Arshi SS Key to your heart..Chapter 15...*COMPLETED* - Page 14

Originally posted by: thangam100

superb

Originally posted by: kb_war

absolutely amazing.arnav breaking khushi's fast.want to know wat gift arnav would give khushi

Khushi was dreaming of balloons and ice creams..of fluffy cotton candies and cupcakes...but she was gently woken up from that dream by a voice saying "Happy birthday Khushi..."..She slowly opened her eyes to see 8 glowing candles...the candles were on a yummy looking chocolate birthday cake...her mom and dad's happy faces were singing to her..wishing her a happy birthday..she cut the cake and fed them and herself the yummy chocolate cake..it was a Sunday and her parents had organized a birthday party...her uncle and aunt had come down to Lucknow for the occasion..Khushi spent the day playing with her cousin Payal who was her best friend..even though they used to meet only during holidays..

After the party, she came to her room and saw that ..there on the bed were her favorite Disney's stuffed toys lying around...she ran and grabbed the Donald duck toy first...Her favorite was Donald Duck..She loved watching his cartoons..where Donald would get angry at Chip n Dale and chase them among the woods...

Khushi would sit giggling and clapping her hands excitedly with her eyes glued to the old BPL black and white TV set...watching as Donald's anger levels rose to his forehead...An arm holding a plate of her favorite jalebis would appear before her and the person holding the bowl would whisper in her ears...

"Khushi bitiya..tumhari hasi dekhke toh uss Donald ka bhi gussa uthar jaayega...jab tum badi ho jaaogi to mein tumhari shaadi Donald Duck ke saath karvavungi...dekhna..".

("Khushi..after seeing your bright smile, even that Donald's anger will simmer down...When you get older, I will get you married to Donald Duck..")

and Khushi would continue to gobble down the jalebis..too distracted to say anything about the remark...

That birthday party was Khushi's happiest childhood memory..sadly it turned out to be the last as well.. because when the night came, things took a turn for the worse...

They were all travelling to the railway station...to see off the guests...uncle, aunty and Payal..they had called 2 taxis as it was not possible for everyone to fit in one...and Khushi had insisted on going in the taxi with Payal..she knew that it would be several months before she saw Payal again..

So it was decided that Khushi would travel with the guests and her parents would follow in their car...she was playing anthaakshari with Payal..she turned back to see that her parent's car was following at a close distance..

She waved through the back window and her dad and mom waved back...She went back to the game..happily singing..

Shortly into the way, there was a railway cross...as their taxi crossed the gate, Khushi heard a blaring sound like an alarm..she looked back to see that the barrier was coming down...a train was coming and her parents' car had to wait on the other side...she looked at her uncle who saw the worry on her face...he consoled her saying her parents would join them at station...

It had been 1 hour after they had reached the station..and there was no sign of her parents' car..it had started raining heavily...followed by lightning and thunder...Payal and her family had to get on the train which would reach the station in 15 minutes.

.As Khushi and Payal waited on the front verandah of the station, she kept her eyes on long winding path leading up to the station...her view partially blocked by the curtain of water falling from the station's asbestos roof..

A little more than 10 mins later, she saw that the taxi in which they had come to the station was returning..Khushi wondered why it was coming back..maybe uncle had forgotten something in it...and the driver was coming to return it...

The taxi came to a halt in front of her...the driver came out running..his breath anxious...he asked Khushi where her uncle was...she pointed to the waiting room..he barged into the waiting room..

Curious, Khushi followed him...and saw that he was saying something to her uncle and aunt...her aunt let out a small wail..and they all turned to Khushi..she saw that her uncle's face had a shocked expression where as her aunt's was now being marked by tears...aunt came running to her and hugged her tight..

As the taxi driver and uncle rushed past her, she heard her uncle ask him as if in unbelief."..accident..?"...and Khushi's happy childhood with her dear mom and dad came to an end...

She moved to Mumbai with Payal's family and since then her birthdays were always a low key celebration...it was limited to a visit to temple with a special pooja done for her good health and future...no one ever woke her up in the middle of the night to wish her happy birthday..there were no glowing candles and there were no birthday parties...

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

As Arnav moved his face away from her ears to look at her, he saw that a lone tear was making its way to her cheek..he looked at her startled...why was she crying...was she feeling uncomfortable that he had taken the liberty of wishing her...was it because she felt he had crossed a line he ought not to...

He asked "Khushi..what happened..why are you crying...I am sorry if I..."...his unfinished words made Khushi flinch...She did not want to make him feel guilty of something he was not responsible for...

She was crying because his three simple words had taken her back in time..to a time where she had everyone..her mom..her dearest dad...the way Arnav wished her reminded her of how her dad used to wish her...at midnight...on every birthday as far as she could remember...

A feeling of deep loss and grief that was always hidden deep in her heart and one which she used to keep hidden from the world beneath her luminous smiles...those feelings had risen to the surface of her soul...threatening to brim over any moment...

She was not prepared to share those feelings with anyone..she dis not want to trouble anyone...she did not want anyone to burden with her tale of unhappiness...not least with her boss...who had just made the sweetest gesture but was standing in front of her with a look if guilt on his face...

"Nahin..mein...bas..aapki wajah se nahin..woh..kuch yaad aa gaya..bas issi liye.."

("No...It just that..I...its not because of you..It reminded me of something...that's why..")

"Khushi..baat kya hain...?..its not the most normal thing for someone to start crying on hearing a birthday wish..."

(""Khushi..what is the matter...?)

Hard as she tried not to, Khushi felt a need to tell him the reason..

"Woh...kya hain ki..mere papa bhi aise hi mujhe wish karthe the...birthday waali raat ko..sabse pehle...mere mommy papa mujhse bahuth pyaar karthe the...mujhe unki yaad aa gayi..."

("Its..because...my Dad used to wish me on birthdays the same way..on the eve of my birthday...well before anyone else would...my mom and Dad used to love me so much...I am missing them...")

Tears were running down both of her cheeks now..

Arnav realized that Khushi was talking in past tense...that meant she had lost her parents...like him...he knew exactly how she felt..how she must have been struggling to put on that happy facade for the rest of the world as a feeling of over powering emptiness gnawed away at her soul...

It was a feeling he was much too familiar with..as fate had played the same cruel game with him as well...

Slowly he raised both his palms and clasped them onto her cheeks, holding either sides of her face...He looked her in the eyes..that seemed to be filled with plain sadness...He could feel he cheeks wet with tears...He nodded a No to her..indicating her to stop crying..

In a movement that seemed to happen in slow motion, Khushi felt him pulling her face to his chest...his right arm going over her left shoulder... meeting at the back of her right shoulder...she softly fell onto his chest...and he clasped her tightly to himself..his chin touching the top of her head..

Khushi felt safe..she felt as if finally she had come home..she let go of all the sadness and closed her eyes...listening to the soft beating of his heart..

Arnav felt content...a sense of absolute calmness filled him..He felt better now as he sensed that Khushi had stopped sobbing...She seemed to have calmed down as well...After a few minutes, they slowly parted..

Khushi feeling slightly more awkward out of the two..Arnav sensed her discomfort and with a smirk took her hand and led her into his room through the French windows..

He crossed the room and as he reached door, he said "..Good night Khushi..."..he opened the door and she slowly moved out of the room..He let go of her hand...She smiled at him and moved to the room where Payal was fast asleep...

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

For Khushi, the next day was just like any other day...she had a constant stream of work to keep herself busy...She had caught Arnav staring at her a few times through the cabins' glass walls..But as her eyes met his, he would quickly look away...

Khushi's saree:

It was late evening and Khushi was getting ready to go home..She had reached the lift when she heard someone calling out her name...She turned to see that it was Sheetal..."Khushi..tumhein Lavanya (head designer) studio mein bhula rahi hain...kuch important kaam hain.."

("Khushi..Lavnayais asking for you..She wants you in the studio...Seems to be regarding an important matter")

Khushi felt a little disheartened...She had wanted to leave on time so that she could go to temple with Payal...Shrugging away the feeling, Khushi followed Sheetal to the studio...She entered the studio and was surprised to find that it was dark..where is Lavanya...she wondered...

Suddenly the lights came on and she saw it...a beautiful birthday cake set on a small table arranged with flowers...there were a few balloons lying on the floor..and behind the table stood Arnav who was looking a little less formal without the blazer and his shirt sleeves rolled up..

Next to him were Aakash and Anjali..and they were all happy to see her surprised expression..They started singing happy birthday to you..

Sheetal led Khushi towards the table..As Khushi took the knife and blew the candles, Aakash took a confetti shooter and 'POP'...confetti fell over the table and Khushi...She cut the cake and turned to Anjali who proceeded to feed her first...Then it was Sheetal and Aakash's turn...Finally it was Arnav's turn...

As Khushi took a cake piece and turned to him, she felt it was a replay if last night's moments..As if reading her mind..Arnav said out loud..."Khushi..we have already done this..."...

Startled that he had said that out loud, Khushi gasped...As if on cue, Anjali asked.."Kya kaha tum chotte..?"..("Arnav..what did you just say...?")

"Well what I meant was..."..with an agonizing little pause of 2 seconds which felt like an whole hour to Khushi,he continued "that we at Raizada design house already have a tradition of celebrating our colleagues' birthdays...and that she is not the first one that we organized such a celebration for..although the parties will be much bigger than this with more of our colleagues..."

"Hmm.."muttered a thoroughly unconvinced Anjali..

Khushi glared at Arnav...As if in reply, Arnav winked at her..which made Khushi's cheeks turn red...

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

Khushi found herself enjoying the birthday party as it more than made up for the lack of grandeur through the warmth and genuine love she felt from all those present, especially Anjali who she felt was as sweet her sister Payal. They all chatted over the dinner which was ordered from a nearby restaurant.

They were sitting on the couches in the studio and Anjali remarked "Khushiji...hamein aap ki birthday hone ke kaaran aaj Chotte aur Aakash ke saath baithkar dinner karne ka mauka mila..varna yeh dono aaj kal ghar aate hi baarah bajh chuke hote hain..mein to chahti hoon ki Fashion show ke tareekh jaldi se jaldi aaye aur uske baad mere bhaiyiyon ko itne der tak kaam na karna pade.."..

("Khushi..I got to have dinner with Arnav and Aakash after a long time..because of this occasion...otherwise by the time these two reach home, its already 11 pm..My wish is that the Fashion show is over soon so that my brothers dont have to stay late evrytime at office...")

Khushi and Sheetal nodded in agreement...everyone at Raizada design house were putting in long hours these days and that day too had turned out to be quite a busy one..Soon it was time for them to leave...

Arnav offered to drop Khushi home (which was met by knowing smiles from Anjali and Aakash...) while Sheetal was going to drive home in her own car..

Before she left, Khushi hugged Anjali and thanked her for coming..

"Khushiji..sirf mein hi nahin..Naaniji bhi aana chaahthi thi..lekin mujhe patha tha ki aap sab ke kaam katham hote hote kam se kam saat baje to hoga hi..is liye maine unhein aanae nahin diya..lekin haan..unki taraf se ek gift hain aapke liye...woh maine doosre gifts ke saath rakha hain..yeh lijiye..."

("Khushi...not just me..even Naaniji wanted to come for this party...but I knew that it would be late in night when everyone would finish work...So I did not allow her to come..But she has sent u a gift...I have kept it along with the other gifts...This is for you... ")

Saying this Anjali handed her a large bag of gifts..which turned out to be a bit heavy..Seeing Khushi struggling to carry it, Arnav took it from her hands...Khushi smiled at him gratefully..

**********

Arnav dropped Khushi at a little distance from her house as there were road repair works going on in Laxmi nagar...The area was not a brightly lit as there were no houses or street lights nearby...Thankfully the moon was shining down and the whole place was bathed in its soft light..

As Khushi got out she noticed that from the shrubs lining the path to Laxmi nagar, a number of fireflies were rising up...She smiled at the beautiful sight...Arnav got down from the driver's seat and handed her the gift bag..She thanked him and wished him good night...

As she turned to walk towards Laxminagar, Arnav called out "Khushi.."..

She turned around and looked at him.."My gift is not there in that bag..."..

Khushi looked down at the bag in her right hand...He started coming closer...she kept the bag on the ground as it was a bit heavy...

"Koi baat nahin...aap, Anjali di aur Aakash sir mere birthday mere saath manaya..iske alawa mujhe kuch aur nahin chahiye..."

("Its ok...You, Aakash sir and Anjali di celebrated my birthday with me...I do not need any gift..")

Arnav smiled hearing this..."Khushi..I did not mean that I did not buy a gift for you..I meant that the gift I bought for you, is not in that bag...Its here..with me.."

Saying this..he held out his palm...there was a small box in it...dark colour..

He gestured Khushi to take the box..In the dim light of the moon, Khushi walked towards him..through the path where the fireflies were flying around...

She reached out and took the box...It had a soft feel to it..It had a velvet texture..She held it in her left hand and with the other, opened it...At first she thought that a bright firefly had accidentally gotten into the box...

A little confused, she touched it...it was not a firefly..it was cold..It was a stone...She held the tiny stone and took it out of the box..Thats when she realized what it was..It was a nose stud...The stone was small..but shining brightly...

Smiling brightly, she looked at Arnav..

"I bought this because it matches with the brightness of your smile..."

Khushi stood there..holding the box in 1 hand and the tiny nose piercing in the other...She slowly took one step forward..She was standing too close to Arnav...She could smell his cologne now..She hesitated...Arnav raised her chin with his right palm and told her looking into her eyes...

"Tumhara naam Khushi hain..rotlu nahin...aage se jab tumhari aankhon mein aasu aayegi toh yeh baath yaad rakhna.."

(" Your name is Khushi...not crybaby...next time when tears form in your eyes, remember this..")

Khushi whispered.."Arnavji..."

He saw her leaning towards him..Without a word, he took her in a bear hug..She too reciprocated with her either arms going around his torso..

Arnav felt that the day had indeed been special..He was happy that he could he made Khushi's birthday a special one for her..And in seeing her joy and happiness, it felt like some feelings that were locked away in some corner of his heart had been let free...

After years of inescapable loneliness..sleepless nights and long tiring days...Arnav had finally found the Key to his heart...!!!

He tightened his hug a little more, protecting Khushi from the cold night...

As Khushi stood there, in that moonlit path, at that hour.. she felt like...

Jugnuon se saji inn raahon mein...
Ek jannath si hein unke baahon mein...!!

(In a path adorned with fireflies...
Its in his embrace that my heaven lies...!!)

Author's note:

I used to write Hindi poems in my school days...the 2 lines at the end of this chapter are actually my own...😊

Link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dD7vEtBc9sM

In this chapter, I have written a little bit about Khushi's childhood in this one...A reader had asked me if I would be writing about Khushi's family...I had decided that I would write about it if any good scenario of them forms in my mind...I look forward to reading your feedback on how was my writing about the most important incident in Khushi's life...I dont like writing tragic things..even if its for a fictional character...So do let me know how it turned out.

Please hit like button AND comment..Thank you!!..😊

Chapter 10