ArHi FF #1: Best Kept Secret: Chapter 7 up! - Page 27

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Best Kept Secret: Chapter 6

Arnav was tired.

Khushi was tired.

Aman was tired.

Lavanya was tired.

All for different reasons though.

Arnav was tired because he'd been unable to spend time with Khushi and Aarush at home. Except for that late night supper and the one blissful morning at the breakfast table. He'd been busy with his NGO and the completion of the hospital renovations. Whenever he walked into home at night Khushi and Aarush would be asleep. He would watch them sleeping through the door which to his much delight Khushi never locked from the inside and he left most days early in the morning.

He would see them during the day though. Aarush mostly during the tests that he was undergoing for the treatment. Arnav was also looking for an alternative: a bone-marrow transplant. But that would have to be the last option for treatment. And also he was facing difficulty in finding a donor match. But he had to say the little boy was one brave and strong child. A quality he'd no doubt picked up from his mother and Arnav appreciated that and respected Khushi more every passing day.

Khushi--he would only see glimpses of her when she'd be cuddling her baby during the tests and feeding him stories. The same scene that had felt alien to Arnav when he'd first seen the duo in the hospital at Mumbai, had now left him with an acute desire to be a part of the conversation. Though he was not sure what role he'd be playing but he knew he'd be happy even being a mute spectator beside them, smiling watching them carry along. That was why probably these days he found himself more than often outside the examination room.

Wonder how it was that two strangers had come to mean so much to him in such a short span of time. Khushi--he understood because it was not just an attraction. There was something between them. Something interesting and intense. And he wanted to test the intensity. But all that had to wait till Aarush's treatment and subsequent recovery. But he was not even finding time to be with her. And he also had Aman to blame partly for keeping her busy during the day with the children's ward renovation plans.

Now even after a week he was here: with no progress in Khushi's case and Aarush's as well. No time spent to understand the enigma Khushi. And no progress in Aarush's treatment.

So Arnav was tired. But he would not give up.

Khushi was tired because she was confused. Emotionally. She wanted more of Arnav's attention and time. She could not afford one but she did crave the second. And she was not getting that. A little time to spend with Arnav so she could make memories and live with it the rest of her life after she left from here. As of now except for that late night kitchen encounter and the breakfast next morning she had none. Every time she met him it was always with Aarush's test going on or with Aman to discuss the plans that she had suggested. She could not blame Aman for it though, because she'd insisted on working, for she was happy to help and was actually enjoying working for Arnav and in her own small way contributing to his dream, his NGO: Aaradhana. She may not have known how deeply but she knew it did matter to him a lot.

She knew Aarush was blissfully happy oblivious of his disease. Enjoying his pampering and attention that he was getting from a number of people, just like his mother. While earlier there was only Lavanya and her, now there was a long list here. Arnav, Hariprakashji, his pediatrician, the nurses, the liftman, the gardener and so many she could not even name some. Sometimes she even saw the ever-poker-faced Aman smile at her son. But wasn't that the quality of the boy that he'd inherited from his mother and she loved him more for it. But she also worried that his treatments were not progressive. Arnav had suggested some options and bone-marrow transplant was the last. She'd hoped that it would not come to the last one.

So Khushi was tired. But she would not give up.

Aman was tired because he was having strong intuitions of his life taking a huge turn. He'd felt that once strongly when his parents had tried to manipulate him into their choice of carrier. He'd not known what to make for himself in life then. But when he'd learnt of his parents' greed he'd forced himself to take a decision and move away from them. But now he was confused as what was to happen tomorrow. He was feeling a familiar anxiety and certain sense of adventure. Thinking of adventure the last little adventure he'd had was in the parking lot of the hospital in Mumbai when he'd engaged himself in a silly argument with that spit-fire of a woman.

Aman smiled recalling how he'd at first blown horn at her car in the lobby. When she'd answered him back his ego had been burnt badly and he'd purposely followed her in the parking and parked his car so close next to hers that she could not open her passenger door. Furious she'd come around to his side and what had followed was a nice exchange of insults and more ego-thrashing from both the parties. It would have continued if not for the interruption caused by the baby's cry, who was seated in her car. He still remembered her sultry voice and the exact words that she did told the baby after picking him up and cajoling him to relax.

'Ooo... Maasi is here. Don't cry baby and don't see the monster's face. He is the same man I told you about. Remember? One who eats the children who don't behave and finish their food? Hu..? Shh...'

With the baby's face tucked in her neck he could not make out what he'd muffled. But he'd heard that silly woman call out some name like the 'green goblin monkey'. She'd answered the baby loudly so he could hear it himself.

'Yes baby he is the big bad green goblin monkey. See the green shirt he is wearing. Hmm?'

Realizing that the name had been directed to him he'd left the parking without moving his car back to provide her space.

'Good luck Little Miss Sparrow.' He'd answered over his shoulder and had heard some loud profanities. God help the child that was with her he'd prayed after her rain of colorful words.

He'd thought of her as a sparrow because of her dusky beauty and that little spit-fire mouth of hers resembling the beak of the bird. As if that was not enough she'd been wearing a brown tunic too. It was a passing attraction and he knew he would not see her ever again.

Thinking back he wondered why he'd behaved like a tantrum-throwing child with her. Being the well behaved and always mature than his age, he'd never done that. His happiness on knowing that she was the baby's aunt and not the mother had short-lived and turned to furious rage and challenged him to win the battle. It was really silly of him to have left her there with no help and certainly not a gentleman's gesture.

He smiled at that memory and knew he would never forget her or that little encounter.

On his return to Delhi he'd plunged back into work and later the mystery of Khushi and her son had occupied his mind that he'd never had the time to even think about Little Miss Sparrow.

Khushi was not just efficient and sincere but was devoted to her work. She'd offered to solve the problem that was related but Aman had purposely burdened her with more work and she had not hesitated one bit to accept. He was spending time with her to dig some information from her past and to relate the chemistry between her and his older cousin. But Aman was never the man to engage in friendly chat. He'd spent the last few days working with Khushi but had never been able to bridge beyond work relationship.

So Aman was tired. But he would not give up.

Lavanya was tired. Well she was.

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'Cut it!' The director threw the folder in a huff. 'Lavanya, why don't you take a break and come back for rehearsal when you are ready. You are a little disturbed I can see. So sweety head home and rest.'

Lavanya did not argue further with the director of her play. Not that she couldn't but she dint want to. After all it was the third consecutive day and she had not delivered a single line in the rehearsal without stammering or mind-block. And Dev Basu though not a man of patience, had dealt with her calmly.

Crouching on the dresser in her green room Lavanya picked up her book. These days she always carried it with her wherever she went. She couldn't dare to open it though. The lonely feeling and emptiness were slowly crawling upon her again, inch by inch in the past week that Khushi and Aarush were gone. Khushi had always been a part of her life. Best of friends in school and later being there for each other when they both had left Delhi. But ever since Aarush had stepped into her life Lavanya had become more cheerful trying to forget her past and it had helped even. She had not more than twice touched the book in the last year and a half that Aarush was with them. No amount of video chatting in the mornings were enough. She missed her little family a lot than she had anticipated.

A knock on the door broke her thoughts. Picking up her satchel she stuffed her book back without glancing over. She knew who it would be.

'Hey Lavanya.' Dev Basu stepped into the door.

'Hey.' Lavanya smiled and pretended to look busy into packing her stuff. She knew what was coming next.

'What are you doing later? Hmm..since Khushi and your baby are out of town and you are alone I was wondering if we could have dinner together. We could discuss the script of the play if you have any issues. Are you not happy with the role?' Dev tried his luck once more.

'Sorry Dev. I don't want to be rude but I will have to reject the offer. I think I need time to recollect and focus.' Lavanya tried to sound as polite as possibly she could.

'You had rejected this role before and now suddenly you want to play the role. Something has changed. Something bothering you? You know you can always tell me.'

'I know Dev. And thank you for that. I think I will head home now.' This conversation was making her uncomfortable and she certainly couldn't confide in him.

'Call me.'

'I will.'

Adjusting her satchel over her shoulder Lavanya rubbed Dev's arm and walked out. Both knew that she would not call back and he would not question her why. They were on such neutral grounds in their friendship.

Lavanya braked her car at a signal. The traffic in Mumbai was getting crowded day by day. But it also gave her glimpses of time to think. Which she always did. Not basically about her past. But about her life, her carrier and most importantly her future. Money was not a problem. She earned fair and her folks also often left her the money she dint want and she never touched it either. She was happy with being an A-class theatre actor. Most of her plays were a hit and her roles appreciated. Even Khushi had more than once told her that she could try her luck in cinema. But Lavanya was always content with what she had. She dint wanted that much popularity again and she dint think she could even handle it.

Her thoughts continued till she reached home. And to some extent it troubled her to think about her parents. They were trying to get back with her since a long time and were now trying to pull all strings to make up with her. She wanted nothing more than to get a stop at their nosy attempts. No problem could be so big that a nice shower and a cup of hot chocolate could not solve.

The wet and wild strands stuck to her face but she dint feel like blow-drying them. Instead she picked her cup of hot chocolate and walked to the balcony. A copy of the play's script was lying on the table. She dint want to read that again. Not that the script had faults or something. It was a good story with a meaty role. And under Dev Basu's direction it would turn a master-piece. She knew it when she'd first read it over six months ago. Any actor would give an arm and a leg to bag that. And Dev had wanted her to play the role. But she couldn't summon up the courage to play it. He'd tried to convince her saying that he'd had Lavanya in his mind when he'd scripted it and hence no one else could ever play it better than her. He'd even declared that if not her than this play would never see the light of day.

Dev Basu!

Lavanya sighed. She always knew why Dev was the way he was with her. Infuriating at times and more than sweet at times. Unlike with other members in the theatre. Everybody in the theatre group knew that Dev was crazy about her but thanks to his temper nobody teased either of them. He'd more than a couple of times subtly asked her out on the context of work or any other reason. He'd also told her that he did not care about her past and that everybody has one. One should always learn to ignore the bad and nourish the good from it. He'd jelled so well with Khushi and Aarush. Hell even Khushi had hinted that Dev was a nice fella and that Lavanya could date him. She wanted her friend to move on in life and that is what even Lavanya had wanted it for herself. It wasn't Dev that was the problem. Lot of men had asked her out. Some within the circle of her work and some who'd come to watch the plays. After all she was a beautiful and confident young woman. But she hadn't felt like taking up Dev's or anybody's offer of dating.

And now she was clear why it was so. The script that was lying on the table answered it.

Lavanya had thought that she'd moved on. But had refused to play the role of a young teen, un-wed to-be-mother. It was like scratching again on the just healed wounds. Although the role was that of a naive girl who is forced to become a strong woman and an even stronger mother over-night by the society, Lavanya could not help but feel the irony of that with her life. She could not help but think if she'd been half as strong as Meera; the title role of the play, then her life would have been so very different.

Wasn't that why she didn't want to act in the play in the first place! She couldn't even bear to think about walking around all day with a baby-bump during rehearsal let alone actually doing it.

But the first two days that Khushi and Aarush were off to Delhi the loneliness and vacuum in her heart had compelled her to move on and the urge was so strong that she'd picked up her phone and had texted that Meera would be waiting in the rehearsal hall the next day. And she'd waited. Dev had been on cloud nine. But in the three days that Dev was trying to unveil Meera, Lavanya had gone blank every time she'd walked up the stage.

She had not moved on completely. It was clear as day light. She didn't want Dev to be patient with her. Although the play would not be scheduled for at least three months yet and they had ample of time for her to cope up with the role-play and scenes. But Lavanya realized that when the pain had not lessened in ten years it could not in next three months either. And a wise man would never push oneself to the extreme knowingly.

She picked up her phone to text Dev that she could no longer play the role. But another incoming text grabbed her attention.

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Arnav rushed into the room where Aarush was. The boy had suddenly become anemic and fainted. Only over an hour ago he'd seen Aarush going back home with Hariprakash after his tests. And now he was getting the initial treatment. He moved to the bed where Aarush was sleeping. Although the situation was under control now, he'd texted Khushi to come back soon from her visit to the suppliers. Any minute now and she would be here to care for her son.

'Umma...mum...ah...mumma...' Aarush half cried and half mumbled in his sleep induced voice.

Arnav moved like a quick panther to his side to comfort the baby crouching beside his bed. He did not know how or why his instincts were so attuned to this boy whenever he was with him. It was not a simple doctor-patient relation they shared. But it was something more. Something he did not have time to think about right this moment.

'Shh...baby...' Rubbing the boys arm Arnav tried to imitate Khushi's endearments for her son to comfort him. Mumma will be here soon.'

Aarush cried again opening his eyes slightly. He looked and Arnav and pouted. 'This is Arnav. Baby you know me? Arnav...say Arnav.' Arnav tried to baby-talk again. If the other doctor and couple of nurses in the vicinity were amused at their Senior they knew better than to show it.

Aarush picked his free arm to touch Arnav's face. Arnav immediately kissed the boy's palm to let him know that he was in safe hands.

'Nav...naav...' Aarush mumbled again recognizing a familiar face.

'Dr. Raizada, the patient is fine. We have given him iron supplements. He may go home after his medicine is over.' The pediatrician pointed Arnav the bottle of drips that was half empty, connected to Aarush.

'His name is Aarush.' Arnav blinked, surprised at his reply. He could not bear to call Aarush a patient. Something inside in his ribcage worried him. Impulsively he picked the boy in his arms taking care not to disturb the tube attached and clutched him to himself, providing warmth and rubbing his back to soothe him. Which worked, for Aarush slowly reduced his crying and just hiccupped once in a while.

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Khushi had just rushed into the room and the scene she witnessed touched her soul and calmed her. She slouched on the door side. There was nobody in the room except for the two people whose sight always brought a twinkle in her eyes. Her baby boy was in the safest place in the world.

She'd received a text from Arnav asking her to rush back around thirty minutes ago. And also that Aarush was fine but had become anemic. She was used to that and was always prepared with medicines for it. But had never known her son to faint because of it. This was news to her. Praying that it would not get any worse she'd rushed back like a maniac.

On reaching here she just wanted to hug her son and comfort him or herself more she didn't know. But she just wanted to hug her little baby Aarush.

The moment she'd walked into the room her heart that was beating against its ribcage so hard in the last few minutes calmed suddenly to see her baby, eyes closed and nestled safely in Arnav's arms and Arnav pacing the room. The scene was so surreal that it ached in all of her that it might not last long. And the cry that she tried to hold back peeked out in a low voice and that alarmed Arnav.

Arnav looked up from cajoling the boy to see Khushi near the door frame with silent tears. He raised his free hand and gestured her to keep quiet and come in. What he did next stunned both Arnav and Khushi and her response was even more astounding.

He opened his arm asking her to join in. And Khushi without one bit of hesitation ran the short distance into the group hug. In her anxiety driven state she kissed the boy's arm and cheek repeatedly and put her arm around Arnav's waist.

She cried and he consoled. Rubbing his palm over her back or tightening the hug. Her voice choked and he murmured consoling words into her ears. He had never seen her so vulnerable and it squeezed inside his being to see her like this. And his urge to console her and protect her became stronger.

It might have been a long time later or it might have been only a minute none of them knew, that they both calmed down.

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Aman had walked straight to the hospital room as soon as he'd heard of Aarush. He witnessed a picture that was not surprising him these days. He'd grown used to Arnav picking Aarush in his arms. But even Khushi joining them was not stirring any more surprise. Resolving his mind he cleared his throat.

Khushi was the first one to break the contact. She rubbed her nose at the back of her hand and looked at the floor. Arnav composed himself and raised Aarush higher in his arms.

'Is he okay?' Aman walked in and noticed Hariprakash in the back of the room. Khushi had noticed him till now.

Arnav nodded. 'He is sleeping now.'

'Let's head home then?'

Khushi tried to take her son back and Arnav put his palm asking her to relax and let be. Draping his hand over her shoulder he led her out of the room with Aman and Hariprakash following behind.

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Khushi was now cuddling Aarush to sleep. She thought back to when Aman had walked into the room. Aman had bid goodbye to Khushi after seeing her settled after Aarush awoke and fed dinner. She had not realized when he had entered. Hell, she'd not even paid attention to Hariprakashji's presence and had run into Arnav's arms brazenly. She was not sorry though. Because she had felt calm and assurance in his embrace.

She was missing her best friend Lavanya. But she could not tell her all that happened here today else it would worry her sick and also because she knew why Lavanya didn't want to come to Delhi. And when Arnav had offered to be that she'd taken up on quickly because of her vulnerability. She had to be strong from now on. She could not slip in such ways. She had a long way to go and a hard battle to fight.

Sighing she cuddled Aarush closer and kissed his head.

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Arnav checked his phone again and contemplated to send the text message. He glanced once again in Khushi's direction and found her cuddling Aarush again. He had observed that she was dull sometimes here but today she had hit low. She needed her friend at this time who would look after her. Thus firming his mind he hit on the send message button. And a second later his phone pinged indicating the message had been delivered.

Lavanya,

Hope things are going good with you. Don't panic, but Aarush isn't feeling too well. Nothing serious, but you're needed here. Aarush and Khushi could both really use your support. Get here ASAP if possible.

Arnav

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TBC

So howz it???

What are the questions that you want to fire away?

Some of you had guessed that it was Aman and Lav in the parking scene in Chapter 2... 👏

And some who had not paid attention its okay.. try the guessing game next time... lolllzzz...

Jokes apart I would really like to hear both praises and criticisms on the story... feel free to scribble... what parts sucked and what stood out? I will be honored to read the responses.

P.S.: Please do not thank me for sending out the PMs. I am obliged that you take out your time to read my story and it means a lot to me. Because as the saying goes "Jab audience he na ho toh kaun dekhega show?"... 🤣

New readers buddy me for PM and plz like or comment at your convenience.

Untill next time... take care...

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