Chapter 11
As the car did not start, Arnav & Khushi decided to walk over to their place. Their house was not that far, so this decision was made. Arnav informed Mr.Mehta that his car was parked in their basement parking. He insisted that he would drop the two of them but later obliged them as he thought they'll spend some romantic moments. Also, Arnav confirmed that he'll send some mechanic in the morning and the car will be taken as soon as possible.
Arnav and Khushi walked through the empty streets of Canada. As it was past mid-night, most of the lights of the houses were off and the only source of light were the dim street lights and the moon.
For the initial two minutes, they walked in silence. Khushi could not digest this and broke the silence between them. "Arnav?" she said.
"Hmm?" he answered, now looking at her and smiling.
"Isn't this weird? I mean, we met some days back in that lift. And now we are walking on a deserted street alone. Weird, na?"
Arnav grinned and said,"You know, Khushi Kumari Gupta? I was thinking the exact same thing! I mean, I can't believe the girl who got so scared by my voice the first time we met, is now walking with me. Strange!" he winked at her.
"Please. I wasn't scared. I was just .. shocked." she said.
"Haha. yeah yeah. And that story of yours. Mind blowing. I'll give you an Oscar." He grinned again.
OK, Khushi Kumari Gupta. He reads your mind. It's confirmed now.
"Haha. After you left, I had to make another set of stories. Quite a job, you see."
"Hmm. I see .Kavita jee is very sweet. Don't you think?" he asked, again looking on the ground.
"Yes, she is. That reminds me! Did you make the certificate?"
"Of course, Khushi! I mean, I can forget anything in this world but not our marriage certificate. I can't believe you came up to my office for this thing. Really!"
"I could make that out. I thought you'll just eat me up after coming home!"
"If Mr. Mehta would have not invited us over, I would just gulped you down!'' Both of them laughed. And there was that silence again for 5 minutes. Arnav had removed his blazer and stuffed his hands into his pant pockets. Khushi was about to tie her hair when Arnav took the rubber band in his hand and said, "Don't. They look better when they are open." Khushi just smiled.
"So, you talked to everyone back home? I mean, about us living together and all?" Arnav asked, this time he broke the silence.
"Only my sister knows. If I tell my mother and father, they would have never let me stay here. I could not have let this house go away. You have no idea how many times I've been kicked before for.."
"Loud music?" Arnav cut in.
Khushi smiled, 'Yes!". He smiled back.
"You told your family?" Khushi asked Arnav.
"Hell, NO! My family is way too traditional. They never wanted me to rent an apartment in the first place, let alone the idea of staying with a girl."
"Not even your di? I mean, you do tell her everything, you told me."
"Yes , I do. But she is a blabber mouth. If I tell her, she will tell everyone."
"So we are on the same page." Khushi smiled.
"Kind off." Arnav smiled back.
He continued,"Don't you miss your amma and bauji?"
What!? he said 'amma' and 'bauji'!? Why?
"Umm, yes I do. But i miss my real parents, too."
"What?''
"They are not my real parents, Arnav. They just brought me up. I'm really thankful to them. They treated me as their own daughter, even sent me here on my scholarship. But I do miss my parents more than anything."
"Ohh. I don't know what to say. My dad. He was an ass. He had an affair with someone. And left my mom just like that. Like she was some toy. And then.."
"Then?" Khushi asked and placed her palm on his shoulder.
Arnav stopped and looked at Khushi,"Then, he just left my mom, us. Everyone. And one day we got the news that he was dead in an accident. He deserved it. That basta.."
"Please, Arnav! I know he what he did was wrong. But don't call him that. He's your dead after all!"
"What dad!? he didn't even ask me once how well I scored in my exams. Never cared to ask my sister how her leg is. Never bothered to ask my mother about her health. Never ever! And my mom! She left us for that swine! How dare he! How dare she!" Arnav said, now he was completely sad. Khushi did not understand what to do.
Khushi looked at Arnav who was looking no where in particular. She took his hand in hers and hugged him tight. She left his hand and dig her hand into his hair. She placed her other hand's palm on his right cheek. "Shhh. It's OK. You know, life always challenges us. Your dad died because he never deserved to get anybody's love. Not yours, your di's, your mother's or that other woman. He died for your good. Your mother died as she deserved a better life. A better husband. And you and your di deserved a better environment to be around."
After listening to this, Arnav placed both his hands on Khushi's back and hugged her more tight. He dug his head on to her right shoulder. "But why we suffered, Khushi? My di and I? Why?"
"At least both of you were not alone. You both had each other as support. You also had your naani and mami to live. I know it must have been very difficult. But what life is without compromises?"
They stood there, embracing each other for quite a while, in complete silence. Khushi just felt the need to comfort Arnav now. And all Arnav wanted was Khushi's support. Just both of them and no one else.
Suddenly, Arnav rose his head and left Khushi from his hold. Khushi, too, left him. They both started walking again.
"You know, Khushi?" Arnav said, wiping his teeny tears,"We can be good friends. I mean I've never shared anything like this to any one before. Not even di. You are really comfortable to be with."
Khushi smiled. "you can share anything with me, Arnav. Except somethings, of course!" Khushi joked. Arnav smiled and that's what Khushi wanted to see.
"Delhi Hayat tomorrow?'' Arnav asked.
"Sure."
"Same time as last time?''
"That'll be cool. Look, we are home!" Khushi announced, looking at their building. She turned and saw the beach. "That looks beautiful, no?"
"Yes, it does." Arnav said. he, not even once, looked at the beach. He had his gaze fixed on Khushi, which just could not be let off. "Looks really very beautiful." He repeated and smiled.
"Hmm. Let's go!" Khushi said and headed towards their lift.
-X-
That night.
Khushi's room.
I can't believe we were standing there, just embracing each other. He really is soft at heart. He really needs someone in this time. Why it itched me to comfort me, to hug him, To tell him that life is just like this. Why I felt,,COMPLETE? Devi Maiiyya! Itna confussion. Solution kuch pata nahi. She thought to herself and giggled to sleep. Devi Maiyya must have definitely said, All izz well back in the heaven!
Arnav's room.
I miss you, maa. I really miss you. I miss you, too, di. But today, i'm not blaming you. For the first time, I'm trying to understand you, maa. I'm sorry. i had no right to blame you. You obviously deserved a better life. Away from daadi taunting you and not his selfish son. Away from that ugly society who blamed just you and not that asshole business man. I'm sorry. And thanks, Khushi. For making me realize all this. I'll thank you tomorrow at Delhi Hayat.
He said to himself and tried to sleep, thinking how they were so near yet so far from each other. Himself, his maa and Khushi...
-X-
Hope you like! Suggestions and criticism are welcome. Ting! 😉
-P.
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Edited by poozie - 12 years ago
Ufff Yeh Love Hai Mushkil
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