Tum Jo Aaye
She watched as if it was all happening in slow motion, her husband gradually coming in to view.
Not that she wasn't used to this. The past 2 weeks had very nearly killed her. She thought she had officially gone crazy for the first few days. It was pure, unadulterated torture; every moment waiting for him was spent in agony. The tears never faltered, spilling down her face; red eyes and quivering lips. She knew for certain from that moment he let go of her hand at the airport... she knew she loved him. She loved him with all of her heart, every inch of her now belonged to him. She knew that she had been his all along... she just hadn't realised it.
But then she heard the news that her husband had been kidnapped. The thought tormented her endlessly. Her constant worry, her restlessness... she now knew why.
She had fought tooth and nail to try and find him. Sleepless nights, private investigators, constant calls. Everything. It was hard... it's not like she could go and tell everyone the cause, the real reason. She had taken Akashs' help but had to carry out the bulk of the plan herself.
She had known who was behind it. How could she not? That evil, disgusting, pathetic excuse of a man would pay. Her Arnavji would make sure of it. Somewhere in the midst of everything, Shyam had unwittingly managed to disclose the full truth to an apparently unconscious Arnav. Somehow, she thanked Devi Maiyya a million times that somehow, her husband had managed to text her; letting her know of his whereabouts.
It was from that moment that Khushi knew... Khushi knew that she had, at long last, finally found her Arnavji.
Everything would be ok... He believed her.
She snapped out of her trance as he limped through the door; one arm slumped around Akash who was now struggling to support him under the heavy weight of her husband. Khushi gasped silently as she studied his haggard form.
'Arnavji'
He looked up at the stairs where his beautiful wife currently stood. He couldn't find words. There was so much he wanted to say to her. Where could he even start? Would 'sorry' be a good place to start? He didn't know. All he knew was that he needed her more then life itself. He was ashamed of himself... ashamed that it took a sycophantic prick for him to believe in her.
~
He forgot all about the throbbing wounds all over his body, he forgot that he could barely even hold himself up. He gently lifted his arm off Akash, his strong gaze never leaving hers. He tried to stand up straight, but found himself wincing at the sting of pain carousing through his back where that bas***d had unceremoniously engraved him with a blunt knife
She saw the anguish etched on his face and unknowingly took a slow few steps forward as if drawn to him; a magnetic pull. She saw him flinch as he tried to stand up straight.
That did it. She didn't have the strength to stay away from him any longer. He was there in front of her very eyes. There was no need for this distance, no need for the longing gazes and silent questions. She wanted him, needed him in her arms. No pretense, no misunderstandings... just him and her.
She didn't know how it happened but Khushi found herself launching herself full-speed down the stairs; running towards her husband - hot tears leaking from her eyes blurring her vision. She reached him after what felt like an eternity. Not caring that the whole of their family were in their presence, she threw her arms around his neck as he caught her and pulled her towards him, lifting her off the ground slightly.
He could have happily died in that moment at the feel of his wife in his arms. But no, he was selfish - he wanted more.
He breathed her in completely, closing his eyes as he felt her warmth seeping through him. Healing him. He pressed her to him even more, tears threatening to spill from his sore eyes, not caring that he was probably aggravating his injuries further. He just wanted to be in her arms.
Khushi could barely breathe. She choked back her sobs as she clung to him, running her hands through his hair as he buried himself in the crook of her neck. She could feel a wetness pooling on her shoulder and held him tighter, feeling her heart clench at the thought of what he had been through.
Khushi slowly opened her eyes and looked around at her family, who could no longer contain their own tears. She reluctantly let go of him as he released his hold on her, making her descent back down to the floor. She looked up at him, taking his perfect face in her hands. His eyes bore in to hers as he moved his mouth towards the side of her face. Distracted, she almost didn't hear him as he whispered to her.
"I love you Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada"
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The End 😊
This one shot carries on in my SS 'Just Him and Her'
Here's the link: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/iss-pyaar-ko-kya-naam-doon/2988940/ss-just-him-and-her-chapter-3-up-pg-5
Also, for more work, check out Shays' Writing Index
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