Rules Of Attraction ( Updated Part 21)- Pg 139 - Page 5

That night, Khushi cried herself to sleep, her eyes open, not for a moment regretting what she had said to him or about his hurtful outburst. The flashbacks of the very fire that had destroyed her life, brimmed in her moist, tired eyes.

Arnav did not shed tears. Instead he closed his eyes, and entered into the fictional room he had created at the back of his mind, the pitch black room, and channeled all his thoughts there, about Khushi, his parents, thoughts of betrayal. But, he was not God. He couldn't stop replaying the incident of that torturous day, eleven years ago, from playing over and over in his mind.

The wind blew pleasantly that night, almost aware of what had happened hours ago, trying to soothe the hearts of the two people who were desperately trying to evade the storm of memories brewing up in their minds.

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It had rained last night, giving way to a beautiful morning, a cloudy sky.

Khushi let the water drain down her face as she stood in the shower cubicle. The water seeped into her hair, and she just stood there immobile, thinking of the day ahead.

After getting dressed, and taking her daily dose of medicines, she made a call to Ajay.

'Khushi, hi, how are you?' Ajay asked, concerned.

'I'm just fine, you really need to relax. How is Shalini doing? Khushi asked, her mind drifting back to the days when Ajay, his adorable wife Shalini and her used to sit down to eat the lip-smacking fish curry Shalini made for lunch. What she would give to have those days back.

'She's great. So, you'll be coming tomorrow as scheduled, right?' he asked. His mind replaying the very same days that Khushi was thinking about seconds ago.

'Yes, I'd called to confirm that only,' Khushi had barely uttered those words that her head started spinning suddenly, the phone slipped out of her fingers as she slid down to the floor. She tried to hold her throbbing head in her hands, but she fell like a rag-doll onto the floor.

Arnav after finishing his video-conference with his Tokyo clients, he made a call to Anjali, talked to her for about an hour. Inquiring about her health, her impending pregnancy. When she handed over the phone to Aakash, he got to know that he would be getting engaged next month to a certain Payal. Arnav felt happy. Happiness wasn't a usual at the Raizada Mansion and when it came, it brought him a vivid sense of relief

His thoughts drifted towards Khushi. He knew that was no way to talk to a girl who he had met barely days ago. He knew he had probably scared her, with his outburst. But he didn't like anyone interfering in his personal matters. Yet he couldn't figure out why he actually brought up the topic of his parents, or for that matter the sadness that brimmed in her eyes when he talked about them. He didn't want her pity, or her sympathy. She had a family, she had a normal childhood in the cocoon of protection, love. She didn't understand, then why would she say she did. Probably just a figure of speech for her. He didn't have the answers, like always, but the tears in her eyes bothered him, made him feel uneasy.

Anu, Khushi's room-mate found her sprawled on the floor hours later. Informing the warden, she tried to wake her up by sprinkling water on her eyes. Khushi mumbled a faint, '...water...' Anu put a glass of water to her mouth bringing back to life her chapped lips. The warden came hurriedly and ushered her to the Healthcare Center. The doctor after asking her a few questions came down to the conclusion that she had an extremely low blood pressure. So Khushi had to forcibly gobble down an apple and a glass of milk after which she went to the Dean, got the required permission to leave campus for two days, after he had talked to Garima and Shashi back in Lucknow.

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The taxi dropped her at the Lifeline Hospital and she headed towards probably the most gloomiest departments of the Hospital. Some walls were light blue, some ivory white. If she had her way she would probably paint the walls bright yellow or even green, but who was to question the mighty Ajay. As she walked towards his office, she saw a five-year old girl huddled up in her mother's lap. The mother's face ashen, with fear, her cheeks stained by the tears she had shed through the night. Khushi could identify her face with that of Garima's, a month ago. Not wanting to look at the few patients sitting on the metal chairs she entered Ajay's glum office.

'A little color never did no one any harm,' she said, giving him a big smile, as he came over to give over a bear hug.

'I got you Jalebis, if that cheers you up a little more,' he said casually, making her squeal in delight as he watched her jump at the glitzy red box , full of life. The sight of her made him helpless. Making sure that his mind di not drift towards those thoughts again, he came back to his serous composure and stated very clearly.

'Eat those up quickly. We'll begin with this month's schedule in an hour, okay?' Ajay looked at her face for some hesitance, fear, but all he could find was sheer ignorance.

Khushi nodded back in oblivion, concentrating on Jalebis in front of her.

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Arnav waited that evening. An hour passed, as he stared at the half-completed sketch of Khushi. The sky changed from a burnt sienna to a light blue and finally into the darkest blue. He had thought of explaining his rude behavior to her once she came. The lone candle burning in the studio, had long melted out on the teak table, giving way to a steely dark room, gripped with immaculate silence. Giving her sketched yes one last glance he headed back to the Guesthouse, his mind whirring with her image.

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