Everyone watched in shock as Khushi turned her back to them and walked away without as much as saying a goodbye OR a backward glance. The cheery mood was gone. Khushi hadn't done or said anything, but somehow, the air was trickling with tension.
Sheetal felt awkward, as she remembered the husband and wife fighting over the DNA report. She was trying to pick the right moment to tell Khushi that what she was thinking was not true, but circumstances were not in her favor. She sighed, looking at Arnav and seeing his distraught face.
Arnav watched as Khushi walked away without as much as glance towards him. But...Somethinng was wrong. Her gait...Her walk was nt hers...Her bubbly cheery self had been replaced by a sarcastic and bitter person. He couldn't shake off the uneasy feeling. He looked back towards the court, feeling unsure of what to do. He was met with the anxious gazes of his family and friend Sheetal. He gulped, and he turned again to see Khushi, but she was already gone. He simply couldn't digest the fact that she had walked away from him...He felt his throat go dry as he got the feeling that she was slipping away from him with each passing day.
Khushi walked towards Shantivan, feeling empty. She had never felt this way since she had lost her parents; she was beginning to get overwhelmed by the familiar sensation of loss. She walked, tripping ocassionally, bruising her arms and ankles. She did not even bother to rub her wounds, because this seemed like a prick of a needle compared to the turmoil she was going through. Shantivan loomed infront of her, and she stopped as she paused to take in the large mansion.
She stared at it, as thoughts that never entered her mind before, began to infest themselves in her mind. What would she do when she went into that large cold house? Serve people food and ensure everyone had eaten, then cook to everyone's needs, check if the house is in proper condition, go to market, buy vegetables from the market... "Bilkul kisi naukar ki tarah..." she muttered. (I included this little bit cuz I felt this was true...She always serves and rarely we see her chatting with the family ) Then her eyes widened, and her hand flew to her mouth. Hey DM! Ye hum kya soch rahe hain?! Ye toh bilkul galat hai...!!!! She cursed herself some more, calling herself ungrateful and selfish. Khushi, ye toh bahu ka farz hai...Tu apna farz nibha rahi hai, bas! She told herself, and walked inside the house which did not feel like home anymore... She suddenly felt as if everything she held close to heart was slipping away from her...
The family watched as Arnav's face set into a determined mask. Throwing the ball aside, he muttered to Akash. "Bring them home Akash." and without waiting for a reply, he tossed his car keys to Akash and jogged after the path Khushi had taken. When he finally reached home, he realized that Khushi had finished cooking for the family as the smell of her food hit him. He went upstairs and saw Khushi lying on her side, facing the wall. "Khushi?" he called.
"Arnavji, hum thak gaye. Aap jaake apne parivar ke saath khaana kha leejiye...Hum yahi theek hain" she said softly.
He stared at her back. What was wrong with her?! Apne parivar ke saath...Why was she talking as if she wasn't a oart of his famiy?! "Khushi, tum-"
"Arnavji, humein neend aa rahi hai." she cut him off. "Waise kya farq padta hai..." she whispered softly to herself, not knowing that Arnav had heard it.
Feeling hurt at her words, and wondering what had caused her to think that way, he slowly back out of the room, feeling the ground beneath his feet give way to feelings he hadn't known for a long time...A feeling of loss.
Not knowing how to respond he silently went downstairs. He had to do something... And grasp her hand before she slipped away completely beyond his reach...
Yo People! This could be read as a OneShot if you want, OR you can go to the PREQUEL
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