Hello all... In mourning as we all are with the end of our Arnav-Khushi saga, I've finally decided to gather up my courage and write. I'll be writing a series of one-shots, basically moments in their life that I wanted to see. Well, in my head, these moments did happen!
Hope you enjoy...
1. Peace
"Maa...!'
The silent scream died in his throat as he jerked awake from the old nightmare. He lay still, trying to regulate his gasping breaths, lest his sleeping wife awakens. Tilting his head down, Arnav gazed at Khushi, asleep in her usual pose, entwined about him - one arm across his neck and over his shoulder, the other arm clasped in his hand against his stomach, one leg draped over his thighs and the "choti si naak" squished against his shoulder.
His eyes softening at the sight, he touched her face. "Khushi...", he whispered, as if reassuring himself of her presence in his life; the mere thought enough to drive away his inner demons.
As if sensing his need and agony even in her sleep, Khushi snuggled further into him. Her hand came down from his shoulder to rub over his chest and she dropped a kiss against his neck. His breath slowing down, Arnav gathered his wife to him, burying his face in her hair.
He remembered the times he had woken up alone in the past, in the clutches of the same nightmare...
******************
14-year old Arnav Malik bolted upright, gasping. He had just relived the horrific moments of the past day. Struggling to breathe, he looked towards his right where his Di lay curled up, the remnants of her tears still visible on her sleeping face. Tears puring down his face, Arnav took a silent oath - to never let his weakness show, to be her protector, to fix up her world again. Realising that sleep wouldn't come tonight, he turned to his books. He had to make it big, show the ruthless world that he would succeed...
******************
Arnav jerked awake in a swealtering room. The Delhi heat was terrible and his Mamaji's house had none of the comforts of his former home. Three years away hadn't succeeded in removing the memories. Sleep wouldn't come, might as well work on his essays. He had to get into Harvard, it was the stepping stone to his future, his Di's future...
******************
He woke up tangled in his sheets. The room was silent, the hallway was silent, the residents finally asleep after the midnight party. Slipping on his sneakers, Arnav made his way down to the basketball court. Sleep wouldn't come...the past seven years had taught him that...
******************
He took a deep breath, remembering the nights he had spent working, setting up his empire, turning his sleepless hours to his work. His life before he met his wife. He buried his face further into her, breathing deep.
Sighing softly, Khushi opened her eyes to smile softly against his chest. Knowing him as she did, she knew that he would drift back to sleep, drawing strength from her. She drapped her arm over his chest even tighter, giving him the silent love and comfort that he seemed to need when his defences were down.
Arnav heaved a shuddering sigh, smiling gently. She was awake, he knew. She would never speak when he woke from one of his nightmares, understanding that he needed the cover of darkness to gather himself, to reassure himself that he had overcome the agony, that he had her to bring him peace in moments of torment, that his wife, the keeper to his heart and soul was with him for eternity.
At peace in the arms of his wife, he slept.
Author's Note:
You can read the other OS in the series here
2. Evening Rituals
3. Saturday Nights
4. Sleeping Patterns :
https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/fan-fictions/3350730/os-series-vignettes-part-4-sleeping-patterns
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