So before we begin, i owe each and every single one of you a HUGE apology for such a delay in the update. I have been stupidly busy, and that coupled with lack of motivation just shitted everything up lol
Sorry guys!
I LOVE YOU!
Chapter Twelve - Begin Again
'That Payal is a f**king fireball Bhai!'
They were sat in the lounge area; both sprawled on the sofa, hugging their respective cushions as they immersed themselves in tireless thoughts over the upheaval that had just occurred a few hours back - the comfortable silence being disturbed by Akashs' unnecessary remarks of course. Arnav looked towards his cousin, only to guffaw at the manic expression etched on his face; deformed in a state of awe and amusement - Wide eyes staring off in to the distance. 'Trust him to find something good in such a dull situation,' he thought to himself.
'I have honestly never seen her like that before Akash... Ever!'
Arnav too was struggling to comprehend what had just happened. To think about it, Payal had never had a reason to get that angry before when it came to Khushi... He had never let anything happen for her to reach that point. 'But I guess that went out the window when I abandoned them all.' He concluded to himself, with a disheartened sigh.
'She sure put you in your place though' he said with a satisfied chuckle, remembering the way in which Akash had cowered under Payal's warning tones.
Akash on the other hand was positively horrified, his odd trance shattering around him as he snapped his head round to Arnav - mustering up the dirtiest look he could manage whilst he struggled to gulp back the tell-tale lump in his throat
'Shutup Bhai, she didn't know what she was on about. If you and Khushi hadn't have come down I would have put her in her place!'
This just made Arnav laugh even more, throwing his head back as he buried himself further back in to the sofa.
'Yea right! You would have gone and cried in the corner,' he managed to push out through his endless laughter.
'Right that's it!'
Akash grabbed the cushion next to him and whacked an oblivious Arnav across the face with it.
It was silent for a moment, Akashs' eyes wavering slightly as he debated whether to run while he had the chance. But he was too late. Arnav pounced on his before he had a chance to even move an inch - grabbing him in a headlock as he shoved his face in to the mound of cushions beneath them. It was a wonder how Akash actually managed to notice that his cousin was slowly coming out of his shell... Khushi had worked her magic after all.
By this point, Anjali had reappeared in to the room after readying herself - ambling towards the childish antics of her younger brothers, lost in deep thought. She was brought back to reality by their strangled cries as they tumbled off the sofa and landed in a tangled heap on the floor - making them aware of her presence.
She looked at them both for a moment, her gaze unfaltering and stern as she watched them both half-smile at her guiltily. She rolled her eyes and spoke only to Arnav - this was no time for stupid games.
'Luckily Nani didn't wake up, so you won't need to explain yourself to her' she said somewhat accusingly. She knew Arnav wouldn't approve of her reminder - but she was more concerned about Khushi at this present moment.
She felt the anger bubble inside of her when Arnav merely gave her a grave nod. 'Does he not have anything else to say for himself!' she thought in complete disbelief.
'Chote! You do realise it was you! It was all you! You put her in that disgusting position yesterday!' she nearly choked on her own words, remembering the disastrous state she had just witnessed her baby sister in. And to know that it was in some way caused by the person who claimed to care the most about her. She was far from disgusted.
Arnav felt his jaw clench as his teeth ground together causing the skin to tighten across the sides of his face. He closed his eyes momentarily, blocking out the throbbing thuds at the back of his head as Anjali's words weaved through them. He got up, throwing a fallen cushion back on to the sofa and faced her - his face twitching slightly as he fought to keep his anger at bay, his voice coming out in a husky rasp before he turned away from them both.
'I know Di... I know'
Anjali watched her brother as he stalked off up the stairs, shaking her head slightly as she turned her attention to Akash, who was still somewhat in a daze from the stormy new entry in his life.
'Look alive Akash!' she snapped at him before turning around herself and stomping back to her bedroom, muttering under her breath at her ignorant brother - Leaving behind an ever-perplexed Akash in her wake.
'Why do I always end up between the two of them?'
~
'Jiji... Please don't blame them too much. I mean, it's pretty much my fault anyway. You know how stubborn I am when it comes to taxis as well... Ironic isn't it?' she said shamefacedly, trying to lighten up the mood.
The tension had been sullen in the Gupta household ever since that day. And Payal had yet to calm down - her frosty expressions softening every now and then as she tended to her sisters' wounds.
'Don't try and stick up for them Khushi! If Arnav would have listened to you and kept his distance and stopped harassing you then you wouldn't be in this position! Lekin nahi, woh toh hamesha ki tarha idiot hi rahenga!'
Payal sat dabbing furiously at the healing gashes on Khushi's back - Her anger reaching surprising new heights as she thought about how selfish Arnav actually was. She herself considered Arnav to be like a brother - And a long with Khushi, he had left her in the lurch as well. And not only that, he hadn't thought twice about the consequences - and it was clear to her that even today, he had yet to rectify his faults.
Payal stopped mid-dab as she heard Khushi hiss out in pain, apologising as she realised that she had been applying a little bit too much pressure in her wayward thoughts.
'Haan haan hum jaante hain! But you can at least stop being so harsh on Akash! It's not his fault! He wasn't even there! In fact, he's probably the reason they actually got to me when they did!' Khushi said, trying to reason with her disgruntled sister. She felt bad that Akash was caught in the middle of this all. Afterall, he had been nothing but helpful since she had started working at AR Designs.
'I suppose you have a point... I should apologise to him shouldn't I?' She said guiltily
Payal hadn't intended on taking her anger out on Akash, she had just been so frustrated that Khushi was having to work such late nights. She looked at Khushi who was nodding her head eagerly at her - encouraging her to follow through with her latest revelation. Sighing, she got up off the bed and made a move to put away the variety of bandages and ointments splayed across the sheets. Before she walked out however, a thought occurred to her. She hovered around on the spot for a while before turning back to face a confused looking Khushi.
'But just think about this before you back Arnav up so much Khushi... How much do you actually mean to him?'
As Payal walked out of the bedroom, Khushi pondered further over what her sister had just said. And in all honestly, she knew Payal was right. This same thought had been tirelessly assaulting her since the day Arnav had left six years ago. Sighing, she took out her phone, scrolling through her messages aimlessly till she reached Arnavs name.
It had been a few days since Payal had dragged her out of the Raizada house. Having been ordered by everyone around her to take the week off week, she had received a text from Arnav twice a day, without fail. If she was honest, it felt nice. Really nice.
But nice wasn't enough
She had been pleasant enough, replying with a simple 'yes' or 'I'm fine' but nothing more. She didn't feel the need to cosy up to him too much. Just because he had said sorry, she in no way felt obliged to be so friendly - not when she, in Payals words, still had no idea what she in actual fact meant to Arnav Singh Raizada.
He had left - fair enough. He had said he was sorry - fair enough. But the fact of the matter was that for all those years, he didn't feel the need to even look back just once.
This constant thought had been gnawing at her for the past six years. In Khushi's eyes, she had clearly not meant enough to him for him to stay away from her for this long, without so much as uttering a single word to her; to put her through so much torment and to let her think the worst. She knew he had his reasons, but it all came down to this - She didn't mean enough to him.
And she had to learn to live with that
So why such an easy forgiveness? No. As much as she wanted to just collapse in his arms, Khushi couldn't help it... She just couldn't forgive him.
They needed to begin again. Right from the start.
But before they could even come close to being what they were when they were younger, Khushi needed to know. She needed to know just what had caused him to take such a drastic step. But she knew Arnav, and she knew she couldn't just force it out of him. But she also knew that she wouldn't be able to see him in the same light until she got her answers.
So for now, she'd have to take slow steps in the dark till she came up in that light... If she ever did.
And with that final thought, she switched off her bedside lamp and buried herself under the bedcovers.
She needed sleep.
~
The sleek black iphone was knocking against the polished wood of the desk every other second as it fell prey to the constant swivel between the impatient fingers of a certain troubled young man. He caught the phone mid-swing, bringing it to life for the tenth time that minute - his eyes hungry for a glimpse of her name.
He had text her. Of course he had. He had text her twice everyday for the past week. Once in the morning, and once at night. He didn't want to bother her too much after all. He was quite content with her menial replies, but Arnav couldn't help but yearn for more; to open up a message to one of her quirky jokes or a stream of pictures letting him know what she had just eaten.
He honestly didn't know what to expect now. Everything had changed... that was for sure. But that look she had given him before she walked out of the house with Payal - It had thrown him completely. She had given him that small smile, giving him so much hope. Yet her eyes had been glazed with a sheen of sadness, as if she was somehow apologising to him. In that moment, he had known that they would make it work. But in that moment, he also knew her heart was still full of contempt.
A faint 'click click' of heels captured his attention, ridding him of the ever-present doubts in his mind; transforming peacefully in to a picture of perfection as she came in to view. He saw her walking up the stairs towards Akashs' office, her bruises blackening and sickly upon her milky skin - taunting Arnav as he cursed himself. 'They shouldn't be there' he thought, clenching his fist - his remorse pulsating through his veins as he fist grew tighter still.
He realised he was staring when he saw her glance towards his office, debating her next move. His anger dilapidated, feeling himself become hot under the collar as she hesitated one last time before decisively walking the distance between his and Akashs' office. She stood at his doors for a moment before apprehensively looking down and pushing through the glass and entering the office
'Khushi?'
Khushi took a deep breath, closing her eyes momentarily before looking back up at him and giving him a small smile. 'Just do what feels natural Khushi. You'll never move forward otherwise' she said encouragingly to herself.
'Hi Arnav'
Arnav wasn't expecting this. He gave himself a moment to take in her presence - the way she was being so strong, standing there with her hands clasped behind her back conservatively at the door. She was so respectful all the time... And Arnav had so much respect for her in that moment as he realised she had composed herself so magnificently throughout everything that had happened between them. He mentally slapped himself as he saw her getting a little impatient, figuring he should say something to her before she left again
'H- How are you?'
That seemed to break the ice a little, causing Khushi to take a few more slow steps towards him as she chose her words carefully
'I'm fine I guess. I just...'
Before she knew it however, Arnav had launched himself out of his chair, the words exploding out of his mouth after days of holding it all in.
'Khushi I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to push you that day, or any other day. I just couldn't take it anymore. And I realise I'm being selfish but I just... Missed you'
Khushi had by now reached his desk, holding a hand up at him in a bid to stop his explosive rant. She would have laughed at his stumbling explanations had she not been so shocked.
'Arnav you don't need to apologise anymore. I know you regret it. But you have to understand that I can't forget what you did that easily. Even though I want to... those memories, and those feelings that came with your ridiculousness... They won't let me forgive you.'
They both sat down in the chairs as Arnav felt his chest constrict slightly upon hearing those words - the remaining specs of hope dispersing in to the air surrounding them. He had been kidding himself. He chided himself for even thinking for a moment that she was opening up to him. He stared at her intently as she carried on further. His eyes boring in to hers as he watched her lips move effortlessly along with her soft voice.
'Just... All I'm saying is that it'll take time. I won't lie, I miss you too. In fact I don't even need to say this because you blatantly know that already. You never know, we might never be the same again. But it's something that'll happen naturally, because if I try and act normal now... I'm going to want to punch you in face'
Arnav breathed out a nervous laugh, glad that she at least still felt comfortable enough to joke around with him. He felt somewhat elated that she was giving them a chance. Those shards of hope were slowly being slotted back together as he straightened up in his chair - a refreshing calm hurtling through him. It wasn't the world, but it was enough for now. He wasn't about to mess anything up anymore.
'There's something else I need from you though... But I know you'll give me my answers when you're ready. But until then, I have no reason to even try to forgive you'
Arnav did a double take at her words - looking right at her, attempting to decipher the mysterious glint in those big eyes of hers. Mysterious? Arnav wasn't about to kid himself anymore either. He knew exactly what Khushi was after. And he felt the fear slowly creep up on him; he felt his shirt stick to his back as the air in the room started to stifle him.
'I'll see you around Arru'
He looked at her again before she made a move. He saw her eyes twinkling slightly as he watched her give him that small heart-felt smile. And that was it.
He felt his breathing constrict in the slightest motion. He felt a swift breeze whisper around him as it fluttered across his heated skin. He fought against the feelings as he focused on Khushi's words. She needed time, she needed space and she needed small steps. Even as he wrestled with her needs, he felt the faint thud in his chest drawing him in to her.
It was happening again.
And as he breathed her in, watching as she slowly lifted herself off the chair and straightened out her top giving him an enticing slight view of her cleavage - and their pendant, he could safely say it was happening again... And even more so then the last time.
He gulped
Uh oh
ooo
So there's chapter 12!
Once again, very sorry for such a delayed update! And sorry once again if it's all over the place. Serious case of writers-block over here 😆
Hope you guys all liked it though!
Shay X
Itti Si Khushi Sab TV
