Chapter One ---- Broken Heart
It was another busy afternoon, as the beautiful sun was setting down and the clouds were filled with the gentle fire from the sun. The wind was harsh and cold, entangling the dead leaves on the freezing ground as it dance across one place to another. The autumn was already here in England, everyone was ready for it, wearing their winter clothes people walk across the city. This was the time when you will only see gloomy days, where the day start late but also finishes early, darkness everywhere but everyone trying to get on with their lives even if it means with a thin irritated smile across their faces.
A loud laugh suddenly spread across the silent street as she came running through the street like the wind, she was holding something hard and secure between her small fingers as she ran keeping her hand high away from anyone's reach. Her dark blue jacket was half buttoned which wrapped around her slender body while the scarf was tied around her long neck and blue denim jeans which hugs her long legs. She ran as faster as she could. Her laughter was so beautiful and innocent that can give life to anything just like a magical spell. A wide smile sat across her face as it reached from one ear to another, a twinkling hazel eyes holding so much innocence yet lots of mischievousness. Keeping her dark brown hair tied back she was a perfect description of simplicity, nothing too fancy but nothing very boring.
'Kushi didi!!' came a young voice behind her. Coming to a halt she turned her head around to see the direction where the voice came from, her eyes grew bigger and wider with more excitement as she saw a young girl running towards her. She let out a light chuckle as a feeling of victory overwhelmed her and start running away before she reaches her. 'Give that back didi!' She continued to plead but Kushi was not in the mood to listen. Without a delay she ran as if she was running for her life, actually she was running for her life because if she gets caught by her young friend before the time, she was unsure whether she will be able to run like this again for some time. Luckily for her she was able to reach her destination without any delay. Knocking hard on the white painted door of a typical old English house she waited until a respond come. She let out a huge sigh as the door was finally open. 'Aunty!' Kushi exclaim which caught the middle aged lady by surprise 'Riddhima is on her way' said Kushi before flashing her beautiful smile. 'Oh thank you so much dear, see your that one person who is able to bring Riddhima back home on time' said the lady very kindly stroking through Kushi's hair, in reply Kushi was only able to smile as she knew how her evil plans always work.
She landed back on the ground after the mini session of self-praising when she heard a loud thud as the door closed behind the furious Riddhima. Kushi was caught off guard, she looked here and there for something to protect her as she knew what was coming next but she couldn't find anything. Holding on to that something in her hand tightly she could only think of one way to escape. She shot up the stairs thumping loudly on the stairs made out of wood; she can only hear the footsteps coming after her as she wasn't strong enough to look back. Running into a nicely decorated but messy room Kushi threw herself on the bed sitting down comfortably waiting for Riddhima to come. As Riddhima barge into the room she instantly gave a cold stare to Kushi who replied with the same challenging manner before breaking up into a pearl of laughter, Riddhima was no longer able to hold the fake anger as she let out a smile.
'This is not fair!' said Riddhima sitting down on the bed next to Kushi, Kushi made herself comfortable coming closer to Riddhima as if she have no clue about what is Riddhima on about. 'All is fair in love and war my dear' said Kushi before giving a wink at her friend. 'Here have your mobile... I mean the PINK mobile of yours' said Kushi emphasizing on words as she handed the item she was holding tightly all this time. 'Next time don't do such a thing...' said Riddhima with a trembling voice as if she was about to cry. 'Awww Riddhima rorahi hain' said Kushi getting up from the bed 'That is exactly what you said last time Miss Riddhima Malhotra' said Kushi straitening herself and smoothing down her crinkled clothes with her soft hands. '... but I am sorry I am not forcing you to fall into my pranks you just do that... so you stop it!' continued Kushi looking back at Riddhima who was replying her with evils 'Your impossible Kushi didi' said Riddhima shaking her head side to side. 'I know! My British born, sweet little friend... Me, Kushi Kumari Gupta 18 years old have never been easy or possible and never will be, so you better know that! I am off then, Chao!' giving Riddhima a good bye kiss, Kushi prepares herself to face the outside cold grey misery. She buttoned her jacket properly, getting out her IPod she switch on to her favorite playlist on full blast and came downstairs before shouting out 'Bye Aunty!' she wished Riddhima's mom a goodbye and was out back on the road, walking against the harsh wind coming towards her.
Tapping her foot to the beat of the music she sang along to the lyrics underneath her breath. Making sure she doesn't put on a show to the grumpy office people who are busy getting back home, she sang in her own little world 'Tujhe dekha toh mein jana sanaaam... pyaar hota hain deewana sanaaam...' She walk across the streets as slow as she can, it was only a 10 minutes' walk to her destination but she was enjoying the sense of warmth which tingle within her and the cold night breeze against her face, so she didn't want to hurry herself but to feel the change and feel free like a bird flying around the Northeast London's streets.
The darkness has settled in beautifully. On her track Kushi suddenly came to a stop, she looked back at the street where another street was joining in. A smile fade on to her lips as the eyes twinkle, thinking to herself for while she shrug and walk towards to the connected street. Walking further and further into the darkness she looked at the street ahead. Her excitement took the best of her, a girl like Kushi who thinks 100 times before taking a risk decide to go further into the dark street just for a glimpse of that one thing. 'It's okay Kushi, just a bit more... if you want something you have to take the risk and go for it' said Kushi to herself. She kept her stare to the ground but suddenly a strong light has caught her attention which lit the whole area. She came to a halt looking straight ahead; her smile only grew wider as if she has accomplished something very important.
Either side of the street there were some strongly lit lampposts, beautifully decorated. The narrow street lead it way to a beautifully design pond, it was magnificent, the each little detail of the architectural design keep you spell bounded. The place wasn't known for many as it was not a world famous design but according to Kushi it should have been. There is an unexplainable beauty, a magical spell which will break all your worries, wash away those negative feelings with its rushing water and give you a fresh new start. But today there was something different. Around the pond there were some candles place on the ground, those candles have spell something. Kushi look around her to find anyone but no one was there. The curious Kushi could not stop herself and to wonder off. As she got closer and closer the words became clearer. 'I LUV U' Kushi read the words, a little jealousy pinched her in the corner of her heart but at the same time was happy for the stranger who decide to confess his or her feelings today to the one they love, everything was perfect, the place, the arrangements, she was on top of the world, being happy for someone who she never met but that is Kushi for you. Realizing she should not be here just in case she become a kabab mein haddi to the couple she decide to rush away. 'All the very best stranger' she murmur to herself before turning to go.
But it was too late she can see a blurred vision of a couple coming towards her. Something inside Kushi urge her to stay, she wanted to witness a beautiful love story, which was her favorite subject. Cunningly Kushi decide to hide on the other side of the pond hoping she won't be noticed, hiding behind the statues she waited for them to come closer. The girl was blind folded while the guy supports her to walk; there were some murmuring and whispering going on between them. Kushi tried to get a good view on the guy's face or even the girl's but no matter how much she tried she failed to see their faces, giving up on this Kushi decide to only eardrop their conversation.
'Wait, wait little bit more' said the guy; his voice held so much love and care as he gently spoke to the love of his life. 'Oh come on... I can't wait no longer...' said a beautiful female voice. 'Okay now...' whisper the guy. There was dead silence for a while, confused Kushi tried to take a look between the statues where she saw, the guy on his knees, holding a box on his hand.
'You know everything about me... all these past years you have known me like nobody else ever did. You changed me and my life you have just changed me, I love you a lot and I will love you forever... You make life simple... Marry me?' the subtle excitement was clearly visible in his voice. On the other side Kushi's smile got wider and wider unable to believe can anyone be this sweet and romantic but at the same time keeps things at its simplest best.
'Your joking right...' came the female voice, her voice was unsteady she wasn't sure of what was happening as she backed away. 'No I am serious I am prosing to you' said the guy standing up back on to his feet. Things were changing, not going according to Kushi's plan, she can sense some tension but couldn't pin point what was it. 'Please don't do this, don't spoil it' came as the reply from the girl. 'What are you saying? I want to marry you... how I am spoiling it?' asked the husky voice of the guy, he was getting angry and tensed. 'I am sorry I think it's all my fault all my fault... I should have told you earlier... think I let it go too far' replied the girl. After a moment of silence it was the guy's turn to question 'What are you talking about I don't understand?' said the guy as he held the girl's gentle shoulder tightly between his strong hands. Kushi's heart went out for the guy as a long tear escape from Kushi's big brown eyes. 'I think it went too far... I don't want to get married...' finally the girl spit it out. There was no answer, no reply, no conversation. Everything was dead but only the sound of the wind.
'You tell me what you have today? You have nothing with you... You have lost everything now and how can you expect me to marry you.. the position I am in today you won't be able to reach it ever and I don't want a guy who I can't show out to the world as my husband.. If I marry, I want to marry someone who will be at such a higher position than me... Can you earn more than how much I earn? How am I supposed to take you and introduce you to my friends who are married to successful people? You're nobody today... I also have a reputation to keep and look after' came the reply from the girl. At that moment Kushi nearly skipped a beat of her heart, anger rose within her, how can someone do such a thing or at least say such a harsh thing to someone who love her very much. The tightly held grip of the guy was released as he pushed her away, away from him. He was shock; he was shock at what kind of thoughts were coming out of his love ones lips. Those lips once he kissed passionately, those thoughts once he loved and respected.
'But I thought you love me' the only thing escaped from his broken voice. 'I loved you, but nothing has changed for me. I am sorry maybe I don't love you the way you love me... my answer will never change. I am sorry' saying this slightly she walk away, away from him, away from everything. She didn't want him; she didn't want to get involved in anything. 'Lavanya!' said the guy in hope she will stop but no, she turned her back and walk away from him.
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Jodha Akbar
Anupamaa
193