Chapter 1
Hearing his phone ring, Arnav dismisses it as he types furiously into his laptop... Lavanya walks up to him, handing him his phone, saying, "it's Khushi." Arnav stops, grabs the phone, concerned, he asks into the phone, "Khushi it is late, what is the matter? Is everything okay?" Hearing nothing, but silent sobs, he says expressedly "Khushi I can't see you... You need to stop shaking your head and speak." "I am scared," she whispers, hiccuping. He sighs as he runs his fingers through his hair... Making himself comfortable, he switches the phone to his other hand and says, "let me guess, thunder and lightening." Khushi nods at first, realising that he can't see, she says softly, "yes." He smiles into the phone and says softly, "you are not alone... I am right here with you... There is nothing to be scared about..." He continues talking nonstop into the phone for several hours... His voice soothing her fears until eventually she falls asleep. Once Arnav realises that Khushi is asleep, he hangs up.
He looks at the wall clock in Lavanya's sitting room, noting the time, he says sheepishly, "sorry Hun, it's quite late..." Smiling, she walks up to him, slips into his arms, embracing him and says, "it is past one a.m... you are lucky you have such an understanding girlfriend." Then asks with concern, "is Khushi okay? When is she coming back home?" Feeling slightly uncomfortable, Arnav says, "yea, she just doesn't like thunder and lightening." He pulls away from her embrace, saying, "it is late... Rain check on dinner... I need to go."
Driving on the empty roads of Delhi, Arnav allows his memories to wander... Recollecting the last time Khushi was here... It was two years ago... There had been thunder and lightening that night... He slams the brakes forcefully... Stopping both... The car and his memories.
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Several days later, Anjali stares at her elder brother over the breakfast table, glad that they were alone and says angrily, "Arnav what did you and Khushi fight about the last time she was here. Don't tell me nothing," she continues in frustration. "It has been two years," she ends. Arnav shrugs his shoulders and replies, "I have no idea what you are talking about. Now can I have my breakfast in peace." Huffing in frustration, Anjali gets up, walks over and sits next to Arnav, continuing, "you were very angry when she left..." Holding her hand up, gesturing for Arnav to not interrupt her, she adds, "she let it slip this morning that she will only come back if you say so. Why does she think she needs your permission?" Anjali asks. Arnav shrugs his shoulders again, his attention focused on his breakfast rather than answering his sister's questions. He steals a glance to his sister, who is watching him in silent frustration.
Placing his cutlery on the table, Arnav takes a moment to study his sister, then says softly, "I think you are reading more into it than there is. She is no longer a child nor family. We cannot expect..." Taking a sharp breath, Anjali interrupts furiously, "how dare you you say she is not family! We are the only family she has. She may not be my sister by blood... But she is by heart." Angry, Arnav stands up and says, "she may be your sister, but she is no sister of mine. I hate..." He chokes with guilt and anger, unable to complete his sentence. Instead he throws his napkin on the table and storms out of the house. Anjali yells across as she watches him stride angrily towards the entrance of the house, "stop blaming yourself and her for dad's death."
"Anjali!" Her mother, Sunaina admonishes, "what is the meaning of this? Why are you hounding your brother." Angry and frustrated, Anjali retorts, "aai, bhai is an idiot." Her mum shakes her head in disappointment, Anjali continues with teary eyes, "I miss her aai... I miss her... Bhai is ten years my elder, but is behaving like a child... Tell him to bring Khushi back." Sunaina hugs her daughter, trying to console her, saying, "let it be... They will eventually sort it out. You very well know that neither will appreciate any interference from you." "Come on now," she continues, "you will get late for work and trust me Arnav the boss is worse... Khushi can vouch for it."
Anjali looks at her mum and asks softly, "aai, what happened two years ago? I was away at university and nobody will tell me anything," she ends in frustration. Sunaina hesitates momentarily as recollects what she saw two years ago... Of Khushi running out of Arnav's room late one night, crying. Taking a firm stance she reminds herself, "you will not interfere." Smiles at her daughter and says, "go on... Go get ready for work."
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Several days later, late one night... Arnav wakes up screaming, "dad"... His past was back in the form of his worst nightmare... Hounding him relentlessly... His companion in the dark. Unable to take it anymore, he places a call.
Hearing her phone in the dead of the night, Khushi frowns as she wakes from her sleep... She answers without bothering to check caller ID. The moment she picks up the call Arnav says, "I am drowning." Khushi wakes up fully, realizing that Arnav was being hounded by the past. She says softly into the phone, "talk to me... I am here." Frustrated and angry, Arnav lashes out, "I hate you... I wish I never set eyes on you... I wish I listened to my father... I wish I could go back in time... I wish... I hate you... I hate..." Khushi winces with hurt, tears falling silently, she still was not used to hearing his harsh tirade... Deep down she knew that he needed to lash out... That he was hurting... The guilt was eating at him... That this was his solace Arnav continues lashing out, ending brokenly with, "... I hate myself more... I..." He stops... Pauses for a moment... Fighting for control... Feeling much calmer, he says, "Anjali is missing you... Come home."
Edited by angelpureness - 11 years ago
Anupamaa
Cricket
Indian Premier League
