Part 10 Confession

Arnav dropped Khushi home. Garima smiled at him.

"This is Khushi's report, Aunty. Two tests will be taken tomorrow. I will come at 10 o'clock and take her to the hospital."

"Ok, Arnav bituwa..."

"See you, aunty."

"Arrey, come and have coffee..."

"It's ok, aunty..."

Arnav didn't know if he should tell her they had coffee on their way home, but Khushi said.

"We just had, Amma."

Garima looked at her and then at Arnav, surprisingly.

"I asked Arnav..." Khushi said.

"Oh..."

Arnav smiled.

"Ok, Aunty, I'm leaving."

"You guys had coffee... it doesn't mean you should leave from the doorstep... come in, beta..."

Arnav hesitated.

"Come on, Arnav", Khushi called.

Arnav walked in, removing his shoes outside.

"What did the doctor say?"

"He sent a letter to the eye bank. We will be ready for our turn. It will take at least two months for anyhow."

"It's all God's grace..." Garima said, looking up.

"Arnav's grace..." Khushi said, making Arnav stuck.

He looked at Garima, who smiled awkwardly.

"She is right... because of you, it's happening."

Arnav was embarrassed.

"Arnav bituwa, do you have any urgent work?"

Arnav nodded no, hesitatingly, as he didn't know why she asked him.

"Could you help Khushi in her studies?"

Arnav looked at Khushi, who raised her brows.

"Me? how?"

"Nothing... you just read the lesson. She will listen to you."

"That's all?"

Khushi nodded yes.

"Ok..."

"Arnav bituwa, you can sit in Khushi's room..."

Arnav walked to Khushi's room. There was no chair in the room.

"Sit..." Garima tapped the bed and gave him Khushi's book. Arnav removed the page marker from the book.

"I will prepare dinner..." Garima left.

Arnav sat beside Khushi on the bed, giving him space.

"Shall I?"

"Yeah..."

"If you don't understand, ask me to reread it. Ok?"

"Ok"

Arnav read the lesson slowly, giving enough space so that Khushi could understand it clearly, and she did. He stopped if the stance was challenging to understand and explained it to her. Khushi felt content. Garima just read it. That was all, but Arnav was something. Arnav completed a lesson.

"Any doubts, Khushi?"

She nodded yes.

"Yeah, tell me..." he looked at the book.

"How are you so sweet?"

Arnav raised his eyes towards her smiling face. He didn't know what to answer.

"this world is revolving fast... no patience, no time giving sentiments, nothing..."

He gulped down.

"Will you be always like this?"

Arnav knew what assurance she was asking for.

"Khushi relax... I just..."

"No, Arnav... this is not a matter of JUST. It means a lot to me. What do you think my amma is doing?"

Arnav looked outside as Garima said she was going to prepare dinner, but she was watching TV. He raised his brows.

"She would be watching daily soap, right?"

Arnav was silent.

"According to her, that's what is important."

"Ok, relax... tell me what you want me to do."

"Nothing... just be yourself... forever"

"I promise"

"Thanks..." She smiled.

"May I come tomorrow also to read your lesson?"

"If you are free... if you have no problem..."

"I have no problem."

"But will you be free?"

"I will make myself free."

Khushi smiled.

"Where are your books?"

"In the shelf..." she pointed at her right side.

"Did you decide to read something today?"

"I decided... and you helped me to complete it."

"Ok... I will take your book home and bring it tomorrow when you come to the hospital. Is that OK?"

"But why?"

"Just to go through it."

"Mmm"

"Ok... take rest... will meet you tomorrow"

"Bye..."

"Bye..."

Arnav came out.

"I'm leaving, Aunty."

"Oh, thank you so much, Arnav bituwa... today is an important episode. That's why I could not skip it."

"That's ok, Aunty..."

"Are you taking Khushi's books to read?"

Arnav nodded yes.

"Ok, ok..." she again concentrated on TV.

The next day

When Arnav came to GH, Akash was ready to leave for work.

"Hi, Arnav"

"Hi... leaving?"

"Yeah, I told you, I'm not allowed to take an off."

"That's ok. You carry on. I will take Khushi to the hospital."

"Yeah, she is ready."

"Ok, we are leaving."

"Ok..."

Khushi exited the house and waited for Arnav to start the bike. She sat behind him, and they left GH. Garima and Akash looked at each other with satisfaction.

"Thank God, Khushi got Arnav..."

Akash nodded yes.

...........

Arnav brought Khushi to the hospital. The required tests were taken. They were asked to wait for the results. Arnav and Khushi stayed in the reception.

"Khushi, let's go, drink something."

"Did you have breakfast?"

Arnav smiled.

"I had... I just am asking about you."

"No... I don't want anything."

"Are you sure?"

"Mmm"

Khushi's name was called.

"Wait. I will bring it" Arnav walked to the reception.

"Khushi's report," He asked.

"You, sir?"

"Her would-be-husband," he said.

Khushi felt a kind of pride. She liked what he said. Arnav came to her, bringing the report.

"Khushi, shall we?"

She nodded yes and stood up. Arnav clutched her hand. Khushi entwined her fingers with his. Arnav looked at their hands and then at Khushi, who was smiling. He pressed her hand and walked with her.

Arnav started the bike. Khushi sat behind him. Arnav rode the bike unusually slowly. He didn't want to reach home soon; he just wished the journey would last his lifetime.

When they reached GH, Khushi walked with Arnav.

"Arrey, you guys came?" Garima asked.

"Haan, Amma... We are going to study. You watch TV," Khushi said.

"Haan haan... go go..."

Arnav came to Khushi's room. Khushi went to the shelf to remove the book, but Arnav stopped her.

"Come..."

"The book..."

"No need"

"Why?"

"It's because ..." he made her sit and inserted an earphone in her ear.

Khushi was perplexed. Yet, she waited without questioning him. he gave her a BUTTON phone.

"What's this for Arnav?"

"This is a button phone. You can operate it. We can store more than two thousand files on this phone. I just saved fifty last night. You can listen to it and repeat it if you have doubts. I will get it from you tonight and record fifty more files tonight."

"Didn't you sleep last night?" she asked worriedly.

"I did..."

"How long?"

"I said I did..."

"Tell me the truth..."

"Four hours..."

"Will you do the same today, also spoiling your sleep?"

"Four hours are more than enough for me, Khushi."

"I can't allow you to spoil your health."

"Khushi, it's just a matter of a few days..."

"No need... you don't have to do anything that spoils your health. What if you fall sick?"

Arnav smiled.

"Nothing will happen to me."

"Arnav, please don't be careless..."

"Ok..."

"Won't you listen to me?"

Arnav rolled his eyes, smiling.

"Ok... I won't be up.... I will do it for only one hour... is it

ok?"

"You didn't sleep last night properly. So, sleep well tonight. You can record tomorrow."

"As you say, madam..." he smiled, which brought a smile to Khushi's face, too.

"Khushi, you asked me why I want to marry you..."

Khushi blinked her eyes slowly.

"This is why... to get this affection, care and concern..."

She smiled.

"Hear the records... bye..."

Arnav was about to leave but stopped feeling his hand clutched. He looked at Khushi, who was holding his hand securely.

"Do you want to tell me something?" Arnav asked.

Khushi nodded yes.

"Yeah, tell me..."

"I love you, Arnav..." She said, keeping his hand on her cheek.

To be continued...