Arshi SS - Tell me you love me! - Page 23

Arnav walked down the stairs and looked at Khushi. Their eyes met; Arnav had the sudden urge to run to Khushi, take her in his arms and kiss her on her lips. Khushi understood what he was thinking and it sent a chill down her spine. She didn't want to lose him, no; she had to tell him how she felt about him. She started walking towards him. I need to talk to him; tell him that I need him in my life. Arnav saw her walking towards him; he ran down the stairs and started walking quickly towards Khushi. They were in a world of their own, unaware of the people around them as they practically ran towards each other. As she moved closer to him, Khushi craved to feel the warmth of his chest, feel his breath in her hair, to breathe in his musky smell and press her lips against his. Just as she almost reached Arnav, Raj moved in front of her. She raised her eyebrows as she saw Raj, suddenly remembering that she had to talk to him about the engagement. "Raj", she started, but Raj took her hand and guided her to the center of the room where her family, the Guptas and the Raizada family were standing. Khushi softly said as they stopped in front of her family, "I need to talk to you, Raj". He smiled and said, "Yes, Khushi, we can talk after we get engaged". Khushi shook her head, "no, I need to talk to you now.. please it is very urgent, Raj". He smiled and left her hand and looked at Garima.

As Arnav saw Raj come in between them, he became furious. He was about to put his hand on Raj's shoulder to push him away, but Lavanya took his hand. He looked at Lavanya and remembered that he had wanted to talk to her. "Lavanya, I need to talk to you", he started but Lavanya ignored him and guided him towards where Khushi and Raj were standing. Arnav stood, facing Khushi with Raj and Lavanya in between them. Lavanya was saying something to him, but Arnav didn't hear her. Arnav was looking at Khushi, she was saying something to Raj; she looked worried and Arnav wasn't sure what was happening between them. She suddenly stopped talking as Garima handed her something. She looked at it and then looked straight at Arnav, her eyes wide. He looked at what was in her hand; the ring; the ring that she had to place on Raj's finger. Arnav looked at Khushi, his eyes wide and she looked at him with teary eyes. A tear rolled down her cheek and Arnav's heart was breaking. No, I can't let her get engaged. I can't let this happen. What will I do? Khushi saw the pain on Arnav's face; she suddenly remembered the kiss on the night of Diwali and how comfortable she had felt when she had hugged him by the poolside a few days back. Khushi's hand shivered; she felt cold and dizzy; she put her other hand on her head and slowly started losing balance. She dropped the ring and collapsed onto the floor. Arnav watched in horror as Khushi lost her balance. He pushed Lavanya aside and ran to catch Khushi in his arms. He caught her just as she fell and he pulled her to his chest and put his arm around her. Raj put his hand on his shoulder; Arnav shrugged the hand off and ignored the gasps and the comments from everyone around him, as he lifted her in his arms, turned around and carried Khushi up the stairs into his bedroom.

Arnav slowly placed Khushi down and turned around to see Anjali, the Guptas, Raj, Nani and Lavanya behind him. Garima and Shashi sat down next to the bed and took Khushi's hand. Anjali put her hand on Arnav's arm and then looked at Garima and said, "Don't worry, Auntyji, I'm sure Khushiji is just exhausted. Let her get some rest." Raj walked to Arnav, his face furious. "ASR, I can take care of Khushi now. I think you should get back to your engagement with Lavanya." Arnav noticed that Raj had stressed on the words engagement and Lavanya. Arnav looked at Lavanya and was about to say something, when he felt Anjali squeeze his arm. He looked at his sister; he remembered her words, "Are you sure that you didn't make the decision about marrying Lavanya in a hurry? You know I will be here in case you need some help. All I have to say is make sure you know what you are getting into; it's not too late to change your decision. You don't want to end up regretting this decision to marry Lavanya, especially since your decision will affect a lot of people." She was right, he did make that decision in haste, and now he had to change that. He took Lavanya's hand and took her to the poolside. After making sure that no one was near them, he said, "Lavanya, I cannot get married to you." Lavanya's eyes teared up. "ASR, what are you saying? You can't do this to me. What will I tell my family? What will I tell my parents who have come all the way from London to attend our engagement." She broke into tears and put her face in her hands. Arnav put his hand on her shoulder, "Im sorry Lavanya. I will talk to your family. Come with me." He walked back into the room and to the door. As he reached the door, he turned to look at Raj, who had taken Khushi's hand in his and was consoling Garima and Shashi. Arnav turned to Anjali and said, "Di, please stay here and look after Khushi. I will be right back." Anjali looked at him, wide-eyed and softly asked him, "Chotte, are you going to get engaged?" He looked at Anjali, then at Khushi on his bed and back at Anjali and smiled, "No one is going to get engaged today, Di." Arnav sensed relief on his sister's face. Anjali smiled and Arnav turned around and took Lavanya's hand in his and walked to the living room.

"Relax, Shashi uncle. Please, go down to the living room. Khushi needs to rest and let us all go down. She will be fine. Don't worry". Raj said, ushering Shashi and Garima out of the room. He turned to look at Khushi and saw that Anjali stood up from the recliner and was walking towards the bed to check on Khushi. Raj moved quickly to the bed, put his hand on Khushi's forehead and said, "Anjaliji, I think Khushi is fine. Please let's all leave." Anjali looked at Khushi and then at Raj, who held the door open for her. She walked into the corridor and down to the living room, wondering what was happening with Arnav. Raj walked to the door, then turned around to take a look at Khushi. She was so beautiful! Her dupatta had fallen to the side revealing her flat milky white tummy and Raj had the sudden urge to touch her. He closed the door and walked to the bed. He sat down next to her and ran his finger over her tummy. Khushi's eyes fluttered. Raj turned to Khushi and caressed her hair and softly said her name. He noticed that she was saying something and he moved closer to hear what she was saying. His eyes widened as her words became clear. "Arnavji, Arnavji", Khushi was continuously calling Arnav's name. Raj smiled and touched Khushi's arm. "Khushi, it's Raj. Open your eyes." Khushi opened her eyes and saw Raj. She looked around and saw that they were alone. She wrapped her dupatta around her and covered herself.

Raj helped Khushi sit up against the pillow and gave her a glass of water. "Khushi, how are you feeling?" She nodded and took a few sips of water. He took the glass from her and put the glass on the side table. "I am fine, but Raj, I need to talk to you about something". Before Raj could say something, she continued, "I cannot get engaged to you". Raj looked shocked and he asked, "Why?" Khushi looked down at her hands and continued, "I don't love you. I don't know if I can ever be your wife in every sense. You are a good man, Raj and I don't want to hurt you." Raj stood up and folded his hands. His face was furious, "So how come you didn't realize this earlier". Khushi looked up, her eyes filled with tears. "I am sorry. I made a decision in haste. I thought I will grow to love you, but I can't because.. " she looked away. "because my heart belongs to someone else". Raj smiled and asked," I see.. and is that someone Arnav?" Khushi raised her eyebrows and looked at him; so he knew! Raj continued with a smile on his face, "Anyways, in that case, I am not needed here anymore. Good bye Khushi!" He turned around and walked to the door. Khushi was relieved and she smiled. She hadn't been sure how he would react, but she hadn't expected him to take it this calmly. She looked up to see Raj lock the door; her eyebrows widened. "Raj.." she started. He turned to look at her, his face filled with anger. "Is that how you thought I would react, Khushi? Do you think I would sacrifice what we have so that you can get married to your lover? Not after what you have put me through, Khushi". He walked towards the bed. She got up from the bed, seeing him approach. She was still weak, so she held on to the bed post for support. Raj pushed her against the wall and leaned closer to her. "The first time I met you, I fell in love with you. You were so beautiful and innocent and what made me attracted to you was the fact that you seemed least interested in me. Girls always fell for me and I couldn't stand it that there was this one girl who was not even looking at me. I wanted you. Then the next day, I saw you with Arnav, sitting on a bench; he was consoling you and he had paid your father's hospital bill. Realizing that you were ASR's weakness made me want you more. That is why I asked my parents to talk to your parents. I wanted to have you before he could. And today, when I heard Hari Prakash telling you that he wanted to talk to you, I couldn't let that happen. I had to make sure that Arnav knew that you were mine." He remembered what he had told Arnav, 'I'm getting married to her soon.' 'I love her and I will keep her happy. In fact, ever since I met her, I couldn't stop thinking about her and then how will I even think about another woman.'' I know my lovely Khushi will be waiting for me too'. He leaned in closer, that their lips almost touched. "I couldn't let him come between us, could I, Khushi? Realizing that ASR wants you has made me want you badly. So listen to me, Khushi, I will not let anyone take you from me. You will have to get married to me, after this." He pushed her on the bed and tried to kiss her. She tried to push his arms away and he slapped her. She bit his arm and he screamed in pain. She pushed him away and ran to the poolside doors that were open. She ran, tears running down her cheek, thinking of Arnav.

Arnav had explained everything to Lavanya's parents and Nani and apologized, but they were still mad at him. He had not given any reason, just that he felt that he and Lavanya weren't meant for each other. Everyone accused him of being irresponsible and for playing with her feelings and he remained quiet and looked away. The guests had begun talking to each other, pointing at Arnav and Lavanya, realizing that something was wrong. Anjali tried to defend him, but in vain. Suddenly, his eyes widened. There was a breeze. Khushi! he thought. Something is wrong. He turned and looked around. Where was Raj? "Di", he started, then he saw a flash of red. Khushi was running across the living room. Arnav turned and ran to her, tried to grab her dupatta, but she got away before he could get a hold on it. "Khushi", he screamed. The guests went quiet. Anjali called "Chotte". Arnav turned to look at Anjali, "Di, something is wrong. Khushi just ran out of the house. I have to go find her." Anjali nodded. Arnav ran out the door.

It was raining outside, but Khushi didn't care. She had to get away. I will be fine. I will just go home and leave for Lucknow tomorrow. No one has to know. Suddenly, she felt an arm on her; she was pulled and she crashed into someone. She knew who it was and she broke down. She had been lying to herself. She could not be fine, not without him. She needed him. She needed him badly. She put her arms around him, hugged him tight and she cried and cried, softly whispering his name, "Arnavji, Arnavji". Arnav put his arms around her, pressing her wet body against his. A few seconds later, Arnav pulled away from the hug. Khushi was completely drenched; water was streaming down her face and her clothes were stuck to her skin. She was sniffling and he wiped her tears. Then he noticed the slap mark on her face. His face was furious. "Khushi, did Raj do this to you?" Khushi's eyes widened. She couldn't control her tears. She didn't care about the slap; she didn't care about Raj. She had to tell Arnav how she felt about him before it was too late. "Arnavji, I.. I.." and she fainted.

Arnav carried Khushi back to Shantivan in his arms. He gently placed her on the sofa and looked around. The guests were gone; only the Guptas, the Raizada family members, Lavanya and her parents were present. Anjali brought a towel and he wrapped it around Khushi. Arnav asked Anjali, "Di, where is Raj?" Anjali replied, in a low voice. "His family left, saying that they were breaking off the engagement." Garima was distraught; she walked towards the sofa, and said loudly, her voice breaking. "It's all Khushi's fault. Ever since she came into our lives, all she has brought is misery to our family." Shashi put his hands on Garima to stop her, but she continued. "What has she done now, Devi Maiyya?" Arnav turned to Garima, his face furious. "What has she done?" Garima looked at him, confused. "Did you want her to marry someone who attacked her, who slapped her? She wanted to save your honor, which is why she ran away, without telling you about it in front of everyone." It made sense to him. His Khushi would do that, for her family! Shashi was shocked. He sat down on the ground, next to the sofa and took his daughter's hand in his and touched it to his face. "I can't believe I wanted her to get married to that monster". Everyone turned around when Lavanya's father spoke, "Well that makes two of us. Come, Lavanya. Do you want to be humiliated more?" Lavanya wiped her tears and continued. "Mom and Dad, you both go back to your hotel. I will join you tomorrow. I want to spend one more night here and bid goodbye to everyone properly." Nani and Anjali looked at each other, their eyes filled with tears. They had grown to love Lavanya and seeing her hurt made them sad.

Shashi got up, "we need to leave too". He bent down to take Khushi's hand, but Arnav touched his hand. "Uncle, it's ok. Let Khushi spend the night here. She is really weak. She doesn't have to leave. I will call the doctor and Di and I can take care of her, right, Di". He turned to look at Anjali, who smiled. "Yes, uncle, we will take care of her. Please don't worry. Chotte will drop her at your place tomorrow morning." Anjali said. The Guptas agreed and they left. Arnav took Khushi in his arms and carried her to the guest room, leaving Lavanya, Nani and Anjali in the living room. Nani hugged Lavanya and kissed her forehead. "I'm sorry about what happened, Lavanya, but you are like a daughter to this family. Please don't be upset. I apologize on behalf of Chotte". Lavanya shook her head, wiped her tears, gave a half-hearted smile and walked to her room. Anjali walked to the guest room and peeped in. Arnav was holding Khushi's hand and sitting by her on the bed. She smiled, and said a silent prayer. "Thank you, Devi Maiyya. Once Khushi wakes up, everything will be fine". She walked away, leaving the star-crossed lovers alone.

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Picture abhi baaki hain mere dost.. (The picture is not yet over, friends!) Please keep reading. Leave your comments. I'm again sorry for the long update. I wish I could continue and finish the whole story, but I can't make you read so much! I hope the story isn't getting too twisted.. this has become a Bollywood masala I feel 😆 Anyways, can't wait to see what you guys have to say.. I love reading your comments!!! Will update soon!!

Part 6: Love, anger and pain, again!