Part 34

After completing the Annual day function, Khushi reached home with her in-laws. She didn't find Arnav at home. Without getting sleep, she had been waiting for him as sleep didn't even near her eyes even though she was tired. Arnav's confession didn't let her sleep.

She knew Arnav loves her. She always wanted to hear it from him verbally. But she drowned in the pool of questions when he confessed it.

Why didn't he openly say that to her if he loves her? What stopped him? He was adamant to marry her even though after she asked him to stop the marriage. Why the hell he was stubborn not to confess his love when he wanted to marry her? She had been thinking all these. She wanted to ask him right away but Arnav didn't come home until midnight. She didn't know when she slept.

Next morning

Khushi woke up late as she slept late. Her eyes automatically fell on the right side of the bed where Arnav was sleeping.

She adored him for a while. His "I love you damn it" echoed in her ears which made her swallow hard. She looked at the clock. It was 7: 15 am. She hurried to the washroom. When she came down, Ratna almost completed cooking breakfast.

Khushi: Sorry aunty, I'm late.

Ratna: I know you must have been tired. That's why I didn't disturb you guys.

Khushi: LA also didn't wake up yet?

Ratna: No.

Khushi: Our College is on holiday today.

Ratna: Yah, you told me. (pause) When did Chinna come last night?

Khushi: I don't know aunty. he didn't come until midnight.

Ratna: Did he eat anything?

Khushi: I slept before he came so I couldn't ask him.

Ratna: Ok take some biscuits with coffee.

Khushi: ok aunty.

Khushi prepared coffee for Arnav and left the room forgetting to take biscuits as many things were running in her mind.

Khushi kept the coffee cup on the table as Arnav was in the washroom. Arnav came out of the washroom wiping his hair with a towel that was on his shoulders. Khushi looked at him but Arnav didn't. He searched his attire in the closet as if no one exists in the room.

Khushi: At what time did you come last night?

Arnav: I came early in the morning.

Khushi: Where were you?

Arnav: In the beach.

Khushi: But why?

Arnav: Because I met Shakthi after a long time.

Khushi: Did you eat anything?

Arnav: Yah... with Shakthi

Khushi: your coffee is there. I will bring biscuits if you want.

Arnav: No thanks.

They talked so casually but formally. Khushi wanted to shoot him with many questions which were rolling in her mind. She waited until he finishes the coffee. Arnav kept the empty cup on the table. Khushi was ready to question him,

That's when Ratna screamed like ever before.

"Chinnn......aaa"

She dropped the biscuit plate which Khushi forgot in the Kitchen.

They jerked and saw Ratna was standing at their room entrance with a horrified expression. Arnav rushed to her.

Arnav: Mom, what happened?

Ratna turned him and touched his lower back with her shivering hand where there was a huge burnt scar. Even though Khushi saw that two or three times she didn't ask him anything regarding it. But why Ratna was reacting this way? Didn't she know about the wound?

Ratna: What's this Chinna? When did it happen? How did I not know about it? Why didn't you say about it to me?

Meanwhile, NK and Arvind came there hearing Ratna's scream while Arnav was searching for words.

NK: Maa relax. We didn't hide it on purpose.

Ratna: "We"? Do you also know about it? She asked perplexed.

NK: Do you remember, Naanav came from the office so earlier one day? That day Naanav's office met with a fire accident and the security guard got trapped in between the fire. In the process of saving him, Naanav also got hurt.

Ratna: But why didn't you say...

NK(cutting her): Because Naanav didn't want to stress you more who was already being affected by low BP. If you got to know about it then you would have started taking care of him ignoring your health. So we didn't say anything.

Ratna (worriedly): That's why you took leave that day Nandhu?

NK: Yes Ma, his colleague called me and told me about the accident. I got to know that dad also left to the office when I called Naanav. So I took leave and came home to be with him.

Arvind (contently): That's why you came wearing a new shirt that day?

Arnav nodded yes while his eyes were only on Khushi who was in extreme shock. So this is the reason he asked her to sit in distance that day?

Arvind: You should have known about it Khushi as he dropped you in the college that day?

Khushi(repenting): I...I don't know uncle.

Arnav felt bad for her. Her eyes started pouring uncontrolled.

Arvind: Arrey Khushi, why are you crying now? it healed well beta.

She didn't say anything but looking at Arnav who gestured to her by nodding his head left to right like don't cry.

Arvind: Chinna, take care of her.

Ratna wiped Khushi's tears and left.

Arnav went to the cupboard and removed his dress. Khushi came in front of him.

Khushi: Is this the reason you asked me to sit in distance on your bike?

Arnav nodded yes.

Khushi: Couldn't you say that clearly?

Arnav: Before I completed my words, you started shouting at me.

Khushi: Didn't you think of telling it to me ever? Didn't you feel bad for me at least for once? Didn't you want to reveal it to me? There is no value for my emotions in your heart? Do you know how hurt I was thinking about that?

Arnav (with extreme calmness): Didn't I try to say? Didn't I come to your home and say sorry? I tried to talk before marriage also and warned you that you will repent for not hearing me. Did you let me speak? I tried my best but you were not ready to listen anything from me.

Khushi(with teary eyes): I refused to marry you too. But you didn't let me do that. Like the same, why didn't you try to say the truth?

Arnav started taking steps towards her and Khushi started moving back.

Arnav: I forced you to marry me because I knew you wanted that. Yes, I could have forced you to hear my side. But why should I? Why should I tell the truth to the girl who was not ready to listen to me? Why should I make the girl understand me who was thinking me so low? (Khushi was frozen) How could you think I would think low about you? What did you say? I'm thinking like, "you can stick with any guy"? How could you Khushi? How could you think of me like that? Do you know what are you mean to me?

Khushi got hit on the wall.

Khushi: You didn't talk to me frequently like you did in our childhood. So I thought...

Arnav: But did I ever stop you from coming close to me? Did I show hatred towards you? Did I get irritated with you?

Khushi(nodded no): But.... You said sorry so I thought you are at fault.

Arnav: I said sorry even though I was not at fault because my ego was not bigger than you. (Khushi was thunderstruck) How dare you call me "Arnav"? It's you who understood me wrong. It's not my problem. Still, you are fighting with me for the mistake I didn't do. What would happen if you listen to what I'm saying? Why so angry? Am l not that worthy Khushi?

Tears suffused the eyes of Khushi.

Arnav: What did you ask me? "Don't you have a heart?" Yes, I have no heart because I lost it to the girl who roamed with two ponytails. Unfortunately, she refused to give her heart in return. That's what made me heartless. Couldn't you understand the simple thing; why a fool, who was rigid to the world, is smiling at you?

He asked gulping.

Khushi: No Allav...

Arnav: Why are you calling me Allav now? Keep on calling me Arnav. Does it make difference or what?

He went inside the washroom taking his dress leaving Khushi in excessive repentance who couldn't control her tears.

She never expected that there can be another side to this issue. She jumped to the conclusion without thinking twice and blamed him that day. What would she do now?

To be continued...