Arhi SS: Our Happiness and Grief COMPLETED Parts 1-9 - Page 8

Part 5

The sun swam steadily up to the highest cloud and beyond, trying to conquer the coldness, yet unable to in the hearts of those who had something grievous to say.

Arnav opened his eyes, feeling Khushi's hand in his. He looked down to feel her breathe on his neck, her head buried in it, her body lying across his chest. "Khushi? Khushi? Come on, sweetheart time to get up."

Arnav rubbed his eyes, his vision coming into perspective, and so did his mind.

Oh, God. Babuji.

He felt Khushi to move slightly. She slowly opened her eyes to look at her husband. Khushi gradually sat up, yawning.

"I'm up" Khushi said quietly, turning around to him, "what's wrong?"

Arnav tried to fix his expression, "nothing."

There was a silence that stretched as Khushi wasn't quite sure if he was telling the truth or simply wanted to hide his feelings, she then remembered.

"You wanted to tell me something didn't you?"

"Did I?" Arnav asked, playing the fool.

-and the coward a voice said in his mind.

"Yes." Khushi said, "in the car."

"I don't remember." Arnav said, looking away, getting out of bed, "come on, Khushi, today is your scan and t-then we have to see Babu-ji."

"Okay."

Khushi peered at his demeanour, what was he hiding?

They got changed and went downstairs for breakfast, the smell of parathas wafting through the air. "Good morning." Nani greeted them, bestowing a smile to the couple.

"What's up?" NK asked, ripping a paratha with his teeth.

They took their seats, Khushi side-glanced at Arnav to see him fiddling with the end of the tablecloth. What is wrong with him?

"Chote, are you and Khushi bitya going for the scan and then going to see Shashi-ji?"

"Yes, that's the plan Nani." His shoulders stiffening.

'I'll tell her after the scan,' Arnav thought, 'I will,' as if convincing the taunting voice in his head that had labelled him as a coward.

"So me and Anjali bitya will come with you to the hospital, go for Khushi bitya's scan and see how the coming visitor is, and we'll meet Shashi-ji."

"That's a good idea," Khushi said, nodding. She felt the butterflies again, placing her hand on the little bump. The baby had not kicked yet, yet she could feel that living creature inside her, her flesh and blood, living inside her.

How extraordinary.

The four of them made their way to the car, Anjali in the front, keeping a light conversation with Nani and Khushi, whilst Arnav rehearsed what he was going to say in his head.

They entered the hospital, the white walls greeting them loudly and the synthetic smell invading everyone's noses, Khushi directed them to where Anjali and Nani would find Babu-ji, and Arnav and Khushi made their way to the baby scans on the ground floor.

Despite the endless attack of thoughts that had taken over Arnav's mind, a wave of exhilaration rippled through him at the thought that he would soon see his child.

They told the desk that Khushi had an appointment and they were directed towards a set of lime green seats, only to be called back by a nurse, who was ready for them.

The couple followed the navy blue dressed nurse who led them to the fifth room on the left in the narrow corridor.

She looked down at her clipboard, leading Khushi over to the bed in the centre of the room, and indicating for Arnav to sit on the chair beside her. "So Mrs Raizaida, I understand you are 3 months pregnant, has there been any pain or aches in the last few weeks?"

The nurse continued to ask the necessary questions, only for question to answer ideally, convincing the nurse the baby inside her was most probably fit and health, conveying this to the couple, they looked at each other, happiness radiating the room.

Strange.

Strange how just the possibility that their child was fine, completely and utterly fine, made everything else seem so minimal, so insignificant

-'for now' Arnav thought.

Shut up, shut up, shut up!

"So Mrs Raizaida, I'm going to be placing this substance on your stomach," she indicated to a bottle. "Right then, let's get on with it."

The nurse placed the transparent jelly-like substance on Khushi's stomach, then placing a small metal-like instrument towards it, connected to a wire. The wire was plugged into a small screen, showing black and white visuals of their baby.

A sudden *thud* *thud* *thud* filled the room.

Arnav gasped "is that-"

"The baby's heartbeat?" Khushi asked.

"Yes." The nodded smile.

Khushi smiled widely, Arnav taking her hand, smiling with her, their eyes filled with tears. The moments passed as the couples lovingly listened to their child's heartbeat.

The nurse then asked Khushi some more questions, looking closer at Khushi's tired-looking face.

"Right Mrs Raizaida, everything seems fine, but I should tell you, you need more rest, at this stage especially, I think you should take it easy, as otherwise your body or your baby will not be able to cope."

"That'll be done," Arnav said, nodding.

The nurse wished them three the best and the couple took to the hallway, stopping at the corner of it.

Khushi leaned forward, Arnav doing the same, leaning her forehead on his, their eyes meeting. He could feel her happiness, feel her contentment, feeling how oblivious she was to everything else that surrounded her, that was going to surround her.

Khushi's phonerang in her purse, the shrills breaking the silence. Arnav quickly handed her the purse., subsequently, with Khushi frantically digging for her phone. She found it at last, putting the phone to her ear.

"Hello?"

Payal's anguished voice came on the other line, "Khushi? Khushi where are you?"

"I'm in the hospital, where are you?"

"I'm in the hospital too, are you coming to Babu-ji now?"

"yes, why? What's wrong?" Khushi replied, panic arising.

"N-nothing, just hurry."

"Wh-" Khushi replied, only to be cut off.

Arnav shook her shoulder, "what happened?"

"I don't know, Jiji sounded worried, l-let's go." Khushi sped forward for the lift, repeatedly pressing the button, as if that was to make the lift come any faster.

"Khushi, what did she say?" Arnav questioned, his heart rate speeding.

"She just asked, told me to hurry, she sounded worried, I think-" 'something happened to Babu-ji' she said in her head, as if saying it aloud would somehow make it true.

"You think what?"

Payal gave instructions to Khushi where to go. As Babuji was movd to another ward. One where he was alone. This was noted by Khushi.

They entered the room as she flung the door open, panic rising in her chest.

The scene in front of her, made her panic more. Babuji on the bed, too many wires attached to him, pale. His chest rising up and down... barely. His eyes were closed but it seemed that there was a frown carved on his face. Payal was sitting next to him, sobbing, with Buaji and Garima standing up, tears in their eyes too.

"Jiji?" she croaked, her hand falling off the door handle, walking into the room. All three women looked up at Khushi, rubbing away their tears simultaneously. Garima crossed the room, a smile plastered on her face. "Khushi, you've come? How was your scan?"

Khushi looked at her eyes wide, bewildered. She ignored the question. "Amma what's happening? How is Babuji?"

Buaji now spoke up, "Sanka devi, he is fine! Don't you worry,"

This confused Khushi even more. "Fine?" she spat. "He doesn't look fine." But she was merely received by heads being shaken. "What..?" she questioned. She looked up at her husband who was too, too quiet. He just looked at her with empty eyes, then turned his attention to the floor. Her heart rate picked up.

"Arnav bitwa, how was Khushi's scan?" Amma asked her son-in-law.

"It was fine, Amma," he replied. "But the nurse said she needs as much rest as possible."

Buaji nodded and looked at Khiushi who was now standing over Babu-ji. Her hand in his.

"Khushi," Amma slowly went to her, "you should go home." This made Khushi turn around, her eyes wide.

"What?" she said incredulously. "You want me to go?

"Khushi-"

"No! How can I leave now?" there was now anger in her voice.

She felt frustrated. Frustrated that they were putting on an act.

Frustrated that nobody was telling her what was going on?

And now, now they wanted her to leave.

"Khushi-ji," Anjali, who was against the wall with nani, spoke for the first time. "I think you and Chote should go home."

"But-"

"Khushi," Arnav said, his voice silencing her pleas. "We should go."

She looked at him shocked. As if he was betraying her. Even he was on their side.

Tears now leaked out of her eyes. Her head hung. She turned around slowly and placed a soft kiss on her dad's forehead.

She stalked out of the room, followed by Arnav.

She didn't say a word to him.

"Khushi? Khushi wait!"

Khushi muttered something incoherent under her breathe, her hands shaking out of utter rage. They made their way to the car, the rain pelting down quick and fast, the grey clouds not taking over the cloud, darkening anything in its wake.

"Why did you have to say that?" Khushi whispered into the darkness, her voice shaking, hands gripping the edge of the seat.

Arnav braked at the red light, "I-"

"Amma's acting weird, everyone's acting weird, why the hell did they not want me with Babu-ji?" Khushi croaked.

"Khushi, they probably just want you to have rest."

"Well why did you have to agree with them?!"

All these questions were bound to break him.

Now was the time to tell her.

The earth erupted, the storm shaking in its inhabitants, sending pelts of rain towards them, gushing them with despair.

They approached the driveway, Khushi immediately getting out of the car and slamming it behind her.

Arnav threw back his head, raking his hands in it.

He had left telling her too late.

He followed into the empty house, her footmarks showed that she had made her way to their room.

He made his way to their room, I'm going to tell her, right now. He took in a deep breath, the silence surrounding him, the ticking of the clock vibrating through the living room.

Arnav took a step forward, only to jump at the sound of his phone ringing, he looked down to see Akash's name flashing on the screen.

His heart sped up even more.

Oh, God.

He pressed a shaking finger to the green button, pressing it down, taking the phone to his ear, his shoulder hunched as if wanting to block out what Akash was to say.

"Hello?"

"Bhai..." Akash murmured on the other end, his voice shaking, "it's bad news..."

"Akash..." Arnav said, his voice hoarse, "what is it?" Although he already knew.

"Babu-ji has pa-passed away," Akash said, before he sobbed into the phone, stunning Arnav.

Arnav clenched his jaw, tears falling thick and quick from his eyes, "please, please, please" Arnav heard himself say from what seemed like a mile away.

"I have to go Bhai," Akash said, his voice strained. "Amma wants you and Khushi-ji to come tomorrow morning,a-a-nd due to the wea-a-ther you w-w-on't be able to trav-v-el tonight." Arnav nodded, cutting the phone.

Everything was blurred around him, he frantically rubbed his face, so his tears were untraceable, gulping hard he continued his way to their bedroom.

He was too late, he was too late

Arnav opened the door to see Khushi looking outside, the rain coming down hard and strong, vibrating the hinges of the poolside door.

The earth quaked again.

"K-Khushi I need to tell you something." His hand squeezing his phone.

The tone of his voice made her turn around, her breath hitched.

He placed his hands on her arms, looking into her milk chocolate eyes that had already formed tears, she was absolutely quiet, waiting, and her heart hammering into her chest for what was to come.

"Akash just phoned,"

Khushi nodded slowly, indicating for him to continue, her heart racing.

"Khushi, Babu-ji is no more in this wor-r-ld." His voice hoarse, throat raw, as her face fell, backing away from his shaking her head, as if beseeching him to take the words back, she bit deep into her lip.

"A-a-rnav-ji pleas-e don't j-j-oke about that." Frantically blinking tears out of her eyes, cursing them for believing Arnav's words. She put her hands together, "please."

She turned away from him, only to be turned around again, "stop! Please! Don't!"

"Khushi please listen to me-"

"NO! Please for God's sake stop, I don't want to hear, pl-"

"Khushi Babu-ji is d-"

"HE IS NOT DEAD!" She now screaming, unwilling to believe him.

"Khushi-" Arnav was now sobbing, "he's not here anymore, he's gone," pressing his quivering lips together.

Khushi teeth were now chattering, her body went into shock as the words hit her like a blade cutting her into tiny pieces the excruciating pain making its mark, penetrating through every morsel of her being. Her hands covered her mouth as a sob rippled through her chest, and another, and another until every bit of her was screaming for this to be a lie, a nightmare.

A living nightmare is what is was.

"Ho-w-w can this h-have happened?" She questioned the world, "S-s-ud-d-denly, j-just l-l-like that?"

Arnav stiffened.

She looked up, gasping, backing away from his the second time.

Tears showering down her cheeks, "y-y-you k-knew?"

"Khushi please-"

"Did you know?" She asked, her voice quietly dangerous.

"K-"

"Did you know?"

"Yes."

The earth shook again, along with Khushi's broken heart.

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