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WILL SHE EVER FORGIVE ME?
Khushi was sitting on the bed leaning back. Arnav lay across on the bed with his head on Khushi's lap. Both were at a loss of words. They were silent. Khushi was staring at the wall in front and Arnav at the ceiling above. Khushi felt Arnav's body shiver. She looked at him. He was still in shock. Khushi weaved her fingers through his hair as her eyes filled with tears seeing is condition.
Arnav was still staring at the ceiling. Tears flowed down his eyes. "Every time..." said Arnav, "Every time I was wrong!! I was wrong in judging people so close to me... I can never recognize people... never!" he sobbed. Khushi gently rubbed his chest as he spoke, "I was wrong about Shyam... I was wrong about you... And I was so wrong about, about..." he paused to breathe, tears streaming down his eyes. He was still staring at the ceiling. "Am I so bad? Do I deserve to be loved? Am I so..."
"Shhh...!!" Khushi stopped him from speaking further. "Enough Arnav ji... It was not you... It were the times...! The bad days are gone now! Everything will be fine!" said Khushi caressing him.
"Why do you love me so much?! Why? Even after I gave you so much pain, even after I destroyed your life, even after I broke your heart, even after I treated you in the worst ways one ever can, even after I..."
"Arnav ji... All that is past now! Whatever happened till now doesn't matter as long as the present and the future is beautiful" said Khushi. "And you have made my life beautiful Arnav ji, and I am sure you will make Di's beautiful too...!!" she smiled.
Her smile was making him feel guiltier. More tears flowed down his cheeks as he said, "Don't love me so much Khushi... I would die of the guilt of not living up to your expectations...!! I would die of the guilt of not giving you the love you deserved... the guilt of being such a..."
Khushi placed her palm on his mouth. "I have got much much more than I had expected Arnav ji...!! And you know what, you are the best and the most loving husband ever!!" she said.
Both laughed as tears filled their eyes.
Arnav looked into Khushi's eyes as he held her hand between both his hands. "I love you Khushi... I love you very much!" he said.
Khushi nodded with a smile saying, "I know that Patidev!!"
Arnav further said, "And I am sorry for all the pain, for all the tears I gave you... I am really sorry!"
"You don't have to be..." whispered Khushi.
"Khushi, I don't fear to lose you now... Because I know you understand me very well, and you will forgive me... I know that you will never go away from me... I know it!!" Khushi smiled in agreement. "But Di...?! What all I have said to her, how many times I have insulted her husband... I have hurt her many times... I didn't want to, but... How could I let that Shyam be here?" he clenched his jaws as he recalled everything. He looked at Khushi with his head still on her lap. Khushi could feel his pain, his guilt. "Will she ever forgive me?" He sobbed and continued, "Tell me Khushi, will she ever forgive me?!"
Khushi moved her hand over his forehead. She smiled and said, "She has already forgiven you Arnav ji!! She forgave your every bitter word the moment you hugged her and made her feel comfortable after throwing Shyam out of here...!!" Arnav felt so relieved after hearing that. "And you know what?" continued Khushi, "No sister can remain upset with her dear papad ka tukda for long...!!"
Arnav kept looking at her for a moment and then hugged her tightly, his arms around her waist and his head into her belly. Khushi too held him tightly as he lay on her lap. Khushi's words had relieved all his burden. He could now sleep peacefully in the most protective and the most comfortable sheath of his dear wife's love and belief.
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Link to my Index of ArShi Stories
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