Arshi FF: The Broken Hearts #3 NEW LINK ADDED pg 146 - Page 32

Chapter 25

" Arnav ji, shouldn't you take the guest room on the ground floor?" Khushi suggested, seeing the stairs he would have to climb to his room..he had hurt his back and there was no need to exert himself.
" I'm good Khushi and I'll be more comfortable in my own room." Arnav replied seeing her worrisome face. He hated to see her getting upset because of him. To keep her away from the hospital atmosphere that terrified her, he had strictly asked her not to stay with him at night, instead take Sia with her home and rest. It had taken him lot of persuasion and convincing to make her agree because she was adamant on not leaving him.
Even today she wanted to visit him in the hospital but Payal somehow held her back, saying that he would be soon discharged.
It was way past noon that he was finally released from the hospital and it felt nice to be home.
" where's Sia?" His eyes searched for her.
" she's taking a nap." Khushi smiled and answered. Like Sia missed him even he must be missing her.
Arnav nodded. " I'll take a quick shower."
" And I'll get you something to eat."
Arnav turned to approach the stair case, his back felt stiff and the wounds on it were still fresh. He was in pain but didn't wish to bother Khushi by showing it...so he carefully climbed the stairs by placing his palm on the wall for support. From the corner of his eye he caught Khushi gesturing HP to follow him. He mentally rolled his eyes, he wasn't a kid nor had he broken any bones, he could manage on his own. But who would explain this to Khushi?
HP quietly stood on Arnav's right side and held his arm to support him. Arnav glared at him and HP gave him an apologetic look, he was only following Khushi's instructions.
Though Arnav wasn't facing her, yet he knew that she must be still rooted to her spot and not moved an inch, not until he finished pacing up the stairs.
Why did she care so much?

Khushi's room came before Arnav's bedroom. He saw Sia sleeping on the bed with her fist in her mouth. Now how could he pass the room without seeing her?
Arnav slowly walked inside the room, ensuring that his footsteps didn't wake her up. Reaching the end of the bed, he peered down at her. He couldn't forget the last time he had seen her...she was wailing, watching him caught in the flames...she was jumping in Aakash's arms making it difficult for him to hold her back...her tiny fingers curled and uncurled rapidly, asking him to get out of the fire..gosh, the scene must've been so traumatic for her!
Arnav sighed deeply and pushed back the tears that were pricking his eyes. He sat down beside her and tucked her lock of hair behind her ear. Then slowly bent down, though his back ached but he didn't stop before kissing her cheek.
" love you shona." He was glad that she and Khushi were safe.
He glanced at her one more time before carefully getting off the bed.

Arnav took out his robe from the cupboard and said. " HP, you may leave now. I can manage."
HP nodded and left the room while Arnav went inside the bathroom. He ran his fingers over his stubble, maybe he needed to shave. Picking up the razor he started to shave, he was almost done when his back started aching making him realize that he couldn't stand for long. But did he care? Of course not. He still had to shower and change.
Undressing himself with great difficulty, he finally stood under the shower. Though ideally he should be taking a sponge bath but he desperately needed to get rid of that peculiar hospital smell.
He turned the shower and the next second he winced as water fell on his wounded back. The cuts and the burns stung forcing him to shut his eyes. Inhaling a deep breath he fought the pain, in a minute or two the pain would ease out.
And during those few moments, the entire fire incident replayed in his mind. How tensed he was on knowing that Khushi had gone missing. With every passing second he felt that Khushi was being snatched away from him...that he was losing her and there was nothing more fearful than that fear...it killed him a thousand times. His heart screamed and ached for Khushi as his eyes madly tried to search her. People were pushing, crying, rushing to save their lives but his life..his Khushi was stuck somewhere, probably yelling for help...screaming his name out and he wasn't able to reach out to her..once again he felt helpless, the first time when he had seen her unconscious on the hospital bed, fighting for her life. Once again he realized that how empty and lifeless his life was without her.
And then he spotted her in the cafeteria, surrounded by fire. Without caring about herself, she was looking for him. Her selfless concern for him, angered him and at the same time made him fall for her even more deeply.
She is his world and he couldn't see his world getting harmed. She's priceless and he could do anything to save her. So he pushed her out of the fire, not bothering what would happen to him. His life resided in her and her safety was all that mattered to him.
Before losing conscious, he saw Sia howling for him and Khushi standing totally shocked...the sight of their painful faces was something that now he wished to wash away.
Turning off the shower, he grabbed his robe and came out of the bathroom.
" HP, what are you doing here? I told you to leave." Arnav said while taking out his shirt and jeans from the cupboard.
" actually Khushi ma'am asked me to stay here.. just in case you need any help."
Arnav wanted to disagree and show that he was fit..but deep down he knew Khushi was right.
" okay. Apply this ointment on my back." He couldn't possibly reach his back to apply ointment on his cuts so he had no other option but to seek HP's assistance.

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Khushi waited for the soup to simmer. He was back home, safe and sound. She was somewhat relieved but surely not happy. There was certain heaviness in her heart that didn't allow her to relax. The whole accident had left her stunned. Even the house seemed to be engulfed in a blanket of sadness. The heart piercing question, what if something had happened to him, refused to leave her mind and every time she thought about it, it ran chills down her spine.

Khushi saw HP coming out of his room, she poured the hot vegetable soup in a bowl and placed the bowl next to the plate of sandwiches. Taking the tray, she went up.

When Khushi stepped inside his room, his face creased in pain, welcomed her and she instantly flinched. She hurriedly kept the tray on his bedside table and picked up his packet of medicines along with the prescription.
" Arnav ji, didn't you have your painkillers?"
" yeah..I was thinking of having them?"
What was there to think about it? Khushi wondered. Did he enjoy being in pain?
Khushi handed him the pills with a glass of water. She hoped the medicines started working in seconds, she couldn't bear to see him like that.
" should I get a hot water bag for your back?"
Arnav shook his head.
" it will ease off the pain." She added but he didn't agree.
God, why was he so stubborn?
She placed the tray carrying sandwiches and soup before him.
Arnav made a face seeing the soup bowl. " no black coffee?" He asked in surprise.
Khushi crossed her arms before her chest. " too much of caffeine is not good for you. Have soup that's more healthy."
" you're making me feel sick." He grumbled.
Khushi held the bowl before him. " neither you're sick, nor you're a baby..so stop cribbing."
Arnav looked up into her eyes. " on one condition. This grim look on your face...I don't like it. Wipe it off."
Seeing him in this condition and behaving as if everything was well, wasn't easy for her. Still for his sake, she forced a smile.
Arnav tasted the soup. " hmm. It's good." He was again surprised that an ordinary tomato soup could taste so nice.
Khushi raised an eyebrow. " better than black coffee?"
" nah. Never." Arnav immediately replied.
Khushi giggled hearing that. " you love it so much?"
" absolutely." But more than anything he loved her smile..a smile that lit up her face..just like the one she was flashing right now.
" you rest. I'll go and check on Sia."

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After finishing his meal, Arnav felt drowsy and decided to take a quick nap. He had no idea how long he slept but he definitely felt better. Perhaps the pills had kicked in and he was only glad. However still in his sleep he could hear some hushed voices around him. who was disturbing his slumber?
He lazily opened his one eye and the sight before him pleased instead of disturbing him.
" sshh.. no noise..pa is sleeping." Khushi whispered to Sia, who was all wide awake and desperate to go to Arnav.
" no..not now..later." Khushi gently pulled back Sia's arm when she attempted to reach out to Arnav.
" Khushi..let her be." Arnav's husky voice made her jump and she turned around at the door step. She had reached the door to leave the room when Arnav stopped her from behind.
" it's okay Arnav ji, you should rest. I'll handle Sia." She felt guilty for disturbing him but what could she do, as soon as Sia got up, she crawled to his bedroom and started slapping his door with her palms. She couldn't wait to see Arnav. And when Khushi tried to stop her, she threatened to cry outside his room. So Khushi had to get her in.
" come here shona." Arnav patted the empty side of the bed.
" are you sure?" Khushi asked hesitantly.
" of course. And why don't you get her toys, she can play here." there was nothing like watching her play before his eyes.
Khushi sat Sia on the bed and left to get her toys.
Sia silently looked at Arnav, didn't murmur anything nor did she jump towards him. Just quietly glanced at him. She was studying him with her innocent and wary eyes.
Arnav smiled at her, expecting her to smile back but she didn't. Was the accident still fresh in her mind? Was she thinking about it, worrying that he still wasn't fine? He hoped not.
He held her hand and kissed her palm. " shona, I'm alright."
She blinked her eyes then leaned over and kissed his cheek. Then the next second she was trying to jump on his back when Khushi called out.
" NO Sia..careful baby." Khushi picked up Sia from the bed and put her down on the floor.
" look what have I got? Your kitchen set."
Khushi too sat down with Sia as she handed Khushi a fake apple, then pointed her little finger, gesturing her to eat.
Khushi pressed her lips to suppress her grin then pretended to take a bite.
" nice." She said after biting the Apple making Sia grin, who later turned her face to glance at Arnav. With his head supported on his palm, he was lying sideways and silently watching Sia play with Khushi.
Sia grabbed a bunch of grapes and crawled toward Arnav. Then stood up on her feet, she was wobbling as there was no support around her. Fearing that she might fall, Khushi moved forward but before that Arnav extended his arm and held Sia's hand. She slowly walked in his direction then handed him the bunch of grapes. How could she keep her pa, hungry? Placing her hands on the mattress, she leaned against the bed and waited for Arnav to it.
Arnav glanced at Khushi, was he really supposed to do that? Khushi nodded her head.
Like Khushi he too pretended to bite the grapes.
" wow." He said as he knew Sia was waiting to know his reaction. Seeing him enjoy, she giggled and seeing that smile, his face automatically lit up.
Later in the evening when Khushi and HP came with the dinner, Khushi found Sia still playing with her toys and Arnav, he was sitting up with his laptop open.
" what's going on?" Khushi frowned at Arnav.
" sending some important mails." Arnav casually replied but when he looked up, Khushi was staring back at him.
" my back is much better..moreover these mails are urgent."
" dinner is getting cold. Come Sia." She was upset with him and she clearly showed it to him.
Arnav bit the inside of his cheek, though he hated seeing Khushi getting upset because of him but this was amusing.

He shut the laptop and asked for his dinner plate.
" shona, tonight you sleep with me." Arnav said, breaking the silence that was bothering him.
Khushi peered up from her plate and gazed at Arnav. " now before you protest, let me clear this Arnav ji , till you're perfectly fine, I'm going to sleep on this recliner."
" but why?" As expected he wouldn't agree so easily.
" HP leaves home after dinner so at night if you need something, what will you do?"
" I won't need anything." He replied like a stubborn child. He didn't want to trouble Khushi, why couldn't she understand such a simple thing?
" we shall see." Said Khushi before standing up. She held Sia in her arms. " time to get into your pyjamas."

Late at night Arnav woke up with an aching back, it was really stiff. He tried to ignore it. The pain would subside on its own.
Opening his eyes he saw Khushi sleeping on the recliner. Circumstances might have changed but Khushi was still the same..kind and caring. Though he didn't deserve both her kindness and care, still he was getting them..in fact he never deserved Khushi and her love, yet he got them..and later lost them to his selfishness and arrogance. What should he consider himself, fortunate or unfortunate? He didn't have an answer.
His eyes moved to Sia who was sleeping next to him, was this real? He caressed her cheek with his fingers..it was real, he wasn't dreaming. But surely his real world would one day shatter, when Khushi would regain her memory. He would lose both Khushi and Sia. And then...He had no idea what would happen .
He pulled up Sia's blanket and tucked her securely. After gazing at her till he could no longer bear the pain in his back, he thought of taking more painkillers.
He slowly lifted his back and brought his legs down.
" aah." He groaned and squeezed his eyes.
"Arnav ji." Khushi was by her side in a flash.
" is it hurting too much?"
He didn't reply, simply nodded his head.
" did you have your painkillers before sleeping?"
Arnav opened his eyes and shot her a confused look . Was he supposed to?
" what..didn't you read the prescription carefully?"
" I thought I was supposed to have them once in a day."
" No, twice a day. The ointment was once a day." She corrected him. No wonder his back was aching.
Shaking her head, she gave him the painkillers with water. If it was a business deal, then he would remember all its terms and conditions, but when it came to reading a prescription he was so careless.
" seriously Arnav ji, you're impossible." She wanted to scold him more but seeing him in pain, killed her urge.
" now what? Why aren't you lying back?"
Like a child, he glanced toward the bathroom and Khushi understood.
" let me hold you."
He raised his hand. " No thanks, I'm good." Holding the bedside table, he slowly stood up on his feet. The pain immediately shot up and when he took a step ahead, he once again groaned. This time harder than before.
" enough." Khushi said angrily and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. Then holding his waist she helped him reach the bathroom.
" from here I'll manage."
She didn't say anything and waited for him to come out. Why did he have to endure so much pain? Why did he not care enough about himself? When it came to her and Sia, he was so careful and particular, then why not the same about himself? Two hours back he wanted to sleep alone, had she agreed and left him on his own then how would he have managed? She was worried, angry, upset all at the same time.
And then the door knob turned and he came out. From his face she could make out that his back was still hurting but he was attempting to hide his pain.
Without saying anything she again put his arm around her shoulders and assisted him back to the bed.
" now slowly lower yourself. Don't slump on the bed."
He thought of doing the same but ended up doing the opposite. He sat down with a jerk and almost pulled Khushi on top of him. Khushi tried to steady herself and not fall on him. While doing so, his lips brushed near the corner of her mouth and she instantly inhaled sharply.
" sorry." Arnav whispered close to her lips. She held her breath and carefully removed his arm from her shoulders. Then stepped back.
" I'll get you a hot water bag." She said after finding her voice that she had suddenly lost. Then without waiting rushed out of the room. She needed a minute or two settle her heart that was racing rapidly inside her chest. And her face that was burning with his soft touch, desired to cool down.

Resting her head on the recliner, Khushi watched him sleep. The hot water bag was still on his back, warming it. Hopefully the pills and hot water fermentation would reduce his pain and help him sleep better.
Her eyes continued to gaze at him and her one hand still clutched her chest as her heart refused to slow down. She was still taking quick intakes of air as her other hand felt the corner of her mouth, his lips had touched.
Gosh, what was with him that his one word, one gaze and one touch, would make her lose her senses? Why did his presence, his closeness, create a storm inside her? And was all this one sided...perhaps not.

Next morning, after taking bath, when Arnav came out of the bathroom, his room was empty. Khushi must have taken away Sia to get her ready.
The wounds on his back were itching and stinging. He needed to apply the ointment on his back to get some relief. But where the hell was HP?
Pulling up his jeans he shouted. " HP!"
There was no answer. Twisting his face he took off his robe and decided to put the ointment on his own..he didn't need anybody's help!
Standing before the mirror he squeezed out some ointment on his finger and tried to reach his back...but failed.
" damn it." He cursed and once again screamed. " HP!" This time louder.
Khushi came running to his room and stopped at the doorstep seeing his bare upper body. She immediately lowered her lashes.
" where's HP? I'm shouting for him for so long?"
" he's gone to buy groceries." Khushi replied with her head still hanging low.
" wonderful." He said bitterly and threw the ointment tube on the bed in anger then turned to wear his shirt.
" Can I smear that ointment for you?" She hesitantly asked.
Arnav looked at her sharply. " that's not your job."
Khushi lifted her head and glanced at him. " I know that's not my job..I was only trying to help." Hurt and disappointment, clearly evident in her voice. Arnav creased his face, he didn't mean to be rude.
" sorry. I sounded rude but I didn't wish to disturb you..I'll wait for HP."
" And bear the pain but won't take my help." Annoyed with him, she turned her face away.
" okay, fine. Do it." He couldn't see her upset and that too for such a small thing.
Khushi came in and took the tube.
" here, there's some on my finger." Said Arnav. Khushi took it and Arnav slowly turned to show his back.
As Khushi's eyes moved up, her forehead creased on seeing the cuts and burnt marks. The fire incident, Arnav pressed under the pillar then lying on the hospital bed...everything came rushing back to her mind and her eyes turned moist. No matter how hard she tried to push those awful scenes aside, they somehow managed to crop up in her mind. How painful it must've been for him, the glass pieces cutting through his skin and the fire burning him..just the thought made her shudder.
" Khushi." He called out, asking her to get going.
Khushi nodded and swallowed hard before raising her fingers to touch his marks and as soon as she did, he flinched in pain.
" oh..I'm sorry, Arnav ji." Tears now clearly visible in her eyes.
Seeing her distraught reflection in the mirror, Arnav wrinkled his nose and turned around.
" I knew you won't be able to do it, that's why I stopped you..but you don't have to listen, right?" She failed to understand that seeing her miserable that too because of him , killed him. Her tears were like acid, burning his heart.
" Khushi, for heaven's sake, stop crying." He pleaded but she didn't listen. Thinking that he risked his life for her, made her cry even more. He was safe, Sia was safe still he jumped into fire, only to protect her..twisted her heart. What if he had ..lost his life? covering her mouth with her hand, she sobbed harder.
Arnav held her shoulders and shook her lightly. " Khushi, why these tears? What for?" He was alright then why was she weeping?
" because it's heart shattering to see one you love in pain?"
Arnav's jaw dropped and his hands slipped down her shoulders. Love?
" Khushi!"
Pressing her quivering lips she looked into his surprised eyes.
" don't..Khushi..me." her confession might have taken him off guard but didn't he have any idea what she felt for him?
" yes, I love you." The day Payal had asked her about her feelings, she hadn't replied because till then she hadn't admitted that she loved him, to herself..she wasn't sure then. However today she was absolutely clear in her mind and her heart.
" but.." Arnav was least expecting her to say something like that..it was so unbelievable!
" don't tell me, you don't feel the same about me."
Arnav was speechless, of course he loved her..loved her with every beat of his heart but how could he admit that to her?
" remember that night, when that drunkard attacked me...you were so furious that if not stopped, you would have killed him..And this fire at the mall..you and Sia were alright, like anyone else you could have also run out to save your life...but you didn't."
Arnav turned away to avoid her eyes that were probing him and speaking the truth.
" no person reacts like that for someone, who's just his employee."

How much he had secretly wished to have Khushi's love and today when she confessing it, he couldn't accept it...damn it! Why was life so cruel?
Khushi stepped forward and peered into his eyes. " tell me you don't love me." She challenged him because she was sure that all this wasn't one sided. He cared for her not just as Sia's governess but there was something more to it. Baring her heart to him wasn't on her mind, on the contrary all this while she was curbing her tears and burying her love for him in her heart. However seeing him in pain and knowing that she was responsible for his current state, the balloon of emotions just raptured and now everything was in the open.
Arnav found himself unable to look into her confident and expectant eyes. What she was saying was right. What she was expecting was also right. But once again he couldn't give what she rightly deserved.
" it's not possible." He said softly.

And here history repeated itself. Once again he crushed her love and broke her heart.

" why, because you still..love..someone else?" Her voice choked as she asked him.

" no, because I don't deserve you. I don't deserve your love." Suddenly he felt he had stabbed his heart in which she breathed, with his own hands.

" Khushi, I'm not worthy of you!"

Thanks for reading

Rose