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Unspoken Love
![How is it]](https://i.imgur.com/cShdCNXh.jpg)
[Banner Credit : Chhoti aka Kiddo_Star]
Chapter 35
"Is he really gonna say it?!" wondered Khushi as she held her breath waiting for Arnav to speak. She was trying hard to suppress her excitement. She was waiting curiously. "Yesss!! He loves me!!" she couldn't stop thinking.
"Khushi..." said Arnav and he paused.
"Don't stop now... say it, please say it!" thought Khushi.
Arnav looked into her curious eyes and said, "Thank you so much!"
Khushi's jaw dropped as all her hopes were crushed by a mere "Thank you".
"Khushi, you have no idea what you have done for me! You have helped me understand things in life, especially Maa. I don't know whether I would have ever understood Maa if you weren't there..."
Khushi smiled. "No Sir, it is YOU who tried to understand her... I just helped you..." she said.
Arnav smiled, "Khushi, I know... Just a "Thank you" is not enough. Do you want me to do anything else for you?"
"Yes!!" said Khushi at once.
Arnav wasn't expecting that reply from her. "Uh...Okay, tell me, what can I do for you?"
"Sir" said Khushi, "I want you to do something, but not for me... I want you to do it for your Maa, and for yourself...!!"
"What? What should I do?" asked Arnav curiously.
"Sir, you should tell your Maa what she means to you. You know it Sir, but she doesn't. Make her feel how much you care for her, how much you respect her, how much you love her...!"
Arnav knew Khushi was right. He thought for a while and said, "But how will I... I mean, I can't even look into her eyes... I am not at all comfortable talking to her... How will I be able to say all this?" he said nervously.
"Sir, you have never allowed her to enter your room, right?" said Khushi. Arnav stared at the floor in shame. "So today, you yourself will bring her here...!"
Arnav looked at Khushi in disbelief. "But Khushi, how will I..."
"Sir, you can do it, I know you can! And that will say it all... You need not say anything more, she will know..."
Khushi confidence encouraged Arnav and he was finally ready for it. Both stood up on their places.
"Okay, I will leave now. All the best Sir!" said Khushi as she hung the satchel over her shoulder.
"Hey wait a minute!!" said Arnav, "Where are you going? Are you not coming with me?"
"No Sir, it is to be done by you and you alone!!" replied Khushi. "Why are you so nervous, Sir?"
"How will I face Maa, Khushi... Main unhein face kaise karunga?" said Arnav.
"Face kya karna hai, Sir? Maa hai woh aap ki... You just want to say that you love her, that's all!" said Khushi. "Okay, I must leave now! I would love to hear everything from you later!" Khushi smiled and left the room.
As Khushi came down the stairs, she thought, "Kya Khushi, tum kuchh bhi sochti rehti ho! I think I was expecting too much!" she jerked her head smiling at herself as she left for office to complete the remaining work.
Arnav came out from his room and closed the door from outside. He went down to look for Nilima. Akash was watching everything from behind the pillar. He was so pleased to see it that his eyes watered. "Thank you Khushi, jo hum saalon se nahi kar paaye, woh tum ne kuchh dino mein kar diya... Thank you so much!" he said wiping his eyes. What we couldn't do in years, you did it in just a few days...
Arnav saw Nilima coming out from the kitchen. Nilima was confused and surprised as Arnav suddenly blocked her way. Both looked at each other for a moment. Nilima was waiting to know the reason behind his act. Arnav opened his mouth to say something but he was at loss of words. What should he say? How should he begin? He was confused and remained silent. This confused Nilima too. Arnav just looked away trying to dodge Nilima's curious gaze.
Arnav didn't want to address her as 'Mrs. Raizada" and nor was he ready to call her 'Maa', atleast not now. Without looking at Nilima, Arnav managed to speak, "Kya aap please mere saath aayengi? Will you please come with me? Uh, actually I... uh.. I want to show you something...!" he said. He turned and began walking ahead expecting Nilima to follow him. And Nilima followed, surprised as well as confused. Surprised that Arnav spoke to her, and confused wondering what he was up to...
Arnav and Nilima reached Arnav's room. Arnav pushed open the door and entered in. But Nilima stopped at the door, not sure whether she should go in. Arnav turned to see Nilima at the door. He felt very bad. His eyes watered as he thought, "Maa... ab aap ko darne ki koi zaroorat nahi hai... I won't yell at you Maa... I promise I won't!"
Arnav went near Nilima and held both her hands in his. Their eyes met once again. Arnav gently pulled Nilima into the room and guided her towards the bed. Nilima couldn't understand what was happening. Was it a dream? Was she imagining things? She was shocked, pleasantly surprised. Her eyes welled up as Arnav made her sit on the bed. Arnav sat down on his knees in front of her still holding her hands. Nilima just looked at him knowing not what to say. Arnav looked into those wet eyes of hers and a word escaped his lips in a trembling voice... "Maa..." he said and both broke down into each other's arms. Both were crying, crying out of happiness and relief. "I am sorry Maa, I am..." he was crying. Nilima rubbed his back gently. Arnav could feel the love, the warmth that he missed all these years. He felt free, he felt safe in her arms. It was her... It was his Maa..! They both just cried and cried without saying a word more. Words were not needed to express their love for each other. It was a very special moment for both of them. After a few minutes, Anup entered into the room. He too was pleased to see and know what had happened.
"Arey ab tum dono sirf yahan baith kar rotey rahoge ya humein kuchh khaana bhi khilaaoge?! I am hungry yaar... Now if you two are done with your crying, can we eat something please?" said Anup.
Nilima and Arnav quickly wiped their tears. Arnav stood up and said, "Papa woh... main woh..."
"Main samajh gaya Arnav, I understood everything!" said Anup with a big smile. "Now that's like my boy!!"
Arnav hugged his Papa. Payal and Akash, who were standing at the door, smiled happily.
Everyone went down to have snacks. Arnav noticed a sad Lavanya sitting across him. He knew he had hurt her. He went to her and said, "Sorry Lavanya, I shouldn't have yelled at you like that...!"
"It's okay!" she returned plainly.
"You wished to see my room, right?" he said and a smile spread across her face. "Come!" he said and both went to his room.
Lavanya was very happy. She jumped onto the bed, "Wow Arnav! You have cleaned your room! It looks amazing!! And this vase... and..." and she went on and on irritating Arnav.
Later, Arnav and Lavanya went down to join everyone in having dinner. Arnav quickly finished eating and stood up to leave. He was very excited.
"Arnav, where are you going?" asked Akash.
"Bhaiya, I have an important work to do... I have to go!" replied Arnav and left.
Akash wanted to tell everyone that Khushi was the reason behind Arnav's change, but he waited for Lavanya to leave. After Lavanya left for a walk, Akash told them that Khushi made Arnav understand. He didn't say directly anything about their closeness or attraction, but he did stress on Khushi being a very nice girl. Anup and Nilima agreed.
Here, Arnav was desperate to meet Khushi and tell her everything that had happened. He reached Khushi's home and rang the door bell. Shashi opened the door. "Yes?" he said. Shashi had never met Arnav before. He had only heard of Arnav.
"Err... Is Khushi there? I wish to meet her..." said Arnav.
Just then Garima came there to see who had come. "Arey Arnav Sir, come in please...!" she said signalling Shashi that he was Arnav Singh Raizada.
Arnav went in and Garima asked, "Sir, do you have any idea where Khushi is?"
Arnav was surprised. "What?!" exclaimed Arnav, "Hasn't she returned yet?"
"No!" said a worried Shashi, "We are trying to call her but she is not answering her phone!"
Arnav quickly took out his phone and dialled Khushi's number. No response... Once, twice, thrice... but the same result. Arnav was worried too now. "I had told you Khushi not to miss my call...! Now see what I do!!" he thought.
"Sir, have you no idea where she might be?" asked Garima hoping that Arnav knew something atleast.
"Sorry, but I don't! Actually, we both had gone to my home... but then she left for office. Then, I don't know anything...!" said Arnav.
Arnav immediately dialled the office number. No one picked up. Ofcourse, everyone must have left... Who would be waiting till night?
Everyone was extremely worried now. Where was Khushi? Was she alright? Was she in trouble?
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