The rays of sun danced playfully around them but the Snow Peaks stood proud unmoved and calm' bathing in the sunlight and shining like silver. The wind had chill but the freshness of mountain air breathed new life everywhere and in everyone. The ages old Pine trees were swaying lightly with the wind but displayed a strange sense of calmness.
Arnav was so lost in the divine beauty that he didn't hear the announcement of tea. Tea, Sir... the attendent interrupted his chain of thoughts... Oh yes... on the table please and thank you very much for making my stay comfortable here, Arnav acknowledged the hospitality of the staff.
He was at a private holiday resort in Nainital that he had purchased few years back. One wing of the resort was for the exclusive use of Raizada family and the rest was looked and run after by the mgmt of ASR group.
After learning about Khushi's engagement, when he couldn't handle his own thoughts and everything became so unbearable, he decided to get away from all the turbulence and seek solace in nature.
He took the last sip of tea...mmm it tasted good, invigorating and may be just for few moments, took his attention away from the turmoil going in his heart.
It was definitely a different morning for Arnav. The change of place was already doing wonders for his introspection and clarity of thought.
He decided to take a walk. The wet ground reminded Arnav of last night's rain. The air had chill and his purple cotton knit was not thick enough...he folded his hands across his chest and kept walking. His feet were not as fast as his train of thoughts. Maa was definitely besides me last night, Arnav thought. Whose hands was he holding, who was quietly calming him down'he wondered. Arnav shook his head... what's happening to him...unbelievable!! Maa's gone so far away'forever''how she can be here'oh how he wished she was here. He swallowed the lump and blinked the tears away.
Silently, he cursed the moment that took his mother away from him and then after what happened'he didn't know how he became ASR...
The morning walkers looked at him, rather stared. Not their fault. Arnav in his gray sweats and purple knit was sure to make heads turn. But he didn't care, never had. This moment he wanted to be alone 'all alone' so he took a rather lonely trail to walk down. He looked around the tall pine trees, how far he's come... he couldn't keep track of time and place... maybe he didn't want to. Then he felt his nose turning cold and wet and found himself smiling at the ever chirping and dancing birds from tree to tree. Something about them reminded him of Ms Chatterbox, still couldn't wipe the sadness from his smile.
What's the point? What's the use?
He kept walking...with a brooding face he again cursed the unjust decision destiny has announced for him. He was ASR' he is used to make his own destiny... How can this happen to him. His life was slipping from his hands because of someone else's decision. He hated himself. That's not him. He thought...then why did he run away to this secluded place where no one can read his thoughts... Thoughts on which, he has no control now...darn it!!
He has become someone he never wanted to be ...he had sworn in front of Di... Nothing of that sort will happen to him... And if it ever does he won't let that person be near him. And now...as if it's in his hand...damn again!! Why did Di didn't tell that time ... It won't be in your control...he thought unreasonably...and then brushed away the silly thought.
If only it was not because of that certain Ms... he wouldn't be in this mess. As her thought breezed across his mind, he shivered. It was cold and he was tired but didn't want to return. All of a sudden he longed for her. He secretly wished she was with him. His dark brown eyes flashed with an untold desire. He wondered how it would be to hold her delicate hand. He wanted to feel her hair'he once did...he remembered...his hands touching the silkiness and brushing it away from her exquisite face...he shuddered at the thought of her huge innocent eyes full of tenderness'full of desire'full of tears.
How he wished he could kiss her tears away'softly blowing the hair away from that angel face and getting lost in the depth of her eyes'.forever. He wanted to tell her so many things... wanted to explain all the hurts he had caused her and that he didn't mean them... It was just when got angry he would be so irrational... Bas aisa hee hoon main...Arnav let out the breath.
He couldn't fathom why he behaved the way when she was around, he couldn't seem to put logic on his reaction'he would regret it later...but not when she was around'it was as if she brought out the best of his inner feelings and worst of his outward reaction. Why..oh..its too much for him..he never experienced such kind turmoil'conflicting thoughts'..never ever he handled such situation. He was used to make tough quick ruthless business decisions.
But this is different'this is sweet bitter pain which he never experienced but wanted to savor it to its fullest. And the irony was he couldn't take any decision, he was helpless for destiny has already decided for him.
What can be done now...? She is going to be someone else's. The thought only made him clench his fists in rage. He kicked the stone in his path and kept walking. How could she not understand what he felt for her? How could he fall for her? How could "Di" be so right when she said "saanse rukne lagengi", he felt he couldn't breathe... Arnav writhed in pain, closed his eyes and screamed...Khushiii!!!!!! His head started spinning'
He hadn't eaten anything since morning'his blood sugar was going low'he was dizzy..
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In Delhi...
Khushi was jolted from her peaceful morning sleep'she was sweating'she just saw a bad dream...what was it? She tried to recollect...something's wrong , she panicked...
Cricket
