#3: ArHi SS: !!Eclipse!! *Chapter 18, PG 57* 09/Sept/14 - Page 25

Originally posted by: canapoem

Kiran , where are you?

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A/N: Okay, the irregular writer is back on the thread and this time with three reasons to explain her absence. The first reason is the usual one i.e., I study in a college which keeps me highly occupied.

The second reason is I had had a hard time writing this chapter. This has been one of the most time-consuming chapters I ever wrote for Eclipse. Dunno why every time I wrote something, I wasn't satisfied with it. Finally the current version is somewhere close to I call presentable.

Now the third reason is something I had no control on. Just two days after I posted the previous chapter, the keypad of my laptop stopped functioning. To be precise, about six to seven keys aren't working which includes four alphabetical keys too. So, it was very challenging for me to type the chapter with malfunctioning keyboard. The first week, I waited for the laptop to be repaired but I couldn't get it repaired. It was then the on screen keyboard' came to my rescue but it has reduced my typing speed. So, for now I am aiming to buy a new wireless keyboard which should take me a few days. 😊

That's the little tragedy I was subjected to which delayed the update. Now, you may read the chapter. 😳

Chapter 17: Breaking of the Dawn

"You never bothered to know what Khushi thought of you. Instead, you chose the manipulative way. While you should have talked to Khushi about your feelings, you were busy soft-soaping her parents"

The words had scathed him and he could not find a remedy which would heal him. He had by all means believed that revenge was the only medicine in his aid box which could lessen the pain his wrecked heart housed.

But the words from Arnav had forced him to ponder over his take on the situation. Had he really been blinded by his one-sided love to not read between the lines or did he just read too much between the lines? Did Khushi never lead him on?

"...after her break up with me when she needed a friend, you could not read her pain but continued your efforts to win her or should I say you were too preoccupied with your own selfish wishes to read into her dispirited state?"

That had been a blow in the pit of stomach. Had he really been an awful friend to Khushi? Had he been too selfish?

Now that he thought over everything once again, he wasn't too sure of his intentions. Was his hatred directed to the right person or had it only been the situations which were to be blamed for everything? He could no longer decide with the same enthusiasm.

~~***~~

Khushi was surprised beyond her wits for she was least expecting those words from Arnav. Has he actually said those words to her?

Marriage?

He wants to marry her? Why? The last time she had checked he didn't believe in the institution so how can he propose marriage to her? Is this some kind of joke?

"Why?" the question had been immediate and instinctive.

Arnav, who all this while had been expectantly studying her face now suffered from shortage of words.

He had just told her he wants to marry her and she wants to know why.

"You don't believe in the institution so why?" Khushi further asked.

"Because if there is anyone who can make me believe in the institution, it's you Khushi. Besides, I know it is the only option I have if I want to spend my entire life with you. I have realised it too late Khushi. I don't know what function marriage serves in your opinion but I want to marry you because I need you in my life till the last breath of my life. It's your face I would want to see each morning I wake up and it should be your face in my eyes when I breathe my last. While marriage will only make sure the world looks upon our relation with dignity, I will try my best that it's our love for each other which should keep us together for eternity. I need a last chance Khushi and I will do my best to make up to your expectations because if there is no us' for us, there is no me' for me."

Arnav poured deepest of his emotions before her, knowing well the time to hold back had passed.

Khushi was oddly silent, too overwhelmed by his words to respond. The truth and honesty of his words had touched her deeply and she was unsure how exactly she should begin.

"It's okay Khushi. You need not answer me right at the moment. It's a big question I asked you and you have all the right to take your time" Arnav said as he read into her overwhelmed state but she nodded in negation after some time.

"I don't need time Arnav. Not for this. You know I had always wanted this. I will marry you but only if..."

"You need not bother about Abhay, Khushi. He's being unreasonable. He knows you don't love him and that should have been enough reason for him to back off from the marriage but he did not. Instead he's trying to extract revenge by forcing you to marry him. That's not fair Khushi and you should..." Arnav cut in for he knew Khushi was still guilt-ridden for the hurt the entire fiasco had caused Abhay.

"It's not about Abhay" Khushi started calmly once Arnav had finished.

"I mean maybe yes, partly it's about Abhay. I will always be guilt-ridden until Abhay moves on and finds the happiness he deserves but here...I meant...my parents Arnav. I cannot take another hasty decision. I need to know I am not hurting my parents in my pursuit of happiness" Khushi voiced out, expecting him to understand.

Arnav only nodded with a thoughtful face.

"What if they don't agree..."

"Then we'll do our best to make them agree, wont' we?" Khushi answered, cutting into his doubts with an expectant voice.

"We will Khushi. There is no other option" Arnav filled in, happy to know she wanted the same. Things were finally falling in place, the eclipse waning away.

~~***~~

Anjali was waiting eagerly for her Chote to come back home so she could talk to him about Shyam. All these years, though Arnav hadn't said much but Anjali knew Arnav was hurting inside. Shyam had been a good friend to him and the little misunderstanding had caused a rift between the friends. Also, Arnav had been always worried for her future and now when things had finally fallen in place Anjali could not wait to break the happy news to her brother.

It was soon to be afternoon and Anjali had packed her bags, ready to leave with Shyam who could not wait to have her back in his house.

Arnav hadn't been home since last night and now Anjali had started to worry. She was sure there was something wrong with Arnav and the matter was surely related with Khushi. Her doubts had been confirmed on Khushi's engagement day Khushi when she had fainted and Arnav had acted out of his character. But then if there was something going on between Arnav and Khushi, why is Khushi getting married to Abhay?

Those were some questions Anjali had yet to find answers of and only Arnav could answer them. Now that her own life had straightened out she needed to make sure her brother was happy in his own.

"I should talk to Shyam about it and then together, I and he can confront Chote about everything" decided Anjali and walked back to the hall where Shyam was on call with some client.

~~***~~

"I am not sure of this Khushi" Arnav said for the tenth time as his SUV halted before Abhay's workplace.

"Trust me Arnav. I need to have this conversation with him" Khushi answered, undoing her seat belt.

"But why alone? I want to be with you when you talk to him. You don't know Khushi. Abhay is acting very different from what you know him" Arnav said, his forehead bunched in worry.

"I will manage it Arnav. I know I can. And as far as Abhay is concerned, there is hope. I can see it. He's still the person I had befriended. I am going to talk to him and try one last time. I don't want to lose the friend in him" Khushi answered and Arnav had no option but to agree.

"I'll be around. Call me when you need me" Arnav replied, opening the door for her.

"No, you should go home Arnav. I meant it when I said I want to do it alone" Khushi answered as she and Arnav stepped down the SUV.

"Fine" Arnav assented after a brief pause and Khushi could see he was still unwilling.

"Abhay is your friend Arnav and you should give him the benefit of doubt. You should know he won't hurt me" Khushi said.

"I...Okay" Arnav repeated again, this time in a firm voice and Khushi smiled.

"Are you going home then?" Khushi asked.

"Yes, will go home after settling a deal" Arnav replied.

"Take care" Khushi answered, hugging him shortly.

"You too" Arnav whispered back, and then getting inside the SUV he drove away.

~~***~~

"That was some cosy hug" Abhay said as soon as Khushi stepped in Abhay's cabin.

"You saw through the window?" Khushi asked, approaching him.

"How does that matter? The point is you're hugging around people while you're to marry me" Abhay replied.

"Abhay I am here to talk..."

"Are you now? We have already had our talk Khushi"

"This time I want to talk to the Abhay I knew. Not the one I faced previous time. I want the real Abhay to talk to me" Khushi could see the words made some impact on his unrelenting demeanour.

"That man is dead and buried" Abhay answered flatly, composing himself and crossing his arms against his chest.

"In that case I shall bring him back" Khushi answered, copying Abhay's gesture and crossing her arms too.

"You think it's some joke Khushi?" Abhay scoffed in anger, taking quick steps towards her and towering her frame.

"It's not a joke Abhay. I mean it. I admit I was wrong in accepting your proposal when I knew I couldn't love you back the way love me. That was one mistake I did but I had certain reasons and I am not saying those reasons will justify my act of foolishness. I was too hurt and angry to count what I was doing. I was trying to hurt back Arnav for I thought he betrayed me. I was disappointed in him, thought he had gone back to his older self. So, I wanted to run away from him at any cost and you were the hope Abhay. Who could have helped me better to run away from Arnav? You were my friend and I knew you will be the right person. What I forgot was you were going to be hurt in the process. You were the last straw Abhay and I clutched upon you not realising I was hurting my friend. I am sorry Abhay, very sorry" Abhay was too lost for words to speak. He could not understand what he should feel for Khushi. Should he loathe her for ill-using him or should he commiserate with her on her misfortune?

"It's a big thing to ask Abhay but can you forgive me? Or can you please try not to hate me for what I am about to say?"

When he did not speak Khushi had no option but to continue.

"I cannot marry you Abhay. I can't. I..."

"Why am I not surprised?" Abhay cut in, his voice drained of any extreme emotion.

"Abhay.."

"I have heard enough Khushi Kumari Gupta. You are here to tell me that you finally feel bad for dragging me in this mess? Well, don't feel bad or sorry. That's not going to change anything between us. You'll always be the girl who considered me a piece of "straw" instead of a friend and I'll always be the man who was too absorbed in his never-never land' to see what his friend was actually going through. Account's balanced! We don't owe each other anything" Abhay finished, all this while his back facing Khushi.

"Don't look bemused Khushi. I mean it. You don't owe me the guilt you are carrying nor do I owe you an apology for being a selfish friend. I accept it now. I was your friend because I liked you. That is why I helped you gain a place in the show. I had fallen in love with you the minute I had seen you in Sheesh Mahal. I had to help you, know you and pursue you. That was my intention when I asked you to be my friend. What I didn't know was you'll fall in love with Arnav because he wasn't your type and you certainly weren't his type. Everything was set. I wanted to be your friend before I could be anything more to you. I wanted to earn your trust, your love and your family's. So, I was supposed to get mad when I saw you kissing Arnav on his couch. My utopia was blown into pieces but I did not lose hope, did I? I stayed silent and doubled my efforts to win you. But at the end, what have I gained? Nothing but rubble of crestfallen hopes! After all my efforts and perseverance, you still love Arnav. So, just go away! I have fought enough. I quit now."

When Abhay had finished speaking, he noticed the look on Khushi's face. Was it hatred? Abhorrence? Or was it sympathy?

"Don't look at me like that Khushi. You don't have the right to. If I have been selfish you too haven't been very selfless. Remember what you said? You have treated me like the last straw. So don't..."

"I am marrying Arnav" Khushi cut in and the words had the strength to put Abhay to silence.

~~***~~

"I want to marry Khushi" The words were followed by a long pause and in the meantime Arnav Singh Raizada realised what all the fuss is about.

It had been tough for him to admit those words to himself, it had been tougher to say those words to Khushi, but the toughest of all was to repeat the very same words before Khushi's parents more so because he knew it was their verdict which was going to make all the difference.

He could not help but be nervous when he said the words to Shashi Gupta and Garima Gupta who were looking at him as if he had just made a joke they didn't find funny.

After Khushi had admitted that she is willing to marry him but not until her parents agree for the same, Arnav had made the decision.

So, once he had dropped Khushi at Abhay's workplace he drove straight to Gupta house. There was no point in waiting and he didn't want Khushi to be the one to break the news to her parents. Of course she was their daughter and it should have been her to talk first but keeping the situation in mind Arnav decided he should be the one to initiate the topic as he didn't want Khushi to bear the brunt of the situation.

Partly, it had been his mistake. It was him who had disappointed Khushi when she first talked him about the marriage issue which had led to the row they had and later the Sheetal debacle had forced them to part their ways.

So, it was his duty to set things right which is exactly why he was here. Khushi could kill him later if she wanted to for playing the eager beaver.

"What are you saying Arnav Bitwa? You know Khushi and Abhay..." Garima spoke up when Shashi did not.

"I know Aunty but Khushi does not love Abhay"

"You should not say such things Arnav Bitwa. We are very simple people and we are obliged to you for offering the job to our Khushi. You are a very kind person but we cannot... I mean Khushi herself agreed for the marriage. The cards have been sent around and now when you say such things; it will only bring disgrace to our family. We request you to..."

"I am sorry for putting you through this Aunty, Uncle but that's the truth. I love Khushi and I want to marry her"

"You said Khushi does not love Abhay. What made you say that? And if she does not like Abhay why did she agree to marry him?" Shashi asked with a very sombre face and in a very deterring voice.

"Because of me! I had hurt her. The next reason was that I did not believe in marriage. I wanted a..live in relationship with her"

"A live-in relationship? What is that?" Garima interrupted, her voice already accusing.

"Living together without marrying Garima Ji" Shashi answered it, his voice frigid.

"That says a lot. Our bitiya will never agree for such a thing. She is right in her decision of marrying Abhay" Garima picked on, her face giving an offended look and Arnav was ready to admit it hurt.

"That is enough Garima ji. The new generation has a very different lifestyle and we should not judge it by our standards. But I want to know what has brought you here Arnav? And why do you want to marry Khushi now? You said you don't believe in marriage" Shashi asked.

"I have seen enough marriage's falling apart, first my parent's and then my sister's. Yet I want to marry Khushi because Khushi is another name for hope; she's the one who's brought warmth and sunshine in my life. I will always keep her happy Uncle, I can promise that to you" Arnav replied, putting all his sincerity in those words.

"What will the society say? Everyone knows about the wedding and if it doesn't take place.."

"Garima ji, I don't care for the society and you know it. All I want for my Khushi is her happiness. And Arnav, I appreciate your straightforwardness and candour but we cannot decide anything without discussing it with Khushi. I have seen she's been very dismal these days and I was already thinking about talking to her about the same. You have given me all the more reasons. I would want to hear the same from her and also know why she decided to keep us uniformed of such a grave matter. If she did not want to marry Abhay and liked you she should have talked to me and Garima ji" Shashi enunciated, looking unpleased.

"Do you have anything to say Garima ji?" Shashi noticed Garima who looked disconcerted.

"I think I know Khushi wasn't very happy with the arrangement. I mean I noticed it every time I mentioned Abhay before her but I did not know this would be the reason" Garima confessed, recalling how gloomy Khushi looked when she was being dressed for the engagement.

"Then why didn't you tell me about it Garima ji?" Shashi demanded.

"I thought it wasn't important Shashi ji. Since Khushi herself had agreed for the wedding how was I supposed to know she isn't happy?"

"That's what parents are meant for Garima ji. This is very unacceptable. What if Arnav Bitwa hadn't come to us and talked? We would have probably married Khushi to Abhay completely oblivious that she isn't happy" Shashi continued and Arnav could see a faint ray of light, maybe the eclipse will finally wane away.

"Arnav Bitwa, if this is what Khushi wants and if you think you can keep her happy I will apologize to Abhay's mother"

Garima Gupta too gave her silent consent to Shashi Gupta's decision and Arnav was hugged by the latter when he bent down to Shashi Gupta's feet for blessings.

~~***~~

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