PART - 9
The sight of her tears always unnerved him sending him into jolts of panic but today he didn't utter a word.Securing her in the confines of his arms,he stood holding her close to his heart,providing her the much needed space and freedom to let all her anguish and agony.She continued with her complaints,hitting him with her tiny fists until she was drained and has vented it all out.
Pulling apart a little,Khushi gazed in his deep penetrating eyes whispering softly "I LOVE YOU".
A heartwarming smile graced his lips at the all round change in her demeneor,from being all feisty one second to being irresistibly adorable the next.He tweaked her nose reaffirming her words "I KNOW".
Leading her towards the couch,he made her drink water.As he tenderly wiped off the last traces of tears from her face,Khushi stared at him unblinkingly.The concern,worry and what she could easily pinpoint as akin to anger flickering in his eyes.Knowing him she knew what was coming and secretly she was awaiting it.For some absurd reasons,she loved when his concern oozed out in it form of anger.
"You did it".Khushi squealed in joy as a blooming smile crossed her face when her eyes sought the almost worn off drip on his right hand making her heart burst with joy experiencing the inexplicable happiness after ages,wondering if it was possible to love him anymore than she already did.
"Every 3 months".Arnav answered and then opened the first two buttons of his shirt so she can see for herself.The locket she has tied around his neck,secured near his heart.He continued as realisation dawned in her eyes.
"Its right where its supposed to be.It kept me safe all along and I did everything you wanted me too because I knew sooner or later we will find our way back to each other but I can't say the same about you.You have lost weight,you look paler,there are dark circles round your eyes.YOU PROMISED ME KHUSHI".His tone didn't hide his displeasure on seeing her like this.
Seeing her smile at him awestruck,flared up his anger as he let out a loud "What so funny?".
"Its been so long since I heard your scolding".
This girl knew very well how to unravel him as his anger flew out of the window hearing her heat warming words.But how can she keep from answering him back as she continued with her reply.
"Besides Im fine.You are exaggerating.You saw me on the day of book launch,Didn't you?".
"You think I would have missed it for anything in the world.I made sure that I took an off that day.I was practically glued to the laptop and what was that its still 4 O' clock.You thought I won't be knowing what time it was in Delhi then".Questioned a perplexed arnav.
"That was my way of telling you that I was fulfilling my every word. I honoured all my promises.I did every little thing you asked me too,I took care of myself the best way I could Arnav.Its not my fault that somethings are meant to be only with you.I am bounded to you in ways you can't even imagine.".Khushi spoke baring her soul to him.
Arnav followed her as he gave words to the myriad of feelings,he has experienced that day.
" I forgot to breath the moment you came in my view.All I wanted was to reach out through screen to you.You looked like an angel.I didn't even remember that it was my birthday until you mentioned it.You dedicated the book to me marking me as your inspiration.You made my dream come true Khushi.You didn't know how proud I felt .Thank---".
Arnav confessed his feelings as he lovingly kissed every contour of her face,their tears mingling,translating in actions what words failed to express .She put her finger on his lips prohibiting him from thanking her for what has come true only because of him.It was all because of him,everything that was hers was his in more ways than one.
"That was not your birthday gift.Your gift is safely secured in my cupboard.Its the first printed copy of the book.I reserved it for you.Thats the only thing I demanded from the publisher".
"Ofcourse,when has the monetary aspects ever made a difference to you".Arnav said,his voice full of pride as he spoke,recalling the struggles of those painfully long days.
Even the strongest person have their breaking points and when you are with someone who is aware of your innermost demons,where there are no hidden veils,all the bottled up emotions find their way out on its own.
"You know Khushi.each day I would come to an empty home.Not that,I have been not living like this before but after being with you,I went home I went home in night looking forward to the next day to be with you.Back there it was like I was living a mechanic life,flying did provided me solace but I was far away from being at peace".
Khushi tightened her hold on him soothing him with her touch,giving him the courage to continue.
"I daily checked the new book release section,so much so that I remembered the names of all the publication house by heart.You don't know how helpless I felt when I couldn't see your name on that list.Helpless because I was so far away from you and you have to go through all this alone.Rejections and hardships,the straining procedure of getting a book published,the official terms and conditions,it must have been so hard for you.I knew my Khushi won't let go,she will not accept defeat and will continue with her efforts until she reached her goal but this nagging feeling just didn't go away".
Arnav spoke in one breath,feeling his heart lighter letting it all out in front of Khushi.Though Khushi couldn't take the guilt in his voice as she almost lashed out on him.
"But you were Arnav.You are the one who made this all possible.It was only you.You think I dedicated this book to you out of my love.NO".
She paused to take a deep breath as she continued.
"You are my inspiration Arnav in every possible way.The man I look upto,the man who makes me want to become a better human being,the man who became the guiding light in my life and pushed me towards my right path when I was all lost.Your words and your faith in me made me never want to give up.Whenever I was disheartened or felt I can't do this anymore all I needed to do was close my eyes and feel my heartbeats and remember the verse imprinted on the diary".
Khushi waited for any sign of recognition in his stance but he appeared completely unaware.
"What?".He feigned innocence catching her assessing gaze at him.
"You think I won't gauge the reasons.You made it a point that every single thing would some way in or other would remind me that every cloud has a silver lining".Khushi spoke lovingly as they both read the words knowing that somewhere it was meant for them only.
CONTINUED BELOW
Edited by togetherforever - 11 years ago
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