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Thanks so much for reading my fan fic and commenting. I'm glad you're liking it. I'm adding the next part please do let me know what you think. : )
Chapter One
It was morning time. Khushi woke up with a smile paying on her lips. It was after a long time, she got such a beautiful sleep. The last time she had one was when she was with him. Thinking about him brought a frown a smile on her face. Trying to block her thoughts about him, she got up from the bed and went towards the kitchen. Making herself a coffee, she made her way towards the patio. Placing herself on the floor she couldn't stop the memories from coming back to her.
***
It was a normal day just like any other day. The kids were in their bed and she was reciting their bedtime story. After making sure, she went towards her room. Picking up her she checked for messages. Seven missed call. Seeing the name there, a smile crept on her face. She was lost in her thoughts when her cell phone rang again. The phone's screen identified the caller. Her boyfriend, Justin. Wonderful.
'Hi, Justin,' she whispered.
No squeaks emanated from the bedroom down the hall and she sank gratefully onto the bed. The children were deep in sleep. They wouldn't wake up for a while now.
'Khush?'
'Yes?'
'Why are you whispering?'
'I've just got the twins to sleep.'
'Oh, right.' Justin gave an audible sigh. 'How are they coping this week?'
'A little better.'
'That's great.'
Great wasn't quite the word Khushi would have chosen to describe the small improvement in the children's progress, but of course she wouldn't reproach Justin. He'd given her fabulous support during the funeral and its aftermath.
'I got your message,' he said.
'Right. Thanks for calling back.' Khushi took a moment to relax into the pillows and she deliberately lightened her tone. 'So, what do you think? Can you wangle a leave pass for this weekend?'
Khushi crossed her fingers as she waited for his answer. Please come, Justin. I need you.
Justin's family owned the largest business enterprise in Paris and his dad's health wasn't the best, so the responsibility of running the enterprise had fallen squarely on Justin's shoulders.
So, yes - it was asking a lot to expect him to get away to London again so soon. Last month, after Khushi's cousin Laavanya's sudden and tragic death, he'd taken almost a whole week off to be with her and to help with the children.
That was pretty amazing, actually. Khushi had been touched and surprised. Since she'd moved away from Paris to study in London, she'd come to accept that if she wanted to see her boyfriend it was up to her to make the effort. She'd been prepared to be the one who did all the travelling. Even so, she'd only been able to see Justin a handful of times in this past year.
If he came this weekend, she would make sure they had time alone together. She and Justin had been an item since high school, almost six years. Very soon now, she would be finished with her studies, Junior 1 and Junior 2 would be settled in New York with their father, and she was looking forward to going home to Paris to settle down with Justin.
She could so easily picture their lives together - Justin with his business, while she worked in the bakery shop nearby, the two of them balancing their day jobs with their life at home, and eventually, with a family of their own - bronze haired children like their dad.
Khushi was very happy with that picture, and thinking about her boyfriend always made her feel cozy and safe.
Admittedly, most girls might not place coziness and safety high on their wish-list when it came to boyfriends or future husbands, but Khushi wasn't looking for a guy who spelled excitement and passion. Her cousin Laavanya, the twins' mother, had taken that risk and the result had been divorce and heartbreak.
'I don't know if I can get away this weekend,' Justin said suddenly.
Khushi suppressed a sigh. 'I do understand, honey, but ''
'Do you?' His voice bristled with unexpected impatience. 'Because I don't understand why you're complicating this, Khushi. The children's father is on his way at last, so why do you need me? Why do you need my help if he's going to be there too?'
'I wanted your opinion. I have to hand the children over to him.'
'Of course you do. He's their father.'
'Yes '' Khushi winced. 'But I thought another man could sense if Arnav's ' you know ' if he's OK.' After all, Laavanya had run away from this New York career-oriented man, although admittedly, her cousin had never said a bad word against her ex.
'Khushi, even if I didn't like the man, there's nothing I could do about it.'
'I guess '' She suppressed a sigh. Thing was, she needed to be calm and composed when she talked with Arnav about his children, and she would have liked a little back up from Justin. She needed to explain to Arnav about Junior 1 and Junior 2's schooling needs, their eating habits, their fears'
The twins had been at home on the day Laavanya had collapsed, and it was six year old Junior 1 who'd courageously dialed 911. They hadn't only lost their mommy; they'd suffered a terrible trauma. Junior 2's nightmares were truly terrifying.
Khushi needed to explain all this to their estranged father, but it would be so much easier if her steady and reliable boyfriend was there as well. As a buffer. An anchor. A safety net.
'Actually, Khushi, I can't come this weekend.'
The sudden nervousness in Justin's voice penetrated the whirl of Khushi's thoughts.
Why was he nervous? Justin was never nervous. Was something wrong?
'There's ' um ' there's something I should tell you,' he said.
'What is it?'
'It's really hard to explain. I ' I don't know how to say this, but ''
Khushi's insides froze and she was gripped by a terrible deer-in-the-headlights fear.
Justin cleared his throat.
She forced herself to ask, 'Justin, what's the matter?'
'I didn't want to tell you before ' because of Laavanya and everything ''
'Tell me what?' she almost screamed. He was scaring her.
Justin cleared his throat again.
Khushi gripped the phone tighter, squeezed her eyes to hold back threatening tears.
Was Justin trying to break up with her?
Like someone drowning, her mind flashed back through precious memories. The school dance when they'd first met. Justin helping her with algebra homework at the big scrubbed table in her mother's cozy kitchen. The familiar, comfortable texture of his lips. The ruby heart locket he'd given her on Valentine's Day three years ago. The cozy sense of safety that she'd always felt with him.
Now, suffocating panic filled her throat.
She couldn't bear to think about losing him, especially not when she'd just lost Laavanya. Fear pulled tight knots in her stomach.
Justin said, 'You have to agree it's not really working for us.'
'What do you mean?' she bleated.
'We only see each other a few times a year.'
'But I've almost finished my studies.' Her voice was shrill now. Pleading. 'I'll soon be home for good and we can''
'I'm so sorry, Khushi. You see, the thing is 'I've met someone else.'
And the world came crashing down on her.
Without listening anything else from him, she hung up the phone and locked herself in the washroom.
***
Thinking about it didn't help her. A tear escaped her eyes. She wiped it away and looked at the watch. It was time to wake the kids up. She got up and went towards the kids' room.
...
PS: So here it is. Please leave your comments. I'm unsure of this part so please let me know what you thought. Enjoy your weekend! : )
PPS: Important note regarding PMs. If anyone wants a PM for any of my works, then you all need to add the Id IceCrystals. (the dot is there as well.) to your buddy list.
PPS: This is a long update. When compared with the others. Because I am late in updating. Super late. Sorry people but my exams were on and practicals are still going on. Embarrassed
Lots of Love
Aditi
Xx
Ye Hai Mohabbatein
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