Arshi FF: The Broken Hearts#2 NEW LINK ADDED pg 153 - Page 70

Chapter 19

Khushi squeezed her closed eyelids. She was holding something like a sculpture in her hands and then suddenly it slipped from her hands and shattered.
Khushi opened her eyes with a jerk and sat up. What was this, what kind of a sculpture was it? Who's face was it? And when it shattered , why did it startle her so much? Did it have something to do with her past?
Khushi once again squeezed her eyes shut and tried to remember more about the dream that seemed quite close to reality.
But like before, this time too, she didn't succeed in recalling her past. She let out an audible sigh and wondered why was this happening with her? How long would she have to deal with just figments of her past?
She dropped her head back on the pillow and tried to sleep by pushing aside her unanswered queries but couldn't. She was fresh and wide awake. She glanced at the crib, Sia was sleeping peacefully. Khushi smiled, how lucky she was?
Khushi got off the bed and started walking up and down the room, to get tired and induce some sleep. But it didn't help.
While strolling, she went out of the room and saw that the light in the study was still on. He was working so late?
She carefully peep through the ajar door, hoping not to get caught.
" Khushi?" He called out in surprise. God he was so sharp.
Feeling slightly embarrassed, she forced a smile.
" come in."
She reluctantly came in. " I hope I'm not intruding."
He shook his head. " No. But why are you still awake? Are you alright?"
She glanced at his open laptop. " you know Arnav ji, I can ask you the same." He had an important meeting with the delegates, he must have returned home late after attending it and now instead of hitting the bed he was hitting the keys on his laptop.
" I don't get much sleep, so I prefer to drown myself in work and more work."
Khushi tilted her head. " isn't it ironic, after earning so much of wealth, you can't earn yourself enough hours of sleep?"
Arnav nodded in agreement. " true. Money can buy you bed but not sleep. It can buy you luxuries but not peace."
There was deep sadness as he said those last words. The loneliness and the emptiness in his eyes didn't go unnoticed by her.
" Arnav ji, do you regret something?" She often felt that there was something that was eating him from inside. Though with Sia he would be cheerful and while working he'd be completely focused but when alone, like now, there would be something bothering him.
A bitter smile escaped his lips. " not something but there are a lot of things that I regret. And I can only regret and remorse over them...and that irks me."
Khushi stood there silently and Arnav saw concern for himself in her eyes...something he surely didn't deserve.
" forget about me. What keeps you still awake?"
" a dream. A weird dream."
Arnav frowned at her. " dream or nightmare?" He prayed it wasn't the latter.
Khushi shrugged. " it wasn't scary but..it was bothersome."
Arnav quietly listened as she told him, " there was a sculpture in my hands...somebody's face..I couldn't see who's and then it dropped and shattered." She crossed her arms before her chest and asked, " now who's sculpture it was? And if it broke then what's the big deal? Why did I feel a sense of loss?"
Arnav averted his gaze. It was his sculpture that she had made out of love and care. She had invested her emotions and feelings into it. It was a Arnav that she had fallen in love with...Arnav that was close to her heart and lastly a Arnav that she had wished to spend her life with.
But sadly that Arnav didn't exist in this real world. She could have him only in her dreams. Dreams that he had trampled under his feet and walked away.
Now after knowing this if someone loathed him then could he/ she be wrong? Earlier in the evening, Payal's rudeness and bitterness were completely justified. She didn't trust him with Khushi and Sia, and she had every right to feel that way.
But still somewhere it pricked him. Yes he had made mistakes in the past, he didn't deny but would the guilt of those mistakes always follow him like a shadow?
Khushi waved her hand in the air. " I know my dream was really silly and I shouldn't be thinking about it...but still it made me restless."
She had forgotten him completely but still in her subconscious mind and somewhere in her heart, he was still alive. Should he be happy that he was still a part of her or be angry that though he was a part of her but that part only brought her pain and anguish!
" Khushi, when you create something, you put your heart and soul into it..it's dear to you..and if it breaks then it cracks something within you as well...it's quite natural and normal so don't lose your sleep over it."
" hmm. I think you're right. But who's face was it? I can't seem to remember."
Arnav lowered his lashes and clenched his jaws. " Maybe he wasn't worth remembering."
" Maybe." She glanced at the clock hanging on the wall.
" Arnav ji, it's too late. I'll go back, Sia might wake up."
Arnav nodded.
" You're still going to work?" She asked.
Arnav stood up to leave the study. " no, I'll grab another cup of coffee before going to bed."
As they both walked back, Arnav stopped at Khushi's doorstep and gazed at Sia. She was sleeping with her fist in her mouth. His lips curled in a smile.
" Arnav ji, do you mind if I say something?"
Arnav moved his hands to his pockets. " go ahead."
Khushi swallowed before opening her mouth. " you love Sia so much. I think you should have had a child. A child binds the couple together." The loneliness in his life would have disappeared had there been a wife by his side and a baby in his arms.
" every person is not fortunate to hold his child in his hands. And more than anything it's love that keeps a couple together." He learnt this lesson in a very hard way.
" I'm sorry, if I crossed the line."
" good night, Khushi." He didn't meet her eyes and went down to make a strong black coffee for himself.

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Arnav returned home to fetch an important file. While going to the study he stopped to see Sia. She was sleeping when he left in the morning.
" Sia, baby please eat." Khushi literally pleaded and brought the spoon to her mouth but Sia turned her face.
" what's wrong?" Arnav asked in confusion. Sia wasn't one of those kids who had to be forcefully fed then why did Khushi look so distressed?
" I don't know, she's not eating anything."
" Maybe she's not in a mood for porridge. Try out something else." Arnav suggested. His cellphone vibrated, it was aman. He disconnected the call.
" Arnav ji, I have tried giving her custard, banana, curd but she's not taking anything. Besides porridge is her favorite but she's not even ready to taste."
Sia was usually a happy child, who giggled and enjoyed playing with her toys. But today the toys were scattered and she was just clinging to Khushi's neck.
" did she sleep well?"
" yeah. In fact she overslept. But since she's woken up, she's been a little cranky."
" Payal had said that she might have fever." Arnav bent down and felt Sia's forehead.
" there's no fever, thank god." However Sia still looked tired and lethargic. His cellphone again vibrated, he knew he had meeting lined up, he hadn't forgotten it. He flared his nostrils. " aman, get the meeting shifted to RM. Do as I say. Otherwise cancel it." He put the phone back in his pocket and sat down on the floor.
" hey, shona come here. I'll read you a nice story." He extended his arms to take Sia.
" Arnav ji you have an important meeting, you may leave. It's alright, I'll handle Sia." He didn't have to neglect his work.
Arnav shook his head. " don't worry about the meeting." He scooped Sia in his arms and sat her on his lap. Then dragged her stuff toys closer before picking up a story book.
" once upon a time there was a jungle. In the jungle there was a monkey who played and jumped from one tree branch to the other. " He showed Sia the picture of the jungle with a monkey then picked a monkey stuff toy. " look Sia, such a cute monkey." Sia caressed the toy and Khushi slowly brought a spoonful of porridge close to her mouth. This time she ate without protesting.
" then there was a lion. The king of the jungle." Arnav roared like a lion and Sia opened her mouth in surprise, just enough for Khushi to feed her the next spoon.
Khushi smiled seeing how Arnav narrated Sia the story and kept her busy so that she could feed her. In between Sia would let out a soft giggle and clap her hands. Once again Khushi, admired the bond Arnav shared with Sia.
Khushi had managed to feed her just half the bowl when Sia started shaking her head and pushing away the spoon. She crawled down Arnav's lap and went back to Khushi, dropping her head on her chest.
" I think we shouldn't force her. I'll try giving her something after a while."
Arnav slowly nodded and took out his handkerchief to wipe Sia's mouth. He tucked her hair falling on her eyes, behind her ear.
" I'm in the study. Do let me know if you need me." He said glancing at Khushi.

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Arnav opened the door of his study after the meeting got over. He stepped out to see off the delegates but before he could do that he heard Sia crying. Screaming actually. He rushed to her room, leaving aman to take care of the delegates.
Khushi held Sia's stiff body as she reared her head back and wailed.
" what's the matter?" He asked, the panic in his voice making it too loud.
" fever. I gave her the medicine but the temperature is not coming down."
" why didn't you inform me?"
He was in a meeting, she thought it wouldn't be right to disturb him. " I thought the fever would come down in a while."
" did you call Payal?" He went near Khushi and touched Sia's forehead. The fever was really high.
Khushi shook her head. " I don't have her personal number. I called her up in the hospital but she's already left for home."
Arnav mentally cursed himself, Khushi should be having all the important numbers. He took out his cellphone and called Payal. She took a while to pick up and that agitated Arnav. Was she deliberately avoiding his call?
Payal parked her car in a corner before taking his call. " yes?" She asked dryly.
" Sia has high fever, she's burning. What do I do?" The impatience in his voice could be clearly felt.
" let me have a word with Khushi." why was he getting hassled ? Sia wasn't his daughter.
Arnav pursed his lips, she could tell him too...but no, she had to make him feel like an unimportant outsider.
" Khushi, Payal is on the line." He handed her the cellphone and held his hands out. " let me have her. You answer that." He took Sia from Khushi and put her to his shoulder where she always seemed to like it best. " hey shona, I've got you. Tell Payal to come over or we'll take Sia to her place but make it fast."
He walked back and forth, rubbing Sia's back and trying to soothe her. He got her quieted down to long, pitiful moans interrupted by hiccups that tore at his heart.
" Payal will be here in fifteen minutes. Meanwhile she has asked to repeat the medicine." Khushi gave Sia another dose of medicine.
" Khushi, I think we should place cool, damp washcloth on Sia's forehead to bring down the fever."
Khushi readily agreed. " I'll get some ice and handkerchiefs." Khushi was out of the room in a flash.
Arnav kept walking with Sia and she eventually fell asleep. He carefully placed her on the bed. She was so hot and sweaty that she soaked his shirt.
Khushi climbed on the bed and quickly placed the wet cloth on Sia's forehead. Poor little baby, had beads of sweat formed on her forehead and pink cheeks. Khushi's eyes welled up and a tear drop trickled down her cheek. Seeing her teary, angered Arnav. " what's taking Payal so long?"
Just then the doorbell rang.
" It better be Payal." Arnav flared his nostrils.
" I'll get her." Khushi went to see who was at the door.
Khushi heaved a sigh in relief on seeing Payal. " thank god you came."
" relax Khushi. This fever was expected. There's nothing to worry." She gave Khushi a reassuring smile.
Khushi took Payal to the room who saw Arnav sitting next to Sia, needless to say the sight didn't please her eyes.
She cleared her throat to let her presence felt. Arnav got up and moved aside to let Payal examine Sia.
" she's not eating well..been drowsy all day and now she has got such a high fever."
" I know. Khushi told me everything over the phone. What's happening is just a reaction to the vaccine...it's quite normal." He needn't show how concerned he was for the baby.
Arnav gritted his teeth. " she's not eating properly. A while ago she was crying her lungs out and now she's burning with fever...and all this is normal."
Payal didn't say a word but glared hard at him. Khushi who was standing behind Payal shook her head and pressed her finger to her lips, asking him to calm down.
Payal took out her stethoscope to examine Sia, then checked her temperature.
" still three degrees above normal. But good you're applying this damp cloth on her forehead. It will help."
" Arnav ji, suggested this."
Payal didn't flash him an appreciative glance and ignored his thoughtfulness. She scribbled something on her pad.
" give her two spoons of this medicine twice a day for three days. And try to give her more of fluids like curd and juices so that she doesn't dehydrate." She tore the page and gave it to Khushi. " call up if you need me."
" thank you."
Khushi looked down at the prescription then glanced at Arnav.
" I'll go and get it. You stay with Sia."
Arnav ran down to grab the car keys. He was taking out the car when he saw Payal also leaving the house. She got into her car but five minutes later her car was still not moving.
Arnav got off and knocked at her window. She rolled it down.
" come I'll drop you home."
" no thanks, I'll call Aakash, he'll pick me up." She didn't need his favor.
Arnav rolled his eyes, why was she so stubborn? " look your house is on my way. It will save time."
Payal turned the key, once again making a futile attempt to start the car.
Arnav shook his head. " I know you no longer take me as your friend but Aakash does. For his sake, come with me." This time he didn't wait, he simply turned around to walk to his car. If she had to come, she'd follow him but he wouldn't persuade her more.
Arnav turned the ignition and Payal reluctantly joined him in the car.
" ask the driver to get a mechanic and get this car fixed." Arnav told the watchman.

" thanks for coming." Arnav tried to keep his tone gentle as he drove through the traffic.
" you know I came for my friend and her daughter. So no need to be thankful."
" but still I'm glad."
" please Arnav, you don't have to pretend. Khushi is not around to see your goody goody face." It somewhere irked her to see both Khushi and Sia getting attached to this man who couldn't be trusted.
Arnav pressed his lips. " what makes you think that I'm pretending around Khushi?" He was genuinely worried for her.
" what else have you been doing? You're lying to her all the time and she's living a life that is full of deceits. You haven't spared that little child also." Both Khushi and Sia were seeing what he was showing them, they were believing what he was making them believe in. And sadly everything was just a facade.
" Payal, I told you about her condition. Yes I have been hiding things and lying to her but that's because the doctor advised me to do so." She had no idea how much hated himself for not telling Khushi about Sia and...shyam. In the past he never lied to her but these days he was doing just that.
Payal smirked at his explanation. " I understand you couldn't tell her about shyam's demise but you could have told her about me. Instead of leaving her with you, I would have taken up her responsibility." Khushi and Sia could have stayed with her. She would have happily supported her friend in this crisis.
Arnav rubbed his forehead. " I had no idea that Khushi would lose her memory. Everything happened so suddenly and unexpectedly that the thought of you didn't cross my mind...believe me." He wasn't misleading anyone. The circumstances weren't under his control. " I did what I thought was best for Khushi and Sia."
" believe you?" Payal laughed. " are you really worried about Khushi's life or are you using Khushi and Sia to fill the emptiness in your life?" As soon as the words left Payal's mouth she immediately regretted.

She didn't trust him, ( even though she could see how caring he was toward both Khushi and Sia) she feared that he might be playing with Khushi's feelings and the growing closeness between Khushi, Sia and him was worrying her but still she didn't intend to be so harsh to him.

Arnav gripped the steering wheel hard to curb his anger. yes in the past he had broken Khushi's heart...yes his marriage had failed and Yes he had lost his child ! But that didn't give Payal the right to prick his throbbing nerve.
" if I was really a cheat, a manipulator then I would have never informed you about khushi.. I would have taken khushi to a place where nobody knew me then presented myself as her husband and Sia as our daughter. And your friend who you are so concerned about, would have believed me..and you wouldn't have been able to do a thing about it."
Payal lowered her head in shame and regret. Today she'd gone too far and hurt Arnav where it hurt him the most.
Arnav brought the car to a screeching halt.
" you're home." He'd had enough of her!

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Khushi changed the wet cloth again before checking her temperature.
Arnav came in with the medicine and saw Khushi reading the thermometer.
" any better?"
She nodded. " slightly lower than before. Did you get the medicine?"
Arnav held up the bottle. " I hate to do it but we need to wake her up and give her a dose so it can start working right away."
Khushi looked down at Sia. " isn't there some kind of superstition about waking a sleeping baby?"
Arnav sighed and tilted his head. " don't you want the fever to come down?"
" I do..but before having the medicine, she should eat something...I'll get some juice for her." Arnav sat beside her till Khushi returned.
Khushi gently nudged Sia. " Sia, baby, time to wake up and take your medicine. Get up sweetie." Sia started howling.
" now you see why they say that?" Khushi said to Arnav who went and picked up Sia's favorite toy, hippo from the shelf. He pressed its stomach and it started giggling. Sia stopped crying on seeing her toy and lifted her hand to hold it. In between Khushi put the bottle of juice in Sia's mouth.
Both Khushi and Arnav exchanged a relieved look.
Later Khushi turned Sia so Arnav could drop the syrup into her mouth. " ah that's my shona." He glanced at Khushi. " what next?"
" now you get her back to sleep."
" that's easy." He settled Sia in the crook of his arm and gently rocked her. It took only few minutes before she was asleep again.
Meanwhile HP brought dinner for them to the room.
" you haven't eaten anything since noon. So I thought we could have dinner here." Khushi suggested.
Arnav nodded and turned around to lower her in the crib when Khushi called from behind.
" Arnav ji, tonight I'll keep her by my side." She patted the empty space next to her.
She ran her fingers through Sia's soft curls and bent down to kiss her cheek.
Both Arnav and Khushi while eating couldn't take their eyes off sleeping Sia.
" today her screams had scared the living daylights out of me." Said Arnav.
Khushi couldn't disagree." hmm. It's awful to see your child in pain. It scrapes your heart." She glanced at Arnav. " parenting isn't easy."

Arnav kept his plate aside. " Khushi do you mind, if just today, I sleep here on this couch?"

Khushi smiled at him. " you don't need my permission. You're the father."

Father? He wished he was.

In the middle of the night, Khushi got up to check on Sia. She felt her arm and face, thank god, the fever wasn't there. She peered at Arnav to tell him but he was sleeping and how? With one arm hanging out, head flopped to one side and blanket chucked aside. Khushi pressed her lips to suppress her grin.
She got of the bed and went to his couch. Then lifted his arm and kept it on his stomach, adjusted the cushion underneath his head and pulled up the blanket to cover him securely. Even he could be such a baby.
She glanced at Arnav and Sia, what had her life become, it revolved around the two of them. She worked for him and it was her duty to take care of Sia, however it never felt that way...it was never a job for her. The concern and love that emerged for Sia, came naturally to her. Both Arnav and Sia were strangers for her, she wasn't related to them by blood or in any other way, yet they didn't seem like strangers, instead she felt close to them. She didn't know what kind of a relationship she actually or should share with them but slowly she was getting drawn towards them.

Khushi sighed before leaning over Arnav to turn off the lamp on his side.

" khushi, I'm sorry ."

Rose

P.s. - The whole of next week , I shall be busy due to diwali, so I won't be updating . See you after a week .

Happy Diwali in advance .