I Found You, Almost! -Thread One- [NTL PG143] - Page 40

"Its time Arnav"

Khushi whispered, as she got ready and stood in front of the mirror looking at her reflection. She looked every bit of a bride to be in her red and green traditional lehenga. She sighed closing her eyes instantly as a thought crossed her mind. Ratna Aunty was extremely happy that day. Everyone was happy except her and Arnav. Their engagement was arranged at Sheesh Mahal, with very few relatives and close friends. And the wedding was scheduled for the next day as Arnav did not had time to spare for the rituals.

A knock on the door broke her trance and Khushi mentally patted her back as if readying herself for the upcoming events in her life.

She froze for a moment there, as her eyes caught someone staring at her through the mirror. She could sense her heart in her throat as she met that heated gaze.

"I thought you were busy with your girl friend.."

Arnav's hands fisted on his sides as he walked towards her his eyes burning into her.

"I thought it never mattered to you, as who I spent my time with.."

Khushi gulped hard avoiding his gaze and found him standing right in front of her.

"Trust me, it never did! Besides its your life, you get to decide what you want to do.."

"Like you decided to marry that loser?"

"You should not talk nonsense about my fiance.."

"What were you thinking, exactly? He is not right for you"

"I was thinking about a man to wed who will treat me like a woman first not a trash can. And Neel respects me enough as a woman and I know I would be really happy with him.."

"Have you ever thought if there's any other agenda behind this? You are a divorcee Khushi whereas he was a bachelor.."

"Not everyone's as cunning as you. I trust him. Are you here for making me feel bad about all this? I seriously want to know what exactly is playing inside your head.."

"I am out of here. I just wanted to "talk"

Khushi tore her gaze from him and stared at the floor. Arnav stood there for few more seconds and then reached for the doors.

"I wish you a happy married life Khushi..."

"Just get out of my room.."

Arnav smiled at her outburst.

"I thought you trusted him and was happy?"

"Why does it matter to you, if I was happy or not?"

"It never mattered Khushi... it never did..."

"You are a liar, Arnav. You could lie all you want, but your eyes..it never lies.."

"Bye Khushi.."

"Yeah...run away when threatened to answer.."

***

"Are you ready?"

Avni's voice came from the door and Khushi turned around to find her sister clad in a green sari. She looked huge but every bit of bubbly and happy.

"Yes! Anything unusual yet?"

Khushi asked her eyes showing the restlessness and Avni sighed heavily.

"You wont change ever. Here you are ready to accept Neel but your thoughts are still with him. Khushi, if he really gives a damn about you, he would be here by now.."

Avni held her hands and dragged her out of the room. Khushi followed her to the decorated main hall while her eyes searched for a glimpse of him. How foolish she can get?

"Its good to have some hope..no?"

She whispered only for Avni's ears and Avni ignored her words as if did not hear her.

"There he is.."

Avni added saucily as her eyes landed on Neel's sherwani clad form standing in the middle of the hall along with his parents. Khushi did not seem to notice him nor he was looking at her. He was busy typing away on his phone while Khushi's eyes searched for the obvious person.

**

"I didn't expect you to accept my invitation. I am glad you came.."

Jagjit greeted Arnav with a hug. He could never hate this boy, no matter how hard he tried. He was like a son he never had. Arnav walked inside his eyes single-mindedly searching for one person who was making him go through a hell at the moment. His eyes settled on her beautiful form standing in the middle of the hall. And to Arnav's surprise she was staring at him, her eyes longing. Arnav felt that sharp pain of disgust or hate to that person who was standing next to her. Her fiance Mr. Neel Roy.

He closed his eyes for a moment and walked towards them.

"Congratulations Neel.."

Arnav said his eyes focused on Khushi's face and he felt nervous at the accusation in those hazel depths.

"I am glad you are here Mr. Raizada.."

Neel said politely shaking hands with him while Khushi's eyes burned into him. Even if he was not looking at her, he could sense the rage within her upon finding him there, to attend the function not to ruin it. Why am I here? He asked himself for the umpteenth time. He was sure about doing something unexpected when he entered inside her house, but the moment he met her father at the door steps and the way he greeted him inside the house made him change his plans immediately.

"Congrats Khushi"

He mumbled and stepped away from them. Khushi could feel the emptiness washing over her form once again as she stood next to him. He was there right next to her, but in distance they were impossibly away from each other. I truly wished, Arnav. I still wish for the unexpected.

She said inwardly while tears formed in her eyes. She bit onto her lower lip controlling the urge to bawl and hit the man who was responsible for this condition of hers. Arnav stood still his hands resting in his pockets, his face cold like.

You are a cold-hearted monster. Arnav cursed himself as he watched them slipping rings to each others fingers and bam! Everything was over now. She would soon be Mrs. Neel Roy and he could do nothing about it. You coward. You deserve this. He chided himself and stood in one of the corners of the hall, his head hung low.

"Its good to see you Arnav.."

He looked at Avni and then her baby bump. A smile formed on his lips upon seeing his best friend and then he watched Aman walking towards them.

"Arnav, its great to see you yaar.."

Aman greeted him with a hug. Finally some distraction for his cold blooded heart. Friends...was the only thing remained in his life now. His eyes found Khushi standing in the middle of the hall while Neel's family hovered over her tiny form.

"She is looking gorgeous, is not she?"

Avni asked looking at Khushi's form.

"Yes..she is! Except the pain in her eyes.."

Aman added incoherently and regretted it. Arnav looked around nervously not exactly enjoying the topic.

"How is Nani ji doing?"

Avni quickly diverted the subject and Arnav could not thank her anymore.

"She is improving a lot but her memories kind of giving her a hard time.."

Arnav said sadly.

"I wish to visit her one day. Maybe, after my delivery."

Avni said smiling.

"Avni, its time for your medicines.."

Aman reminded and they both excused themselves from Arnav.

**

"What were you thinking when you mentioned Khushi..? You are impossible you know.."

Avni scolded a frowning Aman as they walked towards their bedroom.

"I am sorry baba. I am seriously worried for my sister in law. I hope she wont regret this decision..."

Avni looked at her husband thoughtfully and somewhere in the corner of her heart she too was worried for her sister.

**

"I hate you, I hate you, I hate you, I hate you.."

Khushi typed away on her laptop, while tears of grief clouded her eyes, blocking her vision. She had thought he would come and break the engagement in front of everyone. But nothing sort of happened. He seemed at ease as if nothing could effect him. Was not he like that always? She was the sensitive one, who always got hurt by his rude behavior, while he remained at ease.

Arnav paced around his room while Neeraj slapped his head dramatically.

"What were you thinking Arnav? Do you know how foolish that sounds?"

"I don't know what's all this damned thing is, that I am feeling. But, I am sure about one thing so far, that I cant live without her anymore. What am I supposed to do now?"

He slumped onto the bed, his head covered in his both palms while Neeraj sighed in defeat.

"Come on here, you obnoxious man.."

Neeraj said side hugging him and Arnav squeezed shut his eyes.

"So, you congratulated the bride and groom then had a buffet lunch at her house and raised a glass for her well being and left. When you would have done the straight opposite you know?"

"Will you leave me alone, Neeraj? I f**king need some time to think about this.."

"Man, I feel for you. And you should look at yourself, what a mess you have turned into in a day.."

Neeraj left with that word and Arnav cracked his knuckles over his head.

"Should I call her? Or maybe not. Or maybe yes?"

**