Epilogue
"Captain Gupta's Log, Stardate 1560.5. We have just left star base 124 XC after a brief sojourn for refueling and routine maintenance operations. Now en route Vulcan at 9 Warp after a successful medical mission on Earth, planet of human origin".
Khushi walks up to the large observation deck like she always does before sleep. She places her hands flat against the transparent wall and gazes at the infinite sea of nothingness like always too. It's the same universe. Spherical masses, some nuclear powered and bright, some with reflective partial luminosity, zipping past her are the same too. Yet nothing is the same. She feels different inside. Like a ship without it's navigation system. A moon without it's sun. Her inner universe has changed, she realizes, perhaps irrevocably.
In an alternate dimension, her thoughts travel faster than 9 Warps to reach Arnav. Her heartbeats lose their customary steadiness to settle into a beautiful irregularity. Almost instantaneously, Vulcan self discipline clamps upon her mind and heart. She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. She welcomes the thoughts, smiling as they dilate her heart, chuckling as they fly to him.
With her eyes moist and her lips curved, she turns from the wall, a lithe, athletic figure in red and black Starfleet uniform. She calls NK and waits with an uneasy heart. She knows NK to be a strict believer and upholder of Vulcan traditions. He would never let her go easily. She wonders how he would react. In accordance with ancient Vulcan customs, a betrothal can't be broken without a duel until death- koon-ut-kal-if-fee- between the betrothed and the person challenging the betrothal.
The only reason she has to be glad is that she made the decision before NK's first Pon Farr with her.
She knows she will hurt him but she also knows it would be for the best in the long run. She was just not the same person anymore.
NK enters her room with his customary half smile, his eyes blinking as they meet the turbulence in Khushi's eyes. He sits down next to her on her bed's edge. Before Khushi can open her mouth, he says, "I know we shouldn't have delayed having this talk".
"I'm sorry, NK", says Khushi, "I just didn't realize until now. And that is the whole, unvarnished truth".
"Why should you be sorry?, says a surprised NK, "When I'm the one who shouldn't have delayed sharing my doubts with you".
As Khushi frowns in incomprehension, he continues, "We are incompatible, Khushi. Although you try your best to hide your red side from me, you are not always successful. And to be honest, I don't feel very comfortable with that part of you. I am almost certain of it causing problems in future. It's not going to work, Khushi and it would be foolish to continue".
Khushi veils the light in her eyes with her long eyelashes. "I agree, NK", she says without the slightest flicker of emotion, "It would definitely be illogical to continue".
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One year later..
It is a full moon night again. Arnav sits on a marble bench before his recently completed project, his shadow spilling obliquely behind him. His heart is filled with satisfaction yet void at the same time. He tips his head to gaze at the starry sky. His voice is a caress as he says, "A poem you can touch with your fingers, see with your eyes...".
"And feel with your heart", her voice whispers behind him.
He shakes his head at himself for hallucinating without alcohol.
"It's really me, Arnav", the voice says. He freezes before scrambling to his feet and turning around to face her.
She is really there, a moon goddess in a flowing white dress. The tears on her cheeks catch the moonlight and her green eyes sparkle with love.
He can do nothing but stare so she rushes to him with an incoherent cry and slides her arms around his neck. She hugs him like never before.
"I love you", she chants over and over again, reveling in the new found freedom of mind, courage of heart. She laughs, a joyous sound, as he tightens his arms to enfold her in his welcoming warmth.
"I'm here", she states rather superfluously as their glimmering eyes meet, "And I'm yours. If you'll still have me".
Arnav kisses her in reply, a long, passionate, soul searing kiss that tastes of love, commitment and forever.
"Will you marry me, Khushi?, he asks when they come up for air.
"As soon as our families are here", she smiles, allowing him to lead her toward their waiting HM.
One short HM ride later, they are at his new house, a large rambling ranch surrounded by barns, stables and land for organic farming.
She is charmed as he unlocks the front door to be welcomed by a dog and a cat, both equally fluffy. She grins at their enthusiasm in welcoming their master, her heart dilating with unbridled joy as she bends to pet both Tribbles and Spot.
When she unbends and stands, he pulls her close again.
"Welcome home, Khushi", he says in a voice that makes her eyes well again.
With a muttered profanity, she slams her lips on his, swallowing his smile and kissing him with a hunger that almost sends him over the edge.
Now joining, now separating, they kiss again and again, their hands wildly exploring each others' bodies, impatiently groping for ways to disrobe each other.
Leaving behind a trail of clothes, they reach their bedroom, skin to skin, heartbeat to heartbeat. And although a warm bed welcomes them, it is too far off for them. With their lips still devouring each other, he effortlessly lifts and wraps her legs around his waist, groaning hoarsely as his erection finds her throbbing core.
"I missed you so much", he says, pushing her back against the nearest wall and impaling her in a single powerful thrust.
"I missed you too, Arnav", she cries as he enters her again and again, instinctively moving her hips to match his movements. They reach climax in unison. As primeval waves wrack their bodies, he rests his forehead against her hair, his hands on the wall, his eyes smarting with tears. He is still dazed by this unexpected realization of his dream.
They lie in bed to make love and talk until the break of dawn. Their fingers tangle in the other's hair, their hands stroke, their lips kiss. Their eyes are dewy with the wonder of a love they almost gave up on.
"How is the repopulation project coming along?, she asks sleepily as the first rays slant on their hair and eyes and the untidy folds of the sheet covering them.
"Not too many people are willing to settle here permanently as of now", he says with a sigh, "But I'm sure that will change soon. Very soon".
He smiles as a thought crosses his mind. He raises himself on an elbow to look down at her. His eyes are dreamy and his grin mischievous".
"Until then, as the first man and woman here, we can do our share in repopulating this planet. What do you say?
"I think that is a fascinating idea", she grins back, pulling him in for a kiss.
The End.
A/N: Thank you so for your readership and support. Hope you enjoyed this story. A tribute to a special friend, 5 years of IPKKND and 50 years of Star Trek :D Would really love to hear from all of you. Please feel free to share your feedback as usual. This will most likely ( never say never :) be my last story on IF so a special big hug and lots of love to each and everyone of you for your readership, love and support in these past 4 years :) Hope to see you soon on Silver Sands and A Late Spring blogs đ¤
Lots of love,
Jenny.
Edited by IPK007 - 9 years ago
Lots of thoughts...adding a few of them at a time...feeling melancholy. đ¤
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