Chapter 16
"Shh Arnav.. It's okay.." she whispered and combed the back of his hair, occasionally patting his back.
His tears knew no bound that day. Had not their parents had left them, their friendship would've surely resulted into love somewhere later in their life. At least, they would have been together for their life. The destiny brought them together now, giving a second chance to Arnav to rectify all the mistakes he had done in his past. He was, in fact, ready for it; but being a big failure at expressing his feelings, it was a challenge for him to win her back.
"Arnav please.. Please don't cry" she stuttered before involuntarily kissing near his ear lobe.
Arnav's eyes opened and he stepped back, wiping his tears off from his cheeks. His eyes lowered, he stepped a few more steps backwards and turned his back.
Guilt was engulfing him. It was kind of pushing him apart from her. He had to be strong, though.
"I don't want you to feel bad, Arnav. Please.." Khushi's voice stopped him, making his heart skip a beat.
"What are you made up of Khushi?" he asked, amused.
"The same things that you are made of," she stretched a small smile.
"We both are completely different.." he said in a low voice.
"We both are exactly same, Arnav. Just that you make use of your mind more, and I make use of my heart more," she smiled a little wider.
"I wish I could use my heart.. things would have been easier then.." his voice showed despair, as he looked straight into her eyes.
She didn't say a word after that, maybe losing the interest in talking to him again. It was true that she never wanted him to regret, but him being sorry and opening up in front of her was kind of relieving. Not that she wanted him to beg forgiveness from her, but the feeling of him realizing his mistake himself, had given her a kind of new hope to live.
*
"last one" he insisted her to eat more, taking a morsel of food near her lips.
"Aur nahi, please" she breathed deeply, holding her stomach in an expression of fullness.
"Okay" he got up from the stool and placed the plate on the table, "You need something?"
"I want to go out" she said cheerlessly, looking at the direction of the window.
"You can't, Khushi" he replied, feeling her heart break at the rejection, giving him a feeling of sadness too; but an idea struck his nowadays-not-working-mind, "But we can stand near the window.. come"
A sudden shine shined on her dull face, as he helped her get up and walk to the window.
Fresh cool air bathed her pale face, making her feel energetic once again. She leaned onto his soldier for support, since the doctor had not allowed to stand and exert herself. The occasional blows of wind swayed her hair on his face, resulting his heart to beat erratically.
He was in love with her.
Of course he didn't really knew about it, but the strong feel that was gripping his heart was definitely love.
Her face reflected happiness to see the colorful butterflies fluttering their little wings over blooming flowers in the garden of the hospital. Her room was located on the first floor, just adjacent to a beautiful garden, enabling her to have a look at the beauty of nature.
He admired her eyes which shined with calmness after getting access to fresh air.. he admired her heart which showed how pure she was..
Damn all the moments when he hurt her; no matter how much he repents, he will always be guilty!
His hand lightly held her waist as he felt her snuggle into him. Her head rested on his shoulder and arms wound around his neck.
"I love you, Arnav" she mumbled against his chest.
And again he was silent. He can't reply anything to her. He hated himself for making him feel so helpless at the time when someone has confessed her love for him.
She stared at his face for a long time, mustering up some courage to tell her heart that she needs to wait.. to make him love her. She was sure that things were changing, for good. The moment just required patience from both the sides.
"I want to sit" she whispered, looking away from him.
'I'm so sorry Khushi' he said in his mind, closing his eyes for a second.
He scooped her in his strong arms and carried her to the bed, cautiously placing her on it. He covered her with a blanket, and seated himself on the couch beside the bed.
*
Khushi smiled faintly as she stared at Arnav reading out a book to her. Piya had an interview the next day, so was wrapped up with the preps. In Piya's absence, Arnav was with Khushi the whole day, which somehow cleared a bit of the messed-up-air in between them. The distance which separated them was gradually filling up, though Khushi still experienced the mood swings about Arnav being hurt by her mere presence.
"Now you sleep; the next part tomorrow" he said, getting up and helping her lie down.
"When will I get a discharge?" she asked meekly and shifted a bit in her bed.
"I'll ask the doctor about it tomorrow" he smiled, moving a hand on her forehead before leaving the room to re-fill the water jug.
Another night passed quietly, inculcating just a small hope in him that she's back to normal. They both were in pain, one suffering from the pain of getting hated and other with the pain of hating someone who was right. The pain of anticipating separation shivered both of them. Though pain makes one strong, but this kind of pain had made both of them weak.. yearning for each other.
*
"Khushiii" Piya screamed while barging into her hospital room, her face reflecting extreme happiness.
"Awh! Congratulations baby" Khushi sat up on her bed and hugged her, without letting Piya tell her about what made her so happy.
"The interview went super-good. I'm just waiting for their confirmation, though I know the job is in my hands" she told Khushi proudly before moving about in the room and searching for something to eat.
"I'm so happy for you" Khushi gleamed with joy.
At least someone was there who could make her feel good..
The door to the room again opened and Arnav came in, holding some papers in his hands. He looked at Khushi first and then at Piya, before asking her about her interview and later congratulating her.
"Khushi, are you fine?" he asked and moved closer towards her.
"I'll be finer if I get out of this sick atmosphere" she replied rather sarcastically, looking around the room where she'd spent almost four days.
"I've talked to the doctor. She says if you are okay, then you'll be discharged today evening" he told her, smiling at both the girls who smiled brightly whilst sharing kittenish looks.
"Thank you" Piya came and side-hugged him, hi-five-ing with Khushi the next second.
"Take care" he moved a hand through Khushi's hair before placing a soft kiss on her forehead and leaving the room.
Piya busied herself in eating an apple kept nearby, while Khushi was lost in her thoughts again. But this time, she felt negative about all that that was happening between her and Arnav.
He's caring for me, but why is he doing so? Deep inside him, there is still a lot of hate filled for me, which is just hidden for now. I'm not well now, that's why he's concerned for me, but as soon as I get well, he'll again start hating me. I know I will not be able to bear all that this time. I have to go away.. Before we get habited of each other, I have to go away.. somewhere so far that my presence would not suffocate him anymore.. It will be difficult, but it will be the best decision..
She closed her eyes to dry back her fresh tears, before starting a random conversation with Piya.
Firstly, sorry for being so late in updating 😒 I was caught up in something important 😳 The next chapter will be updated soon 😃
And and and
Picture abhi baaki hai mere dost 😉
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Love,
Sanjana.
Kabhi Neem Neem Kabhi Shahad Shahad
Debate Mansion
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