Arshi FF: Love Me Forever LINK #2 pg 153 dt. 21.5.15 - Page 25

Chapter 6

She sighed while laying down the breakfast on the table as one more day passed and she didn't get to visit the temple. She was lost in her thoughts when he looked at her then turned his neck toward payal and said " be ready, in the evening we'll going to the Ganpati temple." Her eyes stilled for a moment her ears couldn't believe what they had heard then she looked at him, with eyes beaming in excitement.

He lowered his head and left for work.

As promised in the evening Arnav took khushi and payal along with aman to the temple. It was a huge temple beautifully decorated with lights as the festival was nearing towards the end. A large crowd had turned up but Arnav had already informed pandit ji of their visit so they didn't have to wait in the crowd.

There were a number of food stall around the temple, khushi couldn't contain her happiness and began walking up the stairs when payal called her from behind " bhabhi, let's have chaat first."

Aman slapped his forehead " payal can you think of anything else other than food?" khushi came down and payal raised her head high to reply " sorry Aman but the chaat looks too tempting to ignore."

So the four of them entered the chaat stall but khushi's eyes didn't leave the big idol of lord ganesha which was visible even from far " bappa looks wonderful ." Arnav realized how much she believed in Him and must have missed out on seeking His blessings daily.

" bhaiya 4 plates of chaat." Said payal while arnav intervened and said " 1 less spicy."

Payal elbowed khushi naughtily suggesting that he remembered that she didn't enjoy spicy food, making her blush shyly. He saw their playful interaction but ignored it.

Pundit ji carried out the evening arti in their presence. The whole crowd was reciting the chants with him, khushi knew all the words by heart, since childhood she had been reciting them. Arnav stood a little far away from her and watched her closely how she was enjoying each and every moment of the arti without taking her eyes off the idol of lord ganesha. A sweet smile and a feeling of contentment displayed on her face.

He was neither a firm believer nor a non believer of God, just that he believed in himself more than in anybody else. He believed in doing things himself rather than depend on some super natural power to make things happen for him.

When the arti got over they all descended the stairs. Khushi for one more time folded her hands and peered at the idol.

Later she looked around for him and caught him staring at her, he instantly dropped his gaze and started moving back without noticing that huge lamps were lit behind him, he was about to hit one when khushi came rushing toward him and pushed him aside.

The lamp fell down and the hot oil splashed at her feet burning them a bit. She shut her eyes in pain while Arnav held her by her shoulders. His forehead creased in irritation on seeing her hurt because of him, why did she have to come in between? His mind questioned.

He made her sit on a nearby chair and payal brought some ice for her and rubbed it softly on her feet, " how're you feeding now?" asked payal worriedly. She nodded her head slowly indicating that she was fine.

Sometime later arnav asked aman to get the car as close to the tent as possible. Khushi began walking slowly towards the car with the help of payal while Arnav walked ahead of them dispersing the crowd.

Payal made her sit at the back seat with her legs up while she sat on the front seat. Arnav came behind to sit, he lifted khushi's legs carefully and placed them on his thighs. She instantly moved her legs back and kept them down, how could she rest her legs on his thighs?

She felt his strong grip on her ankles as he lifted her legs and straightened them once again, he saw the reluctance in her eyes," stop fidgeting khushi. And don't keep your legs down." Stressing on each and every word of his, he continued" there are so many potholes on the road, because of the jerks you'll end up hurting your legs more."

She didn't seem convinced with his logic instead appeared uncomfortable," how can I keep my legs on you?" he kept a finger on his lips and glared hard to silence her. He didn't want to hear another word from her as it is he was annoyed to see her like this and now her unnecessary hesitation was irking him.

" Aman stop near a chemist shop and drive slow."

She curled her toes uneasily and fidgeted with the end of her sari then looked everywhere except at him. He examined her feet thoughtfully, why did she have to intervene without any reason? He was capable of taking care of himself, he could have managed easily. He clenched his jaws and pressed his lips hard on seeing her burnt feet then raised his head and frowned at her, accusing her of hurting herself needlessly. This whole accident could have been easily averted had she not jumped in between.

He shook his head in displeasure on the other hand she glanced at him from the corner of her eye and smiled inwardly on seeing his concern which he was trying to hide behind his anger.

Aman stopped the car in the middle and bought an ointment for her. On reaching the house she got down slowly, payal tried to help her by lending her shoulder so that khushi could lean on it.

But Arnav raised his hand to stop khushi then picked her up in his arms in one swift move, she gasped in surprise and then squealed ," Arnav ji, what are you doing?"

He took a deep breath and carried her," you can't even take four steps, how will you make it to the room ? rest for today and tomorrow try to walk."

Aman and payal were happy to see him taking care of her. Aman suppressed the urge to whistle at his friend. And khushi, who's face had turned pink, shut her eyes and prayed that nobody in the house caught her in Arnav's arms.

He entered their room slowly and placed her on the bed cautiously then gave her the ointment to apply it on her feet. He moved back to change himself in something more comfortable, the heavy worked kurta was hurting him. Before stepping into the washroom he turned around and said " Don't bother about that lamp, I'll add ghee to it. And I'll be careful about the quantity."

"thank you." She gave him a grateful smile, his small little gestures were making a place in her heart.

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He woke up rubbing his eyes and looked around for her, she was not in the room, he went out and saw her climbing down the stairs with payal holding her firmly around her waist both talking softly unaware that he was behind them listening to their conversation

" is it hurting?" payal asked seeing her gloomy face. Khushi shook her head and replied " it's not about the pain but see only two days are left for bappa's viserjan ( immersing of the idol) and I don't think Arnav ji will let me step out of the house in this condition."

As it is she had lost out many days to visit the temple and now after what had happened yesterday she was sure he would not take her to a crowded place again. If she had to get her hurt she wished she had got on the last day.

She busied herself in the kitchen as it was difficult for her to stand for long, so she took a stool and chopped vegetables while payal did the cooking as per her guidance. Soon both of them got lost in their talks when all of a sudden they heard loud noises, payal rushed out immediately and khushi too came out slowly.

Then what she saw surprised her completely, Arnav and Aman were carrying a Ganpati idol covered with a red colored cloth. The guards followed them behind screaming " ganpati bappa morya." They kept the idol on a huge table and uncovered it, the guards showered it with flowers and colors.

Khushi still couldn't believe that her bappa was at her home and that too her husband had brought him for her. Arnav turned around to find her standing behind him with eyes filled with joy. She kept on staring, not the idol this time but him, thanking him silently for giving her this priceless moment of happiness.

He didn't know that such a minor act would have such a deep effect on her, she was hurt so taking her out in a crowded place was out of question thus he bought the ganpati home unaware that it would delight her so much.

She parted her lips and said softly " Arnav ji .." he blinked his eyes and shook his head lightly indicating not to thank him, but she still mouthed a thank you and smiled through her tears.

She stepped close to him, held the edge of her sari and raised it to his face level then began wiping off the color that had fallen on his cheeks.

Both unable to take their eyes off each other.

" Chotte ! good you brought bappa home." Said daadi who was informed by payal.

Arnav and khushi moved apart hurriedly while daadi continued ," as you have brought him home then for the remaining two days you'll also have to serve bappa and that includes getting up early in the morning for the arti ." He nodded his head in acceptance, if he had taken up this responsibility he would fulfill it with utmost sincerity.

Pundit ji began chanting the mantras to invoke life in the statue after which coconut, jaggery, modaks, beetle leaves and red flowers were offered. Khushi went back to the kitchen to make panchaamitra (honey, milk, ghee, curd and sugar all mixed together), Arnav placed a garland of flowers around bappa's neck and Soon the whole family joined for the arti.

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The last two days of the festival passed away in no time. Arnav had arranged a huge tent in his lawn where poor people were fed lunch and dinner for free. He would get up early in the morning, though not with pleasure to attend the arti while khushi kept herself busy in decorating the idol, making modaks and ladoos. A little extra modaks knowing how much Arnav liked having them.

In fact she was restricted to only giving out instructions the main work was actually carried out by Payal and Aman. She was not allowed to strain herself by standing for long and would often find arnav glaring at her if she was caught doing so but nevertheless she enjoyed each and every minute of those remaining days.

The punditji came once again to conduct the final arti , khushi joined her hands and closed her eyes thanking bappa to grace her family with his presence at the same time seeking for his forgiveness if any ritual or custom went wrong unknowingly.

Aman and the guards picked up the idol to take it out in a procession accompanied with dancing and singing locals to be immersed in the nearby beach.

Arnav was walking behind silently and saw khushi admiring the ganpati idol one last time with tear filled eyes. He stopped near her and raised his eye brow asking her the reason for getting teary, she said innocently " bappa's stay was so short." He couldn't see her weeping and gave her a reassuring look," so what, next year we will bring him for full 10 days."

She wiped her tears then lowered her eyes and replied back softly " but next year I won't be here."

His hooded gaze stilled on her face.

Thanks for reading

Rose