Arshi SS- Forever Yours COMPLETED - Page 14

PART 4

FLASHBACK CONTINUES

It was immensely strange that how things could go from being smoothly perfect one moment to completely down the hill the next .Khushi has never thought that she would ever see the light of a day, where she would be hesitant in entering their personal sanctuary.

It was a small cosy lawn that was constructed a few metres away from the orphanage that Arnav ran under his parents name.Though this has always been the place,they have always met,it has only been after they have confessed their love for each other,that she has realised why Arnav loved it so much.

It has always been his hideout in his childhood,surrounded by huge trees with a shadowed sitting arrangement in the corner,the place had a very calming effect and Khushi has loved it at first sight.They have spent hours here,talking,fighting and then adopting different ways to pacify each other.

From her realisation of love to their not so clichd confession,every stepping stone of their relationship has happened here.Just this morning,they were sitting here as she has gloated about the the perks of her being his wife and with her merciless teasing she has even got him to blush.She has even made plans about what kind of home she wanted when they shift to USA.And now she was here to face the decision that was altering their life completely.

Khushi saw him standing in the patio with his back facing her.Sensing her presence Arnav turned around and Khushi felt her heart break a little more if it was possible seeing his red bloodshot eyes.She flunged herself into arms,standing on her tip toes,wrapping her arms protectively around him wanting to wipe away every trace of pain from his heart.

Arnav gathered her just as close trying to gain courage from her touch to fulfill what he is set out to do.She sobbed on his shoulders and he found his own eyes turning misted as he heard her speak.

"You can't be serious Arnav,this is now how we are supposed to be.We could find some other way,Ill talk to them,they will agree.Why did you stopped me from saying anything at that time".

"Other way like what,eloping and getting married without your family's consent.Is that an example you want to set for OUR children?.Tell me ,Can you live peacefully with the knowledge that you have hurted your parents,that you have gone against their wishes".Arnav kept his point saying the exact words that Khushi needed to hear.

Khushi heard him as her heart sank down realising that Arnav was right.She had seen it in his eyes when he has left her house.He was right,she loved her family,her parents has fulfilled her every wish before she could even voice it out.And a marriage without their consent was a scenario,she could never imagine in her dreams.

"I want them to give us their blessings but not forcefully.Today,when I came to your house,with the ardent wish of making you mine,I earnestly hoped that may be Ill get that family that I have been bereft of all my life.I lost my parents Khushi,I can't be the reason to snatch yours.".

Hearing his words,Khushi saw the same lonely child who has had his family brutally snatched away from him at the mere age of 12.She couldn't bear to see him like this,she felt like fighting with the forces which has driven them to this condition.

Arnav took a deep breath before continuing in low voice.

"Besides,what they said is not completely wrong.They are well aware that I can provide for you financially without any qualms but they are looking for your well being and emotional security.The truth can't be altered,there is too much baggage that I carry along.You will come to an empty home,there will be no one to welcome you,no one to fuflill all the rituals,no one to tell you about the customs.The truth is that I am an orphan".

"STOP RIGHT THERE".Khushi glowered at him and fisted his collar in her hands as she shook him slightly and continued in a raging voice.

"Just because,im hearing it quietly,doesn't mean you get to say anything that comes in that over experted brain of yours.The moment you pledged your heart to me,you became mine and I won't let anyone demean whats mine.Get one thing straight Mr Arnav Singh Raizada,if I ever heard this word ever again from your mouth,you will have to face the worst of me and its not going to be a pretty sight".

Arnav have never seen her that angry and right now she appeared like an angry tigress to her.His tigress,he thought as warmth seeped inside his heart,knowing there was someone who could fight the world and even him for himself.

He led her to the cushioned seat in the corner and made her drink water.Taking his seat besides her, he took out a sheet of paper from his pocket and handed it over to her.He gestured her to read it but Khushi cupped his face with her palm and staring into those deep ocean like eyes,she bared her soul to him. "My home is wherever you are,I don't need anything else ".

He kissed her upturned palm and answered lovingly.

"I know you better than you give me credit for.All our life,we are solely going to belong to each other,irrespective of the distance or the hurdles that we will come across".

Arnav tried to lighten the atmosphere as he said teasingly."Why do you think,I have handed you this paper,I have come all prepared.Now.comeon read it,lazybump".

Khushi chuckled as Arnav addressed her by the petname he has given her.She hugged him sideways and started reading.It held the set of instructions by ASR as Khushi remarked.It held reminders of things which she were supposed to do like in realms of stop being careless,to be aware of her surroundings,to not pick up any unnecessary argument with anyone,to not get lost in her thoughts when in company and so on.

She went on reading the whole list as Arnav patiently explained all the or not so valid reasons for the same which made Khushi pull his cheeks in between,as felt him too adorable when he went all protective on her which he was all the time.

Khushi was at the second last point when she exclaimed loudly looking up at him from his shoulders.

"Arnav,you know I go to donate blood every 3 months.How could I just stop doing it?".

"You will because I cannot risk you going alone,As far as I know,you will not tell anyone else about it too".

"Because when one does something noble,it shouldn't be gloated about".Khushi rushed in her defence.

At her answer,Arnav felt the pang deepen inside his heart.She was so innocent and he had to leave her alone,all alone.But,he restricted himself from treading into that territory.He needed to be strong for Khushi.

"Right.So it marks the end of our discussion,you will not go because I am not going to be there to catch you when you fall or have a fainting spell".He said matter of factly keeping a stern face.

Seeing her downcast face,Arnav felt guilty knowing it was something she loved to do and he was forbidding her for the same for his own selfish reasons.Trying to appease her,he said.

"Ill do it on your behalf.HAPPY".

And was immediately rewarded with a full blown smile which turned into a frown as Khushi read out the last point.

"Are you out of your mind Arnav?.What do you mean by that I can't go anywhere alone after dark?".

"Yes you can't and you will not".Arnav felt his temper rising at her disknowlegement of why he was doing all this.He You are going to continue living in a city like Delhi where vultures are lurking around every corner.Don't you get it Khushi,its not for you,its for me Dammit.I am going to be miles away from you and the only possible way,I can live with some semblance of sanity is by having that assurance that you will be safe here.Can't you understand such a simple thing?".

"Fine.It isn't like that I am going to be out enjoying myself without you anyways and if Ill have some work, Ill not go wandering alone".Khushi finally gave in realising her folly,he was looking out for her like he always had and now since he will be gone,he is taking every measure for the same.

"Great,now open this".He said as he felt his anger cool down at her assurance.His Khushi would not go back on her word ,he was confident about it.

Khushi opened the gift wrap to find a an intricate red coloured diary .Red his favourite color but why he was gifting her a diary.She already had one,he knew.Khushi eyed him curiously waiting for him to unveil the reason behind it.

Arnav knelt on his knees in front of her and grasped her hand in his,as he started speaking slowly explaining like ones to a small child.

"In the time to come there are going to be innumerable moments when you are going to get angry at me,at our sitiuation,,you will be having complaints and since I know ,you aren't going to share it with anyone else.This is what you are going to do.Write it down in this diary and then do whatever you wish too.Keep it like this ,crumple the page or tore it down into pieces,the same way you used to yell at me sometimes,hold me tight when you were just fed up or lose your temper like you did moments ago.This way even when we are apart,you will feel I am right next to you".

Instead of feeling all warm inside,Khushi could feel anger build inside her as she ignored his earlier remark blatantly and asked.

"Where are the photographs Arnav?".

"There are no photographs Khushi".Arnav said shrugging his shoulders.

"It can't be.You are the one who had them all".Khushi let out beweildered.There was no way he couldn't have them.

"I didn't say,I don't have them.I most certainly do but I haven't got any of them with me because I don't want to you to keep looking at them at every given opportunity you get in my absence and then cry your eyes out".

"You have it all planned Right.From securing all routes that I am safe to giving me this diary.You really think that all of this can fulfill your absence,do you really feel I can actually be happy without you.Is it so easy for you Arnav?".Khushi spatted as tears glistened in her eyes.

Arnav pulled her up in one swift motion and bought her dangerously close as he bit out harshly,the anguish in his voice clearly palpable.

"EASY.You think its easy for me.Since the moment,I have seen you that day on the stairs till now,my every waking thought has been about you.I go to sleep every night waiting for the morning to meet you.To hold you,to see your smile,to hear your voice.After so many years,I have someone to call my own ,you are the only family I ever had Khushi".

His words hung between them as they both realise that they were fighting for no reason.Their life had no meaning without each other and hadn't it been the unfortunate turn of events,they would have been rejoicing the solemnisation of their marriage.

Feeling tired with all of it,Khushi slumped on his chest as she asked despairingly.

"Why us Arnav?.How will I survive without you?.

Arnav put his finger under her chin and make her look up at him so she can see for herself,the belief and conviction in his eyes as he let out his next words.

"We will survive Khushi.Our love is not that weak that it can't bear this trivial test of time.We will live with our memories with the hope of our future in which nothing will be able to tear us apart.May be not tomorrow,may be some years down the line,your parents will see the trueness and depth of our feelings and will willingly give us their blessings".

He bought her palm and kept it on his heart continuing."Feel that.Its always going to beat like this for you only.This distance will only make our bond stronger.Its all going to be worth it".

Arnav held her left hand and slid the platinium band with a heart shaped diamond at the center in her little finger .He kissed it tenderly and spoke firmly,his every word lacened with love and adulation.

"This is my promise to you Khushi.Wherever Ill be,Ill always be Yours.My heart,body and soul belong to you.ONLY YOU".

Khushi stared at the ring knowing that in the time to come,this ring was going to be the soverigner of their bond.On cue as there couldn't be a more better time to give him what she had got,Khushi picked up her bag and took out the locket from it.

Standing on her tiptoes,she tied it around his neck wordlessly and ordered rightfully.

"Don't you ever remove it.They will keep you safe and you better take good care of yourself because you have to come back to me".

They stared at each other for endless moments,trying to etch this last glimpse of each other before parting ways forever in their heart.Their arms came around each other as they kissed lovingly sealing their vow of togetherness with every fibre of their being.

Their eyes were misted with unshed tears as they broke apart as Arnav cupped her face bending close murmured in the softest of rueful whispers.

"Will you give me something Khushi?".

"Anything".She answered without battling an eyelid.

"Become a WRITER Khushi,FULFILL MY DREAM!!!!".

Arnav said those few words with so much longing that Khushi only nod as tears streamed down her face mercilessly.They hugged each other holding onto the last moments of togetherness .Their reverie was broken by the constant ringing of her phone signalling it was time.

Arnav pressed a lingering kiss on her forehead as he gave her a little push towards the other side where her driver was waiting and himself turned around, knowing if he even spared as much as a little glance at her then he wouldn't be ever able to stay firm on his decision.

He had just taken a few steps and he could already feel the ache in his heart growing by each passing second.If it has only been him,he would have bare it but this time it was his Khushi who was hurting too and that realisation was enough to rip his heart.

Being away from her without any contact,without any information on how she will be in his absence,did no good either.But he knew in his heart that this was the right thing to do.Their love was too pure to be tainted,it was the truest of true love and one day they will find their way back to each other.

I know there are some people who so want to kill me,but all I will say is Happy Times Will Be Here Soon.

I was hearing the following song while writing this update,I actually can't function without music.If you would like to listen,then play it in the background.

FOR PM NOTIFICATIONS,BUDDY LiveLaughLovePM

Res 😃

I don't like goodbyes. But I loved this update. The conversation was heart touching and heart breaking at the same time. Loved every gesture of Arnav. They were very thoughtful. I loved the confidence he has in their love that one day her parents will bring them together and that till then they will be apart but still will be together. This is what I loved the most in this chapter. I cried too while reading it. But the chapter ended with a hope. That made me hopeful too. It was a beautiful chapter.