Chapter 51 - I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU
I loved you then.
And I love you now.
I always have.
And I always will
Today, tomorrow, forever and beyond
Until the end of time
Theres only one thing that I know will be the same inmy being
No matter where I go, or where I am
And I know that you already know this,but its for meto say and for you to know again
That – I will always Love you!
………………………………
Three Months Later
Ritz-Carlton,Berlin – Germany
10.00 PM
Khushi finished signing the documents Sia hadbrought to her, in her room at the Ritz and she asked with a small smile – “ isthere anything else for now?? I leave for Interlaken tomorrow…”
Sia gave her a small smile – “im sorry to make avisit so late in the night, I don’t know how it slipped my mind to get thesesigned by you, earlier today…and this will be all for now, we are sorted for acouple of months, until you visit again, and apart from that if theres anythingelse, I will get in touch with you over a video call, as usual…”
Khushi gave her a small smile – “ no worries, likeyou know, im happy to help, and im happy to see the progress, and id like to congratulateyour team for that…”
Sia gave her a small smile – “well , id like tothank you for your understanding and support, if you hadn’t agreed to watchover it…but I am happy you did, Arhaan Sir chose well,he was right when he toldme that it had to be you, only you he could trust, his last wish with…”,and shepaused as she added softly – “ he really loved you…”
Khushi sighed – “ I know…”,and she added softly –“ I just hope hes at peace where ever he is..”
Sia gave her a reassuring smile – “ I am sure heis…”,and then she pulled Khushi in for a brief side hug – “ ill see you aroundnext time ok? Take care, have a safe flight…say goodbye to your fiancé too, hesbeen very understanding and supportive…thank him from my side, once again willyou please…??”
Khushi smiled – “ ofcourse, I will…”,and thenshe saw Sia leave.
Khushi finally walked to the window of herroom,and she looked out at the lights of a busy city life that shone so brightlythrough the darkness of the night, and she closed her eyes for a few seconds.
It had been three months since Arhaan’s death,and it had taken her a while to get the shaky feeling out of her head,that hehad indeed died in her arms.She wouldn’t have been able to get through itwithout Arnav’s support, he had been there for her , counselling her at everystep, that Arhaans sudden death wasn’t her fault. It was a choice he had madefor himself, and she could not go on a guilt trip, blaming herself for anything.And not just that , he had also been very supportive when Sia had first calledtwo months ago, stating that Khushi would need to come to Berlin, in order tosort out some formalities with the trust. He had come with her, and ever sincethen, he had been a constant support system for her, guiding her at every step,when she seeked his advice. In her heart, she knew, that in those last moments,Arnav had also set himself free of all the hatred his heart for Arhaan and thegruesome past, the very fact that he accompanied her everytime she had to visitBerlin, was a testimony of that fact.
Right then she felt a pair of arms go around herwaist from behind, and she leaned back into his warm embrace on reflex, as sheheard his soft voice in her ears – “hey, you.. what are you thinking??”
Khushi turned to face him as she turned in hisarms, putting her hands on his shoulder – “ Im thinking about how I wouldn’t havebeen able to do all of this, if it weren’t for you..thank you so much,Arnav, I knowwhat this meant to you, I know you had to fight every bit of..”
Arnav cupped her face tenderly – “ every bit ofthat darkness inside, yes you are right, but Khushi, I didn’t have to doanything, the light of your love dimmed it all out, a long time already, and I promisedyou didn’t?? that id be with you at every step, and know that I always willbe..”
Khushi kissed his hand, there was so much love inhis eyes at the moment that it made her heart want to burst in happiness andshe felt the happy tears make their way to her eyes and she felt him cup herface tenderly again, pulling her closer – “ and honestly I cant really complainabout our visits here every two months, it gives me the much needed privacytime, which gets impossible otherwise back in India, you do know, wev beenengaged for three months, but Asad still needs to get comfortable with thethought that you and me, need some ‘our’ time…”, he finished with a wink.
That made Khushi smile through her tears – “ veryfunny ok…bhaijaan has been only supportive, just like the rest of our families…”
Arnav grinned at that – “ yes ofcourse, but I stilldon’t understand the need of him to hover around you everytime he thinks Imgoing to whisk you away for some privacy…”
Khushi rolled her eyes at him and she winked – “shutup ok, hes bhaijaan, hes always been like that very protective of me, he approvesyou, you should be happy about that…”
Arnav felt his insides ease as he saw Khushi’ssmile make its way to her eyes and he scooped her in his arms, as he made hisway towards the bed and laid her down gently and she whispered kissing hisforhead tenderly – “ no that there was anything in the world that I wouldn’t havedone to get him to approve…but now that I look back it was easier than I hadimagined…”
Arnav kissed her nose tenderly – “ofcourse, andthe fact that hes so madly in love with my sister, helps…”,and he brushed hercheek tenderly as he propped up on his elbow,and laced his other free hand withhers as he spoke looking into her eyes – “ you need to know that im running outof patience..I cannot wait longer to have you with me day and night…I want tomarry you as soon as possible…”
Khushi pressed his hand – “you know I want ittoo, but then again, our families are so excited to hold the double wedding forus and bhaijaan and Zoya, that we cannot just take it away from them…you knowammi and Maa have been planning it for months now, ever since we told themabout us…”
Arnav groaned – “ I know, I know, but im not avery patient man Khushi, and definetly not when it comes to you…but youvstarted talking too much logic these days…you need to make it up to me…”,andwith that he had pushed her back into bed.
Khushi felt herself shiver.How was it possibleto shiver everytime he was this close to her, even after all this while, he hadmade love to her so many times already, but she still shivered like it was thefirst time he was going too.She laced her arms around his neck and she asked – “and how do you want me to make it up to you..??”
Arnav grinned at his victory, as he started toshred them both of all the unnecessary clothing that stood as a barrier in betweenthem in the moment,and he kissed her deeply, and he felt her tug at his hair asshe pulled him closer into her,as she surrendered in his arms and he broke apartfor a second as he whispered – “ im going to make love to you all night…”
Khushi shivered as she whispred – “ id like that…”
Arnav grinned at the blush up her cheeks – “ youare still shivering..and you still blush…I love that you know, it makes me feellike you are going to melt in my arms again, just like you did..the first time Imade love to you…”
Khushi leaned up on her elbows a little as she whispered– “ and I love that I melt in your arms the way I do, everytime you make loveto me…and you know what …I always will…”,and before she knew it, she was pushedback into the pillows, and she let the man she loved so deeply take over themoment as he made love to her with so much passion and love,that it drove hercrazy.
It was true.Arnav and Khushi were both going todrive each other crazy till the end of time.Theyd probably consume everythingin their beings in the process, but such was the tale of their love.
This was how it was destined to be, always.
This was how it was always, meant to be.
……………..
Next Day
Arnav felt his eyes flutter open, and he reachedout for Khushi next to him, on reflex and he didn’t find her there, and he gotup immediately and leaned up against the bed,as he saw Khushi step out the bath,fresh from her shower, dressed in a bathrobe,and he groaned – “ why are you upso early???we have time don’t we??and you know I don’t like it when I don’t findyou next to me when I expect you to be Khushi”
Khushi smiled and she walked up to him, and satnext to him on the bed – “ sorry about that…but I needed to soak myself in ahot tub, and you were sleeping so peacefully, you know I hate to disturb yoursleep…”
Arnav pulled her closer by the arm onto hischest – “ why didn’t you wait for me to wake up??i would have joined you…”
Khushi rolled her eyes – “ yeah, and then wewould never make it to the airport, and its your fault that im so sore anyway, youdidn’t let me sleep until a couple of hours ago…”
Arnav grinned mischievously – “yeah about that, Iwish I could say Im sorry, but im not, what do you expect Khushi, I don’t getenough privacy with you anyway, a mans gotta make the best out of the time hegets right, and who told you to be so irresistible in the first place,I can neverhave enough of you, you know that…”
Khushi smiled – “ I love the sound of that, okpromise me something will you please??”
Arnav – “ofcourse…anything??”
Khushi smiled – “that you will always love me,like you do…”
Arnav grinned – “ofcourse, that’s a easy one…youknow, I always will Khushi, till the end of time..”
Khushi grinned at that – “ok, then I promise thatid let you ravish me like you did last night, whenever you want…”
Arnav grinned at that – “ really??? Now that’s adeal I cannot refuse…how about you let me ravish you now…you know Asad landsthe same time as us at Zurich and then we are going together to Interlaken, imnot going to be able to touch you without his over protective brotherly gaze hoveringme…”
Khushi immediately put the pillow in between themand she whacked his arm with it – “ god, you are shameless, and you are makingme just like you too…now cmon, hurry up get ready, iv ordered us breakfastalready…we have a plane to catch…”
Arnav grinned as he got up from bed and kissedKhushi on the cheek tenderly,and he made his way to the washroom,and he leanedagainst the bathroom door for a second as he watched Khushi settle in the lastbit of her stuff in her suitcase, and he smiled, he loved sharing every bit ofhimself and his life with her, and it was growing on him day by day.
He loved her with all his heart.
She was his Life and he couldn’t wait to bemarried to her, have her in his home by his side forever.
He smiled at the thought that his mind recapped andhe turned around and started to get ready.
His forever with Khushi had already begun a longtime ago.It had started the minute he had pulled her into his arms saving herfrom stepping on the roads when the peadestrian signal was red, on the busystreets of London.
And now he was just a little step away from hisvery own happily ever after with Khushi.
……………………………………
Interlaken
Zoya had tears in her eyes, as she listened tothe instructions being given to her by her team of therapists,and Dr Satish, andshe nodded through them,as she felt herself being lowered into the MRI machine.
The last three months had been an emotionalrollercoaster, in every way, there was a lot she had physically undergone withher therapies and it had also been a complete test of her inner strength, asshe put her mind and soul into her recovery.She couldn’t have done done itwithout Asad’s support at all, he was with her every two weeks for a good tendays, helping her through it all step by step, he was always with her in allher sessions whilst he was physically present , and whilst he was away, he wasin constant touch with the therapists and Dr Satish, keeping a tab on herprogress himself.She smiled at the memory of how she would have to push him togo back to India every ten days, and he had been hesitant but he had agreed. Andhe showered so much love at her, at every step, every second, that it gave herthe courage to find that strength within to give her recovery, the best shot itdeserved.
Infact the reason why she was having the MRI rightnow was no less than a miracle itself.So over the last couple of months, she hadprogressed remarkably, and she could move her leg a lot, but she still hadneeded support of her crutch, but her muscles were strengthening.And lastnight, she had just hung up over the phone with Asad, as he was boarding theflight to Zurich from Delhi, and she hadn’t realised because she was sopreoccupied with Asads thoughts in her head, and at the happiness in heart of meetinghim again , that she on reflex had got up from the chair in her room, with aphotoframe of a adorable picture of the two of them together, from a couple ofdays ago, and walked to her bedside and placed it tenderly next to the table infront of her.
And only when she sat on her bed, she had realisedthat she had just walked to her bed, by herself, without her crutch.
Happiness burst through her, as she got up on reflexagain without putting too much thought into it, and walked back to the chairshe had walked from, and she could.
Her legs didn’t shake.
She could walk.
After all these months, she had finally walkedon both her feet, by herself.
She fought happy tears in the moment as sheremembered her frantic call to Abir in the middle of the night, and he was at herdoorstep in 30 minutes and he barged into her door as he asked worried - “whats wrong Zoya???”,and he was relieved whenhe saw her stand in front of him smiling, with her crutch in one hand and alittle handbag in another hand,and he had asked – “ you are crazy, you scaredthe hell out of me, and where are you going in the middle of the night…”
Abir – “where??”
Zoya rolled her eyes – “ to the centerobviously, your father in waiting for me…”
Abir – “ wait, what?? He was sleeping right??”
Zoya smiled ,as she stated through her happytears– “ he was, until I called him and told him that I was able to walk , allby myself, without the support of my crutch..and now he wants to see me..”
Abir was by her side in a jiffy as he hugged her– “ what??? What did you just say?? Show me, cmon…please..”
Zoya gave him a smile – “ I will, but I want Asadto see me first, I want to run into his arms on both my feet Abir, he will be here tomorrow…ohgod, iv waited for this for so so so long…and bhai and Khushi will be heretoo..so my timing couldn’t get any better…”
Abir – “ofcourse…..i understand…and don’t worry,no one will hear it from me…and I will help you give them the perfect suprise”,andhe had watched her walk with her crutch like she had been doing for all thesemonths, with a happy tear in his very own eye, and gotten her here to thecenter, where, her entire team of doctors had been testing her muscle strengthswith various machines,and then she had, had a rigrous physio-session a coupleof hours ago,in which she had been able to successfully walk and pace around, onboth her feet all by herself,and now all that was left was this MRI, to checkthe situation with her nerves, because they needed to be sure on how theywanted to guide her further on this.
Abir was a good friend, he had agreed to her,and left her here all by herself, because she didn’t want anyone apart from herdoctors and therapists to see her walk on both her feet yet.
It was a sight, she had reserved for the love ofher life.
The one who had been her constant support andguide throughout these last three months. Not once had he shown her anysympathy, he had given her only support. Funny how theres a small but a verysignificant difference between the two.
Sympathy withers you, and the right support atthe right time helps you blossom again.
And he had loved her so much , it had helped herblossom back, he was there at every step counselling her through it all with somuch love, that she had fallen in love with him all over again.
It felt like she had lost herself in the processall over again and yet found everything back.
Asad had been her shadow,he hadn’t let her feelalone even for a second even whilst he was away.
He had given her the strength to dream again,andthe now that the dream had finally come true, she wanted him to be the first tosee it in reality.
Right then she felt herself being wheeled out ofthe MRI Machine,and the minute she sat up,she saw Dr Satish come in to the roomas he smiled at her – “ ill give the detailed report to Asad once you want metoo, I guess youd want to keep this a surprise from him right??”
Zoya smiled as she wiped the tears that fell hereyes but the look at her Doctors face said it all but she asked nonetheless – “everything is fine right?? There’s nothing to worry about with my nerve, I canrun if I want, cant i??”
Dr Satish smiled, overwhelmed with the emotionhe felt in that moment, for this girl was like a daughter to him and it madehim very happy to see her recovered and he spoke – “ like I said months before,if you put your heart and soul into it, youd be on your feet very soon, andlets just say that I am happy about the fact that I was right again, now, cmon,get up and walk to me…”
Zoya grinned, and she moved herself,and stood onboth her feet and walked towards the doctor who had been no less than a fatherfigure to her, in all these months,and she hugged him as she spoke – “ thankyou so much, thank you so much….”,and right then the rest of her therapistsjoint him,and she pulled them all in for a big warm hug, one by one.
She couldn’t have done this without their dedicationand passion.
And she recalled what Anjali di would alwaystell her, true prayers from the heart always get answered, some just take alittle longer to be addressed, but they always get answered.
Just like her’s had been, in that very moment.
………………………………………….
Asad waited with his luggage, sitting on thelittle seating area, and he dialled Zoya’s number again, and she cut his callagain, and now he really started to worry, as minutes passed because she alwaysleft a text if she couldn’t take his call.
But he hadn’t received any text from her too.
He was trying to get in touch with her for thelast hour just as he had landed, but he hadn’t been successful.
He was still deep in thought, when he spottedKhushi run upto him as she spoke excitedly – “bhaijaaannnnn….”,and pulled himfor a big warm hug that brought a huge smile to his face,and he spotted Arnavwheel the trolley with both their luggages right behind her and he pulled himfor a hug as he asked – “ did you wait long??”
Asad smiled at his best friend and his sister,as he watched Arnav lace his hand through Khushi’s, a sight he was almost usedtoo, and he answered – “not really…answered some mails…”
Khushi rolled her eyes as she laced her otherhand through his arm and walked with the two of them – “ yeah right ofcourse,how can I forget that the two of together can break the Guiness World book ofrecords for the maximum numbers of emails received in a day…god, its drives uscrazy, you work too hard..”
Asad grinned at that but he teased his littlesister – “ are you complaining, that Arnav here doesnt have time for you thesedays??”
Khushi winked – “well I could never complainabout that, he always makes time for me…”
Arnav grinned – “ oh thank god,you didn’t mentionotherwise Khushi, or I would have to remind you that my phone is the last thingon my mind when you are with me..”, he finished with a wink.
Asad glared at his best friend, hiding his smile– “ you gotta stop giving me refrences, that make my brain go into an overdrive,please…”
Arnav and Khushi both laughed at that.
And they got into their cab,and right then Asadasked – “ ok have the two of you been able to speak to Zoya?? Iv been trying toget in touch with her for the last hour, but no luck…”
Khushi – “ I spoke to her for a while last night…butjust left her a text as we boarded…Arnav you??”
Arnav – “ yea me too, I spoke to her last when Iwas with you…”
Asad felt his worry return – “ ok this is weird,im starting to worry now…”
Khushi – “ oho, don’t worry bhaijaan, she is ok,everything is ok…”
Arnav smiled at his best friend – “ id like tothank you though, Zoya is doing so much better and it wouldn’t have beenpossible without your support, I knew long ago, that you are exactly what she neededto get through this…”
Asad smiled back – “ im just watching out forher that’s all, shes done the rest, shes worked so hard at it for the lastcouple of months that it moves me to the core to see how determined she is, toget back on both her feet…Dr Satish did mention to me last week that all sheneeded was a little more time….”
Khushi – “well thank god for that, I cant waitfor zoya to be back home already…its been a while now that shes been here allby herself…”
Asad smiled – “yes, you cant be more impatientthan me on that Khushi…”
Arnav grinned – “ I agree…”
Asad – “ on that note, how did it go in Berlin??All ok??”
Khushi nodded – “ yes bhaijaan, all ok…”,and shefelt Arnav hold her hand and clutch it silently, as he gestured her to fill in Asadabout it all.
…………………………………….
Two Hours Later
Asad got out of the car in a jiffy and he ran towardsthe door and unlocked it with his spare key and entered in, in a rush, he couldn’twait to pull Zoya in his arms, it had been two weeks since he last saw her.Andhe had missed her terribly.
And he called out her name, he got no response.
And then he paced up to her room and lookedaround the house – Nope, there was no sign of Zoya.
He rushed down the stairs in a hurry as he sawArnav and Khushi make their way in and he said, worried – “ She isn’t here.Andshe isn’t taking my calls, and no text…”
Arnav – “ are you sure?? Did you lookeverywhere??”,he asked his own worry rising.
Khushi took out her phone immediately – “ill trycalling her again…”
And right then they spotted Abir enter in behindthem as he spoke – “ thank god, you all are here…”
Asad felt his worry deepen as he noticed thesolemn expression on Abirs face and he looked at Arnav and Khushi, something wasn’tright and he asked – “ where is Zoya?? I cant seem to reach her…”
Abir tried to hide his smile, he had to put upthe best act in this moment, he knew the three people in front of him wouldprobably kill him for this later, but hed take that thrashing it would all beworth it.
He said solemnly – “ yes about that, that’s whyim here, Zoya had a little fall down the stairs, nothing serious but shes withdad right now at the center…she asked me not to tell you guys because she didn’twant to worry you too much, you all were coming anyway…”
Asad felt as if someone has kicked his gut – “ Iknew I knew it, she wasn’t taking my calls, how did she fall, was she trying tomove too fast down the stairs?? I told her not too even the last time I was withher…god Zoya…is she hurt much Abir?? Tell me is she hurt?? And her leg?? Pls tellme she didn’t injure herself in the same leg??”
Arnav put a hand on Asads shoulder as he spoke –“ don’t worry, he said its nothing serious right, cmon lets go to the center..”
Khushi – “ Abir take us to Zoya please, and youbetter drive fast…”
Abir nodded as he hid his smile as he watchedthe three of them rush out at the speed of light towards his car.
Minutes Later
Abir pulled in the parking lot ten minutes laterand he heard Asad speak angrily – “ why wouldn’t you tell me whats wrong withZoya Abir?? You know I don’t like being kept in the dark when it comes to Zoya…”
And before he could say anything, the three ofthem rushed out the car.
……………..
Zoya looked at Dr Satish as she saw Asad andArnav and Khushi step out the car.
The look of worry on Asads face pained her a little,but it wasn’t going to last long as she whispered to her Doctor – “he will killme for this…but…”,and she moved the wheelchair out and Dr Satish hid his smileand walked next to her.
Asad spotted Zoya immediately as she made herway out the main door in the wheelchair, and he felt his heart break as he saw thesolemn look on her face and Dr Satishs face.Something terrible had happened,surely.Zoyanever took the wheelchair, not even back then when she had been so badlyinjured.
And he stood rooted to his spot as he saw Arnavand Khushi stop in their tracks too as they turned to Abir – “ what happened toher??”
Arnav – “answer us dammit..”
Zoya looked at the stunned faces of the threepeople she so badly loved standing not very far away from her, and she foughtthe urge to run into Asads arms already as she saw the three of them mask theirworry and Asad ran upto her and pulled her into a hug as he kneeled down infront of her and kissed her hand – “ are you very hurt?? How did you fall?? Don’tworry much ok…you will be ok…im not going to go back, until you are..i told you,you shouldn’t have sent me away…Zoya…”
Zoya kissed his hand – “im sorry…I…”
and right then he heard Dr Satish say – “ I wasjust getting Zoya out for some fresh air, why don’t you all come in to my cabinand we can talk about this…”
Arnav and Khushi hugged Zoya from each side andArnav put a hand on Asads shoulder as he gestured to Asad to go in, and Abirwalked upto them – “ ill be with Zoya here…she needs the fresh air…”
Asad nodded and he cupped Zoyas face tenderly – “ill be back soon, ok? Don’t worry about anything, ill be back soon…”
Zoya nodded at him solemnly and watched thethree of them step in behind Dr Satish.
Zoya looked at Abir finally and burst into agrin – “ god I hate to do this..but…”
Abir grinned – “ but its going to be worth it,cmon ill take you in…”,and Zoya nodded,and Abeer wheeled her into the corridorquickly and she saw that Asad, Arnav and Khushi were about to enter Dr Satishscabin, and right then she called out to him – “ Asad……”
Asad heard Zoya’s voice call out to him frombehind him and he turned on reflex, and right then his eyes locked with hers,and the solemn expression on her face broke into a grin, as she stood up onboth her feet, shocking the daylights out of his mind, and he saw her immediatelywalk a little next by herself on both her feet and then she ran towards him.
Khushi held onto Arnav’s hand in the moment asshe whispred – “ oh my god….”
Arnav looked around at the grin on Abirs faceand turned sideways to see a glimpse of it on Dr Satish’s too, and it all sunkit, they were all a part of a plan, and he felt relief wash over him,as heclutched Khushi’s hand on his arm – “ thank god….”
For a few seconds Asad stood frozen to his spotas he took in the sight of Zoya running towards him across the corridor on bothher feet, and then on reflex, he ran half way upto her, and she jumped into hisarms,as she wrapped her legs around his waist, and he held onto her waist forsupport and before he could say anything; she kissed him deeply.He held herclose into himself,as he kissed her back,in that moment, he felt so happy inthat moment that his heart was going to burst.
Arnav saw Khushi wipe her tears and he pulledher into a side hug as he whispered – “seriously stop crying again, Khushi…”
Khushi hugged him – “im happy, im just so so sohappy for them…”
Arnav kissed her forehead tenderly as he teased –“Well your bhaijaan is kissing my sister in front of me as if the world iscoming to an end, and he complains about my public display of affection towardsyou, remind me to point out this very moment to him, the next time he tries to pullhis big brother act on me…”
Khushi grinned at him,as she kissed his hand – “well ok, you do make a fair point….”
And right then all the therapists and nurses onZoyas case stepped out into the corridor and they all started cheering for Asadand Zoya, and that made Zoya and Asad break their embrace and Zoya touched herforhead to Asad as she looked into his eyes – “ im sorry I worried you backthere…I just wanted to surprise you, this look on your face…it was precious, soso so precious…I couldn’t have done this without you Asad, thank you so muchfor loving me the way you do…”
Asad felt too overwhelmed in that moment and hecould only muster – “God, I love you…”,and he pulled in Zoya for another deepkiss, he didn’t care if the world was watching.
He had waited for this moment for a long timenow and hed be dammed if he cared about anything else in this moment.
His prayers had finally been answered.
…………………………….
A while Later
Dr Satish looked at the four happy faces infront of him,as he finished explaining them about Zoyas recovery in detail andhe spoke – “ im sorry but I just couldn’t not be a part of the act, and don’t beangry at Zoya, it was a friction of my sons Imagination…”, he said pointingtowards Abir who stood leaning against the wall, grinning like an idiot.
Abir chipped in – “ I wouldn’t have wanted itany other way…”
Asad looked at Dr Satish – “so everything is ok?Zoyas is good to go home…”
Dr Satish grinned – “ well you can take her asgood as tomorrow, you have a green signal from my end, but id like you to waittill the end of the week…you see my sons getting married, and I would love forall of you to be there…”
The four of them now turned and looked back at agrinning Abir as Khushi and Zoya walked upto him, giving him a little thrash oneach of his arms – “when did you propose Yana??and why didn’t you tell me??
Khushi – “ what the hell Abir…??and when did shesay yes??”
Abir grinned – “well I was going to surprise youall about it, I just asked her last night at dinner, and then we planned totell you all today, but then this situation with Zoya happened…so I just waitedto reveal my surprise a little later…”and with that he shot his father a look –“ thanks dad for spoiling my surprise…”
Khushi and Zoya pulled Abir into a hug, one byone and Zoya smiled through her tears – “ god, im so happy for you, Abir really…youbetter take care of Yana …”
Abir grinned – “ofcourse, you have no idea whatit took off me to woo her back in the last three months…I plan to cherish her,forever…”
Dr Satish grinned – “ok, so id like to invitethe four of you for dinner tonight at our place?? We are having a mini celebrationfor Yana and Abirs.her parents also just flew in today…”
And the four of them nodded in unison – “ofcourse we will be there…”
…………………………………
11.00 PM
Khushi held Arnav’s hand, as she saw her brotherstep out of the car, and he scooped Zoya into his arms, and she smiled as sheheard Zoya say – “ oh cmon Asad, let me walk…”
Asad grinned – “ I will, once I take you in, itsbeen a habbit for these last months no, carrying you in my arms through themain door…”
Arnav laced his hand through Khushi’s as hewhispered into her ear – “you are staying with me tonight…”
Khushi looked at him raising an eyebrow –“ yeah,who says so??”
Arnav winked – “ didn’t you notice that iv beentotally kool with all the display of affection your brother has been showeringover my sister, all through the evening…he cant say a thing to me anymore…”
Khushi grinned – “and to think I actuallythought you were kool about it, but you have a hidden motive here…clever cleverRaizada…”
Arnav grinned – “always, am….”
And right then they both entered in through themain door,and came face to face with the sight of Asad kissing Zoya deeply,andArnav almost choked on his laughter,as Khushi punched him in the arm and hefinally spoke – “ ok, so we have a video call with everyone back at home inexact five minutes, I asked di to get everyone together on the pretext that wehad something very important to tell them all…so I give the two of you like twominutes to get a room…”
Zoya jumped apart from Asad in the minute and Asadglared at his best friend with a raised eyebrow for ruining his moment andArnav only gave him a look – serves you right for ruining so many of my momentswith Khushi
And right then Arnav’s phone buzzed and hegestured for Asad, Khushi, and Zoya to join him in and they all seated close toeach other on the sofa and he took the call, and they all came face to facewith the worried faces of their family.
Anjali di – “ Chotte, Khushi, asad, zoya, tellus already what is this already??”
Kkusum – “chotte, me and dilshaad have beengoing crazy here…what is this about…”
Dilshaad – “asad, Khushi..what is it?”
Naniji – “ iv been so restless ever since Anjalitold me that you told her to get us all together…”
Akash – “bhai…stop with the suspense already…”
Payal – “cmon cmon, tell us already…”
Shyam – “ oh , calm down now all of you, theywill speak only if you let them na…”
And right then Zoya gestured her brother to turnthe phone towards her and she spoke with a huge grin – “ I miss you all so soso much…”
Kksum and Anjali – “yes we so so too…cant waitfor you to be back, but your health is more important…Asad tells us youv beenworking too hard so we believe you will recover soon…”
Zoya looked at Asad as she held onto his hand asshe spoke – “ohk so I wanted all of you to see this in person, but I cant waitlonger….i just cant….”,and right then she held Asad’s hand,and stood up on herfeet and Khushi took the phone from Arnav’s hand adjusting it to the rightangle,and she felt tears in her eyes as she saw the happy expressions on herfamilys faces as realisation dawned on them.
Anjali di – “ Zoya…omg…did you just stand onboth your feet…”
Kkusum – “my baby..my baby…”
Dilshaad – “thank god, I knew this day wouldcome….”
And Zoya grinned as she walked a little behindand then forward and them jumped a little on her feet as she squealed happily –“ I can walk, I can run, and I can do it all by myself…god I cant wait to beback, Dr Satish says im good to come home tomorrow too…ofcourse ill have tofollow up with a little more physio though back home….”
Happy best wishes followed next as everyone tookturns to congratulate Zoya.
And then Kkusum and Dilshaad came in the frametogether as they asked the four of them to sit together and they finally askedwith tears in their eyes and smiles on their faces – “so as we have already beenplanning for months now, how about we schedule the date of your weddings twoweeks from now??I know itll be lots to do…but im sure if we all get into it wewill manage, and honestly we cant wait longer…it seems like a lifetime already…”
Asad held Zoya’s hand as he kissed it softly, askingher silently if it was ok with her, and Zoya nodded through her tears.
Arnav hugged Khushi as their eyes locked and Khushigave her nod as well and Arnav kissed Khushi’s hand and the four of them spokein unison – “we’d like that…”
…………………………………
Zoya held Asad’s hand as he placed her on herbed gently and she spoke – “ thank you Asad, for everything..but im fine…reallyremember what Dr Satish said, I can walk as much as I want…”
Asad kissed her forehead – “ yeah but I don’t wantyou to overexert yourself, you have only just recovered, and like I said Itsbecome a habbit to put you to bed like this…”
Zoya smiled as she sat up on bed and gesturedhim to sit next to her – “ stay with me tonight?? Please??”
Asad sat next to her and held her hand – “ I wantto…I really do…”
Zoya cupped his face ans she made him look ather – “and you don’t have to worry about anything anymore, im ok now…”
Asad – “ I don’t want to hurt you..and im scaredI will…”
Zoya sighed – “and that’s why youv been slippinginto the other room every night youv been here after cuddling me to sleep, forall these months..and I know whats its taken off you and me to do that..butAsad this is what I want please…I want you to make love to me, just like I wantto love you Asad…”
Asad pulled her by her hair closer into him ashe kissed her deeply, he couldn’t resist her, he knew what it had taken off himall these months to control himself from making love to her on so manyoccasions, but he had because he had been too scared that he could hurt her legin the moment of passion, but now in this moment he felt his own resolve weakenas he felt her strip off his shirt and tugged out hew own too as she continuedto kiss him in between as he paused for a second and holding his forehad onhers as their breathes mingled – “ tell me to stop, if the leg bothers you ok??”
Zoya looked at him and nodded, and pulled him backin towards herself for a deep kiss.She had never been so desperate for him asshe was in that moment.
She had waited for this for a long time now, andshe knew when he would finally make love to her again , it would be a memory ofthe past and a promise into their future again,but she wasn’t prepared for whatshe was feeling in that moment as he touched her, kissed her, held her, in themost intimate of ways, so gently, each caress , each brush of a hand, eachkiss, was like cementing the roots of their happily ever after, and she letherself loose, as her emotions went into an overdrive and she felt herselfrespond to with a desperate need and passion, and right then as he entered intoher slowly and gently, their eyes locked ,and Asad whispered – “I love youZoya, I always have and I always will…”
Zoya felt him move within her and she lost herability to think straight but she whispered as she let the man she deeply lovedmake love to her ,as he marked her as his again – “ I love you Asad, I alwayshave and I always will…”
………………………
Khushi stepped out the shower wrapped in a toweland she saw Arnav lying on the bed in front of her and she asked walking uptohim – “ what are you doing here?? Bhaijaan??”
Arnav grinned – “Well while you stepped out tocome up, your brother took my sister upto her room in his arms, and by the lookthey had on their faces, I don’t think Asad’s going to be coming out tonight…andI came up here immediately but you were already in the shower..so I justthought id wait out here for you…”,and he faked hurt as he spoke – “ although Iam a little sad that I missed showering with you two times in a row…”
Khushi grinned as she watched him get up fromthe door and walked upto lock the door and she winked – “Well you could havejust knocked on the door, id be happy to let you join in…”
Arnav winked – “and iv locked the door, justincase Asad decides to barge in, in the middle of the night…”,and he saw Khushilaugh at that and he walked up to her and placed her on his lap as he held herhand,and kissed the ring on her finger – “ finally…two weeks and you will berightly where you belong, by my side Mrs Raizada…”
Khushi smiled as she cupped his face gently – “I already am, rightly where I belong…”
Arnav brushed his hand through her hair and hepulled her close – “ you are mine…”
Khushi pulled his shirt into a little fist asshe pulled him closer into her – “ I always was…and I always will be…”and shekissed him briefly softly and deeply – “and you are mine…”
Arnav– “always was Khushi and I always will be…”andhe kissed her back, and he pushed her back into the pillows – “god, I want youso much..”
Khushi wrapped her legs around his waist on reflexas he pulled out her towel and he looked into her eyes – “ I love you Khushi…”,she whispered back – “im so desperately in love with you, that you would neverknow…”,and she let Arnav ravish her again, as he made love to her over and overagain that night,and his every touch, his every caress, his every kiss was ananswer to the fact that he was desperately in love with her too.
He always would be.
Just like she always would be too.
…………………………..
Love felt her phone beep and she unlocked herscreen to see a message from Hate.
Hate : see me in the storage room in 5 minutes.
She quickly typed back
Love : You know I cant.we will get into trouble,its working hours,and I know from fate that time has his eyes on us.I don’t wantto risk it.
She got a quick reply.
Hate : I don’t care about anything else rightnow.I need to see you and I need to see you now.
Love quickly typed : whats wrong??
Hate : Come before hell breaks loose.
Love looked towards Destiny and Fate, who werebusy in their work and she got up from her desk and made her way towards thestorage room.
And just as she had entered, she felt herselfbeing pulled into Hate’s arms as he kissed her mindlessly over and over again.
Love was taken aback, but she didn’t break awayas she welcomed Hates kisses and started to kiss him back,and right then asheld onto her close, pulling her into himself she sensed it.Something wasn’t right.Whywas he pouring fear into his kisses?
Love pulled apart as she finally looked at Hateand spoke – “ look into my eyes, will you please?? “
Hate did.
Love asked – “ whats wrong”
Hate sighed as he hugged her close – “whatswrong is that Im being sent away…”
Love pulled back now shocked – “ what do youmean?? Being sent away?? Where too and by whom??but why?? Wev been so discreetabout us that…”
Hate rolled his eyes and he banged his fist intothe wall – “by who else, Time ofcourse, you were right, I guess he had his eyeson us, and now im being sent on this unknown mission, and I have no idea about myreturn…”,he paused as he held her hand – “but I have to go, you know I have too,I cant say no…”
Love felt tears well up her eyes, ofcourse shewas expecting this moment to come and she sighed – “I know you cant, it’s the questionof your existence, you have already put too much stake for me, I will not haveyou risk anything anymore…I cant..I cant..and this is all my fault…only if I hadbeen able to control my emotions…”
Hate cupped Loves face and pulled her closerinto him , almost harshly – “are you insane?? Don’t you dare say that, don’t youdare, I don’t regret anything that has happened between us Love, and I don’t wantyou too, we both knew this was how it was meant to be…we knew what we weregetting into”
Love nodded – “ yes but it still hurts..ill missyou…when do you leave??will you be able to keep in touch??”
Hate kissed her forehead – “ I have 30minutes,and I don’t know if ill be able to keep in touch as in ill only know onceim there, but ill try…you wont forget me will you?? While im gone…for I don’t knowhow long will it take me to return…I mean, I don’t know when will I see youagain…”
Love smiled.So this was what the fear about.
Hate looked at her confused – “ why are yousmiling…??and you are crying too??at the same time??”,and he gently wiped hertears away,and she held his hands and cupped his face gently as she spoke – “ Ican never forget you Hate, you are a part of my soul, you always will be…”
Hate – “ really?? You wont just forget me?? Whatif some other handsome emotion comes along, you know that’s how its been withthese mortals, a complicated situation in the stories of their lives and a newentry pops up into our lives…”
Love smiled – “oh please,cmon, you know illalways hold you close…”
Hate sighed, placing his forehead on hers – “ill hold you close too, ill miss you, know that I will think of every minute I amaway from you…”
Love placed a hand on Hates heart – “I know youwill, youv fought everything inside of you, your DNA, your mind, to give methese memories in these last couple of months…and trust me when I say this…thesememories mean the world to me..and ill be holding onto them until the end oftime, for as long as I exist…I have died everyday waiting for you in the past,and know that I have loved you for a thousand years,and ill love you for athousand more…”
Hate felt emotions shake his soul and he pulledLove closer by the waist – “will you let me make love to you, for one lasttime??i don’t have much time…”
Love fought her tears as she spoke – “ don’t saythat, please…it will not be the last time….”, but she nodded and Hate pulledher in for a deep kiss and started to make love to her, as she surrendered her soulto him one more time.
………………..
Fate and Destiny watched Love wipe a tear outtathe corner of her eye as they watched Time walk in and ask Hate to join him, asthey left, and they also did not miss the pained look Hate gave Love, before hefinally got in next to Time and left.
Destiny walked upto her friend as he put a handon her shoulder – “ don’t worry, he will be back soon…”
Fate joined in – “I didn’t think id ever this,but I think ill miss him too, hed kinds become a lil kool to hang out with overthe last three months…”,and he paused as he looked at his best friends painedface and he spoke honestly – “and I cannot hold it back any longer, Love, butits kind of in your fate’s to be apart like this every now and then…im supposedto push you together , only to pull you apart…”
Destiny sighed as she let out the secret to Fateand Love – “ yes, iv been asked by time himself to write your story that waytoo…you cannot be together…its sad, but…im sorry…”
Love sighed as she smiled at her friends – “ Iknow…”
Fate and Destiny looked at her in shock – “ whatdo you mean, you know??then why did you have to hurt yourself and him this way??He will haunt your being, just like how you will haunt his…”
Love – “and that’s how its meant to be…I havelived my forever in this little while, and I know I will get to see him again,it just wont be very soon…”
Destiny gave her a sad smile – “ and ofcourseyoull wait…”
Fate sighed as he sat next to her and Love – “oh now I get it…and all this while I was feeling guilty that Time was asking meto do this behind your back….”
Love smiled – “ I have died waiting for himevery day, all this while…and id wait for him forever, till the end of time…Hatewill always be a part of my soul, and Time is aware about this and the other eternaltruth, which is the answer to this connection that connects Me and Hate to eachother, ever since the dawn of time…”
Fate and Destiny – “which is??”
Love smiled through her tears – “ The truth that I have always been in love with hate, and I always will be, I have loved him for a thousand years, and I will love him for a thousand more…”
………………………………….
Tada!! Ok guys, Here it is.
The End of TDKOL.
Waiting to know what you guys think!
I will give a Epilogue in a while, around tendays from now maybe.( I am not sure)
Credits to Christina Perri’s – A Thousand Yearsfor being my inspiration for that last bit of love between Love and Hate.
God, I feel like a part of me has ended as Ifinished writing this bit.This story is super close to my heart and id like tothank each of you for showering me with so much love and support through theyears.
Thank you guys.
The Desperate Kingdom of Love – wouldn’t be the same without you.
………………………………………
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