Arhi:The Sun Is Rising (ILTWIH sequel) Ch 6B&Epi Pg 56 (Complete) - Page 14

"When are you planning to meet him?"

A simple question but the answer wasn't.

Was it?

Meeting him meant meeting the man she love and bound for life yet a reminder of all the dreaded things she had to face because of the love and for the man.

Yes she was passed those nightmares, but was it wrong to fear that they won't reappear?

And stepping in that house was so easy? No!

The house housed more regrets than memories to be cherished.

She was trying since she was back. But then every time she had made up her mind she had cringed back when those 5 months had flashed in her mind.

She was back for good and for him too but it was not him that made her step back, it was this city, that house which was ironically named Shantivan and her new ways that made her different.

She was anxious that if she would be welcomed with her new life. But whatever, she wouldn't change herself for world. Because she was now a confident woman with an identity of her own and she liked it this way. So this time she wouldn't sacrifice if needed, it was the others who needed to adjust if they don't like what they about to see.

So with a confident smile that lit her face like a woman in power, she answered "Soon."

Arnav closed his eyes in relief and then turned to leave. He would wait for her to take the first step this time.

**

And the call came soon enough.

**

Arnav frowned seeing the unknown land number yet he picked up and spoke with an air of authority as his usual self "Hello. Arnav Singh Raizada."

But then when he heard the caller speaking in an amused tone with barely suppressed mirth "I know whom exactly I have called when I have dialed the number of Arnav Singh Raizada, but anyway thank you for confirming. This is Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Riazada speaking, may I borrow your 5 minutes please?" he felt it was years before he had heard the soothing voice of hers.

Arnav left the file he was reading and leaned back on his chair resting his head on the back rest. For sometime he couldn't talk, choked with emotions. Then a smile so blissful played on his lips that Aman who had just entered his cabin stood awestruck, but Arnav who had his eyes close in peace and sheer joy didn't notice him and whispered into the phone "I will be glad to give you all my time Khushi." The name sounded nothing less than an endearment to the person other side and too Aman it so sounded like a prayer that he didn't wait a second before leaving the room as quietly for him possible, not wanting to disturb something so right.

Khushi cleared her throat which suddenly felt closed with tears and spoke as jovially as she could manage, "Well then I hope Mr. Raizada wouldn't mind a dinner meeting with Mrs. Raizada this evening when he is being so generous to spare all his time yet after having a tight schedule."

Arnav couldn't help the delighted chuckle as it left "So correct me if I am wrong, that in other words The Mrs. Raizada is asking Mr. Raizada out for a dinner date tonight."

"Well I never had any doubt over Mr. Raizada's sharp brain and tongue." Though the word meant humor nonetheless it didn't fail to sting a little.

Arnav sighed. It really wasn't possible to forget. His bitter words!

He let the feeling pass and confessed whole heartedly as meant to do since the beginning of the call "I cannot tell how happy I am to finally hear you Khushi. I am looking forward to meet you tonight and thank you for calling or I wouldn't have dared. It is nice to hear you so changed but in a nice way, lively enthusiastic and confident. I can finally forgive myself a little to know that I didn't kill your spirit."

Khushi sat at a loss of words for sometime as for her she didn't expect Arnav to be so emotional and expressive. She managed to quack, "Will see you tonight." And ended the call.

Just a moment later Arnav's phone beeped with a message, which had the time and detailed address of the place where he was supposed to reach.

**

Khushi sat staring at nothing. It took all her courage to call him. Her hand still clammy and shivering out of nervousness. The cheeriness came from desperation to not let lose her emotions while she would be listening his voice after so long. But his honest words did something to her and she couldn't stop the tears that flowed yet a smile adorned her lips. He too has changed!

Khushi checked the time in her watch and lunged herself at work. She wanted to be on time for her date with her husband for the first time. She chuckled as the thought crossed her mind.

Bizarre! Isn't it?

People do courtship and get married and here they are already married and now acting like new lovers.

She would have continued grinning if not for Shuklaji who came to her office for some discussion and she sobered up.

**

Khushi sat staring at the small vase on the table. She was before time. She needed this little extra time to gather her thoughts and to make herself strong enough to face Him.

The cheerfulness she instilled in her voice in time of the small talk over the phone, she knew that was only possible because there were miles distance and they were not face to face. She knew she couldn't have talked so much without given to the tears that were threatening to spill even now. She didn't want to come across as a weak person when she was not. These tears- how to explain had no particular reason to show up today. It was just that she was high on emotions because after a long time she was meeting the man she is so in love with.

Well it was never an option to not love him, because you cannot really fall out of your first love. Even if it pierces your heart like a needle which doesn't let you breathe in peace as with every breath the sharp pain reminds you that you were the fool to fall in love and get yourself in that condition.

But at that moment for Khushi the feeling wasn't kind of painful rather it was like the initial days when her heart used to race and she used be anxious yet thrilled to meet Him without even a tiniest inkling why her heart goes DHAK DHAK so loud whenever he was around. Yes she now knows it was in anticipation to meet the Man of her life which used rise so many emotions positive and negatives together that her heart rate used to increase.

Today though it just wasn't the anticipation to meet the Man. She was nervous what he will think of the New Her. She was anxious that how the meeting will go? Will it be as she thinks it would be or He will lose his head in middle like previous times when she will convey her thoughts and thunder and bring this whole restaurant down? Thinking of which she looked around the upscale restaurant and also toward the entrance. Well the restaurant is quite quiet and he is still no here. She breathed in and out to relax her nerves which were on high alert tonight. Well not every day you invite the enigma named Arnav Singh Raizada on a date and even after being his wife for five months under the same roof it was her first date with the ASR and she is, well she is no exception than the teenager girl on her first ever date with the man of her dreams!

**

Arnav's entry and date hopefully tomorrow or day after tomorrow...