Arshi FF - Hearts Knit Together #3 - Page 27

Dr Saxena pushed up his glasses further even as he continued scurrying around the cabin, still trembling like a wet furry cat, trying to recover from the aftermath of dealing with the consequences of his own mulishness. Gathering several reports, analysis sheets etc, he hurried to finish up with all the paperwork that was needed to be done before officially discharging a certain Mr Raizada from his hospital.

As he had clearly professed a good number of times, not to forget infront of a good number of people, he was totally against the idea of reliving ASR off his complete bed-rest this soon. But what could he do? The thorough verbal bashing in exchange of his refusal was certainly not worth his resistence to let ASR leave. Besides, the fear of facing his wrath once again and the ultimate threats against his career were for a fool to ignore. Everyone knew what ASR was capable of doing to someone who went against his orders.

Putting up the last therapeutic report in the file, he visibly shuddered recalling the conversation in his mind once again,

"Mr, Raizada what you are doing? You can't leave the hospital like that..." He had came running to find ASR tugging himself free off the tubes, his free hand clenched around the cell-phone, eyes shaded bloodred with face as impassive as before although a tinge of impatience was evident for anyone who noticed.

"And who is gonna stop me?" quick came a snooty retort, his movements least affected by the presence of the doctor.

He had been perplexed for a moment, but recovered soon. "This is against the rules, Mr Raizada. Besides, you haven't recovered fully yet. You have to stay here for a few days more so that we can monitor your progress." Attempting to stay calm and collected though he was utterly surprized with the sudden change in the demeanor of ASR.

"That's been taken care of Dr Saxena, we have arranged for everything back at our home. Now will you please allow us." Akash, who was a silent and quite a grim-sort-of a spectator till now, had then spoken up in support of his bhai.

"I am sorry but I won't. I can't let my patients or his family members decide for me. Mr Raizada is not leaving and that's gonna be it" He had been adamant to abide by his duty, taking ASR's mellowed down mood of the last few days for granted. Only if he knew, what a heinous crime that was and sure enough, the next second it dawned him - when the volcano erupted.

"ENOUGH!" ASR's angry voice boomed in the corridor, making the passer-by doctors and nurses to stop and take a peek at the commotion.

Taking slow measured steps, striding next to where he was standing absolutely stunned, ASR had rasped out his words in an absolute no-nonsense tone, "I am not in a mood for this I-am-gonna-dictate-and-you-will-follow bullshit of yours doctor so now you listen and listen carefully.I am leaving right this instant and you are gonna finish all the paperwork and have it sent at my home. Another word of objection from your mouth and I would make sure that you get thrown out of this job. Have I made myself clear?"

He could only meekly nod in response, too afraid to voice out a single word after that. Nk had once patted his back before letting him dash of into the safety of his cabin, feeling sorry for the poor doctor who unknowingly got victimized for someone else's mistake. That someone else being his mother disheartening him even more.

With a deep sigh, he left the room only to come face to face with his father whose expressions gave way to the fact that he had apparently heard everything right from Arnav explaining to them why khushi couldn't come till his frustrated outburst upon the doctor. With a sad smile, nk nodded at his father and left him to mule over his own thoughts.

As for Arvind, the radical turn of situations only strengthened his resolve further. Initially he had decided to wait up till Arnav was finally back home but now, he just couldn't. Though, he had a pretty good idea how messy things would get if he had got this all wrong, he dint wanted to back out now.

I am not entailing anything, I would only ask and drop it as quickly as it had gotten to me, if what I fear eventually turns out to be true, he gave a feeble attempt at comforting his frayed up nerves. Who would have thought talking to your own son could be this difficult!

He had always shared an easy comradeship with all his sons. If shalini was a tough task-master, he was as lenient as he could be to perfectly complement her methodical teachings. He believed parents should be their child's best friend. And right from their childhood he had sauntered towards this one principle, always prioritizing his children's happiness over his own. That was the reason, his sons had never hesitated to share their heart out with him.They had a free liberty to speak of anything and everything without cultivating the fear of getting too harshly judged. In turn, Arvind had also expressed his thoughts freely with them, never hesitating to gather their opinions in matters remotely related to them niether holding anything back.

But, this was the first time, he hesitated. Not because he had lost his precious amity with his children but because he was scared. Scared of instigating something that had far-reaching consequences that could either hurt Shalini, Arnav or khushi.

Yet, what had to be done is to be done, he decided. So, Mustering enough courage, he finally knocked on the door and came straight to the point, "Arnav, I have to ask you something."

Arnav: Dad, cant this wait. We are really getting late. He was highly restless and extremely on the edge to say the very least.

Arvind: nahi beta, It cant. I need to know this now and I expect an absolute honest answer from you.

"What is it?" Arnav gave his complete focus to his father, acknowledging which, Arvind questioned without a breath's delay, "Do you like khushi?"

He waited as his son let his measuring gaze rove over his grim face. A while later, weighing his options, Arnav worded out clearly for his father, a steely determination oozing out, "No Dad, I don't like khushi."

He stopped looking at his father whose were rounded in astonishment as though he was least bit prepared for such an answers from him. Shaking his head, he hurried to clarify,

" Its not just liking her because I love her dad. Bohot pyaar karta hu usse, abke baar sachha waala. I am sorry maine ab take yeh baat aapse chupaaye rakhi but trust me, yehi sach hai. Ek aisa sach, jise koi chaahe laakh koshish karle, badal nahi sakta. (I love her too much. I am sorry that I have hiddent this thing from you but trust me dad, this is the truth. And no matter how hard anyone try, they wont be able to change it)"

The earnestness with which Arnav spoke brought tears to his father's eyes. Secretly he too was waiting for Arnav to fall in love once again, to start his own family with complete aceeptance and most importantly, for his own happiness. Not under shalini's emotional pressure.

With a silent cry, Arvind engulfed his child in his arms, feeling extremely delighted at the prospect of having khushi stay permanently in his house as his eldest daughter-in-law. Not sure of shalini, but he was definetly looking forward to it.

"You have no idea mai kitna khush hu bete. Khushi har tarah se tumhaare liye perfect hai (You have no idea how happy I am son. Khushi is perfect for you by every means)"

"Jaanta hu dad, isiliye aapse ek important baat karni hai..."

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~

"Yeh khushi kaha reh gai?" Lavanya and payal were waiting for khushi for a long time now, wondering what was taking her so long.

Payal: I don't know lavanya, mujhe lagta hai ham ek baar khud hi check kar lena chahiye. (I think we should check on her once)

They entered the house only to confirm from the servants that khushi had long back retreated back to her room. Puzzled, they passed each other glance full of apprehensions and went looking for her. Again to return empty handed as she wasnt even in her room. Next, they searched for her in the rest of the house, their patience almost on the verge of snapping away when finally she was found sitting aligned near the pool - Arnav's favourite place.

The tears in her eyes confirmed something was gravely wrong but before they could question her, the loud honk of the vehicles caught their attention. Peeking from the window, they found Arnav getting out of the car taking support of his brothers for his leg injuries.

Having no clue of what the hell had happened in as much as lets-just-say half an hour for the world to change on its axis, both the girls ran back downstairs letting the men have a good look at their questioning gazes. While Akash and nk stopped to explain, Arnav couldnt stop. He knew where she would be! Striding upstairs supporting himself, he went exactly where he had anticipated her to be.

~

Arnav took in everything. Her teary downcasted eyes, dark circles under them quite prominent from the many sleepless night she have had, her quivering lips that were tightly pursed against one another to muffle the ever-increasing sobs that wouldn't stop coursing out of her, her defeated stance as she almost willed herself to let loose everything they have build up so far, her crumpled up hopes as the vivid reminders of their future together started feeling like a distant dream. Oh Khhushhiii...

Finally having her infront of him should have made him happy but he wasn't. Not until he had her in his arms, untroubled with the weight that seemed to be getting down on her, smiling carefreely like she used to. A moment later, she had sensed him nearby, her sore eyes raising up searching for a respite that only his beloved face could provide her.

Soon as their gazes clashed and sizzled with the intensity. For a whole entire minute, they kept on staring at each other with longing, with complete disbelief as though unable to decide if this was indeed happening for real. Pure love overwhelmed them as the seconds tickled away and then unable to hold herself, khushi ran as fast as she could, only to land herself into his waiting arms.

Finally wrapped around each other as they had desperately longed for, they cried out their pain, holding on tightly as to never let go ever again. So lost they were in each other that they completely missed the sound of footsteps approaching them as Shalini furiously made her way to Arnav's room, assuming him to be resting there since the moment the servants informed her of his early discharge.