ArShi SS: Finding Solace (ATTTM) ~Chapter Ten page 91~ 26th Nov. - Page 37

Khushi was confused as she walked between Payal and Akaash, who was escorting the ladies home. She had once, by some wild guessing, doubted the frequent visits of Payal to Raizada Mansion, but to know that it was the truth and that also by Arnav, that quite shook her. Not that she could entirely blame Payal from hiding such things from her, but Khushi could not, no matter how much she tried, to curb the uneasiness and discomfort she felt.

Akaash's company had always been fun and cheerful for Khushi and everyone else. He was everyone's favourite; a good-looking, obedient, hard-working and smart guy. Khushi would bet that most of the mothers who knew Akaash had wished to have him as their son-in-law, if not all of them. However, tonight things were not the same for Khushi; she could not stay focuses and clearly hear what he was saying as her thoughts were mingled. She should be happy, right? Akaash and Payal? A perfect couple if one looks at them from that angle. She just needed some time to come into terms with this, she reasoned.

When Khushi reached the gate of their house, she bid Akaash a 'good night' and noticed that Payal stayed behind her with Akaash for a while before following her.

In the next morning, Khushi joined her family, who were discussing the talk of the century, marriage; she tried to stay quite and not comment on anything. However Khushi was Khushi and she could not just keep quite when things were wrong.

"What's wrong with girls these days? Why are they so desperate to get married at such young ages? Do they have no dreams to pursue?" Khushi made a sound of disapproval and shook her head.

"There is nothing wrong with getting married at any age. I got married when I was only fifteen."

"That was different, Bua. Your age is not like ours besides that does not make it any less wrong. We, women, fight to gain respect and independence in this world, and our education can give us that."

"Shreya's given her consent for the marriage without having her parents pressurizing her."

"I think this has to do with the way those parents bring their kids up and the wrong traditions they teach them. I don't know what's wrong with her. She's always been a bright student and now she's willing to crash all her dreams, stop her education and spend her whole life with someone she barely knows."

Garima shook her head in exasperation while Shashi looked at his daughter with a paternal pride. In such moments, she felt that she failed as a mother in certain duties.

Khushi's phone buzzed cutting the silence in the dining room. Her face broke into a smile as she saw a message from Lavanya after few days.

Hey! Busy?

Hello! Always free for you.

Wanna hv sum coffee?

I'd love to, but you know I hate coffee.

I know, yaara! Chai? At 10. Sunrise caf. Kool?

Cool.

Khushi chuckled soundlessly as she read Lavanya's messages; although she did not like the way she typed, she found it fun when it comes from the Lavanya. Who would believe that this girl is an English literature student?

"A secret admirer?" Payal teased Khushi, who was busy with her mobile and smiling to herself.

"Yes." And just like that, for a nanosecond, Payal's face fell before realizing that Khushi was kidding.

Khushi left the table and went upstairs to her room in order to get ready. She had not realized how much she missed Lavanya until she had seen her message.

*******

Sunrise was a cafe made for mornings gathering. It was a simple, friendly and fresh place where you can feel comfortable in at whatever time you visit. Khushi entered the cafe cheerfully with a smile that brightened her. She saw Lavanya waiting for her on their usual table.

Lavanya stood and sprang into Khushi's arms.

"I missed you, Kay."

"Me too, Lavanya." Just like that, Khushi knew that both of them did not need words of apologies to get along as well as before. All they needed was some good time to make up for the lost one and share the happenings in their lives. Maybe it's always about time. Maybe it's how Lavanya sees things. Maybe it's how Arnav looked at them. The possiblilites kind of confused Khushi. Why cannot poeple express things easily instead of a frustrating and a slowly killing misunderstanding? There's only so much one could take at a time. Anyways, she was here to meet her friend and not analyze the human's psychology.

*******

After spending two hours with each other, the friends departed, each one taking her car. The drive for Khushi was not a pleasant one because of the traffic congestion. It really irritated her to witness the way some people were driving and observe the many rules they were breaking. She observed all of this in disdain, trying to calm down herself. She had just spent beautiful time with her best friend hence she did not want to ruin her mood. It is so remarkable how fast a human's mood change in the speed of a second from one nature to another. And those who have control over their moods are blessed with a great nature. Sometimes we take everything to the heart when it not directed at us, which could have unpleasant influence on us. And thus Khushi, who had been taught this by life, decided to relieve herself the trouble at hand and take it easy. Just smile. It's a good day, Khushi encouraged herself.

When Khushi entered her house, she immediately felt a change in its atmosphere; somehow it looked gloomy and too silent. With cautious heart she stepped forward and headed for the living room, but she found no one their. Suddenly a sharp cry resounded in her ear and made her heart skipped a beat. Following the sound's direction, she ran to the study room. There she found her mother and Payal on both sides of her Bua trying to console her when they could not stop their own tears from falling down. Her father was standing by the window and talking on the phone with someone. Her first thought was, is Arjun okay? Khushi stepped inside, and moved to where her father was standing. She was sure she could not get a clear answer to her question from anyone but him. Impatiently, Khushi waited for Shashi to end the call before she inquired about the matter.

"Unfortunately no. He's met with an accident and he's in a coma now," Shashi whispered bitterly as he looked at Madhumati.

Khushi walked to her Bua, kneeled down on the floor and held Madhumati's hands.

"He will be fine, Bua."

"He promised me to take care of himself," Madhumati broke into hysterical sobs.

"That's why he'll be okay. For you, Bua."

"Yes, Jiji. And we'll go to him in the next flight to make sure that he gets well soon. Now please, do not be so harsh on yourself." Shashi stood in front of them with tired eyes. He was trying his best to stay calm for his family. The four ladies needed him at the moment more than his sadness.

He stepped away from them and dialed a number. "Arnav, I need you to come to my house now." With that he ended his call.