SS: It was always you...Completed - Note on Pg70 - Page 43

To say I loved the update, would be an understatement.

Originally posted by: Kalyaani

<p align="center"><font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif"><font color="#ff0000">[THIS IS A MEMBERS ONLY POST]</font></font></p><font color="#ff0000" size="2" face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif">
</font><p align="center"><font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif"><font color="#ff0000">The Author of this post has chosen to restrict the
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<u><font color="#000000"><font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif">SS: It was always you...</font></font>

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<font color="#ff0000"><font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif">"Love is just a word until somebody comes along and gives
it meaning" – Anonymous </font></font>

<font color="#000000"><font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif">Their
story…….</font></font>

<font color="#000000" face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif"></font>

<font color="#000000"><font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif">Khushi was woken up by the faint morning light peeping
out of the light yellow curtains in her bedroom. The dawn had broken to promise
a bright day and she sure felt different that morning. She sat up slowly and
stretched her body, recalling the last few hours of the previous day and had
expected to come to her small house and cry herself to sleep, but that did not
happen instead she had fallen asleep with ease. Her dreams filled with him and
all pleasant not a single dark thought, like the pot of gold at the end of the
rainbow. The moment she woke up she sensed something had changed in her and the
air around her, it was Vijay Dashmi and she hoped her pain would be defeated by
peace in her heart starting today. It was the case like last year; this year
too she had nothing to do today and had volunteered to work at the hospital,
giving an opportunity for the other doctor to celebrate the festival with their
family. She had planned to stop by the pandal to pray for his health and
prosperity. To seek blessings for him, strength to carry on with his life, a
support to his sister and her children, a fine man she knew he was and wanted
him to continue to be, with or without her in his life. </font></font>

<font color="#000000"><font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif">Her mornings were usually hurried, a quick shower,
hasty dressing there were days, she did not glance at her reflection in the
mirror before she left her house and followed by breakfast. She wanted to look
nice today, like she did when she was around him; drape a saree in his favorite
color, adorn her ears with the jhumkas he had gifted her. She ran her fingers
over the beautiful georgette crepe saree, the colour a rich chestnut; the
border four inch wide in black brocade with traditional mango design motifs in
dull gold thread. The saree had a blouse with it, which he insisted she wear
despite her protests of it being too bold for her liking; an inch wide base and
the top held together with two doris, again black brocade with mango motifs.
Arnav had described the elaborate manner in which the salesman had tried
selling the saree to him and he had told her with unsuppressed amusement, it
was not required as he had decided the minute he laid his eyes on the saree, it
was for her. Smiling at the recollection she pulled the saree out of the neat
tissue she had wrapped it in along with the blouse and draped it on the chair
and went in to shower. </font></font>

<font color="#000000"><font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif">There was no explanation for her the warmth in her
heart today; she just went with the flow, a welcome change to her monotonous
existence. The saree felt like she was
engulfed in Arnav's love and smoothing down the saree after draping it neatly,
she reached for the small ornate jewelry box and picked the jhumkas out to put
them on, it was Arnav's mother's earring and she wanted to leave it behind,
like the many things he had given her, when she had left Delhi but could not
carry out her decision and had bought it with her. A bindhi in the same shade
as the saree was placed between the neatly arched eyebrows and her usual day
makeup was added to complete her attire. The mirror was surely lying, she could
not feel or look this way and that too when she away from him, it was not
possible. Her appearance was not for a day at the hospital but she felt alive,
yes the blood in her veins were not flowing but gushing, and she could hear it.
Today for reasons beyond logic had a promise and she was eager to know what it
was.</font></font>

<font color="#000000" face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif"></font>

<font color="#000000"><font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif">She was standing in the pandal near the Hewett Road
area; the place had turned into Kolkata with the ardent devotees of Maa Durga,
attired in traditional wear and greeting each other with smiling faces. It was
rather crowded but she wanted to be here, like the previous year, it gave her a
sense of oneness with her Devi Maiyya like no other day did. A very old woman approached Khushi with her
hands fisting vermillion and face smeared red by that auspicious powder. She
addressed Khushi in chaste Bangla, when Khushi shook her head in the negative
to indicate she had not followed her, the lady thought for a second and asked
in Hindi "married?" and again Khushi bobbed her head, this time in
agreement, the answer bringing a light to her eyes. The lady then applied
vermillion on Khushi's face and forehead and said "sindoor-khela" and
Khushi gave her a teary eyed smile, the lady said something again "happy
marriage" and pointed at the vermillion on her forehead. Khushi thanked
her for blessings, this too she took as a sign for positive tidings, taking the
Prasad from the Pundit; she sat in a vacant seat to eat it, wishing for health,
happiness and tranquility for the people she loved.</font></font>

<font color="#000000"><font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif">She called out to a rickshaw and was about sit in it
when her phone rang, she smiled knowing who it would be, and before she could
greet; the caller she was bombarded with questions "where are you Khushi? It's time
for your first consultation and you have not reached the hospital yet. I have
told you repeatedly not to go anywhere without telling me. Are you at home or
on the way, is everything alright?" the caller asked in a breath, the
voice an amalgamation of anger and concern. Khushi had to scream to get herself
heard "Payal…..please…..please stop your barrage of questions and let me
answer" she begged with her laughter heavy voice. Payal gasped and
Khushi smiled at her friend's reaction. "Payal…..….are you there?" Khushi
asked softly and when her friend replied with an "hmmm" she continued "I am
fine and on my way to the hospital, just stopped at the pandal for puja, should
be there in less than fifteen minutes." There was nothing but silence
at the other end. </font></font>

<font color="#000000"><font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif">Khushi shook her head in resignation; Payal would
always be worried about her. She was worried when she moved in with Arnav and
when she decided to leave him. Always with her, like the mother she no longer had;
a friend, a sister and most importantly a mirror which always showed her the
truth. She recalled her conversation with Mrs. Malik and wanted to share this
with Payal but not over the phone, she would have to tell her and listen to her
lecture on being soft and caving in when she tears. "I'm fine Payal, just felt like seeking
Devi Maiyya's blessings today……..for everybody" Khushi answered, the
voice calm and collected, her doctor's voice as Payal termed it.</font></font>

<font color="#000000"><font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif">Payal was on the verge of calling her husband who had
just finished his grave yard shift and reached home, when Khushi had not walked
in at her usual time to the hospital. The only fear Payal had in life was
Khushi being harassed and kept a hawk like vigil on her. Khushi's voice and
confirmation that she was indeed well; lifted the heavy cloak of worry off her
chest. Payal hoped Arnav came to the hospital before Khushi did and took her
with him. This time Payal resolved to make them stay to together. She was no
romantic but seeing them knew what people meant when they said God made pairs
and sent them to live a life with love and happiness.</font></font>

<font color="#000000"><font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif">Khushi smiled at her friend's concern, just the
previous evening Payal had cursed her for her stupidity. And was now looking
out for her in the only way she knew, Payal never did anything in small
measures. One who had never liked Arnav for any apparent reason yet she had
always requested her to go back to him. Khushi urged the rickshaw driver to
quicken the speed, she just could not get to the hospital soon enough. </font></font>

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<font color="#000000"><font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif">-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-</font></font>

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<font color="#000000"><font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif">Arnav had barely slept a wink, how could he, his
search had finally borne fruit and he had located Khushi, he was yet to find
her. He thought about the previous evening, as he had to be literally
restrained by his Chacha and Chachi from running to the hospital to meet Khushi
once Chachi had told him about her Dr. Gupta. They had reasoned with him in
every possible way, to get him to understand it was best he wait for the
morning to meet her. If her did meet her at that time, she may just pack and
leave again and those words had stopped him. He had just listened to their
reasoning when Payal had called and many things fell in place. He alone knew
the colossal effort it took on his part to wait for the morning and it took
forever to happen. He could not pretend to be asleep any longer and wanted to
start with the task of reaching the hospital at the earliest, pushing the duvet
aside he jumped out of bed and went to shower. He stepped out and pulled his
overnighter on the bed to pick out his clothes for the day; his hand took out a
gift wrapped box he had got along something given to him by his Di before she
had left to her friend's place. He removed the wrapper and opened the cardboard
box and let out a defeated sigh, it was the kurta pajama that Khushi had gifted
him and he had refused to wear. That was the only time she had refused to talk
to him for two whole days, he had finally reasoned with her and convinced her
he would wear it when he found it appropriate; he smiled at the bitter sweet
memory. It was two days then and now after two years there could be no occasion
better than now, when he was to reunite with his Khushi, to wear this which
would please her immensely. Di had kept it safe and given it to him and gift
wrapped and of all occasions today, the day he was to meet his Khushi; it had
to be a sign and an auspicious one at that. He groaned each second he spent
putting the garment on but did it none the less, for her and standing in front the
mirror he brushed his hair in place and leaned in to take a look at his face.
His black hair was peppered with silver at the temples and he did look
distinguished, something that appealed to Khushi and not to forget the stubble,
she would grimace at the burn it would inflict when he rubbed his chin on her
and he could not wait to do that. </font></font>

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<font color="#000000"><font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif">He picked his phone, watch and wallet off the night
stand and paused to take a look the gift wrapper that now lay discarded on the
bed and for some strange reason he thought about his life being gifted back by different
women for his woman. It amazed him endlessly; all the women he knew in his life
were far stronger and more intelligent than he had ever thought them to be. His
Di was not only strong emotionally but sensible too, more than he had ever
credited her to be. She had handled her bitter separation with Shyam with her
head held high, she was raising her children beautifully and how could he
forget how she loved and understood his Khushi, grudgingly more than him. His
Chachi, he thought her to be too theatrical and meddlesome but see how her
single-minded focus for his good had led him to his Khushi. Then there was the
Payal nee Dr. Sharma who never let an opportunity go where she could showcase
her dislike for him, yet she had called him to help him and she may never let
him forget his entire life but that was a small price to pay for the lifetime
of happiness he was to get with his Khushi. Then there was the woman who was
the very reason air passed in and out of his lungs, his Khushi; she was
everything a woman should be and he would sit to list her virtues and he could
never finish. Yet he had misunderstood and had held her responsible for his
plight. All that was in the past, he was going to seek her and as he had told
his Di, he would beg Khushi to grace his life and forgive his many, many short
comings.</font></font>

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<font color="#000000"><font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif">The buzz around the palatial bungalow in the upscale
locality of Lucknow, owed it one person alone and she was not even aware she
had caused it. Manorama was cooking up a feast, her son, her Arnav was going to
bring his life back to this house first and she wanted it to be nothing short
of a welcome God Rama received on his return from the fourteen yearlong penance.
Manohar was trying his best to be useful and was reduced to a domestic help
thanks to his overzealous wife, a mother in law in the making and one who could
not contain her joy. Arnav took in the excitement, drawn to it and spending
each second thinking of her reactions to him. His Chachi had extracted a
promise from him, he would not set out of the house till the morning puja was
complete, and she wanted Devi Maiyya to bless him before he went to claim his
love and life back. He had laughed at her bizarre wish but went along as his
Khushi too was a devout believer in that deity. Who had finally taken some pity
on his wretched soul and sent help in the form of his Chachi to find her. He
thanked Devi Maiyya silently for everything, the good and the bad and requested
her to bless him with and for his happiness.</font></font>

<font color="#000000" face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif"></font>

<font color="#000000"><font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif">He found himself in the hospital premises, the excitement
he felt dripped from every pore of his body and he was going to meet Khushi. Never
a person who indulged in the luxury of the unfortunate lot, superstitious was how
Arnav felt, he did not want to feel overtly eager; he tried desperately to
reign in his feelings. There were so many of them, happiness, joy, eagerness,
anger, irritation, curiosity and many more, many, many more that he did not
even know he was capable of experiencing. Chachi had told him, where he could
find Khushi and whom to approach. He checked the speed of his steps, worried he
would scare the inmates and staff of the hospital. He slowed down to seek the
direction to her consultation room and when he approached it, he saw Payal
standing at the door; she wordless opened the door and gestured with a light
tilt of her head telling him he could wait there. He thanked her with a nod and
stepped in to close the door behind him. The room screamed of his Khushi, she
had not made the room cheerful but comforting and he touched every single thing
as he felt he was absorbing her presence before she arrived. The certificates
on the wall drew him to them and he went and stood peering at them. It was
strange and inexplicable the ego satisfying joy he felt when he saw her name on
them, pride at her achievements and the fact the name attached her to him
forever. He stood looking at them like he was seeing her face after the two
years.</font></font>

<font color="#000000"><font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif">The rickshaw pulled in front of the hospital and
Khushi got out, she had kept the money ready to pay the driver; she just did
not want to waste a minute longer in the vehicle. The driver held out the
change for her but she had started walking towards the hospital with a single
minded focus to get to her consultation room. The glow she felt about her was
real and she knew it had to be for one reason alone, he must be around
somewhere. She would not present herself in front of him if he was really there
but look at him from a distance. It was undeniable the strong pull she felt
today and quickened her step to stop in front of her room to greet Payal.
Khushi was hugged and urged by Payal to get into her room and all this done
without a noise.</font></font>

<font color="#000000"><font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif">Arnav turned around at the sound of the door opening
and finally laid his eyes on the one person he craved to see the most in life.
He saw Khushi stand still as though she was immobilized as a statue but
surprisingly her eyes shone with acknowledgement, like she had expected him to
be there. Khushi was given a slight push inside the room by Payal, who then
closed the door. They stood looking at each other taking in the changes the
hands of time had bestowed on them. Not a wrinkle, grey hair or inch of the
body was missed by the two who did not utter a word for an immeasurable length
of time. His heart was set aglow when he took in her appearance, she looked breathtakingly
beautiful in that saree, he had seen her wear it before but she looked stunningly
divine in it today. As Arnav was admiring her, Khushi was doing no different and
was immensely pleased to see him wear the kurta she had once begged him to wear
and as he had promised he had worn it when he found an occasion which was
befitting. They seemed to communicate with silence, telling each other the
reason why, what had happened, two years ago. Seeking and granting forgiveness
at the same time making a solemn promise to let the past be in the past and
start off with a clean slate. </font></font>

<font color="#000000"><font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif">Khushi saw Arnav reach out to a two-way photo frame
which was resting on the small bookshelf behind her desk, she had placed the
frame with the photo facing the wall and the words written on it to face anyone
who glanced at it. He held it out to her, his eyes requesting her to take it
from him and she walked towards the desk, placing her bag on it and took the
frame. The photo was that of Arnav and her taken on the beaches of Goa during a
week long holiday they had gone many years ago.
She recalled the reason the words were written behind the photo. Arnav
had requested a passing local to click a snap with their camera and surprised
her by kissing her on the lips while being photographed. Though it was a candid
yet beautiful photo, she had fought with him about that one incident and he had
made up by getting a print of it at a studio and framed with the words
expressing his feeling for her written behind. She had cried a lot after
reading them and immediately forgiven him, even now her eyes misted as she read
them again.</font></font>

<font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif"><font color="#ff0000">I see it on your lips, as a beautiful smile</font></font>

<font color="#ff0000" size="2" face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif">
</font>

<font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif"><font color="#ff0000">I see it in your eyes as a candle bright </font></font>

<font color="#ff0000" size="2" face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif">
</font>

<font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif"><font color="#ff0000">This love we have needs no care</font></font>

<font color="#ff0000" size="2" face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif">
</font>

<font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif"><font color="#ff0000">This love we have is for us to share </font></font>

<font color="#ff0000" size="2" face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif">
</font>

<font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif"><font color="#ff0000">Sometimes for you and always for me</font></font>

<font color="#ff0000" size="2" face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif">
</font>

<font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif"><font color="#ff0000">Words are not needed, for you or for me</font></font>

<font color="#ff0000" size="2" face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif">
</font>

<font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif"><font color="#ff0000">This love we have needs no name</font></font>

<font color="#ff0000" size="2" face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif">
</font>

<font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif"><font color="#ff0000">This love we have is not a game</font></font>

<font color="#ff0000" size="2" face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif">
</font>

<font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif"><font color="#ff0000">It knows no hour and needs no voice</font></font>

<font color="#ff0000" size="2" face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif">
</font>

<font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif"><font color="#ff0000">It is just a feeling and more than life</font></font>

<font color="#ff0000" size="2" face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif">
</font>

<font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif"><font color="#ff0000">This love we have is limitless</font></font>

<font color="#ff0000" size="2" face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif">
</font>

<font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif"><font color="#ff0000">This love we have is timeless</font></font>

<font color="#ff0000" size="2" face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif">
</font>

<font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif"><font color="#ff0000">It gives us a reason to cry</font></font>

<font color="#ff0000" size="2" face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif">
</font>

<font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif"><font color="#ff0000">It gives us a reason to try</font></font>

<font color="#ff0000" size="2" face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif">
</font>

<font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif"><font color="#ff0000">This love we have is for us only</font></font>

<font color="#ff0000" size="2" face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif">
</font>

<font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif"><font color="#ff0000">This love we have is our story</font></font>

<font color="#000000"><font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif"></font></font>

<font color="#000000"><font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif">She finished reading and placed the frame on her desk
and looked up Arnav as he was now standing an arm's distance from her. He stepped
forward and pulled her in his arms, never to let go; he knew he was holding her
tight and in a way making it difficult for to breath but he could not let go. He
felt his kurta go damp with her tears and he allowed some distance between
them, cupping her face to wipe the tears off her vermillion smeared face. She looked
at his kurta in alarm as she had ruined it with the red colour and her tears.
She spoke in a sob filled remorseful way "I'm sorry Arnav" and he pulled her
back into his arms and rocked her slightly, letting her know they had a life
time to apologize and explain everything to each other. At that moment nothing
matter, the pain, anguish, suffering and tears; nothing mattered but the person
held in their arms.</font></font>

<font color="#000000" face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif">Arnav pressed Khushi's ear to his heart, requesting
her to hear her name being taken with every beat and said </font><font color="#000000" face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif">"during those dark days I have
asked myself a million times, if it is possible to love you after what you did
to me? The only answer I got was 'yes, forever' and even that forever is not
enough. Khushi for me love is you, it was always you…………"</font>

<font color="#000000"><font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif">A/N - Thank you for reading, please do hit the like button and leave a comment if you found the update/story interesting enough. </font></font>

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</p><p><font color="#000000"><font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif"><font color="#ff0000">PLEASE DO NOT COPY UPDATES TO OTHER SITES, THIS UPDATE IS MEANT EXCLUSIVELY FOR INDIA FORUM MEMBERS.</font>



<font color="#0000ff" size="2" face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif">A fist full of colour - Kalyaani's writing korner</font></font></font>