Part 11
The wet dress clinged on my bare skin as I saw unfrozen the thirteen missed calls. The fourteenth time my cell rang. Unable to hold back anymore I clung on to it.
"Stop with your calls. You are just wasting your precious time here."
"Khushi, please don't be like this. That's not what I meant…"
I understood perfectly when you pointed out my insecurity. I can't help being this looser insecure bitch when it concerns you. Seems you are rather good in staying apart from me."
"NO…I..I'm sorry Khushi. Will you forgive me?"
I held back a tear that was threatening to betray myself. Arnav had never apologized to me for anything before. His cold demeanor, his harsh rebuttals, his heartless comments shredded me apart when I was in college desperate for his attention. The way he used to ignore me for his friends hurt deeply inside yet I shrugged them off granting him the doubt of being unintentional. The feelings healed as time passed when we began on our new journey together. Tears started to flow unabashed as the long hidden hurt melted in his sincere apology.
I nodded a yes unable to utter a word without choking.
Khushi??...do say something!"
"I hate you. Completely! Go away."
"I am not going anywhere. Wherever you are, you'll always find me there beside you."
"Really? Why can't I see you beside me then? The room is empty except for me."
"Look out of your nearest window."
"Huh?" keeping the cell on my ears , I moved aside to peer down the window. Through the heavy rains pouring outside I spotted a grey silhouette at the entrance of the garden."
"Arnav!!What are you doing there? It's raining so hard."
"I know better than you this fact."
"How long have you been there?"
"Since the time I have been trying to call you."
"Oh my goodness, that's almost an hour! Arnav you'll get sick! Have can you be so careless??"
"Do you really care for me?"
"Is that even to say?"
"Then won't you call me inside?"
"Oh..Sorry…I…come quickly inside. Why did you wait for me to ask? You should have come on your own!"
"With your anger –mode, you wouldn't have open the door."
"Ha..as if!..You are totally insane. Come in right now"
"Already here." The door bell rang the very instant.
Taking a quick look at the mirror I brushed my hair straight and made a dash for the door.
Dripping from top to bottom he stood there. I opened my mouth to warmly welcome him but was almost strangled by his tight hug.
"Khushi." His soft baritone set a trail of goosebumps etching all over my body.I could sense his genuine relief and happiness at our small quarrel get resolved. I melted in his embrace clutching him tighter.
Slowly ( very reluctantly myself) we broke apart. The realization of our closeness hit me as my cheeks turned scarlet.
"Looks like I have made you wet."
My mind stopped working at that moment. He looked at his wet shirt and then on to me.
"But hey you are already wet from before. Go and change your clothes else you'll catch a cold."
"Umm…huh…yeah…you do the same too."
He suddenly coughed and looked away." Girl, hurry up and change."
I realized the wet tunic hugged my body making it almost bare-through. Looking at anywhere but him I rushed on to the adjoining room to change.
The warm nigh-robe felt heavenly after the cold clothes. He was here. He literally withstood the storm to be beside me. And there was I a fool to think he yet harbored feelings for Angelena. The harsh words I used against him in the morning made me feel a tight knot of guilt inside my stomach.
I couldn't stop laughing seeing him in my karate robes. I had recently joined those weekend kickboxing classes at So-Ho.
"Close your big mouth? There's nothing for a guy to wear in your closet. Do u prefer me naked instead?"
"Where am I laughing?" I tried hard to keep a straight face.
"I can see that. What's for dinner?" he opened the fridge." Geez..only cups of Ramen do you have?"
"I'll make Ramen for you right now."
"Whoever will marry a girl like you?"
Before I knew it, tears rushed through my lacrimal ducts and I ran to hug him.
"Hey…Khushi, I was just teasing…..Khushi.." he patted me gently on the back. I continued to cry as he broke apart and gently cupped my face.
"What's wrong Khushi?" he pored intently in my eyes.
"Never leave me Arnav. Never hate me even if I am going to the worst ever like I was today…just always be like this…..forever."
He leaned in forwards to kiss me. His warm lips were the most delicate thing ever as he lightly pressed upon mine. He teased some more before placing a wet one on my forehead.
"I promise Khushi."
He gently bent to kiss both my teary eyelids. The temperature suddenly went over the roof as I found myself sweating hard . His arms raised to brush my hair.
"Girl…your hair is still wet. Let me bring a towel."
"Arnav,It's alright..I won't catch any cold."
'Just sit down like a good girl and let me dry your hair for you."
"Huh…..Arnav!...Let go!!!"
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"Madame, here's a towel. The hot shower has been arranged."
I stared pointedly at the white cloth.
"Leave her alone, John. She's good at resisting cold."
The butler looked with puzzled eyes towards Arnav and frantically moved away.
"Khushi."
"Khushi, few guests of mine are coming. I want the drawing room empty."
Finally I turned around to face him." Even I have my guests coming tonite. Ask yours to better co-operate with mine."
"My house isn't a place suitable for your kind."
"Half the house is mine. I'll do what pleases me."
"My Aunt won't take a liking to all this….shallow people."
"You yourself became one of us when you married me."
"Only five months are left."
"I promise to make these months the most memorable time of your life. Trust me, Arnav."
"People who live in dreams are the failures in reality."
I half-smirked." Glad that finally you do know yourself."
Anupamaa
12