Arshi FF | Arshi's Saviour; Lavanya | Chap 24 p 128 May 9th - Page 41

Bright and early the next morning, everyone was ready to go sightseeing. Karan declared himself as Arnav, Sakshi and Khushi's official tour guide; even though Arnav had seen the entire island he was happy to see it all over again with his family this time. Kritika and Khushi packed light food items and their essential clothes. They all changed and headed into the car.

Kritika, Khushi and Sakshi had on sundresses while Arnav and Karan wore bathing trunks and t shirts. The weather was really hot, so jeans or shalwars were a no no.

They took a mini roadtrip, touring the coastline of the island for about three hours, with short stops here and there to take pictures and explore the areas. When they arrived at Store Bay Sakshi was beyond excited seeing the water and sand. They got their bags out of the car and headed towards the beach. When they reached the sand, Arnav put Sakshi down and let her run around in the sand.

Arnav and Karan took off their shirts and went into the water, while Kritika and Khushi sat on two beach chairs and looked on at Sakshi playing in the sand with her shovel and bucket.

Kritika nudged Khushi to get her attention. "Khushi look at them..." Kritika pointed her finger to a group of girls in bikinis lying on the sand clearly ogling Arnav and Karan who were swimming in the water. Khushi chuckled, "Do I smell the green monster?"

Kritika frowned, "They have no right looking at my husband like he's some kind of chocolate bar."

Khushi pressed Kritika's hand, "Its okay. We have an advantage, we're the ones married to them after all."

Kritika broke out into a wide smile, "You have a point there."

Arnav got out of the water and the group of girls started gushing over him. He shook his head and walked past them as they tried to sweet talk him.

He took Sakshi into his arms and twirled her around. She patted his face in her excitement.

He looked over at Khushi and Kritika, "Come on lets go into the water..." They nodded and secured their bags while Arnav headed for the water with Sakshi as she was impatient.

As Khushi and Kritika walked not too far behind,, both of them noticed the same group of girls from earlier, they were all frowning now while looking at Arnav and Sakshi. Kritika smiled widely and Khushi laughed.

After spending a while in the water, they all came out and relaxed on the sand. Soon after they packed up their belongings and they all headed to the beach's facilities to shower. Once they were home, they ate dinner and then unwounded on the lounge chairs around the pool.

"Hmm your pregnancy must have been fun right?" Kritika asked.

Before Khushi could answer, Karan winked and said, "Of course Arnav must have taken extra special care of her."

Arnav looked at Khushi trying to read her eyes, she looked down when she felt Arnav's gaze on her.

She whispered, "I'll be right back." She got up and went inside the house.

Kritika and Karan assumed Khushi was feeling shy so she retreated inside, but Arnav knew better.

Arnav got up from his lounge chair, "I'll be back in a bit. Can you watch Sakshi...?"

Karan winked at his friend, "Sure thing."

Kritika slapped Karan's shoulder, "Leave him... Go ahead Arnav, we'll watch Sakshi." Arnav gave Sakshi to Kritika and disappeared inside.

She closed the door and slumped down on the floor beside the bed. Khushi shut her eyes and cried as she remembered Arnav throwing her out of the house and his life. Just then there was a knock on the bedroom door. She quickly wiped away her tears and straightened her clothes. She unlocked the door and saw Arnav with a concerned expression on his face.

He held her shoulder and asked, "Tum theek ho?" It would help nothing if she lied, and she was not a good liar anyways, so Khushi replied the truth, "Nahin..."

He shut the door and walked her over to their bed. He made her sit and he knelt down on the floor in front of her. He held her hands in her lap and looked into her red puffy eyes, "Khushi I am sorry... outside ... outside with Kritika and Karan. I know you were hurt. I... I know I missed out on a lot, because of my one action I ruined everything, and I missed your pregnancy, our baby being born. I really screwed up." Feeling the guilt and pain rise inside of himself, Arnav got up and slapped his palm against the closest wall. He kept his head down while he panted in anger.

Khushi startled with his behaviour jumped into a standing position, "Arr Arnavji." She moved towards him and gently rested her palm on his shoulder. He immediately turned around and pulled her into his arms, "I didn't mean to scare you... I'm sorry."

She shook her head, "Nahin woh main bas..." She cupped his face, "Outside I felt bad Arnavji but we're trying to move ahead and leave the past behind. That's why we came here right?" He nodded and she hugged him. He held her tighter and she caressed his hair.

After a few minutes, Khushi pulled back and asked, "Sakshi?"

Arnav replied, "Outside with Kritika and Karan, I asked them to watch her."

Khushi nodded, "Maybe we should head back to the pool."

Arnav agreed and intertwined his hands with hers while they walked back.

In the wee hours of the morning, Khushi turned and saw Arnav wide wake. She touched his hand, "Arnav kya hua?"

Arnav looked at her, "Kuch nahin."

Khushi clutched his hand and snuggled onto Arnav's chest, "I had a lot of cravings."

Arnav had a questioning look on his face, "Huhh.."

She looked up at him, "During my pregnancy with Sakshi... I had a lot of cravings...my favourite jalebi of course and for some strange reason I liked sour tamarind. Chocolates became my life, I still have a weakness for them "

Arnav smiled warmly, "How did you know I wanted to ask about your pregnancy?"

She touched his chest where she could feel his heartbeat, "I just know... and not mine alone, its our pregnancy. I never let our baby feel she only had a mummy."

Arnav felt his body stiffen, "Khushi main..."

Khushi shook her head, "Nahin, let me continue..." Arnav nodded and she resumed, "She always knew her daddy was with us, I would talk to her for hours about when she did get to meet her daddy, he would love her more than the world."

Arnav dropped his hand to Khushi's stomach and caressed it, "How did it feel to have our baby in there."

A tear escaped Khushi's eyes, "Amazing, it was such a beautiful feeling, feeling every movement, every kick...I loved every part of it."

Khushi looked at Arnav, he was in a deep thought, and there was a glint in his eyes. Arnav was fixed on an image of Khushi with their baby in her stomach and him being there for every part of the pregnancy. Arnav gulped when the image disappeared into the air.

He whispered to Khushi, "I'm glad you got to experience it Khushi." Before she could say anything more, he untangled himself from Khushi and left the room.

10 minutes later, Khushi emerged from their room. She would have followed him outside the moment he left the room, but Sakshi started fussing in the crib. Once she settled her Khushi left the room in search of Arnav... After walking through the living room, she walked saw the sliding door open. She came outside to see Arnav sitting on the edge of the pool with his legs inside of the water.

She rolled the end of her pajama pants upwards till her knees and she sat next to him on the edge, dipping her feet inside the lukewarm water.

She dangled her feet feeling the water around her, "Its so peaceful here."

"Hmmm" was his reply.

"Arnavji I really never hated you!" She looked into the water at their reflections.

Arnav laughed, "You don't mean that. I'm sure you must have hated me at some point."

She shook her head weakly, "No..."

He gulped, "Then why did you keep the pregnancy a secret. I looked all...I know I wasn't worth telling, I don't deserve any happiness." Tears streamed down his face, he turned his head away from her.

She turned his face to meet her gaze, her eyes glistened with tears too, "We both made mistakes Arnavji."

He whispered, "I'm sorry Khushi... I wounded you so much, that now it won't heal no matter what."

He pointed to his heart, "It pains here Khushi, the guilt engulfs me, you're with me, around me, but tell me honestly if Sakshi was not in our lives, would you still tolerate me, be a part of my life?"

She remained silent, he smiled weakly. "I thought so. I don't blame you Khushi... I broke you." He got up and started walking towards the sliding door.

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