#4 Arhi FF : Limerence [ Completed ] - Page 27

Limerence : Part 24

As Arnav was ushered into the grand hall, a thick deadly silence engulfed him. He looked at the worried faces of Akash, NK and Payal. And then his eyes flit towards his mother-figure... his maasi. Her eyes looked blotchy, as if the tears had made a permanent residence in them. He hated that look. He hated that he was the reason for it. How many people did this one obscene picture published in the newspaper hurt? He wanted to know who was behind this entire debacle. No one messed with his family. No one dared to hurt his Khushi. His heart remained with Khushi and he wondered how she was faring with Garima aunty.

Taking in a shaky breath, he took languid steps towards his maasi and kneeled down in front of her, putting his head on her lap. "Maasi... I am sorry," he whispered. She ran her fingers through his hair and asked, "What are you sorry for, Arnav?" He looked up at her and said softly, "I am sorry that you had to come to know about Khushi and me... in this ridiculous manner." Manorama looked at the tortured face of her son and for a moment, all her apprehension and anxiety melted. "Arnav... Akash and Payal have told me about what happened in Lucknow. But I want to know from you... about Khushi. Whatever has been published is preposterous and I am sure you will find out whoever was behind it."

Arnav sighed and replied, "I love Khushi, maasi. I love her a lot. The moment I met her, I fell in love with her innocence... her simplicity. She is so talented and hardworking. I loved her determination to fight the world and make a name for herself. I admired her feisty spirit, her capability to take up new challenges and excel in her field. And I don't remember when she became something more than an employee and a friend to me... I don't know when I fell in love with her. I love her maasi and I cannot imagine losing her. I have just found her. Why do the people I love, leave me and go? Am I that bad maasi?"

Manorama's heart twisted seeing the raw pain pouring from Arnav's eyes. Her poor baccha, who had seen such monumental loss at such a young age! He had finally fallen in love... he had found a girl who would fill his life with immense happiness... a girl who was happiness personified. What this pretentious society thought or said, didn't really matter! What mattered was what these two felt and decided for their future together. It was about her son's happiness and she would damn well fight everyone to protect him.

With definite determination and overcome with emotion for her lost boy's plea, she rushed to comfort him, "Don't think like that beta. We all love you and are here for you. I can understand how difficult it must have been for you to fall in love... especially seeing the damaged version of that word all your life. I was worried that your abhorrence to women and love, would make you a loner. I worried the way you worked relentlessly, disregarding any kind of personal pleasure." She choked on the words and the truth behind them. Her fear had finally been set to rest... yet there was still a long mile to go.

"Maasi," he whispered hugging her, trying to find the warmth and comfort of a mother. How desperately he wanted to let go and simply let someone take charge of his life. He wanted to share his burdens and be loved and pampered and cared for... like a small child. It was only in the most difficult times, do you feel that everything else leading onto this moment is immaterial. Why had he held himself in check till now to revel in her motherly love? Why hadn't he been able to open up his heart for her care and concern? Why had he been ignoring the clear affection she had for him? His trust issues had only kept him devoid of love, which he had always craved for.

"Shhh... beta. Sab theek ho jayega. Now sit up and tell me everything about Khushi and we will try to find a way through all this mess," Manorama said spiritedly, always trying to look at the positive side. Her son was in love with a very good girl. What more could she ask for? Arnav straightened up and sat besides Manorama on the sofa and ran a hand through his rumpled hair. "Maasi, Khushi lives with her mother in one of ARD quarters. She pays for the rent. I had her shifted there, considering the kind of locality she was living in earlier. I think one of those local goons must be behind this entire fiasco. Shyam Jha... he had been pursuing her despite her innumerous refusals," Arnav stated agitatedly.

"What about her father?" Manorama asked. There was an uncomfortable silence for a moment as Arnav looked over at Akash, NK and Payal, wondering how this news would go down with Manorama. But there was no point hiding anything anymore. She needed to know the truth and it was not something Khushi should be ashamed of anyways. "Rakesh Kapoor is her father maasi. Like he cheated on dad, he cheated on her mother, promising marriage and a life together. When he knew Garima aunty was pregnant, the thug abandoned her... making her go through a life of shame and suffering."

Manorama gasped, unable to take in so much information all together. Why had life been so intricately woven... suffocating her child and now the girl he loved as well. However, her instant reaction was extremely natural in such circumstances. She said irately, "Khushi is illegitimate? How do you expect me to react to this Arnav? Don't you think this is going to complicate things further? The moment the media get a whiff of it... they are going to go berserk questioning her character. How are we going to deal with all of it?" Arnav hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to make his maasi understand about the suffering that the two women had gone through because that one man, was a cheat.

It was Manohar who replied to his wife's question. He had been a silent spectator until now, trying to figure out ways to placate this situation. He was actually thrilled with the fact that Arnav had found someone to love... a love strong enough to fight for. That was something he had hoped for his son and whatever NK and Payal had told them about Khushi, seemed like a dream come true for his lost boy. However this new information needed to be handled with care, leaving no doubt in anyone's mind about either Khushi's character or her love for Arnav.

"Mano. Do you remember the time when we had to answer questions regarding Maya? The time she had left Ajay... we had to go through the same drill Mano. Why didn't you blame Ajay for their failed marriage then? Or why didn't you doubt Arnav's existence?" he asked commandingly, bringing everyone's attention to him. He saw doubt flickering through her eyes and took to the opportunity to reinforce his point.

"It was because Maya was at fault all along. I don't blame her entirely... but also your family, who pushed her into this marriage. But she never tried to work it out Mano. And in her selfishness, Ajay and Arnav suffered. Then why blame Khushi and her mother for something that was entirely Rakesh's fault? Don't we know what kind of a man he is? His smooth, charming talks have been his weapon to destroy. I cannot imagine how these two women have been brave enough to sustain in this society, without crumbling down. Don't you remember how devastated we were with the taunts and remarks thrown our way?"

Manorama shuddered at the memory of those horrendous days. Their family had gone through a lot of drama and seemed like it still provided a lot of fodder for the gossipmongers. She realized what her husband was trying to tell her and she gave him a grateful nod, to make her see sense. He was her better half in every way and had never been gladder to have a person like him in his life. Clearing her throat and her muddled mind she said, "When will you bring her home Arnav? I want to meet Khushi... know her better. If all of my children can't stop singing praises about her, then she must definitely be special. I am sure you, Akash and NK can handle the media circus. I am not going to get into all of that. As for the taunts... I think now I have my very own bodyguard in Payal. I know for sure that she will defend the Mittals aptly."

At that Akash burst out laughing, breaking the grave atmosphere surrounding them. "Mom... did you just call Payal your bodyguard? Gosh!! I never thought I would be marrying a woman dreaded by so many," he teased, trying to ease everyone out of their gloom. "Shut up Akash! And maa, don't you worry. Let me handle this entire circus at parties and events we meet. I will be more than glad to show them my true colours," Payal helped in, knowing well what Akash was trying to do. It was NK's question that finally brought Arnav out of his reverie, "Have you found out who was behind all of this Arnav? We need to know so that we can know his or her motive. I am desperate to get revenge for making Khushi go through such hell."

Manorama looked at her youngest son finally, seeing the stress lines on his carefree forehead. How had she missed this before? Hadn't he always spoken fondly of Khushi? Were two of her sons in love with one girl? She prayed not... another complication to this entire fiasco would leave her with a headache and one of her son's with heartbreak. "No NK. The investigators are working on it and also the legal team has already filed a complaint against the Times Group. I am waiting to hear from them. I am hoping to read an apology on the front page of Delhi Times tomorrow, or a lot of people would be sacked for not being good enough at their jobs," Arnav said, with an edge to his gruff voice.

NK nodded and got up swiftly saying, "I am going out for a little while mom. I will be dining out. Have to meet someone to figure things out." Before Manorama could respond, he was out of the house at lightning speed. She felt the fatigue creeping up her aging shoulders, as she looked at her morose family. "Maa, let me look over the dinner tonight. You go and rest for a while," Payal said, understanding the situation. She knew Manorama would ask her questions regarding the NK-Khushi-Arnav situation, as she had not missed out on her mother-in-law's perceptive eyes. Manohar agreed heartily and said, "Yes, come Mano, lets go to our room. Even you boys go and freshen up before we meet for dinner."

Manorama got up and cupped Arnav's face lovingly. "Arnav, you are staying with us tonight. I am not letting you go anywhere out of my sight for the next few days. And no! No arguments about this. Go clean up. You look like a mess," she said affectionately, to which Arnav nodded and said something for the first time in his life. "Thank you maasi. I love you." Manorama could not hold back the tears anymore, as she pulled him into a hug. Finally the remains of his defense mechanism, crumbled to the ground. This was his home... his family. And they were going to be there for him. The realization of this fact brought a certain calm to his bruised heart and along with it, immense strength to sail through these rough waters of life.

--------------------------------------

~Flashback~

"Namaste aunty... don't be so surprised to see me here. And please don't be sacred. I have just come here as a well-wisher. The security around your house is impossible to get through. So I had to catch you around at this supermarket."

"I have nothing to hear or say to you Shyam."

"Oh neither do I. But I have something to show you aunty. I assume you don't read Delhi Times. But today's edition is special... after all Khushi's photograph is printed on the cover page."

"Oh don't be so shocked seeing the picture. Let me clear it out for you. That is Arnav Singh Raizada... her boss... your savior. And that is your beloved, obedient and innocent... oops! Not so innocent daughter... Khushi Gupta. Is that why you had sent her to Lucknow to trap a rich man? I guess she is following her mother's footsteps... isn't Lucknow the place where you gave birth to Khushi?"

"Enough Shyam. I am sure there is an explanation to this."

"Oh yes there definitely will be. But how are you going to explain it to this society? Even after all these years, today... you are standing exactly where you were before Khushi was born. People are going to talk. They are going to taunt and demean both of you'll again."

"Arnav will not let that happen. I trust him. He is not that kind of a boy."

"Oh! Poor you aunty. Hasn't Khushi told you anything about his past? His mother left his beloved father and him, to run away and marry someone else. Arnav does not believe in love. He does not believe in the institution of marriage. It is a flawed concept for him. He will never formalize their relationship aunty and Khushi will only walk down the path you took years ago. History is repeating itself and it is only in your hands to give your daughter a better future.

"What do you mean?"

"I am still ready to marry Khushi. Despite all this obscenity on her behalf... I am ready to forgive her. Give her a chance to a legalized marriage... which seems like a distant dream for you Gupta ladies. Think about it aunty! I could save you from another decade of defamation. Once Khushi is back, I will call you. Let me know her decision. Be practical aunty... opps... I mean my soon-to-be sasuma. Hahahaha!!!"

--------------------------------------

His maniacal laughter resonated in Garima's ears, making her shiver in fear. She had been shocked, upset and ridiculed seeing that picture in the newspaper. However, what was worse was the man showing it to her. Shyam had said nothing wrong and had only shown her a glimpse of the future that was headed their way. She had not known about Arnav's past and prayed with all her might, for his beliefs to be better than what Shyam had painted them to be. For now, she had to know the truth before thinking of a way forward to safeguard her daughter from this disgusting world.

"I saw the picture in the newspaper Khushi. What were you thinking? When did all of this happen? You never hide anything from me. Then how did I not know about these developing feelings between you and Arnav?" Garima asked straight-facedly. Khushi rushed to her defense and said, "I love Arnavji amma and he loves me. That was a moment we had confessed our feelings. Oh amma... so much has happened in Lucknow." She tried to hug her mother, but was shocked to be pushed away. It was the first time in her life, that her mother had shown indifference towards her feelings and emotions.

"Amma??" she breathed brokenly. "Tell me what happened in Lucknow Khushi. I want to know it all..." Garima whispered, unable to see the naked anguish flickering in her daughter's teary eyes. No! She couldn't be weak anymore. She had to be strong to fight her daughter, for her own sake... her daughter's life was at stake. "The fashion show was a big success amma. I learned a lot, met a lot of big people from this industry and was appreciated for my work. And then I came to know that Arnavji was there for something more important than the show. He was there to win back the company, which his father owned... and was greedily and sneakily stolen from him by his best friend... years ago. Do you know who that best friend was amma?" Khushi asked like a small child.

Garima sat motionless, giving away nothing... chanting the words "be strong" like a mantra. "He was Rakesh Kapoor amma... the same man who cheated you," Khushi said and for the first time that evening, saw some emotion on her mother's aged face. "Rakesh? Did you meet him Khushi?" Garima asked nervously, worried about this huge revelation. "Off course not amma. It was Arnavji who finally made me see sense. We have suffered enough because of his existence amma. But it was time for me to let him go forever from our lives... he never existed in the first place. He never mattered amma. For me... it was always you. Only you. So I did not meet him and Arnavji has made sure to make him suffer for his wrongdoings," Khushi said proudly, reaching out to hold her mother's hand.

Garima pulled her hand away and gathered her bearings, overwhelmed with emotion for her loving daughter. Don't break! Don't break! Don't break! "What then Khushi? What about this picture?" Garima asked directly. Khushi sighed and replied truthfully. "Arnavji has been my strength amma. He has been one of the rare men, who have seen beyond my physical beauty... who appreciated my talent. You know how much he has done for us amma. He has given me wings to fly in this fashion world... a dream come true for me. His kind heart, his focus on work and his love for his family... everything about him is worthy of only love, amma. I love him and he loves me. Whoever has done this... has simply converted the purest form of love to something so dirty and tainted. Please believe me amma... he loves me."

"Rakesh loved me too. He said he loved me Khushi," Garima whispered brokenly, finally her self-control shattering in a million pieces. How could she be upset with her daughter... who seemed so happy, so confident for the first time in her life! Khushi's eyes brimmed with love for Arnav. She could see the sparkle in her daughter's eyes that had been missing all of her life. But she feared... feared for history repeating itself. What if their lives were jinxed and love was only a mirage for them. The moment they tried to touch that emotion... what if it disappeared? She had gone through it once and truthfully, she would not be able to survive the trauma once again.

"Don't even compare Arnavji to Rakesh Kapoor amma. That man is a scoundrel. He is a cheat in all his relationships... be it a lover, a friend, or a father. Arnavji loves me amma. He truly does. He wanted to come and meet you right now. I was the one who told him to go home. I wanted to speak to you before he did. He will never cheat on me amma. He is out there trying to find who was behind all of this. Please believe me amma. He will come to see you in the morning. Will you then trust me?" Khushi pleaded. Garima nodded hesitantly, her mind still unsure of what was to happen. However, she decided to trust Khushi's word over Shyam's. She would give Arnav a chance to rectify whatever damage had been done. It was the only way she could see the genuine smile on Khushi's face... and hoped with all her heart... that it lasted for this lifetime.

--------------------------------------

"Tum theek ho? I was so worried about you Khushi. Is aunty ok? Was she very angry with you? I am so sorry for all of this Khushi," Arnav said, the moment she picked up her phone. "Arnavji... please. It is not your fault. Amma was very angry... but mostly hurt. She wants to meet you Arnavji... will you come home in the morning?" Khushi asked anxiously. "Off course I will. I wanted to be there with you today itself. This entire fiasco is so unwanted... I had only just begun to live in my happy bubble of love..." he sighed wistfully.

"I know Arnavji... I was so happy too... after so long. Yeh hamare hi saath kyon hota hai? Why does fate not want us to be happy?" she asked like a small upset child. "I don't know Khushi. I really don't know. But always remember... I love you. I love you so godamn much! It makes me uneasy to see you in distress and I feel so helpless to not being able to do anything about it. F**k!" Arnav swore loudly. "Arnavji please... let it go. I am sure we will find a way because I love you too Arnavji. Hamesha!"

For the first time that day, both Arnav and Khushi smiled. Despite the dark clouds looming over their lives, love seemed to be shining like the bright sun, pushing away each dark thought. They lay in bed... talking... sharing... laughing... chatting about what was... and what could be. Through the most troublesome times, formed the strongest relationships. As the bright light of dawn hit the horizon, a new day was born to test and challenge love, friendship and family... with a hope that goodness would always trump over the evil.

--------------------------------------

Part 25

DO NOT COPY THIS POST AS THIS IS EXCLUSIVE TO INDIA FORUMS