OS: Tortured Souls (updated part 3)

Gone for a more emotional one this time - *sighs* must be the weather!

This was getting too long, so I decided to split it into parts! Fourth part still pending - hope you enjoy it all the same!

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Edit:- Hey guys, I've updated part three.

Tortured souls

Rays of sunshine filtered across the room, teasing out the darkness; signalling a new dawn. The air, cool and inviting, rushed in through the open window, carrying with it the sweet melody of the wind chimes that hung at the entrance. The dancing sun rays soon settled onto the two lifeless souls that lay in deep slumber, unaware of their renewed fate.

Gradually, Khushi's eyes fluttered open, in time to witness the room coming to life. Gazing at the stars dangling above, she sighed deeply, strangely content with her share of happiness; a portion of the room which she could claim as her own. Slowly, she turned her back on the blaring light, facing the lifeless form beside her. She carefully studied his face, which remained shrouded in darkness. Hesitating slightly, she gently reached out to ease the creases on his forehead, growing concerned at his pained expression.

Khushi gave a loud gasp, quickly removing her hand, as he stirred in his sleep. She stilled her heavy breathing, afraid of waking him. She remained still until her eyes zoomed in on the time; it was 7:30AM.

Her eyes widened.

"Hey devi mayaa" she cried. "Woh laad governor abhi uthenge, I better go take a shower...nahi to woh "what the, what the" karke, mujhe "get out" karne ko kahenge". Grabbing a change of clothes, a deep sea green shalwar with gold detail, she dashed into the shower, slamming the door shut behind her.

As usual, her loud start to the morning jerked Arnav awake, who slowly sat up, staring helplessly at his darkened surroundings, which always seemed to consume his side of the room. A tortured expression flittered across his face, before he shut his eyes tightly to block out the nightmare that haunted him day in and day out. But today he would have to re-live that nightmare, as he did every year.

...

Khushi hummed to herself in the shower, as she recalled with delight her latest plan to annoy Arnav, which she so cunningly devised and executed last night whilst he was sleeping. "Ab ayega maza" she cried out whilst looking into the mirror, tying her hair up into a loose knot, ready to face the day.

As soon as she came out of the shower, her eyes began searching for Arnav, half expecting him to begin his onslaught of "what the hell Khushi!?" After all, she'd been living with him for almost five months now; and he had grown use to her antics so much so that they almost always backfired on her. But this was her way of retaining what little sanity she had left, knowing there wasn't long left for the culmination of their six month marriage. Saddened by this realisation; her heart sank.

Zoning in and out of her thoughts, Khushi went over to pet Laxmi, at the same time, growing anxious of Arnav's reaction. To her amazement, he walked right past her and entered the shower bolting the door quietly behind him. His expression was blank, masking his inner turmoil.

She began muttering to herself out loud, "Devi maya, unhe kya hua...?

Just then, Arnav came out of the shower, fully dressed in the mismatched outfit that Khushi had prepared in an effort to annoy him. Naturally, his gaze travelled over his outfit, noticing something was amiss.

"Now he notices" thought Khushi triumphantly.

Blinking profusely, she waited for the yelling to start. But it never came. Worried about his calm front, she locked her gaze on his, trying to read his expressions. Before she could even attempt to decode any signs of distress, he lowered his head, dejected and torn. She swallowed harshly, grieved by his dejected stance. After some time he lifted his crestfallen gaze to meet hers. Fear flooded through her heart as she noticed with trepidation the hurt evident in his eyes. Holding her gaze, she edged towards him, holding out her arm, reaching out to him;

"Arnavj..."

As soon as she reached out for him, he turned away from her, not in anger or in resentment, but in helpless desperation. Never had she seen him looking this broken or vulnerable, nor did it suit him. In fact, it hurt her to see him this way, for she had grown used to his strong willed nature which, lead him to believe that he was capable of doing anything. And secretly, she had believed in it too. However, it was his overbearing confidence which gave her the will to fight her battles, no matter how big or small. Though she hated to admit it, he had become her pillar of support. But what had she done for him?

Khushi followed him downstairs, consumed by guilt. Even his shoulders were slouched as he made his way over to the dining table. Giving him space, she headed straight for the kitchen to help Di with the breakfast. She too wore a sombre look, but covered it up with a bright smile once Khushi entered the kitchen.

"Here Di, let me get the breakfast, you go and join Arnav ji at the dining table...wo bohat udhaas lagrahe hein"

Anjali's face became stricken with concern. Affectionately, she stroked a hand over Khushi's face, giving her a light nod, before leaving the kitchen. Khushi accepted the warm gesture; but it only increased her uneasiness, knowing that there was something troubling both brother and sister.

Khushi finished plating up the breakfast and made her way to the dining table, only to find Anjali Di, looking lost and somewhat upset; but there was no sign of Arnav Ji. Her eyes darted around the room before bringing Anjali out of her trance.

"Di, where has Arnav ji gone to? Woh kuch lene gaye hein kya?"

"Are Khushi ji...nahi wo, actually...wo office chale gaye hein" she uttered in a crestfallen tone

"But what about breakfast!?" she cried out, growing concerned. Anjali didn't respond, she was lost in her thoughts again...

"Di...Di!? Kya hua? Bellowed Khushi, rushing over to her.

"Aap kuch bolti kyun nahi, kya hua?" she uttered, gently cupping Anjali's face.

(Why aren't you saying anything? Tell me, what's the matter?)

Subha se dekh rahi hun, ke Arnav Ji kitne udhaas hein. And now that I look at you, I notice the same sadness. Di, mujhe bohat gabrahat ho rahi hein, boliye na - I'm getting worried. Kya hua?"

(I'm getting really anxious, tell me, what's the matter?)

Anjali looked up, as if just noticing Khushi for the first time. "Humein maaf kardijiye Khushi ji, hum bilkool teekh hein..."

(Forgive me Khushi ji, I'm absolutely fine...)

"nahi Di, you're not fine...tell me, kya baat hein, what's upsetting the two of you so much that..."

Blinking away her tears, Anjali shook her head in denial before replying: "hum pareshan hein, to sirf chote keliye. Har saal, humare ateeth uske samne aata hein, aur har saal, ese hi wo pure din udhaas rehte hein. Woh abhi thak bhoola nahi paya, na wo khabi bhoola payega...aaj ka din humare maa baap guzar gaye the. Aaj hi tha wo din jab maut ne usko cheen liya, humesha keliye...aur ek pal mein hum dono anaat hogaye.

(I'm worried about Chote. Every year our past comes to haunt him, and on this day he remains saddened with grief. He hasn't been able to forget yet, and nor will he ever. It was today that our parents passed away. It was today that death snatched them away from our lives, forever...and in one moment, we became orphans)

A single tear fell from Khushi's eyes, as she shut them tightly, wanting to block out the nightmare that she too was burdened with at the tender age of eight. She met Anjali's gaze; mutual understanding passed between them, without the need for any words.

Khushi turned to look at the time, waiting for his return. Today, she would help lift this burden off his chest...

Part 2

Khushi watched as the clock struck midnight; he still hadn't returned home yet, and she was growing increasingly worried. Aakash had phoned to assure everyone that Arnav was fine; just that he needed some space. Comforted by this news, and knowing that Aakash was close by, she consoled Anjali Di and told her to go and get some rest, assuring her that she would wait up for him. After everyone had gone up to sleep, she paced up and down the living room, growing anxious by the second.

Just then, she heard the door unlock, followed by the soft thudding of footsteps. Worried about how he would react upon seeing her awake, lest he mistook it for forced concern; she decided to remain out of his sight until he went up to their bedroom. As soon as he entered the living room, she made sure to follow his every move, careful not to alert him of her presence.

Tears welled in her eyes upon seeing the same crestfallen face and dejected posture as she had in the morning. He was still hurting; she wept, clasping her mouth tightly, trying to hold back her sobs, fearing he'd hear her.

Arnav slowly made his way up the stairs, dragging his feet with each step. Khushi watched as his shadow moved up the last few steps, hollow and lifeless. With newly found determination, Khushi wiped the trail of hot tears from her face and made her way towards him. Reaching their bedroom, she paused outside the door; her feet had become like led, keeping her rooted to the spot. She tried to calm her heavy breathing, but to no avail. The door was left slight ajar, but even with the hall lights on, all she could see was complete darkness.

Recollecting what Anjali Di had told her about Arnav's tragic past, tears came flooding back, blurring her vision. Carried by blind faith, her resolve strengthened as she slowly pushed her way through the door, shutting it quietly behind her. Facing her fear of the darkness, she allowed her eyes to dart around the room, seeking Arnav's presence, with only the moonlight for guidance. Suddenly it dawned on her that Arnav was used to this darkness and had made it his home. She clutched her heavy heart, distraught at this realisation.

Calling out to her devi maya, she edged forward, making full use of the moonlight, which was when she noticed him. Her breathing quivered as she traced the faint outline of Arnav's hunched over body, sitting on the edge of the bed. Covering his face with his hands, it seemed that Arnav was resolute on shrouding himself in the darkness, finding solace in his own despair. Khushi advanced towards where he sat, choking back her tears, unable to take anymore of the deafening silence...

Part 3

She halted in her tracks, eyeing his now trembling form. Lost, confused, she paused to contemplate ways of consoling him. It was no use. A look of anguish spread over her face as she drunk in his silence; how had she failed to understand him all this time? Pangs of guilt entered her chest, stabbing her painfully, wrenching her still heart. Silent tears rolled down her damp cheeks, stinging her violently. At that moment, her senses came alive; not being able to withstand the burden of guilt, she berated herself, cursing bitterly to her hearts content:

Devi mayaa, ye kya kiya humne? Kyun kiya humne esa? Jaane, anjane mein meine inka dil kitna dhukaya...ek baar humne nahi socha ke unpar kya beethi hogi, aakhir uska bhi dil hein, wo bhi maa baap ke bhager kitne akele aur...

(Devi maya, what have I done? Why did I do this? Knowingly, unknowingly I have given him so much pain...not once did I stop to think about his feelings, after all, he also has a heart. He must be feeling so lonely without his parents...)

Her thoughts took her back to the days they spent at her parents house and how patiently and lovingly he tended to her family, without complaining, without a thought for his pride, he remained faithful and accepted them as his own. But what had she done? She tormented him, humiliated him in public, made fun of his pride and injured his good intentions. And he took it all, without so much of an "uff".

Ashamed of her childish ways, Khushi turned her head away as she vividly recalled the time she pressured Arnav to call out 'amma', a word she uttered so freely and took for granted. She clenched her eyes shut and lowered her head, remembering the pained expression in his eyes...

How could I have been so foolish, kyun nahi socha humne ke itne saal tak uske upar maa ka saya tak nahi tha. Kitne asani se humne kehdiya "maa" bolne ko.

Her eyes were still tightly shut when memories of the first time he had ever let his guard down, came flooding back...his voice, soft and broken ..."kya woh hame dekh ke khush hai?" "Kya meri maa mujhe dekh ke khush hai?"

(Why hadn't I stopped to think that for so many years he's been living without a mother's affection, how easy was it for me to say to him to utter the word "mother". A word which I have been most fortunate to use, even after the death of my parents.

Memories of when he first opened up his heart to me came flooding back...his voice, soft and broken... "Are they happy Khushi? Is my mother happy to see me like this?)

Transfixed, she remembered how he stood searching the dark skies, gazing at the stars, desperate for an answer. She remembered how he had his back to her, looking cold, fragile and aloof. And she could do nothing but watch in isolation. He looked vulnerable and lost, but the only consolation she could offer him was to keep faith, and to believe. Fearing his cold disposition, she recalled how she left him to his thoughts after asking him whether he was ok. A silent nod was all it took for her to leave his side...

At that moment, her eyes gradually opened, facing the reality of the present. Struck with pain and realisation, her gaze shifted towards the man in front of her, who sat there in loud silence, looking broken and defeated.

...humne khabi usko samjha hi nahi...uski khamoshi ko...tab bhi nahi, aur ab bhi nahi. Devi mayaa, yeh kya kiya humne, mein toh humesha sab ko khush dekhna chahti thi, to phir hum esi galti kese kar bhete, usko kitna dukh pochaya hein meine, kyun nahi samaj payi mein unko? Kyun ke hum samajna hi nahi chahte the...likin ab aur nahi, bas, bohat ho chukka...Devi mayaa, hum haar gaye...likin ab is haar ko jeeth mein badal ne ki aap humari madat karenge. Yeh meri praathna hein aapse.

(I've never been able to understand him, not then and not now. Devi maya, what have I done? I always wanted to keep people happy, so how could I have made a mistake like this? I have hurt him so much, why wasn't I able to understand him? Because I never wanted to. But not any more, it's enough. Devi maya, I've lost. But now you're going to help me turn this defeat into victory, this is my prayer to you)

With fearful urgency, she made her way towards him. Hesitating slightly, she sat down, making sure not to disturb the surrounding silence. She let her eyes travel over his dejected form which had shrunk to the level of childlike innocence. Sitting so close beside him, it pained her to see his dominating presence diminish in front of her very eyes. She wished for nothing more than to take him in her arms, to protect him from the harsh realities of the world. But she knew that one wrong move from her would force him to distance himself away from her. She remained still for what seemed like hours, praying that he would accept her close proximity. Seeing that he made no effort to move away from her, relief washed over her and helped strengthen her resolve.

(I know that you both care for each other very deeply, only difference is, is the way in which you show it)

comforted by her mother's words, which were now replaying at the back of her mind, she slowly raised her hands to cup his face. Apprehensive of the initial contact, she moved slowly as not to startle him. Lightly, and ever so gently, she cupped his haggard looking face, raising it out of the darkness. Carefully, she brought his face higher so that it was now level with hers. Willing for his eyes to meet hers, her heart froze...

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And that's as far as I got! I know it's a bit abrupt, but I will continue with it once I get more time on my hands! Enjoy reading, and please do comment. 😊