Chapter 3B
This one goes to Harhem who made this amazing banner for the story. thank you so much.
*Lines from the past are in Italics. Credit for pictures go to the original uploaders.
'Wake up you lazy bum, lets go out for a run.' Shyam said while pulling the duvet off Khushi.
'Go away...' Khushi tried to shoo him away.
'If you want to go on the Everest expedition next year, you need to move your lazy arse and start running.'
'I can't hear you, I have my pillow wrapped around my head.' Khushi put the free pillow over her head.
'I'm sure you will hear me well once I start tickling you. Here I come.'
Shyam began to tickle her mercilessly. Over the years Shyam had realised that the best way to get Khushi to agree to something was by tickling her. She was literally as responsive as the 'Mimosa Pudica' plant i.e, the Touch me not plant.
'Stop it Shyam... stop it.' Khushi tried to fight his hands away.
'Is that how you say please.' He continued to tickle her.
'Fine, please stop tickling me.' She emphasised on the word please.
Shyam stopped tickling her. 'Now off you go. We need to be out of our home in the next fifteen minutes for the run. Okay?'
Khushi woke up and sat on the bed. She found Shyam already changed for the run. She saw him in one of his very old T shirts.
'Oh God! You are wearing the Harvard Mountaineering TShirt again?'
'Why? Do you have a problem with it?' He asked as he sat next to her and placed a kiss on her lips.
Khushi placed her head on his chest and said 'Gosh! This T-shirt is so old. Can't you buy something new?' She then put her hands inside the T-Shirt to feel his skin intimately.
'Khush you know how much I like this TShirt right? This is first shirt you gifted me once we started seeing each other. I'm never throwing this away. Plus its really soft & comfortable just like you.'
Khushi looked up and smiled at him fondly. 'Really?'
'Really.' Shyam replied as he moved wisps of hair away from her face.
'Now go and change before I change my mind and we end up spending more time in the bed.'
Khushi did leave, but only after she had kissed him thoroughly.
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'My stomach is hurting Shyam, I can't run anymore. Lets sit on this bench for a while.'
As they sat Khushi saw a young family not far away from where they were sitting. She placed her head on Shyam's shoulders.
'You are looking at that baby aren't you?'
'Yes I'm.' Khushi replied without moving here eyes away from the baby girl dressed in sunny yellow dress, who was trying to stand up and walk on her own.
'Do you feel the same as I do?' Khushi asked him.
'Yes I do. After the Everest expedition, I'd love for us to try for a baby. What do you think?' He asked her with a twinkle in his eyes.
'Are you serious?'
'Do I look like I'm joking? Honestly Khushi, I think a year down the line would be the perfect time. Both of us have paid off our student loans, we are doing okay with the flat, although a house would be better. And we are both well-settled in our jobs. And finally I'm in a role where I don't have to travel all the time. I don't think there would be a better time.'
'I agree Shyam. Its not like I'm getting any younger. I was the only child to my parents and I have always wanted a big family with 2-3 children. So next year will be a good time to get started if we want to make those 3 children.' She winked at him.
'That seems like a lot of work, making 3 babies.' They both laughed together.
A few seconds later Shyam kissed Khushi lightly on her lips and whispered 'Happy Anniversary Khushi.'
Khushi was startled. 'Today isn't our anniversary Shyam. You scared me there for a second.'
'Yes it isn't. But today is the anniversary of the day when I had proposed.'
'Oh yes. How could I forget that. That was quite some proposal Shyam. Straight out of a book. Paris by the night, on a luxury cruise on River Seine.'
Khushi and Shyam reminisced fondly
'Any particular reason you chose the river?'
Shyam held her hands and entwined his fingers with hers. 'Did you know, I had always wanted to propose to you by a river. The river Seine reminds me of you; soft, calm and gentle.'
Khushi smiled again and placed a kiss on Shyam's lips. They had come a long way together. They had began their relationship during a very difficult time, when even Khushi wasn't sure if they would last long. But Shyam had stuck by her like a pillar, helped her make peace with the events of Matterhorn and then stood in the background while she had made up her mind to end her relationship with Arnav. Shyam was her best friend, her confidante and over the years she had fallen in love with his easy personality, his calm demeanor, and his maturity. They had began their journey as friends and over the time they had become lovers and now companions for life. There were still unresolved issues from the past, especially with regards to Arnav who was at one time Shyam's best friend, but over the years they had successfully moved forward in life. Khushi was now excited to embrace the next bog step in their life together, she couldn't wait to have a baby with Shyam, she couldn't wait for them to become parents. She was sure that Shyam would make a better parent than she ever would.
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'Khushi I'm about to board the flight. I will see you soon. Have you made reservations for our table?'
'Yes I have. But why did want to go to such an expensive restaurant tonight?'
'Khushi we couldn't celebrate our anniversary yesterday as this work came up and I had to leave for Paris. Plus I have also won a big deal today. Which means my bonus this year is going to twice of last year's. So we have one more reason to celebrate.'
'That's fabulous news Shyam. I'm so proud of you.'
'And guess what! We may finally be able to buy one of those country side houses that you keep looking at in the magazines. It'd be perfect Khushi, especially since we want to have a baby soon.'
'Are you serious?'
'Yes I'm sweetheart. I know you have always wanted a nice home with a garden. We may finally be able to afford one.'
Khushi was too overwhelmed to say anything.
'Khushi sweetheart are you okay?'
'Yeah I'm fine Shyam. I love you.' She told him.
'Its my boarding call Khushi. I love you too. I can't wait to see you soon honey.'
Khushi put the phone down and for the first time she did something she had never done before, she prayed to her God to ward off any evil eye.
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It was an hour past the arrival time of Shyam's flight and there were no updates from him. Khushi tried calling his mobile again and it went to his voice-mail. She felt a small fear developing at the pit of her stomach. She then checked the online listings and saw that the flight was yet to land. She convinced herself that the flight might have taken off late hence the delay. She called the hotel and rearranged their reservation.
She the brewed herself some tea to calm her erratic nerves. She took the cup of tea and sat on the couch in the living room. She switched on the television which is when her land line phone rang.
'Shyam?' She asked without even checking the caller id.
'Khushi its me Payal.'
'Payal..oh. Is everything okay? We spoke only couple of hours ago.'
'Khushi what time did you say Shyam's flight was?' Payal sounded very worried.
'Why do you ask Payal. It departed from Paris at 5.30 pm.'
'Khushi switched to a news channel and through the corner of her eyes she saw a ticker, for less than a second. But that was enough time to set the alarm bells ringing.
'Khushi please check the news. There has been an explosion. Stay calm, it could be some other flight.'
At the same time Khushi's eyes connected completely with the television and she dropped the phone from her hand.
'Flight from Charles de gaulle airport in Paris to London Heathrow exploded mid-air. Search for survivors ongoing.'
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'I'm so sorry sweetheart.' George offered her a napkin to a visibly distressed Khushi who was now crying.
'I haven't seen him after he... died.' Khushi closed her eyes when she said the last word. 'I guess that's why I find it so difficult to get closure. For a long time I refused to accept that he was gone as there was no proof of his death. I felt he was probably alive, maybe injured. Or that he didn't board the flight. But eventually I had to accept the truth. That my Shyam is no more.'
'That is why I'm here. To achieve his dream.'
George cradled her head. 'I'm sorry you had to go through such a traumatic experience child. But I'm sure wherever he is, your husband is one proud man. I'm sure he is proud to see you achieve the dream you both saw together.'
George rubbed Khushi's hair soothingly. A few people had watched Khushi break down including Caroline who walked towards them. But George had motioned everyone to leave them alone.
'Will the pain go away George? Will it ever hurt less?'
'I don't know child. All I know is that life has to go on. If you want to pay tribute to the memories of someone, learn to smile through the tears, learn to remember them with a smile.'
A little while later once Khushi had calmed down, she decided to go back into her room. George offered her his hand which she accepted. He walked her out of the tea room and escorted her to the lodge.
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Arnav stood in one of the corners as he saw Khushi reveal the truth of Shyam, as she broke down, as George consoled her, as she walked away. He didn't want her to see him. He wasn't even sure if he could see himself in the mirror anymore. After he was sure that Khushi had left, he walked hurriedly to the other end of the village from where he could view the Everest.
He kicked a few stones here and there, cursed himself and then he finally let down his barriers. He broke down. He cried, he shed tears for a lost friend, for the tragedy that had struck another friend, for the not being there for either of them.
'Arnie you are my best friend. Don't so this. After Matterhorn we are all going through a difficult time. We just need to sit and talk this through. Don't cut me off.'
'Its over Shyam. I don't want to see you or Khushi anymore.'
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Time can bring you down, time can bend your knees
Time can break your heart, have you begging please, begging please
Beyond the door there's peace I'm sure
And I know there'll be no more tears in heaven
[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OACMLCLMdY[/YOUTUBE]
*Eric Clapton's Tears in Heaven
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Edited by Naach_Basanti - 12 years ago
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Geet - Hui Sabse Parayee
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