Positive

Khushi had never thought that one word could have the capacity of turning her world upside down within seconds. Maybe this was how it was supposed to be.

Positive

She closed her eyes and let the tears fall freely down her cheeks

"Mrs. Raizada" The doctor called softly

Khushi slowly raised her hands to wipe away the tears

"Mrs. Raizada I'm really-"

"How do we proceed Dr Naina?" Khushi asked cutting her off. Her voice void of any emotion

"We could start the medication right away. If you want, You can also get admitted, I suggest that would be an excellent option" Naina said

"Can I go home and have my treatment there only?" Khushi asked

"It's possible Mrs. Raizada... But you'll have to come for your check-ups every other day" Naina said

"That should not be a problem. How much time is left?" Khushi asked

Naina's eyes widened. That was too direct

"Mam.. I-" Naina stuttered

"I have things to do Nainaji. I need to know" Khushi said

"Three and a half months. And then-" Naina informed

"Thanks... I shall take your leave now" Khushi said

"Arnavji" Khushi called softly

Arnav turned around and shot a glare at her

"How many times have I told you-"

"That you don't like being in the same room as you. That you don't like hearing my annoying voice. That... You don't want to see my face ever again. I know" Khushi said

"Then?" Arnav asked

"Aapse kuch baat karni hai... Please (I need to talk to you... Please)" Khushi said

"Bolo? (Tell?)" Arnav said

"Shyam... It's about your brother in law" Khushi said

And that striked his interest.

"Arnavji... I-"

"Bolo Khushi... Mere paas waqt nahi hai (Speak up Khushi... I don't have time)" Arnav said

Khushi told him everything from the first time She and the Gupta family met Shyam to the terrace episode on payash wedding in the greatest detail she could recollect

"Shyam isn't good for this family, He wants to kill Anjaliji and her child Arnavji..." Khushi said

And Arnav regretted it.

Their contract marriage,

His rude behavior towards her.

Everytime he ever badmouthed her or called her names

He knew in his hearts of hearts he wanted to believe every words of her. He knew that she was right. She was his Khushi after all wasn't she?

"Hum jaante hain... Aap humse nafrat karte hain Arnavji (I know you hate me Arnavji) I know you think I'm a homewrecker, A gold digger, A characterless and what not. But Arnavji, for this once... Please believe me. I love Anjaliji dearly, In your hatred please don't endanger her" Khushi pleaded seeing him not responding

"I- I'm sorry Khushi" Arnav whispered

"Uh... What... What for?" Khushi asked

"I'm sorry for being a jerk to you Khushi... You were looking out for us and Di... And- I'm sorry Khushi for calling you names" Arnav said

"It's Okay... Maybe I do deserve being treated harshly" Khushi said weakly

Arnav's heart broke hearing her weak and pleading voice

"No... Khushi you-"

"Do you believe me Arnavji?" Khushi asked

"Yes Khushi... I do" Arnav said

"Then please take care of Anjali ji" Khushi said

"I will Khushi... I'll take care of her. I promise. Khushi I-"

"I'm glad... I could at least make some things right before going" Khushi whispered

"Before... G-Going?" Arnav stuttered

"Yeah... I'll be gone... In less than three months. Arnavji may I please request something?" Khushi asked sadly

"Of course... Bolo?" Arnav said softly holding her hands

"I... I need you... Arnavji. Please hold me... I want you to be with... With me..." Khushi choked

"I know you hate me... But, I'm already leaving in a few months. That too forever" Khushi sobbed

Arnav pulled her in a tight hug

"Khushi... Don't say like that please. I'm sorry for hurting you, I'm sorry Khushi for always being a jerk to you" Arnav said while hugging her close to his heart

"Just three months... And I'll be... Gone. There will be no problem in your life... No Khushi... No rants... Nothing to irritate you" Khushi said

"Khushi... Please aise mat bolo... (Don't say like that) I'm really really ashamed of my behavior Khushi. I'm sorry... Please Khushi, You're my angel.. I don't hate you. I- I don't want you to leave Khushi. I don't-" Arnav said but stopped midway as he felt Khushi holding him in a death grip almost digging her nails in his back

"Khushi... What happened?" Arnav said breaking the hug and making her look at him

"God... Khushi! What's wrong?" Arnav asked concerned as Khushi gasped for air

"Doc-tor Naina... My phone" She gasped

"Mr Raizada... Is she skipping her medicines?" Naina asked after checking Khushi who was lying unconscious in their room

"Medicines? What medicines are you talking about doctor?" Arnav asked concerned

"Mr. Raizada... Her medicines... She didn't tell you?" Naina asked

"Tell me what?" Arnav asked, His heart was by now beating wildly in his chest

"Mr. Raizada, I might not be the right one to tell you... But I should seeing that Mrs. Raizada is taking a lot of stress which isn't good for her in her present condition. She has Brain Tumor Mr Raizada" Naina said gravely

Arnav stumbled back a few steps due to shock, His eyes pooled up with tears

"Mr Raizada..." Naina called softly

But Arnav was not in this world anymore.

I could at least make some things right before going

I'll be gone... In less than three months.

I'm already leaving in a few months. That too forever

Just three months

I'll be... Gone.

There will be no problem in your life...

No Khushi...

No rants...

Nothing to irritate you

Every word of Khushi came rushing back to him. Everything made sense. And the reality was hard to digest

"Khushi can't go. She can't go, She can't leave me alone" Arnav chanted

"Mr Raizada... I'm really sorry for being that direct. I really understand what you might be going through right now, Even she didn't tell you about this. Because maybe she was scared of your reaction. But she really needs a support of the family. Of her husband. So I think it was right to tell you" Naina said

"What is her exact condition Doctor?" Arnav asked

"She's on medication Mr Raizada... For the last fifteen days she's being monitored by us. We're trying our best to help her with everything. She's having blackouts very frequently. Her tumor is barely controlled by the medicines. She's basically in a bad... Very bad condition" Naina said truthfully

"I-I don't know... How she ended up like that..." Arnav whispered

"She can be treated right?" Arnav asked hopefully

"She's being treated Mr Raizada. But as I've said she's in a very critical stage. We're trying our best to treat her. But it all depends on the almighty. But I really don't want to give you false hope. She's really...really bad." Naina said

"What happened chote? You're looking like someone has just stabbed you hard" Anjali asked entering his room and seeing
Arnav sitting next to a sleeping Khushi

"And why is Khushiji sleeping, Is she okay?" Anjali asked

"She's not... She's not fine Di. She's suffering... She is in pain. So much of it, And she didn't even let any of us know anything about it" Arnav said

"What happened Arnav? Is she ill?" Anjali asked

Tears rolled down his cheeks

"What's wrong Chote?" Anjali asked seeing him crying

"She has a tumor... Brain tumor hai usse" Arnav breathed

"What???" Anjali shouted

"Di" Arnav snapped gesturing Khushi who was sleeping next to him

"Sorry... But how?? And why didn't she tell us. Or Payalji" Anjali asked

"I don't know Di... But They've not acted like family to her. Disowning her when she just wanted their support, And it wasn't her fault. It was mine. My bloody fault. I wanted to marry her... I proposed the runaway marriage. The con-" Arnav was interrupted by a cough that was heard from Khushi

Arnav saw Khushi opening her eyes a little while coughing all this while

Arnav helped her sit and made her drink water

"Ar-nav-ji" Khushi croaked

"Shh... Have this first" Arnav said giving her medicines

"I... Arnavji- Anjaliji when did you come?" Khushi asked weakly

"Have your medicines first... Khushi then I'll answer all your questions" Arnav said

"All my questions? Are you sure??" Khushi shot back

Arnav saw a flash of pain in her eyes. And of course. He was the reason

Like always

And he decided he'll do what she wants

"I am. Have your meds" Arnav said softly

Khushi gulped the medicines down her throat

"Good girl. Ab poocho... jo bhi puchna hai (Now ask whatever you want to ask)" Arnav said

Khushi shook her head "Nothing" She said

"I think I'll leave you two alone to sort this out. Take care Khushiji" Anjali said

"Anjaliji... Don't tell anyone please. I know you know everything" Khushi said

"But Khushi-" Arnav started

"Please They'll be.. Worried" Khushi repeated cutting him off

Anjali nodded and stood up to leave of course she wasn't going to listen to Khushi. She needed the family more than ever now. And she'll get their support no matter what!!

Three days Later

"Arnavji..." Khushi called

Arnav looked at her in an instance and was beside her in another. In the last three days, She had seen a changed Arnav. He was polite... Gentle, Loving, Attentive to her. He listened to her attentively, Made sure she had her dinner and medicines (Much to her annoyance) But yeah. Made sure she was fine. Shortened his working hours just to be with her. Caressed her to sleep. She was happy with this changed behavior, But confused

"Do you need something Khushi?" Arnav asked for the third time

"Why are you behaving like this with me... Being all nice. All lovely. Talking to me softly?" Khushi asked confused

"What?" Arnav asked

"Is it because you think I'm-" Khushi half asked

"No... Talking... About... Death. You're... not... Going... Away from me Anytime soon" Arnav said stressing each word

"But it's the truth Arnavji." Khushi said

"You will be back to me. You can't leave me alone, Tum chali gayi toh... Tumse pehle mera dil dhadakna chod dega (If you go away, My heart will stop beating before yours does)" Arnav said matter of factly

"Arnav" Khushi breathed shocked

"I know... I've not been a good husband to you. I know I've hurt you beyond anything and everything. But Khushi... I promise I never hated you. I wanted to... So desperately, I wanted to hate you... But it never happened. Instead I kept falling for you more and more deeply, Madly and more passionately. I was scared to lose myself to you and so I pushed you away... But I failed again. You can't even imagine how much I love you Yet everytime you get hurt because I am scared to confess. But the thought of you going away... It kills me Khushi. I'm sorry Khushi... I'm sorry for hurting you. Khushi you're free to punish me in any manner you want. Just please don't go away from me, I'll not be able to live. Please" Pleaded Arnav who was by now in tears

Khushi looked at him with hope. He was anything but lying. She knew her husband enough to know that whatever he said was true. She slowly wiped his tears away with trembling hands. She shook her head

"Don't cry Arnavji... Please" Khushi whispered

"We will fight... I'll never let you lose Khushi. I will never let you lose. Just don't give up, Promise me you'll fight and come back to me" Arnav said while holding her palms in his

"Aapko chodkar jaane ki jurrat Kar sakti huin? (Can I even dare to leave you alone??)" Khushi asked

It was the day of Khushi's surgery, Arnav and Khushi were in the hospital from the last three days as Khushi was to be kept under observation, It was two months since Arnav had gotten to know about her illness, These two months had been pure torture for the couple as Khushi struggled with her condition, Arnav tried his best to keep her positive and keep her from having breakdowns

Arnav told the family the truth about Shyam and he was immediately thrown out of the house. Khushi was also told the truth about their Contract Marriage.

Of course she was hurt, But seeing his love and regret... She couldn't help but forgive him, Arnav had never left her side in these two months, Made sure he did whatever he could to keep Khushi with him, He had left no stone unturned to help her any manner he could.

"You know what you're playing at don't you Arnavji?" Khushi asked one last time before going inside the OT

"Be safe... Come back to me. I'll wait for you. I promise" Arnav said giving her hand a gentle assuring squeeze

"What if-"

"I love you... Remember that and don't worry you'll be fine" Arnav said

Khushi was lead into the Operation Theater

18 Restless hours later

"She's safe... The operation was successful" Naina said

"I love you" Arnav breathed against her ear as she slept cuddled up against him before hugging her small frame and sleeping next to her

Hello!!

I've written a one shot. My first

Hope it doesn't suck 😉

Please leave reviews

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Meera (