Destiny's Game- FINISHED FF 10/31 - Page 45

Arnav let out his hand to a now smiling Kirthi, and the father-daughter pair left the auditorium while the audiences clapped at the emotional speech. The speech had renewed a father and child's relationship, and redefined it.

When the two went outside, they met a tearful Khushi, who forged a smile when she saw her radiant daughter. Arnav noticed this, but ignored it.

Kirthi tugged Khushi's hand, leading Khushi to kneel beside her. Kirthi hugged her mother, who absorbed the hug gladly. They broke the hug. Kirthi then said to her mother, "Mama, meet my new hero- papa." With that, she took Khushi's hand and thrust in on to Arnav. Both were startled by this quenched thirst for each other's touch and affection, and fell into the bottomless pits of each other's eyes filled with love and passion. Kirthi let out a loud whistle, breaking their stance. Arnav turned his face away from Khushi, finding it difficult to hide his emotions found deep inside.

Kirthi then let out a sigh, and thrust her water bottle and school bag onto Arnav to carry, who was at first surprised, but then gladly took it. He smiled at the now skipping Kirthi ahead of them. Khushi let out her hand, to offer to carry Kirthi's belongings, as she knew that Arnav had most likely still not adjusted to his fatherly duties and pleasures. He shook his head, and said, "At least let me do this." With that, he walked, advancing a tearful Khushi, hwo had been once again reminded of her grave sin of breaking a pure bond of love and affection.

"Mama, I'm hungry." Kirthi said, as Arnav buckled her seat belt in his car. Khushi also sat in the car, for Kirthi. She wouldn't let Kirthi be deprived of her father's love a minute more, even if every minute in Arnav's presence pierced her heart with guilt, pleasure, love, pain, and repent all at once. "What will my princess eat? Shall we go to an Italian restaurant?" Arnav said, with a smile, careful to look at Kirthi's reaction through the rear view mirror. Kirthi's face lit up with brightness, and Khushi giggled. This moment was priceless for Arnav Singh Raizada, and he wanted to hold it in his hands for eternity. "I'll take that as a yes, Khushi?" Arnav asked, looking to Khushi. She stopped giggling, and looked at Arnav, giving a silent nod. Arnav's smile faded, knowing that the moment had slipped.

The family entered the restaurant in a dignified manner. Arnav's name was just enough to get them a table in the special dining area, leading on to a view of the beautiful balcony. Kirthi leaned against the glass wall, admiring the view. Khushi was about to precaution her to be careful, when Arnav put up a light hand, telling her to relax and that the glass was sturdy. Khushi obeyed. At this moment, she would do anything Arnav would say. She was wrong and needed to rectify her mistake.

The family was seated. Kirthi, hinted of the tense situation, arranged Khushi to sit across from Arnav, so that every time they looked up, they would meet each other's eyes. Kirthi smiled and giggled every time this happened along the course of supper, which was a myriad of times. Arnav ordered for the family, Khushi sat amazed that he still remembered her likes and dislikes. While waiting for the food, Kirthi colored in her activity book. Arnav smiled, and he himself picked up a crayon and started to color with Kirthi. She let out a big "Hawww, papa, you and coloring?" She covered her mouth, and started to laugh hysterically, and Arnav laughed, shaking his head.

Yes, Arnav Singh Raizada the Great was coloring, and having the best moment of his life.

When the food arrived, Arnav made sure to feed Kirthi every bite, even after Khushi telling him that she could eat on her own. Kirthi enjoyed this pampering, and winked at Khushi. Khushi smiled, and excused herself to leave to the washroom. She leaned against the wall, peering at the two, looking at them from afar. This was the most beautiful sight. Arnav was right, a mother is important, and a father is equally and, at times, even more important than the mother. Kirthi had never been this happy.

Khushi came back in time to Arnav and Kirthi accepting the desserts from the waiter- ice cream hot fudge sundae. Kirthi's favorite. She licked her lips, in excitement. Kirthi took a big spoon herself then, fed it to Khushi. She gladly opened her mouth, and took the spoonful of ice cream. Kirthi then extended the spoon towards Arnav. He gulped, and accepted the spoonful, in spite of his medical condition. Khushi grabbed the spoon away from Arnav's mouth, causing Kirthi's mouth to form an 'o'. Arnav's smiled faded away. Khushi angrily said, "Arnav ji, Kirthi is innocent and a child, but you at least know that you are not allowed to have sweets! You are so careless. What if you had eaten the ice cream, and fallen ill afterwards?"

Arnav slammed his hand on the table, and fiercely stood up. "So what? I would have fallen ill? What's the worst that can happen? I can die? How the hell does it matter to you? Who am I to you? No one, no one at all." Kirthi sucked her thumb, knowing that the situation had gone bad. Arnav walked away. Khushi mumbled, "It does matter. You are my husband and my daughter's father. I love you." She fell to her seat, crying. Kirthi consoled her mother. Arnav came back, and said, "The bill has been paid, now I'll drop you two off." Khushi looked up, and followed Arnav and Kirthi, who was now in his arms dozing off.

Kirthi was asleep, and the car was dead silent, with tons of words and emotions playing under the thick blanket of emotions.

Arnav carefully placed a sleeping Kirthi on her pink bed. He stroked her soft, silky hair. It was just like her mother's. He then kissed her forehead. He left, closing the door and secretly thanking God for one of the best days of his life. He walked towards the living room, to see Khushi making coffee. He sat down, trying to engage himself into the magazines that lay on the coffee table. All of them were business and fashion magazines, about Arnav and Khushi's successful fashion show and their fruitful partnership. He put down the magazines, as the articles passed his tolerance level. Khushi noticed this, walking towards him with a cup of black coffee with no sugar. He took the cup, and he consumed a long sip. He absorbed the taste after years, just the way he liked it. It brought back memories, bringing a smile to his face.

Khushi smiled, and sat down. She started the conversation, "Arnav ji, I was thinking, if we.." she gulped, ".. could forget our differences and past, and.. and move on." Arnav looked up, putting the cup down on the table. He stood up, causing Khushi to stand as well. Arnav started, "Khushi, you always said you needed time. However, now, I think I'm the one that needs time. I can never hate you, but I can't forgive you so easily either. You left me when I needed you most, and hid my daughter from me." He looked on to her with innocent eyes, and dismissed himself from the apartment.

Rabba ve Rabba ve...

Kyun khwaabon pe tere saye hai

Dil kyun hai tanha mera

Kyun khamoshi hai zubaan meri

Aashkon se keh paaon na

Kyun dard hai itna,

Tere hi ishq mein,

Rabba ve Rabba ve...

Kyun dard hai itna,

Tere hi ishq mein

Rabba ve Rabba ve…