Chasing Dreams THd6- Link for Thd 7 on Pg 141 - Page 64

Originally posted by: Eccentrica

And I came running *hear the sound of payals* because I thought you had posted😭

Chapter 32-

Arnav adjusted Kushi's head on his shoulders so that she would feel more comfortable. They were waiting in the boarding lounge to board for their return flight to Delhi. As soon as they had sat on the plush sofas Khushi drifted off to a slumber. She knew that a busy week awaited her back in Delhi both at work and at home with Payal's wedding preparations kicking off this week.

Arnav moved a strand of hair that was falling over Kushi's eyelids making her scrunch her closed eyes in irritation. As he tucked the strand behind her ears he affectionately caressed the skin below her eyes. Kushi had looked a little tired in the morning. He was initially worried about how she would respond. Last night had been nothing short of magical but he was worried of Kushi's reactions. But Kushi had put all his fears at bay by expressing her happiness mixed with lots of coyness over the events of the past night. When Arnav tried to speak to her in the morning after kissing her awake, she had blushed a deep shade of red. She refused to look into his eyes. He had walked out of their room in the pretext of making some breakfast, to give Kushi some much needed privacy and space. Once she had showered she had come down, they ate their breakfast together. When Arnav asked her if she was okay repeatedly, she had told him point blank that she didn't regret last night one bit. That confession made Arnav relax in the knowledge that she wanted it as much as he did, and that he had not forced her or hurried her into it.

However the pleasantness of the morning was short-lived. On the way to the airport they had stopped by at a pharmacy to buy the emergency pill. The pharmacist had given Kushi a depreciating glare that made it obvious that he was judging her for purchasing the pill. Kushi though held her nerves well in front of him. She didn't want to give a stranger the pleasure of getting to her.

Are you Married?' The pharmacist asked Kushi while Arnav had stepped away to take a call.

Its none of your business. Just give the damn pill and we will be out of this place.' Arnav who had overheard the question bit out angrily.

Kushi now that we have taken a big step ahead, what are your thoughts about living together?' Arnav approached the topic cautiously as they were sitting inside the flight, en-route to Delhi.

Kushi who had a glass of Mango juice in her hand, took a sip of the juice and thought for a good few seconds before replying. Arnav I agree that this is the next logical step. But...'

And there comes the famous but...' He sought her hands and entwined his fingers with hers.

I understand Kushi, if you need more time...'

Its not about that Arnav. Its not about me anymore. I'd love for us to live together. Wake up from the same bed, fight over why the toilet seat hadn't been put down.' She added teasingly that earned a big smile from Arnav. 'Have breakast together, come back to the place we call home together, listen to music, talk without having to watch the clock.'

But there are many things I need to take care of.'

Like?' Arnav probed.

Like Payal and Aakash are getting married in a few weeks. I want to stay with her and help her through the preparations. Its also an opportunity for me to spend some quality time with her before the wedding.'

Arnav nodded his head in understanding.

And then there are my parents and family.'

'But we've discussed it already Khushi.'

'I know this is a sensitive topic. I have always told you its not going to be straightforward. It is going to take a while, probably a few months before I can speak about us to my parents.'

When she saw Arnav's guarded expressions she added, Arnav my folks lead their life in a simple, conventional way. To them marriage is the only way a man and woman can live together. They don't understand or appreciate the concept of live-in relationships. So not only do I have to explain a concept that is alien to them, but I also have to let them know that it is their own daughter who has made this choice.'

Kushi added as an after-thought.Don't get me wrong, I wont be surprised if they decide to cut off all their ties with me.' The very thought scared her. She wasn't even as much worried about her parents screaming at her, but she could never fathom a life without staying connected to them.

Dont be crazy.' Arnav stopped her. They will do no such thing. I will make sure nothing like that happens.'

Kushi if it is this difficult, then let it be. If you don't even want to admit our relationship to your parents Im fine with it.' He said softly surprised at what he had said. He had come to realise that Kushi was making way too many sacrifices and if withholding the truth would make things easier on her, so be it.

When Kushi smiled at him he added And should you decide to tell them about us, I will be there with you. If anyone needs to take responsibility for our living arrangement & our relationship it will be me.'

Kushi leaned in on his chest. No Arnav WE have to do this together whenever the right time comes. Not just you.'

She then raised her face to look at him. 'Here is what I want to do. After Payal's wedding, I will move into your apartment. But I won't let go of the place I share with Payal. At least this way I will have my bases covered. My family will also not be too concerned.'

Arnav remained silent and then added. I'm sorry Kushi, you have to go through so much because of me.'

Arnav, dont!' She placed her fingers on his lips, trying to make him stop. 'Its not like you forced me to this. I made a choice and I will stand by it.'

The spent the reminder of the flight journey in self introspection. With Arnav wondering if he was being unfair to Kushi. And with Kushi wondering if there would ever be a right time to speak to her parents.

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It had been three weeks since their return from Manali, three weeks of complete bliss where Arnav and Kushi were concerned. Kushi was surprised to find that their new found intimacy had further strengthened their relationship, a concept she used to rubbish earlier. As it was with most couples who had discovered mutual passion and need for each other, Arnav and Kushi could hardly keep apart since their first time in Manali. They spent every single moment of their free time together. Even while they were at work, they managed to steal a few private moments together. The innocent touches, the quicks pecks, the teasing phone messages and a few stolen moments in the elevator that seemed to have a big hand to play in the way their love story shaped up, made them both feel they were living a dream.

Kushi who had been initially shy and sometimes even embarrassed was slowly getting more comfortable and confident while they were intimate. She had understood and embraced their intimacy whole heartedly. She started to look forward to their time together. She started experimenting with the clothes she wore, eagerly awaiting Arnav's reactions. She was shocked at how Arnav had been able to do what he did to her, and make her respond without anything holding her back. But beyond all of the teasing and intimacy what really lit her days up was the way in which Arnav would whisper her name in her ears as he came apart.

Arnav on the other hand was no novice, but making love to Kushi had been a completely new experience to him. Kushi was very different from the women he had been with previously, with almost no experience in physical intimacy. But he slowly realised that he was much new to this as Kushi. He had never realised what it meant to connect at such a deep emotional level while making love to a woman. When Kushi whispered his name in the throes of passion and told him how much she loved him, he had felt an overwhelming sense of peace and love for her. While they were together he realised that she was meant to be with him only him and he was meant to be with her, only her, and there could never be anyone else. And all this was new to a man who could always keep sex separate from emotions.

As Arnav and Kushi lay on his bed on a lazy Saturday evening after satiating the need of their bodies, Arnav took Kushi's hands and held it within his own hands as Kushi moved her head to place it on his chest. There was something very warm and fuzzy about the things they did after they made love, making them both realise that the base of their relationship was still their love for each other.

A little while later Kushi had showered and walked to the kitchen to make some tea as Arnav used the bathroom. She had come over to his apartment in the afternoon after a round of shopping with Payal. After the Manali trip she had hesitantly asked Payal to recommend a gynecologist. On being probed further Kushi had come clean with Payal and told her everything about the trip.

Payal held herself back from saying anything except for , I hope you have though through this Kushi.'

When Kushi had reassured her that this is what she wanted, Payal had helped her secure an appointment with a gynecologist she consulted and even took her to the clinic. Arnav had offered to come along with Kushi for the appointment but Kushi had put her foot down. Kushi felt that it would be inappropriate for Arnav and her to see the gynecologist together.

Kushi had shared her apprehensions regarding using birth control pills and the doctor had put her at ease by answering all her questions. After a few routine checks she had prescribed the combined pill and had reiterated the need to take it every single day.

Arnav and Kushi sat by the balconey, their favorite spot in the apartment. Kushi was looking at a video clip on her phone while Arnav was busy reading an email.

Out of nowhere Arnav asked, Did you take the pill today?'

No.' Kushi replied without looking up.

'Why? Kushi you need to take it every day.'

'Arnav I take it before I got to sleep. So there is still some time left.'

'How are the migraines, did you speak to the gynecologist?'

'I spoke to her and she told me that the migraines are possible side effects of the combined pill. And if it continues she will put me on the mini pill.'

'Okay. I hope you haven't stopped taking the pills because of your migraines. If you cant take the pill, let me know I will use condoms.'

'God! Arnav! Stop being such an arse. Why are you so fixated with the pills? You seem to ask me this question every single day.' Kushi replied sounding irritated. She had come to realise that although living with Arnav was fun, he was a bit of a control freak at times that clashed with Kushi's easy-going lifestyle. She had enough of her parents mollycoddling her for many years and she didnt want that from Arnav.

Arnav put his empty mug away. He knew he had upset Kushi. He then held Kushi's hands. Kushi there is something you must know.'

Kushi listened intently.

'We had been together for nearly six months. Amy was on the pill.' He stopped to look for Kushi's reactions. It was never easy for any person to her that their partner was sexually active with another person in the past.

'One fine day she called me to tell me that she was in the hospital. She had been bleeding heavily and in the hospital she had found out that she had undergone what they term medically a chemical pregnancy.'

'Do you know what chemical pregnancy is?' Arnav took in her startled expression and continued. It is when the person undergoes a very very early miscarriage before their period is due.'

I'm so sorry Arnav. How did Amy deal with it?' Kushi asked, deciding to put her thoughts away and focus on Arnav's.

You don't have to be sorry. It is something both of us weren't prepared for. So it wasn't a big deal. Amy then told me that she had been busy with her project and may have been careless with the pill. I was very angry with her. I told her that she couldn't be that careless and put her health at risk. Also that I was just not interested in fathering a child even by mistake. After that incident we sort of drifted apart and in a couple of months Amy moved out.'

As he felt Kushi's fingers rubbing his palms he added. This is why I'm being such a pain about the pill. I don't want your health to be compromised. And given our relationship, I don't want any complications.' Kushi nodded her head without saying anything. She knew that Arnav didn't want children and their unconventional relationship meant they could never have a child. But it still caused her some hurt.

But before she could dwelve any further her phone started ringing. She excused herself to answer the call from her father.

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'What did Kushi say?' Garima asked after Sashi had ended the call.

'Nothing much. She complained of headaches and she saw a doctor about it who said it was probably due to her sinus. Other than that she has been busy with Payal's wedding preparations.'

I spoke to Payal's mother today. She would like me to accompany her to Delhi a few days before the wedding so that I can help her with the preparations.'

'Did you speak to Kushi about Avinaash?'

'After she complained of headaches, I didn't want to upset her Garima ji.'

'You did the right thing. Even if she says no to Avinaash I want to look for other suitable alliances during the wedding. Payal's mother told me that a lot of people have been invited to the wedding. There wont be a better place to meet prospective families.'

She then said with a finality in her tone. 'Kushi is nearly the same age as Payal. I would like our Kushi bitiya's wedding to be finalised during Payals' wedding.' Sashi nodded his head in agreement.

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