Madhumati Aunty?
Kaun?
Aunty, mein Anjali bol rahi hoon..Arnav's sister...Anjali sounded anxious to know the reaction at the other end.
There was a pause and a moment of sorrow whooshed across Bua's face. But she is a woman who brought up Khushi and she knows how to balance her emotions to the situations. How are you beta? How is Devyaniji? Its been quite long...
Anjali thanked her stars for the good start and did her thumb up to Nani gesturing that it was Madhumati and that her number is still valid.
Everyone is fantastic Aunty. How are you and hows Khushi.
She is doing great beta. Madhumati refrained from giving too much information without Khushi's knowledge. What a pleasant surprise!
Warmth oozing out of Madhumati's voice, Anjali relaxed to play her game without pondering into any other unnecessary details. Me and Aman are getting married, and tomorrow is our engagement. We decided to do it in Telugu wedding style.
Thats great news beta! Congratulations! Very happy for you both. When is the marriage?
Date not yet fixed, since we are facing quite a few hiccups. The event planner we hired doesnt seem to know anything about it. And we dont know anyone else who could guide us. Wondering if its possible for you to help us..Anjali whispered her words away nervously crossing her fingers.
Madhumati hesitated for a min and contemplated her words. I am not sure beta. To be honest, the way it all ended between Arnav and Khushi, I dont think Khushi will appreciate if I force myself into your family. I dont thinks its a good idea.
Why do you think everything ended between them, Aunty? Honestly, this is just an excuse I was giving you. I want them to come together just once and the decision will be theirs.. I just want to give them one chance to themselves. Tell me aunty, has Khushi moved on with her life? If your answer is Yes, I promise we will never bother you.
No, She hasnt moved on. With respect to Arnav she is standing on the same spot, where she stood crying & hugging his photo on that night. She hasnt moved on a bit. Tears rolled down her eyes remembering every night how Khushi cries for him till date...
Anjali remained silent for a moment giving time to Madhumati to regroup. One way she was happy learning Khushi's state of mind and she turned more determined to bring these stubborn people together.
Hows Arnav? Buaji's voice interrupted her already planning mind.
If Khushi is crying river, he is holding that river within himself. Anjali uttered in choked voice, remembering Aman's words "He will never move on".
Madhumati understood Arnav is in no less pain. For a moment, she felt the desperate urge to bring them together but again it had to be Khushi's decision and she wont cross that line with her daughter. I will have to ask her beta.
Aunty, before you ask her, I want you see Arnav first just to understand what I am trying to say here. I am sure you will change your mind. Please aunty, for my sake.
Madhumati thought for a moment and asked, Where should I come?
Anjali literally jumped in joy, giving hi-fi's to Nani in the air, Here! to RM!. If you can make it in an hour, Arnav will be here.
Nani, her eyes glistening in the tears of hope, crossed her fingers silently praying for a miracle, which is when Anjali handed over the phone to Nani.
Both the women who had been center of their children's lives broke down into silent tears sharing their pain.
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Khushi slumped into her chair and turned into numbing silence unable to understand the new person she is seeing before her eyes. Tears blurred her vision as she hastily wiped them with her hands to get better and more of him. Scrunching the paper in her fists, she clutched it to her heart, drawing knees together, she wailed helplessly. She missed him, She missed him so much that she realized, she had been living nothing but a dead life; but what more shocking for her is he didnt look anywhere better than her.
That stinging realization pulled her gaze into the words of the article. Creasing her eyebrows, for the next few moments she read each and every word and by the end of the article, her hand clamped to her mouth as she mumbled, Where was he?
Pushing the paper aside, She launched the browser on her computer and searched for anything she could find on Arnav Singh Raizada.
After moments of scrutinized search, an article captured her attention as she read it with all her crumbled mind,
ASR Fired or Resigned? Khushi checked the date of the article and it was 2 days after she left Mumbai. And then she found many articles along the same line,
ASR stepped down from the throne!
Raizada and Varma fight! Varma the only and new President of AR Ventures!
Where is ASR?
She opened the last article that dated 4 weeks after she left Mumbai..."ASR resigned...divorced his wife...left the country...is keeping tight-lipped about his whereabouts"
All articles dated within few 3-4 weeks she left but she found none on him after that. In the later days, It was all about the gradual downfall of AR and Aman on news and nowhere ASR was mentioned. For all these years she assumed that he was living in the same city and there were countless number of times, she prayed not to cross paths with him for fear of breaking down, changing her resolves, which is why she refrained from finding anything about him for all these years.
Khushi cupped her forehead as she realized why she felt so hollow for these years, every moment her heart trying to tell that the city and the air she is breathing is not same anymore, where it is filled with nothing but his void.
Without wasting any moment, determinedly, she picked her handbag and rushed out of her cabin.
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Its been more than a half day, since Arnav pulled all high level executives into a conference room to know their reasons on Company's poor performance. It was highly difficult for him to enter the company he abandoned years ago. The memories of success flashed before his eyes the moment he entered and once again his chest puffed in pride in what he once created - a great team, a great company.
After Aman briefed the sectors they are experiencing losses, Arnav asked for everybody's performance report in last 1 year. Domineeringly staring at all the executives, he instructed, I need performance report of every employee based on only 2 ratings Good and Bad. I dont want to see above average, average, below average, all those rubbish details...Make no mistake, anybody who falls under Bad rating is going home for good.
Once all the executives left the room, Aman asked hesitantly, Are you sure? We might lose quite a lot of employees.
Thats exactly what I want, to throw these lazy as*es out. We are in a better position than a start-up company is. Dont you worry, Put the 5 best employees out on market to scout for start-up businesses. Arnav determined to pull the company out of crisis to give the financial stability to the couple before they start their new journey together.
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Its been 2 years since separation from Arnav. Sitting with her feet drawn to her chest, Khushi blankly stared at the ceiling. Even the fan wheeling the air haunted the house with immense pain and loss. While Buaji & Payal sat at the dining table and kept an eye on Khushi helplessly, She rose to her feet walking towards her bedroom. Buaji gestured Payal to follow and be with her but before Payal could reach Khushi's bedroom, Khushi walked out wrapping her shoulders in shawl.
The other two ladies watched her quietly unsure what she is doing. Dragging her feeble frame, as though tired of battling her life, Khushi slipped her feet into the black sandals to exit the house. Buaji frantically checked the wall clock that chimed 1.30AM.
Beta, Where are you going at this hour?
Feeling suffocated Bua, Will be back soon!
Khu..
Please Bua, dont stop me. With that Khushi opened the door to leave. Stopping in her tracks as an afterthought, she turned to Bua, her eyes filled with tremendous hope. Can you pray your God once to show him to me? Can you please do that for me Bua?
Bua rushed to her and pulled her into tight embrace, Just tell me once beta, I will find him wherever he is and will bring him to you.
Nai Nai Bua, Sirf ek baar, dor se dekhungi, usse disturb nahi karoongi. Please request your God, he never listens to me. Khushi uttered innocently in her own delusional world. I will come soon. With that Khushi hurtled her feet out.
Whats happening to you meri bachi? Bua broke down helplessly while Payal followed Khushi to keep an eye on her.
Khushi stopped her car far from the parking in dark enveloped by the giant oak trees. Sitting on the grass, she anxiously looked at the window of the penthouse she used to own once along with him. Payal who reached the location, parked her scooty little farther and stood far from Khushi giving her space. She waited for very long time but Khushi neither uttered a word, nor blinked her eyes.
On the other end Khushi was in totally different world, her mind speaking more words than her lips could utter. Only once B&W...Only once...Only once B&W..Only once...these words repeatedly played on her lips while her neck craned up looking at the window, hoping she will see a glimpse of him, unaware that he was seas away...
Tonight, Could you hold me once, please sirf ek baar...Her finger involuntarily raised pleadingly and the next moment Payal found Khushi smiling happily. She walked closer wondering at her sister's weird expressions and what she heard pooled tears in her eyes. She found her sister talking to empty space next to her. Khushi was under shock and hallucinating!
I know B&W, Why didnt we ever sit here before? Moon is looking more beautiful than ever. She giggled like a child.
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Sure, I will come, we will sit here everyday...Promise me you will come everyday too...
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I know you will never break your promise. She blushed tucking her hair behind her ears.
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Thank you!
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Kisliye? Of course for holding me..Khushi blushed even more. I always wonder how you know my every need without being asked?
Jiji..Jiji...Payal sat next to Khushi and jerked her to senses while Khushi looked at her blankly...There is no one here Jiji.
No, he was right he...Khushi's words faded in the air as she looked around frantically. I saw him, he was here just now. He was here.
Let me get you home. Payal forcibly pulled Khushi from the place stifling her helpless cries.
The next day Madhumati, and Payal took Khushi to the doctor who had been treating her for last 2 years. The doctor confirmed that there is nothing physically wrong with Khushi who had been under shock lately for last one week and she suggested them to take her to the psychiatrist.
After evaluating Khushi in three sessions and knowing the history of Khushi, the psychiatrist declared that Khushi is suffering from Rape Trauma Syndrome. And the only way she could be cured is to keep her away from anything and everything that would remind her of the event, but unfortunately and stubbornly, Khushi refused to let go of the AdiNav Organization which she started to help rape victims. While the days she spent to shed light into other dark lives, the nights she cocooned herself deeper and deeper into her own suffering.
Khushi hurtled her feet into AR. Gasping for breath, she requested the receptionist to meet Arnav. The new lady who is appointed just an year ago has no clue who Khushi is, and so obviously denied giving excuses.
Unsure if he is even in the office, Khushi looked around hoping somebody will recognize her and take her to Arnav. She waited mins but running out of luck, gathering all her strength, she punched the one phone number that she still remembered till date, HIS phone number after many many years. But like the man, her luck ruled her stubbornly as she heard Number doesn't exist.
The desperation flickered on her face, and with each passing moment she felt the strong urge to see him once to her satisfaction. She ran back to receptionist and requested once again, this time to meet Aman. And she got no different answer.
Pushing her luck, she dialed Aman's number which went into voicemail. Then she heard receptionist answering someone that ASR and Aman are not in the office. Not willing to accept the defeat yet, she rushed to the penthouse hoping he is there.
~~
Watching Khushi sprinting to the Penthouse lobby, the security manager instantly recognised her and gleed welcoming her.
Raju, Is Sir in the house?
Sir? No.. He l
What time he comes home usually?
Ma'm..its been almost 3 years. He hadnt come home since then.
He didnt live here? Her face broke into severe shock and her hands trembled slowly coming to the understanding of what would have happened. And before she could turn her feet, the security manager stopped her, giving her a bunch of keys. Ma'm, Sir asked us to give you in case you return.
Iska matlab, nobody lives in the house?
No Ma'm its been locked for 3 years.
Khushi cupped her forehead feeling heavy with emotional distress that started slowly creeping up, and grabbed the keys. Shoving the keys into her purse, She dialed Aman's number one more time and it still went into voicemail. Determinedly, walking out of the building, She punched the SMS to the Aman's number she has.
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Collecting the sample work of shortlisted designers, Arnav and Aman were driving back to RM, talking about the new proposals they received with the news of Arnav's comeback. As Arnav deftly maneuvered Audi Q7 into the city streets, Aman's phone chimed with incoming call.
Aman who is all into living the moment with his buddy after long time, didnt care to answer the unknown number. Then the next moment flashed a message on screen from the same number. Narrowing his eyes curiously, he opened the message that read,
This is Khushi, if this is Aman, please please call me.
His eyes rounded in surprise and read the message again. Turning off the music, he dialed the number still unable to believe the person as Khushi.
Hello, this is Aman.
Aman...She broke into tears.
Aman panicked and looked over his shoulder to find Arnav's eyes glued to the road sincerely. Before he could say Bhabhi, Khushi sputtered.
Aman, I need to see him. Is he OK? I saw him in the newspaper..Where was he all these years? What happened? Could you help me, I want to see him, only once please? Khushi turned flustered unable to think straight with only motive to reach her man and to assure herself he is safe and sound in all ways.
Aman hesitated if he needs to tell Arnav or not, but as he remembered Anjali's words in the morning, "They have to have to get back together", he decided to play this covertly.
Aap..I mean, How are you?
I need to see him once Aman. Please...dor se bhi chalega, sirf ek baar, please...Khushi scared of Aman's reaction as he had been the strongest support system for Arnav, pleaded him in fright.
Nahi..B...I mean please dont embarrass me. I will see what I could do. Give me few mins. He cut the call feeling sad with the way she sounded.
As they crossed the Bandra Square, Aman remembered a good coffee shop where they could meet and texted her the details and the time to meet, soon after they drop the samples with Anjali.
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