Aisha : Chachu !
Aisha yelled . Arnav stopped . I could hear his steps fading away .
I don't know what all she would say him .. But I don't want to be there . I want some time for myself .
I saw the garden filled with our family who was eating now. I decided to go to the other side of the garden . I don't want to spoil others happiness now .
I went to the other garden and sat on the bench . I started to weep very badly .
All the flashes of Arnav and Swathi occupied my mind . All their moments - the way they used to hangout in school , the way they used to share their food with each other , those days when I realised they both were similar and I was completely opposite to them , their hug and kiss , their love for each other ...
Everything.. Every damn thing was running like a film in my mind . And those days when my friends used to talk about these two Oblivious about the fact that I madly and deeply had feelings for him . Those days when he genuinely was very happy with her .
Those days when I saw him falling back of her . Those days when they used to sit together and talk for life no in front of everyone with broad smiles on their faces . Those days when he deliberately hurt me .
I started to sob more and more .
Shruthi was absolutely right , I came in between them , I spoiled their beautiful love story . I remember that everyone in our school referred them as the ' perfect couple '
I'm the thorn in their lives . I spoiled everything . However Arnav is today , it is all because of me .
I snatched a guy's happiness from him , a mother's pet , a father's caring son , a sister's loving brother , cousins naughty brother .
And on top of all this, I snatched a girl's first love !
I kept on weeping . My mobile was ringing and I saw the caller's name . ' Devil '
I didn't answer it . I will not answer his call .
I switched of the mobile . After a while , I saw Hari Prakash ji coming towards me , panting heavily .
HP : Khushi ji , everyone is searching for you .
Khushi : I will come .
HP : Why are you crying ?
Khushi : Nothing , please don't tell this to anyone, not even Arnav .
He went back and Cleared my tears but do you think it was possible ?
It was impossible, you seriously cannot stop your grief reflecting upon your face but we humans
Have to face those situations where you have to conceal your sorrow and laugh for others .
And now I'm in one of those situations.
I opened my What's App . To find some comical video, you know one of my friend surely would have sent me one . And I was right . One of my besties , Mahira did send one .
It was hilarious . I forced a smile . I watched it over and ver so that i could try to laugh . And finally I did .
I stood up while watching one of the hilarious song on YouTube .
I saw my family with some tension embracing their faces .
Arnav came hurriedly and caught me an inch above my elbow .
Arnav : Khushi ! Is everything alright ? Where were you ?
I lowered my gaze . I didn't want to meet his eyes . It's a known fact at if I look into his eyes , I will surely break down . I released my self from his grip .
Amma : Khushi , what happened beta you look dull !
Oh ! so Arnav , Aisha and Aman didn't reveal anything yet .
Khushi : Me and dull ? Of course not Amma ! Why would I be dull in such a happy occasion ?
Payal : So where were you ?
Khushi : I had to answer an important call , so I went to the garden on the other side .
They seemed to accept my lie but not those three who knew that everything is not alright as I'm pretending at the moment .
Everyone went back inside the house . Aisha passed an angry glare at me and stomped off to her parents .
I know why is she behaving so ! She doesn't like anyone fibbing in front of her .
Aman came towards us - Arnav was extremely busy in observing me with his narrowed eyes .
Aman : What happened? Why were you crying so much ?
Khushi : Uh .. Nothing Aman , it's just that I became a bit too emotional for a small thing .
Aman : I know you're lying . At least tell Arnav the actual truth
He went inside too . Arnav ...
Arnav wasn't speaking anything . He was simply looking at me . Or rather I should say he was observing me to speak out the truth .
I'm still not looking at him . I don't have the strength . I just can't .
Arnav : Look at me Khushi .
I nodded a no .
Arnav : Look at me .
I nodded a no and he caught my upper arm and pulled me closer to him .
Arnav : Look into my eyes Khushi . Please !
COLOR=BLUE]Khushi[/COLOR] : Leave me please .
I begged him . He left me lazily . And I slowly met his eyes .
Khushi : Arnav I have to tell you something very important .
Arnav : I'm listening .
He said softly .
Khushi : Not here . In front of our families .
He nodded . He started before me and I followed him .
We entered the living room and found our families with broad smilies .
I cleared my voice ... Everyone looked at me .
Khushi : Aaj hum aap sabse kuch kehna chahte hai .
They stopped everything and paid attention to me . All their eyes are fixed on me , making my nerves freeze .
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath . Arnav folded his arms .
Khushi : All of you know that Rakesh uncle offered me a project years ago but I rejected it . Now I have signed the project .
I could see confusion in Sheetal and Aman . I saw Arnav releasing his folded arms . Others looked surprised except for the ones who already knew everything - Amma , bua ji , jiji , jiju and NK .
Khushi : I will be shifting to Mumbai soon .
This made them shocked . I could easily conclude that this was completely unexpected .
Anjali : Tum hum sabko chodke jaa rahi ho ?
Aunty : Chottey ko chodke jaa rahi ho ?
Uncle : Rakesh Bhi kuch Nahi bataya !
Aman : Seriously ! You didn't even bother to inform us forehand !
Sheetal : Khushi you need to answer .. Please...
Khushi : I am a middle class girl , I've seen how my mother was helpless for being unemployed . She had to face many taunts from our family . And I now can see my sister . Now my mother is respected because of my sister . Those people who insulted her are now flattering her .
I looked at Amma , jiji and jiju . Amma and jiji turned emotional . Jiju is proud of his wife . And myself , I had my moist eyes vindicating that I was emotional too .
Khushi : I want to be independent . I want to prove myself . I want to prove that I'm strong . I just want to show those who think I'm weak , I'm waiting for some help from someone . I want to prove them wrong .
I stopped . If I continue , I would start crying . And I said I want to be strong . I don't want that to be a silly joke . So I composed my self .
Silence engulfed the entire Mansion . Everyone were staring at me . Each one of them with a unique emotion .
Proud , Respect , confusion , shocking - these were the emotions flooding the Mansion . But I couldn't see one person . The most important one - Arnav .
I looked at him and ... And he was Numb ! Arnav and numb ? A combination I never saw .
Shyam : I'm with you Khushi . I know what all happened with you three . It's good that you took this step . All the best sweetie .
I smiled . Well a weak one of course .
Anjali : Even I'm with you Khushi .
Everyone expressed their consent and best wishes . Except for two - Aunty and Arnav . I was looking at Aunty with some hope . I never expected her to be so silent in such a situation where I'm taking a big step ahead to be strong and independent .
Aunty : If that is what you want ... So do it .
She said . But not whole hearted . She didn't mean it . And I could easily figure it out .
I looked at Arnav . He was looking down .
I shifted my gaze to jiju and bhai . Everyone looked worried - because Arnav is the one who can change everything . He has the power to change good to bad and bad to good .
Arnav : Khushi ..
He said in a low tone . I could barely hear his voice . It was not even a whisper . I looked at him . Fisting the top of the sofa cloth .
Arnav : I need to talk to you ... Personally
I let out a soft , low gasp . He looked at me with his moist eyes , reflecting so many emotions out of my reach .
I couldn't move or think . I kept looking into his dark brown eyes which are very intense and Deep .
He looked at the entire family breaking our never-ending eye lock . I too looked at our family .
I slowly felt a warm , no hot hand clutching my ice-cold one . I looked at my hand and then him . He was already looking at me . He caught my hand completely and dragged me to his room .
I didn't protest . But my helplessness , my grief , my pity are sliding down as tears from my eyes . I let him clutch my hands as tight as he could . I know this isn't easy for him . I know I broke his heart . Completely . May be I cannot fix it . Never .
He stopped abruptly and left me forcefully . I took a few steps backward because of the force .
He locked the door . And turned towards me . I could see his hurt figure . He is trying to be normal ... I think so .. But I'm scared is he angry ? Will he hurt me ? I have to find a way to escape from him . I took a few steps ahead and he also moved forward . I moved to the side and reached the door .
Arnav : Escaping is not the only solution Khushi . Try to face it .
I turned to face him . I saw him with my tears eyes .
Arnav : Why ?
He asked in a low tone . I didn't know what I have to say . I preferred to stay quiet .
Arnav : Speak up now at least . I know you want a revenge from me . But is this your way of taking a revenge ? Why are you doing this ? Why do you run away from me ? Every single time ?
I looked into his eyes . He really thinks I'm taking a revenge from him ?
Khushi : I told you , I want to be independent .
Arnav : So I would have get you a job anywhere in Delhi if you didn't want to work in AR .
Khushi : This is what I don't want ! Hume apni zindagi khud banani hai ! Aapki koi madad ya koi humdardi Hume Nahi chahiye ! [ I want to draft my own life ! I don't want your help or sympathy ]
Arnav : Toh tum mujhe chodkar jaa rahi ho . [ So you are leaving me ? ]
Khushi : Ji . [ Yes ]
Arnav : Yeh tumhaareliye bahot asaan hai na ? [ This is very easy for you , isn't it ? ]
I looked at him . With my red eyes . Is it really easy for me to leave him ?
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