THE UNFAIR AFFAIR - Chapter 11 Pg 95 [March 30] - Page 17

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CHAPTER 4

The bright sunlight compelled Arnav to wake up on the lazy Sunday. His head still felt heavy as he opened his eyes with a lot of effort. He lay on the bed staring at the ceiling, as his mind rushed back to the days when he was with Khushi in college. Two years of togetherness! That was the most beautiful period of his life. He smiled as he recalled those moments spent with Khushi. The long bike rides, sharing lunch boxes, sitting up all night doing projects and assignments together, winning badminton tournaments for the college, going out on weekend outings... and in all this, falling in love! Arnav smiled as he recalled how happy he was when Khushi had finally confessed her feelings. That was the beginning of their relationship. And it was a wonderful one. They were perfect for each other, completing each other in every way. It was all so good until that fateful day. Arnav shut his eyes as guilt filled him remembering it. I should have stopped. I should have thought of the consequences. She was trying to stop me. I should have listened! Khushi would have been mine even today... Damn! His eyes brimmed with tears as he cursed himself. He heard a knock on the door.

"Come in he said quickly wiping off his wet eyes and sitting up in bed.

"Are you alright? asked Payal, Akash's wife, as she entered the room with coffee and some biscuits.

"I am fine, Bhabhi replied Arnav rubbing his already red eyes.

"Akash told me about last night she said as she sat on the edge of the bed placing the tray in her hand on the side table.

Arnav gulped looking away from her as tears filled his eyes again. Akash and Payal had been Arnav's best buddies. His bond with his Bhabhi had become stronger after his mother passed away a couple of years ago. His dad had passed away many years ago and now it was only his brother and his sister-in-law in his family. Akash had always guided him through the right path and Payal was the one he could turn to for any advice.

"Life is so unfair, Bhabhi he said sadly. "It was alright staying away from her. But since I saw her again yesterday, it's has become difficult to breathe. And that guy... Arvind Gupta! You can't imagine how jealous I am of him! I hate him to the core!

"I can understand, Arnav. But there's no point in cribbing now, is there? You must accept the truth. You always have to pay for your faults, you can never escape

"You are salting my wounds, Bhabhi said Arnav feeling hurt.

"Don't take me in a wrong way, Arnav. You are like my younger brother, I would never want you to be depressed like this. And more importantly, I don't want you to take any wrong step when you can't control your emotions. Believe me, whatever I am saying is for your own good

Arnav looked at Payal, his eyes pleading her to help him get out of all the pain he was going through.

"When you love someone deeply, their happiness matters to you more than yours she said.

Arnav shifted his gaze away realising he was not really feeling happy for Khushi. "Maybe I am not a good person

"Do you want to become one?

"Can I?

"Yes... Only if you listen to me and follow what I say

*****

Arnav exhaled nervously as he stood beside his car a few meters away from Khushi's home. Bhabhi has told me to be normal and meet her happily. I am normal! Come on, Arnav! Forget that you loved her. Meet her as a friend. Be happy in her happiness. You can do it! He exhaled again rubbing his hands, gathering all his confidence preparing himself to meet Khushi face-to-face. As he neared the gate, Panda began barking. Arnav missed a beat and stopped at his place. Nervousness gripped him again. He hastily turned to walk back to his car. Just then he heard Khushi coming out with Arohi. He stopped hearing Khushi's voice and quickly hid behind a tree to see Khushi and Arohi walking out of the gate. They were going somewhere by walk. Arnav followed them secretly to see them enter a garden nearby. He too went behind them. He saw Khushi helping Arohi sit on the swing. A kid's ball hit him on the back. By the time he returned the ball to the kid and looked back in the direction of Arohi, Khushi wasn't there. Arohi was playing on the swing alone. Arnav searched around for Khushi, but couldn't find her. Someone was giving a push to Arohi's swing from behind. How can Khushi leave Arohi alone? He wondered. He stepped forward seeing Arohi's swing oscillating with high amplitude. He was worried for Arohi. Before he could go towards her, he heard someone calling out his name from behind.

"Arnav!

It was a familiar voice, how could he not recognize it? He turned to see Khushi standing in front of him. Pleasantly surprised, Arnav couldn't hide his happiness and excitement. Finally, here she was... talking to him, after four long years! Before he could say anything, Khushi spoke again.

"How dare you follow us! she exclaimed.

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