Truth about Forever NOTE page 73 - Page 4

Chapter Five:

The Springy Shores

What transpired after she gained consciousness consisted of exhilarating affair of verbal cursing and overriding explosions for not being a worthy enough child. But even after being at the receiving end of Buaji tirade, she couldn't deny even in the inner smallest piece of her heart that her buaji loved her. She truly did.

Madhumati had always loved her, from the time she had gathered that small bundle of a child enwrapped in pink cotton baby sheets in her arms. She had then felt that pronounced tug at her heart. The baby's hazel eyes fanned by dark thick eyelashes, her soft skin complimented by her fair complexion exhibited a beauty of excellence. She had no idea how that child had ended up being gifted by such unparalleled beauty when her parents were just normal looking human beings...ok scratch that. Garima was pretty, adorable and lavishing in her own way. But Khushi had an exotic innate beauty. She had literally felt another type of beauty radiating from her, a beauty that is born in the hearts and comes from the heart. Not that Shashi and Garima were not good at heart. She respected and loved her brother and sister in law from the core of her heart. They were good people. She had chided herself at her silly inner debate when Shashi had come to her to collect his little princess from her.

And just like that Madhumati had experienced the sudden unwanted loss, a sincere sense of deprivation at heart. Not having a child of her own was always the most sensitive part of her life. She had cried hours after that over her husband's shoulders, muttering insanities of not being a complete women and things like she failed in completing their world. Her husband had held her all that time whispering soothing words and not letting go. Madhan Shah was an unwavering man, with his own definitions of virtue and sin. He loved his wife more than anything in the world. She was the only real family he was left with. And so he had led her to their room, making her lay down to sleep.

Thinking afterwards he had recounted certain facts and figures.

Yes, he had always wanted children. He loved those blessings of God with their endearing exquisiteness, chiming laughter, impish acts followed by earnest apologies.

Madhumati was not to be blamed here. This tragedy and its causes were equally shared by both of them.

There was nothing wrong with either of them. The reports were normal.

They had agreed upon God's will. Maybe God had His own good reasons behind not blessing them with children.

So he had resumed his happy life with his wife which was at times darkened and astringent by moments of panic and self loathing by madhumati for not being able to give him his heir.

Khushi had become the centre of Madhumati's world in the days that drew closer. She took care of her, changed her diapers, and gave her showers, played with her while Garima recovered from the complications of the operation.

So she loved her niece and Khushi knew that. Her Buaji had taken care of her in the times of her psychosis and fits. Khushi reciprocated her love and respected her. These are just bad times. Buaji doesn't mean any of this. She is stressed. She countered to keep her overflowing emotions at bay.

*******************

When the clock struck 12 and her crying subsided to discontinuous hiccups and sobs, Buaji entered her room balancing a tray of tea cups and a plate filled with daal chawal. She cut short near her bed and placed the supplies on the bedside table.

Caressing her head with light movements she spoke, "Forgive me bitiya. I didn't intend to shout at you like that. I never do. You know that I love you like my own child. These are bad times and they are turning this old woman insane. I hope you understand. I was just so worried for you when I found you there. You scared the living daylight out of me. I was mad at you for being careless enough, having walked to house in this horrendous storm. You shouldn't have titiliya and then out of nowhere you dropped the bombshell on me about quitting the job. I was happy you finally had a job. I freaked out...you can say. I am sorry." Every word that fell on khushi's ears slashed her heart. The act of contrition was so love-stricken and unadulterated she couldn't help enveloping her Buaji in a hug. Her Buaji let out a tense sigh on finally knowing her titilya wasn't livid with her. She smiled internally stroking the small of her back.

"I know Buaji! You don't have to explain yourself. You shouldn't be sorry. I am the one who owes you an apology." Khushi expressed while teardrops played with her skin sliding down.

"No Khushi. Please." Madhumati broke the hug, bringing her at a distance from her. She beamed affectionately at her. Placing a kiss on her forehead she continued "You should eat now. You haven't been taking care of yourself. Look how slender you have become losing all that weight which reminds me you haven't been to the doctor Nande Kishore referred you to. Now that he isn't here you have to go through your weekly checkups with that new doctor. We don't want you to get too stressed out."

"Yeah Buaji. I will. Tomorrow." Khushi replied while hundreds of new unbidden thoughts chased through her mind. Life had actually played the games of bonafide life with Khushi. The exodus from the alcove of Patna to Delhi was supposed to be a general break for her. She had known all her life about Arnav being in Delhi, but never in her wildest thoughts and imaginations had she considered the fact of having faced him again, ever.

She stood now at the doors of apparent heaven and insidious hell with no idea about the tackling of the situation. Yes, she needed that job but she couldn't hold on to the possibility of keeping her heart and mind at stake to run her house. Looking at Buaji now, sipping her tea, lost in some other world of her own she resolved to take this step for her.

The human Arnav was a distant past for her, her near past harbored the imaginary Arnav and she was contented to the degree of spending life with the memories of her lost long love. Now that her present had collided with the human Arnav again she had to make sure that relation stayed to the standards of employer-employee symbiosis. She had forgiven Arnav for the damage he had done. But she couldn't help recalling the screaming abhorrence that dripped from his face when he had looked at her, like he hated her for something she had done. Brushing away her dilemma she spoke, "I will continue the job Buaji."

Buaji jerked her head to one side to meet her gaze. "Are you sure titilya? There is no pressure, trust me. I will not question your decisions or ask you about your reasons about the reaction you showed towards that job today. I will never intrude inside your heart not until you want me to."

"I am sure buaji. I will go to the doctor tomorrow first and then I will head off towards the destination of my job" She answered diverting her gaze to the opened window, taking in the serene cloudy sky. The moon was hidden behind the clouds but she knew sooner or later it would break out from behind spreading its moonlight everywhere.

"Ok bitiya. Now have your food and go to sleep. I have put your medicines beside your bed. Don't forget to have them. Your mausaji must be looking for me. I should take my leave now." saying so Buaji stood up. pecked on her forehead and moved towards the exit.

"Buaji!" Khushi called from behind making Buaji turn back inquisitively. "I love you. Good night." She concluded with a sheepish smile.

"I love you too titiliya. Good night." She replied back smilingly and turned around finally walking out closing the door behind her.

It was then when Khushi finally gave in to her tears. As her crying racked her body and nerves she slowly drifted off to sleep, her mind finally shutting down allowing her some peace.

******************************

He pruned the plants, his muscles compressing and relaxing as, his mind diving in an operative mode. Those hazel eyes were haunting him. Damn! He swore Great my stress buster isn't even helping me now. Closing his eyes with teeth gnashed and posture stiffened he inhaled the raw scent of his plants. He could hear the soothing vibrancy of the stilled pool water. The moonlight fell on the water body and reflected back dancing away patterns around the vicinity.

He knew Khushi would be back. That was the very consideration that was playing havocs with his heart and mind. The surfacing of memories was one thing but the hallucinations were turning him wild and untamed. The rational part of his brain was plaiting multifaceted plans to confront and castigate the reason of his broken heart while the irrational part of his mind was flopping around in merriment and emancipation. For now the irrational part of his mind overtook his senses.

"Are you the new behanji diva of college?" Khushi halted hearing the naked insult clad in cardigan from behind, her ears plainly giving out wisps of anger. She turned around abruptly, after calming down her livid state. What met her eyes made her heart race with a speed of a jet. Positioned before her, with arms folded in front and a sneer evident on face was the handsomest boy she had ever laid eyes on. She took in his disheveled hair which added to his handsomeness and boyish features, his eyes the color of honey, his efficiently carved chiseled features filling up his fair face. Be rational Khushi she reprimanded herself on her typical girly thoughts.

Plastering a sneer on her face she replied, "If I am not wrong you are the so called King ASR of this kingdom."

"Listen up guys! The behanji just started talking." He called up to his surroundings. A number of curious eyes turned her way. The corridor started buzzing and humming with the whispers of the spectators. In a matter of seconds, they both were surrounded by a disk of students. He looked directly in her eyes, noticeably finding the traces of red anger on her eyes and face. But there was no self consciousness or embarrassment as he had predicted, only determination and a stony resolve something he had clearly not expected. This is going to be fun, he smiled internally.

"So Mr. ASR...You my dear sire really have no idea about who you are messing up with. The ASR. Doesn't this stand short of Arrogant Selfish Rat? I must say your initials define your personality very well." The words struck Arnav with the force of a bulldozer and his heart swelled with the hatred he felt for this arrogant self conceited girl.

"And I must appreciate your sense of mockery behanji. I am glad I have finally found someone to stand against me, someone who is not intimidated and scared out of wits by me. I am aware of the full form of my initials and the attributes of my personality. For the satisfaction of my ego I daresay your personality shouts out the attributes of your character and background. An underprivileged girl from a meager bigoted family. I wonder how you landed in our institute. Oh wait! I know the chronicle. The intellectual assiduous girl who won the erudition this year. Miss Khushi Kumari Gupta. Now this victory demands some limelight. Applaud everyone!" The termination of his derision was concluded by a round of applause accompanied by whistles and hoots and some distinct snide remarks. This is the limit Khushi! Show this ass-hole who you are! The next moment saw a teed off rose colored Khushi kumara Gupta punching a certain smirking Arnav Singh Raizada on face.

"Don't you dare have a go on my family Mr. Arrogant Selfish Rat!" She yelled making a sharp edge of every word that left her mouth. Flipping her braid in a conceited manner Khushi turned her back on all horror stricken faces that aligned the corridors. The face that stood out amidst all horror wore an incensed devilish agitated expression. Shaking in his rage with jaw line studding out, he spoke through gritted teeth."I will make you pay back Khushi Kumari Gupta. And that day will be recorded in the history."

A lopsided smile adorned his face when his mind lastly leaped back to the present. How impetuous they both used to be then. What he didn't know was things hadn't changed much. The days rolling out would register their impetuosity with a higher measure of dissemination as compared to the era back then.

Why am I smiling?! Arnav seethed in anger hurling away the hedge clippers which hit the wall with a thud. He began pacing the area around his garden pool. The lights danced on his face making his face look more monstrous and threatening. Arnav Singh Raizada had believed for so long that he was a master of his life and mind. The people who knew him had started accepting as true that he wrote his own fate. His mastery was going to be lost by him and won by her. People in the near future would know no man writes his own faith. Fate is the servant of God's will. Fate is written and held by God. Fate is the game of life. Fate is the treadmill.

*********************************

Descending the stairs, Arnav called out to hariprakash through gritted teeth. A squeaking timid hariprakash made his way out with wobbly steps towards Arnav, his eyes downcast filled with fright.

"Where is my damn coffee?!" He growled.

"An..Anjaliji..is..m.m.." Hariprakash stuttered with trembling lips.

"Stop stuttering! I am not going to eat you!" He shouted again.

"What is the matter chotey? When on earth will you quit your inclination of shouting at anyone who has the hard luck of being in your vicinity when you are all pissed off in your manly masquerade?" Anjali shot back from behind him.

"Don't start again Di. I am really in no mood to be juggled up with your insanities." Arnav replied facing her. Anjali's jaw dropped, mouth forming an O-shape.

"Insanities? I am your elder sister Chotey. Show some respect." She spoke, her words dripping command.

"And you are the mother of a 4 year old Di and a wife of really reputable respected Doctor. Show some rationality." He retorted.

"Are you ok Chotey?" Anjali touched his forehead to confirm whether he had a fever or not. "I thought you'd be a bubbling boiling room walking around. Yet here you are replying sanely not biting my head off."

"oh come on Di. Finish with your childish acts. Can't a person get even a coffee in this house? Fine with me. I am actually getting late again today. I am off now." With that he started stomping towards the door with quick long strides.

"Stop Chottey! I am sorry! At least have your breakfast. You have to.." Before Anjali could complete her sentence Arnav was out of the door.

A visibly dejected Anjali made her way towards the kitchen. When would her Chotey ever start listening to her? There is a limit to self contentment. Approaching the slab she took hold of the water bottle and poured herself a glass. Before she could cap the bottle a running, shouting Adi bammed into her making the bottle fall down from her hands. The bottle fell with a thud on the floor, the water splashed onto Anjali. Hands in the air and mouth agape, breathing laboured with the cold water dripping down her clothes she opened her eyes which had earlier closed reflexingly. Witnessing the show in front of him Adi squealed in delight clapping his hands enthusiastically.

"Look HP! Mama is the wet scared cat!" He shouted back to HP who wore an aghast expression.

Turning towards Adi Anjali shouted at the top of her voice unable to keep her temper at bay. "You find this funny you bad boy! And dare you say your mother a wet scared cat. I don't know how on earth you are getting so spoiled and ill-mannered! Its time I really should teach you a lesson"

Taking Adi with his elbow she dragged him towards his room. Adi turned and tossed kicking his legs but Anjali was nowhere to stopping. Pushing Adi inside the room she shut the doors locking them.

"No one is allowed to open the door until I tell to. No matter what happens. And when I say no one I mean no one!" she instructed to hariprakash who had made his way with wobbly legs to the room behind Anjali. He rarely found anjali in such temper.

"Yes Anjali bitiya. I get it." He replied obligingly.

A huffing Anjali climbed the stairs and clanged the doors shut of her room.

Please Like and Comment.

Regards,

Warda

Originally posted by: SaRun.

AHH!! absolutely amazing!!

I love your writing <33

So Di knows and im so happy she has decided to get them back together. I'm really curious to know what exactly had happened between them. Update soonish :)

Originally posted by: SilentShadow

Wow super emotional parts.

So khushi betrayed him for her own reason and Arnav still loves her.

Anjali is smart and knows their feelings. Hope she is a cupid.

Ps hope u can update your title of the chapter number and the date. If not it can be missed by any of the readers.

Also mind if you can shift the index to the 1st post where your prologue is. It's easier to access that way. 😊

Originally posted by: meniranjana00

why is she running away?? did he get to know that soon and get her back??