FF: It all started with 300 Rupees Updated Part 22 - Page 23

It all started with 300 rupees (Part 11)

ONLY HE KNEW HOW LONG HE WAITED FOR THIS………..ETERNITY……..IT FELT………

He lay there…….holding her in his arms……..feeling her heart beat……..beating slowly……in a rhythm………her hands……..quietly placed on his bare chest………her face resting on his shoulder………partially covered with her tresses……..the cold cotton sheet covering her body……….chest down……….her eyes closed……….her body now relaxed…….he held her close to him………wrapped around him……….

He kissed her and said…….. "I love you Khushi" saying that…….he turned to see her face………she was still laying quietly……her eyes still closed……….she was quiet……..not responding to what he just said……..he wondered if she was about to fall asleep…….or already sleeping………he didn't know……….he thought he should check……..but……no……what if she is already sleeping……..he didn't want to disturb her………he was just content that she was there……..next to him…….in his arms………on this very same bed………

He looked at her again………she looked peaceful………her bare shoulders……….her long black hair………covering her back……..her lips………partly open………pink………no red…….no pink……..he thought………he couldn't tell the color……..but they were perfect……I think she is sleeping………he thought……..he held her hand……..brought it to his lips…….and kissed it……..and said……

"Khushi, you don't know how much I love you…….you don't know how much I missed you……..you don't know how I spent these long years without you……..I can't begin to explain how sorry I am for everything………..I really am…….how I wish I could remove all the horrible memories from your mind……..how I…….want to go back in time and change everything…..."

He let her sleep……..he carefully slid his arms out and went to shower……….

2:30 AM

It was dark enough ……….slight light coming from the night lamp……….Arnav turned to her side……..but his hands didn't find her there………he moved his hand in all directions…….but……..she wasn't there……….on the bed………..she was missing again………..his body jerked up……..shocked……….he looked around…..but nothing…….she was nowhere…………he got out of bed……..and ran towards the bathroom……..he knocked…….no answer…………he slowly turned the knob……….opened the door slightly……….and peeked……. "Khushi? Khushi? Are you here?" No answer………he barged in now…….checking the shower, the Jacuzzi, the changing room……..the hallway……..nothing

He ran out……checked the dining area……..living area………kitchenette area…….no trace of Khushi…….

Where did she go…….so late at night……..why………she did it the last time too…….she left without waking me up………I can't believe she is doing this all over again…….his heart racing fast……...his mind rambled with many uneven thoughts………when he saw a hint of red……….on the balcony……….he ran……….to the balcony………opened the sliding door……..as fast as he could……….and saw………

She was standing………there………in the balcony………she had her red sari……..wrapped around………..like a tube dress……….her bare shoulders glowed under the moon……….she was just standing alone………had her eyes closed……….and a smile on her face………like she was thinking something………something blissful……….

He slowly walked to her………..and held her from back……….sliding his arms around her waist……….she panicked with sudden touch………..then relaxed………feeling him…….so close to her……….he kissed her bare shoulder and said…… "There is my Lady in Red" tightening his grip……..she leaned back to him……and smiled…….and said "you like that song?" Taken aback a little with that response, he said "not the song so much as much as I like you in red" and kissed her neck……….

His mind, again, started thinking, so many things, how she has actually changed so much, just like she had said earlier, she was right, everything has changed, her attitude, her behavior, her personality, her confidence, her…...everything…….

He said "you scared me for a second…….I thought you left…..again……..you almost gave me a heart attack" she replied "sorry, I couldn't sleep, and you were sleeping so peacefully, that's why I didn't bother you, sorry" He replied "Don't say sorry Khushi, I was just asking because I thought I…….I just can't imagine losing you again…….I just can't….." he made his grip tighter………

"Ouch"………said Khushi…….

He loosened his grip…….and said "sorry…….I didn't mean to hurt you……I am so sorry"

He asked "you were talking to the stars?", she replied "No, I was watching the ocean…….it soothes me……..the waves……..something about them……..no matter how much I look at them……..I still find them fascinating…….."

He started thinking again…….she wasn't out here looking at stars………she was watching the ocean……I have yet to learn about this new Khushi………so much has changed……I thought she was just saying it for the heck of it……..that she has changed……..but she really has changed………

She asked "what are you thinking", he was surprised by her question "How do you I was thinking something?" She replied "I know you, that's why" He answered "Nothing, important……..but you were thinking something earlier, and smiling, what were you thinking about?" She replied "Nothing, you won't understand". He asked again "What do you mean I won't understand, tell me……I want to know what made you smile", she replied "you know how………you asked me……..to…….." she paused…….. he asked "what", "nothing…….never mind…….." she replied…….. He asked again "asked you to what Khushi" , "nothing……." She said again……… "c'mon tell me, what were you smiling for" he asked, "you……..know how you asked……..me to…….un…..button……..your shirt………" she stopped again………. He replied "yes?" She continued "I was just thinking………how the last time…….when we………you didn't ask me to do that…….."

He replied "You still remember that night? That was long time ago……." She quickly answered "Of course I do……..no one forgets their first time………especially women"

He quickly spun her around……..cupped her face…….and spoke with guilt "Khushi, I am so sorry………I don't know how I………I mean…….it was your first time………and I………should have been more careful………..but I……….was drunk………and I………still don't know…….how could I………have………..I am sorry Khushi………if I was rough on you……..I seriously didn't mean to…….I was just………I didn't know………when……and how……..I didn't want to……..hurt you…….I am sorry for……….."

She cut him off in the middle of his sentence "No, you were not rough at all……..in fact you treated me like a fragile glass………I never knew you could ever love me like that……never……..I never thought………you would ever be so gentle with me………like that night……..I never felt so wanted before………..never felt so loved before……….I couldn't have asked for a better first time……..so don't say sorry……….that was the best night of my life………the best memories……….of you making love to me……..making me feel wanted in your life………making me feel so needed……..making me feel………..like a wife………your wife……"

Tears formed in her eyes again………..

He embraced her………tightly………..and said "I am sorry Khushi………please don't cry…….I always loved you……..just like that……….I always wanted you exactly like that……but what I saw…….on the terrace……..it totally threw me off………and I know nothing can make up for all the horrible things I did……..I said……..but trust me……I have always wanted you like that……you were always important to me……I just never………showed it to you…….but……..I DO LOVE YOU……….more than anything else in my life………." Saying that he kissed her again………with passion………with assurance……..

Hugging her again………he whispered "I don't know if I ever told you that night……..how much I love you……..but I will make it up to you for the rest of my life……by saying it every day………I love you Khushi……."

She replied, still resting on his chest "You did tell me how much you loved me……..all night…….it was magical……….it was the first time you said those words to me………that you loved me………it was like the perfect dream……..the dream where you just don't want to wake up………you just want to continue sleeping……..so it would last forever……….because you can't take the feeling of waking up and………it all ending……."

He asked her "If I did tell you how much I loved you…….then why did you leave Khushi?" She replied "I was NOT in charge of that dream…….I didn't know what would happen………once you would wake up………the ONLY person in charge of my perfect dream………of US……….was you…….and I thought for a long time……..while you were still sleeping…….many times…….I thought I should stay……..I should wait for you to wake up…….but……..I had no courage to face the unknown……..I wanted to leave with that nights' precious memories…….not with your hatred towards me……..not with your accusations……"

He replied "If you had just stayed……..our lives…….." she interrupted "IF……was the biggest dilemma………what if you behaved normally………what if you would get angry…….what if……..too many what ifs………I just didn't have any more strength to live with 'what ifs'……..so I just left…….."

They were both quiet………

But still in embrace……..of each other………

He broke the silence……. "Khushi……..I am sorry………I can't even imagine what you must have gone through to feel that insecure………even after I told you that I love you……….you were still so afraid that you decided to leave……..I have wronged you all along…….for so many things……but thank you for giving me another chance……..I promise I will………."

She interrupted "I know you will………"

After few minutes…..

She said "I think I am sleepy now…….it was a long day………I am tired………very tired…..I should sleep now……..are you coming?" He replied "Yes"

She started walking……..but had trouble walking with her sari wrapped around her………she looked at him embarrassed and said "sorry, it's hard to walk like this……" he gently picked her up again……..in his arms………and whispered "I told you earlier……don't say sorry……..you don't need to walk………when I am with you……"

He walked back to the room………took her to the bed……..placed her on the bed……..he fixed her pillow……..picked up the comforter……….and tucked her in……..he went around the bed……..lay down……..she said looked at him……..and said "Good night". He turned to her...pulled her to him………kissed her lips………hard……….and said "Good night Khushi" She slept on his chest the whole night………without moving an inch……….

NEXT MORNING

Nine something…………

She woke up……….opened her eyes slowly………and looked around………to check where she was……..remembering last night………with him……..the whole evening………the award ceremony……..the beach………the confrontation…………the forgiveness……….the search for him………..and………how they made love………

She opened her eyes fully……….turned to find him……..he wasn't there………on the bed…….she panicked……..where did he go………did he leave……….did he go to New York? But why didn't he wake me up………he didn't even say anything last night about leaving……..why does he always do this………leave me hanging…….where do I find him now…….uggghhh……..after last night…….after all he said……..how could he just leave…..with informing me…….I mean…..I am sure he probably had something important……otherwise…….he wouldn't have left……but……still…….he should have informed me………

She just sat there on the bed……….holding her head………she had severe headache……..shooting pain……..all of sudden………

That's when she heard the balcony door sliding…….

He walked in………already showered and dressed………..holding his phone………he walked towards her……….cupped her face………kissed her forehead……and said "Good morning sweetheart……..when did you wake up? Sorry……..if my voice disturbed you…….I tried not to disturb you……that's why I went on the balcony……I had to make some phone calls………"

She was just shocked to see him there…….like that……..

Her eyes welled up………..

"Khushi…….are you okay, why are you crying Khushi" he asked still holding her face……..but she quickly buried her face in her knees………….

He held her bare shoulder……..and said…….. "Khushi….Khushi……are you okay? Why are you crying……..Khushi…….look at me…….Khushi please……." He tried pulling her up……but she didn't budge………

He sat there……..right next to her………she felt him………sitting there……..for her…….

He asked her again "Khushi……..sweetheart………what's wrong………..why are you crying……..did I say anything wrong…….did I do anything………did I hurt you khushi? Did I? Khushi……please say something……..please look at me…….."

FEW MINUTES LATER…….

She finally spoke…….without looking up "I am fine………I just have a severe headache…….." he replied "Khushi…….you think I can't tell the difference between headache tears……….?" She pulled herself up……..leaned on the headboard………wiped her tears and said "I am fine…….really……….I…….just…… I don't want to talk about it……." Looking down……..

He cupped her face, wiped her tears and said "that's fine, if you don't want to talk about it, but please don't cry, I just don't want to be the reason for your tears……not anymore…..not EVER". Her tears started flowing again…….wetting her face…..his hands……He gently lifted her face and said "Khushi…..what's wrong? Khushi?"

She looked at him and said "I can't tell you, I can't explain you why I am crying, you will never understand" He replied "Try it Khushi, try explaining me, I know I have never listened to you in the past, but I am here now, I will listen to everything you have to say, tell me, I am listening".

She spoke "I……….nothing……..I can't……..I……..don't want to talk about it right now…….sorry". He replied "We will talk whenever you feel like it, but please don't cry like this, I can't see you like this Khushi, and don't say sorry" saying that he cupped her face and kissed her forehead.

He was still holding her………when he heard…….

"I thought you left……..without informing me………" she said looking up…….with those puppy eyes…….."I am sorry I don't know why I thought that…….I just……..the last time we were together……..I left………and today……….I thought……….I am sorry………"

He wiped her tears………held her hand and said "Khushi……it's not your fault to think that…….I haven't given you any reason to think otherwise………so don't say sorry…….if anything…….I should be apologizing for making you feel this way………"

Silence………

They just stayed there…….like that……..trying to console each other………

She finally said "I think I should shower………my headache is killing me………" saying that she held her head…….

He replied "Yes go take shower………that should help……..meanwhile I will order breakfast…….you can eat and then take some medicine…….." saying that he got up to give her space to get out of the bed and walk………

She slid herself down……..got up…….

"OUCH" she screamed……….she sat back down………..on the bed………

He quickly came to her and asked "Khushi what's wrong……what happened………is your foot ok……let me check………"

She interrupted "I am fine…….my feet are fine………it's just………we………nothing……..I will be fine…….." she avoided looking at him while talking……….

He asked her "Khushi…….what's wrong………why are you…….." before he could finish asking……..he saw her holding her thighs……….while trying rubbing it slowly with her hands……without putting much pressure on it………

He kneeled down……….placed his hands on her thighs………gently………though making her alert……….regardless that she was still wrapped in her red sari……..he looked up to her……..and said "I am sorry……….I got little carried away last night……….I didn't mean to………hurt you…….." she replied "It's not your fault…….it's just that……..we……..I mean…….I…….you……….no……it's just that………it was after so long………so it's normal………it will go away………soon……. I guess………" she was part blushing…….part nervous while saying that………he noticed that……..

He got up………cupped her face………smiled………and said "I love you Khushi……….."

She replied "Sorry about that………I am going to go shower now………" she stood up again……..with pain all over her face……..

He quickly picked her up again……….and said…….. "Let me drop you off to the bathroom……." Smiling………

She spoke while being cradled "I can't even remember how many times you have picked me up like this………since last evening…….."

He replied "you don't need to remember that………if you want to remember something…….always remember that I love you…….." saying that he gently placed her on the bathroom floor………"anything else I can do for you?" he asked mischievously…….

She replied "No I don't think so……..I think I can manage from here………" saying that she pointed him to the door………..smiling……..

He left……closing the door behind………she locked it……..before she could turn the faucet…….she heard…..

KNOCK KNOCK

She replied "yes Arnav ji…….?"

He spoke "Khushi you didn't tell me what you want for breakfast……..I am about to order it"

She replied "Sorry……I forgot……..I will get one whole wheat bagel………fat free cream cheese……and orange juice……..that's it……..thanks……."

She heard a faded voice "Ok…….."

He heard the faucet……….the shower………..the water………..

Did she just say she wants whole wheat bagel with fat free cream cheese and orange juice? WHAT? Why is it so difficult to hear her talk like this……..it's not like she is the first person to eat that……..but……….he talked to himself while dialing for room service……….how did she change so much………how……….this is just…………

Sir, may I take your order………the voice on the phone interrupted his rambles………

He ordered breakfast for both of them……….and went back to thinking about her……..the new her…….the new Khushi……….until interrupted by a phone call……..it wasn't his phone……..it was Khushi's phone………it was ringing……….inside her clutch………he ignored it……….and went back to making his calls………..but her phone was ringing…….continuously…………fifth time by now……….he walked towards the table……to check it………but he stopped………

No………I shouldn't…………she will check it herself when she will come out of the bathroom……….

He went back to his conversation………..when he saw her………..come out of the bathroom………in a white bathrobe………her head covered properly with white towel……her wet face………some water droplets on her nose………and some on her……neck……….

He stopped talking……..to look at her……..to admire her beauty………even in a white robe……..she looked simply ravishing…………she looked at him……….gawking her……..she blushed……….and continued walking……..to the living area………his eyes followed her……….without blinking………..

TRING TRING TRING TRING

Her phone interrupted his gawking her…………she looked around to see where her phone was ringing……….finally she went to the table………opened her clutch………and took her phone out…………8 missed calls……….she checked……….6 missed calls from Karan……2 missed calls from Jenny………and 4 messages………

She hurriedly took out her phone………and checked messages………message one Call me…….from Karan…….second message Jalebi….where are you……pick up my call……..third message…….It's important…….call me………fourth message from Jenny Khushi ma'am, please call me, something has come up in the office, it's important.

She read all the messages………looked up to him……..he was still on his blue tooth…….was he still in conversation……….or not……he wasn't talking………she asked him gesturing her hands to her ears………are you still on the phone? He said "I will call you back" and hung up the call……..

Khushi spoke "you didn't have to hang up the call……..I was just asking because I have to call Jenny and Karan back……..I had many missed calls…….you carry on with your conversation……I will go to the balcony…….."

He replied "You can stay here and talk……..I am done…….."

She looked at him with her interrogative eyes……….without saying anything……..

He replied "I remember my promise…….I won't say anything……..you can make your calls here……."

She dialed Jenny………

"Hi Jenny…….yes……..I just got your message………what's going on……….no……I was just busy……….that's why……..oh ok………Karan called you too? Sorry………my phone was on silent………what happened in the office……..oh……really………when?...Today? No…..no……that's fine………"

She moved little away from him……..and whispered "Jenny I need a favor…….I sort of stayed back at the hotel last night……….and I don't have any change of clothes……..can you……..REALLY? You did? Oh my god Jenny……..Thank you……..thank you so much……what would I do without you……..where…….on the table…….yes…..yes…….I do see it……..it's right here…….no I didn't……..notice earlier………Thanks Jenny………oh you emailed me…….oh ok…….do me a favor…….call Karan and tell him…….I got his message…….I will check the email……..and will call him shortly……..yes……thanks……" she hung up the phone and……..

She looked around……….to find him………sitting on the couch………working on some file……or folder………without looking at her………she walked to him………and said "sorry, that was Jenny……..I just realized I had no change of clothes……..so I just wanted to ask her to bring me my clothes…….but she already left change of clothes last night……in my room……….thank god……..what would I do without her……..she is such a sweetheart………I am going to get my clothes from my room………"

She started walking towards her clutch to get her key……….she took her key out……..when he held her wrist and said "you wait here……..I will go and get it……..you don't need to leave the room like this………in a bathrobe……." He spoke like a husband…….for the first time…….since last evening………..she surrendered the key to him and said "Thanks……I need a favor………another one….." she paused, he asked "yes" she replied "can I use your laptop for little bit……Jenny emailed me something about this big meeting……and I have to read it ASAP and……….call the office back…..so……."

He walked to the table……..picked up his laptop…….brought it back and placed it on the living room table………

She said "thanks………." And she sat down to turn it on……..he started walking towards the door……….he was about to open the door to leave……..when he heard her "wait……what's your password………" she asked looking at him………

He was quiet for a second…….then he replied "I am sorry Khushi"

She asked with confusion "for what…….you don't have to tell me the password if you don't want to…….you can just enter it before leaving…….so I can be done by the time you come back………"

He replied "That is the password……….I am sorry Khushi……..no spaces…….." saying that he rushed himself out of the room………..

To Be Continued…………

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