Part 43 After a long...

After getting beaten up by Khushi, Suman sat in front of Arnav laughingly.

"Sumi, what about having a beer?" NK asked.

"Sorry, a cultured girl like me won't even touch alcohol," he said tucking his hair behind his ear.

"I am going to kill you for sure. You can be a cultured woman from tomorrow. Now, have a beer for the sake of our friendship" NK warned him.

"You bloody spoilt Brat... you shot me by the weapon called friendship..." Suman felt sad clutching his nose bridge.

"Stop overacting... Let's have a beer"

"Okay, only for the sake of our friendship... That too, only today..."

"Let's go, Arnav..." NK called him.

Arnav nodded no with a smile. Suman and NK looked at Khushi who was also smiling.

"Don't be scared, Arnav. Khushi won't say anything... hai na Khushi?"

Arnav again nodded no.

"Khushi, permit him to give us company" Suman demanded.

"She knows I won't drink," said Arnav.

They looked at Khushi who nodded yes.

"He won't drink because I don't like it," Khushi said.

"Oh... Is that for Khushi?" NK wondered.

"Yes, when we were studying in college, his friends compelled him many times but he denied"

"Oh... then waiting for Arnav is no use. Let's go" NK said.

"Where are you guys going? it's already late" Khushi looked at the clock. That was about to hit 12.

"We are in the mood of having a beer. we will definitely find out a shop or a pub" NK stood up.

"I am taking the key. Don't wait for us. Go to sleep..." Suman followed NK, locking the door.

Khushi sent them off and walked to the bedroom. When she crossed Arnav, she slowed down her steps and looked at him.

"Happy Anniversary..." both of them uttered at the same time and got stuck.

They were looking at each other getting emotional. Their eyes tear up. In no time, Khushi rushed to him and hopped on him. Arnav reciprocated the hug with the same zeal. He buried his face in the crook of her neck, closing his eyes. He cupped her face and drenched her face with kisses. Tears rolled down her cheek. Arnav wiped them with his thumb fingers not minding about HIS tears. Khushi clutched his collar.

"How did you live without me?"

"Just like a dead body..." came from him.

"I missed you like hell..." Khushi pressed her lips on his forehead.

"I too... Still... until you come to me, forever..."

"Take me with you. Enough of separation. I can't tolerate this torture"

"I am even ready to take you with me now itself. But I want to do it respectfully. I already hurt you a lot... Not anymore..."

"You too are equally hurt... my condition is better than yours. I had Sumi with me to share my grief. But you don't even have anyone to pour your heart."

"Are not you angry with me?"

"I was... but, when I got to know the reason for your wedding, my anger became sympathy..."

"Anyone in your place would have gotten angry with me for the betrayal"

"No... Don't name it as a betrayal. You were knocked down with a ploy made by Mr. Kapoor. I know how much you love your mother. Being a single mother, she struggled a lot to bring you up. You could not let her die in front of your eyes. That's why you married to Sheetal"

"Whatever the reason is, I am sorry... for making you cry... For making your distress..."

"You did not even forget this day. You can't be a sinner, Arnav"

"How could I forget this day? This is the most important and happiest day of my life. You accepted my proposal... You accepted my love... we celebrated this day every year, spending time together. How beautiful those days are...!"

"I do remember you every year on this day"

"I won't remember... ( he paused and observed her expression that changed instantly) I could remember you only if I forget you. There is no single second in my life that passed without your memories" he touched her cheek. Khushi kissed his palm.

"I am glad, you changed your mind about not touching someone's husband"

"You are not someone's husband. You were... You are... And, you will be mine"

"Thank God, you understood the reality"

"I understood the reality, so?"

"So?"

"Does it make a difference?

"Doesn't it?"

"I don't think so..."

"What made you think differently?"

"You"

"Me?"

"You are still talking, wasting time, missing a good opportunity..."

Arnav frowned.

"Ok, leave it" She was supposed to go, but Arnav pulled her back on his chest and seized her lip, passing a high voltage current in her body. She circled his neck and took an equal part in the kiss whereas he lifted her from the ground, circling her waist. In no time, she circled his waist with her legs. It seemed they have no intention of getting apart from one another.

How long...! It was been seven years since they got apart. The seven years of saved yearnings bubbled in them. Everything has its end, and so was their kiss. They broke the kiss and rested their forehead on one another, panting hard. They looked at each other and smiled.

"You haven't even changed a bit," She said.

"You too... The same passion" he kissed her chin.

She placed her head on his shoulder which she always liked to do. He sat on the couch, making her lean on him. They entwined their fingers as she leaned on his shoulders. Arnav placed his cheek on her head. They didn't talk. They didn't need words. This was how they wanted to have one another by their side.

After so many years, their minds rested in peace. That took them into a deep sleep. Staying with entwining fingers, they slept in a sitting position. Suman and NK reached home and saw them sleeping together cutely.

"It seems they patched up" Suman smiled.

Taking his mobile, he captured theirs still.

"Let them sleep. We will go to the terrace" Suman said.

NK nodded ok. Suman brought bedsheets and pillows. They went to the terrace without disturbing Arnav and Khushi.

The next morning

Arnav woke up from his sleep and found himself leaning on the couch whereas Khushi sleeping on his lap. He smiled blissfully, seeing her on his lap. He tucked her hair strands behind her ear without disturbing her sleep and stayed without a movement.

That was when he saw baby Khushi coming out of the room with sleepy eyes. She became excited, seeing Arnav and Khushi together. Arnav gestured for her not to shout but come to him. She rushed to him and lay on his other thigh. That was least expected by Arnav. He was sitting, having both Khushis in his lap.

Within a few minutes, NK and Suman came inside. They got stuck, seeing the scene. Arnav smiled at them.

"What a blissful sight!" Suman said.

"Arnav's life will be like this from here on" NK smiled.

Their talks disturbed Khushi's sleep. She opened her eyes and saw them smiling at her. She smiled at them not understanding her position.

"It seems you are in the most secured place?" Suman teased yet, said the truth.

Khushi looked up and then realized she was lying on Arnav's lap. She sat on the couch jerking. She smiled seeing baby Khushi smiling at her.

"Come here" she called. Baby Khushi came to her and hugged her.

"Shall we go to the school?" Khushi asked. Baby Khushi nodded ok. Khushi stood up from the couch and went to the bedroom taking baby Khushi with her.

"It seems you guys sorted out your difference!" Suman asked.

"Gladly..."

"Are you going to meet Sheetal today?"

"Yes... With my lawyer"

That was when they heard,

"I will also come with you," said Khushi

"But why Khushi?" Suman sulked.

"I want to meet her"

"But..." Cutting him, Arnav said,

"Let her come with me..."Suman looked at them weirdly. "Get ready, Khushi. We will go" Khushi nodded ok and went to get ready.

To be continued...