ArHi FF : Beauty & The Beast#2 [Thread 3 Link on Pg 148]

Part 22: Shockwave Effect

When Khushi walked into the orphanage the next day, she had to remind herself of her decision that she'd made. If he asked her for lunch again, she would say yes. She was prepared to turn the corner at the end of the hallway and walk into her office without being interrupted.

"Good Morning" He spoke from behind his desk, standing as she stopped.

She looked surprised and slightly taken aback.

"Good morning." She replied and then checked her watch before looking back at him. "You're early."

He shrugged. "I had some work pending."

They stood there looking at each other silently for a few seconds. Then, Khushi gave him a small smile before taking a step towards her office.

"Oh!" Arnav remembered. "Today's lunch..." He started.

Khushi paused, her heartbeat started racing. She turned to look at him and was surprised that he wasn't looking at her. He was looking at the computer screen instead.

"I had to postpone your lunch hour so that I could fit in that meeting with the school's trustee." He said looking at the screen.

Khushi felt slightly disappointed and that surprised her, but she nodded and thanked him before walking into her cabin.

The rest of the day, Arnav maintained a professional interaction with her. He didn't want to make her angry and he was still hurt by the fact that she thought he could ever forget what he'd done to her.

Three days passed with strictly professional interactions between Khushi and Arnav but Arnav couldn't deny that he had noticed a change in her behaviour towards him. She spoke to him calmly and her tone wasn't bitter most of the time. She didn't cringe when she saw him with Aditya and Amber.

However, the one change that made Arnav feel a bit happier was how frequently she offered a smile these days.

Khushi had a feeling that he won't ask her for lunch again and she started considering whether she should go ahead and ask him or remind him somehow.

Thanks to Kripa, however, Khushi didn't have to go through the trouble because at the end of the week, Kripa and Angad walked into Khushi's office.

"We're technically not asking you...we're telling you that we're all going to the new water-world amusement park tomorrow. The kids love the idea."

Khushi looked at them and blinked. "I...My car needs to be taken in tomorrow for servicing..."

Kripa crossed her arms and glared. "Are you making excuses?"

Khushi shook her head. "No. You know I wouldn't do that...especially if Amby and Adi want to go. But the car has been giving me issues lately and I want to get it checked. I'm supposed to drop it off tonight."

Angad shrugged. "It's not a problem. We have an extra car."

"We do?" Khushi asked confusedly.

"Arnav can drive the three of you. I'm sure he won't mind." Angad shrugged.

Kripa looked at Khushi to see her reaction. Khushi was frowning slightly, lost in thought.

"Ask him first. If He's okay with it..."

As if on cue, Arnav walked in holding a file. "Oh I'm sorry. I didn't know you two were here." He said as he saw Angad and Kripa.

"That's fine. We're not talking business. Listen...for tomorrow...Khushi's car's going in for service...would you mind driving them?"

Arnav looked at Khushi as if looking for approval. She shrugged slightly. "If it's not too much trouble for you. We can take a cab if it's a problem."

"Oh no...No...Um...I'm alright driving...I'll be driving there anyway. It doesn't make sense for you to take the cab when my car will be empty."

"Great!" Angad exclaimed. "We'll meet at the part at 10 in the morning then."

Arnav and Khushi nodded and murmured their approval but both were nervous and excited about the plan for tomorrow.

Arnav barely slept that night as he tried to imagine various scenarios that could take place tomorrow. Would she sit in the front passenger seat? What would they talk about? Would it be awkward?

Khushi was caught up with similar thoughts at her home too. She had been jittery all evening and had cleaned the house for a long time to keep her mind off of things.

The morning came sooner than both had expected and Arnav reached her house precisely at 9 am. Amber and Aditya ran out of the house and towards Arnav. Aditya gave him a big hug and shared high fives while Amber gave him a quick hug and smiled at him sweetly. Aditya wore a blue t-shirt with a picture of a Spiderman with navy shorts. Meanwhile, Amber was dressed in a white polo shirt with gray borders matched with gray caprice. Arnav couldn't help but smile at the contrasting styles of the two twins.

He saw the front door open again and Khushi stepped out wearing a sky blue t-shirt with black skinny jeans and flats. He saw her eyes widen when she looked at him and he knew why. They were matching. He walked to her to help her carry some of the things she had brought with.

"Hi." He said with a small smile.

"Hey" she replied with ease, ignoring the fact that they were matching to the T.

When they got to the car, Amber and Aditya were arguing about who would sit in the front.

"Hey! What have I told you two about fighting over little things?" Khushi looked down at her children.

"Sorry mom." The two mumbled simultaneously.

"How about this...we'll flip a coin. Whoever wins the toss sits in the front now and then the other can sit in the front on our way back." Arnav suggested.

Amber and Aditya looked at each other and then at Arnav and nodded. Arnav took out a coin and flipped it in the air.

"Heads!" Amber called the shot first.

"Heads it is." Arnav said showing the coin to the kids.

Amber cheered and Arnav helped her get into the car and put on her seatbelt.

Khushi and Aditya sat in the back. The car ride wasn't awkward at all, thanks to the kids. One of them was constantly talking or asking questions and Arnav and Khushi were both busy responding to them. Of course, Arnav stole many glances at Khushi in the rear view mirror and he couldn't deny that his heart wanted to jump out of his chest every time she smiled.

The hour ride to the park passed by very quickly and they met Angad and his family at the entrance. Kripa looked at Arnav and Khushi from head to toe and raised her eyebrows in question while Angad tried (and failed) to control his giggles.

"Shut up." Arnav said with a smile.

The entire day passed smoothly for everyone. The kids paired up with another adult for all the rides and enjoyed their time in the park.

As the four adults talked and mingled, Khushi noticed how easy it was for her to have a normal conversation with Arnav. She took that as a good sign and continued talking as if she was with her best friends and that one of them wasn't her husband.

At the end of the day, they started heading back towards the parking lot.

"Stay away from the water, girls" Kripa warned as she saw Sur and Amber chase after small ducklings in an attempt to catch them.

Angad Sighed. "That was a good day...I'm just not looking forward to the drive back..." He groaned at the idea.

Kripa looped an arm around his waist. "I'll drive home..."

Arnav and Khushi looked at each other for a moment.

"You're okay to drive?" Khushi asked.

Arnav nodded. "I don't mind driving. I've developed a liking for long drives and road trips lately."

Knowing the reason behind this, Khushi slowed down unconsciously. Her gut feeling told her that after she left, he probably started driving pointlessly in the days following to get his mind off of things. Arnav looked at her and looked away sheepishly.

The two walked for a couple of minutes in silence until Sur bumped into Arnav. Arnav smiled at her as she apologized and ran off towards her parents.

"Amber!" Khushi screamed, startling Arnav.

Arnav turned to see why the sudden alarm from Khushi and then he saw it. Amber had gone to the other side of the path and was headed straight towards the edge of the miniature cliff, almost at the end of the decorative waterfall which was lined by sharp rocks.

Kripa grabbed onto Sur to keep her from running anywhere while Angad held onto Aditya. Arnav and Khushi ran towards amber. Despite the head start Khushi had, Arnav eventually outran her and reached amber first. He pulled her back from the edge and gave her a light push towards a safer area. In the process, he lost his balance and fell, scraping his elbow and hitting his head on one of the rocks.

Khushi looked at Arnav while she held Amber in her arms until Kripa came. As soon as Kripa got there, Khushi handed Amber over to her and ran to Arnav. He was already up and walking towards Amber.

"She's fine!" Khushi said, taking his arm and turning it to look at the wound on his elbow. Then she looked at the wound on the right corner of his forehead which was bleeding as well.

Arnav's eyes didn't leave amber's face. Khushi pulled him to the nearest picnic bench and sat him down. She swiftly took off her backpack and pulled out a first aid kit. She picked out a cotton ball and some antiseptic and started nursing the wounds.

Arnav hissed as soon as the liquid caused stinging. She looked up at him and that was when he noticed the tears in her eyes. She continued nursing his wounds and when she finished putting the tape over the gauze pad on his forehead, she failed at stopping a tear from escaping onto her cheek.

"Khushi..." Arnav started.

"Just shut up." She cut him off. She then took a deep breath and nodded. "Thank you for that."

"For what? Saving my daughter?" Arnav said, obviously offended by her formality.

Just then, Amber came up to them. "Buddy! Are you okay?"

Arnav sat her in his lap. "I'm fine princess. Are you alright?" Amber nodded in response, and Arnav continued. "What were you doing sweetie? What were thinking, hmm? You could have fallen in the water. You could have really hurt yourself! Do you know how upset mamma and buddy would have been if you'd gotten hurt?"

Amber pouted. "I'm sorry buddy. Sorry Mamma."

She looked at the first aid kit that Khushi was putting away into her backpack and then she looked at the bandages on Arnav's arm and head.

"Mamma...did you give buddy your magic healing kiss?" Amber questioned innocently.

Khushi's head jerked in amber's direction.

"Magic healing kiss?" Arnav asked.

"Yeap! When Adi and Me get hurt...mamma gives us a magic healing kiss and it gets better fast." Amber answered.

Arnav could not help but chuckle at the sheer innocence on her face and in her explanation.

"Oh well...I think she saves those special kisses for you and Adi...because you two are so special!" Arnav smiled at her.

"Well...then I'll give you one!" and with that, Amber kissed Arnav right under the bandage on his head and elbow.

Something stirred in Khushi's heart as she watched the father-daughter bond. A part of her wished that he didn't get so close t amber and Aditya because the kids would be upset when he left.

Kripa and Angad had also made their way over with Sur, Prateek, and Aditya but had decided to wait until later to make sure everyone was alright. Within minutes, everyone was in their respective car, ready to head to their next destination'the restaurant.

Khushi was quiet for most of the dinner and drive to the restaurant. Once they left and headed home, as decided earlier in the day, Aditya sat in the front with Arnav while Khushi and Amber sat in the back.

During their drive, every time Arnav looked at Khushi through the mirror, he saw her arm wound protectively around Amber. At one point, he could have sworn that he had seen her wipe a tear away. After a few minutes' driving in silence, they reached Khushi's house.

Khushi shuffled out of the car awkwardly, still holding Amber close. Aditya grabbed onto Arnav's hand and pulled him towards the house.

"Mama, can buddy have a sleepover at our house?" Aditya asked sweetly, but Arnav could tell that the plea had fallen on deaf ears'Khushi was lost in her own thoughts, a frown on her face.

"Yeah mama! Can he, can he, can he?" Amber chimed.

"Huh?" Khushi snapped out of her thoughts. "Sorry, what was that honey?"

"Can buddy stay over today?" Amber repeated for her.

"Uh...I don't know Amby...maybe some other time." Arnav responded.

Instantly, the kids started pleading Khushi to make him stay. Khushi, till now, had never denied her kids anything as long as what they were asking for wasn't bad for them. If they had asked her the same a few weeks ago, she would have said no. But today, after he had saved amber, Khushi knew that no matter what past they had, Arnav would never hurt Amber and Aditya.

Both, Amber and Aditya were holding each of Khushi's hand and looking up at her expectantly, chanting 'Please mama'. Arnav looked at the three of them nervously. He was waiting for Khushi to lose her temper and he braced himself for bitter words when she turned to look at him.

"Would you mind?" Khushi asked.

Arnav blinked twice, not quite believing what he had just heard. Was she asking if he would mind staying over tonight? At her place? With Amber and Aditya? And...her?

"I'll stay for a bit." Arnav replied.

"Yay!!" The kids cheered.

The four walked into the house and the kids spent the next hour showing Arnav their collections and toys and books. Khushi kept herself busy'putting away things they'd taken today, cleaning up the already tidy house.

At last, she walked into the kids' room and announced that it was almost bed time. She ushered the kids towards their bathroom where they brushed their teeth and took turns showering. Meanwhile, Arnav looked at the numerous pictures of the Amber, Aditya, and Khushi around the house. He'd even paused at a picture of a pregnant Khushi wearing a shirt that said 'double trouble' over the belly. With every picture he saw and admired, he felt a small pang in his heart.

The kids ran out into the living room to get him back, each seizing one of his arms and pretty much forcing him into their room with their excitement. Aditya went to the books and pulled out a book.

"It's my turn to choose a story today." He said, pushing the book towards Arnav. He looked from the book, to the twins, to Khushi who had appeared in the doorway.

"W-what?" Arnav sputtered, suddenly nervous.

Khushi shrugged as if it was obvious. "They want you to read them a bedtime story...I can do it if you don't'"

"I would love to." Arnav interrupted Khushi.

Khushi nodded, turned on her heels and walked away and Arnav could swear he'd seen a ghost of a smile on her face.

The father and his kids lay on the bottom berth of the bunk bed. Arnav guessed right away that it was claimed by Amber'he could tell from the solid coloured bed sheets and pillows with a classy blanket (the top berth being Aditya's with car printed bed sheet, Scooby-do pillows, and toy story blanket.)

Arnav attempted his first bedtime story ever and with every sentence he read, he felt himself relax more and more.

On the other hand, Khushi had sat on the foot of her bed, recounting the events of today, vividly aware of the fact that Arnav was in the room right next to her and was separated merely by a connecting door. She could hear him read the story and hear the kids laughing and commenting on things from time to time. With a sigh, she stood up and went to take a shower.

When Khushi stepped out of the shower, the house was quiet. Alarmed, she went to the kids' room. She found the three sleeping and sighed in relief.

Amber had her head on Arnav's chest while Aditya slept next to Amber. Khushi went to Aditya, lifted him off the bed with ease and put him on the top bunk of the bed. She ran her hand through his soft hair lovingly and kissed his forehead. The she walked around the bed to face Amber and did the same.

She looked at Arnav and paused. He looked so content at this moment. Involuntarily, she touched the bandage on his head with the tips of her fingers. Her touch had woke him up but he kept his eyes closed. He knew that if she knew he was awake, she would leave and he didn't want that.

After sitting on the little gap on the bed on Arnav's side for a couple of long minutes, she gulped and bent down until her soft lips touched his forehead, just below the bandage.

His heartbeat raced and he struggled to keep pretending that he was asleep.

"Thank you...for saving Amber...for saving my life." She whispered. Tears rushed into her eyes. She caressed his hair for a moment. "After what you've done for me today, I can almost forgive you for what you did to me." She paused, which emphasized the next word she spoke. "Almost."

He felt her get up and leave. When he heard the door click shut, he opened his eyes and a sole tear escaped. He lay there for a while, guilt and regrets gnawing at him. The regret multiplied every time he saw amber and Aditya.

They were conceived out of his monstrosity but even then, she hadn't abandoned them. She hadn't gotten an abortion. They probably reminded her of his beastly crime every single moment she spent with them but despite that she had raised them to be such lovely and wonderfully perfect kids.

And what had he done? He had raped her.

He had broken her heart. He had broken her trust. He had missed the nine precious months of her first pregnancy, the first ultrasound, the first time hearing the heartbeat, the first kicks of the babies. He had missed the birth of their first two children, of his first two children. He had missed hearing the kids' first cries, their first words. He had missed witnessing their first smiles, their first laughs, their first steps...the first four years of their lives!

He hadn't been there for Khushi when she needed him the most. He would regret that his whole life. He had made her angry enough, had hurt her enough to make her leave.

Some clattering sound snapped him out of his thoughts. He listened for the sound to repeat to make sure he hadn't imagined it. When there was another clatter, Arnav gently put amber's head on the pillow, wiped his face with a tissue paper and walked out of the room, following the sound.

The smell of something frying and more clatters led him to the kitchen. He saw exactly what he had expected. She was making jalebis. She was crying as she worked but to his surprise, she looked angry at the same time.

Smudges of batter covered her forehead and cheeks. She had just finished drawing another swirl of the batter in the oil filled pan when he reached her and took the little bundle out of her hands.

She continued to cry silently when he turned her to face him. She avoided looking at him directly and looked at the buttons on his shirt instead. He held her by the shoulders and that made her close her eyes and bite down on her lip as if trying not to cry any harder. He knew exactly what was bothering her...he knew her enough to know that.

"Khushi...she's absolutely alright. She's calmly asleep." Arnav reassured her that Amber was alright.

Khushi sniffed and swallowed to clear her throat. "T-thank you Arnav. I can't thank you enough for what you did today." It hurt him when she thanked him for saving his own daughter.

When he didn't say anything, Khushi continued. "It scares me to even think what would have happened if you weren't there! I wouldn't have reached her in time. I wasn't fast enough. I'm a horrible mother!" Khushi let out an agonizing sob and before she knew it, her head was against his chest, where she'undeniably'found comfort at this moment.

Without thinking, he wrapped his arms around her delicate frame as she hid her face on his chest and cried. He knew the feeling...this felt normal. Even after years of separation, it was comforting to be in each other's arms, expressing their grief and fears. The last time he could remember, the situation was different in the sense that he'd been the one in tears and she was comforting him.

"Shh Khushi...enough. Please stop crying. Look at me." He said when her sobs didn't subside.

He pulled apart and cupped her face, "Khushi, look at me!" There was definitely authority in his voice that even Khushi couldn't ignore.

He patiently waited until she brought herself to look at his face. "These kids are lucky to have you as their mother. I can't imagine anyone else being a better mother to them. You alone have brought them up through tough circumstances and you have done an amazing job at that. Some kids are rude and spoiled despite having two parents to teach them the rights and wrongs but you alone have raised two perfect little angels. Stop blaming yourself for what happened today! It wasn't your fault."

He gently pulled her in his arms again. She wasn't sobbing audibly but he knew she was still crying. He let her take her time. The almost accident had clearly scared her more than it should and he suspected that nothing like this had ever happened with amber or Aditya before.

After a few minutes of silent tears, she realized that he was still holding her. She had snapped back into the reality of the present. She awkwardly pulled apart from him and avoided his eyes. Arnav looked away too.

Khushi turned the stove off and picked out the now burnt jalebis and tucked a few strands of her hair behind her ears.

"Tum theek ho?" Arnav asked.

Khushi's heart skipped a beat at the words but she just nodded in response.

Hey Guys! I hope you enjoyed that. I tried to make it a bit longer than my usual updates and Once again, I will try to update as soon as I can! Thank you once again for all your support!

Love,

Katie <3