T3| ArHi FF Second Chances| Note and link to T4, pg 148 - Page 60

hope khushi will overcome past soon with the help of arnav

But they are mature adults now and it is not enough to have this strong attraction between them but they also need to be at peace with his/her own self first and foremost. And also feel secure and complete being together. This is where Khushi has a problem. Does she have this fear that if she moves on with Arnav, then she will somehow forget NK? And that is where her guilt is coming from? That she is enjoying being with another man after NK? It is so sweet and understanding of Arnav when he keeps trying to reassure her that she need not forget NK.

It must be extremely hard for Khushi to even think of another husband after having been married happily to NK and bearing his child. Sometimes strong beliefs such as this as so deeply entwined in who we are and it is not easy to do something that is contradictory to those beliefs.

Arnav is a determined man this time around and is being extremely patient with her and he will slowly but surely make her change her mind and accept him and let him accept NK!

Loved Manorama's thoughts - her breaking down was to be expected. Superb writing!

Mirabell,

This chapter definitely got me started thinking of these lines:

Zindagee ke saffar mein jo chale jaate hai

Woh phir nahi aate, who phir nahi aate!

Khushi is obviously still caught in her time warp...she wants to let go, but her conscious mind construes this as infidelity...to NK, to Manorama, to Meera and to her world as she knows it now. A normal thing to happen when people live their lives in a fragile and safe mode...as she has been doing over the last three years since her husband passed away...being strong for her family, and trying to keep them all safe and carry on as 'normal'.

Arnav cannot understand where she is coming from to begin with...he has seen this hesitation before...but is much more rooted in reality and tells it like it is when he says this is not infidelity. She is a widow and he is a divorcee. Beautiful. But decidedly a turning point in their relationship that shows progression in its own right...he curbs his anger and impatience that makes him want to turn away and leave...as he did previously...he comes back and makes Khushi hold NK's ring...and then goes back to where he was standing. Poignant. For me more than all those kisses and touches - and by the way, don't even hit yourself about that, you did such an outstanding job describing all those intimate moments - this gesture of Arnav's symbolizes how far he has come as lover, friend, soulmate. Difficult as it must be for him, he wants to put Khushi and her feelings first...this time he wants it all, and something tells me, with such an amazing level of insight and caring he will blow her mind and ensure she will come right back every time without too much more effort. Yes, he might need the intervention of the perceptive Manorama, or his son or her daughter or his doting grandmother - but ultimately, his happiness will walk back to find him, all on her own. Because she simply cannot help it...reminds me of Anjali's famous words in the show...about saansein rukh jaayegi - trite words they may be, but with a truth that that is obvious to anyone who has ever had feelings for anyone...

Cannot wait to see how you turn this journey into one where they find one another, Mirabell. The gossamer of melancholy needs to lift for sunshine and happiness to come in. Hope that happens soonish. Yes, this will mean transition for all involved, but I seriously believe they are close enough as families to endure and get strengthened because of this new relationship.

Loving this, and totally adore your Arnav Singh Raizada...among my all-time favorites of the many beautiful ones we have had the pleasure of reading about in all the forum's fan fictions!

Best,