Arshi FF:Love Me Forever #2 LINK TO# 3 pg 149 - Page 20

Originally posted by: ..ri..

when is the next update??
waiting eagerly..

sorry quite busy these days will update on Tuesday

Originally posted by: stranger2rose

sorry quite busy these days will update on Tuesday

will wait.. take care:-):-)
thanks for the reply..

Chapter 16

He stood before the mirror combing his wet hair by using both his hands. He was free from that six weeks long plaster, his bullet wounds had also healed up completely and now after undertaking two weeks of physiotherapy sessions he was fit as a fiddle. Thanks to her who had been his constant support, physically, emotionally, mentally she was always there for him.

It felt awesome to be back to normal, he saw her reflection in the mirror, she was standing right behind him with the puja plate, he turned around and brushed his palms over the lighted diya then touched his eyes and moved his hands back through his hair. She was lost in her thoughts when he took a pinch of vermillion from the plate and filled it in her parting, her eyes shot up on realizing that she had forgotten to do so today. She gave him a faint smile to which he raised his brow asking what was going on in her mind?

She lowered her head then spoke hesitantly," Arnav ji, when you were in the hospital undergoing the operation I had taken this mannat that I would visit shirdi after you fully recovered."

He gazed at her baby bump, she was stepping into her fifth month of pregnancy then let out a deep sigh thinking whether it would be safe for her to take up such a long car journey.

" but khushi, how will travel in this condition?" she knew he would not readily agree to it but she had to visit shirdi and thank baba otherwise she would feel restless all the time.

She stroked his arm and suggested,"today I have an appointment with the doctor. If she gives me permission then will you take me?"

That was a sensible idea, he agreed but put forth one condition that this month he was extremely busy and would take her out next month, she nodded her head happily as long as he was willing to take her out she had no problems.

Lunch was over and before taking her afternoon nap she went to Daadi's room to check on her whether she needed anything. She found him busy knitting baby clothes for their would be child, a smile spread across her lips on seeing daadi's calm and serene face, she sat near her and examined the crochet baby sweater that she had made.

Daadi raised her head and looked at her with motherly love. She was glad that arnav and khushi had given her this wonderful news especially at the time when she was keeping so unwell. She wasn't sure she would survive to see her great grandchild's face or would she be lucky enough to see the baby grow up before her eyes but she was more than content to know that after so many years arnav had found true happiness and that his family was growing.

" Khushi, look at this cap. Will it match with the sweater?" she shook her head, indeed the red sweater and the black cap would look pretty on the child," I'm not sure if I'll see the baby in these clothes but my blessings will always be with him." Khushi frowned at her, she was absolutely certain that nothing would happen to her and she would not only see her great grandchild grow up but would also get to play with him," daadi ji please don't say like this otherwise I'll not talk to you." Daadi felt sorry seeing her grim face, she was aware that she was on dialysis and chances of her surviving were not that bright but she didn't wish to upset her. After minutes of silence daadi said," khushi beta get me some more wool from the cupboard."

She opened up the cupboard to take out more woolen balls and found an old album underneath daadi's saris, excited on seeing it she brought along the album as well and sat close to daadi with it. She began flipping through the pages, it had selected photographs of the family. She was pleasantly surprised to see Arnav as a young boy clinging on to daadi firmly. He was a healthy child no wonder he liked chubby kids then there was a picture of him with his two sisters, happily getting rakhi tied by them. There was so much love between them when they were teenagers, his face had a spark and he seemed full of life something which he lacked today. Daadi kept on describing her the photographs as she turned over the pages then came Anjali's marriage pictures by then he had grown up into a young smart man who appeared more matured and sensible than his age may be because the responsibility of the family had fallen on his young shoulders that he became serious and quiet. The only time he looked relaxed and calm was when Aman was his side from the picture itself she could make out what aman meant to him.

She moved on to the next page, he was all smiles, his eyes were glowing with joy she couldn't stop herself from asking," daadi ji, why is arnav ji so happy?"

Daadi pressed her lips in bitterness on remembering how short lived his happiness was, tears welled up in her eyes on recalling what happened soon after," happiness always played hide and seek with my chotte. Were his sisters deceits not enough to break his heart that he had to endure more pain?"

Khushi had a confused look on her face, she was expecting daadi to tell her the reason behind his happiness but according to her his joy didn't survive long, why? Was it because he became aware of the true colors of his sisters or was there something more to him being distant with people around him. Seeing her frown daadi realized maybe he had not disclosed everything to her, she too thought what was the point in bringing that past in his wonderful present? He had moved on in his life so why now worry about something which held no value. She found khushi looking at her expectantly to tell her more but she didn't think it was necessary to discuss this topic further so made an excuse by asking," will you get me a glass of water. I need to take my medicines."

Khushi left the room to get her glass of water, in the mean time daadi picked up the album and tore off the next page which depicted his painful past and hid it under her pillow, she didn't wish his dark past to cast a shadow on his beautiful today and tomorrow. Khushi came back with water then again began looking at the album, she noticed that torn off page and questioned her about it, daadi replied nervously" maybe someone tore it by mistake."

Khushi didn't seem convinced she had a feeling something was being hidden from her but she didn't want to show disrespect towards daadi by questioning her further because after the page which was torn off came pictures of his looking lonely and gloomy in spite of being with the family. Something had definitely happened which changed him from being cheerful to being bitter. Her eyes fell on the last picture, their marriage photograph, she moved her fingers fondly over it before closing the album then quietly went back to her room to rest.

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The doctor applied a gel on her abdomen and then pressed a probe on it to carry out the ultrasound test, an important test to know the placement of the child and to ensure whether the placenta was growing adequately with the blood reaching the baby devoid of any obstructions. Soon the image of the baby was seen on the screen, Arnav who was standing next to her gripped her hand tightly in excitement. His eyes were glued on the screen, last time when they had come for the ultrasound test the baby was really small almost the size of a peanut, he could hardly see anything more than a dark spot but now the baby had grown big enough that he could easily make out his features on the screen.

A sudden wave of excitement ran through his entire body, making it hard for him to believe that his much awaited dream was taking such a beautiful shape inside her. His own flesh and blood was coming into this world and he couldn't wait to take him in his arms. Khushi instead of looking at the screen was busy watching his face, how it changed from amazement to joy and finally to contentment, she was delighted to see him go through so many emotions in a matter of few minutes.

The doctor monitored the breathing and heart rate of the child and after examining everything thoroughly she switched off the machine and the screen went blank forcing him to now blink his eyes and shift his focus on her, he asked her softy," you saw?"

She nodded her head, yes she saw the baby but through his eyes then got up carefully to use the restroom to relieve herself, her bladder was supposed to be full so that proper tests could be out. In the mean he enquired about her health from the doctor, thankfully the baby was growing well and she could undertake a long car journey but for that he needed to drive safely. He assured the doctor that he would take her utmost care then before leaving asked hesitantly if he could get a CD copy of the ultrasound test, the doctor gladly handed over the CD to him.

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She had her bedtime medicines and sat on the bed with her head placed on the back rest. She closed her eyes and automatically pictures of the album began flashing before her eyes. What made him change so much? Were his sisters to be only blamed for his misery? Why did Daadi stop midway and not complete what she wanted to tell? Why was daadi hiding things from her? Or was all this just a figment of her imagination and there was nothing more to it? God ! so many questions and no one to answer them.

She opened her eyes and looked at him, he was watching that ultrasound CD over and over again, he just couldn't get enough of it. She thought of asking him but seeing him so engrossed with that CD she didn't wish to disturb his wonderful moment, she smiled and asked him," Aren't you tired of watching it?"

He shifted his gaze and glanced at her then replied lovingly and helplessly, "I can only see him. But can't feel him." He felt that she was so lucky that she could breed a new life inside her, that she could develop such a close connection with the baby something which he could never do. She leaned her head on his shoulder and replied," soon he'll start moving inside then even you will be able to feel him." She was right but still he thought that the ability to bring a child into this world was divine and blissful," khushi you must be very close him nah where he could feel your smallest of movements?"

She simply smiled, she knew how deeply he loved the baby and such strong feelings did reach the baby too," it's true that a baby is extremely close to his mother but he can definitely sense his father's affection as well." He delicately traced his fingers on the screen, earlier the baby was breathing normally but as soon as his fingers touched his head, he reacted to his touch and moved.

Khushi sat up and looked at arnav in surprise," see I told you , he recognizes you." His face glowed with happiness on realizing that his child did respond to his love, he shut down the lap top in satisfaction and laid down straight on the bed. Few minutes later he asked her," khushi I think in this condition you should avoid taking the stairs. Shifting to the room next to daadi's .." she didn't let him finish and thought that once again he was thinking of making her sleep in a different room without him. she turned her neck to him and asked him sadly," are you again asking me to sleep alone?" he met her gaze and replied," no baba I will sleep with you in that room."

She was glad that he wasn't leaving her alone and would be there with her, she thought about the suggestion then said," but arnav ji I'm more comfortable here. However I can stay with daadi during the day and only to sleep in the night I can come up. Even the doctors suggest that I should move around a bit."

She looked at him expecting him to agree with her when he didn't reply she added further," arnav ji, I don't think I can sleep in other room..in this room I feel relaxed. As if it belongs to me."

He smiled and nodded his head in agreement now he too felt attached to this room, he remembered spending countless sleepless nights in this room and drowning himself in alcohol to get few hours of sleep but ever since he got married he didn't even taste a drop of alcohol. He didn't find the need to do that, he was so much at peace with himself and her in this room.

The next morning as per his daily routine he went to meet daadi before leaving for work, daadi was in the washroom when his gaze fell on something lying underneath her pillow. He pulled out the page and saw that photograph, he gritted his teeth firmly and clenched his jaws hard in anger then slowly walked towards the small temple that daadi had in her room. He burned the edge of the photograph with the lighted lamp and stared closely as it went up in flames without leaving it.

Daadi came and pushed his hand fearing that he would burn his hand as well. She saw the same fire, the pain, the hatred in his eyes which she had witnessed years ago. She stroked his arm fondly to calm him down and said softly," Forget it chotte." He pursed his lips and freed his arm from her hold, how could he forget the person who had played such a pivotal role in destroying him, his happiness and his life, so much so that he lost faith in people close to him and above all himself. He left the room in rage without uttering a word.

Thanks for reading

Rose

Fantastic update
Loved it
Well written
Thanks for the pm

superb update.. loved it..
interesting twist..
eager to know who hurted arnav..

Amazing update.

thats beautiful update...loved it...but what is dadi hiding from khushi??? cant wait to read more...plz continue soon

Nice update...lovely written and so much pain again poor arnav...