The Trampled Butterfly #2 Check index for Th3 link - Page 15

Khushi deeply observed the tiny figures of what seemed to be a King and Queen in her palm, as she sat on the floor of her cottage and went through the chest in her room. They were rusted and the paint was worn out after all these years. But the tiny print of ink was still visible at the bottom of those figures.

'Arnav' and 'Khushi'.

Their names had not faded.

Arnav had given those figures to her from his toy collection in their childhood, after recognizing her fascination for Kings and Queens. And he had written their names at the bottom, insisting that he was the King and she was his Queen, even after repeated denial from her side.

She had treasured them even after all these years, even fighting against Buaji to preserve them instead of throwing away the remnants of her childhood.

"They called up today." She heard Buaji's voice near the door, breaking her reverie and immediately pushed the figures back into the chest. "What have you decided?" the elder woman continued, walking towards her niece.

"I don't know. I need some more time." Khushi replied, looking at the Raizada Manor from her window. It was dark outside, but she observed a faint light in his room and knew that he too was still awake.

His words were still afresh in her mind and so were her replies.

"Look Titaliya, there is no right or wrong time for such decisions. You just have to take the decision and you know how much this decision means to me." Buaji replied, patting her shoulder.

"I know." Khushi replied, her eyes glistening with tears, oblivious to her aunt. "But can we do it after Anjali Memsaab's wedding? Everyone is busy there and they need our help." But this was just another excuse to buy more time for her.

"You are right. I hope they can wait for another two weeks. But they weren't really happy about it, you know." Buaji ended the conversation with a slight hint of warning in her tone and Khushi knew it was time to make up her mind.

It was time to move on from her fairy world to the reality.

o0o

He did give a damn and a lot more. He couldn't bear to see her ignoring him, as she walked past him.

He hadn't known when he had gotten addicted to that very smile he had wanted to run away from when he had first seen her.

He hadn't known how much he would be missing her laughter.

He hadn't known how much thrilling it was to verbally duel with her.

He hadn't known how much he would be missing those hazel orbs filled with innocence.

Until they were no longer with him.

It had been exactly twenty four hours, two minutes and twenty three seconds ticking to twenty four and Khushi had successfully managed to stay away from him. Even if she crossed his path, she would pretend like he was invisible.

He didn't miss out the irony in the situation.

When he had first arrived in Mussoorie, he was the one who had wanted to avoid her. But now, after more than a week spent here, she was the one avoiding him.

And somewhere, it bruised his ego to see her cold behaviour towards him.

He hadn't realised when his guilt had slowly been replaced by a constant need to be around her. So much so, that it frustrated him tremendously to see her ignoring him.

She still spoke normally with Dadi or Ranvijay or Anjali, but with him, she acted as if they were strangers.

She was right. It was the hug that was responsible for this entire mess. What had it been about that one hug that had affected them to such an extent?

They had always hugged as kids. It was quite a normal thing for them. Yet why did that one hug after fifteen years feel so different?

He had only hugged her like best friends did.

Or hadn't he?

Arnav pondered over his action deeply, as he observed Khushi trimming the hedges on the compound wall.

What had made him hug Khushi that day? He had never given much thought to it until this moment.

"Bhai?" he was interrupted by his sister's voice approaching him.

"Yes, Chutki." He turned his attention towards his sister.

"Dadi told me to give you this list. You have to go to the main town and get all this work done by today, especially the lighting and the music arrangements. And arrange for a nice DJ too for the reception. And even the choir for the church." Anjali informed him without a pause.

"Whoa! That's a lot work to be done." He replied, eyeing the list.

"She also told to take Khushi along with you. Apparently the girl knows how to get the work done here." She added.

Now that was something good finally. Atleast he could use this opportunity to break the vow of silence between them.

"Okay." Arnav replied, getting up from his place and walked towards where Khushi was working. At first, she didn't notice him, but when he cleared his throat, she finally turned back to face him.

"Gardening time is up. Get ready to go to the town." He informed her and saw her face droop with a frown.

"But this work is not yet'"

"Dadi's orders." He quickly cut her off, knowing very well she would never question them.

"Fine." She dropped the shears in her hand. "I'll get ready in ten minutes." She informed him and walked back to her cottage, while he went back to change in his own bedroom.

Within ten minutes, he was down and approaching his car, he found her ready to go. Both of them quickly got in and drove off, for a long day ahead of them.

"So what's the first thing on the list?" Khushi asked and found him passing the list to her. "J.J electricals? That's on the mall road. Symphony artists? That's also somewhere around. Chaudhary sweets. That's in the next street." She went on ticking the list.

"It seems you are familiar with every nook and corner of Mussoorie." Arnav spoke, observing her from the corner of the eye.

"There's not a place I don't know around here. You can even call me a Mussoorie guide book." She smiled and Arnav felt his heart jump a little with excitement seeing her finally smile at him.

But after that, a long stretch of silence followed, and nearly suffocating from it, Arnav finally snapped. "You look like you have resolved to ignore me."

She didn't reply for a long time and he felt a bit apprehensive that she would remain mum. But after some time what looked like a moment of deep pondering over his words, she finally spoke. "What's the point in talking Chotey Saab? You and I both know our friendship has no future. Don't raise my hopes with false promises."

"I raise your hopes, is it?" he asked, suddenly looking at her, slowing down his car.

"I thought you don't give a damn about me." Khushi murmured, looking away from him outside the window.

Arnav couldn't stop a huge grin curving up his lips as saw his same old 'Kukku' in her, frowning looking away at the window, just like how she would do in their childhood. And he knew that there was only one way to pacify her.

*poke*

*poke, poke*

Arnav couldn't believe he was actually poking her back like a kid with his finger, but he was indeed. Only Khushi had the power to bring out the kid within him that was buried long back ago. Her innocence had the power to awaken the innocence within him.

"Admit it. Even after fifteen years you cannot remain angry with me for long." Arnav smiled, while his fingers began a climb up her neck to tickle her.

"Nooo!" she immediately jumped at the tickling sensation and turned around to pinch his nose with her fingers just like they used to do when they were kids, until he had to gasp for breath.

"Buddhu, why are you making this hard for us?" Arnav sighed, as she instantly let go of his nose, realising her slip. But old habits die hard and he found her face smeared with sadness all over it.

"You were the one who started it, by pretending to not know me." Khushi looked at him with so much pain in her eyes that simply melted his heart and went out for her. "But I cannot be away from you for long. Do you even know how hard it was for me to stay away from you?" she kept on blabbering her heart's feelings only to realise a minute later what she was doing. But that was enough to confirm to him that she wasn't really angry at him and he felt a little ray of relief cross over his heart.

"You will go back after three weeks right?" she asked softly, her voice heavy with disappointment.

He nodded, envisioning a bleak future for both of them waiting ahead.

"But atleast call me up once a while. The next time you return back here, I won't be around. And I doubt you would even come back ever."

"What do you mean?" Arnav immediately shot back with surprise but was interrupted with his phone ringing. It was his mother who had added one more task to the list of things to be done and by the time he was done talking to her, he had completely forgotten what they were talking about.

He observed her tapping her fingers nervously on the dashboard.

But when she didn't utter anything else, he too kept quiet and silently drove towards their destination.

o0o

"Am I allowed in?" he knocked on the door and found the old lady smiling at him.

"Ranvijay, my boy! Come in." Dadi ushered him inside her bedroom, closing the door after him.

"You know Dadi, I never had a chance to meet my Dadi. She was dead long before I was born. But I never knew I would be lucky enough to find a Dadi in you. And I'm envious Anjali had you with her for so long." Ranvijay said, hugging the old lady.

"Don't flatter me too much." She brushed aside his hand. "Arnav will be my best baby. But if you bribe me more, I could rank you second spot ahead of Anjali." She chuckled at him.

"Well, I know of a certain Captain George Field who is my colleague. He's also British and pilots the airplane even at this age. Well, he's 68. Ten years younger to you, but he's single." He winked at her. "If you want I can bribe him for you. I'm sure you don't mind young guys."

"Oh! Is he handsome?" Dadi turned around curiously.

"Absolutely. Much more than your Lieutenant General." Ranvijay laughed, pointing at the old man's portrait.

"Haww' Don't say such things in front of him. He might end up haunting you in your honeymoon." Dadi laughed, slapping his arm. But she was indeed very glad that her granddaughter had found a suitable groom in this boy. At first, she had been very sceptical about his bad boy ways. Ranvijay was a bit different from the rest, living his life in a completely different wavelength than normal people. Anyone would have mistaken him to be a lecherous person with malicious intentions. But getting closer to him, she had seen a caring and loving husband in him and knew that this boy was perfect for Anjali.

"So, what brings you here?" Dadi got straight to the point.

Ranvijay marched towards her settling down on the arm chair beside the bed and leaned his head back on his folded arms.

"I heard you see a lot of things, things which no one sees." He spoke with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"When you are old and have nothing to do, you do end up seeing a lot of things." She replied, wondering where this conversation was heading.

"Do you see what I see?" Ranvijay continued to talk in riddles.

"It depends on which angle you are seeing things." Dadi smartly replied, getting a little hint of where things might be heading. "So what do you see?"

"I see Cupid right at the front door, shooting his arrows in this house." Ranvijay smirked at her.

"Are the arrows hitting the right targets?" Dadi smirked back at him.

"Yes and No. I was supposed to get hit by ten arrows, but one missed the target." Ranvijay dramatically held his heart and began plucking out the imaginary arrows from his heart.

"Do I question Cupid's credibility or have you begun directing arrows thrown at you to someone else?" Dadi laughed at his melodramatic expressions.

"I see, you do see a lot of things here." Ranvijay winked at her. "Indeed, I can trust my sources." And with that he took the imaginary bow and arrow in his hand and shot an arrow at the door.

"Are they hitting on the right target?" Dadi asked him once again and he smiled cheekily at her.

"Ofcourse, they are, thanks to you." He replied and stood up to leave the room, not before turning back one last time to smile at her. "And thanks for the favour." He added. Afterall, he was the one who had orchestrated sending the two love birds together on an errand to the town.

"You're welcome." He heard a chuckle after him as he closed the door.

o0o

It was nearly past 2 in the afternoon when they were done and Arnav could swear he had never been this stressed out and exhausted in his entire life. If Khushi wasn't beside him, he was sure he would have throttled someone's neck today. He turned towards her and found her exhausted too for the first time. It wasn't easy to go from one shop to another during noon and get the arrangements done that too hassle free.

"Chotey Saab, even I need a break. I'm hungry." Khushi murmured, slumping against the car seat.

"Where do you want to go for lunch?" he asked, taking out his Ipad and checking the nearby restaurants.

"Let's go to Sharmila Aunty's place." Khushi's face immediately brightened up with the idea.

"Does she still run her Dhaba?" Arnav asked surprised to hear the name. They had been to that place as kids many times because it was one of the cheapest places to dine in and with the limited amount of pocket money that Khushi received, this was the only place that she could afford to.

"No, Khushi. Let's go to Maacozy." He replied, searching for directions on the Ipad.

"Really?" she asked nervously, apprehensive about the idea.

"Why? What happened?" he glanced at her nervous face, wondering what was wrong.

"I don't like the food there. I prefer Sharmila Aunty's Dhaba. Why don't you go to Maacozy's while I dine here? I'll meet you in an hour at City tower." She suggested, planning to step down from the car. How could she tell him that she could clearly not afford to eat in such an expensive place?

"Hey hey!" Arnav immediately grabbed her arm, before she could reach the door. "Do you want me to eat all alone in the restaurant? Come on Khushi! It's weird. Ok, I'll come along with you to the Dhaba." He reluctantly agreed getting out of the car. Somehow the idea of leaving Khushi by herself in the middle of their trip was not adjusting with him.

"It's not weird." She murmured, as they together walked to the Dhaba situated inside a narrow alley between the old buildings.

Not many people used to venture out into this place even then, and now, there were hardly any customers in this place. This was bound to happen. Afterall, how could a small Dhaba compete with the posh restaurants like the Maacozy's situated nearby.

But the food here was something different. Something that would awaken every taste bud of your tongue with every bite of the deliciousness.

Arnav couldn't believe he was entering such a place. The present day Arnav Singh Raizada was never the one who would ever step into such a Dhaba. But that Annyav, fifteen years ago, loved this place dearly in which he cherished one of the best memories with Khushi.

He observed Khushi quickly run to the counter while he silently walked towards that one seat in the corner where they used to always sit. The chairs were rugged and dusty, a reminder of how times had changed in these past fifteen years.

Within few minutes, he saw Khushi walk towards him holding an old lady's arm and as she neared him, he recognised her as the owner, Sharmila Aunty after whom the Dhaba was named.

"Arnav, is that you?" the old lady adjusted her spectacles and smiled at him, recognising him as the son of the famous Raizadas. Maybe this boy in front of her had visited this Dhaba numerous times in his childhood. But at that time, he had been a kid. Now, the fact that such an elite person was visiting her petty Dhaba was indeed heart-warming for her.

"Hi Sharmila Aunty." He smiled back at her, feeling suddenly nostalgic at the entire atmosphere around him as it transported him fifteen years back.

"You have grown so big into a fine young handsome man. The last time I saw you, I remember you sitting in this very place and eating my special chicken tikka, licking all your fingers." The old lady chuckled at the thought.

Arnav politely smiled at her and sat down, not knowing what else to say. Fifteen years were too long to remain connected to the people around you. He now realised what Dadi had said about turning strangers in your own home.

"So what will you two have?" she asked, taking out her order book.

"Our usual thing Aunty. Chole Bature and special Chicken Tikka. But make it two plates coz one won't be enough for both of us anymore." Khushi chuckled at the old memories. "Bring it fast Aunty. I don't think I can control my hunger anymore." And Arnav couldn't supress his laughter seeing her impatience.

"What?" Khushi confusedly looked at him.

"You didn't even bother asking me what I wanted." Arnav grinned at her.

"Why would she ask? She's been ordering the same thing for the last fifteen years." Sharmila Aunty replied on behalf of her, taking him quite aback with her response. When he still looked confused, she continued. "You know, after you left this place, Khushi used to come here every two weeks and order a plate of Chole Bature and chicken tikka, one half for herself and the other half in your name, saying that she missed eating with you."

Arnav moved his gaze from the old lady's face to Khushi's face, whose eyes were now lowered down as the old lady spoke. "And she used to eat the other half on your behalf." The old lady chuckled, smacking Khushi's arm lovingly. "One crazy girl she is. She used to stuff herself till the last bite even if that meant she would suffocate. " And she was rewarded with a sheepish smile from Khushi.

Khushi looked at him, finally meeting his gaze and he felt suddenly warm and sad at the same time. Warm, knowing that she had remembered their favourite past time in all these fifteen years and sad, because he had not been there with her to share these memories with her.

Now he knew why she had earlier professed that it wasn't weird to eat all alone.

"You didn't forget this place." He said more like a statement, gazing into her eyes.

"It was very precious to me." She replied, a tinge of sadness hidden in her voice. They didn't speak anything else until the food arrived within few minutes.

"Chotey Saab, you better eat quickly, otherwise, this hungry mouth will devour even your plate." She winked at him, poking the hot fluffy Bature and letting the yummy steam escape into her nostrils. And before he knew it, she was gobbling up the entire thing, leaving him quite amused and astounded by her actions.

But what the hell! This was how his childhood had been, where they used to eat carefree, without a bother to the world around them. No forks or spoons, no table etiquettes. When such delicious food was lying in front of them, they gave a damn to the others.

Arnav didn't realise how much he had longed to eat like this, until he suddenly felt himself pulling the sleeves of his shirt upward till his elbows and soon followed Khushi to who-will-eat-the-fastest competition.

"Oh God!" He moaned with absolute pleasure as the first bite of the delicious Chole Bature and chicken tikka hit his tongue. The spiciness of the chillies, intricately interspersed with tanginess of lemon and sweetness of onion made him forget everything else in the world. They were just two kids right now, Annyav and Kukku, savouring their favourite dishes in the world.

"Did you miss this?" Khushi asked with her mouth full, glad to see him so happy.

"Totally!" he replied with his own mouth full, not realising when he was licking his fingers. This was one deadly combination that was available only by the hands of Sharmila Aunty and no one else in the world. He had dined at top Michelin starred restaurants, but this food here was so simple yet one of the best things that he had ever eaten.

And soon, the habit of not indulging in Spicy food for the past fifteen years struck him as his tongue burnt with the spiciness while his nose and eyes began to water. But that didn't deter him from the finishing the plate.

Who cared about the world when your mouth was stuffed with delicious food like this? No class, no status, no boundaries ever had the power to demarcate the friendship between the two at that particular moment.

"Look at you. You look worse than a baby right now." Khushi chortled at his state. "Drippy everywhere."

"And look who is talking!" Arnav scrunched his forehead grumpily, sticking out his tongue for cool air to tone down the spiciness burning him.

He saw her immediately reach out to her purse and remove her handkerchief and before he knew it, she reached out to his face, to wipe his nose and eyes.

Arnav could simply stare at her with absolute astonishment at her reaction. Never in his wildest dreams had he anticipated her or any woman for that matter, reaching out to wipe his face, that too with their handkerchief.

And especially not after their yesterday's conversation, about keeping away from each other.

As if she had read his mind, she replied. "What? Did you forget wiping my face just like this when we were kids?"

And it was then that the memory finally surfaced in his mind.

It had been in this very same place, but it was the first time that the ten year old Arnav had brought the seven year old Khushi to this place. One of the elder boys in his school was heard talking about this place and curiosity taking over him, he had pulled along his best friend to experiment out some new food.

"Annyav, you will be in big trouble if your Ma comes to know about this." Khushi had explained with her squeaky voice, widening her eyes with a warning at the older boy.

"She will only come to know if you open your mouth." Arnav had warned her with a whisper, flashing his evil grin at her and she had giggled at him, knowing that this was going to be a secret between the two of them.

"Why didn't Anjali come with us?" Khushi asked curiously, wondering why his sister hadn't accompanied them.

"Kukku, if we invite Anjali then she will go and tell everything to Ma." He had hushed her and stood before the tall counter, his head barely reaching above it. "So what do you want to eat?"

"I cannot see anything." Khushi had growled with irritation, trying to climb the counter unsuccessfully and Arnav had laughed at her attempts.

And the next moment, he had lifted her up so that she too could see the menu and they had ordered the Chole Bature and Chicken Tikka, the only combination which they could successfully manage within their meagre budget.

"Yummy, isn't it?"Arnav had asked, stuffing the chicken in his mouth while they had sat in one corner and shared the same plate with each other.

"Yes' it' is'" The little Khushi had gasped, grabbing Arnav's attention only to make him break out with fits of laughter seeing her condition. Her nose and eyes were all dripping due to the spiciness, but she was still determined to complete the plate.

"You are leaking like a baby." And Khushi had flashed a foolish and silly smile at him, trying to sniff back the wetness dripping from her nose.

But instead, Arnav had reached out for his kerchief in his pocket and wiped her face and cleaned her nose for her, laughing at the naivety of his best friend.

"Things have changed a lot, haven't they?" Khushi's voice brought him back to the present, while she reached out once again to wipe his eyes.

Arnav continued to gaze at her, realising how she was suddenly open towards him. There wasn't any hesitation in her actions. It was as if these fifteen years had never intruded their lives. They were free with each other, to do whatever they liked without having to ponder over their actions beforehand.

And he liked this.

He liked it when she had the freedom and right over him.

And deep inside, he had subconsciously begun to love the affection showered by her on him.

He hadn't realised it until now, how her little actions would bring a huge smile on his face. How that tiny moment of happiness for her would bask his chest with warmth for her.

Amends.

The priest's words came into his mind.

He was supposed to amend for his mistakes. But how could he begin it with? Every step that he took towards amends was only widening the gap between them.

But as if she was reading his mind, she spoke. "I pondered over what I told you yesterday for the entire night." Arnav didn't have to think more. He was all ears to her.

"I think I spoke a bit too much yesterday. I was upset." She confessed and Arnav nodded his head, knowing that she was talking about Mami's words. They were best friends and he knew however hard she tried, she couldn't hide her feelings with him.

"You had the right to be." Arnav replied, subconsciously reaching out to hold her hand. She didn't flinch and taking that as a yes, he entwined his fingers with hers.

"I waited for you for fifteen years and now that you are here, I don't know what to do. Things have changed a lot. You have changed a lot. All of a sudden, you are my 'Chotey Saab'. Everything is so complicated."

For the first time, he felt that his 'Kukku' was finally talking to him, not the grown up Khushi who had been restrained by society.

"I know I said a lot about us both, our friendship, that it is not possible. That you are my employer and I'm just a worker for you. But then, the truth is I cannot give up on this friendship so easily. I need some time to accept the truth. And anyways, in a month you will be leaving from here and who knows, we might never meet each other again. But whatever time we have with us right now, I don't want to avoid you or fight with you. I just want to reminisce our childhood and give a closure to it."

"Me too." Arnav finally confessed his true feelings. He was tired fighting her. He wanted his old Kukku back, he wanted their friendship back and this beginning from her side would provide the perfect way for him to make amends.

"So can we give a shot to this thing between us or am I asking or hoping too much?" She asked with her hazel eyes filled with a tiny flick of hope.

"I'm sure we can." Arnav nodded, giving her hand a little squeeze, wondering how fast had the equations between them changed in a matter of a week.

"Ok, then done. I'm paying the bill. Think of it as a welcoming back treat from me." She winked at him, reaching out to her purse.

"Hey, I cannot allow you to do that." Arnav quickly pulled out his wallet to stop her.

"What Chotey Saab? I cannot give you treats in Maacozy's. Atleast let me feel happy knowing that I could afford a treat for the Great Arnav Singh Raizada with my meagre earnings." She laughed at him, smacking away his hand and Arnav silently smiled back at her and placed back his wallet into his pocket.

He observed how small things like this would make her so happy. Khushi was still the same. She found happiness in the most insignificant of things.

Her one smile had the power to vanish all the guilt within him. Maybe this was one baby step towards making amends.

Now as he sat in front of her, observing the joy filled face and excitement fluttering in those hazel orbs, he knew his path to redemption. Only when every trace of sorrow would be replaced by this happiness could he ever find his soul free from the guilt.

And he vowed to himself to make her happy, to resurrect the same old Kukku in her once again.

And yes, I wasn't kidding when I said I like to surprise people. What's fun without suspense?😉