IPKKND-ARHI-FF - Gypsy- Chapter 42 - Page 45

There are very few people like Shashi in this world, a complete stranger but still taking up the mighty to protect a poor child...Love him...I hope arnav finds khushi and see first hand the damage he has caused her...and hope he realises his love for her

So glad there is someone out these who will protect Khushi even from the maharaja himself...love Shashi in this story. But why couldn't Khushi see that this new father figure would go to any lengths to protect her?? Really hope that she is safe.

Arnav needs to figure out the real reason why he wants to marry her...is it only to placate his family or does he really want to spend his life with Khushi, devoted to her, caring for her, protecting her? Until he figures it out, he doesn't deserve her.

Hope they find Khushi soon! Can't even imagine what it's like in the woods by yourself...poor girl must be petrified.

Chapter 27

When she had started from Baba's house, it had not been as dark as this, Khushi realized as she looked around her surroundings. The gently falling darkness was creating shadows and she had been walking slowly for quite some time now. The huge forest stretched from Thakur Alok's land and continued on to Devgarh land before finally tapering off at the point where Khushi's banjaara tribe camped each year.

With her keen banjaara sense of direction, Khushi knew she had been walking across the forest towards their campsite but she had no idea if she had crossed in Devgarh land or was she still on the Thakur Alok's land.

But whatever the case, she was tired now. Her muscles, unused to any exercise after her illness was aching and she had reached the limits of her endurance way back. It was sheer willpower that was carrying her along now. But some tiny flicker of spirit buried in her would not let up. It demanded that she not give in so easily; that she not let the Maharaja find her so easily.

Determinedly she walked on, albeit at a very slow pace until the darkness forced her to stop. Standing still, she looked around, trying to get her bearings. The area she was in had many trees growing closely together, forming a protection of its own against plain sight. Here was a place she could rest in, she realized.

She walked over to a group of trees and sank to the forest floor against the trunk of the largest one. Oh how her body ached! Khushi bit her lip so that she wouldn't cry out from the pain. Breathing harshly, she shifted and found a somewhat comfortable place against the tree trunk. She had had the foresight to bring a small blanket with her but no water or food. Thanking God for small mercies, she wrapped the blanket against her small frame and huddled against the trees to rest...

Arnav had already combed across the forest, crossing in to Devgarh land right towards the gypsy camp and now he rode back to Thakur Alok's land. Where was Khushi? Some other men had also ridden across but even though they had combed the forest, why was it that none had seen Khushi? Or was it that she had walked along the length of the forest? Dear God! If she did that, eventually she would walk to the forest end in to the desert! At night, such a prospect didn't bear thinking about. God knew what predators she might find there! Khushi was sick and tired and he didn't think she had had the foresight to pack food and water for herself. Thank heavens that there was little danger of forest animals here unless one ventured close the desert. He supposed it was some consolation that she was familiar with the forest having grown up near here and having spent a large part of her life running around these same forests.

In his search for Khushi, Arnav had ventured to the small clearing in Devgarh as well. He had stood on the edge of the clearing but refused to enter. The small place carried many memories for him and Khushi. Their small and ill-fated courtship, if it could be called that, had taken place there and it had not felt right for him to go there without Khushi. And yet, a feeling of intense disappointment had come over him for a small part of him had hoped that Khushi would have walked there to seek shelter. But then, it had been stupid of him to think that anyway! Why would his little gypsy go to a place which would hold bad memories for her! Frustrated, Arnav urged Sultan in a slow walk, looking around more carefully in case he and the other men had missed her earlier.

It seemed that the Gods were favouring Arnav this night for after a short period of darkness, the moon came out. When Arnav noticed the moonlight slowly gilding the forest, he could have cried out with joy. Thank heavens it was not completely dark now, he thought, renewing his search. He was in an area which was densely populated with trees he realized. Maybe she was here somewhere. He slowed Sultan looked around, taking a few steps in to the area.

It was then he felt something. Something that some time back, he would not have credited at all. After all, he was a well-educated man, not given to these flights of fancy! It was a small sensation at first and then, as he walked deeper in the area, it grew insistent. It was the slightly accelerated beat of his heart; a beat that picked up insistently. It was unlike anything he had ever experienced before and for a moment, he frowned in puzzlement. And then it clicked to him! Khushi! Could it be that she was near? Was she here now?

Arnav held one hand over his chest, feeling the rapid beats of his heart and looked around. Where are you my little darling? He closed his eyes for a brief second, squeezing them before he opened them again. He started taking a closer look around, slowly walking Sultan deeper and deeper. And yet, even then, he might have missed her! If not for a small spot of black that stood out amongst the green of the forest! He looked around carefully and noticed that a small spot of black stood out around the base of some large trees. He slowly walked Sultan closer to that spot and around it.

As Sultan walked around the trees, Arnav hit gold! There lying against the trunk of the large trees, wrapped in a black fabric was his little gypsy. Almost crying out in relief, he stopped Sultan completely, drinking in the sight. Khushi lay, wrapped in the blanket, against the trees. She was still, he realized. Sleeping? He hoped so! Sultan shifted slightly then and a small twig snapped under his foot.

A slight sound penetrated the uneasy haze around Khushi's mind and she shifted slightly. Her eyes fluttered open and saw the canopy of branches and leaves overhead. She was reassured at the sight, having spent many a night lying under the trees. But what was the sound that woke her up? She sat up slowly, looking around and froze!

Her worst nightmares had realized, she thought hysterically, for there, a short distance away, mounted stop Sultan stood Maharaja Arnav Singh Raizada! Run Khushi, her mind screamed. Instantly she attempted to scramble up, throwing off her blanket at the same time. But her muscles protested vigorously! Gasping with the pain of it, Khushi dropped back against the tree. But she was not done yet! She attempted to get up again, slightly slowly but surely, with one hand against the trunk for support.

Arnav saw her attempts to run away and winced. Didn't she realize that mounted on Sultan it wouldn't take him even a minute to catch her? But in the next moment, he dismissed the idea and swung down from Sultan's back. Leaving his horse to meander, he took off at a rapid pace after Khushi who was trying to run away from him!

"Khushi stop! Don't run! Khushi! Oh for heaven's sakes, Khushi stop! Oh damn!"

When he called out to her, for a moment Khushi stopped and then mentally kicking herself, she broke in a run or what passed for a run in her present state of exhaustion! But her momentary pause cost her! She didn't notice the long root of a tree in her path and tripping on it, she fell on the other side of it, a yelp of pain coming out of her mouth! His exclamation of oh damn' echoed in her head and she saw he had caught up with her.

Feeling a stinging pain in her hand, she lay winded and resignedly closed her eyes, as a feeling of intense fear engulfed her. He caught up with her!!!

Arnav knelt next to Khushi and with gentle hands, took hold of her shoulders and manoeuvred her in a sitting position. He looked in her face as he did so and noticed her closed eyes. Shaking his head grimly, he paid attention to her hands and noted a small scrape on one hand. A drop of blood had appeared on it and he whipped out his handkerchief and pressed it on her cut, wiping the blood away. It was a small cut, he realized. He used the clean side of the handkerchief and tied it on her small hand. Once that was done, Arnav looked at her face again.

"Khushi?" He murmured her name softly. Curving an arm around her shoulders, he gently shook her.

When he took her name, Khushi stiffened even more. The fear threatened to overtake her senses. Determinedly she started praying in her head to her most favourite diety. Devi Maiya, help me, she pleaded. I need strength! Please don't let me down!"

"Khushi???"

Slowly her eyes fluttered open and looked in to his caramel ones. Arnav caught his breath at the expressionless eyes that looked in to his.

"Khushi, are you all right?"

"Ji."

The soft ji' made him close his eyes. For a moment, he had not expected her to reply at all!

"Khushi, we need to go."

"Yes."

Unresistingly she allowed him to help her up and walked with him to Sultan. On the way he grabbed her blanket and wrapped it around her shoulders. She helped him with it. Arnav got on Sultan's back and lifted her up in front of him where she sat obediently. He took Sultan's reins in his hand and contemplated where to take her. Would it be better to go to Shashi Gupta's house or to Devgarh Palace? While Devgarh Palace was nearer and the route more familiar to him, she would be more comfortable in Shashi's house definitely. So Shashi Gupta's house it was, he decided.

"Khushi, let's go. Mr Gupta must be waiting. He is very worried, you know."

"Ji."

Arnav frowned at her capitulation. Was she all right, he wondered. He looked down at her small head with its cap of sleek black curls and unable to help himself, he dropped a small, barely discernible kiss on them.

"Khushi, are you sure you are all right?"

"Ji Maharaja Saheb."

Reassured at her slightly longer reply, he cantered towards Shashi Gupta's house. He arrived there shortly and almost instantly a whole host of people milled around Sultan. Dismounting, Arnav lifted Khushi off the saddle and strode inside the house with her in his arms.

Shashi was outside and rushed inside with him while Garima hurried out to greet Khushi. Setting her on the floor, Arnav looked down in to her small face. She met his gaze, once again, with blank eyes. There was something about that look, Arnav thought but what it was, he couldn't decide.

In the next instant, Khushi was caught up in Shashi Gupta's arms.

"Oh mera bachcha, where did you run off to? Are you all right?"

Khushi looked away from Arnav's compelling gaze and looked at her Baba. Yes, she had made the right decision, she decided.

"I'm all right Baba."

"Are you sure?"

"Ji."

"Thank God! Go on, go with Garima. You need to rest dear child."

"Ji."

Smiling slightly at Garima, Khushi allowed herself to be led out, throwing one last look at Arnav. She found him watching her intently and she shivered; almost. Controlling the betraying gesture, she mentally composed her features.

Bathed and fussed over, fed and bundled in bed and having solemnly promised Garima that she would not run away again, Khushi lay in the dark. She knew the way her path lay now. Baba and Maa and her own Maayi; all these lives and their well-being lay in her hands. She couldn't run anymore. She would have to face her demon head on. She would have to learn how to control her fear. She had to! Yes, she decided, that was all she had to do. She was sure that her decision, taken in a split second in the forest, was the right one...

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Wow. What a chapter. Don't leave us hanging too long! I need to know what this decision is. Please let both of their hearts soften. Nicely written. The 'visual' part of me loved the imagery.

Taken


*edited*

What eh treat to start reading at the beginning of the day! :)

Hmm this definitely is the mark of a new beginning positive hope!

It was sheer torture to read the poor girl suffer all that n then at the forest!


But it was nice to read he put her before himself!

She did the right thing by returning! And I'm sure she will come over and live!


Cheers

Nice update, all of it so visual, perfect...what decision did she make?

amazing update !! continue soon..thanks for the pm

Well now arnav khushi is so hopeless...ab kya hoga...nxt chp sooon!!!!

Awesome update.
So Arnav did find Khushi in the forest but has he really found her? No not yet and to achieve that its going take a lot more than just time. The relief he felt to have Khushi safe was palatable but he was a bit surprised at Khushi's resigned attitude to him and what he said, there was no struggle or negation of any kind, the blank look in her eyes was bothering him and he could't understand it, well that was because she had control over her expressions and schooled herself into not showing no emotions to him.

That was a wise decision on Arnav's part to bring Khushi to Shashi's house after her rescue as she would be more comfortable there with familiarity and to have Garima around as well.

Khushi has taken a decision to be strong for her loved ones and what being strong means and how she is going to go about is yet to be seen and only the time will tell but one thing was apparent that she is still not immune to Maharaja's charms without him even trying to be charming.

That was a wonderful chapter and I can't wait to know what happens next.
Please continue soon.
Thanks for the PM.

beautiful and picturesque . His fears and her fears, couldn't be more different! Her stubbornness and his' couldn't be more similar.