Arnav ever know…

Khushi's happiness was replaced by a deep and intense grief…Arnav had to know, it was his baby, he had a right to know…moreover she needed him now, more than ever. How would she bring up a baby alone? But she couldn't go back either…

Disha watched the play of emotions on Khushi's face and almost read her thoughts. She said,"Arnav bhaiya needs to know Khushi…He has a right to know."

"Of course he does. It is his baby and he would be so happy. He won't even let me walk if he knew, he would treat me like a precious piece of glass…He..."she looked at Disha sadly and said, "He can do all this if I tell him. But I can't Disha and you have promised me you will not tell anyone I am here,"Khushi pleaded with her friend.

"Khushi, that's not fair. You are asking me not to help you and your baby when you obviously need Arnav. I can't be quiet now."

"Dishu if you tell anyone I am here and if they find me, I swear I will run away to some other place, may be even a shelter for women. Do you want me to do that?"Khushi asked stubbornly.

Disha gave up in frustration. One thing was clear, Khushi loved Arnav. So, the problem was not in that. It was obvious from how Khushi talked about Arnav that he loved her too. So, that couldn't be a problem either. Disha could not figure out what else the issue could be. Apparently, it mattered a lot to Khushi to be in hiding. Disha was extremely worried for Khushi . Being alone and pregnant was not what she wanted for her friend…but she had no choice…but at least she could take care of her.

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It was nearly been two months since Khushi's disappearance. Arnav sat in his room with a glass of whisky in his hand…a habit of late…2 whole months since he had seen her beautiful face he thought. "I deserve it. When I had her I did not care for her. And now she is gone…" He thought for the hundredth time in the two months.

Post Khushi's disappearance, he had told Khushi's family and his family that they were shifting to London for a few months for some business work. He did not want to tell the elders in the family that Khushi was missing. He had confided in Payal and Akash and asked them to keep it under wraps till he found Khushi. He knew Khush's family would be devastated and Naniji would never forgive him. Payal had been distraught when he told her and it had taken Akash ages to bring her back to even a semblance of normalcy.

Arnav had never contacted Di afterwards but he made sure she was fine through Akash.

He had hired the best detectives in town to trace Khushi but they had failed till now.

Arnav had left the management of the office to Akash and Aman and had become a recluse living out of his flat in Mumbai. He seldom stepped out, took calls or met people. The only exception he had allowed was Akash and surprisingly Dhruv.

4 days after Khushi's disappearance, Dhruv had come home to meet Khushi. Arnav had been in a completely drunken state when Dhruv came.

"Where is Khushi bhai?" Dhruv asked.

"Gone…she went away and took all my happiness with her…that's why she is Khushi…she is happiness" Arnav blabbered.

"Bhai, what do you mean she has gone? Gone where? Tell me," Dhruv said, shaking Arnav.

"Don't know…Di sent her away…sent my Khushi away…sent my love away…why did she do this to me bhai?" he asked, still too delirious to know that it was Dhruv he was confiding in.

"Di. Anjali Di? But why? And more importantly where is Khushi? Where has she gone?" Dhruv asked shaking Arnav vigorously.

Arnav looked up and held on to his hands, "Don't know. But please find her for me. Tell her I love her. Tell her I can't live without her. Tell her I need her. Please find her for me bhai. Please..Please…I will cherish her. I will never hurt her again. I just need one more chance. Please give me that," Arnav begged holding Dhruv's arm.

Dhruv looked in amazement at Arnav. To him and the rest of the family Arnav had always been a cold, cynical and distant man who was feared as much as he was admired for what he had achieved within such a young age. No one had ever seen him so much as smile. He was never expressive and sometimes appeared way too grown up, though Dhruv and Akahs were almost the same age.

The Arnav he saw today shook his soul and he felt his pain, for the woman whom he must love beyond everything else…Khushi…who wouldn't love her, Dhruv thought. Even he had been half in love with her, though she never encouraged it. She had been a good friend and he never wanted to break it. But he doubted if he could have loved Khushi with such intensity had she been his.

"I will find her for you bhai. Now go to sleep,"Dhruv said soothingly and left Arnav.

From that day Dhruv had been in touch with Arnav constantly and had helped in his search for Khushi. After Arnav moved out to Mumbai, Dhruv had also taken care of Arnav's cherished wish, the welfare of Khushi's sweet shop. Dhruv had appointed a manager and he personally looked into the accounts and other matters which required attention.

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As the days passed by Arnav was losing all hope of finding Khushi…till one day Dhruv called Arnav and said,"Bhai I think I know where Khushi is. I want you to book a flight to Kolkata and head for this address….."

Dhruv narrated Disha's address to Arnav.

Initially, he had found nothing amiss in this as they were all related. But gradually he had wondered why she never asked about Khushi. It was different earlier, because Disha and Khushi were always calling each other. However, knowing she could not talk to Khushi now, Dhruv found it strange how Disha never asked about Khushi.

Using his detective skills or whatever he thought he had of it, Dhruv had interrupted one such enquiry about Arnav by Disha…probably the tenth in the two months, which again was strange considering she was not very close to Arnav.. He said, "So Khushi keeps talking to you is it?"

"Of course bhaiya. You know we are close…hmm I think I have to run…"That statement had been the last nail in the coffin. Dhruv knew no one could reach Khushi as she was missing, but Disha pretended things were normal…an obvious improbability. He knew Khushi's parents and everyone were worried she was not reachable ever since she had left for London with Arnav. So why did Disha not do the same?

Finally Dhruv had dialed Disha's home number after he had made sure she was in office. Initially no one had picked up the phone. After nearly ten attempts Dhruv heard a voice on the other end saying, "Hello…"

Dhruv knew instantly that it was Khushi. He hung up and had made the next call to Arnav. He kicked himself for not guessing earlier. Disha was Khushi's best friend and it was obvious Khushi would turn to Disha when she had a need…

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Arnav had travelled non-stop to reach Disha's apartment in Kolkata. From the time he had heard from Dhruv, he had not wasted a single minute. He had booked the first available flight, the first available cab and even taken an auto to reach Khushi.

When Arnav reached the apartment and rang the bell, he could hear his heart beating wildly. It was after the third bell that the door opened an inch and Khushi's voice said "Who is it…"

Arnav put his hand on Khushi's which was holding the door and pushed it open …

And there in front of him stood his beautiful Khushi.