Part 12 Beauty

"My heart aches to separate from you," Khushi said sadly.

"We are not getting separated. We can never... I will not let it happen," he said, touching her head.

Khushi snuggled into his chest more. Arnav smiled mildly. He didn't expect Khushi to break all the hesitation obstacles between them.

"When will you come back?" She asked worriedly.

"It's a ninety-day project. Ninety-first day, I will be in front of you."

She sat straight.

"I would like to give you something. Will you accept it?"

"What?"

She pulled her father's watch from her kurti pocket.

"This is my father's watch. Will you take it?"

"I will take whatever you give me."

Khushi smilingly tied it to his right hand.

"Looking good," Arnav said.

"Lie... It's an old model watch..."

"But given by you... Anything that reflects your love would be beautiful."

Khushi kissed his knuckle.

"You know what, no one is like you," she said.

"No one is like you too...! By the way, why are you becoming emotional? I thought you were a strong girl but looking so naive."

"I, too, don't want to be naive, but you made me."

"Me?"

"Yes... You are making me weaker with your love. You know how strong I have been...! This is why we should not get committed."

Arnav smiled.

"Arnav..."

"Mmm?"

"How do I look like?"

Arnav looked at her surprisingly.

"Tell me... I want to know how genuine you are."

"Means?"

"I will see myself in the mirror when I get my vision. I will check if your words are true."

"You are the most beautiful woman in the world..."

Khushi rolled her eyes.

"Anything that makes our heart peaceful would be beautiful. You give peace to my heart. So, in my view, you are the most beautiful woman in the world."

"Oh... I give peace to your heart... That's why I'm beautiful?"

"you are looking like a rainbow."

Khushi dropped her jaw.

"What... Am I looking like a rainbow?"

"I mean colourful... Black hair... Hazel eyes... White face... Pinky lips... Having four colours on your face, you are looking so colourful."

Khushi was embarrassed even though Arnav's voice was so normal. She didn't know how to react to it. Arnav saw her suffocating. He smiled inwardly.

"Khushiiiii..."

"Haan...?"

"What happened?"

"It's been a long time since I saw myself in the mirror. I don't know what I look like."

"When you regain your vision, you will see yourself in the mirror. At that time, my voice will echo in your ear," he said.

"Won't you say that looking into my EYES?" She asked, making him stuck.

EYES...! Now, also, he was looking into her eyes only. Now, she didn't know he was looking at her. But the scene would not be the same after she hit her vision. That thought tickled his senses.

"I will... I will tell you, looking into your eyes."

That was when they heard a knock on the door. Arnav went to check. He got stuck seeing his neighbour girl standing. She was weary and angry.

"Who is she?" She asked.

"My would-be wife", Arnav didn't hesitate.

"This is not fair... How could you think of another girl when I'm dying for you?"

"Who asked you to die for me?"

"Why did you choose her over me?"

"Why should I answer you?"

"Aren't you even interested in answering me?"

"Who are you to me?"

The girl was supposed to say something, but she stopped hearing,

"Arnav... What's happening there?"

The girl went inside to answer Khushi, but she got stuck. She saw Khushi searching for Arnav, extending both hands while moving towards him. She looked at Arnav, thunderstruck. Khushi was supposed to bang on the chair. Arnav rushed to her and held her hand protectively.

The girl gulped down hard.

"Who is that Arnav?"

"My neighbour..."

"Is she...?" The girl asked.

"Mmm... She is visually impaired..." Arnav said.

The girl looked at Khushi miserably and got out of the house hurriedly.

"Who is that Arnav?"

"Forget her... Come, before your friend comes to pick you up, have something."

Arnav took her to the kitchen and made her lean on the kitchen slab.

"Is she in love with you?" Khushi asked.

Arnav got stuck for a while and said,

"Maybe"

"Don't you like her?"

"I didn't even consider her."

"Why?"

"I don't know..."

"Poor she! She sounds upset."

Arnav silently prepared orange juice and gave it to Khushi.

"What's her name?"

"Bapitha"

"Could you take me to the girl?"

"But why?" He was perplexed.

"To apologise to her."

"You don't have to apologise to anyone. Understand?"

"But Arnav..."

"Even though I don't Love you, I would not have loved her because I don't feel anything for the girl. So, don't blame yourself for something you are not the reason for... Understand?"

"Mmm..." She pouted.

"Khushi, no matter who loves us... Who we love is what matters... Ok?"

"But, their pain will affect us, Arnav, because love pain is the worst pain in the world."

"But, you are not the reason for her pain. You didn't snatch her happiness because I don't like her..."

Khushi sighed.

"Khushi, relax... Just forget her. Ok?"

"Mmm"

Khushi had the juice.

"You are having something made by me for the first time. Instead of telling me how it is, I feel bothered about someone... You disappointed me, Khushi..." He tried to divert her.

"It tastes so sweet like you."

"Really?"

"Mmm"

"By the way, when did you taste me?"

Khushi was about to say something but stopped understanding the question. Her cheek became red, wondering Arnav.

"Won't you answer me?" He asked

She blushed with a cute smile.

"One more colour added to your colourful feature..."

"Haan?"

"Red... Your cheeks became red."

Khushi bit her lip.

They again heard a calling bell sound. Khushi's facial expression changed. She thought it was Bapitha. So did Arnav. He opened the door furiously to shout at her but controlled himself to see Khushi's friends.

They smiled at him.

"Please come," he said, giving them space to enter.

Lavanya and Preeto entered.

"Shall we go, Khushi?"

"Mmm," she said restlessly. She didn't want to leave Arnav... Just like a typical lover.

"We will wait if you want to be with him," Preeto said seriously.

"That's ok... Her mother will be waiting for her," Arnav said.

Khushi nodded yes.

"Will you come to GH before leaving India?"

"Will surely come. How will I leave India without meeting you?"

Khushi nodded,

"I'm leaving."

"Take care"

"Bye..."

Lavanya and Preeto brought Khushi out. She was supposed to sit on Lavanya's bike but stopped hearing,

"One minute..."

Khushi stopped as it was Bapitha's voice. Arnav advanced Khushi before Bapitha hurt her by saying anything.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know you were visually impaired! Arnav is a nice guy. He will take care of you."

Arnav was struck.

"I, too, am sorry. Somewhat; I'm the reason for your pain."

"No... It's all destined."

"Are you upset with me?"

"Not at all..."

"Please, settle down with someone. I will be happy."

"I will try. All the best."

"Thank you so much. You are a nice girl. May Devi Maiya bring someone into your life that understands you"

"Thanks..." Bapitha smiled.

"Bye," Khushi said.

"Bye"

Khushi left with her friends. Bapitha went to her house without looking at Arnav, which made him wonder.

To be continued...