No second Chances
Before we begin……
Love is a strange thing. We may not find our true love until very late, but we feast on the feeling of being loved by observing others in love- maybe on big or small screens, maybe in real life. We relish the thought of that fairy tale ending that we see. We believe that no matter what we do, in the end everything will end up happily ever after. But neither does the phrase exist in real life, nor is love so simple.
Life does not always give you second chances. Not always is there an opportunity to start over. We don't have a reset button to erase memories, nor is life a story on paper which can be rubbed out. It is what we have in hand that we should enjoy the most, what we love that we should keep closest to us; never be afraid of making mistakes or falling in love; after all, we get only one life. Make each moment that you have in the short span of time worthy of living- make each moment of that one chance God gives you, count.
This story of Arnav and Khushi is thus, a story of making it count.
Day 30- Prologue
Emerging out of his shiny office doors, Arnav covers his head with his palm and skips to his car, trying to avoid letting the rain spoil his suit as much as he can. He hears the beep of his car and quickly bangs the door, shuffling into his seat. Letting out a sigh, he gets ready to go home.
Another day, drawing close to an end.
He glances at the time and curses. He was not supposed to be late today.
As he drives towards his 4-bedroom apartment, he passes the route to Raizada Mansion and like everyday, becomes thoughtful. He thinks about his decision to leave home to give Di her privacy when she had just begun her married life with Aman. He recalls an angry Aman and Di protesting till their lungs gave out. He recalls Akash and Payal following his footsteps, and Mami going to US to finally annoy her beloved husband. He remembers NK going back to Sydney, and the teary farewell before it. He wonders whether he broke his family with his decision, but he is reminded every day that he did it for his sister's happiness, and truly, she was happy. And this wasn't a case where the broken bits of the family never bother to come together again, Di would never allow that.
He finally reaches his 5-storeyed building and absently smiles to see Akash's car parked right next to his spot- a reassurance that life is still the same. He runs to his lobby and makes it into the lift in nick of time. The 5th floor arrives sooner that he had wanted, and he begs the creative juices in his mind to help him for once with a plausible excuse.
Knock, knock. He raps at the door.
He frowns at the denial of his anticipated response, and for the first time in the 6 months of apartment bliss, employs the key he had made for emergencies, which had rusted in the confines of his wallet.
He comes home to a half-lit living room, with blown out scented candles and half-eaten food on the dining table, and most of all, an enraged wife seated still on the leather couch, her back to him, and he swears he can feel her body shivering with sobs.
Recklessly dropping his briefcase to one side, he rushes by her side to see her eyes shut firmly, a recent development in the contours of her face as a result of the sound of his loafers clicking against the wood panelling. For a minute or two, the room is filled with deafening silence, and suddenly he feels an urge to break the looming tension with words.
"It's only 10 yet."
Her eyes fly wide open, and the threatening fury in the woman's eyes gives him chills. He wills himself to maintain his composure lest this fight may get out of hand even before a few words. She retaliates.
"Only 10 yet- only 10- WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU, ARNAV BLOODY RAIZADA? I have been waiting, waiting like a doorman patiently for 3 hours, and this is when you show up, and you don't have the least decency to beg for forgiveness?"
"Have I ever had it, Khushi?" he asks, tilting his head.
Her eyes brim with tears again. "It's our anniversary Arnav. 6 years ago you married me- though not conventionally, but that day holds a lot of importance to me, and if you can't understand that- well, there is no other option but for you to try and comprehend the magnitude of this day. Anyways-"
"Don't say it." He says with his head down, but with conviction, effectively shutting her up. He shudders at his prediction of the impact of what she would have said.
"Look Khushi, we still have 2 hours of this anniversary left. It matters equally to me. I know I'm late, and I know I should've come earlier, but what time has gone has gone. Can't we make something out of this remaining time?"
Then suddenly, Khushi breaks down, rolling into a ball and letting down hot tears from her bloodshot eyes, the loudness of her sobs increasing exponentially. Her action shocks him momentarily, but he is quick to wrap his arms around her lean figure, allowing her to release herself in his grip, releasing her tears on the crisp shirt.
"I'm sorry." He whispers genuinely.
She looks up, smiles through the tears and nods her head, and he knows they'll be fine.
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They're dining amongst the blooming roses in his mother's precious garden, a 5-minute drive away from their apartment. In nightclothes, it isn't as perfect as she would have wanted, but he allows himself to believe in her assurance.
They eat their food- spaghetti with paneer balls (who said Italian and Indian don't mix well?)- In mirth, laughing over insignificant things. She tells him stories from her childhood that she had never divulged with him before, and enjoys the widening of his eyes and the crinkle that accompanies his laughter.
"You are my life, Arnav." She says to herself and smiles inwardly. Then bravely, she holds his hand and whispers, "I love you."
His smile is filled with pride as he kisses the back of her hand and says, "I would have said it back but I think you already know my response."
She chuckles. "I know, but it's good to reassure each other once in a while."
"Well then, I love you too." He says dreamily, and revels in the pleasure of knowing that he can make her cheeks redden even today, when a realization dawns her.
Her face now solemn, she asks him the question, the answer to which had been pinching him throughout the length of this day, It pierces his heart to hear it from her, but seeing the courageous smile she has managed to plaster on her face, he returns her a mournful smile and answers truthfully, "I'm afraid so."
All the way back home and throughout a dreary night, Arnav replays her question again and again and again until his head pounds from the torture.
"This is our last anniversary, isn't it?"
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You'll find out soon enough why😆
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