Chapter 3 | Dua
The moonlight snaked into the room from the window which was iced over and foggy, illuminating the room in an eerie light. The burning embers of the remaining wood in the fire place displayed a slow dance of shadows on the wall, adding to the spectral atmosphere.
Khushi shifted against the soft wall she leaned on as a gentle sigh escaped her lips releasing so much of what she had held inside. It was amazing how much relief came from one sigh. A gentle release of breathe and something heavy inside suddenly escaped into the air. Feeling better than she had in days, Khushi opened her eyes wishing the feeling would stay.
It wouldn't.
Molten bronze pulled her hazel eyes to his the minute she opened her eyes. Memories of what had happened flooded her mind, and Khushi's breath caught. Every nerve in her body screamed for her to run, yet she remained locked, helplessly, before the man that watched her. He sat on the chaise opposite the bed she was on now, his forearms resting on his knees, his head lifted to watch her, representing every bit the predator he was in his slant.
Minutes passed before Khushi slowly breathed again, yet she remained caught in the abyss of his eyes.
~|~
Arnav slowly observed as the refreshed hazel eyes opened, almost resembling what they were once like, and snapped to his instantly. He kept them emotionless, simply observing her as he allowed her to reflect on past events. The gold in her eyes glinted, the hazel turning cloudy as she came to terms with her current situation.
The slight fall of her chest signaled that her breath had returned. He was slightly relieved knowing she was not as dead as she looked. Then again, who was he kidding? Khushi could live through this ten times over with the strength she carried. He envied her for it. He envied the strength with which she resumed living after every obstacle.
His eyes slowly moved to the left, lingered there for two seconds, and moved back to meet her eyes. Unspoken words traveled through the air as she hesitated, then looked to her right, and saw the covered the thaal that sat upon the table.
She was hungry.
Her eyes shifted back to his to look for some sign of emotion. Nothing.
Arnav rose from his position, slowly, his eyes never leaving her. Khushi's body stiffened as she waited for him to do something. What he would do, she didn't know, but she waited.
Peeling his eyes off her, Arnav turned as he headed for the door. "Eat." He instructed. "I will be back in some time."
Khushi remained still as he spoke, her heart constricting with the thought of his return. She had to run. She had to go to him. Bitter memories that were held back earlier swarmed her mind, the air suddenly suffocating her. She couldn't run nor could she go to him.
Khushi clamped a hand over her mouth in an attempt to stop the cry that threatened to erupt. She couldn't cry now. She had to be strong. Sorrowful eyes rose to the window in an attempt to view the heavens. A silent prayer passed and she moved to the covered thaal, attempting to overcome this as well.
But the two round objects on the corner of the thaal stopped her. Tears sprang to her eyes as she sunk to the ground, guilt overriding every other emotion and becoming predominant.
Two jalebis.
And for the first time, she considered the possibility that she was wrong.
Except she knew she wasn't. She had seen everything, heard everything. Reaching out and removing the two jalebis off her plate, Khushi wiped away her illogical guilt.
Aman's murderer was not worth her guilt.
Eyes once again flashed to the heavens and down. Another silent plea. Another prayer. It surprised her, how optimistic she could be. It dawned on her then, what the fault in her theory was. She was not optimistic, no, she was a merely a prisoner of hope.*
~|~
Arnav stood outside the closed door, listening. Finally assured she wouldn't break down again, Arnav walked to his room. This night was endless indeed, yet there was no relief in the night passing if the coming day remained cloaked in the unchanging darkness. There was no relief at all.
For a second, bronze eyes briefly flashed to the sky. Even the heavens were crying in frozen tears tonight.
***
*Quote by Desmond Tutu
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A/N: So sorry for the delay guys! I had to deal with Hurricane Sandy, and then the election completely threw me off schedule. (Politics is a guilty pleasure😆). However, I hope you enjoyed! -Ann
THIS IS MY WORK AND MY WORK ONLY. DO NOT COPY AND PASTE ANYWHERE! PLEASE RESPECT IT AND DO NOT REPRODUCE THIS. NO COPYING AND PASTING!!
Edited by MariahMohan - 12 years ago
Kumkum Bhagya
Arjun
29