OS: Chalo Bhai Australia! Part 7: Jealousy

That afternoon, the six of them decided to go for Bungee jumping in the mountainous terrains on the outskirts of the city. Arnav wasn't that interested in an adrenaline rush after the tiresome wedding party and hence refused to queue up in the line along with his Di.

NK- "Ok, so only four of us are going right? Are you sure Nanav you don't wanna join us?" he sneered at Arnav for getting Khushi all to himself during the wedding. Khushi had refused to dance along with NK and thus he made sure that she would hang out with him this whole evening. His tone hadn't gone unnoticed by Arnav, who was all the more irritated by him.

Khushi-" Hey, please come. I'm sure you will enjoy it. Or is it because you are scared of heights too just like the horses." She had innocently laughed at Arnav's unwillingness to join them. But he had infact felt bad that she was siding with NK this time.

NK-"Oh don't bother about Nanav, Khushi. He is such a spoilsport who doesn't know the meaning of having fun." He had been in full mood to taunt Arnav at every chance.

Arnav- "Listen NK, I'm just tired. That's why I don't wanna come. Understand?" There was no point in explaining himself to his juvenile cousin.

Khushi '"Oh really?" she was in full mood to pull his leg.

The four of them were called up for their turn and were being geared up with safety equipment. They were led outside the doors into the open surface, where the scene before their eyes was breathtaking. The evening sun shone magnificently and the air was cooler and thinner at the top pumping up their hearts rapidly as they readied themselves for the action. As they neared the edge, they could see a small stream making it way in the valley atleast 200 metres below them.

Arnav stood a few metres away from them, but was all the while observing NK and Khushi who were busy laughing and talking to each other. Somewhere the sight of both of them being together stirred up a tinge of jealousy in him. He couldn't believe his own mind. Did he actually feel jealous seeing Khushi with another Guy? What was happening to him?

Akash was first to go and he could hear him screaming his throat out as he leapt into the air taking the plunge into the valley below. Payal followed him in a similar manner. All the while, his eyes were still on Khushi who suddenly turned to look at Arnav while still laughing at NK's words. Where they discussing about him? She looked back at the instructor, who signalled her to wait for two minutes. NK turned around to stare at Arnav with a victory look in his eyes. As if he had finally got what he had been awaiting for so long.

This was it! Arnav couldn't take it any longer. He hurried inside the doors leaving a surprised looking NK and Khushi. After two minutes, when Khushi was called out for her turn, Arnav came rushing outside all geared up and ready and pushed both of them aside to make his way towards the instructor. Khushi and NK both gaped at him with wide eyes at his sudden change of decision. He was one man Khushi would never be able to fully comprehend, she decided.

Arnav turned back to look at Khushi one last time before he took the leap of faith. As he plunged into the valley head first, he felt air suddenly gushing into his lungs. His body lost the sense of weight as he felt like he was floating like a feather. He felt his heart stop for a second as blood rushed into his head and adrenaline kicked in. He seemed to lose his voice as no sound was heard from him. He was a man of few words and emotions and this was clearly visible in this situation. His veins were filled with ecstasy for those 10 long seconds that felt like hours to him. For those few seconds, he had forgotten his past or his future. He only wanted to live in that moment of pure passion and ecstasy.

He was lost in its amazement when he suddenly felt the rope binding him to the top, pull him back up due to elasticity. He snapped back into the reality as he came to a halt a few metres from the ground. He was lowered down and freed from his safety ropes. His pulse was at its peak and he felt light headed and thus decided to sit down on the ground. He felt really nice and was lost in reliving those ten wonderful seconds of his life.

Khushi was still in shock as she Arnav plunge in front of her eyes. The instructor signalled her to come forward. She closed her eyes asking her Devi Maiyya to protect her. She closed her eyes as she felt her feet lose ground beneath it. Her vocal chords felt like they would rupture any moment with the terrifying screams escaping from them. She shut her eyes tightly unable to see the valley beneath her come crashing into her. The only thought she could think of in those ten seconds was why on earth did she agree for this.

The chord pulled her back up like an elastic band as she came to a halt. Her pulse was rapid and she was struggling for air after the sudden adrenaline rush. She was straightened and her safety gear was removed. She couldn't believe that she had done Bungee jumping. She was very anxious to tell about her experience to someone but all she could she around her were strangers. Then her eyes fell on Arnav who was still sitting on the ground and relaxing himself. She rushed towards him with excitement unable to control it any longer.

Khushi- "Arnav, did you see me? That was so cool. I wanna try it once more." She was panting and gasping for breath, her voice barely audible.

Arnav- "I saw you, Khushi. I could see how excited you were screaming on top of your voice like a banshee. It sounded like you were terrified. Are you sure you wanna go again?" He asked her amusedly.

Khushi- "I know I was terrified but it felt really nice after I landed down. Was I really screaming that badly?" She questioned him all embarrassed. Arnav nodded his head with an amused smile on his face.

Khushi- "How was yours? And what happened to you? A minute ago you refused to join us and the next minute you pushed both NK and me aside and jumped." She asked curiously. They heard NK scream as he jumped. Arnav snapped back into reality as he realised the true purpose of his jump. He remembered Khushi and NK laughing together minutes before at the top, how they must have been mocking him and how NK was getting quite close to her. The smile on his face was replaced with anger.

He quickly stood up and started walking back to the base of the centre. Khushi was perplexed at his sudden change in behaviour. She sensed that something was bothering him and that he was upset. She followed, running behind him as he hastened his steps.

Khushi- "Wait! What happened?" he was in no mood to listen to her as he began climbing the stairs ahead of him. He started climbing two steps at a time to increase the distance between them. Khushi started feeling light headed as she too hurried behind him. Arnav suddenly turned around and sneered at her.

Arnav- "Why are coming behind me? Why don't you come along with NK? You seemed to be having a good time with him, laughing and giggling about me. Do you know why I wasn't interested to join you? Because I was really tired after the wedding. But you didn't seem to understand me and thus decided to mock me and go and enjoy with another man!" He was really furious and clenched his fists in anger.

Khushi- "What! Why are you behaving like this? And we weren't talking about you. He was talking about the wedding and his friend. And I was just pulling your leg. I never meant to hurt your feelings." She felt helpless defending herself. Why was he acting so weird?

Arnav-"I don't need any explanation Khushi Kumari Gupta. I am Arnav Singh Raizada who is the best in everything and can do anything in this world. No one can be compared with me. Not even NK! Go Away! I don't want to see your face again!" he blared at her with rage. He regretted saying those last words coz he never meant it. But it just slipped from his mouth in anger. What was really happening to him? He could see a shocked expression on her face as tears brimmed her eyes. He couldn't bear to see it. He wanted to go away from her before he could do more damage to her. So her turned back and hurried up the stairs.

Khushi- "Arnav, Please listen!.." She stopped midway in her sentence as she felt dizzy and missed a step, twisted her ankle and went crashing down the twenty steps behind her with a big Thud. Arnav instantly turned around to see the source of the noise and was shocked to see Khushi lying unconscious on the ground. He came running down to her rescue as he saw blood on her forehead. Her eyes were shut but he could still feel her breathing. He lifted her head from the ground and placed it on his lap. He tried to wake her up.

Arnav-"Khushi! Khushi!" He shook her body but there was no response. He was petrified as he remembered his last words to her. Hadn't he told her that he wouldn't want to see her face again? What was he thinking when he told that aloud? He banged his fist on the ground. He called the others around for help. The paramedic of the base came with his first aid kit and attended her. He asked Arnav to move aside but Arnav was adamant not to move. It was all his fault. If he hadn't been running away from her, she wouldn't have followed him. Why did he shout at her? She was right. She was at no fault here.

Paramedic- "We need to take her to the hospital as she seems to have some serious injury."

NK reached the scene and was shocked seeing Khushi like this.

NK- "Nanav, what happened to her?"

Arnav was too shocked to reply anything to him. The ambulance arrived on the scene and the paramedics put her on a stretcher and took her away. They asked one of them to accompany them to the hospital.

NK-"Hey, I'll go with her. Nanav, you go and inform the others about it."

Arnav who was all the while silent and petrified, stood up to face NK. "Back Off NK! She's mine!" He gritted through his clenched teeth with furious eyes. He had already caused enough damage to Khushi because of this guy, and he wouldn't let him interfere between them anymore.

NK-"Relax Nanav, Chill! Fine Go with her" He knew his cousin wasn't to be argued with, when he was in this mood. He was taken aback with this statement but he wasn't in the correct frame of mind to analyse the depth of his words.

Arnav went inside the Ambulance to be beside Khushi, and held her hand all the way to the hospital. When they arrived at the hospital, Khushi was taken inside the ER while Arnav was asked to stay outside as the doctors examined her.

Fifteen minutes had passed but there was no news from the doctors. He felt restless and impatient waiting for them. So he stormed into the room to see his Khushi.

Arnav-"Is she alright?" he demanded from the doctors.

Doctor-"Actually, she is still unconscious as she has suffered from a concussion. There was slight bleeding on her forehead but we have taken care of it. She seems to have sprained her hand and ankle as it is swollen. We have put her under medications. She should regain consciousness within an hour." Saying so the Doctor left the room.

Arnav went and sat beside her bed. He could clearly see pain in her face. He held her hand to his face and felt his eyes go moist. Why did he hurt her so much?

His sister and the others arrived at the scene.

Anjali- "Is she alright? How did this happen Chote?" He was barged with questions from everyone. He tried explaining to them but failed to do so. Anjali understood his situation and decided to leave him alone.

Arnav knew the others were upset and tired after the long day. So he convinced everyone to go back home and promised them to bring Khushi home safely.

It was an hour after everyone left. He was still beside Khushi all the while holding her hand. He was too tired and thus decided to rest his head on the bed side beside her hand. Suddenly he felt her hand move and quickly looked up at her face. She slowly opened her eyes trying to get acquainted with her new surroundings.

Arnav- "It's alright Khushi. You are in the ER. You fell down from the stairs and hurt yourself." He paused before he started again.

Arnav- "I'm sorry Khushi!" His voice was choked and barely audible. She could see his eyes were moist.

Khushi- "Sshh..." she placed her finger on his lips. "Don't say like that. It wasn't both our fault." She couldn't bear to see this guilty look on his face. How much ever he had hurt her before, he had equally cared for her. She clearly knew he never meant to hurt her. It was just that in certain circumstances he lost control over himself.

Khushi-"And it was not your fault that I slipped and fell. I shouldn't have come running behind you after that Bungee jumping. I was feeling light headed even before you shouted at me. So listen! Don't blame yourself for this Ok?"

The doctor was arrived for further check-up.

Doctor-"She has suffered from minor wrist and ankle sprain. We will use compression bandage to fix this and also give ointments to apply on the surface. Make sure you apply ice pack on those areas every 3-4 hrs and the patient needs to have complete rest for the next few days. You can take her back home now."

Khushi was taken out on a wheel chair outside towards the car that had been sent by NK with a driver to pick them up. Arnav lifted her from the wheel chair in his arms and placed her inside the car and sat beside her. She laid her head on his shoulder and clung to his upper body for support. He caressed her hair and her injured wrist to soothe away her pain.

When they reached NK's house, he carried her in his arms straight upstairs into the room. Everyone had gathered beside her asking about her wellbeing.

Khushi- "Don't worry everyone. I'm alright. It's just a minor injury. I lost my balance while climbing the stairs. That's it." She convinced everyone to go back downstairs and have their dinner. Making her comfortable in her room, Arnav went back into his room.

Khushi's food was sent to her room. But she was in no mood to eat as she wasn't feeling hungry after such an exhaustive day. She tried to fall asleep but her mind was disturbed with the day's events. She tossed and turned around for an hour on her bed. The clock showed 11:30 pm. By now everyone must be in their beds. So she decided to go outside and enjoy the cool night breeze. She slowly limped out to the balcony but was surprised to see Arnav already standing outside. He was looking at the stars in the dark sky. Limping, she went and stood beside him and put a hand on his shoulder. He turned around surprised to see her.

Arnav-"What are you doing here? You must be in the bed resting, Understand!" He was ready to lift her up and take her back into the room. But she protested.

Khushi-"Then the same applies to you. What are you doing here?" She questioned him with a stern look on her face.

Arnav- "I was just talking.." He blurted out. He hadn't meant to reveal it.

Khushi- "To whom?" She looked at him suspiciously. Then it struck her mind. Ofcourse, He had been talking to his mother. Who else would he be talking to?

Khushi-"You were talking to your mother right! From when did you start believing in this?" She couldn't believe her eyes. She placed her uninjured hand on his face caressing his cheek. This man would never fail to surprise her.

Arnav placed his hand on top of her hand on his face enjoying the warmth of her hand in this cool windy night. "Do you remember the day you had revealed to me about yourself talking to your parents? From that day, even I tried to talk to my mother, to believe that she was there among the stars, watching me. But I feared that she wouldn't be able to recognize the monster I have turned into. Today, after what I did to you, I knew she would be ashamed of me. I have hurt you so much Khushi, that I don't think she will ever forgive me for that. I tried searching for her, but couldn't find her. But I did find two stars and I assumed them to be your parents. I knew they would be very angry with me for all the things I have done to you. So I asked forgiveness from them for all my deeds and promised them that I would never ever hurt you and always take care of you."

Tears rolled down Khushi's eyes as she heard his words. Was this love? Did he love her? This was something much more above love. This was something which no one had ever done or felt for her. She wiped away her tears as she stared back into the sky.

Khushi- "My Amma Babuji are saying that they were never angry with you, and they will always forgive you for your mistakes." A faint laugh escaped from her as she tried to lighten his mood.

Khushi-"And Ma, please don't be angry with your son. He is a really good man. I know at times he gets angry and acts like a Laad Governor, but he never intends to hurt anyone. But I promise you I will take care of him." She hugged him tightly.

Arnav was awestruck hearing Khushi call his mother Ma. Was this a sign of his acceptance in her life?

Arnav- "It's late Khushi. You have to go back to bed."

Khushi-"But I'm not feeling sleepy." She protested again. "I have an idea. Since your room is having a TV and even your not feeling sleepy, then why don't we watch some movies together?" He rolled his eyes at her crazy idea, but he decided he would faithfully relent to her ideas. So he lifted her and carried her back into his room and placed her on his bed and both of them sat together and flipped through the channels. He didn't bother what was on the tv. He was only thinking about the girl beside him.

Then suddenly he heard her stomach growl with hunger. She looked at his face embarrassingly.

Arnav- "Khushi! Didn't you have your dinner?"

She nodded her head.

Arnav-"Unbelievable!" He stormed out of the room to go downstairs and bring her some food. He returned back with a plate of Roti and Sabzi. "Eat this!" He cut a piece of roti and dipped in with the sabzi and fed her mouth with his own hand. She could see so much of concern and affection in his face as he fed her. She quickly grabbed a piece of Roti and Sabzi in her hand and fed it into his mouth.

Khushi-"Unbelievable!" She tried to imitate his voice. "how could only I eat when clearly even you haven't had ur dinner?" How did she know this? He was astonished. He smiled and ate happily from her hand. Never had dinner tasted so well for both of them in their life.

Khushi- "So earlier you were Jealous huh! Seeing me and Nanheji together. Was this outburst all because of that?" she nudged him in his ribs all the while feeling flattered that there was someone who was jealous for her.

Arnav smiled sheepishly at her not knowing how to react to it.

Khushi- "You are just behave like a kid at times."

Arnav- "Do I?" He said bending closer to her face with a smirk on his face and his eyebrow lifted up. Her cheeks were flushed with crimson red due to the closeness of their bodies. He was just loving the effect he had on her. She quickly pulled the plate in between and pushed him back.

Khushi- "Here take this and keep it back in the kitchen." Despite protesting aloudly, he went down to the kitchen. There he met NK who had woken up to drink water. NK came closer to him as if he wanted to say something to him.

NK- "Nanav, I think you should tell Khushiji that you love her." He said patting Arnav's shoulder. Arnav was taken aback by this statement.

Arnav-" Hey, I'm sorry for the earlier outburst. It's just that I lost control over myself."

NK-"I understand." He turned around and went back into his room. Arnav went back into his room to find Khushi deeply engrossed in a movie on tv. He went and sat beside her on the bed and she quickly made herself comfortable over his chest. He was lost in NK's words.

Was he really in love with her? Was she finally the one? Di had said that when that special someone would come in your life your world would revolve round her. Since the day, they had come to Australia, he had been only concentrating on her and her happiness. Di had also said that if something happened to that girl, he would feel his breath stop. Yes, today when she had fallen unconscious, for one second he had felt his world stop when she wasn't moving. But most of all, she made him happy in a way no one had ever made him feel. Maybe he was in love with her.

He looked back at her face and found that she was already asleep on his chest. He switched off the tv and slowly slid down on the bed and pulled the comforter over both of them. He kissed her on her forehead and whispered, "Sweet dreams, Khushi" into her ears as he closed his eyes enjoying the warmth of her body in this chilly night.

I know it was long and it might have been boring for some of you all. But let's see the positive side. Arnav has finally realised he is in love with Khushi.😳

If you atleast liked a single part of this story, Please click the like button. If you liked the whole thing, leave a comment. If you didn't like this story, then feel free to throw criticisms and chappals.😆

Last part 8: already here

OS: Chalo Bhai Australia! part 8: Confession

https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/fan-fictions/2747441/os-chalo-bhai-australia-part-8-confession

Comments please!😃 Coz it really motivates me to write more. It's fine if you don't comment for the last part, because after that I don't need motivation to write more😆 (I know, It's PJ)😆