#2 ArShi FF - I AM WITH YOU || Ch 24 on Pg 115 [Sep 3] - Page 26

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CHAPTER 15

Khushi stood by the window in her room feeling the cool evening breeze over her face. The Raizada Mansion was much larger than Khushi had imagined. The swimming pool on one side and the garden on the other were visible from Khushi's room. After a long time, Khushi had got few peaceful moments to breathe calmly and relax. She watched as the breeze kissed the water sending ripples through the surface. She recalled her moments with Arnav through the little escape-adventure few hours back. Khushi didn't get to feel his care for her through the hustle, but now she could see it clearly as she looked back. He had held her from behind, she remembered, his one hand across her belly and the other covering her mouth. He had held her firmly, her back pressing against his chest, making her feel his abs through their clothes. Khushi put her arms around herself and smiled recalling the moment. She had felt so safe in his arms. And then those words...Don't worry Khushi, I am with you... Oh wow! Those words were like magic. They always worked. Khushi believed more in Arnav every time he said those. Those words always assured Khushi that she was safe. The breeze across her face reminded her of Arnav's touch making her blush. She turned her back at the window and closed her eyes as she entwined her fingers bringing her hands close to her heart. She remembered how Arnav had lifted her in his arms while running towards the car. She had put her arm around his neck and the other clinching his shirt at his chest. She remembered the concern on his face, the determination to keep her safe. And then she remembered the pain in his eyes, the pain he was hiding. She realised that he was in pain, yet he didn't show it, because he cared for her more than himself. Tears formed in the corner of her eyes as she realised Arnav's concern for her.

Khushi sat down on the bed, thinking about Arnav. He was currently in sleep since hours under the effect of medication. Khushi had visited his room several times in the span of these few hours to see whether he had awakened. But the nurse always told her that there was still time for Arnav to wake up. Finally the nurse told Khushi that she would be informed once Arnav was up. Khushi was waiting to meet Arnav. Arnav's condition was only because of her and she would not feel good unless she herself confirmed that Arnav was fine.

*****

Lavanya and Karan were sitting in their seats waiting for the bus to reach Mumbai. Karan checked the time. "Half an hour more..." he said to Lavanya but saw that she was asleep. He looked at her innocent face. She was holding his arm and her head was resting on his shoulder. Karan smiled and sat back resting his head over Lavanya's.

*****

Ajinkya was already angry with his men that they couldn't find Lavanya and Karan. On observing the bungalow, Ajinkya had noticed a few things that confirmed of Khushi's presence in the bungalow. All the rooms were very clean, he had found Khushi's phone, her old broken sim card and also water and some food items in the kitchen... All these things indicated that Khushi was had been there.

"Arnav!" thought Ajinkya, "I need to find this Arnav!"

Ajinkya took Khushi's phone and searched for Arnav's name in her contacts. Khushi's new number was activated by now. Ajinkya dialled Arnav's number. But as Arnav's phone was damaged during the accident, Ajinkya couldn't reach the number. "Argh!!" he gave out a cry in frustration. "Find Lavanya and Karan at any cost!!" he ordered his men.

*****

Khushi heard the laughter of a little girl from the adjacent room. She wondered who it might be and went to see. She smiled at the sight in front of her. Shashi and a little girl were enjoying making a tower with playing cards. Khushi was amused to see the excitement of the little girl as she tried to carefully place a couple of cards to make the second level of the tower.

Looking at Shashi, Khushi remembered her childhood days when Shashi used to play with her. "Everything has changed now..." she thought. "My Papa who always wanted me in front of his sight, doesn't even recognise his girl now... Why did this all happen? Will I ever get you back, Papa? I am your daughter; don't you remember all those days we had been together? Just one accident took you away from me... Was our relation so weak that just a moment was enough to drift us apart? Your daughter needs you, Papa..." Khushi's eyes watered.

Shashi noiced Khushi standing at the door. "Come in Khushi... Why are you standing there? Come..." he said. Khushi quickly wiped her eyes and smiled as entered the room.

The little girl was staring at this new lady in her room. She stopped smiling and moved towards Shashi clinging onto him on seeing Khushi coming closer. Khushi stopped seeing the little girl nervous.

"Don't worry Arya beta" said Shashi to the little girl, "This is our guest... Say hello to her..."

Khushi smiled at the girl, "So is your name Arya?" she asked. Arya nodded. "That's such a lovely name!" said Khushi and a big smile appeared on Arya's face.

Shashi told Khushi that Arya was Akash and Payal's daughter. Khushi and Arya became friends in no time. Shashi watched in awe how easily Khushi won a place in Arya's heart.

"Come Khushi didi, we will make a huge tower... Just like our home!" said Arya jumping in excitement.

Khushi was amused to see the four-year-old so happy. Shashi watched as Khushi and Arya played together. He got up to leave. Khushi looked at him as he gently moved his hand over her head. "Carry on..." he said with a smile and left. Khushi stared at his back. "I need to know why you kept coming to Pune, Papa... I want to know all the answers..." she thought.

"Khushi didi, look here!" called out Arya and Khushi became busy with her.

*****

Shashi, while passing by Arnav's room, saw Arnav wake up. He entered the room.

"How are you feeling, beta?" he asked.

"Much better, uncle..." replied Arnav with a smile.

Shashi sat on a chair beside Arnav's bed. Meanwhile the nurse went to inform Khushi about Arnav.

Shashi and Arnav were chatting.

"Khushi is a nice girl..." said Shashi suddenly.

Arnav was a bit confused at the statement. "Yes, she is..." he replied.

"She came here several times since afternoon to see whether you were awake and fine" told Shashi.

"Really? She did?" asked Arnav, excited. Shashi could clearly see Arnav's inclination towards Khushi.

"You both seem great together" said Shashi with a wink. Arnav was surprised. Shashi tapped Arnav's shoulder gently and walked away telling him to take rest.

*****

The nurse saw Khushi with Arya, busy making the tower. Arya watched keenly as Khushi carefully placed a couple of cards to make the top-most level. The moment it was done, Arya began jumping happily as she clapped. The nurse smiled and entered the room telling Khushi that she could meet Arnav now. Arya heard this and said, "Yayy! I will show this tower to chachu!" Khushi frowned. She wanted to meet Arnav alone. Just then, Payal called out to Arya. Khushi's face glowed as Arya ran away towards Payal. Now Khushi could talk to Arnav peacefully, hopefully without any disturbance...

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