Twenty
'Did you let the police know then?' Arnav said approaching NK in Di's room with the rest of the family there. Anjali was still sound asleep, yet not aware of the major drama that had just taken place in her home.
'Yes I called them up. Turns out he wasn't granted freedom but was bailed out with a lot of money, we need to find out who it was so we can get this situation sorted' NK explained calmly
'Okay we'll handle that in the morning. You guys stay here with Di, I need to go check up on Khushi. She was hurt badly and I didn't realize I left her alone in the dark. I guess I need to set things straight right now' Arnav mumbled, NK got the hint and nodded allowing Arnav to pick up his jacket and keys and head out the door.
What had he done? She was scarred, physically and emotionally because of his carelessness. She suffered because he simply forgot about her and went to save his Di, the wounds were new on her flesh but they would soon disappear, however the wounds he put on her heart were way to expensive. Would she forgive him? After what he had done? In fact did he deserve her? The only sort of pain Khushi gave Arnav was time, the fact he had to wait for her feelings and in return she was given this? Sooner before all this she had opted to take all of his pain, make it go away and he hurt her all over again. No, it was time to make things right now, it was only fair after everything he had put here through from the beginning.
Arnav slowly walked over to the door and knocked softly, slight nervousness crawling over him. After a brief moment, the door opened bringing Arnav face to face with a very stressed Garima.
'Aunty, can I talk to Khushi please? Is she okay?' Arnav asked in a low voice, he could sense Garima's concern
'We just came back from the hospital, she's in her room now' Garima said looking at the floor, Arnav's heart completely sank
'H-hospital?' Arnav stammered unable to function the deep hurt he must have caused
'Yes, well the cut on her arm was very deep and required stiches so we took her. She's in her room now so you can go in' Garima said unwillingly. This sudden barrier between his soon to be mother-in-law pained him. She was distant and clearly hurt for her daughter, and she was right to, he had messed up big time. Arnav gulped and slowly marched towards Khushi's room before opening the door. His heart shattered to find Khushi sobbing into her pillow
'Amma, it really hurts' Khushi croaked painfully assuming it was her mother that just opened the door
'Khushi?' Arnav said, warning her of his presence, Khushi looked at him through her wet, glossy, red eyes and looked away closing them instantly.
'Leave' Khushi said, Arnav walked forward and sat down on the bed beside her
'Khushi, please listen to me. It was dark and I had forgotten you were asleep and ran to Di. It was a mistake and I didn't mean it all. I'm sorry Khushi, it wont happen again I promise' Arnav pleaded, he brought her hands into his and kissed her arm right over the stitches, soothing it ever so slightly, Khushi pulled away.
'Arnav, I... I don't think we're ready for marriage again' Khushi said hesitantly, Arnav's eyes widened and looked at her again in shock
'No Khushi it was a mistake you need to underst-'
'Arnav, husbands don't just forget their wives in the middle of a tornado and run to protect their sister who's already guarded by two other men. Don't get me wrong Arnav, your Di is important and I understand that, she's alone and she needs your support. But if it weren't for this incident then I wouldn't have realized how much I mean to you. I was very clearly right when I told you that you were confusing your duties for your feelings because Arnav, you really don't care for me at all. If you really loved me, you would have been just as concerned for me as your Di, and I wouldn't have gone through this pain' Khushi said emotionally
'Khushi that's not true, I really do love you and I can't see you hurt. It was just a really frightening situation and I didn't react properly' Arnav spoke helplessly
'Arnav, I just don't think you're really ready for marriage because your commitments lay somewhere else. I think the wedding should be delayed for a little while, I need a break and I really want to go away for some time and I think you need to come to terms with your feelings and duties too' Khushi said curling up for warmth
'Khushi, please don't do this with me again. I swear I didn't mean it' Arnav almost begged, she couldn't do this to him again. He can't live without her, no, she was the sun to his darkness and he needed her
'I'm not ready Arnav, I want to spend a few weeks away and you need some time to think too. You have other things to worry about and I don't think you should waste time especially with such a dangerous man after your sister. You not ready yet Arnav and now I'm aware of that. Please stop this, after marriage we'd only end up hurt like this again' Khushi said bluntly unable to face him anymore. Arnav wiped away his tears and looked at her once again, getting the vibes he did on the night of their divorce.
'Khushi, just no that I love you a lot and you underestimate that every single time. You mean the world to me and I know that better then anything. But once again for your happiness I'll put my love to the test again. We can delay the wedding if you want but know that I cant live without you Khushi and you need to realize that' Arnav replied trying to prove his point
'Arnav, maybe you just need rest. Go home and relax a little and think this through with a clear head, because you know what I'm saying is right' Khushi said beginning to tear up again
'Fine Khushi, I'll delay the wedding for you. But no amount of thinking is going to change how I feel for you' Arnav said sharply before he got off the bed 'But whatever makes you happy Khushi'
With that last sentence Arnav kissed her forehead and left her home for the final time, completely oblivious to the fact that Khushi was serious this time.
As soon as Arnav left, Garima walked in soundlessly and planted herself beside Khushi
'Khushi bitiya, what happened?' Garima asked watching her daughter weep
'Amma, I guess we're just taking a break you know. I want to go away from all this for a little while. Everyone has ups and downs and now is the down phase' Khushi explained, sincerely hoping she hadn't driven Arnav away for too long
'So what are you planning on doing?' Garima continued
'Amma, I want to go to Lucknow for a few weeks to Bua-Ji and Payal Jiji. I will feel so much better spending time away. I want to go on the first train tomorrow and just relax. I think its best for me to clear my head, because may be that's what I need right now' Khushi said keen on the idea of going away
'Whatever makes you feel better bitiya, you are welcome to go Lucknow. I can understand that as a female you feel almost betrayed over what Arnav did. But I assure you that he probably didn't mean it and you need to think this through whilst at Lucknow. Payal will always know how to deal with a situation so be sure to talk to her about it too okay? I just want you to feel certain that delaying the wedding is what's best because I know you're having double thoughts. So go, relax your mind and just have some fun with your sister' Garima said warmly, Khushi jumped up and hugged her
'I love you Amma' Khushi spoke whole-heartedly
'I love you more bitiya'
--
Arnav stomped into his home and angrily walked up the stairs only to be stopped by NK
'Arnav, you ok?' NK asked reading his expressions
'NO!' Arnav barked before he pulled from NK's grip and stomped off to his room trying his very best to hide his tears from everyone. NK turned to face a shocked Nani who just watched the scene that had happened
'Let me talk to him' Nani proposed imagining the pain he must have gone through with Khushi. The simple entrance of that one ruthless man, shattered everything once again, intentionally and unintentionally.
Nani knocked on the door and entered ever so slowly to see Arnav sitting on the recliner lost in thoughts, he looked shattered and broken all over again, it pained her to see her grandson never able to stay happy because his happiness was always taken away.
'Chote?' Nani said walking up to him 'Are you alright?'
Arnav looked up at her, his eyes filled with uncertainty before he nodded meekly and dropped his gaze. Nani said down beside him, rubbing his back for assurance
'What happened with Khushi bitiya?' Nani asked calmly
'She sincerely feels that I don't actually love her. She thinks that I just confuse my feelings and that none of this is real! She wants a break Nani because she feels I need to come to terms with what I really want yet she refuses to believe that what I want is her' Arnav explained, trying not to break like his voice.
'Chote, she's giving you time because she loves you. As a woman; she wants to see your emotions, share your pain, be intimate with you, not be classed as an individual but a part of you. She wants you to make her realize that she comes first for you, she wants to feel your love Chote not just hear it come from your mouth. I think its best if you try and prove to her that all your feelings are there. Just saying it won't make her realize but showing her you love will only open her eyes. Khushi bitiya is a very down-to-earth girl so she won't ask you to do anything for her. That's why it looks like she's oblivious to your love but she's not. Like any other ordinary girl she just wants you to break down the barrier and make yourselves as one. Its that genuine lack of showing her that is driving you two apart and once she is simply aware of your true emotions and thirst for her in your life, it will bring her to you once and for all. Then she can't excuse you in any way because you heart and mind connect and you know what your doing is sincere' Nani explained hopefully, Arnav looked up at her with new eyes. Everything she had just said was true, every single word. Khushi would walk away because she felt Arnav hadn't "come to terms with his feelings" even though he had. If he showed it to her then she wouldn't feel insecure about his love for her. Khushi would realize how earnest Arnav's love really is and that tentativeness between them would completely recede.
'Your right Nani' Arnav admitted 'But how will I do that? How will I show her what I really feel?'
'Speak from your heart Chote, no longer from your mind. The smallest actions can create the biggest impact on someone and that's what you need to do. Within these small actions you can tell her the things she wants to know and to hear and to feel. You don't lack in doing something big for her, but t's the little things that count' indicated Nani, Arnav stood up extremely pleased with the conversation
'Thank you Nani, this could really change everything' Arnav hoped
'Anytime Chote, now make sure you go over tomorrow and make things right. For now you really need to get some sleep' Nani conveyed before she patted his head and walked out of the door
--
The next afternoon, Arnav went over to Khushi's home and knocked on the door. He had a new aura filled with confidence and inevitability. He knew exactly how to put things straight now and he was most definitely going to.
'Arnav beta, you?' Garima answered opening the door
'I've come to meet Khushi' Arnav declared positively as he walked in and sat down but soon felt nervous when he saw the saddened look on Garima's face
'Arnav... Khushi left for Lucknow this morning. She's gone for a few weeks to clear her head and relax a little bit. She's been down lately and we felt that was what she required' Garima confessed guiltily, Arnav felt his heart at his feet once again at hearing Khushi had left for Lucknow
'She's g-gone?' Arnav mimed weakly, Garima nodded unable to accommodate his hardened gaze.
--
'JIJI! BUAJI!' Khushi said stepping into the small home on one of the narrow streets of Lucknow
'Its so good to see you Khushi! I was so excited when you called last night' Payal said pulling Khushi into a tight hug which was turned into a group hug by Buaji, Payal felt awkward as Khushi wasn't as excited as she usually would be.
'It's so good to see my other niece! We missed you so much Khushi! You left to Delhi to work and the next time we here from you, you were getting re-married to Arnav!' Buaji lectured, showing how little Khushi would communicate with her
'Yes exactly! We were going to come over for your wedding soon but you beat us too it' Payal joked
'Yes jiji, I just wanted to spend some time away, with you' Khushi mumble, at that Payal was convinced that Khushi was here for a specific reason
'Okay bitiya, you settle in and I'll cook us dinner' Buaji told excitedly and left the two girls to go to the bedroom, as soon as the door closed Payal turned to face Khushi with an unconvinced look on her face
'Now tell me why you're really here because I can bluntly tell you're upset about something' Payal proposed crossing her arms while sitting beside Khushi on the bed. Khushi took in a deep breath and descriptively told Payal the events of the last few days leaving her dumbfounded over the explanation.
'...and all I wanted to do was come and lay down on my sisters lap and just share everything with her' Khushi finished on the verge of tears. Payal pulled Khushi into a hug again unable to see her this heartbroken.
'Everything will be okay Khushi, everything happens for the best. If you give each other time then you'll only bond more stronger' Payal suggested
'I hope so Jiji... I hope so'
--
'NK, hurry up we need to go and file the complaint as soon as possible. We need to catch him before the week is up' Arnav said urging him to quickly get in the car
'Why by the end of the week?' NK asked with confusion
'Because I need to go to Lucknow, to get my priorities straight'
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Hey Guys
its my holidays so i have a lot of time on my hands, hence why i updated within 24 hours which was kinda scary actually x_x sorry for a very sudden quick update, but i guess at this rate i'd probably end up updating What's Meant To Be before the night is up😛
Anyways, ive gotten quite a mixed reaction from you guys, and im hoping that the speech nani gave in this chapter sort of clears abit up for you. Also when i said the fight was not major, i didnt mean it was minor either 😳 it was a huge fight, but it not going to make plot-twisiting changes, its only for arshi's benefit this time:')
Also , how could Arnav leave Khushi? well Arnav was very concerned that the only person Shyam was planning to hurt was his Di, so when the lights went out she came to mind straight away, oblivious to Khushi and that she could get hurt too, Arnav ran for his Di. Khushi is very hurt because he abandoned hereven after her having the talk about sharing his pain, she felt used and not wanted so she left.
Khushi is taking a BREAK to CLEAR HER HEAD. she is by no means moving to Lucknow forever or anything of the sort, she just wants to take her mind off things so its like a small holiday (which Arnav will be joining pretty soon after catching Shyam😉) so you don't need to worry about this Lucknow thing either
im quite happy with this chapter because its longer and has more emotions conveyed in it so enjoy!
and any queries or confusion then just comment about it and ill answer them in the next chapter
Thank you guys; off to update whats meant to be now😆
Buddy for PMs :)
Lybah😳
xx
Edited by lybah123456 - 12 years ago
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