Recap:
Arnav didn't know when they had come back to the meadow, and when they had sat down in the grass, or even when Khushi was trying to show him something. The only thing he was aware of, were Khushi's words, ringing in his head. And for the first time in a long time, Arnav was immensely disappointed and ashamed of himself.
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Chapter 3:
'Khushi...Khushi I don't know what to say. Khushi, I've, I've never been good with words. You know that. I..I try, to express myself through actions, but sab kuchh gadbad hota hai. Khushi, I know I can't erase everything I've ever done to hurt you, but, will you talk to me? Will you teach me to talk to you? Khushi, I know I don't deserve you. I know I've done everything that should make you hate me, but somehow, for some miraculous reason, you love me, you stay with me, you tolerate me. Khushi - I truly cannot live without you. It feels like, it feels like I can't breathe when you're not around me. I'm always anxious, my heart stops when you're not there. Khushi, even feeling your presence, is enough to soothe my battered heart. Khushi, I can't lose you.' Arnav whispered, his lashes wet with tears.
'Arnavji...I never said I'm leaving you. I can't. As much as I want to hate you, as much as I want to be angry with you sometimes. I can't. My heart won't do it. My head tells me to, but like you always said - hum dil se sochte hain, dimaag se nahi. I guess that's my biggest problem. But leave all of that. Arnavji, hum aapse bahuth pyaar karte hain, but today, of all days, please, let me be alone.' Khushi replied, smiling wanly.
'I'm sorry Khushi. I can't. I have a right to perform my in-laws' barsi. I refuse to leave your side. I need you beside me. I need to be beside you, all the time. Khushi please, I'll sit away from you if I have to, but don't, don't ask me to leave.'
Khushi sighed, and replied 'Theek hai. Aap wahan baith jaiye.'
Arnav complied and went and sat by the willow tree Khushi had shown him earlier, and observed her as she went back to sitting in the middle of the meadow, hugging that wooden chest to herself as she prayed peacefully. Arnav closed his eyes in pain, as he thought about everything she had just told him. He had never realized how broken she really was - how well she hid her pain. While he hid his pain and torment under anger and distractions, she hid it with happiness. Arnav thought about what she had been going through the past few days, with Sheetal and Aarav. He had heard a few of their conversations, and was becoming slightly suspicious of Sheetal.
'Sheetal has to move out, as soon as possible. Preferably today. I will have to find her an apartment and tell her as nicely as I can, that she has to move out. I can't have Khushi being hurt by her. Nothing will harm my Khushi. I will make sure of it.' Arnav thought to himself.
What felt like a few hours later, Khushi opened her eyes, and made to get up. Arnav rushed over and gently helped her up.
'Arnavji, hum theek hai! I can get up by myself.'
'It's fine Khushi. Shall we go home?'
'Actually Arnavji...I don't think I want to face everyone tonight. Jiji, Di, Naniji, Sheetalji, Aarav, if they all ask me how my day was and what I did, I don't want to say something I shouldn't and then have them sympathize for me.'
'Of course Khushi. That's perfectly understandable. Would you like to spend the night at the farmhouse?'
'Haan Arnavji! And we can also see the projection of the stars na? That would make me happy Arnavji, I would feel closer to Amma and Babuji, especially today! Aur shayad aaj main apne chota bhai ko bhi dekh loongi, Amma-Babuji ke saath!' Khushi seemed happier at that thought.
Arnav understood what she was implying though, that she did not want to face another night of Sheetal and Aarav, and everyone talking about Aarav's similarities to Arnav. Even though Arnav overheard all of these things being discussed, he never paid any attention to it, and always brushed it off as his crazy family saying whatever they wanted.
Arnav carefully entwined his right hand with her left, while her wooden box was tucked under her right arm carefully. Arnav led her out to his car, where after making her sit inside and buckling her seatbelt, he got in on the other side.
Taking hold of her hand again, he turned towards her and looked deep into her eyes, before asking her -
'Khushi, tell me about your past. I want to know about you, and your family.'
Khushi looked up at him, her eyes wide as they glimmered with tears that threatened to spill out of her hazel eyes, as she picked up the wooden box, and opened it. She took a deep breath, and started to speak.
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