ArHi FF:1: The BEASTS and the BLEEDING ROSES - Page 83

loved to read this chapter

I had already told you how much I love the warmth that has seeped into La-Khushi's relationship...

Well l0ved this Lav-Kush b0nding...Yes we wait t0 see ArHi scene and ArHi scene 0nly but chapters like this are really a refreshing change and imp0rtant t00 as it is the embarkment 0f a new friendship which wud deff0 be useful in future...I l0ved it h0w in 0ur serial Lavanya had actually kn0wn ArHi l0ve bef0re they themselves realized it and backed 0ut happily with0ut ruining the friendship when she had all the right t0 d0 s0...I beck0n we will see s0mething equally beautiful here, whatever y0u give us

wow loved their bonding,continue soon.waiting for saturday.

Goodness! If the unexpected update was a surprise to you, all those who commented were "my surprise"! I so did not think that all of you would come except for a few I know are famous for their stalking of the Arhasia inn! *tee-hee* I know many of you do read others comments but since we are in an Inn and its impossible not to hear the person speaking next to you, it would be nice to let the others know you read their comment or liked it but "liking" it. If you want, that is. And another thing: I wanted so very much to tell you this but my hasty escapades from Captain Responsibility didn't give me the right opportunity. But today, I will: if you have noticed, there is a special inn visitor among us. I do not think she will want any attention drawn to her but I cannot stop myself from being overwhelmed by her generosity to comment. She has commented so far only on my FF and otherwise is a silent member and this has touched me to the extent that tears blind me! Do make her feel comfortable amongst us, for she is as special as you all are to me.

Now, to those who commented last:

Shas: You don't need me to tell you why I love your comments, do you? *wink*

Crinklez: I'm touched that you loved the "sad" chapter and yes, like Kushi said, at the end of patience waits a sweet treat!

Sonia: Thank you dear for being so understanding!

Khusiarnav: My all-time favourite stalker! *chuckle*Well, you were the first one to stalk and you were the first one who told that you loved reading others comments too! I know others do it too, but you were the first to tell me! I so loved the way you read into Lavanya……it is really heartening, dear!

Hoopoe: Hope the tale of Arhasia may drown your woes to love what you once loved again! Your mature words of your affection for the show so mirror my thoughts that I was amazed! But I look beyond the pain and see the light……I will tell you how to Sona's answer.

Indiavizion: Wow! I loved that line, dear. "Build a bridge and strengthen the bond…." How true!!!

Sammykins: Yow! Are you going to wreck the Cave with all the frenzied dancing? *wink* Its so good to see you have invited everyone to join you to groove a bit. Wonder how many joined to de-stress in the Cave dancing………….So loved how you felt for the "flamingo" and praised the warmth of the "dove"……..

Shalve: Thank you dear! So surprised to see you here………..Glad you loved it.

Vrinda: What should I tell thee, dear Vrinda? My gratitude is awed by your grand heartedness!

Kushipugly: My fanatic FF admirer! Gee, was it 'shock' or 'surprise' that flashed over your face when you saw the sudden update? *chuckle* Thank you so much for loving with all your heart the Lavanya I created and yes, I know what how the current mode of the show must be affecting you. But do read what I am about to answer to Sona's question……..

Sona: So glad to know you found the girls convo to the "genuine" mark! I'm honoured. And about your wonderful question regarding my thoughts on the current storyline……Okay, this is going to take a bit.

Something is wrong with the Crew. This I am certain of. Either they have lost interest or they are clueless with what to do next, or their creativity has drained with the sudden weather changes. Or the thing I fear, they are aiming a final throw before a quick wrap-up. *sigh* Whatever it be, this show was the first ever thing I watched on TV for I am a book-girl not a Media-freak. So I am not giving up. Though I want it to end with dignity just like the way it began. Royal birth needs a royal death, right?

The current storyline leaves a horrid taste upon our "uniqueness-seeking" hunger because it's an echo of typical Indian Show Twists. However, the reason why I am not backed away is because this Twist is the Tale is brought into a scenario of "ArShi". Hence, it's an old idea in a new situation and there is a curiosity as to how these two favourite characters of ours will deal with this new enterprise. As to whether the kid is Arnav's: no, but the woman may have a secret motive with which she may point her finger to him or she may have been sent by someone. I'm trying not to think Shyam. *cough* Now, the problem with the show currently is the way it is "scripted", "dialogued" and "directed". Sadly, it is lately an "impoverished, careless, patched-up" attempt to make 20 minutes which we find hard to survive because it hurts to watch what we loved go down the drain of utter idiocy. But this track, if "handled, scripted and directed" well, can promise to fulfil its potential. So far, we have been seeing Arnav's growth and change into a better man but Kushi's character is often neglected and clearly 'over' the verge of destruction! Hence, if this track is planned and implemented well, it will be a chance to work on enhancing Kushi. I want this to happen and I pray the CVs will take this track to heart and use it to its potential. Sorry for the long banter but you asked for it!!!

Saomom: I'd seen you'd prepared to shrug into your coat and make for the inn, seconds before I updated. It is a wonderful surprise to know that you keep fidgeting in your world to try and take a stroll down Arhasia……You know what my greatest joy is? When I can help someone to accept something they could not accept before. I am humbled that in my little way I could do this for you with regard to "digesting" Lavanya. And yes, will update whenever I can.

HateLove: Once my silent reader and lately my regular commentor! I am so happy you choose to tell me how you loved a chapter I created!

Harsh: I know you had sensed the deep warmth in the air where Lavanya and Kushi had last shared a scene and I was only happy to show you a glimpse to what you had felt as true! After Lyraa, you are one who deserves a bow for the magic of working with words!

Keerthi: That is so sweet of you, dear, to love Lavanya when many chose to not love her much. And I am only glad I could give you a "nice" version of her in this FF……….

Saga_twilight: Now, you: I did not expect AT ALL. *grin* I loved the wise thoughts you shared here, dear, about the non-ArShi scenes being refreshing and equally important as well as about the essential pointer, that Lavanya in the show choose to back away without tampering with her friendship with Kushi. It's so nice to hear this thoughtline of truth! Thank you dear for sharing this with us all!

Farha: Ah, it's nice to know you loved the girls' bonding too! Yes, Saturday will come soon, dear, and then you shall have your treat.

Chapter Eighty: From One Hand to Another

One late afternoon Rahim Chacha, the butler, walked into the lobby, a handful of envelopes in his hand. He spotted Kushi heading for the living room and Lady Anjali coming from the dining hall after having tea. The women met in the centre, smiling, and were about to pass by when Rahim Chacha interrupted with a wave of the envelopes.

"My lady," he bowed to Lady Anjali, "you have mail today and you have one too, Miss Kushi."

Lady Anjali's eyes lit, "Oh! It must be from my dear husband," and she took the thick envelope she had been given by the butler.

Rahim Chacha had stretched out a neat beige envelope towards Kushi's eager hands when he paused, looked down at both the envelopes and realised his mistake.

"Oh, pardon me, my lady," he said to Lady Anjali hastily, "The one I gave you belongs to Miss Kushi."

"Yes, her name is written on it," said Lady Anjali, having read the address on the front of the thick envelope and, while handing it to Kushi, asked, "What does your sister have so much to write about that it must be so heavy?"

"There might be more than one letter in it, my lady," said Kushi, asking the butler the permission to give Lady Anjali's letter herself. The butler permitted and Kushi's considerate fingers took the thin beige envelope from him and looking up at Lady Anjali with a smile, handed it to her.

Lady Anjali looked at the writing upon the envelope, blushed and whispered, "Yes, it is him." Then she pressed the envelope to her heart, nodded at them both, and left for her room where she would lose herself in the words her beloved husband had scripted for her heart's ease.

"She loves him dearly, doesn't she?"

"Yes," said Rahim Chacha, "He loves her with all his life too. It is sad he must always be away because of his work."

"I have heard he is in the army," said Kushi.

"Most men are," stated Rahim Chacha, "My son had gone to the army himself."

"Where is he now?"

"He was killed in a clash five years ago," said Rahim Chacha and Kushi looked up at him, concerned, "I'm sorry."

"It's alright, child," said Rahim Chacha smiling, "I have learnt to trust in the Wwill of the One who gave me my son. If He thinks it's fitting to take him with Him, then so be it."

"I wish there was more you could console yourself with," said Kushi sadly.

"I have this family," said Rahim Chacha, stretching his arms out as though to embrace the Castle air, "I have never felt like an outsider in this family."

"I have noticed," said Kushi, nodding, "All of them look up to you with great respect, not just because of your age but because of your place in their hearts."

Rahim Chacha smiled and then leaned forward, "And you know what? I've never had daughters but I have found a most wonderful daughter to care for in you."

Kushi smiled and hugged the butler, her head resting on his shoulder. Rahim Chacha patted the back of her head affectionately and then they parted. Kushi watched him walk away. It was always wonderful to have many fathers when one's real father no longer existed.

"Goddess Mother!" she smiled at the ceiling, "How much you care for me….."

Kushi's envelope, as usual had a letter for her from her dear sister, one for Lord Akash which Kushi lately realised was longer than the letter Payal wrote to her. Kushi always placed the letter addressed to him on his bed in his room upstairs, when all of the Raizada family where in the dining hall having dinner. The third letter for her, which came twice every week to her aunt's house, would be by General Shyam Jha. And Kushi found it fascinating maintaining a friendship with him and learning all about what happened at the warfront. She was often afraid to realise that all he wrote was the horrid face of reality and not a page from a storybook. She realised that the dreams and worlds created by the mind and by books were miles apart from what the 'real' was.

A few minutes later, after Kushi had dropped her envelope on her bedding to be read later, she walked out of the room and wondered why Lady Lavanya was taking long to return from the Industry. She had just stepped into the living room to see if there was any sign of the carriage when she saw Lady Anjali before the huge central doors, which the butler was opening, and in entered the First Lord and Lady Lavanya.

"Chotey," greeted Lady Anjali happily as she led them into the centre of the living room. There, he let her remove his overcoat which she then draped over her arm. Kushi caught Lady Lavanya's eye and offered to take her umbrella, coat and hat, all of which Lady Lavanya readily handed over to her.

Lady Lavanya then headed for her room to have a long refreshing bath and Kushi had turned to follow her, when Lady Anjali called to her, "Miss Kushi, could you ask if the warm water is ready for Chotey to bathe?"

"Yes, my lady," said Kushi bowing and made to move to the kitchen when Rahim Chacha walked in, saying, "The warm water is prepared, my lord."

"Alright," said Lord Arnav, and Kushi felt a strange warmth course within her. She had not heard his voice since her last meeting with him in his bedroom, which was three days ago, and when she heard it now, she realized how much she had missed it.

"Di, are you busy? There are a few things I must talk with you about the coming week," he said seriously, and Lady Anjali also sounded suddenly serious, "Oh. Yes, Chotey, we'll talk over tea, then."

She looked over her shoulder and signalled to Kushi with a nod. Kushi approached Lady Anjali who asked, stretching out the coat in her arm, "Could you hand over Chotey's coat to HariPrakash?"

Kushi looked at the coat and then looked up at Lord Arnav who was eyeing her unblinkingly.

Kushi's gaze swung to Lady Anjali and she smiled, "Yes, my lady," and she took the coat.

Lady Anjali turned to head for the dining hall expecting her brother to follow her but he was having a battle of looks with Kushi. With a sly grin, Kushi clutched at the collar of the coat as if indicating that if the collar had been around his neck, she would be strangling his windpipe now.

The rage in his eyes turned to an amused glint and he barred his teeth as if to show that he was not a tame one to be messed with and that she had better stay clear.

Kushi frowned and turned about. He stood there, watching her go, until his sister called him. Then he left.

Walking into the kitchen, Kushi lifted the First Lord's coat to drop it into the basket where HariPrakash kept all the clothes given to him for the morning wash.

As she was placing it into the basket, the smell of hard-worked sweat and the lordy Lord's signature hair scent caught her attention. She pressed the back of the coat to her face and her father's tired face crossed her mind.

"Babuji," she whispered, feeling sad, "Where are you? Why do you not write?"

And then she dropped the coat gently into the basket and walked away towards Lady Lavanya's room with her mistress' hat, umbrella and coat still in her arms.

The coat of Lord Arnav, handed to Kushi by Lady Anjali, remained in the cold, waiting for HariPrakash's hands to find it and wash it of its memories of the day.

A very short update tomorrow and then you will have your Saturday treat. Won't PM today either but I will on Saturday. Very surprised to see that there are readers caring for the FF so much that they wait for an update. The slipping grip of the show upon one's fanatic heart brings you running to the Cave in our Inn? Well, cheer up! It's darkest before dawn.

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unRes 😉

Enjoyed this chapter, short but sweet, especially the challenging looks between Arnav and Khushi😃

TABLE TOP...!!!!!!!!

Khushi missing her dad is so sad
Battles of lordy lord and khushi was amusing wat would arnav do if he found her smelling his coat oh my my he will be mean I guess
Awesome update
Payals letter reaching akash cute
Will anjali find out jha is writing the letters to khushi or asr
Oh my god will he imprison her if he finds it