Part 41 Arnav’s state of mind

“I heard he is an Aghori… that’s why our SP sir wants to do his funeral as he wants his soul to rest in peace”

Khushi looked at Arnav’s face who was horrified, hearing that. it was not hard for him to connect the dots and Khushi understood that.

Shashi didn’t reveal the truth about his father and created the scene as if he was doing his funeral for Virtue. Arnav and Khushi understood that. Arnav turned his gaze towards Khushi who looked horror-struck.

Arnav walked to Shashi who was doing the final ritual to his father. He wanted to know who the dead man was. Khushi followed him agitatedly. She was nervous and helpless as well. Arnav looked at the dead body and got a lifetime shock, seeing the same man whom he could never forget… who was the reason for his horrible life.

Khushi came in front of him and looked at his face to know the level of his anger. She could not conclude what she saw in his face. Her eyes were teary and her face carried fear. Arnav averted his gaze, could not see her in that condition. He gulped down hard. The man who cursed him was none other than Khushi’s grandfather. This was unpredicted and difficult too…! He didn’t know what to do. He could not decide anything. So, he decided to leave the place.

Shashi smiled at Arnav thankfully. His facial expression changed seeing Khushi advancing him wrathfully. It was not hard for him to understand she was angry with him. She glared at him and said nothing.

“Khushi… I just…” He stopped hearing,

“I’m leaving uncle,”

Khushi and Shashi looked at Arnav.

“I have to go, uncle…”

“Thank you so much, Arnav…” Shashi said.

Arnav nodded his head and looked at Khushi. Tears rolled down from her eyes. Arnav left the place without uttering a single word, leaving Khushi helpless.

Wiping her tears, Khushi looked at Shashi, gritting her teeth.

“Why the hell did you bring me here? I told you… I hate your father… then why did you bring me here, Dad?”

“Khushi, this is his final ritual. This is our duty to do it”

“I don’t want to do anything for this man… I can’t… I hate this man…”

“But why, Khushi?”

“Because I don’t want to respect the man who my Dadi hated. He is a man who could not even get respect from his wife. He is a man who never cared about other’s feelings. He cursed a boy. I’m not ready to respect such a man” She said gritting her teeth.

“Khushi…” he sighed.

Khushi walked away from the place, leaving helpless Shashi.

Shashi signaled his driver to drop Khushi home. The driver followed Khushi. She stopped and glared at him.

“If you follow me, I will drown in this lake… then, my father should have to do a final ritual for me” she shouted.

The driver looked at Shashi helplessly. Shashi gestured for him to move back. Khushi continued walking. She could not hold her tears. She did not know what Arnav would be thinking right now. He would be broken down by the shocking truth. He would not talk to her from here on. He would hate to see her face as she was the granddaughter of the man who gave him a painful life. She felt like crying her heart out. She lost her Arnav… she lost her happiness. She lost her life…!

When she came under a big tree, she sensed herself getting weak and her legs lost their strength. She was in lack of breath. She held her head and struggled to stand. She felt dizzy and fell to the ground.

Arnav who was sitting behind the same tree, heard the sound and peeped out. He was freaked out to see Khushi lying on the floor. He rushed to her and tapped her cheek nervously. He understood she had a panic attack.

“Khushi… Khushi…” Arnav shook her.

Yes, Arnav didn’t leave. He was also in the same state as Khushi. He didn’t think he could ride the bike in the state. So, he stopped the bike behind a bush and sat behind a tree next to the bush. Closing his eyes, he leaned on the tree. He was distraught. He could not believe Khushi was the granddaughter of the man who destroyed his life. What was he going to do now? What would be his parent’s reaction? Would they accept Khushi as their daughter-in-law? Arnav was sure that Khushi understood the man was the one who cursed him. Her horrified expression was the evidence. He could say she was scared. That was why she cried. he was thinking about all these. That was when he saw her lying on the floor, hearing a thud.

He lifted her in his arms and brought her behind the tree. making her lean on the tree, he checked Khushi’s bag and removed a water bottle. He sprinkled water on her face. Khushi didn’t open her eyes and Arnav confirmed it was a panic attack. He felt bad for her. He waited patiently for her to get consciousness.

After a while, Khushi opened her eyes slowly. She looked here and there as she could not understand where was she. She remembered what happened a few minutes ago. She cried, circling her knees, burying her face in them.

She jerked feeling a touch on her shoulder. She was dumbfounded to see Arnav kneeling in front of her. She tried to read his eyes where there was only love like always. In no time, Khushi circled his neck and burst out crying. Arnav closed his eyes and caressed her back.

“I’m sorry, Arnav… I’m sorry…”

“Khushi, why are you crying?”

“That Aghori is my grandfather”

“So what?”

“He is the reason for your spoilt life”

“What are you talking about, Khushi? He is not that Aghori” he said, making Khushi stun.

She broke the hug and asked,

“Whaaat? What did you say?”

“I said he is not the Aghori… you don’t have to bother about him,” he said looking somewhere.

He stood up and lifted her by her shoulders who was gazing at him. She understood that he did not want to make her guilty. So he lied.

“I will drop you. Let’s go”

Khushi stopped him by clutching his hand. Arnav looked at her plainly.

“Here, I’m struggling to face you, but you, trying to wipe my guilt?”

“There is nothing for you to be guilty of, Khushi”

Khushi circled his neck again and cried her heart out.

“I know you are lying… because you don’t want me to feel bad… I’m sorry, Arnav. My grandfather is a fool to curse a pure soul like you. I’m sorry”

“You don’t have to cry and apologize for something you are not related to…”

Breaking the hug, she looked at him wondering.

“I don’t care who is your grandfather. I don’t care if you already know the truth. I don’t even care if you loved me only to do redemption… let it be anything, I don’t care. I just don’t want to be the loser. I will be the biggest loser in the world if I lose you, Khushi because I know your love for me is pure. I can’t let you go…! I won’t…”

Khushi hugged him and cried burying her face in his chest.

“I don’t know my grandfather would be a cruel man. I don’t know if he was alive. I’m sorry… my grandfather is the reason for your hurtful life.”

Arnav felt bad for her.

“Khushi, you made my life meaningful. You gave me a reason to live. You are with me. it’s enough for me”

“Are not you angry with me?” she asked lifting her head.

“Why would I be angry with you for no reason? What your grandfather did is not your mistake. Don’t think about him. let’s go” he wiped her cheek.

She held his hand. Arnav looked at her.

“I can’t believe you are not angry with me” she choked.

“Shall I prove?”

“How?”

He cupped her face and captured her lips for a lovable kiss but Khushi turned it into a passionate one as she knew he needed it the most.

To be continued…