ArHi FF: Highway to hell-2, chapter 38, pg 141 - Page 77

I know I promised I would update yesterday...sorry. I am slightly obsessed with the Sangeet OS's right now. I don't think I can write H2H until I get the final instalment of Winner take all l out of my system. So...apologies and maybe I'll get to it tomorrow. 😊

Cheers!
Vidhya

Originally posted by: madmaxine

I know I promised I would update yesterday...sorry. I am slightly obsessed with the Sangeet OS's right now. I don't think I can write H2H until I get the final instalment of Winner take all l out of my system. So...apologies and maybe I'll get to it tomorrow. 😊

Cheers!
Vidhya

hey loved this ff.. i found this more than month ago... read thread 1 in one go and found the second thread 2-3 yesterday and read in love in one time... love it

lovely update...!!

Chapter 34, part 3: Malli - Crushing a flower

Khushi was reading in bed, leaning against the pillows propped up on the headboard. Arnav was sitting next to her, working on his laptop. Or, at least, pretending to work. He couldn't focus at all. Not after what he'd seen at the station a few hours ago. He wondered why Malli was sleeping on a bench in a train station. He wondered how she'd injured herself. He wondered why she'd seemed so fearful at the park when she'd emerged from the restroom. Most of all, he wondered how to help the child. For that's what she was. A child. After 2 hours of thinking hard, he'd come up with an interim solution.

"Khushi?"

"Hmm," she replied, not looking up from the magazine she was reading.

"Khushi, I want to talk to you about something."

"I'm listening," she said, head still buried in the recipe for Lemon cheesecake. He took the magazine from her hands, and made her look at him.

"Sometimes I think we've been married for years, the way you ignore me!" he said.

"Sorry. It's just, I really want to try this new recipe for Lemon cheesecake."

"Listen, forget the cheesecake for a moment. I have something important to discuss with you."

"What is it honey?"

"Nita goes back to the hospital next week for her next round of chemo, right?"

"Yes. I am taking 10 days off to be with her," sighed Khushi. Nita was in remission, but she still had to undergo several rounds of chemo so she would stay that way.

"I was thinking, what with Nigel taking classes at the Uni, and you being so busy with the new collection, maybe we should ask Malli to move in for a few weeks. I will drop Sheila at school, and she can go to the hospital and stay with Nita all morning. She can come home later in the afternoon once Sheila gets back from School, and you can stay with Nita after that. I think you only need take 3 hours off work every day if we do that." said Arnav.

"Do you think that's a good idea?" asked Khushi, wrinking her nose. "I mean, do you think Nita will be OK with her? You know how crotchety she gets in the hospital," said Khushi.

"I think she Malli handle it. She's good with the kids and Nita likes her," said Arnav.

Khushi looked at him, surprised. "You're singing a very different tune from a few weeks ago when we first hired her. You didn't like her much then," said Khushi.

"I may have misjudged her based on her appearance. She's not a bad kid," said Arnav.

Khushi's eyebrows shot up. "Not a bad kid! Arnav, you actually like Malli, don't you?" she laughed.

"So, you'll do it?" he asked, ignoring her question completely. "I think it's a good solution. You get to work more than half a day, and you also get to spend time with Nita everyday when she's in hospital."

"OK. I guess it's a good idea," said Khushi. "Will you speak to Malli on Monday and ask if she'd be willing to do it?"

"I'll talk to her," said Arnav, quite sure she would jump at the opportunity.

The next morning

It being a Sunday, Malli came in a little later than usual. Khushi had told her there was no need to rush, since Sheila didn't have to go to school. Actually, Khushi had told her to take the day off, but she'd given in once Malli had mentioned to her that she could use the money. And since Nigel had the day off and was spending it with Freddy, she decided she could use the help. Khushi was baking the cheesecake and Sheila was ostensibly helping her. In reality, Sheila was making a mess, and Khushi was letting her do it. She loved Sundays with her girls. They just lazed around all day and did nothing. After the stress of the last few months, they'd just started enjoying their Sundays again. And now, with Arnav around, she felt like her family was complete. She hummed quietly under her breath as she worked in the kitchen.

Nita was out on the backyard with Malli and Arnav. They were playing a noisy game of Tag, and letting Nita win, of course. After about 20 minutes of running around, Nita started fading. Arnav sat on the grass and put her in his lap. She was asleep in less than 10 minutes. "I'll put her upstairs," said Malli, reaching for Nita.

"No. Let her stay. I like her in my lap," said Arnav, looking at Nita fondly. He ran his hands gently over Nita's eyebrows in a slow rhythmic motion that never failed to induce sleep in that child. "Malli, sit down," said Arnav. "I want to talk to you." He had mulled over how to broach the matter to her and had decided that the direct approach was the best one.

Malli squatted uncomfortably. It was hard to sit on the grass wearing the tight micromini she was wearing. She tucked her legs beneath her with difficulty. She looked the same as usual. Heavily made up, pale and extremely uncomfortable in her leather knee highs.

"Malli, Nita needs to go in to the hospital for another round of Chemo next week. You know this, right?" She nodded in response. Nigel had told her. "Khushi was planning to take 10 days off from work to be with her," he saw Malli's eyes widen and a look of fear creep into them. She thought they wouldn't need her for the next 10 days. "We were thinking, would you mind moving in with us for the next 3 weeks or so. Chemo lasts for a week, but she needs about 10 days to recover from it at home. And she needs to be prepped before going in to hospital. All in all, the entire thing lasts about 3 weeks. What do you say?" he asked.

3 weeks of a roof over her head, a proper bed to sleep on, hot showers daily and 3 meals a day. Malli almost cried with joy. She tried to keep a straight face as she said, "Yes. Sure, I could do that," with some semblance of poise. Arnav smiled at her. "OK, great. You can move in tonight if you like," he said. "Unless you have plans for the evening or something. In which case tomorrow is fine too," he added, knowing she was probably dying to move in.

"No. No. Tonight works. I did have plans, but nothing important. I was just going to watch a movie with a friend," said Malli, lying through her teeth. She might be desperate to move in, but she was a teenager too. The idea of revealing that she had no plans for a Sunday evening during the summer holidays was anathema to her.

"Oh really, which movie?" asked Arnav, enjoying this now.

"Oh..err. The adventures of TinTin she said," saying the first name that popped in to her head.

"Huh. Good choice. Who's the friend?" asked Arnav interestedly.

"Nobody. Just someone from school. Should I take Nita?" asked Malli, indicating that the conversation was over.

"I'll carry her upstairs. I'm sure your back still hurts," he said kindly. Malli watched him carry Nita into the house carefully. Once he'd closed the porch door, she smiled widely and did a little jig in the garden. Arnav watched her from behind the net screen and smiled. The relief on her face had been palpable.

When Arnav came down 5 minutes later, Malli was in the kitchen talking with Khushi.

Khushi turned when she saw Arnav. "Malli's just been telling me she's agreed to stay with us for the next 3 weeks. I'm so pleased Malli. By the way, don't you have to check with your relatives before you make a decision though. I know you live with…an aunt and uncle, right?"

"Yes, I live with an aunt and uncle. But they're really nice. They won't care if I stay with you guys for a few weeks. They know who you are, so they won't worry so anything," the lie rolled off her tongue easily.

"You know what Malli. I think I'll go home with you tonight, speak with your uncle and aunt myself to assure them that you'll be safe with us," said Arnav.

"That's a really good idea Arnav. Would you rather I go, honey?" she asked him, wondering if it might look better if a woman went.

"Nah..it's OK Khushi. I can go," said Arnav, bending to kiss her cheek lightly.

"Actually, neither of you need come. I'll explain it to them. It'll be OK, really," said Malli looking nervous.

"Nonsense. We insist on assuring them, don't we darling?" said Arnav, looking at Khushi for support.

"Yes, Malli. I think Arnav is right. Let him speak with your guardians. I'm a parent too. I would certainly want to know whom my daughter is going to be staying with for 3 weeks. I understand their concern completely," said Khushi firmly.

Oh, but..It's quite al.." said Malli, trying to interject.

"No buts. It's decided. I'm going home with you tonight and I'll bring you back too after speaking with your aunt and uncle. You can pack while I'm talking to them," said Arnav quietly. Khushi agreed enthusiastically. Malli had no choice but to agree. They sent out for Pizza for dinner, since Khushi didn't cook dinner on Sundays. They did eat her delicious cheesecake for dessert though. Khushi and Sheila chattered on cheerfully through dinner. Arnav and Malli were silent.

Malli's mind raced as she wondered how to fob him off. She had an uncle and aunt alright. But she hadn't seen them in months. Taking Arnav to them was out of the question. She was still wondering what to do when he called to her. "Ready Malli? It's time to go." She walked out slowly wondering if she might take him to the wrong address and tell him they were out. She knew a house in her old neighborhood that was empty, and always dark. Only that would mean going back to her old neighborhood. An unpleasant thought. He had hailed a cab for them and ushered her in to it. They both settled in to the back seat, and he looked at her.

"Where to Malli?" he asked.

"Err..I" she was trying to think where to take him, when he spoke again. "We're going to Waterloo station please," he told the cabbie. Malli's eyes widened.

"How did you know?" she asked uncomfortably. A thought occurred to her, and she turned to him, "Have you been following me, you perv?" she asked angrily.

"Is there a problem?" the cab driver turned as he spoke.

"No problem. Do you have a problem Malli?" asked Arnav quietly.

"No. No problem." She said. They rode the rest of the way in silence. Malli had decided not to make a scene in front of the cabbie. They go off at Waterloo station. He held her heand firmly in his and walked her to her platform. She tried to squirm out of his grasp, but he held fast. "I'm not going to run away. You can leave me now," she said quietly. He slackened his hold on her wrist. They walked briskly to her bench and sat down on it.

"You want to tell me why you are living on a bench in a train station?" Arnav asked gently.

"No. And it's none of your business."

"Malli, you are 17 and homeless. You work for me and Khushi, taking care of our kids. Of course it's my business," said Arnav. "And even if you didn't work for me, the fact that you are a teenager living on the streets makes it my business, OK. Now tell me, why are you living on this bench?"

"I'm not telling. How I live my life is my business and my business alone," she said hotly. She foraged around under her bench and found what she was looking for. She took out the tiny packet and lit a cigarette with shaky hands.

"Can you smoke here?" he asked.

"Are you going to tell on me?" she asked inhaling deeply.

"No. Of course not."

"Do you have anything to pack or are the clothes you are wearing the only things you own?" he asked, realizing she wasn't going to tell him anything tonight.

"I have some stuff. Let me go get it," she said. She walked away, dangling the cigarette between her fingers, scattering ash as she moved. She came back in less than 5 minutes with an old black backpack slung over her shoulders. "I'm ready. Lets go," she said.

"That's all you want to bring for a 3 week stay?" he asked.

"I live on a railway bench. How many possessions do you think I own, genius?" she sneered.

"Touche," He laughed. "Let me take that for you," he said, reaching for her backpack. She held it out of reach. "Don't. I can manage," she said roughly. They walked out of the station after she said goodbye to a few of her friends. He looked curiously at them. A guy who looked like he was at least 65, and had made a career out of being homeless. Several teenagers with piercings that looked painful, to say the least and an older woman whom she called Mimo. They were in the cab when she spoke to him again.

"Will you tell Khushi about me?"

"How does it matter?"

"She won't like it. No mother wants their kids to be looked after by a homeless teenager."

"You don't know anything about Khushi, so I suggest you shut up."

"Please don't tell her. I really need the money," she had a pleading look in her eyes that he couldn't ignore.

"I won't say anything. For now. And not because I'm afraid of her reaction. I'm not. But only because she has a lot on her mind right now, with Nita just recovering and planning our wedding. She's swamped. I will tell her eventually. But you need to promise me something Malli."

"What?"

"No smoking inside the house or around the children. And keep your cigarette stash hidden so no one sees it. Also, I hope you don't do drugs. Because cigarettes I dislike, but I can countenance. Drugs, are illegal."

"I would never smoke around kids. And I respect other people's homes too much to do as I pleased in them. And I don't do drugs." she looked affronted as she spoke.

"Alright, then. I'll rely on you to keep your word. And Malli, if you ever need anything, any help, anything at all, don't hesitate to come to me. Please, it's a request," said Arnav.

"I won't be needing your help. But thanks anyway," she said stoically. They were almost home now. The cab came to a stop outside Khushi's house. They were almost at the door when Malli placed a hand on Arnav's, "Thanks!" she said.

"You're welcome Malli," said Arnav quietly.

"Malena. Malli is short for Malena," she said, tossing her backpack over her shoulder nonchalantly and looking down at the floor.

"Come on in Malena," said Arnav, smiling.

Making progress with Malli, no? I'll be waiting to hear your thoughts. 😊

Cheers!

Vidhya

Loved the progress of arnav and maleena's relationship
read your pm , does it mean you planning on ending the ff after abit?
Loved the update, arnav's so caring and he's helping malli