Chapter 44: Toward the future

Arnav immediately escort to dhruv house after lavanya fiasco. On the way driving back, his mind was playing all the harsh words he said to khushi. He ran a frustrated hand through his hairs. He increased the speed of the car. His eyes moistened and a lone tears rolled from his eyes. The way he treat with khushi was pinning him inside. He is already feeling suffocated the day he destroyed khushi but not anymore. He won't able to breathe. He might know well what he have to do next.

He stopped the car with a jerk and a white SUV halted at the entrance of Gupta mansion. He need to apologize khushi and if she won't forgive him then?  His heart clenched. He drew a sharp breathe before walking inside.

''Khushi..!!'' His eyes fell on dhruv who was sitting in the living room looking at the album with tears in his eyes. Arnav scan his eyes to search her but she is nowhere around. The moment dhruv saw him,  he took small steps and stood right in front of him. Then he noticed dhruv was watching his and khushi childhood pictures.

''Dhruv tum yeh..khushi kaha hain..'' Pushing tears roughing from his face, Dhruv angrily gripped his collar by bang the album on the desk.

''Are you not happy hurting my sister..what you doing here?'' He said out of hurt. Arnav was in no term to hear anything and shoved his hand off his collar. Right now he only wanted to see her.

''I want to meet khushi..where is she?'' A pain was visible through his voice. Dhruv was numb and glare him curtly. Arnav went inside to check and called her name. By seeing her nowhere, he get scared and and went out to question him.

''Where is she..i am asking you dhruv where is my wife?'' His heart was beating fast.

''Wife..?'' He gave him sarcastic smile. There was a silence before he spoke. ''I gave you my sister hand to you in a hope you will filled her life with happiness but you failed to keep her happy and put her in the same miserable state she have been before..now what you want! Let her stay in peace..I have never seen her so broken..If you cared for her so much then why you made her cry? I already have doubt something is wrong but never knew situation go so beyond that she..'' He yelled.

''Where the hell is she..i want to meet her..''

''She is gone arnav..she left the city..'' He took a step backward and shook his head in denial.

''No..khushi can't do this to me..she can't go..'' He eyes were blinded with tears. He closed his eyes and recalled her words.

''By the time you will realize what you have lost it will be too late. That day khushi kumari gupta would not be a part of your life..''

''You were never wrong! How could he give happiness when he had any! Arnav was empty handed. He was vulnerable as he couldn't bring love in his life.

Dhruv feel bad seeing him in so much pain but he can't do anything to sooth him. They need to sort out the matter together and fill the gaping hole in their heart. Probably time will heal the difference between them. He prayed for their togetherness.

                                    *****

Khushi(In call):  Bhaiya I told you I don't want to talk about arnav..please take his name again and again..everything is over between us..''  She yelled frustratingly.

Dhruv: ''Relax gudiya! I'm only informing you that arnav came in a search of you..that's it! From now I won't pressurize you..'' She gasped and hummed him.

''Did you both reached safely.. How is aditi?''

Khushi: ''She is okay..i had talked with doctor from tomorrow her treatment going to start..i m waiting for that day when she able to speak and laugh like before..'' She closed her eyes briefly.

Dhruv: ''How you would manage everything alone..I will transfer money to your account?''

Khushi: ''No need bhaiya! My company has started new project In US and I'm supposed to handle it..''

Dhruv: ''That's superb news gudiya..i m so proud of you!'' She weakly smiled.

Khushi: ''Your sister is stronger enough to handle everything..you just take care of your health..love you..bye..'' She shut the phone off.

Next week Arjun take a flight to US as per dhruv request. He not wanted khushi to be alone in a stage of life. Arjun assured him he will take care of her and keep updating him every time.

One week passed khushi left Raizada mansion. Arnav was unable to believe she is not being part of his life. He clenched his fist to control his pain. His throat felt constricted with emotions. He have everything still he have nothing. He was empty as he couldn't bring the person he love mostly. He lost her!

Love brings pains. It brings longing and its pain pricks at your heart. It also heal a person with blissful sensation. He couldn't tolerate her leaving him like that. Her absence was driving him insane. He gulp several shot to erase her thoughts but its getting vulnerable. Her infectious smile, her sweet voice, her melodious voice, her giggling voice everything is playing in his mind. The knowledge that she left him was so painful. He gulped the whole bottle in one go. Her photos was scattered in entire room. He was lying on the floor half conscious and looked at her snap painfully.

''Khushi..why you left me..I can't live without you!!'' He closed his eyes and tried to surpass her memories. She had capture her mind and soul so madly that it is impossible to think anything other than her. His eyes moistened and tears escaped from his eyes.

''Bhaiya what you have done to yourself!'' Anjali stopped fearfully looking at his devastated state. She bend down to pick him up from the ground but he shrugged her off.
''Just go away..i don't want to talk with anyone..'' He commanded rudely and turned.

''Bhaiya please don't punish yourself..you haven't eat anything since 2 days! Eat something otherwise you get ill..''  He remain numb and smile hiding khushi picture near his heart. Anjali was getting scared now. She have never seen him so worsen and terrible.

''If bhabhi come and see you like that how does she felt, do you have any idea..!'' He looked back and passed a dry smile.

''She won't back..I broke her heart so badly that its amendable..she is paving for loving me wholeheartedly and my sins are so grave that I can't even accept her..i lost her..i lost my khushi..i lost my wife..''

''Sins? What are you talking about?'' He let out a laugh that had so much pain in it.

''Bhaiya please don't do this..don't you love your anju..for me please get up and eat..!'' She touch his face and wipes his tears.

''Only khushi is capable to gave me pain and she is the only girl has a capability to heal me..'' She gasped in terror when he took a broken piece of glass in his hand and slashed his wrist with it.

''Khu..u..sh..i..I..lo..ve..yo.u..'' he hissed and khushi face came before his eyes before he closed his eyelids.

Bhaiya!!!!!!

                                     *****

Mr raizada is fine now..You will take him home soon..keep him away from all kind of stress..'' The doctor told him after coming back from OT.  All the news channels was flashing the news of arnav being hospitalized.
Arnav get discharged after some days. He died a million death every time he thought about her. He sat at the poolside staring at the water blankly.

''Khushi..'' He whispered. Since that fateful night there haven't been a single day he didn't hated himself. Every moment of his life was a curse to him. He dialed her number in a hope may be he got a chance to apologize but her phone is switched off. So she changed her number! His phone began ringing. He picked it up absent minded. The moment he heard what has been said from other end, he immediately got up and drove toward hospital to meet dadi.
Doctors already informed him she had very less time as cancer spread all over her body and now its quite impossible to save her. That was the time when he realized that he was more vulnerable than ever. He was standing at the door and looking at his dadi who is finding difficult to breathe. An unknown pain stabbed his heart and pieced his soul.

Inhaling sharp breathe, he gathered courage to step inside. He sat at the edge of the bed and held her hand.

''Dadi please don't go..i need you..'' A painful lump formed in his throat. She weakly smiled and lovingly touched his cheeks.

''I promise I will do whatever you say without any argument...'' She looked at his wounded wrist that is tied with white cloth.

''Why you did this..? He looked away.

''Khushi ke liye..haina..?'' (For khushi)  His expression changed hearing her name. Where is she? He held her hand in a tight grip and nodded his head negatively and pulled himself in her lap.

''I m sorry dadi..i m so sorry..'' He cried his heart out. She careless his hairs and slowly carried her hands to wipe his tears.

''I love her..i love her so much. I m dying each and every minute, spent without her..'' He paused because it is difficult to express and admit these words. ''I tried dadi..i tried to forget her but it wasn't in my control to not love her

''Toh use vapas le ao..'' (Then bring her back) She said in a low pitch tone.

''I tried dadi..i tried many times but she not wanted to come back..I had a fear I will not able to see her again..'' He said with a pinch in his heart. 

Arnav singh raizada and fear? She can't believe her ears. He is truly a changed man now and the sole reason is only one girl. She took his hand and was trying to say something  but unable to spoke anything after that. Her breathing began dropping and then suddenly monitors showed straight line. His hand been slipped from hers . All power seems drained out from his body.

Dadi!!!!!!!!!!!! He screamed on the top of his lungs.

                                           *******

A man take long strides as soon as jail room start to come in front of him. He just couldn't wait to see her. There was a iron bed and lavanya was sleeping in a white uniform into it.

''Hello miss kashyap...?'' A familiar voice wake her up with a jerk. She came near the bar and stood just in front of the person who is having a wide smirk on his face.

Lavanya: ''Nk..tum?'' She get startled.

Nk: ''Yes its me! What you thought I can never able to escaped from your hell...I can't tell you lavanya how much I m feeling nice seeing you like that..poor my girl..'' He laughed.

Lavanya: ''Just shut up..!'' She fumed.  Your happiness is not for lifelong sooner I will come out and destroyed everyone who specially that ASR and khushi..just wait and watch..''

Nk: ''You still have high hopes sweat-heart..this is what you deserve..'' He turned a little before departing.

Lavanya: You have no idea what you putting yourself into..'' she greeted her teeth. He glare at her equally. ''I will scratched each and every happiness from all Raizada's..'' He had a cunning smile on his face.

Nk: Oh really..keep trying! He turned before moving out. ''Oh ya I forget to tell you bhai forgive me and I'm once again back in raizada mansion..Isn't it awesome news! All credit goes to my anji baby..i just love my darling sister..she is totally a gem..'' She rolled her eyes disinterested and he walked off. She began pacing in the cell left and right angrily playing his words and then halted.

''Anjali singh raizada..the biggest weakness of Raizada brothers!'' She laughed evilly.

                                            *******

Khushi was trying to feed her soup raising spoon near her mouth but she is not opening her mouth.

''Di..please have it..for god sake eat something..'' Aditi turned away with her back facing her. Khushi hold her head in distress. Just then Arjun peeked inside and saw her sad face.

Arjun: ''What doctor said..is there any chances of improvement? She shook her head.

Khushi: ''She is not responding to any kind of therapy..i m feeling so helpless Arjun..i want my di back..please help me out.. '' No matter what he cannot see khushi like that. He gaze at aditi who was now laying lifeless on the bed.

Arjun moved in, to introduce himself to aditi for the very first time.

''Hi..I m arjun, khushi's friend..can you do friendship with me?'' He extended his hand but no response. He helped her to joined her hand with his for a hand shake. Aditi lifted her eyelids as soon as she felt him. She looked at his unknown face and then at their hands. Slowly and steadily, her lips and fingers began to move. Khushi widen her eyes in shock and surprise.

''A...r..j..'' She tried  to speak and he helped her to get up. Khushi can't believe her eyes.

Khushi: ''Oh my god I can't believe this..aditi di is reacting..'' She closed her mouth, cannot able to believe it. Arjun what you did, even doctor unable to make her respond..'' He was lost of words. Excitedly she hugged aditi but her gaze fixed on arjun. Aditi was staring him for a moment who is only looking at khushi.  He smiled seeing over exited khushi.

''Di I m so so so happy! she jumped ecstatic. ''I m damn sure very soon you will get normal like before..'' She kissed her forehead happily. He was happily admiring the sister bond when his phone beep. His expression suddenly changed. Khushi noticed and asked him. He made an excuse and urgently walked out.

Next day khushi took aditi to hospital for further treatment. She was sitting outside in a bench and she saw a man reading Indian newspaper. The moment she read the headlines her heart skipped a beat. Taking a cab, she hurriedly went to arjun apartment to confront him.

'Why the hell you hide this news from me?'' She threw the newspaper in front of him. He remain silent and look aside.

''I'm asking you something..answer me.. Why you not telling arjun..what  happened to him. She began panicking and thinking.

''Khushi..arnav's dadi passed away...'' She fell on the ground hearing the horrified news.

As the days passed Aditi's health was gearing up. Whenever khushi is at work, Arjun was there with aditi and taking care of her every need. He keep on talking and cracking jokes to make her smile. Their bond grew stronger. Willingly and Unwillingly, she began feeling the same connection which she used to feel with karan.

                                           ******

After six months

Dhruv was working on one important assignment when a person come from behind and covered his eyes. Irritatingly he shrugged the hand and engrossed into work without even realizing someone sneaked inside his house and standing right behind him.
Person: ''Always work, work and only work..'' She pouted. The moment he looked back he get biggest shocked of his life. He feel like he would die out of happiness.

''Aditi!!!'' He cannot able to comprehend how to react seeing her like that.

Dhruv: ''Tu thik ho gayi?'' (You get well?) He touching her cheeks unable to believe his eyes. She nodded emotionally.

Aditi: ''I missed you bhai..'' He looked on emotional and kissed her hairs audibly. His gaze then turned toward khushi who is walking inside.
Khushi: ''Surprise..surprise!!'' He can't hold back his tears seeing her after so long.

Dhruv: ''Why you guys didn't inform me about your arrival? He asked unbelievably.

Khushi: ''How could I miss this expression on your face then..'' She grinned.

Dhruv: ''Finally you did it khushi..i m so proud of you..'' He uttered affectionately.

                                           *******
In evening:

After a hard day, dhruv come home from office. He was feeling little tired and went to have a shower. While coming out, he saw khushi was sitting near a balcony. He headed further and saw her staring at the stars plainly.

''Khushi..'' She felt tapped on her shoulder and immediately composed herself instantly and he sit beside her.

''You okay?'' She nodded lightly and tried to smile.

''Tell me what is bothering you?'' He retorted back.

Nothing..just worn out..'' She looked down.

''Do you knew when you' re born, I m the first one who hold you into my arms instead of ma-papa..you are not only my sister..i raised you like a daughter..i understand you more than myself...there is nothing that keep hidden for long..so go ahead..you can share anything with me without any hesitation..''

''Bhaiya I had made one decision?..'' He observe she was little reluctant to convey it in words. Probably he know what would be her decision. He waited for her to say and she held his hand fearfully unsure of his reaction. She need courage to spoke. Taking a deep breathe, she blunt out.

''I decided to marry arjun..'' Her grip get stronger on his hand.

''What are you saying gudiya?'' He get stunned.

''Its true bhai! I talk with the lawyer and he is working on divorce papers..''

''Think once again.. don't do anything in haste which you would regret later..''

''I have decided already.. Arjun love me bhaiya and this time I wanted to give a second chance to life..''

''Did you also loved him?'' She had no answer. She just wanted to forget Arnav and currently arjun is the only person who can helped her to move on. Dhruv was aware it is not easy for her to broke the marriage with him but if she is happy he don't want anything other than her happiness.

''Are you with me?'' He nodded his head and she hugged him feeling a bit light getting his approval. Unaware to them, aditi heard their conversation who was standing in one corner, felt tugged in her heart by this news.

Precap: Khushi-Arnav big meeting.

To be continued!!

Please give votes and comments.