Part 2 - Woh Lamhe
Arnav had missed her. He could not get her out of his mind, since returning from London. She was all he could think about. He had been extremely stupid to let her go in the first place. Everything that had happened with his sister... his father... had shaken his foundation of trusting other people. Khushi had simply been caught in the crossfire, his easiest target to badger.
Not that she had suffered quietly. That was his Khushi... made up of spunk, courage and temper... all in delicious proportions. Wasn't that what drew him to her, since the very beginning. She was his feisty kitten, who could take on the entire world for him. But how did she deal with him shredding her entire world to pieces? Arnav shuddered slightly, as he waited at the airport arrivals lounge.
He was there to receive her. After their short meeting in London, he had made sure to keep in touch with her over the phone. With the heavy conversations out of the way, it was easy to get into comfortable conversations with her, like always. With a little persuasion from him and a little blackmailing from his sister, the brilliant fashion designer, Khushi Gupta had agreed to design the Raizada wedding outfits.
Khushi had earlier pleaded to work from London, citing the comfort her assistants and studio provided. However, Arnav had been adamant of her flying down to Delhi. How long could that woman stay away from her home? How long was she going to avoid meeting her family? And for how long was she going to suffer with the guilt of ruining Payal's wedding?
Someday she would have to face the truth. Payal was now happily married into a good family from Delhi. Arnav kept bumping into her often, and there was never a conversation where they did not discuss Khushi. With times, things had changed drastically and the Guptas had often blamed him for driving their precious daughter away. They craved to know of her well-being and as soon as Arnav had returned from London, he had informed them about the same.
Arnav got up from his seat and walked towards the area, from where you could see people arriving and greeting their overjoyed families. Where was she? Her flight had already landed and she should have been out by now, he mused. Arnav felt a crazy desperation like a teenager, waiting for one glimpse of his first love. And it could not be truer... because even though he was not a teenager anymore... she still remained his first and only love.
Arnav laughed mentally, thinking of how his sister had tried to set him up on various dates in the last eight years. He knew she wanted him to be happy and whole. However, no one could ever understand that he could feel complete only with Khushi. She was the one for him and he had, singlehandedly, blown away their chance of happily ever after. He chuckled slightly thinking of how his sister had finally realized the truth and managed to fix up a date... not really a date, but a meeting with Khushi.
Clearing his muddled mind, through the parting crowds, he saw a flash of red dazzling him with her beauty. She was here. Finally. Adorning his favourite colour. Back to where she belonged. Home...and everything happy. Arnav sighed in relief, not realizing that he had secretly been anticipating the last minute ditching of her travel plans. She scanned through the hoards of happy faces, to land her sight on the most stunning smirk that always took her breath away.
He took quick strides towards her and engulfed her in a warm hug. How was he to contain his excitement to see her home. "Welcome home..." he mouthed his thoughts vocally. Pulling back from the embrace, he saw her smile hesitantly and realized how difficult it was for her to be here. Cursing mentally, he moved backward, putting some distance between them. "Hey, its good to be back. I know I seem to have carried almost everything along with me. But I was unsure of how things would workout here," she said, gesturing to the many luggage bags surrounding her.
He could not help but laugh at her adorable face. "Its ok... Don't worry about the luggage Kitten. Your personal bellhop is here," he teased, making the conversation lighter. She laughed freely, looking so fresh even after such a tiring flight. It amazed him. And then again, he always knew she looked beautiful at any given time of the day. Loading the baggage in his luxurious SUV, he opened the passenger door for her to get in. She teased him about pretending to be chivalrous, knowing very well how casual and laidback he really was.
Despite his innumerous attempts to make her stay in Shantivan... their home, she had demanded to be lodged into a hotel, much to his annoyance. He understood her... the awkwardness to live amongst a family, who was her own... who was still her own. Shantivan was as much hers as his. The divorce might have wiped the legality of their marriage, however, it had never been able to clip the beautiful threads that connected their hearts.
After dropping her off to the hotel to freshen up, he headed to Shantivan, which was located in the far extreme of the same street. If she was staying at a hotel... it better be the one closest to his home. He promised to pick her up in the evening, to take her to meet Anjali and his Nani. They had been the most excited to know of these developments. With a spring in his steps, he stepped into the busy household of Shantivan, which was buzzing with activity, to welcome their oldest daughter-in-law.
By nightfall, Arnav realized what a fatal mistake he had done all those years ago by letting Khushi go away from him. Seeing the pampering she was getting from the entire Raizada family, seeing the love shining in her misty eyes for everyone... had made him curse himself a thousand times over. How could he have been so stupid and childish? In anger and torment, he had lashed out at the only person who seemed to be his oasis in that scorching dessert. She was his happiness and he had himself, driven her away.
He recollected their school banters and how as a bet he had gone ahead and proposed to Khushi in the eight standard. She had offcourse agreed... who would not fall for the charms of Arnav Singh Raizada, or so he thought. They had dated for three weeks, before he had summoned up the courage to tell her the truth. If he only liked her earlier, he had definitely fallen for her in those three weeks. That made it even more complicated to tell the truth. However, when he managed to finally tell her... she had burst out in her tinkling laughter... she had already known the truth and had just played along with his game.
Exactly three days later he had cornered Khushi in the school corridor and proclaimed his love for her. The prank might have been over, but love had only just begun for him. Without a need for any explanations, she had reciprocated his love. That is how simply they had begun dating. What followed were many beautiful years of senseless fights, rising anger, mushy make-up's, flirting, teasing, kissing and irrevocable love. Love that outshone the rest... love that he had lost along the way.
"Jealous much are we Arnie?" Khushi's teasing voice broke his self-rebuking reverie. His scowl turned to a bright smile hearing the endearment he had last heard more than eight years ago. If such simple things in life could bring happiness... why had he failed to realize it, then? The abundant wealth he had earned in last few years, toiling for days, weeks and months at a stretch, could not give him as much joy as these five words gave, which Khushi had just said.
"To see you smile, to see my family so happy... so complete, can never make me feel jealous Kitten! So, have you'll managed to catch up for the years that have gone by?" he teased. "Not even close. Seems like I will be wasting your money paid to the hotel, afterall. These women, are surely not letting me get out of their sight," came her quick reply. "Do you want to stay back, Khushi? Or would you prefer staying at the hotel? Tell me and I will speak to Di and Nani," Arnav asked earnestly.
She laughed and shook her head, took his hand in hers and dragged him into conversations that he would have most definitely avoided, had his sister dragged him in. However, how was he to refuse the woman who was bringing alive, a thousand emotions within him? Her proximity was affecting him in ways he could not deal with. It had been years since he had felt like this and he would always thank his sister for bringing Khushi back into his life.
In a couple of days, Khushi had managed to become the co-wedding planner for the impending marriage. She was not only designing all the wedding outfits for Di, Nani, Mami, Akash and Arnav, but also deciding on the floral arrangements and the colour themes for the decorations. All her meals including breakfast were at Shantivan. She had somehow managed to convince the Raizada's, her need to stay at the hotel and work with her assistants, through the day. So, she would be travelling to and fro from the hotel to Shantivan, atleast thrice a day.
Even though Khushi did not voice her thoughts, Arnav had known what she had been thinking. She had been thinking a lot about her family and had been keen on meeting them. Not knowing how to approach a family who had disowned her a decade ago, the uneasiness had been steadily rising, making her fidgety and zoned out. To give her the slight push in the right direction, he had managed to invite Payal and her husband for dinner tonight, and he hoped with all his heart that the girls somehow managed to reconcile.
How wrong had he been in thinking that, he realized by dinnertime. Slap! Payal had slapped Khushi, the moment she had seen her sister lounging in Shantivan. If Khushi had been stunned to see Payal there, she had been more shocked with the slap. Arnav had been furious with Payal and himself to have actually invited her there. Before he could intervene, Payal started speaking vehemently, "This had been long overdue Khush! How could you? How could you just leave us and vanish from our lives? I agree maa and babuji had told you to leave the house, but we were always updated about you and your married life. I wish I had been stronger then and remained in touch with you."
Khushi tried to interrupt an emotionally agitated Payal who said, "Just shut up and let me speak. You dealt with the entire divorce proceedings all alone... and then instead of coming home, you just vanished from here. Did you ever think of us Khush? About what maa and babuji will go through? I have been living in guilt the last eight years, wondering each moment how my baby sister is doing. You are selfish... you know, thinking only about yourself." Payal broke down crying hysterically, who was hugged by an equally sobbing Khushi. The sisters finally clung onto each other, as the Raizada's simply looked on, with tears in their eyes.
"I am sorry jiji... I was so stupid to be away from you guys. I hope you can forgive me..." Khushi said earnestly. "I am sorry too Khush, lagi tujhe?" Payal questioned, rubbing at Khushi's cheek, as if to wipe away the slap. Khushi nodded in denial and smiled at her sister. Seeing that bright smile, Arnav finally began breathing again. He had been on tethers while this entire confrontation had happened and finally he could relax and enjoy the craziness that was his family.
The dinner was as expected a mad affair, giving tough competition to the Mad Hatter's party of Alice in Wonderland. Arnav felt more so like Alice, listening to the outrageous conversations that kept running through the dining table. However, he was at inner peace, seeing the genuinely happy smile on Khushi's face. With the wedding coming up soon, he wondered how he should proceed with their relationship. At this moment it seemed to be in limbo, with both of them complacent in the comfort that they shared. Yet, he wanted more... more of her... more of them.
------------ Flashback -------------
"Ab beta aap iski maang mein sindhoor bhar do," the Panditji said to an anxious Arnav. Arnav and Khushi had finally eloped and were busy in fulfilling the wedding rituals, in the presence of a couple of friends. Arnav had wanted it to be a simple court marriage, yet the traditional Khushi demanded a proper wedding along with the registered one. Hence, they had simply gone to the court in the morning, gotten married and then travelled to a small temple in Delhi to be bound to each other once again.
Arnav noticed the way her eyes closed at the slight contact of his fingers to her hair parting, as he pinched a trail of bright red sindhoor, marking her as his. Her eyes opened, to show him that they were dewy with tears of happiness. At that moment he realized how much this wedding, with all its rituals, meant to her. Hell! She would have been happier with the blessings of their family... and instead of giving her that... what had he done? He had whisked her away from her loved ones; to cowardly make her, his.
He felt like a heel and wished he could go back in time and react differently to things. However, now was not the time for introspection. His beautiful new bride was waiting to be taken home, to be introduced to his family and welcomed like how his wife deserved to be. With that thought in his mind, he kissed Khushi on her cheek and mouthed "I love you" before pulling her along with him to get into the car that would drive them to their home.
------------ Flashback Ends -------------
How many things had he taken away from her? Arnav could not help but feel shameful for the way they had gotten married so many years ago. Although they were immature and childish, there was no excuse for not knowing what Khushi really wanted. She had always dreamed of fairytales... extravagant weddings and the presence of her closest relatives and friends. How had he missed such an important part in their life?
While they stood to shower flowers on the couple that was taking the pheras around the holy fire, Arnav felt melancholic and uneasy at the thought of how much Khushi had given up for him. He looked over at her, as she stood shimmering in the lights, in a beige and maroon saree. She looked stunning, like a woman who was extremely happy with her life. He felt annoyed at the fact that she was happy despite he not being a part of her life. He somehow, wanted to be the reason for her every happiness.
The last few weeks, even though hectic, had been the best weeks in his life since a really long time. Arnav and Khushi had gotten very close, talking and chattering like long-lost friends, catching up on times they had missed. His heart stirred with newfound emotions and would beat erratically each time she was around. He knew he was falling in love with Khushi all over again and there was no escaping it this time. The only thing remained to be answered is what she felt about him... about them? Would she give him another chance, to make her happy?
Happiness and tears is such a weird paradox... He realized by the time the reception began. The Guptas were there, to bless Anjali. Unaware of the fact that their, youngest daughter was there too. Khushi had been shocked to see them and vice-a-versa. The tears of happiness had flowed all around, making the guests wonder if everything was fine at the wedding. Hugs, kisses, smiles all intermingled to give that one woman the happiness, which she always deserved.
Arnav sighed in satisfaction, standing at a far of corner of the huge gardens where the reception was being held. The dimply-lit corner, made sure that no one could notice him... no one except her. He saw her walking towards him with quick strides and then lifting up her saree, she almost sprinted towards him. She paused a couple of feet away from him and looked at him intently. He shifted uncomfortably under her gaze, not wanting to hear what she had to say and knowing exactly what she would.
After a couple of breathless minutes, she composed her thudding heart and whispered almost inaudibly, "Di told me... it was you... who invited maa-babuji. I just wanted to thank you Arnie... Thank you so much!" Seeing him shake his head in refusal of this acknowledgement, she gained power in her speech as well as her actions, as she threw herself into his arms and said, "Thank you for everything Arnie. For bringing me back home, for giving my family back to me, for making me so happy. I love you for everything." To all that she had said, he replied huskily, "...And I simply love you... for you."
------------ Song Inspiration : Woh Lamhe ------------
[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omv2hDDVBkg[/YOUTUBE]
Wo Lamhe, wo baatein,
Koi na jaane,
Thi kaisi raatein, Hooo, barsaatein,
Wo bheegi bheegi yaadein...
Na main jaanoun, Na tu jaane,
Kaisa hai ye mausam, Koi na jaane,
Kahi se yeh fizaa aayi,
Ghamon ki dhoop sang laayi,
Khafaa hogaye hum, Judaa hogaye hum,
Wo Lamhe, wo baatein,
Koi na jaane,
Thi kaisi raatein, Hooo, barsaatein,
Wo bheegi bheegi yaadein...
Saagar ki, Gehraayi se,
Gehra hai, Apna pyaar,
Sehraoun ki, In hawaon me,
Kaise aayeee-gi bahaar,
Kahan se ye hawa aayi,
Ghataayen kaali kyoun chhaayi,
Khafaa hogaye hum, Judaa hogaye hum,
Wo Lamhe, wo baatein,
Koi na jaane,
Thi kaisi raatein, Hooo, barsaatein,
Wo bheegi bheegi yaadein...
Edited by mints23 - 9 years ago
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