A THING CALLED LOVE :(1-39)PART49 IN NEW THREAD - Page 42

Ohhh...soo emotional...First Khushi, now Arnav...letting out their feelings...it's nice to read his point of view..but the pain..ahh..it hurts!! Hoping they clear it all up soon...!! thanks for the Pm! Great chapter!😊

A THING CALLED LOVE

17

NK just stepped out of his car. He is looking around the neighborhood.

NK

"Why did Khushi jI had to stay here? This is a bad place for getting mugged. If I get mugged, no police will even come to save me.

But what to do?

Khushi ji asked for help and I have to help her.

What did she tell me, not to forget?

Ohho! I was so sleepy. Didn't even listen to half the things she said. Just remembering, something important.

Umm''.There was a problem in the hotel of something. Well lets see whats up!

Khushi JI! Here I come.

Nanav married the exact opposite to him. Yes, someone told rightly, opposites attract.

One is a boastful male, showing off, getting the best, spending to the last drop.

And another is a sweet female, gentle, cute, bubbly, no show off, no anger, spending very thoughtfully.

Wish I got a girl exactly as her. Khushi ji, you are so pretty."

NK talks to himself and proceed towards the main lobby of the Motel " DAISY INN".

He goes to the front door and buzzes in, to go inside.

The receptionist opens the door to enter.

( 10 minutes later )

KNOCK ! KNOCK !

"HI Khushi jI!

Its me NK

I am here, open up".

NK knocks the door and waits.

Khushi is wearing a white and green kameez, soft green striped dupatta, pompoms on her sleeves, pair of gold jhumkas and a gold bindi.

She seems fairly normal. Only her eyes are puffed up and dark. She is sneezing a bit and running up and down with a box of tissue papers.

" Oh

NK JI!

Thanks for coming.

I was waiting. I packed all my stuff.

I was keeping a look at the window, just went in for five minutes and you show up.

And I am about : ready to go. Umm..can you please pick the bags and I will chain the suitcase.

That's is the only thing remaining to do."

NK:

"Why are you all packed and what was so urgent?

I got worried that there might be a problem. Was everything ok with Arnav?

I just got one call from you telling me that you reached safe at his place and you will be there. But last night as I got your call, I was surprised that you are back here again? Why are you u not staying with him?

Did he say anything bad? He has a bad temper.

May be he was surprised and a bit angry for not telling him of your coming all by yourself, nothing much.

You know him right? He is a good man. Its just that I think he is very passionate as well.

So Khushi ji! Will you please let me know what's up?"

Khushi:

" NK ji! It's nothing serious. Arnav JI was happy to see me. It was meant to be a surprise.

But he has a lot of work to do and he will leave Sydney tonight. So I came back. He offered to give me a car so I can roam around and go to his place. But I refused.

Umm'anyways.. How are you?

You promised that you will make me see the entire city. So I took your offer and here I am. Let's go and drop these in a new motel.

I have got news of another one in China town.

Is it far away from here?

I could have stayed at Arnav Ji's place. But I wanted to be on my own and see the city. China town is very close to metro rail and subways. So I can roam around on my own."

NK ( Looks at the bags all packs and the suitcase lying around.)

NK

"Khushi jI! You said there is a problem in the hotel. What is it?"

Khushi , a bit taken aback. Looks at him and hesitates a bit.

Khushi:

"NK ji!

You remembered right?

You took the back entrance right?

Parked in the back parking lot and took the back door, right?

Oh NK ji! Please tell me you remembered. Or else there will be a huge problem."

NK totally perplexed and his mouth hanging out.

"Khushi ji!

Oh that is the thing, I forgot.

I was thinking that you told me to do something, but did not listen what?

I was half asleep when you called. Why?

Is the problem in the front entrance?

Location:

DAISY INN'S OPPOSITE PARKING LOT

(20 MINUTES BACK)

Arnav has been observing each tiny movement within the window like a hawk watching over his territory.

He saw khushi slip pass by.

But after 10 minutes, saw her peek again.

"Poor girl, do not even realize that I can see her". Arnav thinks to himself and feels bad for her.

"Khushi, my love, what will I do with you?

Why are you being so brave and trying to oppress something so potent?

You love me, and I know. You care, and I know

You obviously miss me, and I CAN SEE IT.

Then, baby why are you torturing yourself? Please, look once, let me see you .

I swear, I will run to you and make you mine. Please , at least look at me once directly.

Arnav continues his lonely prayer.

Ring ! ring !

Arnav's phone goes off.

Arnav:

Hello! Why ?

What? Why Akash? I asked you not to come here right?

Why did you come hearing about me? You came to Australia, and that was enough. And now, here? Don't you dare !

You send that idiot guards and I swear I will bash you up. That beating is still pending for you.

Uff Akash!

I am fine. Yes I am fine.

I am sitting in front. Yes a motel. Where your sister in law, you saali is staying.

I know. Out of all the places she had to choose this neighborhood.

Nah! No Akash, No way. Do not come. And of course do not let Payal get worried.

I don't want 2 sisters blow me off at the same time for running your honeymoon and now this. I had enough to deal tonight.

Yes Khushi is in front of me. She is trying to hide herself, but I can see her shadow. She left the window for 5 minutes, 35 seconds.

No, I do not want to go now.

I will wait till morning and then make a move.

She was too upset to talk. She seems to be crying.

Why do girls cry so much? Does Payal cry as well?

No Akash! Don't ask Payal if she cries as much as not. Akash! What will I do with you?

Don't come. Turn around your car and leave.

Hmm, just make sure the media stays out of it.

Ok, text me when you are close by. I don't want her to see you boasting out of the car and have a heart attack.

She does not know, you and Payal are here.

And I certainly do not want her to go off again, asking about why I ruined your honey moon.

Umm..

Akash!

Khushi was in real pain. She was shivering and shaking.

I have never seen this side of hers. I can't explain what went through me.

I was so , so damn happy to see her here, I can't explain to you, but she moment she started to talk and clear things out, my '.I ..Couldn't utter a word.

She ran away.

She had everything planned, dot by dot.

Akash, I hope she forgives me.

Yes, I think she knows and figured about Shyam.

I am gonna kill that M**** F*****.

I swear.

I will rip that piece of shit in two.

Hmm..

Yes..

Yes I am keeping my cool.

If I think of that Hara** once more, I will fly to India right now and slit his lungs out myself.

Hmm."

Arnav keeps the phone down and shakes off his ill feelings towards Shyam.

He starts his gazing again at the window.

Khushi seems to be gone for 15 minutes now.

Oh there she is. She changed cloths. Good, at least she is getting settled.

She seems to be wearing white and green. "Damn woman! Everything looks good on you, including me."..lol..

Khushi is rambling around in the room, folding, cleaning. I think she is packing.

So Mr Mehta, gave me the right news that she is leaving early morning and booked another hotel over the phone in China Town.

Arnav's thoughts are paused again:

RING !

ring!

"hello Akash!

I told you to text, why did you call?"

No she is still here.

Yes, I know I can go in. but after the incident in the hotel, I am trying not to make any drama or scene.

She wont like it. I will wait till she comes down for her cab. Then pick her up.

Akash wait !

WHAT !?

WHAT THE HELL !

WHAT IS HE DOING HERE?

HUH?

It's NK

Yes NK.

What is he doing driving to Khushi so early, it's not even morning.

Akash, I have to go and ask him.

What?

Absolutely not, I cannot let him go to her room, in the dark,

What? '.Hmm..I know. Yes that true that she asked for his help and without him I wouldn't have got the news,

Ok..Ok Akash'''.I hear you.

Will wait and see. May be he is here to drop her. Poor girl, might not even have the cab fare.

Ok Akash, NO I am not gonna bash him up too.

Why would I beat him up?

Yes ,..yes I am cool.

Ok bye."

Arnav keeps the phone down, but looks at NK parking and getting out of the car as closely as a lion marks his lamb.

As soon as NK leaves and proceeds for the door, Arnav slides down from his car and follows him.

He hides himself behind a bush, and tries to listen to NK's conversation.

The night is still dark, a single dim line showing in the horizon.

Arnav talked to himself:

"Why doesn't the damn sun get up quick, when it's needed?

I have to let this fool go into her room while it's dark,

Why?"

Seeing NK , within a minute, Khushi runs to the open window, and from the back of the drape peeks directly at the car parked in the opposing lot.

She makes herself visible gradually to take a better look.

Arnav is not in the car.

WHAT????

KHUSHI IS PUSHED OVER TO PANIC MODE.

If he isn't in the car, then he might have seen NK bhai come in. and he might be on his way here, following NK.

Oh GOD !!!!

Help!!!

Without noticing NK, she grabs whatever was left in the table, picks her comb and throws it in her luggage.

Runs to the bathroom and gets her jewelries.

She then runs back and gets her sandals in left hand.

Picks up the two towels.

Signs NK while running, to pick the suitcase

And then runs to her side table and picks up a huge bottle or water.

Khushi:

Where is the cap of the bottle?

NK bhai, please look in the drawer or beside the table. I need the cap.

NK ji! Please get the suitcase"

NOW !!

We need to run, don't ask, just MOVE !

NK:

Khushi ji! Please tell me something, why are you running around?

Why do you need the bottle cap? It's still dark and we have 2 more hours for check out as you planned.

What is the rush? Please relax.

Khushi:

NK JI! Please, Not now.

I can't explain what you will face if he comes ''. . What I will face is he sees me with you?

And what scene he will create if he comes up.

Please NK Ji! Just do as I say and get my suitcase.

Uff ! Why did I not leave before?

( Khushi runs again and picks up her shawl, 2 bags and tries to balance the water bottle and find her room swipe key at the same time.)

A very stunned and confused NK wander around the room in top gear.

NK , following Khushi's command, holds the suitcase's handle and hauls it up.

Action 1 ( 5:35 AM)

AAAH !!!!!!

( KHUSHI SCREAMS HER LOUDEST SCREAM)

NOOO!!!!

NO NK JI!

NO !!!!!

Action 2 ( 5:37 AM)

AAA !!!!!

NOOO!!!

STOPPP !!!!!!!!!!!!!

NO NK JI !!!

DON'T TAKE IT !!

LET GO !!

Action 3 ( 5:39 AM)

NK IS STANDING IN FRONT OF THE WIDE OPEN DOOR WAY, INSIDE KHUSHI'S ROOM.

HE IS like a statue frozen in midway, stepping towards Khushi.

He is grabbing some things in his hand:

A STRIPED GREEN DUPATTA

A BLACK LACE '''..?

Action 4 ( 5:40 AM)

KHUSHI IS STANDING IN FRONT OF NK: JUST TWO STEPS AWAY

THE KAMEEZ FABRIC STUCK TO HER SKIN

SHE IS CLUTCHING ON TO THE SIDE OF THE SHOULDER WITH ONE HAND,

THE OTHER HAND COVERING HER CHEST.

SHE IS HUNCHED BACKWARDS FLODING HER NECKLINE.

RE- Action

5 ( 5:41 AM)

ARNAV IS STANDING IN FRONT OF THE OPEN DOOR.

WRISTS BALLED INTO A FIST

EYES WIDEN IN SHOCK

SWALLOWING A GULP OF FUSTRATION

RAGE LEVEL SPIKING FROM

BAD

WORSE

WORST

A THING CALLED LOVE

ARNAV

ARNAV just saw NK getting out of his car. NK slowly went upstairs; the receptionist uttered the number 503.

Arnav listened stealthily.

He waits patiently outside in the dark for 15 minutes.

Trying to with all his might to keep silent and stay in control.

The reason for him being alive, the purpose for his living, the center of his universe: is just upstairs, about to meet another guy, but him.

Arnav tries to control his temper, anger, need, repentance, regret, desire, curiosity, patience and agony. He shakes with each tiny sound coming out of the motel.

Another 5 minutes passes.

Arnav is almost reaching the boiling point of darting behind NK , going to Khushi's room and asking her for forgiveness, mercy, acceptance, approval, sympathy and moreover: LOVE

KHUSHI

Khushi is running around in her room, trying to grab anything visible in a five second time slot and shoving them into her suitcase and bags. She has a small margin to flee, before Arnav bursts in and initiates the fire, simmering in both places.

Inspite of having anger, annoyance, regret, misunderstanding, irritation , she is having a potent feeling of relief.

Not because NK is here to pick her up, but rather because she knows that Arnav can show up any second.

Her feets are running, her hands are picking, her eyes are sweeping for the last straws,

While her heart: is leaping in anticipation. .

It's aching.

It's beating frantically, begging her to slow down and wait a bit more.

"Mind over matter.

Love over desire.

Hatred over love"