Chapter 17
Arohi peeped out through the window bars of the train. They had reached their station. From here they needed to take another conveyance to reach their final destination. It's a half an hour journey from the station. By this time she had found out that she and Arjun were heading towards the same destination. The twist of destiny. She looked around for the kids. Sur was piling them into a line trying hard to keep them disciplined. Usually, the kids were very disciplined and abide by rules but whenever there was a tour they would be bubbling with joy and energy. She loved that about them. But right now she needed them to calm down and be disciplined. She took out her luggage along with the kids' and motioned Sur to relax. From there on she was going to take the charge of the kids. She had changed into a black jeans and a green kurti with her signature multicolored scarf around her neck. She said in a stern yet calm voice,
"Be disciplined kids. Don't make unnecessary noise here. We are going to our destination within 5 minutes."
The kids only heard about leaving in 5 minutes as they started chattering away in happiness making a lot of noise. Arohi opened her mouth to say something but shut it the next moment. She decided to let them enjoy the most out of this trip. She smiled to herself and looked for the apple of her eyes, Raj. After few rounds of looking here and there Arohi was able to spot Raj along with Arjun. She had noticed this instant attachment that sprang up between the two. The boy who could not sleep without his maasi's hand on his head was completely comfortable in Arjun's arms. Raj was with Arjun during the whole journey. She loved the bond between the two but a pang of jealousy shot through her being. She was taken out of her thoughts by Sur's constant nudging.
"Arohi! Our bus have arrived! Come, let's go!"
Arohi looked at Sur dumbly. It took few seconds for Arohi to register what Sur said. She nodded her head in approval and moved towards Arjun to call Raj. When she approached them she could hear their enthusiastic talk about basketball. A smile automatically lit up her face. She missed playing her favorite game but that didn't stop her from teaching Raj the game. Arjun was saying to Raj,
"Champ, we will play once we reach our hotel! We are going to have a great time!"
Arohi cleared her throat to gain their attention. Arjun looked up staring straight into her eyes. Arohi's breath caught in her lungs. She was mesmerized for a moment. This guy could make her hold her breath no matter how many times she had seen him. Arjun smiled at the expressions on Arohi's face. She quickly straightened her face and passed a formal smile in Arjun's way. She again cleared her throat and said in a small voice,
"It's time for us to go Raj. Say bye to Arjun. You can join him back once we reach the hotel. Now, come with me."
Raj's face fell hearing this. He really loved Arjun and spending time with him. Within a short time Arjun had become an important part of his life. And neither had those small eyes missed the secret glances that Arjun-Arohi sent each other's way. He didn't understand a lot but he had inferred that these two knew each other. Raj looked hopefully at Arjun. Arjun caught on with Raj's mind and he was about to ask Arohi's permission but before he could say anything Arohi replied,
"Ok! Come with Arjun. But don't cause trouble to him."
Arohi smiled at the two open mouthed idiots standing in front of her. Of course, she had understood the meaning of the glance that Raj sent Arjun's way. She had known the kid from the time he was born. She knew him better than he himself. The surprise on Raj and Arjun's faces suddenly changed to a smile. They both shouted out together,
"Thank you Maasi!"
Arohi was flabbergasted by their response. The entire station was looking at this trio. All they could most probably see was a small family sharing a moment of happiness. If only all this could be that simple.
Arohi walked to her bus once she saw Raj was settled in with Arjun and they were ready to go. She settled in her seat and the bus started moving forward. As the bus moved forward her memories ran backward. About the time she had her first fight with Arjun. Neal was back in her life but as her friend. Arjun had no qualms about it. But the fact that he knew certain things about her more than Arjun was not going well with him. Even though Arohi knew about this insecurity of Arjun she thought it would go away with time as he would come to know her better than anyone else. And that day did come but this fight was before that time. Neal had made Arohi remember something about their teenage which Arohi found very funny. She and Neal could relate to it and was laughing their heads off. It was a Saturday and they were at her home. Arjun was also there. Her parents had come to terms with this new development in Arohi's life and had started liking Arjun. In her laughter Arohi failed to notice that Arjun was feeling out of place. That was the reason for their first fight. But it was another story that Arjun spent a whole day trying to pacify her. Arohi now smiled at that memory of hers. She was an idiot to not know that any boyfriend could feel angry if his girl gave importance to any other guy even for a fraction of a second.
Arohi heaved a sigh. That was the first of many fights. But they always resolved them and it was never an issue. But Arohi's past and her parents' history were creating a lot of problems for her. She knew Arjun wasn't like her dad but she was afraid she may be like her parents. After all she was their blood and some things can't be changed. Her belief from marriage and love was lost long time ago. But when she met Arjun she had thought that maybe she could have a chance at love. And she did have that chance but there were some things that can't be erased easily. Arohi herself couldn't understand why she left Arjun. She really loved him and still does. But when the memories of her parents started plaguing her mind she freaked out. She wanted out of the relationship that was like a fresh breath of air for her. She panicked and ran. Ran away from her life and love. She simply took the decision without daring to face Arjun. She was ashamed of her decision but thought it to be good for him. She was incapable of giving Arjun what he deserved. The care, love and priority she should have given him but failed miserably. She didn't know what to say to Arjun if he asked about the reason of her leaving. That she panicked and ran away, not even once thinking that she should talk it out with him. What was she thinking? She was obviously not thinking clearly then. She was scared of history repeating. She didn't know how to deal with her problem, her past. So she ran. Not thinking. Not understanding. Confused. Misguided. It was only few years ago that she realized she needed to face her problem, address it and analyze it. She started seeing a counselor. She knew she needed an expert guidance. A help. She was slowly coming out of her shell. She hadn't come to terms with her past fully but was reaching that phase slowly and steadily.
The bus came to a stop and so did Arohi's memories. She looked around and saw that they had reached their destination. The beautiful hills, the mist covered surroundings and the cool wind were soothing her scarred soul and mind. She stepped out of the bus and breath in a fresh bout of air. She smiled happily. She felt someone catching her hand in his much bigger ones. She turned around to see Arjun looking ahead at the fog covered hills. He had a smile on his face which showed hope. She didn't take back her hand but looked ahead at where he was looking.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" Arohi asked him in a calm voice.
"Yeah. Beautiful and calm. But this calmness is deceptive. It has a storm brewing in its belly." Arjun said turning his gaze to Arohi.
Arohi stared at Arjun trying to decipher the meanings of his words. Was he speaking about the hills or her? After what she had done to him it was expected. She slowly took her hand back and walked back without looking back. Her eyes had filled up and she never wanted Arjun to know that she was sensitive around him. But it was too late. He had seen those tear filled eyes. He didn't make a move to erase those tears. She needed to shed them, every ounce of sadness and guilt should be shed before he extended his hand forward for her. She should be freed from every shackle. He wanted that fiery Arohi who was faster than light.
Arohi made her way to her room quickly and shut it from inside. Her tears now flowed endlessly. All the guilt and remorse she had felt these years were flowing out in the form of tears. Finally, when she felt there were no more tears for her to shed she stopped. She made her way to the washroom and washed away the last traces of her tears. She bathed and got ready to settle her kids down. She was sitting with the kids trying to sort everyone's luggage and things. Half of the kids were settled. After a half an hour's effort every kid was on their bed except Raj. He was always adamant about sleeping with Arohi. But now he was missing. She knew he was with Arjun. She didn't bother to call him. She can't face Arjun this easily. Let Raj sleep in Arjun's room today. Back in her room she sat down trying to finish her work. After coming to Saans she had completed her graduation and had taken up the job of a content writer. She wanted a job. She couldn't possibly take money for what she does in Saans. And being a content writer she could make money on her time. Sure, she had to have few sleepless nights to complete her work. She enjoyed her work. There was another explanation to taking up this job which she would never admit publicly. Writing made her feel close to Arjun. That was a weird way of feeling close to him. She knew writing was his passion and writing something made her feel close to him.
Arohi lied down on her bed and stared at the ceiling. She was lost somewhere. Was she thinking about something or someone in particular? She didn't know. It was like she was blacking out for some time and when she returned she couldn't remember what she was thinking. Arohi sighed and moved to the side. She was going crazy. She was definitely going crazy. Meeting Arjun unexpectedly had thrown her out of her routine and senses. She no more had any control over her feelings and emotions. The Arohi who was in control every time lost all her control and was an emotional wreck around Arjun. She didn't know how long she would be able to keep her emotions on check. They can break free any time.
Here goes my next update after a long time. I felt it was incomplete. Anyways it is up to my readers to determine how it turned out. And the past is not complete. It may take few more updates to write everything of the past. Do like and comment. 😊
Edited by mysticlover - 12 years ago
CID
Anupamaa
Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon
