Chapter 8:
Banner credits: -IPK-Forever 🤗
Arnav looked at Asha, who was laughing and playing. He had coincidentally passed by her school and had found her standing there, looking longingly at a child who was holding her parents' hands. His respect and admiration for the girl grew. She knew Khushi or her chithi as she called, was upset and so, she had hidden her own sorrow. He had never in his life seen a child as mature as her. He also didn't like the fact that she was growing faster. He wanted to gift her, her innocence and allow her to glide seamlessly in the web of emotions, rather than hiding it. Just like her "mausi", Arnav mused. He was determined to wipe those bad pages from their lives, even if Khushi doesn't allow. If he had to go, he will. But he would make sure to bring back their lost "genuine" smiles. He had not come to Connoor anticipating this. Neither, he had any idea such a thing would happen, nor would he have encouraged it then. He would have backed off, even if Khushi had not told him, her past. But now that he knew it, there was no looking back. He was there and he would fulfill the purpose of his presence. Maybe this was meant to happen.
With this in mind, he went to her.
"Asha?"
"Arnav uncle. Aap yahan? (Arnav uncle. You here?)"
"Tum kya kar rahi ho, yahan pe akele? (What are you doing alone?)"
"Chithi ab tak nahi aayi. (Chithi didn't come till now.)"
After waiting for about half an hour and calling Khushi for about seven times, Arnav decided to take Asha home.
"Asha teri ghar ki raasta pata hain tujhe? (Asha do you know the route to your house?)"
"Haan mujhe to sab kuch pata hain. (Yes, I know everything)", she spoke Up proudly.
Arnav smiled at her and after an hour of misleading and directing, they both finally did reach the lane. Asha looked extremely happy at her accomplishment. She had directed her Arnav uncle. Usually, it was Khushi who does that. So, that is itself made the kid ecstatic. After banging the door for half an hour, they both decided to play frisbee. Arnav was worried, no doubt. Yet, he didn't know what to do.
The door opened revealing a very tired and sober Khushi. Her red puffy eyes clearly indicated that she was crying. Arnav's heart yearned to rub and erase it off.
Asha ran to Khushi and hugged her. "Na evalo neram wait panen theriyuma? (You know how long I was waiting?)"
Khushi crouched to Asha's level and ran a soothing hand over her head. She placed a soft kiss on her cheeks, seeking an apology in return. "I am sorry. Na thoongiten. (I am sorry. I slept off.)"
"Whatever is that girl telling?" Arnav mused. He wanted to know what prevented her from going to the school and she had very conveniently spoke in Tamil, just so that he doesn't understand.
"I hungry", Asha spoke up and Khushi took her inside to give her something to eat. As Asha sprinted off, Khushi turned to look at Arnav, who was watching her or rather observing her. She knew she had to thank him for his, yet another considerate thinking. But she was not ready to face him. Not yet. "But when?" her mind questioned her. Her eyes very clearly showed the storm, her mind was experiencing. She gave him a very small smile and took hesitant steps towards him when Asha called out. Khushi's head swung between the house and Arnav. When Asha's call for her increased, Khushi went towars her. With every step towards the house, Khushi's heart pulled her towards Arnav.
Arnav knew that she was confused and in two minds. Her faltering steps were a clear testimony. She needed time and space. He was ready to give her that and much more, if she wants. With one last glance at the house, Arnav left, hoping for happier times and better days.
Khushi came out, only to find out that he had left. "Of course why would he wait for me? I don't mean anything to him." "Are you insane? Can't you see his concern shining in his eyes?"
The battle between her heart and mind continued.
**
That night proved to be a very difficult one for both. The new dawn meant both would travel together to yet another destination, without Asha.
**
Khushi looked at the sleeping form of Asha. She never knew she would be at the stage of her life, where she was in dilemma. From the very start, she had been a girl of determination and clarity. But a certain Raizada had thrown her off track. She had lost her focus on the articles she was working on. Her thoughts were muddled and she knew whom to blame. She was half afraid and half anxious. Afraid of the way her thoughts were going and hinting at. Anxious that this will lead to the unknown. She did not want to go there, did she? Didn't her life have enough problems already, that she had to add this to that? Wouldn't this give her a migraine, instead of a headache? Yet every time, Arnav's hopeful face flashed before her. His eyes promised something, she dare not think about. Was she ready to do this? She was not alone, she reminded herself. Her every decision will have a direct impact on Asha. She shook her head. She needed to clear her mind. Every problem has a solution, she kept repeating. Her only source of strength was Asha, so she was afraid to lose her. Why is destiny so unkind? It made her lose and now it wants her to believe and trust a Stranger, of all people? "Ironical, isn't it?" A sardonic smile spread on her face at that. Just when she was picking up the broken pieces if her life, destiny decides to send someone to unsettle her further. "Trust God and his decisions", her mother's solution to every problem. Could she or Will she?
**
Arnav gazed at the stars, at his parents. He may have not seen him, but he believed that they wouldn't have voluntarily left him.
Young Arnav was upset and sad. "Kya hua Arnav? Yahan Ao. (What happened Arnav? Come here.)", Suni Ma called out to him.
"Main apne Ma aur Papa se baath karna chahtha hoon. (I want to speak to my Ma and Papa.)"
Sunita looked at the kid with a very affectionate smile. She did not want to shatter that hope, the kid had. She wanted him to trust the world. Moreover, she wanted him to trust himself to come up. Lack of parents, shouldn't be the reason behind his defeat.
"Dekho upar. Wahan do tare bahuth acchi tarah chamak rahe hain na? Woh dono teri Ma aur Papa hain. Teri Ma aur Papa sabse special hain. Tum bahut lucky ho. (You see there? There are two stars shining brightly. Those two stars are your Ma and Papa. Your parents are very special. You are extremely lucky.)", she told, caressing his face. A slow smile bloomed on Arnav's face.
"Sach main? (Really?)" Getting a nod from his Suni Ma, Arnav decided that at the end of every day, he would speak with his parents. Share the happenings of the day and also seek solutions from them for his every problem. The kid had trusted and believed in himself. He was special and lucky and he knew it.
A lesson learnt or taught in the childhood remains with us forever. "Ma what shall I do? Should I give her time and space or push her to speak with me? I am confused Ma. I am ashamed of myself too. Wasn't I very cruel to her? I did not know what she has gone through, yet I accused her. I require your help today, more than any other day. Papa won't you help me, at least?"
She would have started hating me? Maybe she is afraid? But why am I so worried? Is this that strong attraction that has attracted me like a magnet towards her? With every passing minute, the amount of questions increased. But there were no answers. Arnav's goal from childhood was to live closer to the nature and it was because he believed that only in those places his "parents" really existed. The closer, the nature; the nearer he felt towards them. Khushi had become his euphoria since he laid his eyes on her and Asha was his routine, like Karishma.
He just hoped that as the dawn cracked open, there will be calm and not another unanticipated storm.
**
Khushi dropped off Asha at her school with the promise of coming early to pick her up, unlike the previous day. She took lazy steps towards the bus stand. She spotted Arnav looking at the train, thoughtfully. Her heart sped in anticipation and her mind went on an overdrive. Just then, Arnav turned and their eyes clashed.
**
Chapter 9
Click of the Day:
This is where I leave you all. I hope you all enjoy the last phase. I am giving you few extra chapters. On "sukanksha's" request, I am considering giving few Happy wala chapters. But yeah let's see. Do tell me how it is, if you have time. Ciao guys!
Happy wala Sunday 😆
Edited by Sadh123 - 9 years ago
Cryptocurrency
Hindi TV Shows
10