ARHI SS : Trapped-Thread 1 - Page 31

When Arnav drove down to the cafe to meet Ria, it was late afternoon. She was dressed to kill, he noted absently and was mildly surprised. Why? She had always met him in casual attire. Was she going somewhere else.

He was further surprised when she hugged him and greeted him with a soft kiss on the cheek.

Once they were seated Ria began the conversation 'So how is married life?'

'It has hardly been two days,' he answered, with a mild laugh.

'So, why didn't you go for a honeymoon , or is it at home?' Ria asked.

Arnav ignored her question and concentrated on the menu.

'What do you want to order Ria?' he asked,' The same old cold coffee and sub?"

'You know me so well Arnav. You don't even have to ask me,' she smiled across the table. Arnav gave a trace of a smile and went back to the menu.

His mind began to wonder back to Khushi. Did she have lunch? Was it wise to go out when she was sick? Should he have stopped her? He shook his head and tried to get back to focus with Ria.

'So tell me Ria, what was so important that you pulled a newly married man out of his honeymoon?' he teased.

Ria's face instantly lost color. But she recovered and continued,

'It's about the new project that Dad wants me to work on. Mainly catering to advertising for NGOs. You know they are low on funds and they cant advertise much. I want to help them.'

Instantly, Arnav's heart warmed towards the girl sitting opposite him. She was so caring towards the under privileged. Perhaps it came with being wealthy and having everything. Still it was a rare quality, unlike many girls he knew.

His thoughts went back to Khushi. He remembered a conversation with her about the poor and underprivileged----

So what had changed? Why had she changed so much?

Again he tried to get back to the present and continue the conversation with Ria.

'Sure Ria. So what ideas do you need from me?' he asked.

'I need to know how to get the ads into all the big publications and media houses, with less cost. How do I do it?' she asked.

Arnav began discussing the various methods and soon he lost track of time as his favourtie subject took over his mind---

The peace and quiet in the temple soothed her wounded soul.

She felt she did not have a single soul in the world except the one who had made her-Her Devi Maiya.

Luckily the temple was not crowded.

She sat in a corner and lost herself in the peace and quiet.

She prayed.

She cried.

She prayed again.

She cried again.

She had nothing else to do but cry at her fate to God.

'No one understands me Ma. No one knows why I said all those things about Arnav. Why I had to marry him.

And sad part is, no one will ever know.

I can't tell them and no one else will tell them.

So, looks like it is you and me for company Ma,' she said looking at her favorite dieity.

She continued her monologue with her Devi Maiya as she wanted to talk and she had no one else to talk to and this gave her a lot of peace.

'I did it out of love for them

But they wont realize it Ma.

And when they do realize it, if they ever come to know, wonder if it will matter, because I feel that the words they have said won't ever fade from my heart and thoughts.

Give me the ability to forgive and forget.

Give me the will power to live.

Give me a reason to look forward to a new day,' she prayed.

Just then she heard a soft voice behind her. It was an elderly lady standing behind her.

'Beta, you look troubled. Woud you want to join the bhajan (devotional songs) and satsang (spiritual discourse) today. It may help you deal with whatever you are going through.

You can also help us do some flower decorations for God.'

Khushi smiled back at the warm woman. It had been days since someone had even spoken nicely to her. She felt warm and good, a feeling which would disappear if she went home.

'Sure. I will help and also attend the bhajan and satsang ammaji' Khushi said.

Time seemed to fly as Khushi helped the older ladies do the decorations. The small chit chats between the woman, the divine atmosphere, their devotion and love, everything mesmerized Khushi.

The temple got crowded as the bhajan started and Khushi completely forgot herself in the spiritual rapture, shutting her mind to her husband, her parents, her problems and the world outside---

When Arnav came home it was nearly 6.45 pm. He had tried to get off earlier, but Ria had been persistent, first with her plans, then with her questions and then a request to accompany her to a nearby shopping mall for some shopping. He had tried his best to wriggle out politely, but she had been persistent. The thought of going home and facing Khushi's hurt face was not tempting. So, he let himself be persuaded.

He was sure she would be back. But he was surprised to see no signs of her. He looked all around the house. He was quite fed up of doing this every day.

But the house was silent and all the rooms were empty. Exasperated and a little worried, he tried her number. It rang multiple times, but she did not pick up.

She may be on her way, he thought and decided to wait for some more time.

He called again at 8.00.

When she still did not pick up, worry took over completely.

Manically he tried her number. But there was no response, no matter how many times he tried.

It was past 9 now.

He had no clue about her friends. He had contemplated calling her parents, even though he knew they were not in talking terms and she would not be there. But he decided against it as they may panic.

When Khushi came out of her spiritual rapture she looked at the time. It was 9.30! Shocked she got up, looking for her wallet which also had her mobile. It was missing. Desperately she searched for both. But in the crowd, it was impossible to find.

She must have kept it next to her and in the crowd it was jostled around and went missing.

Frantically she tried searching again, realizing she was fast losing time. It was getting late and was not safe. Moreover Arnav may be back. Though she really did not think he would be frantic with worry, she did not want to be a nuisance either. Only yesterday she had made him run to the hospital. She did not want him to run to the police station now.

Even the crowd had begun to leave. She had no money and no means of contacting anyone. She could call her parents. But she had her pride. Moreover, they would blame Arnav, which she did not want.

She could call Arnav but she did not remember his number completely.

She could call her friends, but again it would cast Arnav in a bad light.

She had no choice but to wait for the temple to be empty to search again.

Finally when the temple was mostly empty, Khushi tried again to find her missing wallet with mobile. With relief she spotted it in a corner. She immediately picked the phone to call Arnav, but the battery was dead.

Without wasting time she ventured out of the temple to find an auto and hailed the very next one she was, agreeing to his astronomically high rates.

Arnav had reached his wits end. He should have asked her where she was going. Stubborn girl. She never told him. Did she have money? Was she safe? A shudder went down his spine at the thought of the incidents of crimes against woman in the city.

He finally decided to go to the police.

As he was about to step out, the bell rang. Hurriedly he opened the door, only to see Khushi her head bleeding, her arms scratched and her dress slightly torn, breathing heavily as if she had been running, fling herself on him, trembling with fear,

'Don't let them get to me. Please don't----'