Chapter 5 (part #1)
HER
Khushi moved her fingers over the bubbling water. The soft gurgling of the fountain was soothing.
It was a beautiful fountain, erected in the middle of the western lawns. Made entirely of pink marble, the fountain was contained in a wide dish in the center, with white marble doves drinking from it whilst sitting on the edge of the dish. The water from the dish overflowed and fell into a deeper pond surrounding the fountain. Khushi sat on wide marble edge of this pond, watching the moonlight spill into pearly ribbons over the water.
She had chosen to come to the fountain to hide away from him. She had noticed that the Goddess mother's temple was visible from his balcony and she didn't want to be caught again. She had no answers to his questions. Heck, I don't have answers to my own!
She remembered his face lined with concern, his eyes full of worry. Maybe if she explained everything, he wouldn't send her back. Maybe he cared. No, Khushi, don't go down that road. All you will find is disappointment. She closed her eyes and thought of him. Every time he had touched her, she had felt more alive. And now that he was not around, she felt a desperate need to find him, hold him to her and never let him leave. But she had no rights anymore. She was just a measly servant in his household with nothing to call her own. No family, no home, no money. He was a noble about to marry a Lady, something she would never be again.
And why then, if it was impossible for them to be together, did she feel so helplessly drawn to him? She wished her father had been with her. He would have known what it meant. He could have sorted it all out for her. I want you to be happy, Khushi. That's all I want. She recalled her father's last words. I don't know how to be happy, papa. I don't think I'll ever be happy again. As her dejected heart finally gave in to the pain, she wept softly into her hands.
HIM
Arnav pushed away the plate of food and gulped down his after-dinner coffee.
"Please eat something, my Lord. It must have been a hard day and you just came back!" pleaded Naany, looking at his untouched dinner plate.
"I don't want to, Naany. Please don't force me." He got up from the table and started to leave. I could ask Naany where Khushi is, he thought and turned back.
"Naany?"
"Yes, my Lord."
"Do you know where I could find Khushi?" he asked tentatively.
Naany became cautious.
"Khushi, my Lord? There's no one called Khushi here."
"Naany, I know she's here. I met her. I just want to talk to her so please tell me where she is." Arnav said firmly.
"But please don't send her back, my Lord. She doesn't want to return." Naany appealed.
"Calm down, Naany. I won't." Arnav assured her.
"She's out in the lawns. She must be wandering out there somewhere."
"Okay. It's getting late Naany. You should also head home. I will find her." Arnav said.
Naany nodded and Arnav left the dining area in a hurry. He moved out of the front doors and straightaway headed to the temple. As he walked along the east wall of the Manor, he pondered at Naany's words. She doesn't want to go back to her own home. It sounded strange but he knew her relations with her stepmother were strained. May be he could convince her to return. It's her house after all.
He reached the temple and didn't find her there. Disappointed, he decided to search the grounds thoroughly. He covered the entire backside of the manor calling out her name but couldn't locate her. Where are you, Khushi?
He reached the western lawns and saw her immediately, seated on the edge of the fountain. As he slowly inched towards her, he realized she was crying, her face hidden in her hands.
(another update coming up today😊 )
Cricket
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