Part 10
The next morning came quickly.Aarav's holidays were soon going to begin and he just couldn't wait to spend it with his parents.Especially with his mother.
Khushi woke up slightly late that morning.The breakfast started at 7 AM and she woke up at 7:02.Khushi took about 10 minutes to get ready and in a huge rush.When she opened the door,she was very happy to see Aarav first thing in the morning "Good morning mom" he grinned and hugged her.
Khushi smiled "Good morning to you too Aarav" she kissed his forehead.
"Come let's eat breakfast" Aarav held Khushi's hand and led her to the dining room where the family had already began having breakfast.
Anjali noticed her first and gave a small smile "Good morning Khushi"
Khushi nodded "Good morning"
Arnav froze,his bread in his hand and knife full of butter in the other.He raised his eyes to look at the clock.It was 7:14 AM.Arnav dropped his bread on his plate and placed his knife on top of the bread.He turned his head to look at Khushi.She was in a peach anarkali.
Arnav looked at her coldly when really,he just wanted to simply admire her "You are late" he said in his cold voice "I believe you know very well I dislike late comers.You are 14 minutes late.You should know breakfast starts at 7.I believe you will have to wait until lunch"
Anjali and Sanjana gasped "Arnav!" Sanjana chided "What are you talking about? She's our guest"
"An unwelcome guest" Arnav muttered.
Khushi looked away,hearing everything he just said.She looked at Sanjana and gave a fake smile trying not to show her hurt "It's okay.I think he is right.I don't mind waiting for lunch.I wasn't that hungry anyways"
"Nonsense Khushi!" Anjali exclaimed "Just look at you.You've grown so thin I think I can almost see your bones.I wouldn't be surprised if you suddenly fainted all of a sudden"
Sanjana nodded,agreeing with Anjali but Khushi shook her head.
"What's going on here?" a male voice asked.Khushi turned around.It was Shyam Manohar Jha,Anjali's husband.He smiled at Khushi "Wow Khushi,long time no see" Khushi nodded,giving a small smile.Shyam looked at Anjali "There's my beautiful princess"
Anjali blushed and stood up as Shyam came around the table to give her a hug "I missed you" she said.
"And I missed you" Shyam replied "I thought you said Khushi left Arnav" he whispered in her ear.
"She did but Arnav brought her back for a week for Aarav's sake" she whispered back.
Shyam nodded,still slightly suspicious "Have breakfast" Nani said.Shyam nodded.He sat beside Anjali.
Shyam looked at Arnav and found him staring at Khushi.Khushi was no different and was staring back at him.Shyam looked at Anjali "Why did Khushi exactly leave him?" he asked in a small voice,making sure only she could hear him.
Anjali shrugged "She didn't exactly say.From what I know Khushi and Chotte had an argument and the next day Khushi just disappeared"
Shyam looked at Arnav and Khushi curiously.There seemed to be some sort of spark still between them "There's something that doesn't meet the eye" he murmured.
"What do you mean?" Anjali asked.
"Just look at the two.Do you really think Khushi wanted to leave Arnav because of an argument after 5 years of marriage with him"
Anjali looked thoughtful "Now that I think about it,it is quite strange"
Shyam nodded "I think there's more to this story between these two"
Arnav stood up and looked at Monica "Are you ready to go?" Monica nodded "I hope you are ready for the shoot because another company will be looking at the snaps and you need to be looking your best" He looked at Aarav "Come on Aarav,it's time for school"
Aarav nodded and grabbed his bag.He kissed Khushi's cheek "Love you mom"
Khushi watched as Arnav,Aarav,and Monica walked out the door.She couldn't help but feel a stab in her heart seeing Arnav and Monica together.She remembered when she was insecure of her back then.Khushi looked at the food and felt she completely lost her appetite.She didn't even want to think of eating lunch.She stood up.
Sanjana noticed her "What happened Khushi? Please do eat something"
Anjali nodded "Please do not take Chotte's words to heart"
Khushi shook her head "No it's nothing like that.I am just not hungry"
Sanjana sighed and nodded "Okay but if you feel hungry at all,don't hesitate to come to the kitchen to come grab a bite or a plate"
Khushi nodded and went to her room.
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It was 1 PM.Aarav was supposed to come home in an hour.Khushi looked around.She missed him.She didn't know who.Arnav or Aarav.
The family continued to be nice to her.Khushi thought they would hate her for what she did,abandoning Arnav and Aarav.They were quite tender to her,making her heart swell.
Khushi looked at herself.She ran her left hand on her right arm.Anjali was right.She had grown so thin she could feel her bones.Khushi hoped she didn't become an anorexic.The women's hostel did provide enough food but she never felt hungry enough to eat.
Khushi sighed and stood up.Her head was aching and her stomach was beginning to rumble.Khushi stood up a bit too quickly and felt dizzy.She hadn't eaten last night incuding the morning.Khushi tried to look around her but it seemed as if the room was spinning.She held on to her bed.Gravity pushed her down on the soft bed and she closed her eyes.A strange but familiar sensation filled inside her.She needed food.Khushi parted her parched lips but didn't have the power to do anything so she gave into the sensation and fainted.
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Arnav had a strong nagging feeling that something was terribly wrong but he couldn't seem to know what the reason was.He looked on his table for the Mehta file but then remembered he forgot it at home.In the rush of escaping from Khushi.Maybe that was the reason.
Arnav closed his eyes and shook his head.He stood up and left his cabin.As he was about to leave through the exit doors,Monica suddenly appeared "Where are you going Arnav?" she asked.
"ASR" he said in a stern voice "How many times do I have to tell you to call me ASR.At home and at office.You have no business in knowing my whereabouts.I am my own man and can take care of myself.I don't need to tell you anything.Remember that" and with that he left.
Monica gritted her teeth in anger at being rejected and dismissed yet again.
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Apparently no one was at home.Anjali and Shyam had gone to visit a friend.Nani and Sanjana had gone to the temple and obviously Aarav was at school.
Arnav grabbed his file from his room and went downstairs.He went to the kitchen to grab a quick drink of water.He wondered if Khushi ate anything after he left or she remained hungry.Arnav looked towards her room.The door was closed.Arnav looked away 'I don't need to worry about her' he thought to himself.He bit his lip as he looked towards her room again 'I'll just tell her mom wanted me to check on her and that I don't really care' he decided.
Arnav turned the knob of her door.His heart was beating in a quicker rhythm as usual 'Traitor' he thought.Arnav pushed the door open and froze...as well as his heart beats "Khushi" he whispered.
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