Part 66:

Everybody stood there shockingly seeing the retreating figure of Arnav.

When they looked back at Khushi, they found Khushi knocked out. DS ran to her and held her tightly on her back with one hand and tried to wake her by patting her cheeks with another. Kruthi called their doctor and informed Khushi's condition.

After nearly half an hour, everybody sat and stood in living room, waiting for doctor to check Khushi. Aman informed Arnav about Khushi; who came immediately back to home.

After waiting for like a lifetime, doctor came out of the room. Everybody rushed to him but after Arnav.

"Doctor, how is Khushi?"

Doctor looked at DS and said "I already said that to take care of her. I already warned you not to give her tension or stress. You gave me your word to take care of her. Then what's wrong with you DS? Why couldn't you guys take care of your sister? How can you leave her like that? Didn't you remember, recently she suffered a panic attack? Didn't I say to you that you shouldn't give her any stress?"

Doctor – DS's friend – is tensed about Khushi's state. It's not at all good for her.

"What's wrong with her?" asked Aman

"After coming back from her coma; when she got to know about her family's death, she was depressed. That depression is really serious, for which we had to admit her in hospital. She lost her hope of living. It took really a lot time and effort to the doctors to get her back. She used to get nightmares everyday night with her family dying in accident. In fact still she gets in sometimes. She was for almost half year and few more days in her hospitalization and medication. After that she became somewhat better. But suddenly after two or three months again her health got worsened. So, we had to start the medication again. By God' grace. These days she is getting little better in occupying herself in work. But when she saw you all, I think she remembered everything again and it affected. That is the reason she couldn't contact you guys. When she tried she couldn't get any response from your numbers. Every time, when she used to get the nightmares; she used to say – "Aman Bhai, Arnav Ji" to control her fears. She used to find her solace and strength with thought of you guys and sleep. But I never knew that Aman Bhai and Arnav Ji will turn into you guys. She missed you a lot Arnav and Aman. She really needed you and still needs you" said DS

Hearing DS's voice everyone felt sad thinking about Khushi. Their eyes welled up with tears thinking how much Khushi suffered. Arnav cursed himself for venting her out with his frustration and loss.

"Can I meet her doctor?" asked Arnav

"Of course you can, but please don't disturb her and don't make her tensed or stressed. It's not at all good for her. I will take your leave now. Don't worry; she will be okay in few hours. I gave her sedatives. She will sleep for some time and will wake up" assuring them doctor left from there.

After Arnav everybody entered into the room and sat there silently waiting for Khushi to awake, but after waiting for long and feeling really exhausted Arnav made them go to their rooms and assured them she will be fine with him. He caressed her cheeks and hair

"I'm sorry for not being with you when you needed. And I'm sorry for shouting at you. I'm sorry my Angel. I'm sorry" He kissed her forehead and pecked on her lips lightly.

It's nearly 10 in the night, when Anjali came there with food for Arnav. She forced him when he rejected to take the food saying Khushi needs him once she comes to conscious.

"Di... can you ask Aman to call Shyam Bhai to come here immediately? He needs to be here to meet his sister. They both need each other. They deserve this. And please ask him not to mention about Khushi. Tell him to put some excuse like some office related issue. Please Di... I want to give surprise to both the siblings" nodding her head Anjali pattered his cheeks lovingly.

After Anjali went out, he settled himself on the couch to rest for a while, but drifted into a deep sleep immediately.

************

When the clock ticked at 2 in the night, he felt some weight on him. He tried to stir in sleep but he couldn't. To know what hindrance making him stiff, he opened his eyes to see his Angel sleeping on him on the couch. When he tried to move he heard her saying

"Please... Don't move Arnav Ji... let me feel you. Let my heart believe that you are here indeed. Please..." her voice is a whisper.

"Shh... Angel... Not here. You won't be comfortable on this couch. Let's go to bed now. You need to be comfortable" with that he took her in his arms and made her lay on the bed. When he took her side, she immediately hugged him not letting him to move an inch.

They lied like that for long time not talking anything, feeling each other's presence while closing their eyes. They missed each other. They want to compensate those two years of time of missing each other. They want to live those moments. They want to live those two years of time – together...

"I lost my family" she said suddenly in low whisper which made Arnav's hold on her getting tight.

"I lost my complete family" her voice is shivering

Arnav didn't say anything. He wanted Khushi to vent her pain out. So, he waited for her to say. He gave her much needed support by assuring her with rubbing her back

She told everything about the accident, losing her family and Mr. Malhotra – whom she found as a good man. She also shared the reason for not contacting him immediately, about her condition after accident, she getting hurt, coming to Sydney in coma and getting cured. DS and Kruthi's support and their care and how much she is lucky to have them.

"I lost everyone, but I lived with the hope that one day I will get you, I could meet you. I tried a lot to talk with you and Aman Bhai. But all my calls went unattended and sometimes went not reachable and I didn't get your phones. I thought you both changed your numbers. I lost every hope of coming to you... when... when..." she tightened her hold on him not letting him to move

Feeling her tight hug, Arnav felt something bothering her strongly. He also hugged her tightly

"When what Angel? Come on tell me, what's bothering you?"

"When I saw your engagement news, I lost all the hopes. I was shattered"

"But it's not true Khushi. Trust me, it's Di who did that. She wanted me to move on in my life. I never accepted her and I fought with them and stopped talking with them. Trust me Khushi... it's not true... I love you and only you... there is no any other girl in my life except you. Trust me Khushi... I'm..." he is tensed to know what made Khushi bother.

"Sh... I know... I know... I understood that when Aman Bhai asked me to look at MY Arnav Ji and when he told me that my Arnav Ji is waiting for me. But when I saw the news it affected me a lot. I got again depressed and had to take the medication. But that time, my body couldn't help me with. I was too weak to stand up. Only DS Bhai and Bhabhi helped me a lot. Arnav Ji... If you go like today's morning and leave me, then there is no need to me to live. I will die..."

"SHUT UP... JUST SHUT UP... STOP THIS NONSENSE KHUSHI... I'm not going to leave you this time. Whatever we faced, how much we suffered and how much we missed each other, are enough. I can't lose you again. DON'T DARE TO LEAVE. DO YOU UNDERSTAND? IF YOU LEAVE ME..., THEN I WILL... I WILL..." he sighed in defeat and said "Please Khushi, don't leave me. Please... I can't live without you. Oh Khushi... I missed you a lot." He kissed her forehead feeling Khushi in his arms after a long two years of wait. "I knew you were alive somewhere. I fought with my family when they tried to fix my marriage. I was living my life without my soul Khushi. I wanted you beside me, I needed you when I felt alone, I needed you when I took my dad's business, I needed you when Di and Aman married, I needed you when Akash and Payal got married" Khushi's eyes widened with Akash and Payal's marriage. Smiling at her expression "And one more news for you... NK and Lavanya got engaged"

That was more than enough to Khushi to jump into sitting position. "WHAT??? NK and Lavanya got engaged? Who are they? I mean who is the girl for NK, is she your relative or is he in love? And Lavanya too, who is that lucky man?"

Understanding Khushi didn't get the point Arnav said again "My innocent Angel... NK and Lavanya got engaged to each other. They love each other"

"WHAT!!! They love each other? They didn't say anything about this. But you know I had my doubts seeing NK Ji looking at Lavanya. There was something on his eyes"

Arnav rose his eyebrow "If you know that NK had something for Lavanya, then why you did ask who is the girl?" he asked smirking

"I... I...I couldn't understand that time. But I'm so happy for all. Thank you Devi Mayya... thanks for making everyone happy. Please give us your blessings all the time" she skipped Arnav's question and continued her blabbering after a long time.

Arnav, who is watching her longingly, thought 'How can someone this much innocent and selfless? When she lost her complete family still she is thanking God and asking for everyone's happiness' He hugged Khushi suddenly making her surprise.

"Arnav Ji..."

"I can't believe I'm with you Khushi. I missed you so much. It's really difficult for me to live without you. Thank god, at last I found you"

Khushi felt some wetness on her shoulder. Khushi came out of the hug and cupped his face seeing the tears in his eyes "Arnav Ji??"

Shaking his head "Let me talk Khushi... let me tell you how much I missed you. Let me come out from the pain I'm feeling inside my heart. Let my heart believe that you are here with me. Please Khushi... please..." he requested Khushi, looking into her eyes closely

"I'm here Arnav Ji, with you... in your arms. I'm not going to leave you now. Relax... I'm here..." she held his hands and kept her head on his lap. "You know Arnav Ji... I felt really scared when I found the car falling into slopes. I was scared to see front. But when I turn back I saw Bhai and jiju in bus, which was the reason for the accident, immediately I understood it's something to do with that Malhotras. You know Arnav Ji; they fooled my family showing that Rahul as you. They threatened me, if I didn't marry Rahul; they will kill you and Aman Bhai and will make whole family suffer. I tried calling you. But you were busy in your YF. I couldn't understand what to do. You know they kept some man to follow your and Aman Bhai's each step. They only mentioned that you are coming to Mumbai. I felt a strong strength knowing you are coming. But whatever happened after..."

Arnav cut her not allowing her to talk.

"Shh... Khushi... That Mohini is over now. She is living her life like hell. I arranged her that life. She won't dare to come to our lives again. Don't worry; I will make sure that she won't disturb you again"

"What? How do you know that is Mohini? And how, what and why you did to her?"

Smiling at Khushi, he said "You will know tomorrow. And what was that question Khushi? Do you think I will leave the person who made my life hell? I will leave the person who took my Khushi away from me? Do you really think I'm that much soft? You know, I'm not Arnav anymore. I'm ASR now. Everybody scares to look into my eyes. I'm ruling the fashion world now. This two years of separation from you made me a machine Khushi. I became rude, arrogant, ruthless monster, a heartless man to everyone. But do you know the reason for my success Khushi?" he looked into her eyes. He continued when he saw her shaking her head in no "YOU... you are the reason for my success."

"How?" asked Khushi surprisingly and confusingly

"because, at start I couldn't concentrate on work. But suddenly a thought came into my mind, a thought that – what if Khushi comes back sees me unsuccessful? What if Khushi doesn't like me as a loser? – That's it. I'm here as what I'm now – a successful businessman. Are you happy Khushi? Are you happy with me? Did I disappoint you? Will you accept me as a rude, arrogant and ruthless monster?"

"Maybe you are a rude, arrogant and ruthless monster and a heartless man to the world. But for me, you are always MY ARNAV JI... nobody can change this fact. I'm living for you. I will live for you. Nobody, except you, can separate me from you. I love you Arnav Ji..."

"What do you mean except me? Do you think I will let you go, that too after you went away from me for two damn years? It's in your dreams Ms. Sankadevi"

Khushi opened her mouth and eyes widely looking at him shockingly, which make Arnav chuckle. He pinched her cheeks and kissed her nose. He hugged her tightly and kept his cheek on her head.

Seeing the changing color of sky and looking at the clock showing 5 in the morning Arnav helped Khushi on bed making her lay "We will talk everything later. Okay? You sleep now, you need rest"

"Arnav Ji..."

"I'm here only Khushi. I'm not going anywhere, now you sleep" he lied next to her taking her in his arms. Few seconds later they both shifted into sleep.

It's almost half past 12 when Khushi woke up. She looked around to find Arnav. Not seeing him next to her on her bed, she thought she might have dreamt of him. The thought of not having him in reality made her panicked, she sat on bed with a jerk calling her "Arnav Ji" tension and worry is clear in her voice

When Arnav heard Khushi worried voice, he is there besides her in a second and assured her by hugging her tightly "Khushi... I'm here. Don't worry; I'm here... relax..."

Khushi's eyes brimmed with tears. She said in a choked voice

"I thought... like always... you were a dream. I thought I dreamt about you again. I thought..."

"Shh... Khushi... I'm here now. For real, I'm here with you, holding you in my arms. Okay? Just relax..." he tried to sooth her tension, understanding what she went through.

She stayed there in Arnav's arms for long making her heart believe that her Arnav Ji is indeed with her. She looked at Arnav when he called her with so much love and longing

"Khushi... you should freshen up and eat something now. You need to take medicine also"

"Please Arnav Ji... let me..."

"Come on you lazy bones... enough of your sleep and laziness. Do you know what time it is? It's almost two in afternoon"

"What? It's 2? Then why didn't you wake me up?"

"Come on... Here I'm waiting for this princess to wake up and make me eat some food, but she is all care for the time. From morning onwards I'm trying to wake you up. But you... slept like; you lost your conscious. And what was that pose? Are you going to any taekwondo classes?"

"Arnav Ji..." pleaded Khushi feeling extremely shy and embarrassed.

Seeing her flushed face, Arnav smiled lovingly at her and said "Come on... freshen up now. We have to take medicine. I know you are hungry; because I'm hungry too... let's have our lunch together. It's been long" he caressed her face

"Give me two minutes. I will be back" saying Khushi rushed to her washroom

When they came to dining table, Khushi got overwhelmed by seeing the food on the table. Immediately she sat on the chair and

"JILEBIIIIIIIII!! OH MY GOD... JILEBIIII... Bhabhi... who made these? Oh My God... Arnav Ji... Jilebi... hmmm... mmmm... so... yummy... hmmm" she moaned in pleasure tasting her favorite sweet after a long period of two years.

"Stop making those sounds, or else don't blame for the things I do with you" whispered Arnav in Khushi's ear making her turned into tomato red. Seeing the effect he had on her still, he felt proud and immense love towards Khushi. He held her hand and feed her with his own hands.

After having a romantic, peaceful and healthy lunch everybody sat in the living room.

"Where are NK Ji and Akash Ji? I want to congratulate them. Payal and Lavanya..., congrats for your marriage and engagement. I'm so happy for you. I wish you a happy marriage life" she went to them and hugged them showing her happiness.

When she sat beside Arnav, Aman came and sat next to her taking her hands in his "Choti... how are you feeling now?"

Resting her head on his shoulder "I'm perfectly fine Bhai. And when Arnav Ji and you are with me, then what will happen to me? Don't worry Bhai, I'm really fine" said Khushi trying to cheer everyone in the room

"I'm sorry for not being with you when you needed us most. If we were there, all these wouldn't have happened. Sorry for your loss"

"It's okay Bhai... it meant to be. If you were there also it would have happen. Don't blame yourself, where there is no mistake of yours. Till now, I'm adjusting to the truth that I don't have anyone in this world, except DS Bhai and Bhabhi. But when I saw you all, I thought I got my family back. I got my Arnav Ji back" she looked at Arnav who held her hand pressing her lightly "I got my Bhai back" she held Aman's hand "Now, I'm so happy. I don't have any grudges about anything or anyone. I'm living my life with whatever it comes in my way and whatever my fate offers to me. I can't blame anyone for my loss Bhai. Don't worry; I will be completely fine with Arnav Ji's support. I'm so happy to get you all back. I'm lucky..." both Arnav and Aman hugged her sideways.

They sat there for hours talking till the evening tea time. Khushi felt restless and wanted to take rest. She excused herself saying she needs the rest. Arnav got up and walked behind her to accompany her to the room. He doesn't want to stay away from her, not even for a second. He doesn't want to leave her for a fraction of second also. When she is going to her room, the doorbell rang and Payal said "Maybe it's Akash. He said he will be back in some time."

A very over excited Khushi took the responsibility of opening the door and opportunity to wish Akash and NK. She went to the door and opened with a big smile on her face. But what she saw on the door made her numb. Seeing the person at the door, Arnav immediately went to Khushi and held her tightly. Seeing her frozen body Arnav shook her little to bring her back from the shock

"Pooh..."

"Bhai..."

Both siblings whispered in their low voice, not believing what they are seeing and whom they are seeing.

... to be continued