Khushi's terrified eyes desperately sort Arnav's, to see his reaction. But his eyes were hooded. She went close to him and laid her hand on his shoulders, 'Arnav---I ---- I was going to tell you about this---I thought you will be angry-----I know you are angry----' she fumbled with the words , not knowing how to continue.
She waited for him to explode. She wanted him to scream at her. She wanted some reaction from him. She touched his shoulders again to jolt him out of his reverie. 'Arnav. Please understand----'
Abruptly he got up, shrugging off her hands and tuned around and with a stoic look in his eyes he said . 'I understand perfectly,' and turned around and left.
Khushi stared into the space which had just been left vacant by him. What did he mean? Did he understand why she had hidden such a big truth from him? Did he understand that she wanted him to love her for who she was and not whose daughter she was?
Why was he so cold if he understood?
Khushi was puzzled. She wanted run behind him to ask when Raksh's cry interrupted her. She spent the next 30 minutes taking care of his needs. When she came down in search of him, he was nowhere to be seen.
The whole day passed in a maze for Khushi. She was anxious to meet Arnav, desperate for one sane conversation with him.
All her attempts to call him had failed.
His phone was switched off. When she called the office, Aman informed her he was busy in meetings.
She knew he must be hurt by her 'betrayal' as he saw it. Would he ever understand her Point of View?
To be honest, she would feel the same if she was in his shoes. They had gone to hell and back due to their differences over her father. She had put him through a long separation till Raksh was born. Their love and marriage had gone through the worst trials due to this crisis.
He would be hurt to know she had known all along that there was no issue in the first place, as per him---because the person he hated the most, was not her father.
But did he know that was not the issue at all?
Did he know the issue was what he had said and done after coming to know about her father?
Did he know that she had desperately wanted to hear that he loved her despite what he believed, the way he now did?
It was past dinner time and Arnav was not back. Khushi paced the dining room, holding Raksh as he tried to sleep.
She was tormented with worry about all kinds of possibilities.
She decided to ask Anjali as soon as she came back from her orphanage work. But, Anjali had been equally clueless and worried.
'Chote is not home? That is funny. And he has not informed you or called to check on Raksh? That is downright puzzling. Let's call Aman right away. Did you?' Anjali asked.
'Yes Di. I did call him an hour back and he said Arnav was in a meeting and Amanji was going him at that time. I thought Arnav would be back by dinner time, so I did not disturb Amanji again,' Khushi said.
'Let's call him right away,' Anjali replied, picking up the phone and dialing Aman's number.
Aman picked up and said,
'Di, sir has left for Nainital for a client meeting---er 'clothes and all---well he always has emergency clothes here in the office---so I believe he took them---I don't know when he will be back' he concluded.
Puzzled Anjali dropped the phone and looked at Khushi, 'Is something wrong Khushiji?' she asked.
'Why Di? What happened?' Khushi asked.
'Arnav has left for Nainital from the office. Aman just informed me. He never does that Khushiji. He would never leave without meeting you and the baby. Then why did he leave so abruptly?' Anjali asked.
Tears welled up and freely trickled down her face. She could not answer Anjali, being caught in the storm of her own emotions.
Anjali looked on worried as Khushi walked past her in a daze, holding Raksh close to her heart---------
Alone in her bedroom, Khushi looked around the room that was stamped with her husband's presence.
But from nowhere came his husky, warm voice calling her 'Khushi'.
The bed looked empty and cold without his seductive, inviting eyes beckoning her to him
'Come back Arnav. I am sorry baby. I want to explain. Please don't misunderstand me!' she whispered into the darkness that reflected the darkness in her heart.
But even as she said it, she knew this was Arnav she was talking about.
He always misunderstood even when she had never given her a cause. And this time she had given him a huge cause----
Was their love strong enough to overcome yet another trial?
Her heart whispered it was, but her treacherous mind was rooted in fear----
Arnav was driving down a long deserted road.
He drove as if he was chased by some demons.
He wanted to get away from it all.
Her smile
Her warmth
Her beauty
Her presence
His life with her---their baby---everything
He wanted to get over this pain
Lick his wounds alone
Get over her betrayal
Get over the pain she had put him through by making him go through so many trials and tests
He wanted to forget Khushi Singh Raizada----at least for a while
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