SS: Sunshine After Rain - Re-posting Final Chapter page 18 Updated! - Page 5

Chapter 4

September was it's in mid and so it was time for rice harvesting in Punjab with just ten days left for paddy procurement. The Zamindari system practiced was in its reformation phase in consequences to a newly independent Hindustan. The system had been mightily misused and misconduct by the British colonist at the time of their rule. Since the practice was still not uplifted - what with freedom achieved just a month ago - the farmers were under a dilemma. How to sell their crops now? The whole country was uprooted and upon it, arrived this very important time of the year, when the crops for the next whole year were to be purchased, persevered and sold. It would set the chain of money circulation for an entire year. Also, there was much immigration in Hindustan and communal violence was still in motion around the border. Sovereign Hindustan's new regime was trying very hard to find proper shelters and accommodations for refugees and so the Barristers were asked to be on immediate duties. The number of refugees increased with each passing day, almost hitting a million now.

And so, life for Arnav was very tough these days. He did not have even a second to breathe as every minute was passed playing his duties. Most of his mornings elapsed at his farm where the workers were gearing up for harvesting the crop. Looking into accounts was also his duty now. And in the afternoons, he had to report to the court. It was by evening he would find a little time for himself. That was the time he would pick up the newspaper and start encircling various articles relating to the massacres happening around. He was keeping a very conscious track of every little detail apropos them. Most occurrences were near their area. A sense of foreboding and unrest would wash over him every time he read about a murder near LOC. They must roughly be near the areas his father was killed in, was only thought to pound his head. An ominous vacuum had settled in his heart these days. What was the need of partition? Lives could have been saved, had it not been for one Man's wrong decision. People were still dying every day. And the numbers only went on increasing. He felt useless, wasting his days when so many people might need his help.

His thoughts were broken by a loud knock at the door and he tiredly got up from his bed to open the door. Khushi stood outside, looking down at her toes - as always - her one hand clutching her pallu to cover her head. Without looking up she muttered in a breathless voice as if she had just run a marathon

"Babu Sahib, Sarpanch Kaka is here to see you. He is waiting in the Baithak."

Arnav stared at her and he suddenly felt a little calmer yet displeased at the same time. They hadn't talked much after that rainy day incident as she had been beyond shy of him, avoiding him whenever possible. All this added up to his list of compliances and anxieties and maybe, somewhere topped it too. But, he had caught her peeking at him on few occasions, when she thought his attention was somewhere else and that soared his sinking moods a touch. However, he wanted her to be more open to him. This awkwardness wouldn't do. He won't allow it.

"I'll go," he said after a nod and set out of his room. But stopped dramatically after taking a step out, "Khushi can you please pack my court bag for me? All files are out in bed, you just have to place them in order. Can you do that?" he asked her in a casual, polite tone. This was the first time he had spoken such a long sentence to her.

Khushi's eyes widened as she looked up at him in shock. He never talked to her. But now he was suddenly requesting for her help!? And he was smiling too. Her mouth dropped open and she blatantly stared at him.

Arnav's mouth twitched in amusement as he tried hard not to laugh at her expression, "Close your mouth Khushi or else a fly would drop in" he said with a laugh, successfully ending Khushi's shocked state. She fiddled with her dupatta and looked down. "You will do it, Khushi, won't you?" he asked her again, looking straight into her eyes. When she nodded, he smiled and patted at her cheek once "Thank you" and then walked away.

As if in daze Khushi walked inside the room and mindlessly started packing his bag. What had happened just now? Her heart was still galloping in her chest and she was sure if this continued, it would even burst out. She pressed her cold palms on her burning cheeks and whispered: "Hey Waheguru, what is happening to me?"

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When she walked down after fifteen minutes - after having composed herself amply - she was startled to hear loud voices echoing from the Baithak (Drawing-room). Someone was shouting. She quickly rushed to Babey's side "What has happened Babey? Who is shouting in there?"

Babey looked at her clueless "I don't know Putar Ji. It must be some farm related or Panchayat issue. Thibani is new at all this and he tends to have a different opinion than his elders. I think they must be explaining something to him. That boy is a tough cookie"

"But it sounds like they are fighting Babey. Why is everyone shouting otherwise?"

Babey shook her head and smiled "They are elders of our village Putar ji. They must be discussing with Thibani. It should be something in passing It's okay; happens in Panchayat."

Khushi - though unconvinced - chose to stay quiet. If Babey said, then it must be something irrelevant. Why must she bother? She shrugged and sat beside Babey to watch her weave Phulkari on the thin chiffon dupatta. Though Babey was aged, she still managed to teach her bits of this beautiful handiwork and Khushi was an ardent student

"Babey I'll weave the next one with yellow, green and red," Khushi said excitedly.

Babey laughed and said "Yes, sure. You must make one for your Veyah."

"I won't marry," Khushi said pouting and stubbornly crossed her arms over her chest.

Babey gently smacked Khushi on her head and said "Oh no. Every girl has to marry one day. In fact, I must already start a groom hunt for you" Babey teased her.

"Babeeeyyy!!!" Khushi whined, scrunching her nose as of disgusted by the very idea of it.

"Nahi! Veyah Taan Karauna Pauga. (No, No! You will have to get married!)" Babey continued with mock seriousness, but the teasing twitch of her lips gave her away.

Their banter was cut as Sarpanch Mohan Lal walked out of the Baithak, his face red with anger. Soon Arnav followed him out with stormy expression and stared right ahead - ignoring everyone.

"What has happened Mohan?" Babey asked, looking at the older man with worry.

Mohan Lal turned and replied to Babey with fury evident in his voice "Ask Arnav to stop doing whatever he is doing. He will do more harm than any good if he continues. Sat Sri Akal" with that he stormed out.

Babey looked at Arnav in anger and yelled "Why can't you do as he says Thibani? He is your elder after all. He knows better than you"

"You don't even know what this is about Babey" He answered back in an acrid tone and walked back into his room.

"This boy!" Babey muttered under her breathe picked up her scriptures to read and calm herself down.

Khushi sat looking in the direction of Arnav's room, a heavy tightness settling over her chest.

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Khushi woke up in the middle of night owing to a nightmare, drenched in cold sweat. Her breathing was ragged and her heart beat rapidly in her chest. Her throat felt painfully parched as she drank the whole glass of water down. Taking a deep breath to calm her disoriented form, she scrambled to her feet and rushed outside, feeling suffocated inside. The pale light of full moon spread like a sheet on blocked floor of the veranda. The air outside was cooler than usual September wind and Khushi lightly rubbed her arms to warm them up.

It was strange today. She knew she had nightmares in the nights, as her mind constantly played the images of the bodies of her slaughtered family, cries, and blood. It had haunted her nights and dreams for many days. But they had always stopped; precisely when she was about to see their cut bodies. It was like she was protected by something strong from seeing the worst. She could still feel the warmth of the hand that had enclosed around her on the day when her life had crumbled and fallen into the abyss of bleakest conclusions just in front of her eyes. But she never remembered who it was. Who had saved her then and who was still protecting her. She just knew that whatever that force was was still keeping her nightmares away, her fear away and was still protecting her. It was like a glow, a burning glow and she knew it resided somewhere deep inside her. Close to her heart, nourishing it with its presence but from what it came from, she knew not.

But today she had woken up feeling oddly cold, alone and vulnerable. What had changed today? Why did her heart feel heavy? There was a feeling of anticipation inside her like something was about to happen. And she was waiting for it. Feeling utterly helpless and lonely she decided to pass her time on the terrace until sleep hemmed her in. But before she could reach the steps the front door opened with a resounding voice and she stopped dead in her tracks, as choking fear gripped her senses. Who was it at this time of night? Their village wasn't very far away from LOC. She was about to scream when the intruder stepped into the moonlight and his face became perceptible.

Of course! Arnav Babu, she sighed in relief! He had been coming home late recently for reasons unknown. He was travelling every day to district for his work related business, but despite that it was late.

She walked to him straightening her dupatta around her, with a little timid grace and asked him softly.

"Babu Sahib, you came?"

Arnav was startled to find her up so late and so asked instead "Khushi? Why still up? Didn't you sleep?"

Khushi looked down and then back up, feeling at the loss of proper terms to explain "Wo, Wo actually... I... I couldn't sleep, so was going upstairs..." she said looking everywhere but him

Arnav looked at her with amusement and asked "Going upstairs? Alone in the night? Aren't you scared?"

Khushi narrowed her eyes at him and placed a hand on her hip "Meaning?"

"Meaning, aren't girls scared of dark and ghosts?" he asked folding his arms over his chest, a smile on his lips. Both forgot their earlier formal relationship...

He saw Khushi's nose flair as she took offence at such labeled and highly judged accusation "I am not scared of anything! Plus I am not like the other girls you might have met. I know there is nothing like a ghost!" she said with dignity as she raised her neck.

This time, Arnav really chuckled. Was she really a child "Oh really? And how do you know there are no ghosts?" He asked, enjoying himself.

He saw her confident stance soften and her eyes were suddenly divested of their rebellious gleam. She looked down for a moment, before looking up with eyes now shining with tears "Because there are stars. People who die became stars, not ghosts. Like my Lala Ji, Amma and my brothers and sisters. Like my family, who are up there right now watching me? Like your Lalaji and Amma..."

Arnav stood rooted to the ground as he saw Khushi look up at the starry sky, with a small watery smile on her lips. He had never known such an obtuse idea could sound so bonafide. In her innocent belief, she nestled a conviction. Which he, until now might have found utterly inane; however he now trusted it.

As he did not speak and continued to look at her as if with deliberation, Khushi lowered her eyes suddenly shy again. Shifting her dupatta she muttered in a low but reluctant voice "You must sleep now Babu Sahib. It is very late and you have to get up early tomorrow"

Arnav absently nodded at her and then said "You too must sleep, Khushi. I know you don't fear anything but it's not good to roam around at this hour. It's not safe with the situation yet. Go back to your room"

When Khushi did not budge or attempt to move, Arnav asked her a little louder "What? Why aren't you doing as I say? Go to sleep"

Khushi looked down, clearly uncomfortable and muttered "I can... cannot. Scared of nightmares"

And then Arnav understood. She must have had another of those dreams. His heart squeezed tightly at her innocent, vulnerable form and he fought a consuming urge to take her in his arms. "Do you want me to come with you?" Arnav offered instead, gathering his sudden protective predispositions.

Khushi's head snapped up as her eyes widened "What? NO! How can you come to my room? It's not appropriate"

Arnav sighed deeply "Then what do you want me to do Khushi? You won't sleep alone and you won't allow me to come with you. Do you expect me to stand here with you all night?"

Khushi lowered her eyes, intimidated by his penetrating angry gaze that directly seared through her, making her restless. What was she supposed to do now? "Can I stay here? Until I feel sleepy?" she asked, her innocent eyes wide open.

"NO!" Arnav snapped. "It's not safe" He ran an agitated hand through his hair, looking at her scared, wide eyes and then said softly "Alright, I'll sit here with you for some time. I don't have to go to court tomorrow anyway"

Khushi blinked at him and then her lips stretched in a wide grin "Will you? Oh, thank you so much! I promise I won't take too long!"

Arnav shook his head at her larking about and walked to sit on the low folding iron bed. Khushi skipped beside him, ecstatic to have the company of enigmatic Babu Sahib to pass her time.

It was a long night indeed as after chatting nine to dozen - mostly about things completely not incomprehensible to Arnav - Khushi dozed off on the Charpoy and he had to carry her to her room. Good thing Babey did not see this otherwise she'd have created big fuzz out of it. They were young and unmarried and talking or sitting together would not go down well with these priests of fundamentals and proprieties. And more than anything, he cared for and respected Khushi's dignity.

As he was making his way out, her earlier words rang in his ears. People who die become stars.

It was about a belief. Right or wrong... did it really matter?

A/N: Hi,

Once again I appreciate all the comments and am thank fully to everyone who bothered to leave one. I am looking forward to your opinion on this chapter.

Reminder: I don't send out PMs. I update this story every night at around 11PM IST. You'll have to stalk/mark this thread to keep a track of a new update.

😊