FF: Arnav and Khushi On their way to Happily ever after
Chapter 15
She was too loud. Someone would hear her and then, he'd never get the chance to talk to her.
Aaik tou ma iss sy baat krny aaya hun or upper sys y mery py charhai kr rahi hai.He put his hand on her mouth, pinning her to the wall.
"Shhh'shut up Khushi'' he whispered furiously. It was just like her; here he was, sneaking inside her house to talk to her and she was yelling so that he couldn't do that. 'Tumhary ghar walon ko pata lg jy ga or phir ma tum sy jo baat krne aya hun nahi kr paoon ga".
She quit struggling or trying to talk. He slowly removed the hand from her mouth. There was a long pause; then Khsuhi spoke, "Kia baat krni hai?" she asked slowly.
His heart beat unbearably fast and he felt his calm faade crack; he immediately struggled to keep his emotions contained and he took a deep, calming breath.
De's words echoed in his head, kabhi koi baat kitni bhe bewakoofi wali lagay, tb bhe sirf apnay dil ki sunni chaheyay' well, his heart was screaming at him to tell her exactly how he felt.
"I'm sorry Khushi'" he finally spoke. Because, truthfully, that was how he felt: guilty and needing to apologize over and over.
'Aur?' She prompted gently.
Aur kia? He thought frustratedly. She took a look at his face and her expression closed off, her eyes suddenly losing their brightness. She tried to move away. He grabbed her arms to stop her escape. 'Dammit Khushi, aur kia sunna chahti ho??' He demanded.
She didn't meet his eyes but whispered a pained 'A-arnavji''
He had had enough of her silly nonsense.
'Aur kia sunna chati ho? Ke me tmharay beghair je nahi skta? Ke tmharay janay ka sochta hon to lagta hai me mar jaun ga??? Ya ye sunna chahti ho ke me tm se pyaar krta hun???'
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One moment she was trying to hide that she'd let him hurt her again, by raising and then dashing her hopes. The next, she was struggling to make sense of what she was hearing.
Surely he hadn't just told her he loved her' she looked up at him. He meant all of it; she could see that on his face, in his eyes.
She tried speaking again. 'Arnavji''
'Dammit Khushi'' he interrupted, 'I love you! You hear me? I love you! Aik pal nahe reh sakta tmhare bina!' He stared at her furiously.
*Rabba Ve*
Each word was like a bullet in its heated intensity and yet, she'd never heard anything more beautiful. It left her speechless.
For so long she had waited for him to admit it, she couldn't believe she was hearing it.
He loved her. He loved her. He loved her!!!
Her heart sang for joy and she suddenly felt years younger.. Arnavji hm se piyar krte hain' she wanted to dance with happiness.
Her eyes sought her pati and she felt her smile fade. He looked so dejected. With a flash of insight, she realized that he still expected her to not forgive him.
Ye nahi jante ke hm bhe...
He'd pronounced himself guilty and he expected her to do the same. She cupped his face, 'Hum bhe aap sy bohat pyaar krtay hain Arnavji...'
'Khushi'' He pulled her in and buried his face in her hair. She wrapped her arm around him. When he finally pulled back, his face had relaxed as if years of strain had been taken off. His eyes filled with that same previously unnamed emotion; she knew what it was now: love.
He reached out with his hand, gently tracing her face, before cupping her neck. She found herself leaning in towards him He bent forward until their faces were close enough to touch. It was as if everything around them had vanished, nothing mattered, he loved her and she loved him.
DHAK DHAK DHAK DHAK
The touch of his hand, his closeness, her own response to him, it all overwhelmed her until just being held wasn't enough. Her fingers curled on his coat, wanting to absorb some essence of him into her. Her breath started coming faster.
His pupils flared even as his fingers tightened. 'Khushi'' His voice had turned into a husky growl.
'Arnavji'' She whispered back, her own just as husky. She pushed herself up on tip-toes, wanting nearer. He leaned down, their lips brushing'
KNOCK KNOCK
"Aee Sanka Devi darwaza Kholo"
Reality came crashing back with Buaji's loud voice.
Arnav eyed the door murderously as he stifled his curses. Damn them all for ruining the moment' again!
Khushi was looking at him for guidance. Regretfully, he let her go.
"Me bahr nikl jaun to tum darwaza khol dena'' He whispered.
"Aee sanka Devi darwaza kahay nahi khol rahi?" Buaji yelled again knocking the door.
"Par aap'" she began but he put finger on her lips "I'm taking you home."
"Magr'" she began again but he cut her off.
"Jao darwaza kholo, ma ata hun" With that, he walked over to the window and climbed out. Khushi watched him go, then went over to open the door.
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Back outside, Arnav called Akash.
"Yeah, where's the car? Haan Khushi maan gy hai, hum wapis aa rahy hain' keys kahan hain? K, haan aa k baat krtay hain'" he paused, then added, 'And Akash' thanks.'
He found the car parked in front of Happyji's shop; then he walked over to the front doors of the Gupta House. The hardest part was over; he didn't think her family would stop him, especially if Khushi agreed to willingly come with him. Still'
Deep breaths' you can do this, Khushi maan gy hai'
He found the keys hidden in the pot on the front door of the Gupta house and put them in his pocket. Finally, he knocked on the door.
Khushi's mother opened the door. She started at the sight of him. "Jiji'Arnav btwa aya hai'' she called, relief clear in her voice, 'Aao beta, aao' jetay raho." She said, flustered, as he touched her feet.
Buaji entered the room with Khushi behind her. Arnav looked over her and she now realized what Arnavji was upto. Buaji look at him, her expressions a mixture of happiness and anger. But before anyone could say anything, Arnav spoke.
"Mai Khushi ko leny aaya hun'" he stated quietly.
Buaji turned to look at Khushi. To his surprise, her eyes glinted as her face took on a determined expression. Oh no, he thought.
"Buaji,' she spoke, folding her arms and turning her face away, 'Aap inn sy keh dyn hum in ke saath tb tk nahi jyn gy'' she glanced at him, her eyes glowing mischeviously, ''jb tk ye aap sab k samnay ye keh nahi dyty k ye hum sy pyaar krtay ahin or humary begair reh nahi sakty!" She smiled her challenge at Arnav.
Ha, ab aya na maza! It had occurred to her that she was letting him off too easy. So she was getting back at him. Amaji and Buaji blushed. "Kia ol fol bol rahi ha Sanka Devi'' Buaji glared at her, then smiled apologetically at Arnav, 'Maaf karna babwa' Ye'" but Arnav cut her off with a smile.
Well played, Khushi' but she'd challenged the wrong man.
"It's okay Buaji.' He turned to Khushi and gave her his most insincere smile; her smile vanished and she straightened. 'Khushi'" he turned towards her and took a step closer. If that's what you want darling than that's exactly what you'll get' Arnav smiled and then kneeled. What is he doing..? Khushi thought.
Arnav took her hand in his and kissed it. "Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada' mai tum sy bohat pyaar krta hun or tumhary begair je nahi sakta' tum ghar wapis aa jao, please."
Khushi turned blood red, too shocked to respond. Satisfied, he got up and dusted himself. He around to Khushi's mom and Buaji, who too were in a state similar to Khushi's, their faces red, mouths hanging open.
After all, who could imagine the great Arnav Singh Raizada acting love struck?
Arnav grabbed Khushi's hand, "Chalain? Ya utha k ly k jana paray ga?" he asked. She didn't reply so he assumed she'd have no objection to that idea.
Bidding her family goodnight, he carried her to his car and took his wife home.
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Alternative Ending (its in contiuntion with chapter 12) [the dialogues are more or less the same]
Precap:
After he told the family the whole truth...
He turned away. The moment was too emotional. This whole scenario was too emotional and he was barely holding it together as it was. Dammit, this is too much. It appeared that he wouldn't be getting any more time with Khushi; she was among people who loved and cared for her. Why would she want to be with him?
Depressed, he turned away and stalked back to his room.
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Alternative ending:
An hour or two passed before everyone calmed down enough to get anything coherent out of them. Everyone, even those who hadn't condemned her (Aakashji and Mamaji), apologized profusely and put down Shyamji as a bad-case; then they made her recount everything all over again. Then, they all comforted De.
Buaji, Ammaji, Naniji and Anjaliji didn't want her marriage to end; however, they all agreed that Khushi's choice was the final one. Buaji and Ammaji were quite willing to take her back home with them, saying that they wouldn't let anyone say or do anything wrong with her.
While all that was happening, Khushi kept an eye out for Arnavji, hoping he would come back; she wanted to see him before she said anything.
Because while he was telling everyone about their marriage, he'd said something about 'rushing the inevitable'; surely that meant he had wanted to marry her before all that happened. He had even proposed her, sort of. If that was true'
DHAK DHAK, DHAK DHAK.
She would make him apologize for not trusting her and then treating her badly; then she'd forgive him and they'll all live happily ever after. Even De, she vowed.
But he didn't appear and her heart sank. She was wondering if she'd been wrong to assume that when De addressed her.
'Khushi ji''
She looked at her; Naniji sat beside her, looking grave. 'Je De?'
De looked down at her hands, looking very sad. 'Hm jante hain ke chotay ne ap ko sirf che mah tk ka kha tha per hm nhe chahtay ke ap jain! Ap to hmaray parivar ka hisa hain aur ap ke bina' hmari subha roz champi kon kre ga? Ap mt jain, please!'
Khushi's eyes filled with tears; she dropped to her knees in front of De and took hold of her hands. 'Jaisay hm ap ko chor ke ja saktay hain! Ap fikr na kren De, hm kahin nahi ja rhay. Che mah ka contract unhun ne kia tha, hm ne nahi!'
De gently touched her face in a loving gesture, her sweet smile saying all that needed to be said.
Finding new purpose, Khushi went upstairs to find her Laad Governer and confront him.
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Arnav paced about the room. He wanted to go out and communicate the news that Shyam had been arrested and 'resisting arrest and attacking officers of law' was also added to his considerable list of charges.
More than the news though, he wanted to talk to Khushi and tell her how sorry he was for everything he'd done, every hurt he'd inflicted.
He'd been wondering if he could just stand back and watch her walk away; now he realized he couldn't do even that without first apologizing to her and then telling her how much he loved her and how his life would be nothing without her in it.
She deserved to know the truth.
He was about to walk outside when the object of his thoughts walked in with all her furious glory; she marched in determinedly, coming to stand right in front of him.
'Hm ap se kuch baat krna chahtay hain.' She declared.
His mind short-circuted at the sight of her and he just stared at her dumbly. She tapped her foot impatiently.
'Ap ne suna nahi? Hm ap se kuch baat krna chahtay'umph!'
He'd moved, without conscious thought, pulling her in and put his hand on her mouth to silence her. He didn't want to hear that she was leaving him, didn't want to hear her condemn him.
'Nahi Khushi, pehlay me ne tm se kuch kehna hai.' If he told her how sorry he was, maybe, just maybe, she would change her mind.
She tried to say something but he overran her, 'Khushi I'm sorry.'
She stopped speaking, her eyes wide. He looked into them, and continued.
'Me ne tmharay sath jo kuch kia, me us sb ke lia tm se apologize krna chahta hun. Ever since the start, me ne tmhe bht mistreat kia ha, I've used you and I've hurt you again and again. Is sb ke bawajud tm ne hmesha mere help ke. Me ne tmhe is shadi me force kia, tmhe tmhari family ke zaria blackmail kia, jan ke aisi batain kahin jin se tm hurt ho''
For every crime he listed, he fell in his own esteem; what kind of jerk treated his beloved like this?
'Jahan tm pe trust krna tha, me ne tm per shak kia' I have no justification for it. Moreover, mere patni hona k sath tmhe jo rights milte hain wo bhe nahe poray kia' me to tmhe protect bhe na kr ska'' He realized tears were blurring his eyes but he refused to give in again and let her comfort him. She needed to hear this all and see what kind of lowlife he was. So, he blinked them away and repeated, 'I'm sorry Khushi' though me deserve nahi karta pr please mjhay maaf kr do.'
He let her go, all the energy leaving him in a rush. He also wanted to add 'Please mjhe chor kr mat jao,' but his pride and sense of fairness demanded that he didn't. He turned, unable to look at her beautiful face scrunched up in hatred for him, her eyes flashing condemnation.
His Khushi, however, had a habit of surprising him. As she did now.
'Bs yehi kehna tha?'
She sounded neither disgusted nor condemning; she sounded angry. It irritated him; he'd just bared his soul in front of her. This was all she had to say?
He whirled around. 'Kia mtlb hai tmhara?'
She folded her arms, raising her chin defiantly. 'Mtlb ye ke ap hamesha ke tarah ab bhe adhuri baat keh rhai hain.'
He copied her gesture. 'Excuse me? Me ne tm se jo kuch kehna tha, sb keh dia hai.'
'Sb se zaruri baat to kahi nahi' sirf ye bta dia ke hm pr kitni ziadti ke' hmain bhe pta hai ap ne hmaray sath kia kia, koi nai baat nahi hai.' She cocked her head in very feminine gesture, somehow conveyed that she expected to be coaxed. 'Hm kuch aur sunna chahtay hain.'
This woman was beyond confusing; she was frustrating. He stalked forward, his anger getting the better of him. 'Aur kia sunna chahti ho?'
She took a hurried step back, nearly falling but he grabbed her arm and pulled her in against his body; she wasn't going to stay, why was she torturing him? She took a look at his face and her eyes widened. He shook her. 'Aur kia sunna chahti ho??' He demanded, louder.
She whispered, 'A-arnavji''
'Ye sunna chahti ho ke me tmharay beghair je nahi skta? Ke jb tmhe chot ati hai to mjhe dard hota hai?? Ke tmharay janay ka sochta hon to lagta hai me mar jaun ga??? Ya ye sunna chahti ho ke me tm se piyar krta hun???'
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Khushi's ears were whistling. She couldn't believe what he was saying. He meant all of it; she could see that on his face, in his eyes.
She tried speaking again. 'Arnavji''
'Dammit Khushi'' he interrupted, 'I love you! You hear me? I love you! Aik pal nahe reh sakta tmhare bina!' He stared at her furiously.
Each word was like a bullet in its heated intensity and yet, she'd never heard anything more beautiful. It left her speechless.
Unfortunately, it also left Arnavji to interpret her silence the wrong way. He let go of her arms, nearly pushing her away and turned his back on her. Again. His shoulders slumped and he threw his head down dejectedly.
Khushi stared at him for a few moments, trying to get her breathing under control. She had come here, thinking she would have to fight with him to stay and found that he loved her.
He loved her.
Her heart sang for joy and she suddenly felt years younger.. Arnavji hm se piyar krte hain' she wanted to dance with happiness.
Her eyes sought her pati and she felt her smile fade. He looked so dejected. She realized with a jolt that he still expected her to leave.
Ye nahi jante ke hm nahi ja rhay...
He'd condemned himself to the gallows and he expected her to do the same. Well, she wouldn't be Khushi if did that, now would she? She put a hand on his shoulder. He didn't respond.
'Ap ne hmari baat to suni he nahi'' She let a smile color her voice, 'Hm to ap ko ye btanay ai thay ka che mah ka contract ap ne kia tha, hm ne nhe. Ab app jo marzi kar len, hm yahan se nahi ja rhay.'
He whipped around, pulling her in towards him. She braced her hands on his chest and looked up at him. His eyes were filled with that same previously unnamed emotion; she knew what it was now: love.
He reached out with his hand, gently tracing her face, before cupping her neck. She found herself leaning in towards him He bent forward until their faces were close enough to touch.
'Good'' he whispered, his breath fanning over her face. ''wrna mjhe tmhe tmhare ghar se kidnap krna prta.'
She didn't say anything, too busy sorting out the sensations bombarding her. The touch of his hand, his closeness, her own response to him, it all overwhelmed her. Suddenly, just being held wasn't enough. Her fingers curled on his coat, wanting to absorb some essence of him into her. Her breath started coming faster.
His pupils flared even as his fingers tightened. 'Khushi'' His voice had turned into a husky growl.
'Arnavji'' She whispered back, her own just as husky. She pushed herself up on tip-toes, wanting nearer. He leaned down, their lips brushing'
'Chotay, Khushiji'' De's voice right outside their door broke the spell. Arnavji cursed under his breath as he pushed her back and turned towards the door. De looked at them apologetically, 'Ammaji aur Buaji ap ka intezar kr rhe hain Khushiji'
'Ap unhe keh den hm busy hain!' Arnavji said, latching a hand to her arm and pulling her in.
Khushi felt a silly smile bloom on her face that wouldn't go, try as she might. She wrapped her own arm around his, leaning against him. He looked highly obliged, a soft smile touching his lips.
'Buaji aur Ammaji hmain sath le jana chtay hain'' He twichted like he wanted to physically repudiate that sentiment; she tightened her hold, glancing at him from beneath her lashes, 'Hm nahi ja rhay per un ko chal ke btana to paray ga.'
He looked down at her, frowning; she smiled. He rolled his eyes but let her lead him downstairs.
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I Hope you all enjoyed reading it, please lemme know what you think... The Happily ever after is in the epilogue, i will post that soon!
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Edited by Mariam.Ejaz - 13 years ago
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