For you Delilah...
Isn't it amazing how sometimes a day can feel like an eternity, yet when you begin to reminisce it feels like years have passed you by in the blink of an eye. Since his Khushi had returned to New York 2 years ago, Arnav had made it a firm point that every day was to begin with a walk in Central Park. He had always admired the juxtaposition of the serenity of the park amidst the omnipresent chaos of the city; the gentle morning walk would always provide the perfect opportunity to bask within the precious tranquillity before the bedlam of the day consumed you. Every morning the pair would meet for breakfast at a nearby cafe and then proceed to embark on the peaceful walk towards the AR offices. This was always Arnav's favourite time of the day, and that particular morning was made all the more magnificent by the blazing early morning summer sun. Be of no doubt that the park is revered as beautiful at all times of the year, but summer always seemed to lend a certain magical fire to the surroundings, everything seemed brighter, better, happier, like his Khushi. As one would expect their journey had been long and painful but his Khushi was nothing if not brave, she had faced her demons and emerged victorious. She had learnt to live with the memories with a smile on her face, she no longer thought of her past with an automated association of pain, and that was more than enough for Arnav, the sense of contentment which surrounded her filled Arnav with a sense of calm like no other. Arnav looked into his Khushi's sparkling eyes and couldn't help but smile, there was something different about her today, her smile seemed more radiant than usual, her eyes seemed to speak of a thousand promises, her delicate frame was glowing under the sun, and Arnav realised that in his 29 years he had never seen a sight more beautiful than his Khushi.
***
- ANJALI'S PERSPECTIVE -
I distinctly remember watching him pace the living room restlessly as if his entire world had been shifted upside down; being pregnant with Ayaan at the time didn't give me the agility I once possessed, and so I was forced to simply sit and move my head in sync with my younger brothers fierce attempts to wear out the poor living room carpets. Every time I would attempt to ask him what had gone so catastrophically wrong in his simple universe, he would dismiss me with a wave of his hand insisting that I simply wouldn't understand. Pregnancy did not bless me with the grace of patience and so I took a chance and asked him the question that had been playing on my mind for as long as I could remember.
***
"When are you going to tell her that you love her Arnav?"
Arnav glowered at his sister dumbfounded, is that what this was? This morning when his Khushi had casually smiled at him in the park, he had felt as if something had shifted inside of him. His surroundings suddenly seemed vividly brighter, his heart had swelled with a sense of unimaginable happiness and Arnav was fantastically terrified, not understanding why any of this was happening. The sense of unease had followed him to his work too, as stepping into his office a sense of restlessness had enveloped him at the thought of being away from his Khushi, never mind the fact that she was working in the same building merely a few doors away from his own office. His thoughts were rapidly succeeding in frightening his weary mind. Arnav realised that under more normal circumstances he would turn to his Khushi for answers, but how could she explain this... this... damn it what even was this? And now that Anjali had kindly defined it for him, he could see it as clear as day. He had always loved his Khushi but never in his wildest dreams did he ever see himself marrying her, waking up in her arms every morning, or raising their children together and yet these were the very desires which had been worrying him since this morning, was love and the possibility of marriage meant to hit you like a slap in the face? He had always thought it would be gentler than that, but then when did he ever envisage himself in love? Actually, why hadn't he ever realised that he was in love? His happiness was eagerly awaiting to greet him and Arnav was not a believer in wasting time. With purposeful strides he walked towards the staircase, he needed to see his mother.
***
- GAYATRI RAIZADA'S PERSPECTIVE -
After Khushi's marriage I witnessed significant changes in my son, he wasn't quite the Arnav I once knew, it is difficult for me to describe, but I suppose it was as if the light that was keeping his soul alive had been extinguished, and although he would never admit to it I could see that Arnav was hopelessly lost without his Khushi. Many times I would attempt to comfort my son, try to dispel some of the restlessness which seemed to have taken permanent residence in his essence after Khushi's wedding, but I quickly realised that every effort was and forever would be futile, I wasn't his happiness. Watching the pair grow up together I had always harboured a desire to see Arnav married to his Khushi yet somehow their all-consuming friendship never absorbed the colours of romance. My mother always said that "waqt se pehle or kismet se zyaada kuch nahi milta" I never understood the true meaning of that expression until the day I saw Arnav approach me with his eyes dancing in upmost happiness. I remember the day clearly, it was as if he physically could not contain his joy, it was radiating from his being and felt fantastically contagious.
***
- SHASHI AND GARIMA'S PERSPECTIVE -
Over those two years we had slowly witnessed our little girl come back to us and it was all thanks to Arnav, he had brought Khushi back to us not only figuratively but also literally. Do you remember witnessing those blissful changes in Khushi Shashi? Do you remember how genuine smiles had began to reside upon her beautiful face and actually reach her luminous eyes? Do you remember how she once again began actually radiating joy? Especially when Arnav was around or even mentioned in casual conversation, her entire being would jump to life. Shashi couldn't help but agree, his thoughts took him back to the day when Arnav had arrived at his home with a sense of determination in his stride, an ancestral ring in his hand and a question in his handsome eyes, with a small smile, Shashi distinctly remembered the joyous reply which was ready on his lips.
***
Arnav approached his Khushi from behind and wrapped his strong arms around her petite frame, embracing her tightly he placed a loving kiss upon the pulse point residing within her neck which was steadily beating to the rhythm of his heart. Arnav began to whisper devine words of love into her delicate ears, whilst with practiced finesse, his hands moved towards the hem of his Khushi's t-shirt seeking her satin like skin where his gentle fingers began to trace invisible patterns which only the two lovers would ever understand. Arnav watched his Khushi abandon her work and smile as she relaxed into his loving embrace, the husband and wife paused to absorb the serenity of the moment.
"Papa?" Maya's sleepy voice gently whispered into the silence. Arnav kissed his Khushi on the cheek and promptly turned around to receive his 4 year old daughter who ran into his open arms ready for her morning cuddle with her Papa, Arnav smiled as Maya wrapped her chubby little arms around his neck and kissed his cheek fully expecting the favour to be returned. Lifting his eyes from his daughter Arnav observed his 7 year old son charging towards his mother with his usual boisterous energy, Khushi lifted Dhruv into her arms and began to swing him around; his Khushi met his eyes and smiled. Arnav returned the smile as he stole a moment to observe his family, he really had met his happiness again.
Please see the note below :)
Kumkum Bhagya
Arjun
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