Little Red Flower
Chapter Three
Revival
Lavanya and Cammy almost ran inside the exhibition hall, followed by a smiling Khushi. They had straight gone to this Food Exhibition next to the marine drive. Her thoughts were somewhere else as her hands fumbled onto the opening of her bag. She was dying to read those letters, but it was her salary day, was the only day when, Cammy enjoyed to her heart's content without any hesitation.
Cammy's eyes twinkled in mischief as they looked at the huge chocolate chip cookie in one of the stalls. Lavanya encouraged her to have a taste of the same, while Cammy looked behind at Khushi for permission. Khushi could not help but kiss her hands and slightly pushed her inside the stall.
The man smiled at the little girl and extended a plate piled with cookies. She grinned and grabbed the same quickly. She took one small piece, stuffed the same into Khushi's mouth, and then gave one to Lavanya.
"Mumma, this is so yummy.."
She exclaimed eating hurriedly while Khushi had already bought one box of the same cookies for her. lavanya watched the mother daughter duo and sighed happily.
"What's your name baby girl?"
The shopkeeper asked pulling her chubby cheeks. Cammy smiled at the old man and wiped her smeared face while gulping down the left of crumbs.
"Chaahat... that's my name.. and yours...?"
"Thomas.."
Lavanya and Khushi had taken a seat on the bench in front of the shop while Cammy was busy eating and talking to the shop keeper. Khushi checked her wristwatch every now and then while Lavanya grabbed her fidgeting hands and looked into her eyes.
"What?"
Khushi asked smiling at her friend, while Lavanya let out a sigh at her words.
"I wanted to ask you this from so long... Why does Cammy addresses her as "Chaahat", and why not Camellia? I mean that's her official name, right?"
Khushi looked up at Lavanya with surprise and then looked at her little girl who was now inside the shop checking out other cookies after she was done with her eating. A small smile stretched on her lips and she finally met Lavanya's curious glance.
"Sister Claire...she named Cammy as Camellia then after we moved to Mumbai, she came across my diary which I wrote during my pregnancy. And I had addressed her as Chaahat the whole time, since then she started to call her as Chaahat and she told me that she loved the name better than Camellia.."
"Mumma, the man told me that there's a ferry leaving for wellington island in few minutes.. Shall we go? I have never been to that place.. Please?"
She begged with a puppy face and Khushi patted her cheeks lovingly as they all started towards the bank to have a ferry ride before leaving for their houses.
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Cammy looked around the water as the ferry moved away from the bank slowly and steadily. She beamed onto the banisters of the seats and looked at the water, which moved vigorously against the flow. Khushi had her one hand entwined with hers for safety. Although, they had worn life jackets but Khushi was little worried for her baby girl.
"My Amma, she wants to meet you.. Why don't you come over to my house this Sunday?"
Lavanya asked thoughtfully as she paid the ferryman. Khushi looked little nervous after hearing Lavanya's request. She was confused and she could not just refuse Lavanya when she is so caring and attached to both her and her daughter.
"Mumma, can I go upstairs? There are so many kids...who are..."
She trailed away as her eyes caught the vision of the man who was been haunting her dreams now a days. She blinked once, twice and thrice but he was not disappearing. Usually the blinking part worked when she was confused about someone being in front of her, when they really were not there. She looked at her mother, who was looking at her curiously then at the man who was now climbing the steps to reach the upper deck.
"Go.. and be careful sweety.."
Khushi said taking her school bag while she shook the same vigorously to get it off her shoulders.
"Thanks, Mumma..."
She cooed and ran towards the steps while Lavanya followed her.
"I'll be back.. You are not getting bored, are you?"
Lavanya asked waggling her eyebrows at Khushi and she nodded smiling at her friend. Lavanya took Cammy's hand in hers and walked slowly to the edge. Cammy was however not excited about reaching the deck as she had other plans or person to pursue. She looked around to find a glimpse of him and found him standing at one of the corners, leaning onto the ropes.
She quickly withdrew her hand from Lavanya's hold and ran towards him.
"Cammy...careful honey..."
Lavanya said running behind her while Cammy stood next to a man, wearing a white shirt and a dark pants. Aviators hid his eyes from her and he was staring down at Cammy who was smiling at him, in recognition.
"Hello..Mr. Raizada.."
"And you are Chaahat Gupta, if I am not wrong.."
He added bending in front of her to have a face-to-face conversation with the little girl. Arnav felt his tension subsiding at the mere sight of the girl. She was smiling at him and he was been reminded of Khushi, her smile and the twinkle in her eyes when she smiled without any worries in her hazel eyes.
"You remember me? I thought..."
"Of course I remember you..."
He said poking her nose with his index finger while Cammy giggled. Lavanya stood there watching the too with an incredulous expression on her face. They seemed like forgot her presence and were busy in each other. In addition, damn, does not Cammy's gestures similar to the man in front of her. They looked so alike when they talked and conversed to others. The actions and movements of their hands, the emotions on their faces was very similar. It was as if they both belong to each other.
As far as Lavanya knew Khushi and Cammy had came to Kochi for the first time. And she seriously does not had any idea that they had been into some sort of friendship with anyone at this new place.
But looking at Cammy and the man who was talking to her, well they seemed like they have known each other from years. Is it possible that, the man is Cammy's long lost uncle or something? Or...Or..? Ohmigod, this can't be..!
"Why is your aunty calling you as Cammy? Is that your nick name?"
Arnav asked smiling at the girl while she scrunched her nose cutely at him.
"Yes, that's my nick name... My mumma calls me Cammy but I love calling myself, as "Chaahat"well my real name is"Camellia is not it super cool to have so many names? Tell me about your nick names that everyone calls you and tell me which one you like the most?"
Cammy asked in one breath and Arnav found it really hard not to smile at her cuteness. She talked a lot, just like.. he stopped his train of thoughts and concentrated on her question.
"Well, I too have got so many names, like My real name is Arnav Singh Raizada, my di and other family members calls me as "Chottey" while my employees addresses me as "ASR" and Khushi calls me as "Arnav ji" sometimes she used to call me as "Laad Governor" especially then, when I am unbelievably grumpy.."
Arnav was surprised at himself and his slip of words about Khushi. he had long stopped mentioning or sharing anything about her for his own good as it only made his sad and vulnerable.
Cammy looked at his calm and happy face when he mentioned a certain "Khushi" with a dreamy look in his eyes. lavanya was shocked to hear the same and she looked curiously at them both, her eyes faltering at Arnav and Cammy who were sitting on the ground, facing each other.
"...does that mean..?"
She trailed away and turned around to leave from there, when she spotted Khushi standing at the door and watching Arnav and Cammy sitting cross-legged on the floor talking to each other. Her eyes brimmed with unshed tears and she climbed down the steps in hurry.
Lavanya ran behind her downstairs all the while looking back at Cammy who was busy conversing with Arnav, probably her father. But why Khushi is running away from him, when she have finally, almost met him after years of separation? She was confused beyond words at Khushi's sudden escape from there.
"Khushi, wait.."
Lavanya yelled at her while she ran towards the crowd of people who were standing watching the ferry getting close to the island.
"Please.. leave me alone..."
Khushi whispered and Lavanya's hands stopped in mid air as she tried to touch her friend's shoulders. Lavanya left from there without any words. She went straight to the deck where Cammy was busy with her father.
"Do you want some cookies we bought from the exhibition? My mumma has it, I will just go and grab some for you.."
She said standing up and before she could leave from there, Arnav caught hold of her hands and stopped her.
"I can't have cookies.. I am diabetic.."
He said sadly and Cammy's heart went out for him.
"Ohh.. that's terrible..."
She said sitting next to him as they watched the now close island visible to their eyes.
"Cammy, Mumma's calling you..."
Lavanya said avoiding meeting Arnav's gaze as Cammy stood up abruptly and walked towards her.
"I will just go... she might be worried for me..."
Cammy said walking downstairs while Lavanya stood the ground little hesitantly and looked back at him with a different look in her eyes. arnav found her looking at him and he passed a smile before turning on his heels to the other stairs to get down from the ferry.
"Bye.. Arnav..."
Cammy smiled looking at him and he smiled back.
"Bye... Chaahat..."
_____________
Cammy ran towards Khushi while she was sitting on the same seat when Cammy had left. She frowned and looked at her mother's pale face.
"Mumma, aap theekh ho?"
She asked touching her mother's cheeks lovingly while Khushi met her gaze and covered her hands with hers, squeezing it lightly.
"I am good baby... Would you mind going with La while Mumma rested her for few minutes.. Mumma's head is aching a bit..."
Cammy touched her forehead instantly and her face fell looking at Khushi's masked emotions. She knew her mother is hiding something from her, but she thought of not pushing her further as they were in a public place and she does not want her mother to be embarrassed in front of strangers.
"Are you sure, that you will be fine... I will sit with you.."
Khushi patted her cheeks and urged her to go with Lavanya to see the island around. Lavanya was watching Khushi's face closely as her eyes conveyed the pain she was going through after seeing him.
"Khushi, don't do this..."
Lavanya said before leaving with Cammy to the doors and Khushi leaned back onto the seat. Her eyes closed.
"Arnav nahi aayega, use sab pata chal gaya hai..."
"Titaliya, chalo ghar chalte hain.."
"Khushi, please sambhalo apne aapko.."
"Nahi jiji, wohh zaroor aayenge... hamein bharosa hain... Arnav ji zaroor aayenge..."
Khushi's head throbbed with the images of her past. The night when she lost everything, her Arnav ji. He never came; her love lost the battle with his horrible past. Thus, she left him...for better or for worse.
Amma and Buaji had screamed at her, as she left from there, not really hearing their pleading words at her. only one thing, boomed inside her head as she walked out of her own wedding.
"Main tumhare bina nahi jee paonga..."
________________
Everyone boarded back to the ferry except for those people who lived in the island. Arnav had watched Cammy in amusement as she jumped up and down in the white sands of the island. He, without his knowing had clicked few pictures of her in his phone. He liked the kid, and felt a strong connection with her. her talks, her laughs, the twinkle in her eyes, everything reminded him of Khushi.
But why? The question left unanswered in his mind as they finally reached the marine drive and started climbing down from the ferry. His eyes caught Cammy one more time as she grabbed onto a woman's hands and walked towards the auto rickshaw stand followed by the lady who was been with her.
He watched them curiously, his eyes never leaving the trio as Cammy and her mother climbed inside one while Lavanya waved at them. He felt the whole air inside his lungs been knocked out of him as he watched the woman's face, who was probably Chaahat's mother.
He almost ran to the stand but to his hard luck the auto had already disappeared into the side way. He covered his face in his palms, breathing heavily.
"Khushi?"
He said to himself as he tried to digest the fact that it was indeed her, whom he saw few seconds ago, leaving with Chaahat. His head throbbed with utter disappointment for not having to stop her before she left.
"But how is it possible? Khushi and here, in Kochi?"
He thought out loud resting his head onto his car while he sensed a tap on his shoulder. He squeezed shut his eyes, praying that it was her, it was his Khushi who's standing behind him. his mind had started making every possible/impossible ways of making her realize that he was indeed guilty for that night. For not showing up for their dream wedding. for letting her down in front of the society.
"Please be there.. don't disappear.. please god, don't make this a dream like every time.."
He pleaded and turned to the person who was standing there, her arms crossed over her chest. A smile plastered onto her face. He gulped hard and looked at the woman, the same woman who was with Chaahat all the time.
"Hi, I am Lavanya... Khushi's friend..."
_____________
Khushi hurried with the shopping of vegetables and provisions while Cammy looked at her mother, with a confused glint in her warm eyes. she tried asking her mother as why she was hurrying with everything, but she had kept mum at her questions.
"Mumma, tomorrow is a Sunday, in case you have forgotten we don't have school and office..then why is the hurry?"
She asked crossing her arms over her chest while Khushi dumped the items onto the counter for billing.
"Cammy, I have so many paper works pending for Monday and I don't want to miss out on my work... now stop behaving like a whining child and go grab two sandwiches from the bakery, will you? I know you might be hungry..."
Khushi added and Cammy left from there stomping onto her legs. She knew her mother is upset about something, hence the covering up task. Busying her with things, hurrying with everything she did and finally yet importantly, scolding her precious daughter.
Khushi's mind was still disturbed with his thoughts and the way Cammy was comfortable talking to him on the deck. Moreover, she had seen him leaning onto his car as they had left from there, hiring an auto before it's too late.
Her heart had constricted at the thought of going away from him, and at the same time, she was scared of him coming for her, chasing her and her daughter and ruining their life once again. She never wanted to be a burden on anyone, now that she has moved on, why was he even here, at the first place.
Does he know that I am here?
"Mumma, there's no mushroom sandwich... can I have a cheese pizza for dinner, tonight?"
"Okay, go and get it fast..The billing is almost done.."
Khushi said absent-mindedly while Cammy left from there, jumping on her heels.
____________
Cammy's eyes were glued to the tv screen as it was a Saturday and the channels were playing all those animated movies in the evening. She was surfing through every movie channel watching all those movies one by one during breaks and Khushi gor tired of her antics.
Her mind, was however thinking about the envelope Ms. Samuels had given her. she knew the letter is going to make her cry, but it was the only relief for her lonely life. few words from her loved ones.
He closed the door of the kitchen and sunk onto the floor holding the envelopes in her hand. She drew in a long breath and opened the first one.
It had a picture of Khushboo. Standing in front of the gate of "Gomti Sadan". She was smiling and she had this cutest of two ponytails hanging onto her sides. Khushi caressed her face with her fingers and kissed it before sliding it back inside the envelope.
Next was the letter she was anticipating to read from past few hours. She opened it slowly and felt her eyes moistening instantly. It had the fragrance of pure ghee and the unique fragrance of her house in Lucknow. Her heart soared at the thought of her house and she wiped her face vigorously.
Khushi, why did not you inform me about your transfer to Kochi? I was hell worried when I did not get the reply to my earlier letter.
Hope everything is fine with you. Like everytime, I am begging you to make an email account, so that we can talk through mails. This letter thingy is getting onto my nerves.
Akash is off for a conference at Srinagar will be back next week.Amma, Bauji an Buaji everyone is doing great. We are planning to open a separate chaat corner inside out sweet shop. is not is super cool? If only, you two were here. Well, I don't want to make you cry with my words. Lets change the topic.
Khushboo..she is naughty like always she kept asking me as where are you and her Chaahat di and when are you coming here to meet her. silly girl, I know right!
Why are you sending back my drafts? Why are you so stubborn , woman?
And I got the picture of Chaahat you had send me last time. She is very beautiful, and she has got your eyes, Khushi.
Take care of her and yourself.
I hope you will come back to us one day and we will all be together like old times.
Love you loads.
Tumhari
Jiji.
___________
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