ArHi SS - Dil De Diya Hai: Part 18 Pg 119 - Page 68

Part 18

Arnav and Khushi stare at each other unable to move due to disbelief. Shyam Manohar Jha, the bane of their existence and the reason for their destruction was dead. It seemed unreal or rather too good to be true. Could it be that simple though? Can his vicious existence end so easily? Arnav and Khushi's thoughts were mirrored in their eyes. Arnav dialled the police inspector back and said, 'Are you sure about this? Aapne usse dekha hai?' He put the phone down and said, 'Khushi, woh sach much mar chukka hai. Woh abhi uski body ke saath hai.' A moments silence was followed by Khushi running and hugging Arnav as relief was seeping through every vein in her body. Arnav was in the same state since he felt a weight had been lifted off him. Their culprit had been punished; his life had been cut short. Probably it was too quick but this was divine justice, Arnav finally knew. They comforted each other through their touch since words since they were too overwhelmed too speak. Khushi's mind was still working and things clicked in to place when Arnav let out a pained, 'Di.'

Khushi pulled back and said, 'Aap hamari ek baat maanege?' Arnav was confused and said, 'Kaisi baat?' Khushi replied, 'Aaj jab hum yaha aa rahe the tab aapne Di se kaha tha ke unka yaha hone ka matlab hota ke hamari jhooti shaadi, yeh sab dard zaaya ho jaata. Hai na?' Arnav nodded and Khushi said, 'Hum agar Di ko sirf humare baare mein bataye toh?' Arnav's eyes widened as he said, 'Aur Ma Papa ke baare mein nahi?' Khushi cupped his face in her hands and said, 'Hamari baat suniye. Hum jaante hai ke Di ko haq hai sach janne ka lekin woh kitne ghaav bardaasht karegi, Arnav? Aapko galat samajhne ka dukh, Shyam ka dhoka, apna jeevan sathi kho dena... Woh shayad yeh sab le paayi lekin apne Amma Babuji ka sach, unhe tod dega. Aapne unhe sambhale rakha hai.' Arnav looks at her with a confused expression and she asks, 'Aise kyun dekh rahe hai? Aapko hamari baat galat lagi...' Arnav places his palm on her face and says, 'Tum sab kuch janti ho na Khushi?' Khushi replies, 'Aapne hi toh kaha tha, bohot kareeb se jaana hai aapko. Yeh baat kaise nahi dekhte hum?' Arnav kisses her forehead and says, 'In that case, pehle Shantivan jaana hoga.' Khushi agrees and they both head out.

Naniji is looking at Khushi with an expression between gratefulness and awe. Naniji says, 'Khushi bitiya, aapne apne gham bhi hamare baare mein sochat hai?' Khushi eyes are moist and she says, 'Naniji, jo log chale jaate hai unko na hum wapas bula sakte hai na unka dard kam kar sakte hai lekin hum Di ke liye toh yeh waqt aasaan kar sakte hai na?' Naniji pats her head and says, 'Hum kaisan aapko galat samjhe rahe, Bitiya? Pehle se lekar ab tak aap hamare baare mein hi sochat hai.' Khushi smiles sadly and says, 'Aap humse alag thodi na hai, Naniji? Hamara parivaar hai yeh.' Mamiji says, 'Lekin hum tumka itna trouble kiye rahe, what about that?' Khushi hugs Mamiji and says, 'Humhe toh us mein bhi pyaar hi nazar aaya Mamiji.' Mamaji blesses Khushi and says, 'Amma, aapki bitiya kahi nahi gayi rahi. Devi maiyya humri behen ko doosre roop mein bheje rahi.' Arnav looks at Khushi and is reminded of his mother's nature, her light heartedness, zeal for life... He finally understood that Arnav had lost relationships but this one relationship that he had gotten in to will take care of him for life. Arnav and Khushi had lost their parents but fate had brought them together. Khushi's words once again echoed in his mind, 'Ek din aapko ehsaas hoga ke jo aapki zindagi mein ho raha hai woh khud dev maiyya aapse likhwa rahi hai.' A slight smile of relief passed on his face as he thought of the part that did not turn out to be true, 'Aur uss waqt hum aapke aas paas nahi hoge.' Arnav takes her hands in his and thinks, 'Nahi Khushi, tum hamesha mere aas paas rahogi.. Hamesha.'

1 year later

Khushi was sleeping facing Arnav who was gazing at her lovingly. He ran his hands through her hair and then looked blissfully at the adorable baby bump. He went close to it and said, 'Hello little Khushi. You know I cannot wait to see you. Mujhe pata hai ke tum bilkul apni mom jaisi hogi, dil mein pyaar, naak par gussa aur... kehne ke liye bohot kuch!' Khushi smiles in her half sleepy state listening to Arnav talking to his baby. Khushi had not seen Arnav as happy as she had seen him in the last year. The look in his eyes when she told him that they were expecting a baby was one of immense pleasure and disbelief almost as if he had taken for granted that these joys will not be a part of his life. What a long way Arnav and Khushi had traversed together. They were reliant yet independent, crazy about each other yet composed, madly in love yet grounded in reality. Khushi slowly said, 'Apne papa ki bhi kuch cheezein ho toh humhe koi problem nahi hai.' Arnav slowly says, 'Mujh mein aisi kaun si baat hai?' Khushi eyes flew open at that comment and she sat upright looking at him with loving anger.

Khushi asks, 'Kaun si baat?' She gently places her hand on his heart and says, 'Aapka dil, Arnav. Inn guzrein mahinon mein kitni baar humne iss dil mein bhara pyaar dekha hai. Aapka gussa usse maar nahi paaya. Har chhoti baat mein ubhar ke aa jaata hai. Aur iss ek saal mein toh aapne hamara daaman khushiyon se bhar diya hai.' Arnav caresses her face and says, 'Wahi toh baat hai tumhari Khushi. Tumhe khud nahi pata ke tum logon mein woh pyaar ko zinda rakhti ho. Tumhara chehra dekhkar jeene ka mann karta hai aur yakeen hota hai ke duniya mein acchayi hai, pyaar hai aur jeene ki wajah hai...' Khushi gently comes forward and kisses him. Arnav places his hand on her stomach is gobsmacked when a few intense moments later, the baby kicks Khushi right where Arnav's hand is. They both break away and look at each other excitedly. Arnav says, 'Was that...?' Khushi nods happily and Arnav kisses her stomach as Khushi says, 'Ma khush hai toh chote Arnav bhi toh khush hoge na?' Arnav is extremely happy and takes Khushi in to an embrace and covers her face with kisses as she smiles with the knowledge that a part of Arnav was growing inside her. Her joy knew no bounds as she reciprocated Arnav's passion with enthusiasm and love that matched Arnav's at every step.