Arshi FF:: Junoon Thread 2 link up on PG 1 - Page 49

Part 8

The woods rustled along with him as he walked the long path, ... deep ... more deep... in search of a place, a place where his heart can find some peace, a peace which can stop the ache there. He looked at the lifeless leaves, the wind carrying them in it's direction, without their permission. Once the leaf is plucked from its life, it has no control over itself. The wind holds the control. Just like his life. His life is just like the lifeless leaves scattered in his path. Like the leaves, his life too is flowing. Like the wind, some unknown force is deciding his direction. His teeth clattered against eachother as a cold gust of wind rushed past him. He tightened his leather jacket and buried his hand in it's pocket. The sun was shining above , but the long woods were refraining the rays from touching the ground.

2 years!

2 years? It was a question. A question he has no answer for. He really don't know how he had spent this 2 years without seeing her. How? He don't know. May be the dread of seeing her again lying lifeless has been the brute force. He stopped at one place, his favorite tree. He sat, supporting his back against the tree. She will be happy, won't she? After all he was the biggest problem of her life and now he is out. She must be happy. Will she still be the same? Her beautiful big eyes, her smile, her always glowing face, even when she is angry. He chuckled. How he hated her for being angry on him and how he loved her for the same. He loves singing for her. Singing is his hobby, but after meeting her it had become something more. His guitar. She loves his guitar. Always taking it and trying to make a sensible tune, which always turns out disastrous. He laughed, lost in the thousands of memories of her. Of her cuteness, of her madness, of her childishness.

A flying dry leaf brought him in his present. But now it's not his to cherish. Now she has given these rights to someone else. He closed his eyes and leaned back. Life has always been unfair, but when has he given a heed to his life? He had got what he had given. But then why did he met her? Why she loved him? Why was he granted the happiness? He laughed, a mocking laugh, a self pity laugh. But didn't he say, when had he valued anything? She embraced him with open arms and he pushed her with such a force that there is no path left which leads her to him.

He got up. But he never gives up. A man like him can never give up. He had tried everything. Everything he can to bring her back. But that night, her almost lifeless body had tied his hand. His hands are tied but what about his heart and mind?

He walked the familiar path, a path he had become well acquainted with in the last 2 years. He looked straight. A gigantic rusted gate stood in front of him. Dragging his leg there, he pushed the gate and entered inside. The white structure stood proud in front of him, and why wouldn't he? It's a place HE comes to bow down his head, a place he bares his heart and soul, a place where he is nothing but a man in need, need of only one thing, only one person. He took the six stairs in three long strides and entered the building. The empty hall even echoed the voice of the tiniest creature. The benches were empty and he felt the empty benches staring at him. As if asking him, why is he here?, a question mocking a man who thought he can do anything, can get anything. So what is he doing here? He don't know. This last 2 years of his life had made him do things he can never imagine doing. He took an empty bench, the last one in the row. His head lifted to stare ahead. His hands joined, but still on his lap, still too proud to lift it. His lips moved , but nothing came out. Swallowing the lump, he tried again.

"I... I just want her ... Give her back... Will never ask for anything else... Just her ... the pain ... The pain is unbearable ... It's unbearable ... I can't bear this... please give her back ... Will never hurt her ... will never ask her to leave me ... please... Please ..." He prayed. Arnav Singh Raizada prayed.

He stood up immediately, his throat choking. He lifted his face, gasping for some air. The cold air filled his lung, and he took long strides , taking him away from the church.

Aman stood there, looking at his Boss, who was looking in the file. His fisted palms became sweaty and he contemplated on how to break the news.

"How's everything going in India?" Arnav asked, his face still buried in the file.

"Everything is going good, Sir" Aman replied, his voice little nervous.

And Arnav sensed it. He lifted his head to look at him.

"What happened? Give me that file.." Arnav told and extended his hand.

Aman tightened his hold on the file and lifted to hand it to his Boss.

Arnav took the file and opened it. He flipped through some pages but stopped at one certain page.

The file fell from his shaky hand. He lifted his eyes to look at Aman. And he need not ask him, his face said it all.

"I... I am going back... Book my ticket..." Arnav said, his voice wavering. "I said NOW AMAN!!" He shouted, his heart sinking every passing moment.

Aman nodded and bent to pick the file.

It was employee's personnel file!

"Khushi, doodh peelo beta ..."

Khushi opened her fatigued eyes as she heard her mother. Keeping her palm flat on the bed, she supported her in the sitting position.

Her Amma entered the room with a glass of milk. She smiled at her and sat beside her daughter.

"Drink this, Khushi. You didn't had your dinner properly. Phirse tabiyat kharab karogi. I don't understand what grudges you have against food. " her Mother chided her and pushed the milk under her nose.

Khushi took the glass from her Amma and drank it, without making any fuss.

Garima Gupta pushed back the tears looking at her quiet child. On any other day , she would have brought the whole house down over drinking milk ... But not now. She is no longer her child whom she knew. Her Khushi has become someone else. A stranger whom she no longer knew.

"Sleep Khushi..." Garima ran her hand on Khushi's head and was about to get up when they heard the door bell ring.

"I will see ... " Garima said and got up from the bed.

Khushi again laid on the bed, not bothering about the guest. Pulling the blanket, she tucked it under her chin and closed her eyes and begged for some sleep. But as usual the sleep eluded her. But still she kept her eyes closed, like a stubborn child.

"Khushi...?"

Her eyes jerked open. She turned her head to look at the door.

"Khushi...? ... I... I..."

"What are you doing here?" she moved back on her bed.

Arnav stopped as he saw her moving back.

"I... Khushi... Will you marry me?"

Khushi stared at him. Her eyes filled with disgust, loath, sickness.

But his? His was free from any regret.

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