khushi looked at the gas burner in front of her, the flames coming out from it warming her cheeks. Picking a large container which was almost half her height, she kept it on the burner. Next thing in her hand was the oil container. And whole oil was poured in the container.
'Khushi, the nobles are done. Servants too. If you make a new batch now, then I will be forced to go to the nearby village and serve your jalebis to the villagers. So STOP IT! '
Khushi jumped at his high pitched voice, but least intimidated. Sniffing softly, she cleared her nose with the back of her palm. "Go from here" She twirled her wrist, waving him off.
"Do not do that" Akash chided.
"Sorry" she apologized in a small voice, realizing her action was really disrespectful.
Akash stood off the small stool he was sitting on and walked towards Khushi. Standing behind her, he turned her to face him.
"Khushi, stop doing that. You will just tire yourself" Akash tried in a soft tone. "I know you are upset but this is not the right way to deal with it." And if he had more words to say, it didn't came out as Khushi moved away and walked to sit on the same stool he was sitting a moment ago. He stared at her small figure. Her hands lifted to cover her face and soon he saw her shoulders shook. His own shoulder slumped, and he ran his hand over his face. Walking towards her, he knelt in front of her.
"Khushi, sweetheart don't cry. I will talk to Bhai..."
"Aap kitne din se yahi keh rahe hai. Everyday! Everyday!" she sobbed in her palm.
Akash sighed. She was right. From last two days he is telling her he will talk to his brother, who, once again has isolated himself from everyone. Being deaf-ear even to his wife's innocent pleas.
"Khushi, listen..." he pulled her hands away from her face and cupped her face.
"No listen. Unhe boliye humse baat karne ke liye. I am sorry. Big sorry...please"
Akash shook his head, dejected. "Only if you had not pulled that stunt that day..."
"What stunt? You mean horse riding? It is all because of you. " she accused him.
"What the..."
"Yes! You always say ' You are such a cute kid' .'You are such a stubborn kid'. Kid! Kid! All because of you. How I will get a baby if you all keep calling me kid? Kids don't get baby, women get. I wanted to show everyone that I am a woman , not kid"
Akash all but stared at her, unable to comprehend a thing. "What? What are you talking?"
"Truth. I am saying truth. How will I get a baby if you all think I am a kid? Tell me... "
Akash could only stare at her, unblinking. And after minutes of measuring and contemplating her words, all he could ask was. "You think you will get a baby once everyone stops calling you a kid?"
"Aur nahi toh kaise? Nani maa had told only married women get babies. Women, not kids. "
"Whaaat? God! Khushi" he stood straight.
"I am telling truth, sacchi. Tell me how will I get baby?"
"Jesus!" Akash covered his ears with his hands. "I am not listening to you ...Jesus! .. I am going...I am done helping you... Dear God I have heard nothing .."
Khushi saw him walking away through her confused eyes, and mouth open. She stood up immediately. " Hume kisiki maddat ki zaroorat nahi hai" she shouted at her brother-in-law's retreating back. She sat on the stool with a low sob. " Aaj hum unse baat kar ke hi rahenge" wiping her tears she stood up, all determined.
Opening her cupboard, she took out the neatly folded sweater. Then walking towards her dressing table, she took the handkerchief. Wiping the tear that escaped her eyes, she tightened her hold on the things held in her hand and sat in front of his door. "Hum aaj baat kiye bina nahi jaayenge" she said to herself and looked up at the big mahogany door. Lifting her hand, she knocked on the door." Open the door, please? I want to talk to you. Please. I am sorry. Big sorry" drawing her knees close to her chest, she rocked herself back and fro. " Today I will not leave without talking to you" she looked down at all the things beside her. "I have made gifts for you...please open the door...talk to me please. "
Then all he heard was sobs. Her soft sobs like daggers twisting in his chest. Fisting his palm, he closed his eyes. And then all he could see was that dreadful sight, and feel the same numbness he had felt then. She has the power to set loose his past demons and leave him withering in the same old, unbearable pain. It pains. It pains a lot to see the person he loves leave him one fine day, to never come back again. He never wanted to love anyone. He never wanted to get attached to anyone. He never wanted to get addicted to anyone. But it has happened. From all the things he had ran away all his life, has chased him, and conquered him. How will he survive with the fear of her leaving him anyday like his parents? What should he do to bury this fear and never feel it again? He had tried, hadn't he? He had tried to chide away his fear and live in the present, for her's sake. But that day, on the verge of losing her, has stirred the fear awake.
He buried his face in his palms as he heard her sobs grew louder. Why isn't she stopping today? He groaned. From last two days he is avoiding her , staying away from her, hoping this distance would buy him some peace. But it had done nothing good to his ragging thoughts. And that realization reminded him of the crux of all happenings. That darned horse ride. What was she doing on that wild horse? Don't she know how dangerous it was? What if Akash was not there on time to catch her? He would have lost her!
He stood up, eyes angry red. Don't she know what she means to him? Hadn't she realized her importance in his life? Don't she know what a mere hiss from her, does to him? Don't she know how much he cares for her? Don't she know how much he lo...He stopped, not wanting to admit that to himself. How can she endanger her life like that? How dare she?!
With his body trembling with fury , he picked the nearby pot and hurled it on the mirror, breaking the mirror with a loud shattering sound.
Khushi jumped out of her skin, her drowsy eyes all alert now. She stared at the door in front of her, terrified. And soon the door was flunked open and two ragging eyes looked down at her. And before she can put her legs to use, she was pulled up by two strong arms.
"How dare you?" His terrifying eyes looked straight into her frightened one. " How dare you risk your life?!" Her scared and innocent face angered him more. "ANSWER ME DAMMIT!!"
Khushi's hand lifted to cover her ears, her whole form trembling.
"Do...not be angry ple...ase..." her lips quivered terribly.
"Why? You can willingly endanger your life and I can't even get angry at you? WHY?!" his hold on her arms tightened.
"I am sorry...maaf kardijiye..."
"No ...no sorry! ...no sorry, kusi..What if I had lost you dammit?!!" His stormy eyes bore holes in her form.
Khushi shook her head, sobbing. She had not planned that, it just happened.
He pushed her away and turned.
She sat on the floor, sobbing in her palm. "Please...sorry... "
"TO HELL WITH YOUR SORRY!!"
"Sorry ..please..." that was all she could offer him. She looked up, her head heavy with hours of crying. Through her misted eyes she saw him walking ahead and about to close to door. She stood up fast and ran to stop him. "Ahhh"
Arnav stilled. His eyes jerked towards her. "Kusi!" He took her hurt hand in his. "Why would you do that, you idiot?!" He blew air on her now red palm. "Is it hurting...paining?" His concerned eyes fixed at the red mark on her palm.
Khushi shook her head. "Listen to me ...please? ...I am sorry ..." she pleaded in a teary voice.
Arnav stopped his action and looked in her eyes.
Her one hand in his, with the other she caught the collar of his shirt. "Please...don't leave ... I am sorry ..I have made gifts for you ...please listen to me ..." She bent down to pick up the sweater she had made for him. "I ..I made this for you ..." she said, the tears still spilling out of her eyes. "Ab toh maaf kardijiye ...please...sorry ...Big sorry .."
His throat hurt. He averted his eyes from her, trying hard to swallow the rock in his throat. "You .. you shouldn't have done that .."
Frightened that he will leave again, she pulled her hand away from his hold and hugged him. "I know...I know ...I am sorry ..very sorry ...please don't leave ... I ...I .." Pulling away, she looked down at the things scattered around them. Wiping the tears, she pulled him with her to sit on the floor.
"This ...I made this sweater for you ..." she kept the white sweater on his lap. "This handkerchief ...I have also written your name on that ..." she showed him the red kerchief, and pointed at his name embroidered with yellow color thread. "And ..." She looked at the bowl beside her. Keeping it in front of her, she opened the lid to reveal her jalebis. "This ...I made ,... you will like this..." Picking one jalebi, she brought it near his mouth, pleading through her eyes to not refuse her gifts.
Arnav opened his mouth, her begging eyes not allowing him to act otherwise.
"Aap ko pasand aaya na?" she smiled through her tears, in her anxiety forgetting that he doesn't understands her language.
But he understood. Her question was written all over her face and also gleaming in her eyes. He nodded his head slowly.
Khushi smiled, the smile which shone through her teary eyes. "You liked it ...thank you ... now I am sorry, please?...Please?.."
He looked at her face. Eyes drowsy, face tired, trying hard to stretch her lips in a smile. Picking her gifts from his lap, he placed it beside him and pulled her on his lap. "Sleep ...We will talk tomorrow..." Keeping her head on his chest, he patted her head.
"Vaada? Promise?" She forwarded her hand, her eyes dropping close.
Arnav looked down at her extended hand. Nodding his head, he placed his hand in hers. "Vdaa"
Hope you all liked it! Very very sorry for the delay. As I had told earlier, I am busy with my uni work, so these two months i.e., April and May, updates will be very irregular. Sorry in advance :)
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