_____________________________________
_______________________
Unspoken Love
![How is it]](https://i.imgur.com/cShdCNXh.jpg)
[Banner Credit : Chhoti aka Kiddo_Star]
Chapter 52
Khushi was sitting on her bed, thinking about the phone call Arnav had received. The call had disturbed him and he drove off without saying anything. Khushi checked the time on the screen of her mobile. 12:40 am. She searched for Arnav's number in the contacts and was about to dial his number, but didn't. She knew he had gone to some hospital. So she brushed off the thought of calling him. But she was feeling uneasy. Who was in the hospital? She was sure it was someone very close to Arnav. Someone from his family? His Maa or Papa... or was it Lavanya? Whoever it was, Khushi just hoped everything was fine. She wished to talk to Arnav but told herself to have patience. She would anyway meet him in the office next day. She kept aside her phone and lay on the bed to sleep. She closed her eyes trying not to think about Arnav or the call. She was trying to sleep, changing sides continuously. There was no sign of sleep and there was no peace. She sat up on bed and looked at her phone. Weaving her fingers through her hair, she was thinking whether to call Arnav. Finally she took the phone in hand. It was 1:20 am. Calling at this time wouldn't be appropriate, so she decided to send Arnav a text message. She was about to begin typing when her phone began ringing. It was Arnav calling. What a coincidence!! Khushi quickly accepted the call.
"Hello Sir, I was thinking of calling you just now..." she said. There was no reply. "Hello...? Sir? Hello?" but she couldn't hear anything. She was worried. And then she could hear sobs. Khushi became restless now. "Arnav? Are you alright? Please say something!" said Khushi.
"I want to meet you!!" said Arnav. His voice was wet and he seemed tired.
"What happened Arnav?" asked Khushi.
"I am coming there right now!!" said Arnav.
"Right now? Do you know what time it is?" asked Khushi.
"I don't care!!" said Arnav, "I just want to meet you!! Why are you not with me right now?" and he began crying.
Khushi understood that something was wrong. "Arnav, please don't cry... I am here with you... Aap please shant ho jaayiye... Kya hua hai Arnav? Tell me... what has happened? I know something is not right..."
Arnav composed himself. "Karan..." Arnav paused and Khushi could hear his sobs. "How can he die yaar?" Arnav began crying again.
Khushi was shocked. They had met him just few hours ago... and now he was no more! Tears filled Khushi's eyes. She didn't know how to console Arnav. She too wished she were with Arnav right now. Before Khushi said anything, she heard Aman's voice in the background. Aman was trying to console Arnav. He took the phone from Arnav hand, "Hello, who's this?" he asked.
"Sir, it's me, Khushi!"
Aman was surprised that Arnav had called Khushi at this hour.
"Khushi, I apologize on Arnav's behalf for disturbing you... and don't worry, okay? I am here with him... We will talk about it later... Hope you understand..."
"I understand Sir, take care!"
The call ended.
*****
Arnav was angry that Aman disconnected the call.
"Why did you end the call?!! I wanted to talk to Khushi!!"
"Arnav, we will talk to her tomorrow, okay? First let me take you home..." so saying Aman pulled Arnav with him into the car and took him home.
Everyone at Arnav's home too was sad to know about Karan's death. Arnav was taken to his room. Aman made Arnav sit on the bed. Arnav sat there, lost into the memories. He was weak, exhausted. His eyes were red and swollen and his head was heavy. Aman stayed there for some time and then left to be with Karan's mother.
Arnav told everyone to leave him alone. He was sitting on his bed, smiling and chuckling occasionally through his tears, remembering the sweet memories of the old days. He felt someone placing a hand on his. It was a gentle touch, a touch of love and care. He looked up to see Lavanya standing beside. He quickly wiped his tears.
Lavanya felt sad to see Arnav's condition. She tried to console him. "Some things are inevitable Arnav, we can't do anything to stop or change them. We need to accept them...!"
"You don't know anything Lavanya..." said Arnav shaking his head.
"Arnav, Karan was my friend too! Though we were not very close, I too am shocked and sad to know about his death. I know he was very close to you and..."
"No, you don't!! You know nothing of what had happened...!!!" said Arnav.
"I know everything Arnav, Anup Uncle and Nilima Aunty told me about it!"
Arnav remained silent. He tried his best not to cry in front of Lavanya, but he couldn't control his tears. Lavanya embraced Arnav and caressed him gently.
"Why do I always misunderstand everyone, Lavanya?" he said as he cried, "Why?" he whispered.
Lavanya didn't understand why Arnav was saying that. She just said, "No Arnav, you are a very nice person... Which idiot told you that you misunderstand everyone?"
Arnav remained silent. Lavanya sat beside Arnav and stayed with him to make him feel that he was not alone.
*****
Next morning, Khushi got ready for office. She dressed herself in such a way that the scratches on her neck were not visible. At home she had only told that a man was following her and Arnav turned him away. She had not told it in detail because she knew they will get worried unnecessarily. She had also told them about their visit to Karan's house. Before leaving for office, Khushi informed them about Karan's death. They too were shocked.
"Arnav was very restless yesterday... Karan's death has deeply affected him. I might come late today Amma... I need to talk to Arnav..." informed Khushi.
"Arnav?!" said Dadi, "Arey waah! Just two days in Mahabaleshwar and 'Arnav Sir' has changed to 'Arnav'..!! Nice progress!!" she said in a teasing tone.
Everyone laughed as Khushi blushed away. Now they knew that Arnav was a very nice guy and perfect for their Khushi.
*****
Arnav and Aman did not come to office till lunch. Khushi tried to call Arnav but his phone was switched off. After some time, she received Arnav's call. Arnav told her to wait in the office as he wanted to meet her. After the day's work, Shyam and Anjali were waiting for Khushi in the parking. Khushi told them to leave because she was to wait there for Arnav.
Shyam was angry when he heard this. "Khushi, no need to wait for Arnav Sir!! You are coming with us!" he said.
Khushi and Anjali were surprised at his reaction.
"Shyam, Arnav wants to talk to me...!" said Khushi.
"Call him 'Arnav Sir', samjhi?!!" said Shyam.
"Okay fine!! 'Arnav Sir' wants to meet me!!" replied Khushi.
"Why don't you understand Khushi, he is just playing with you!" said Shyam.
"No Shyam, he is not! I know him very well" Khushi tried to defend Arnav.
Just then Arnav called Khushi and told her to come to his cabin and Khushi left.
"Seems like everything is good again between Arnav Sir and Khushi! I am so happy!!" said Anjali.
"Haan haan, you are feeling happy now... But later you will cry when Khushi will be heart-broken!!" said Shyam.
"What's your problem Shyam? You should be happy for Khushi!!" said Anjali.
"I care for Khushi and that's why I am warning her. She will never be happy with Arnav Sir!!" said Shyam.
"Then whom will she be happy with?!" said Anjali in a teasing tone, "You?!" she laughed.
"Of course!! Any doubt?!!" replied Shyam.
Anjali laughed more.
"What's there to laugh? I am not joking!!" said Shyam.
"Ya, ya... I know!!" said Anjali. "Let's go home now!!" and she continued laughing.
*****
Khushi entered Arnav's cabin. He first asked about the progress in the project work. And then both were silent.
After a while, Khushi broke the silence asking, "How are you, Sir?"
Arnav looked at Khushi as his eyes watered. "Not well..." he replied.
"I understand Sir... But in one way, whatever happened was not bad... The life Karan was living was worse than death, that's what you had said. And that's true. Isn't it good that he was freed from such a life? We would never understand what he was going through..."
Arnav looked at Khushi, "Why is it that I always misunderstand everyone, Khushi?"
Khushi was confused by the question. "Why do you think that?" she asked.
And Arnav told what had happened in the hospital...
*Flashback*
Arnav reached the hospital the same time as Aman reached there. They found Karan's mother and a few of his relatives there. Doctors had declared that Karan would live only a few hours more. They allowed his friends and relatives to meet Karan for the last time and also told everyone that Karan could speak. Arnav was the last one to meet Karan. Karan asked for water and Arnav offered it to him.
Karan pulled Arnav closer and said, "I... uh... I want to... to tell you something...!"
"I am listening Karan..." said Arnav as tears filled his eyes.
"You... have hurt me... Arnav!!"
Arnav was shocked to hear that. He didn't understand why Karan was saying so.
"You have always... uh... insulted my Sheetal!! Why Arnav? Why?" Arnav was shocked. Tears streamed down Karan's cheeks. "She was there with me... that day... We were so happy... I had called you and our car collided with another... We both came out somehow... and then... she saw a truck speeding towards us... She tried to save me and pushed me aside... and... that truck flung her into the valley... I wish she wasn't an orphan... Her body was never searched for... No one knew, only I did!! But I couldn't speak... She died saving me Arnav!!! Aah... uh..." he was groaning in pain as he spoke, "She loved me Arnav... She loved me so much!!"
Karan was crying. Arnav was shell-shocked. He didn't know what to say.
"You hurt me by insulting my love... Arnav... You were wrong!!"
Arnav was numb for a moment. Karan was holding Arnav's hand.
"I am sorry Karan!! I am really sorry yaar... I didn't do it purposely... You know that!! Please forgive me... Please don't leave... Please!!!"
Karan smiled. "No Arnav... Sheetal is waiting for me... I must not make her wait longer..." He pursed his lips to tolerate the pain "Ah... uh... It's... it's time for me to go now... Just remember one thing Arnav... true love will never betray you... Believe in love... Aah... Love..." he smiled, "love is a beautiful th..." his voice broke.
Arnav stared at him. "Karan?" Arnav shook him vigorously, "Karan!!!!"
But Karan didn't respond. He had left... left to reunite with his Sheetal!
*End of Flashback*
Khushi was shocked as Arnav narrated to her what had happened. Arnav was crying. Khushi was crying too. She didn't know what to say or do. She gently placed her hand on his. He looked at her, "I am too bad Khushi... I hurt him... I am..."
Khushi tightened her hold on his hand and nodded in "no".
"You are not bad, you just assume things sometimes. It happens... It is not entirely your fault, the circumstances compelled you to arrive at those assumptions!"
"How can you be so good, Khushi? You know, when I talk to you, my heart feels lighter... It feels as if there are no more problems. You can so easily comfort anyone!" Khushi just smiled. "I will never be able to forgive myself, Khushi... How can I?"
"You can, Arnav! Always remember what Karan told you... He told you to believe in love. Believe in what he said... I am sure Karan and Sheetal, wherever they are, will be very happy if you do so!"
Arnav looked into Khushi's eyes, "I do believe in love! And now, I am not afraid... I don't think I should be afraid of losing my love, should I?"
Khushi just smiled and Arnav got his answer.
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
PS : Don't forget to hit LIKE... Waiting for your precious comments 😳
PPS : Next updates tomorrow
Indian Mythology
Hindi TV Shows
5