Khushi and Arnav are in the car.
ARNAV FILLED WITH MILLIONS OF REASONS TO SOLVE
KHUSHI FILLED WITH MILLIONS OF REASON TO UNSOLVE
A THING CALLED LOVE
10
The chauffer is driving the black 2013 BMW 7 series.
Khushi is looking at the car interior and admiring every angle. She looks up and smiles at Arnav.
Both are in the backseat, side by side.
Her hand rests inches apart from his.
Arnav's desire to touch her hand, becomes unbearable.
But he restrains his need, with all he has.
Arnav can smell her perfume and feel her breathing.
When ever Khushi glances out of the window, Arnav instantly steals a look at her.
Hearing her speak, touching her, seeing her reaction and now going for food, in his own car, all still seems a bit hazy.
Arnav talks to himself: "yes, she is here and she is real. No matter what happened and what she went through, she made the effort of coming back to me. I better stop daydreaming and focus on her completely. With a crazy mind like hers, I have to give full concentration.
Some things don't add up. But it will.
I will let her cool down a bit and am 100% sure, after she eats, she will spill the beans, well I hope and pray she does."
Arnav turns around slightly sideways to block Khushi's view of him and very slowly rises up his palm. He puts his left hand on his chest gradually, and tries to make sure whether his heart is beating or not.
Still he feels the last ray of trance remaining last night.
HOW CAN ALL THESE BE POSSBILE?
The girl, whom I did so much wrong with, the girl I married giving condition or ruining her sister and her, the girl whom I showed unbelievable rudeness, made her cry each time she tried to come close, taunted her for each motive, doubted beyond belief, trashed her soul for the rest of her life,
HOW CAN SHE STILL BE HERE ?
( he feels his heart beat,
His heart is beating all right, it's actually beating jaggedly)
dhak ! dhak !! dhak dhak !!!
Arnav lowers his hand and glances at her face, that is turned towards the window, a slight smile in her face, surprised eyes, looking at the streets and neighborhoods.
How can a person be so beautiful?
How can I be so lucky to know her, come across her?
And how can I be the one to be by her side at this moment?
( Arnav drowns into his own fantasies).
LOCATION:
INDIQUE HEAVEN
(5 star Indian restaurant in Sydney Harbor)
At the restaurant:
While eating, Arnav keeps on glancing at the wonderful creature sitting in front of him.
Those eyes, that smile, the loving gestures, those supple lips, the bindi on her forehead, her everything keeps him tied up.
She is smiling, looking around, chomping down food and licking her fingers.
She seems pretty fine.
The guests beside them, look at her and nods their head.
Khushi smiles back and says hello.
The dimmed spot light on her makes her skin glow like frost.
Hmm I think I will add spot lights to my bedroom.
Uff what am I thinking?
The idiot man in the black suit just cannot keep his eyes to himself.
His wife is just in front of him, she has her bare shoulders out and the silicon chest is half showing, still he has to look every time he takes a sip from his glass.
What an A**h***! Uff !
Here he goes again.
If Khushi weren't here, he would have been beaten into a dry toast by now.
Hmm there comes another one. Doesn't the waiter and the hotel manager have other things to do? Lurking around her?
The waiter already asked five times, if we needed anything else or not. Send lassis and samosas on the house.
Showoffs!
Well, men will be men, all dogs!!!
I cannot take my eyes off her; I don't blame the other men.
But still, if the black suit looks once more, the dinner plate will land on his face. I swear.
What? Again.? Damn it. I will kill that gadhe in grey pants in the opposite table. Did he even look at himself, before looking at her and what? Khushi now is smiling back.
Really?
You smile at that thing? That plumped up gulabjamoon wearing pants?
( Ting! Ting!)
Someone is calling. The cell beeps and vibrates on the table.
Khushi looks at it and says "Arnav Ji! It seems like India's number, will you pick up?"
At her words, Arnav's trance and self bashing of the other men comes to a stop.
He smiles and picks his phone up.
Looks at the number and excuses himself from the table and attends to the call:
(Feet's apart from Khushi)
( Call from India)
Arnav:
"Yes Mr Iqbal ! Thanks for the information. Yes, yes I know.
NO, I do not need the ticket number of flight details.
The person you are talking of, is in front of me.
Yes Khushi is here with me.
When did she arrive?
Oh ok.
So it has only been 2 days today.
Hmm'.thanks for the quick reply.
Also I appreciate your effort.
It was a hasty decision.
OH OK. Economy class.
Ok.
I know.
No problem.
Just keep an eye on Di and the rest.
And give me minute by minute details of that GUY as I asked to.
Ok bye. Thanks."
Arnav:
" Khushi ! it is ok if I make another call to Di?"
Khushi gets jolted.
She thinks: ( Why is he asking for my permission? Is he feeling ok?)
She smiles and nods her head saying ok.
She thinks:
Arnav JI! You are pretty weird. I never know what you are made of and how you will react.
BUT
In the next moment, she speaks up in a higher pitch and requests:
"ARnav Ji!
Please do not to tell Amma, Buaji about me. I did not tell anyone that I was coming;
They will be shocked and worried.
Let Di know, its ok, I know she is worried and at this state she don't need any sort of tension.
But please let not the others know. I do not wish to make them worried."
ARnav:
"Ok Khushi! I will tell only Di.
You ok with it, right?"
Khushi nods her head again, totally bewildered at his sudden gentleness.
Arnav:
"Hello ! Di !
Sorry to wake you up. I needed to tell you that I asked Aman to make a ticket for Khushi.
I actually needed her signature for the new venture.
I did not tell you, as you would have gotten worried about her coming alone.
I am sorry about asking you to call her before.
Di!
Please'I will explain when I come home. Things are very hectic here.
Please Di, try to understand.
WHAT?
WHAT DI!
Uff Di ! please.
Acha'Ok Di! I will apologize to you when I come back. And I will say it,
YES I missed her and couldn't bear staying away.
Happy to hear this? You are too much Di!
Yes, She managed well.
And now she is with me.
Yes Di . She is here with me.
Uff, Di please do not panic now.
She is fine and eating a Huge Dosa, half her own size. She had 3 samosas, 2 dahi vadas , 2 lassis and I donno what else.
Ok Di ! I will take care of her. Sure.
Please do not worry.
One more thing, Khushi didn't get to tell anyone back home. So please keep this to yourself.
I do not wish to make her family worried. Also please do not tell nani, mama or mamiji and also, please do not share with Jijaji! Please Di !
And please do take care. Keep the guards by your side.
Always.
Umm'..How is Jijaji? Where is he now?
'hmm..ok. I will take care of her don't worry.
Bye."
He makes another call:
"Mr Iqbal!
Its me again.
Make sure he stays put and keep a close eye.
I have asked my sister not to tell him about Khushi.
But she might, I do not trust her to keep secrets from that man.
The man will take any scope he gets to harm my family.
He might get rough or do something stupid after hearing about Khushi.
Please be very alert.
I will divert him soon.
Ok bye."
Khushi is chomping down her dosa and gulping the last glass of Mango lassi.
Arnav stares at her, even after his phone conversation got over.
He stays mesmerized.
In his head he thinks: " How can a tiny, size zero, thin girl like her, eat so much?
Where does the food go?
The dosa was minimum 2 feet long and she gulped it in less than 20 minutes.
MAN! I do love this girl,
No matter what she is, no matter how crazy she is , I do love her!"
A THING CALLED LOVE
11
He returns back and gets to his food.
During the whole dinner, Arnav did not say a single word, neither did Khushi.
Arnav spent his time, looking at her eat passionately and admiring her.
While Khushi devoured the food down, not letting him get a chance to speak.
Khushi:
"Arnav ji!
Good that you are eating.
The doctor said that the food will stabilize your pressure and blood sugar. And it will make it less stressful to deal with situations.
Umm……….I mean deal with anything that might be stressful in future, well never mind, finish your food."
Khushi is sweating a bit. Her plate is almost finished.
Arnav's palte is half full.
Khushi glances at his food and slows down her eating to match the pace.
She rubs her hands together and drinks water.
A bit restlessness surfaces up.
Arnav :
"Khushi! You seem to be a bit red.
Is everything ok?
Did you have chilli?
You are sweating.
What is wrong?
You suddenly seem to be in tension."
Khushi:
"No, I am fine. I think it's the food. I ate too much. (smile)
Please finish you food and take the medicine.
It will be easier for you."
Arnav:
" What do you mean?
What will be easier?
Why are you so worried about me eating?"
Khushi:
"NO, No I mean, it will be easier for you to keep the sugar level regulated."
"How is Jiji and Akash ji? Hope they are having a good time.
New York must be very beautiful. So many cars, big buildings, rivers, seas, people, times square, central park, museums, zoo: I have looked them up in the computer…so exciting.
I wish I had that much money to roam around the world. I am very happy for them.
Do you think Akash Ji is happy with Jiji?" she asks suddenly.
Arnav gets a bit surprised at her questions.
When she said, wish I had that much money, he wanted to say…that you have the money. But he stopped himself. He doesn't want to express anything and scare her talking about them as a couple and sharing wealth.
"Khushi!
Yes Akash is very happy. Your sister is a very good girl and she will make him very happy in life."
Khushi:
"I am happy for her. I believe Akash Ji will be by her side aswell.
No matter what comes in their way, their marriage will last."
Arnav ji!
How is Lavanya ji? ( she turns a bit off while asking, but goes on)
Arnav (shocked again at the unexpected question, he knows that the media has blew the news out of proportion when he was drunk and passed out, he knows that when he stayed at Lavanya and Mark's house, media publicized it as a night alone with Lavanya. The even spread rumors that there is a marriage plan in future with Lavanya.
And Khushi might have seen the news.)
Khushi: (does not give Arnav a chance to speak, rather goes on chattering: )
"Lavanya JI looked so nice , both times, during the party and the…umm..I mean..in the papers. I have seen her new pictures.
She is glowing. I might ask her what cosmetics she uses.
Very nice. Don't you think so?"
Arnav gets no clue what to answer. Cause if he starts about the media scene and the misunderstanding, the situation will get serious.
And he doesn't want to stress her to any content.
Arnav:
"Yes she is fine. I will ask her about her makeup. Shs is very up-to-date and fashion conscious.
She can fix an appointment for you if you want. They have very good makeup people.
Lavanya knows most of them.
Umm..Which picture did you see?
You said both time.
One in the party and another where?"
Khushi:
"Umm ..I meant 2 pictures in the same party from different angle.
There was also a guy with her.
Very good looking. Tall and handsome.
I was so amazed to see him. I guess he is Australian. He was in the picture where you and Lavanya JI were holding each other. He looked like one of those Hollywood heros.
Do you know him? Is he one of your friends? I would love to meet him."
Arnav wanted to clear the fact that Lavanya is engaged to Mark. The guy Khushi saw was Mark.
But jealousy took control.
She talk highly of him, made him burn.
So he kept his mouth shut.
Arnav:
"His name is Mark. I think he is ok, nothing special. Why are you so excited about him?
Khushi!
Finish your food before it gets cold. I am almost done.
You want any more deserts?
Your face is all red. And you are still sweating.
Are you feeling ok?"
Khushi almost shivers up and looks at him.
" Arnav ji! Umm…..we are almost done. ( she sighs deeply and says)
Here are your medicines.
Please take them now.
Doctor says it takes 10 minutes for it to start working.
Excuse me, I will be back in minutes."
Arnav stands up in an instant
"Khushi! What is it?
You need something?"
Khushi, standing says
"No, I am fine.
Arnav Ji! Umm…..I actually wanted to give…...umm..
Ok let me come back, I will tell.
I am just going to wash my hand. It got food on it. Take the pills, please. NOW."
She gets up and hurriedly walks towards the ladies' room.
A THING CALLED LOVE
12
LOVE IS A GAME WE ALL PLAY
SOME WIN
SOME LOSE
AND SOME BETRAY
BUT, LOVE IS THE GAME, WE ALL PLAY
( 20 minutes later)
Waiter:
SIR! Here is the bill.
Arnav looks at it and says:
I think you made a mistake. Most of the food that we had is not listed.
Check again.
Waiter:
Sir ! Madam paid her portion in cash. Here is the change.
Arnav
WHAT ARE YOU SAYING?
In the next moment, Khushi returns, the redness gone from her face, she seems flushed and pale.
Arnav is confused.
Something is not right.
Her total behavior changed abruptly
Her smile is lost and her cheerful eyes became dark and dimmed.
She is sweating and seems much palpitated.
She is walking very slowly.
Is that tear in her eyes?
Khushi comes back and takes her seat.
Khushi:
Umm..Arnav ji!
If you don't mind, I really wanted to pay for your food. But I did not have the cash with me. I just had much to bear most of my expenses.
Umm''Please, listen to me.
And let me finish.
Kindly do not get upset.
Umm'I came here, to this restaurant, because I thought you needed a good meal. And naniji once said, you like Dosa a lot. So I came.
It wasn't actually for me.
I know I ate like a maniac, I was hungry, but I was in tension'so I'
Actually I came to give. I mean:
I want to give you this back.
Please open the box after I go.
Arnav perplexed:
Arnav:
Khushi!
What are you saying?
Khushi:
Arnav ji ! I beg you, please, let me finish.
I am in the verge of breaking apart, so please let me finish what I want to say, or else I will regret for the rest of mylife.
Arnav is speechless.
This bubbly, beautiful, mesmerizing thing was flying like a butterfly, now she is down as a wet sparrow.
All life has been sucked out of her.
She seems to be in tremendous pain.
Her smile has vanished and her gestures have changed.
So was she acting and putting up a show this whole time: just to make me come here and have food?
What does she want to give me?
Arnav keeps on thinking.
Khushi:
" I came to Australia, just for you.
YES
it's true.
I had to return you this box and its belonging.
I am going back in 1-2 days.
I took 5 lacs from Di and Aman Ji, it got me the return ticket and enough to get me hotel for 3-4 days max.
And its already been 2 days here. You got my land papers nah? Please sell the land and it will get you the 5 lacs.
( seeing Arnav opening his mouth to reply: she puts her palm up and blocks him)
Arnav JI!
Please do not speak.
Let me finish.
I took the money and got the ticket.
I contacted NK Ji, cause I knew he stayed in Sydney.
I sneaked into mamiji's room to get his address and phone number, didn't get much time, so tore her diary page off.
I know mamiji will notice this and blame me or jiji, So I am clearing the fact.
I did not steal her jewelry or money.
( She stops him again)
I need to complete what I came to say.
Please do not ask me any more questions.
I am leaving very soon.
And please do not ask me
WHERE ?
WHEN ?
WHAT ?
What my plans are?
Cause I will NOT TELL YOU.
I will leave this box here and walk away.
Please also do not try to stop me or make a scene here.
I do not have any more energy remaining in me to deal with any more drama.
( Khushi clings onto the table corner , holding the wood for support. She is shaking slightly out of emotional out burst)
I HAVE TO TELL YOU SOMETHING.
I TRIED TELLING YOU A MILLION TIMES.
BUT NEVER GOT THE COURAGE OR OPPORTUNITY.
I was always afraid that you will hurt my sister and ruin her marriage."
Arnav shaken up, his face as pale as snow, just utters with great effort:
Arnav:
Khushi !
What are you saying?
Leave?
What do you mean?
Khushi!
I would have never let anything bad happen to Payal or Akash.
I was the one to help then in the first place right?
I made mamiji agree. So I would have never make any effort to break them.
I know I threatened you and the whole marriage.
I CAN EXPLAIN'please give me an opportunity.
You are making a huge mistake.
Listen to me.
( Khushi snaps up )
Khushi
"STOP
ARNAVJI !
Please for heaven's sake, DO NOT lie.
You made the divorce papers in an hour for them remember?
Even you forced Akash Ji to sign it.
Then I drowned those in the pool, you said you will make again?
And now you say, you never meant it?
I had to marry you for 6 months. And not say a word.
Remember?
STOP please.
I just cannot deal with any more lies.
I PROMISE I WILL MAKE IT AS SHORT AS POSSBILE.
JUST BEAR WITH WHAT I HAVE TO SAY.
PLEASE."
Khushi is trembling with rage.
She tightly grabs on to the table and balances herself.
Arnav has never seen her this way. He dealt with her anger, craziness, pain, her pushing him away and more, but never like this.
There was something else in her eyes, he never saw.
Arnav was just numb.
He couldn't believe, after last night, all the talks and her being so nice, how can she just change?
He thinks: What have I made her into? The girl is changed.
She is composed and calm. Every word is well thought of and arranged. She is serious and she means business.
The pain I have caused, have turned her into this.
LIKE ME
And I can never forgive myself for this.
Khushi:
"Arnav Ji!
I do not care about my sister's marriage or anything else. She is well settled and Akash ji loves her unconditionally.
And you , yourself just admitted that my sister is good.
I believe he will not do anything hasty, even if you compel him.
Last time, I was naive; I thought you will make him do it.
But now I understand their seriousness and love.
ANOTHER THING
You always said that, you wanted to save someone, and someone's life, cause I threatened it.
Maybe you were right.
I was the cause.
May be not actively.
BUT YES.
Passively.
I did a lot of thinking after you left me in your house all alone, to deal with everyone. You left me in all alone to rot.
RIGHT?
YOU WANTED ME TO SUFFER ALONE AND FACE EVERYONE, EXPLAINING THE WHOLE DILEMA.
RIGHT?
THE REASON BEHIND EVERYTHING:
The same stupid thing, I could have realized before, you told me hints. But I was so occupied in trying to win your acceptance that I did not rest and think it clearly.
The clues were in front of me, but the idiot, dumb, fool I am, I did not connect the dots. Anyways,
ARNAV ji!
Please listen very carefully; you need to worry about not DI, but for your jijaji.
SHYAM.
I do not want to go into details.
I feel repulsive.
HE IS NOT A GOOD MAN
You should be very watchful about him.
HE IS NOT RIGHT FOR DI."
The last words from KHUSHI, shakes ARNAV's world upside down.
She knew?
She could sense it and hence she did not say a word?
She went through my hatred, even knowing that I was wrong and she had no hand in the matter?
ARNAV feels a sharp blow on his soul, as if someone just grabbed his heart and wrenched it out of his chest.
She came all this way to prove her innocence?
She came to me, to look at me in the eyes and confess her virtue?
She came all this way to make me protect DI, even knowing that for DI, I married her and treated her with repugnance?
Stress?
Coping up?
She knows that I left her all laone before the time completion of 6 months.
Left her for the
THE LAST 10 DAYS OF 6 MONTH
So this is what she was talking about?
Feeding me deceivingly, so my body doesn't act up?
She pressured me to eat and take medicine, only that I can bear the blow?
But did she think even one, that these words and her truth will rip off my heart into pieces?
How will she manage my soul acting up?
How will she glue back my existence that she is shattering now.?
What about that?
Khushi and Arnav both were about to say something, but stops suddenly as the waiter comes:
"Mrs Raizada, you cab is here.
I gave him your hotel address and explained him where it is. He will take you there.
Also I have explained that you will not speak when you get into the car and he is to drive as soon as you enter.
The fare will cover the amount you said, you have. Do not worry.
But if you are falling short on cash, we can pay the fare. Or put in on Mr. Raizada's account.
You are our treasured guest.
Not every day Mr Raizada comes here with his beautiful wife."
The waiter smiles courteously.
Khushi looks up and says in a trembling voice:
"Thank you a lot.
I am coming.
Tell him to start the engine.
And it's Miss Gupta.
Not Mrs Raizada.
I am Mr Raizada's brother's relative.
Nothing else.
And you need not pay.
I can pay for my own expenses.
I do not need any charity from anyone."
The waiter is startled.
He walks away.
ARNAV has turned into a curved stone.
LIFELESS
NUMB
FROZEN
He just cannot believe what is going on.
HE SEATS ON THE CHAIR LIKE A motionless CORPSE.
Never, never in his life has he felt so out of place.
Khushi has this entire thing planned to the finest detail.
She made the effort of getting money, repaying the money with her own land that is the last thing her parents left her, made the ticket, booked hotel, she came here, came to my hotel, hunted me down in a new city, in a new state, in a new continent, she acted all normal, and I never got a hint of what is concluding this evening.
ARNAV is
Unresponsive
Anesthetized
Silent
Khushi:
"Arnav Ji!
I am leaving this box here. You know the content of it, because you yourself bought it.
I have no use of this anymore.
There is the 300 rupess I owned.
I never repaid in spite of having money, because I felt it had a relation between us.
But, now umm'...anyways.
You take care of yourself. And please be very happy with Lavanya Ji !
I saw the news. You two really look good together.
I lied to you earlier,
The second picture I mentioned , I saw was the one where you were kissing her in front of her house, after spending the night with her.
She looked awesome in her night cloths.
You two loved each other before and you two are a very good match.
Educated, affluent and up to date.
(Khushi could barely speak, each word coming out of her mouth was making her shudder)
Now I will get up and leave.
AND I BEG YOU !
I BEG YOU !
Please do not make a scene.
Let me leave in silence.
I do not want more tension .
( Khushi almost jumps up, leaving the box of churis neatly wrapped in a non see through paper.
She rushes to the door, not looking back even for a fraction.)
Khushi is running away.
Each second she gets farther away from Arnav.
The pallu drifts on the floor.
Bangles crinkle .
The sound of her payal keeps on getting fader.
Arnav is struck by lightning. His world has shattered yet once more.
He can't breathe, he can't thing coherently.
Reality seems to be a thing of the past.
His head spins.
Mouth becomes dry
What just happened?
How did it happen?
And how could I not sense anything before?
He slowly turns his head towards the running flash of pink fuming away
the last faded rhythm of her dangling anklets wake him up.
ARNAV jumps back, pushing the chair behind,
The flower arrangements land on the floor.
Water splashes.
Food scattered on the ground and on the next table.
He kicks the table away
Two waiters with food drops on the floor by his thrust
The music stops
The chattering halts
RUNNING BEHIND HER, HE GRABS HER FROM BACK.
Thrashes her arm back to his and turns her around as a bolt of lightning.
ARNAV shouts:
STOP
STAY
Even after the violent intrusion: Khushi remains totally sound and silent.
( She looks up at him and the words that come out next from her mouth
bashes up his heart, tears his soul into a million specs )
unmanageable pain
detest
razor sharp stabbings : marks his SOUL
FOREVER.
Khushi:
"Arnav Ji! I just requested you for the very last time, to keep it civilized.
And you had to blow away my last wish aswell."
Arnav shudders
His iron grip melts into liquid.
He gradually lets her go of her arm.
All the people near by, the restaurant guests are standing on their feet, trying to get a quick peek at the famous Arnav Sing Raizada: the business Tycoon, the self made millionaire.
Waiters and the manager frantically try to control the situation and make the guests head back to their tables.
KHUSHI steps away step after step.
She looks around:
Arnav Ji!
I cannot
STOP OR STAY
! YOU LEFT NO SCOPE !
Running away, she shivers and quivers all the way up to the cab.
Violent sobs silence her.
She slams on the seat.
She collapses on the leather as a wet leaf.
Holds on to the seat as prisoner waiting for death.
A Sobbing and almost screaming cry comes out''out of pain.
The driver drives away '''''''''''''''..
SHEUN'S INDEX
PLEASE mark this index page as watched topics, for going to my posts easily.
I will update this every time I do a new post
https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/topic/2925534
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