ArHi FF: Highway to hell-3, last Ch. pg 89 - Page 52

Nice update. I hope peter gets well soon. I just live arnav and malis relationship though

well that felt like the shortest honeymoon ever...LOL...back to life and back to reality...

Thanks for writing such a good read! Really enjoyed this FF!

LUVD UR FF... HOPIN 2 READ MRE SOON !!

Res..and I'll try not to leave it reserved for as long as I usally do 😆

aww malli! I have read to start loving her character and specially the bond between her and Arnav!

Just read the story again.

Chapter 46: Malli rides the Highway to hell

"I am not going back to that hospital again," said Malli defiantly. She was sitting on her bed, Arnav perched next to her. They'd escaped there for a quiet chat, away from the noisy chaos downstairs.

"You don't have to if you don't want to, of course," said Arnav. "I think the first thing for you to do is recognize that that bas***d is dead and he can't come after you anymore, thank God!"

"I'm happy he's dead. Does that make me a bad person?" asked Malli bitterly. "I don't care what it makes me. I hate him and I always will," she finished defiantly.

"Malli, he was a sick psychopath who almost killed you. If Peter wasn't in hospital, I'd be shaking his hand and buying him a drink for finishing him off!"

Malli let out a dry chuckle. "Maybe we can throw a party after we're over the initial shock, and provided Peter doesn't go and die on us, of course," she said.

"There's a thought. A party to celebrate the death of Mr.Pond-Scum," said Arnav wryly.

"How was the honeymoon?" she asked abruptly.

"Good. Very restful. We had a good time."

"Should I go see Peter, do you think?"

"Why not sleep on it Malli? See how you feel tomorrow."

"Ha. Ha. As if I'll be able to fall asleep tonight after all the excitement."

"True, that. Want to do a Star Wars marathon? Khushi might be tired and sleep off after 1 movie, but I'll stay up all night and watch 'em with you," offered Arnav.

"I didn't know you were a Star Wars fan," said Malli, surprised.

"Well, there's plenty you don't know about me, Mallu!" said Arnav, tapping her on the head lightly. "Let me go dig the DVDs up. I bet Akash wants to watch too," he said, leaving the room.

Malli sat on her bed quietly. How different it all was. How seemingly easy. A few hours ago she's been watching Peter fight for survival in the hospital. And now she was home. Cocooned in this cozy room. Surrounded by people who cared for her. And at least one person who truly loved her, she was sure. Malli hadn't known this feeling of being loved for so long that she took a few minutes to let it sink in. Then she got up and walked downstairs, smiling.

4 hours, 3 Cokes and 3 slices of Pizza later Malli was stuffed to the gills and a little tired of Star Wars. They had just begun "Return of the Jedi" when she turned to Arnav who was watching intently. Akash had given up half way through the Empire Strikes back and gone to bed. Khushi had refused to watch saying she needed to sleep.

"Arnav, can I say something?" said Malli.

"Hmm," said Arnav, not really paying attention.

"Thank you for everything," said Malli softly.

"Huh?" he asked, eyes still glued to the TV.

"Thank you for everything. For taking me in, putting up with my tantrums, taking care of me when I was injured, and, and..for understanding me. You will never know what it means to me," she said, eyes filled with tears.

"Hey, hey! What's happening here? Why are you crying Mallu? And you're very welcome, of course, you silly goose. You mean a lot to me, and Khushi too, of course," said Arnav staring at her in some consternation. He ruffled her hair affectionately.

"Come now, stop crying. I don't like to see Miss Malena in tears," he said, handing her a tissue. Malli threw herself into his arms and burst into tears. "I love you Arnav. You're like my..fa…"

"Don't say it! I am not old enough to be your Dad!" said Arnav, trying to lighten the atmosphere.

"Yeah, OK. Not father. No. Not brother even. I don't know what you are to me. Do we need to give it a name? Can we just say friends?" said Malli, sniffing.

"We can say friends, sure. Except this friend reserves the right to tell you what to do and when to do it!" said Arnav.

"Sounds like a Dad to me!" said Malli making a face.

"Oh, shut up Mallu!" said Arnav, half-annoyed, half-proud that she thought of him as a father figure. "And Malli, I'd be proud to have a daughter like you," said Arnav, blinking back a telltale wetness.

"What a pair of sissies!" said an irate voice. They turned to find Khushi staring at them with a cocky smile on her face and a huge tub of ice-cream in her hands. "I woke up craving ice-cream. Thought you guys might appreciate some. But you have probably already overdosed on each other's sweet feelings!" said Khushi, laughing.

"I'd like some ice-cream," said Malli, scooting over so Khushi could squeeze in between her and Arnav. Khushi sat and Arnav draped an arm around her shoulders. She'd brought 3 spoons and they passed the tub around, digging their spoons into it when their turn came. Khushi shut the movie off and made small talk for a bit. After a while, she turned to Malli.

"Are you going to see Peter tomorrow?" she asked.

"Don't push her Khushi!" said Arnav sharply. Khushi shushed him with a light squeeze, and turned to Malli. "Are you?" she asked Malli.

"I don't know. I don't want to. I didn't ask him to go and kill that jerk. When I begged him for help, he wasn't there for me. And now, he goes and does this. Why should I forgive him? He wasn't by my side when I needed him most. He let me fend for myself then. And now, he's all in love with me and going around shooting people for my sake? Why? I didn't ask him to!" she finished bitterly.

"Malli! Remember, he came to talk to you. You didn't want to talk to him. I know he didn't help you when you needed it. But he's young too. He made a mistake. A bad one. One that he wanted to fix. And he tried to fix it by making another, bigger mistake. We all make mistakes Malli. I'm not saying forgive him. I'm not saying get back with him. But talk to him. Make peace with him. It's important to not have regrets Malli. It's very important," said Khushi quietly. "And Arnav, you need to talk to Malli too. Tell her what happened. She needs to know," said Khushi, turning to Arnav. She kissed him lightly and went up to her room.

Arnav sighed. He'd been dreading this since he'd gotten back and heard about Peter. He knew he'd have to tell Malli. He didn't want to. And after she'd admitted how much he meant to her, he really didn't want to. He didn't want her to sink back into that abyss she'd clawed herself out of with so much courage. He swallowed and turned to Malli, who was looking at him curiously.

"I need to tell you something Malli," he said, unable to meet her eyes.

Several hours later

Malli stared at the ripples in the inky-black water. It was still very dark. The sun hadn't risen yet. She took her shoes off and released her hair from its scrunchy before stepping into the water.

"Nooo! You didn't do that to Khushi! Why? Why did you tell me? You bas***d!"

"I'm so sorry Malli. It was a mistake. A huge mistake. One I regret every day of my life. But I can't undo the past"

"I loved you."

"Malli, listen to me. Khushi and I have moved past it. She is wonderful. We love each other. I couldn't do without her. I love her more than anything. Time heals everything."

"She's a better woman than I."

Malli came up to the surface, gasping. She pushed the hair out of her eyes. It was summer, but the water was still cold and she was shivering. She floated easily on the surface of the water and let it carry her away from the shore. A wave broke against her, pouring water down her throat. The salty water filled her stomach and lungs. She felt herself sinking a little. A current dragged her deeper. She didn't fight it.

"Di! Will you be a doctor someday?"

"No, darling. I'll be a scientist. I'll learn how to cure cancer, so we can make you all better."

"How long does it take to learn to be a scientist Di?"

"Not long Anshu. Not long," she said, cradling him in her arms.

"When we get married, I'll buy us a house with a huge backyard for the kids!"

"Kids? How many?" she laughed.

"Atleast 4. 2 boys. 2 girls," said Peter seriously.

"I'm not getting pregnant 4 times. 2 is enough,"

"Ok. We'll adopt 2 then," he said easily. "But you'll marry me, won't you Malena?"

"Of course I will. We're meant to be. You and I."

"I didn't have to tell you this, you know!"

"Then why did you? I hate you."

"Because I don't want you to make the same mistakes I did, you little fool. Don't judge people easily. Don't shut people out. Don't not communicate. Always speak your mind. Learn to trust. Give of yourself. You'll get a lot back." He sighed heavily.

"I trusted you. I thought you were perfect."

"I'm not perfect Malli. Nobody is. I made bad mistakes. But I admitted to them and sought redemption. Peter wants your forgiveness. Give it to him. You'll never regret it."

"Why? Why should I? You didn't give Khushi a chance all those years ago."

"And I almost lost her Malli. I was lucky enough to find her again. But we lost 7 precious years that we could have been together."

"I hate Peter and I hate you."

"I can't speak for Peter, but I love you!"

"Where is she? Should we call the police?" asked Khushi worriedly.

"I think we better. She went up to her room after we talked. She was quite distraught. But I never heard her slip out. And I was sitting downstairs in the living room, expecting her to do that, hoping I could prevent her," said Arnav looking shaken. He hadn't slept all night and his eyes were red-rimmed and tired.

"Looks like she shimmied down the pipe through the window," said Khushi, shaking her head. "I'll call the cops," She said.

2 days later:

"Get the door please Akash," called Payal. He swung it open.

"Who is it?" called Khushi.

"It's Malli," said Akash loudly. His words caused a sensation. Arnav, Khushi, Payal, Nani and even Garima came running into the landing where Malli stood.

"Malli, are you OK?" asked Khushi, looking at her. Malli nodded briefly. She was in the same Jeans and Tee she's been in when they'd talked 2 nights ago. Her hair was disheveled and she looked like she hadn't slept.

"Can I get something to eat? I'm starving! Can I get a ride to the hospital after I'm done? I think I want to see Peter," she said to Khushi.

"Wait a minute," said Arnav, catching hold of her wrist as she walked past him. "You leave for 2 days. 2 days. We've had the police looking for you. We didn't know what happened to you. None of us have slept since you ran out. We've been worried sick. I think the least you can do is apologize and offer an explanation Malli." He finished sternly.

"I'm sorry to have worried you all. I was figuring stuff out. I needed to be by myself," said Malli, turning to Khushi. "But I didn't think I needed to apologize to my family," she finished. She'd barely gotten the words out when a loud crack was heard. Khushi had slapped her across the face.

"Yes. No need to apologize to family, so I won't say sorry either. Go and shower now. You smell like a trash can!" Khushi turned on her heel and left.

Akash, Payal and the others melted away after Khushi left. They could see that Arnav and Malli had things to say. They let them be.

"Malli, I am so sorry," said Arnav, white-faced and haggard. He hadn't been this worried in years.

"I'm sorry too Arnav. I'm sorry I worried you and Khushi. And I'm sorry I ran away. And I am sorry I said those things to you. I didn't mean them."

"You were angry. I understand."

"I'm really sorry Arnav!"

"Oh for heavens sakes! Will you two stop tip-toeing around each other and get it over with already. I don't need more drama in my life," said Khushi exasperatedly. They turned to see her, standing in the doorway, smiling gently.

"Get what over with?" asked Arnav blankly.

"I think this calls for a group-hug!" Said Khushi, reaching for Arnav and Malli and pulling them close.

"Oh my God Malli! Did you take a dive into the dumpster? You smell terrible!" complained Arnav, pulling out of the hug quickly.

Malli ran up the stairs to her room.

"Just so you know, you are grounded for ever and ever for pulling that stunt!" Arnav called from behind.

"I hate you!" said Malli in muffled tones from the upper floor.

"And I love you!" said Arnav loudly.

"And I love you!" said Khushi, threading her hands through Arnav's.

"And I love you, wife!"

OK people. This story is winding down. Just 1 or 2 chapters to go. Thanks for sticking with me through my erratic updates these last few months. Tell me what you think.

Love

Vidhya

really a lovely update i love it