#2 ArShi FF - I AM WITH YOU || Ch 24 on Pg 115 [Sep 3] - Page 28

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CHAPTER 16

Karan woke Lavanya up as the bus was about to reach their stop. They got down at their stop only to be shocked. The police inspector, with two constables, was waiting to welcome Lavanya and Karan. Lavanya held Karan's arm with both her hands as the constables got hold of them and pulled them to the road-side. Karan tried to comfort Lavanya though he knew that there was no way out now. He just held Lavanya tightly, away from the constables.

The inspector dialled a number and Karan and Lavanya heard him speak over the phone... "Ajinkya ji? Inspector Deshmukh here... As discussed earlier, we have caught Lavanya and Karan by tracing their phones... Yes, they are with us now... Hmm... Okay... Yes, okay... We will try to interrogate them... No no, no problem... I will inform you..." and the call ended. The inspector threw an angry glance at Lavanya and Karan. "Take them with us!" he ordered the constables.

A scared Lavanya looked at Karan as her eyes welled up. Karan remained silent. What could he say? There were no words to comfort Lavanya right now. He held Lavanya firmly as they were pushed into the police van.

*****

Shashi, Amar and Veena sat in the drawing room chatting. While chatting about general things, Shashi suddenly brought up the topic of Arnav and Khushi. "Khushi and Arnav care so much for each other, don't they?" he said smiling.

Veena and Amar exchanged glances. Veena didn't know what to say. Amar forced a smile and said, "Yes, they are very good friends..." Shashi nodded in agreement.

"Well, I think they are more than just friends..." said Shashi checking Amar's and Veena's reaction. Veena's lips parted in shock as she heard what Shashi just said. Amar's smile vanished. Shashi continued, "Amar ji, please don't mind me saying this... I know I probably don't have any right to say about Arnav's life, but..."

"No Shashi ji..." interrupted Amar, "Arnav is your son too... Please don't hesitate to say whatever you feel..."

"As your friend, I would like to suggest something..." replied Shashi. Amar missed a beat wondering what Shashi was about to say. Veena waited keenly for Shashi to speak further. "Khushi is a lovely girl..." said Shashi, "I know she has no parents..." he paused. Veena and Amar looked at each other feeling bad that Shashi didn't remember he was Khushi's father. Shashi continued, "She says I am her father... but I am so unfortunate that I don't remember anything. I do consider her my daughter just like I consider Arnav as my son..." he became emotional as he said it. Amar placed his hand on Shashi's to make him feel better. Shashi placed his other hand on top of Amar's and said, "Amar ji, I feel that Arnav and Khushi like each other... You know what I mean, right?" Looking at Veena, he said, "Veena ji, don't mind, I am just saying what I feel. Don't you think Arnav and Khushi will..."

"Shashi..." said Amar, interrupting. He had no choice but to tell Shashi about his promise to Shyam. Shashi listened silenly. He felt bad somewhere that Arnav and Khushi had no future together, which he would have loved to see.

*****

The nurse and Khushi reached Arnav's room. While Khushi entered the room, the nurse gave an excuse of making a phone call and went away leaving Khushi with Arnav.

Arnav saw Khushi coming in and his heart began beating faster. Khushi slowly walked towards Arnav. She was nervous for some reason. Arnav was staring at Khushi as she pulled up a chair to sit. She felt butterflies in her stomach feeling Arnav's constant gaze. Arnav was waiting for Khushi to speak. But Khushi chose to look down at her hands resting on her lap as she continued playing with her fingers in nervousness. Arnav couldn't wait any more. He just placed his hand on hers indicating her to stop doing that. Khushi missed a beat feeling Arnav's touch. Arnav could feel Khushi's uneven breath. His heart was thudding in his chest as if it would pop out any moment. "Khushi..." said Arnav finally breaking the silence. Hearing her name from Arnav, Khushi felt a wave of shiver across her body. She didn't know what to say. She felt like just getting up and running away, but she didn't want to take her hand away from Arnav's grip either. She liked to be with Arnav. Arnav was looking at Khushi trying to know what was going through her mind.

Khushi closed her eyes for a moment and smiled. She calmed telling herself... "There's nothing to be so nervous, Khushi. It's Arnav, not some stranger. Just be calm and talk to him..."

Khushi opened her eyes to see Arnav staring at her. She became nervous again. "Oh god! Why is he staring at me like that..." she thought. Arnav pressed her hand and raised his eyebrows as if to ask 'What happened?'. He kept looking into her eyes and soon Khushi was lost in his. Forgetting the world around, forgetting all the worries and pain, they were just lost into each other.

Khushi suddenly realised what was happening and she broke the eye-lock. She just looked away thinking what to say. "How are you feeling now?" she managed to ask.

"Better" replied Arnav, "Now that you are with me.." He smiled. Khushi was not sure how to react to that. Arnav's reply was unexpected. "How's your foot now?" asked Arnav.

"Better..." replied Khushi nervously.

"What happened, Khushi?" asked Arnav, "Are you scared of me?"

"No!" replied Khushi instanly, "Rather I feel so safe with you..." She said without thinking. She placed her hand on her mouth the instant she realised what she had just said. "Oh no... I shouldn't have said that!" she thought, feeling more nervous.

Arnav was silenly smiling at Khushi's condition. He was still holding her other hand. He pressed her hand gently and said, "Khushi, what happened? Why are you so nervous, haan? It's me, Arnav... There's nothing to be nervous..." He paused for Khushi to be normal. "So you feel safe with me, haan?" he asked mischievously.

Khushi didn't know what to say. Her chest was heaving, her lips sealed, her eyes wet. With great effort, Arnav sat up. He held her hand into his and said, "You have always shared everything with me, haven't you?" Khushi nodded in yes. "So now you shared another thing, that's it... Big deal!" he said trying to cheer Khushi up. "And you know what, I already know it!"

Khushi looked at him in surprise. "Know what?" she asked.

"That you like being with me..." he said with a wink.

Khushi blushed. All her nervousness was gone.

"Arnav, thank you so much... You are always there to help me, but this time I caused you a lot of trouble. I am sorry, I didn't..."

"Anything for you, Khushi..." said Arnav interrupting her. Khushi's eyes watered listening to his reply. Arnav wiped her eyes saying, "Don't worry Khushi, I am with you..."

"Always?" she asked innocently.

"Always!" he assured her.

They had no idea that they were being watched by Amar who was standing at the door. "I must put an end to this! I must do something..." he thought.

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