Part 24
She clutched the purse tight in her hand as her eyes looked anxiously towards the Arrivals. She checked herself again to see if she was looking fine in that Pink Anarkali or was something missing? She was nervous because these 8 months had created a long gap between them and their last meet was not good either. She just hoped his one week stay here in Sydney goes well for both of them. She was still thinking the best possible way to keep their meets casual when she saw his glance. He had arrived outside the Airport. He looked tired because of that long journey yet the desperation to meet his wife was clearly visible in his eyes too. She had emailed him her car number and also informed him she was coming at the Airport to receive him. He stood right before her eyes and she started controlling her shiverring fingers.
"Hi", he carefully greeted her. He purposely didnt address her by the name or the designation she plays in their life.. his wife. She wanted space and time to think, thats what she wrote him in all those emails. So until she herself confirms if she decided or not, he will address her with the identity she had before marrying him. She was just Khushi for him, not that wife whom he always had dominated. After such a long gap she heard his voice. It felt so nice and relaxing at the moment.
Khushi: Had a safe flight?
Arnav : Seems so . Or else how would I reach before you?
That was such a dumb question she asked. SHe smiled involuntarily. He asked her for the car keys. She hesitated.
Khushi: You must be tired. I will drive.
Arnav: I asked you the keys for keeping my luggage inside. I dont mind you driving.
She again was caught in her stupidity. But this was not her fault. She was very nervous. She passed him the keys. He placed his bags in and then opened the Driver's seat door for her. She got in and so did he. They started their journey back to the main city from the Airport. Both were silent for long.
Khushi: How is Paapa?
Arnav: Must be fine. You talk to him more than me. You know it better Khushi.
Khushi: But you see him more than me. You stay with him. Thats why I asked.
Arnav was quiet. Some topics were better left open then closing them forever.
Arnav: How far is the Orion Hotel from here?
Khushi: Some 10 more Kms. Why?
Arnav: What do you mean by why? You have to drop me there. I have booked my room in that Hotel Khushi.
The speed of the car slowed down. He booked a Hotel?
Khushi: Ohh. I thought we . Uh. forget it.
Arnav: Staying together? You thought that?
Khushi didnt stay anything beyond this and kept driving.
Arnav: To be honest Khushi, I could never guess that you will want me to stay in your house. So I booked the Hotel.
Khushi: My House? Did you forget that house where I am residing now is even yours? It just belongs to you Arnav. And you are making me more embarassed by checking in the Hotel when you have a home.
Both remained quiet again. She parked the car at the Hotel and both got down. Arnav passed his luggage to the Room service and waited watching Khushi.
Arnav: I have a meeting here tomorrow. After that I will check out.
Khushi: No Please. Dont do this favour. You will be comfortable here more than in that house. Take rest. Bye.
She drove her car out and he kept standing there like an idiot watching her leave. He really had no idea she would get so much mad on him for checking in the hotel. But what wrong was he doing? He was just following her words of maintaining distance until she finishes her intern here. And there were still 3 months left for that. Also they had never talked about their future. Until all this sorts out how will he show his right on her ?
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Khushi dumped the plates in the kitchen sink in frustration.
Khushi: Its all my fault. I was the one who kept distancing from him. Why am I so angry now? I should be happy. He is doing what I always wanted him to do.
She started washing the plates.
Khushi: But I wanted him to do that before. Not now. All that email communication we had, I thought we both had started to know each other better than before. But no. I still dont understand him.
Her washing action became gentle suddenly.
Khushi: He has changed so much. He didnt even see me properly whereas once he never took his eyes off me when we were together. He didnt touch me.? He was so desperate earlier that he would never leave a chance to touch me and embrace me. And today he didnt even touch my Dupatta, forget beyond that. But why am I angry? This is what I wanted. Distances. He is giving me that. So I should be happy. But I am not happy. Why?
She stopped washing the utensils.
Khushi: Did he even see my new hair cut? He didnt compliment me. He didnt even notice I was wearing a shade of red in my dress. Was he really so tired that he skipped all this?
The phone rang and she wiped her hands.She picked her phone in the bedroom and it seemed some local number. She answered.
Khushi: Hello.
Arnav: Khushi?
She was baffled hearing his voice. He called her from the hotel may be. But why was he asking?
Khushi: Didnt you recognise my voice?
Arnav: I did but you sound little angry. Is all okay there? Neighbour problem?
Khushi felt like kicking everything that comes her way.
Khushi: I am fine Arnav. How did you call ?
Arnav: I didnt see a point in emailing you when we are in the same city. So I picked the receiver and gave you a ring just to check if you fine.
Khushi: Yea. Thanks for doing that. So what time is your meeting tomorrow?
Arnav: Morning 10. And your office ?
Khushi: I will leave by 09 and come back by 04 pm
She lied. She had plans of taking an off. She had even told her Boss she will take tomorrow off. She thought of spending time with Arnav. She expected him to ask her this but as he showed no signs of asking her out, there was no point in staying home alone. They had a very general talk for some more minutes and they finished the call. Both seemed to be distracted. It was like they needed the other person to just ask because individually they both felt weak to put forward their demands before each others.
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She was frustrated the next whole day in the office. Her colleagues asked her why did she come to work when her husband was around? She didnt speak anything and ignored their teasing as well. She was finishing her work, it was already half past three. She found her phone beeping for a message. A broad smile escaped her lips as she rushed to the windows to check if what she read was even true. Arnav was standing down at his car and looking around. She jumped in joy. So he wanted to take her out? Better late than never. She winded up her work and hurridly left the office but her footsteps slowed down as she neared him. She didnt wanted him to know she was excited.
Arnav: I called you at a very short notice. I hope you had finished the work.
Khushi: Yes. I almost had completed everything.
Arnav: Good.
Khushi: Where are we going?
Arnav: Where can you take me?
Khushi: What kind of place you want to be ?
Arnav: Silent
Khushi: Get in. I will show you the way.
He started the car engine and drove as she directed him. They reached the beach area and both got down. Which place other than beaches can be silent and relaxing than this? The sun was setting and both Khushi and Arnav kept walking with their shoes in hand, their jeans folded up till their knees and water relaxing their feet.
Khushi: Why do I think you have to ask me something but still there is something holding you up?
They kept walking.
Arnav: I dont know where to start from. ?
Khushi: Just try, you will get the answer.
He was silent for some seconds and then finally he asked.
Arnav: Is it appropriate to talk about our relationship now Khushi?
This is what she wanted him to discuss about.
Khushi: We have just started this new relationship and we are in peace. Why are you talking about it then?
Arnav stopped and so did she
Arnav: Because this seems strange to me. I am not used to control my feelings to this extent. So we need to talk.
She was enjoying this phase of her life. He was finally letting her know he wanted more of it, just like she needed at this moment. They both sat on the sand , looking at each other.
Arnav: Since the day Dad got you in my life till today, I have not met anyone else who has affected my life to this extent. I already confessed you in the emails how wrong I was to treat you like that, force you for sleeping with me, shout at you for not giving me what I wanted, but Khushi one thing I have to clear from my side.
She looked at him holding her breathe.
Arnav: Since the time we married, I was faithful towards you. I hide about Sheetal from you but I never touched her after we got married. I dont know what you saw in the Outhouse that night which changed you completely against me. But this is a fact Khushi. I did every best thing in these 8 months to prove I am no more wrong and gain your trust but if you still want me to look in my past and go away from you then I will.
Khushi: Who asked you to go away from me? Did I? Who told you I am not going to consider this relationship of ours again? It was forced on us but I told you before contemplating on why we did , what we did , I just wanted to erase that past from our minds and see how comfortable we are with each other. Thats why we distanced. DIdnt we?
Arnav: Then what have you concluded?
He was desperately waiting for her reply. She smiled.
Khushi : I think we are more than compatible now with each other Arnav. We have a bond between us and I want to continue that bond with a good start. When I came to sydeny I didn't even inform u. That was a mistake from my end. I was not able to decide myself. I was Influenced by our family and the fact that I have to face guilty faces of Paapa and you. But I am also a human being Arnav and I do have feelings. I wanted to explore what I wanted
and in this period all I could find out from me is I need you. That's all I know. This was what I found long back
but I gave a time period to see if both of us stay away from this or not. We didn't move away. Now this is the reply I would give you after one year. I want us to be together again Arnav. I am really sorry if I had hurt you. I am sorry.
Both had tears in their eyes. Arnav caught her hands.
Arnav: You have no idea how much relieved I am today after this re-confession. Promise me Khushi. Promise me you will never again leave me alone like this.
Khushi: I promise.
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hahhahah. Cliffhanger again. 😆
Geet - Hui Sabse Parayee
Advocate Anjali Awasthi
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