Part 35

Guilty and repentance were eating Khushi. She couldn't face Arnav with those. How would she? Does she have the answer to any of his questions? She didn't expect everything would change upside down in few minutes. She was hiding in the kitchen with a sorrow-filled heart.

Arnav got ready for the office and came to dining. He didn't see Khushi there. Where is she? Ratna came with dosa with onion chutney. She served it to Arnav.

Ratna: One more?

Arnav: No mom, I'm done.

Ratna(looking towards the kitchen): Khushi, you can stop.

So she is in the Kitchen.

NK: Mom, one more for me.

Before Ratna passed the message Khushi answered.

Khushi: I will make it aunty.

Arnav: Ma, aren't they getting late to college?

NK: No, today is a holiday as the Annual day program was held in their college yesterday.

Ratna: Yah, they are free today.

NK: Mom, I and La are going to a movie today evening.

Ratna: That's great. Then we will take Khushi with us.

Arnav: We? Where?

Ratna: There is a party at Mr. Maity's house. I, Arvind, Garima, and Shashi Bhai are going. So we will take Khushi with us. What will she do being alone at home? You are coming late these days...

Arnav nodded yes. Khushi needs mind diversion. It will be good if she goes to the party. He was looking at the kitchen entrance expecting her to come out.

Arnav: Can I get coffee?

He asked thinking that Khushi would bring it for him.

Ratna: Why not? Nandhu, what about you?

NK: obviously I want.

Ratna went to prepare coffee making Arnav disappointed.

Khushi: Aunty, you go. I will prepare.

Ratna: Sure?

Khushi: Yeah I have finished making Dosa.

Ratna: ok.

Seeing Ratna coming out, Arnav got satisfied as Khushi would come out with his coffee.

They saw LA coming to dining all fresh.

LA: Good morning Amma.

Ratna: Good morning.

LA: Where is Khushi?

Ratna: Preparing coffee.

La went to the kitchen to see Khushi.

LA: Good morning Baby...

Khushi: Good morning.

LA: How is your leg pain? My legs are paining like hell.

Khushi: Mmm. Mine too. Give coffee to Arnav and Nanne. I will prepare dosas for you.

LA: Thank you, sweetheart.

She kissed her cheek and came with a coffee tray. Arnav was upset seeing LA bringing coffee. Khushi didn't come out of the kitchen until he left for the office. Arnav left home half-heartedly as he didn't want to embarrass her. Let's talk with her at the night.

Arnav's mind didn't get into work as he was thinking about Khushi throughout the day. Did he overreact? But how did she know if he didn't say what he felt? He knew she was broken. He believed that she would be alright if she attended the party in the evening.

Evening.

Ratna called Arnav and he received it. He knew she was calling him to bid bye. But she surprised him.

Ratna: Chinna, we are leaving but please try to come as soon as possible.

Arnav: Soon? Why mom?

Ratna: Khushi is alone at home. She denied coming to the party.

Arnav: But why did you allow her to do so?

Ratna: Arrey, She said that she has to do some important work. What can we do if she didn't show interest? (pause) Chinna... are you guys really happy?

Arnav was stuck. Of course, he was not surprised. Nothing can be hidden from Ratna's eyes. It wouldn't have been hard for her to understand seeing Khushi's pale face.

Arnav: Yes Ma. We are...

Ratna: She looks so dull.

Arnav: she must be tired.

Ratna: Maybe. That's why I didn't ask her anything. ok, go home soon.

Arnav: Yahh... I will go home.

Ratna: I prepared your dinner. Don't disturb Khushi.

Arnav: I will take care of her.

After that, there was no reason for Arnav to stay at the office. He left immediately.

Arnav had been thinking about Khushi on the way to RM. Poor girl, Because of him she is upset. That's why she should have denied going to the party. He didn't intend to hurt her. But she should know the reality. She mistook him... angry with him without knowing the real reason. He knew she would get upset if she got to know what happened to him that day. He knew she would cry, repent and blame herself. That's why he didn't want to say anything to her.

However, he couldn't keep the distance from her after their marriage got fixed. Her existence near him gave him a kind of pleasure, which made him do naughty with her. He believed, his act would make her think of him all the time which he liked very much. So he started to show his rights to her.

He stopped those acts when he realized that she needed space to complete her masters. So he decided to be within the limit. But "fate" wanted to end all the odd between them. The result is here.

RM

Khushi was cursing herself thinking about her rude behavior towards Arnav. His questions weren't worth answering? How could she be so stupid? How did she miss thinking about him at least once?

Yes, he tried to talk to her but she didn't let him say anything. Why was she so arrogant? He never stopped her from coming close to him. He never got irritated with her nor did he show his hatred towards her. She took his word wrong when he asked her to sit in distance. How pathetic? Why did she lose her mind like an idiot?

"I said sorry even though I was not at fault because my ego was not bigger than you". She closed her face and cried. She remembered his status...

"If you want to know

Someone's heart,

Watch their action"

Of course, she watched his every action but missed to know his heart. That's why she didn't want to reconsider it. But what if she listens to him at once?

Khushi felt blameworthy. How foolishly she ruined her own happiness? How many days did she suffer, without getting sleep scolding him? How would she face him now? How miserably she stood in front of him when he asked? What could she reply? Could she?

Arnav reached home. Seeing the door locked from inside, he opened it using a spare key. There was no trace of Khushi's existence. All the lights in the living room were being switched off except one. He came to their room expecting Khushi there, but their room looked empty. That's when he saw the terrace door was being opened. He sighed in relief and went to the terrace.

Khushi was sitting on the marble bench, looking at the REDDISH SUN which was slowly drowning into the sea. She would have enjoyed the beauty if it was another situation. But her mind and heart were not ready to admire it because she was already twirling in the storm. She was crying silently, didn't even like to wipe the tears off. Seems like, she was crying for a long. Trace of tears was evident to it.

"SEA" always reflects our inner mind. If we are happy, it looks happy. If we are angry, it looks aggressive. Now, it looks sad as Khushi was sad. Her eyes were pouring continuously.

Khushi sensed Arnav's presence but she didn't react nor did she take her eyes from the sea. Arnav came to the bench and sat beside her. He extended his handkerchief meeting her eyes. She turned her face and looked at him. He nodded his head like "take it". She didn't deny it. She took it from his hand and wiped her cheeks.

Next, he extended a Chocolate bar towards her. 

Khushi looked at him and again her eyes started pouring. She bit her lips to control her sob. He took her palm and kept the Chocolate on it tilting his head.

Arnav: Please don't cry. I didn't mean to hurt you.

Khushi: I'm crying not because you hurt me. I'm crying because I hurt you a lot taking you wrong.

Arnav: I'm not hurt. Trust me. Actually, you made me realize what I wanted. I realized what you mean to me when you started distancing from me. I feared to death seeing you avoiding me. Sometimes we have to go through the worst to get the best. See, what has happened now? I'm yours and you have become mine.

Khushi: But you could have gotten the best without going through the worst if I had understood you.

Arnav: Might be. But honestly speaking, I have forgotten our fight, in the happiness when our marriage got fixed. Don't think much about it. We couldn't change it. Gone is gone. Right?

He smiled pleasantly. Khushi nodded yes while wiping her cheeks.

Arnav: Hope you are alright. (She nodded yes) I won't believe it until you smile. (A soft chuckle escaped from her throat) Come downstairs when you feel better. I'm going to get fresh.

Without waiting, he left the terrace. Khushi felt a tug in her heart. How could he leave before she completed her part? She rushed downstairs hurriedly.

Khushi(shouting): Alllllaaaaav.....

Arnav stopped and turned towards her. 

In no time, Khushi rushed into his arms totally given in. Arnav reciprocated it slowly... smilingly... Khushi settled her cheek on his shoulder as if that was the place, she waiting for. In fact, she fitted in his arms perfectly like she was designed to be in his arms.

Arnav tried to break the hug but Khushi's grip went firm making him astonish. He let her stayed in his arms as much as she wanted.

Arnav (huskily): Khushi.... (no answer) Khushi look at me.

Khushi: No, you will break the hug.

Arnav(smiling): I won't.

She looked at him slowly lifting her head.

Khushi(cupping his cheek): Are not you angry with me?

Arnav: I'm not. In fact, I won't get angry with my TINTIN.

Khushi: Aren't you really angry with me? (Arnav nodded no) you are lying.

Arnav: How can I prove?

Khushi(bowing down): Ten days in a room? One hour kiss without break? (she slowly lifted her head and saw Arnav gulping hard) At least half an hour? Ten minutes?

Arnav: Kh...Kh..ushi....

He stammered.

Arnav was thunderstruck without knowing how to react to it. Arnav became speechless. Khushi's next act shook him. She stood there closing her eyes clutching his collar asking him to prove.

Arnav didn't want to take a step ahead in their relationship because he didn't want to divert her mind before she completed her masters. And moreover that, he couldn't control himself if once he started tasting the fruit. But now, Khushi was challenging him. She would feel bad if he denies it. She may expect more if he approaches. What would he do?

Arnav was left without any choice other than, proving himself. Being a common human, could he even stop himself after that? The demon which he had been suppressing inside him came out of the shell breaking it. Next second, their lips met. Arnav touched her delicate spongy lips by his. Slowly and poetically he consumed his. Awaited union of awaited souls. Khushi's hands circled his neck whereas Arnav's hand circled her waist. "Poetic one" became "passionate one" in few seconds.

Seconds became minutes..... one....two....three.....

To be continued......