NGNF – Part 15

Anjali seemed thoughtful for a minute as she blankly stared at the television screen and laughed an ironic laugh. Aditya just stared at her face intently, wanting nothing more than to know what was going on in her mind. “Is it ironic that the world has started to show me more of such betrayals? No. I don’t believe that.” Her talk seemed like her thoughts were being said out loud. “It was always right in front of my eyes. But I was naive not to see it. And now that I have, such things,” She waved her arm towards the television, where a prim and proper anchor stood, reporting a crime about a husband mercilessly killing his own pregnant wife, and continued her monologue, “Are becoming more and more visible to me. . .”

 

“I wonder what he might be doing now. Where is he?” Anjali asked, as she turned her attention to the three people who surrounded her. Her brother, her bhabhi – who sat (had been forced to sit) on Arnav’s lap as demurely as she was allowed to, and the newest member in her life. Aditya. He had this poker face on, which did make her doubt what he was hiding from her. “You don’t have to worry about him, Anjali.” Aditya said and not having much knowledge about Shyam, turned to Arnav to know if what he was asserting was right. ‘Has the matter been attended to? Is this solved?’ was what Aditya would have asked crudely, had there been no sensitive, female audience there. However, words were deemed unnecessary, as Arnav understood his actual questions and gave an almost imperceptible nod. A simple nod for Aditya’s credit and it spoke volumes. In the least, that nod managed to assure Aditya that Shyam would not be visiting them anytime soon. How? Why? He did not know. Neither did he care.

 

“He is right, Di. You don’t have to worry about him. Ever.” Arnav reasserted what Aditya had said. “I am not worrying, Chotey. I was just thinking where he might be. Or who might he be swindling at this moment. But I do worry about him coming back to get his revenge on us.”

 

“Anjali. . .” Aditya’s voice seemed exasperated, and his face was not so poker-ish anymore, as his eyes showed his frayed patience, a little of his panic about Anjali still brooding on her past. ‘Why is he panicking?? He thinks I would go back to Shyam if he came to me and asked for my forgiveness?!’ Anjali thought, as she smiled and squeezed his hand which she had held, hoping that he would not misunderstand her. She felt him sigh once and give her a small smile, which still was doubtful. And though Anjali held Aditya’s undivided attention, he saw that Arnav and Khushi had suddenly turned tense too, and he did register in some corner of his mind that Khushi had given a meaningful look to her husband and had nodded her head once.

 

“Di, he is never coming back.” Arnav stated and Anjali turned to him with a confused expression on her face. Aditya had a curious look too, as he silently asked Arnav, with a slight raise of his left eyebrow whether he was indeed thinking right.

‘Is he indeed dead?!’

 

Arnav’s eyes lit up, before he gave the same response to him as before. An almost imperceptible nod. It was like a weight had been lifted off Aditya’s shoulder. He relaxed immediately and sat back on the couch, realizing then that he was at the edge of his seat all this time. Anjali had felt the changes in him too, and when she turned to him with that same confused eyes, he felt the weight return back tenfold in his chest, somewhere near his heart, he was sure.

What if she still wanted him?! What if she still LOVED him?!!! Aditya’s poker face returned as he sat there, staring at Anjali with unblinking eyes, as Arnav proceeded to tell her how and why Shyam had died. Anjali gasped at Arnav’s first dialog. “HE IS DEAD.”

 

She had looked down, her face showing her shock, and she sat that way for a few minutes. Or hours, it seemed to a panicking Aditya. He was frozen right beside her, and she stared on, not knowing how to react. Sure she hated him to his guts for what he had done to her. To her family. To her brother. To Khushi bhabhi. To her child, which was not even allowed to breathe once in the outside world. But that did not mean that she wanted him dead! And a thought crossed her mind which made her hand go to her throat in shock and she gasped, as she looked at her brother. “Chotey! Kahi tumne kuch. . .” Arnav gritted his teeth before he rolled his eyes and said, “As flattering as it may seem, that the two most important women in my life think that I murdered that bastard, I did not!!” ‘I was too busy pining for my wife!’ he added mentally. The same wife, who was telling him in a soft voice that he should not use swear words in front of the baby, her hand protectively covering her belly, where he put his hand too. She also gave him an apologetic look to him, sorry for doubting him to have killed Shyam. As if she should have known that he would never stoop so low. He shook his head at her and with a soft blink of his expressive eyes, said that she should not think too much over it. Besides, now that these women had put this idea into his head, he did wonder why he lost the opportunity of harming Shyam in anyway possible.

 

While this transpired between Arnav and Khushi, Aditya’s state of limbo cannot be forgotten. He still sat there, frozen, his panic now reaching a limit of craze, not knowing whether Anjali still craved for that dead slime. Please, no! I had just thought of moving ahead in my life! Don’t take her away from me too! Please! He begged. . . someone, not really sure whom he was begging. Not much of a believer in God, he was. And when Anjali said, “Wow!” in a dazed state, his posture turned even more upright, if that was possible and continued staring at her lovely eyes.

 

“I can’t believe he is gone. Are you sure, Chotey??” She asked, turning her gaze to her brother. And the brother replied, “Of course, Di. I saw the corpse.”

“Oh!” was the reply that came out of her mouth.

 

You have to understand that I am going crazy here! Aditya was thinking when she whispered near his ear, looking at a button on his shirt, and also looking as cute as the same button with her nose scrunched up a little. “Will I be considered a bad person if I feel relieved at this news??”

Silence.

Blank.

That is what Aditya felt for a three seconds when he heard her utter this question.

And then relief – so sweet and limitless coursed through Aditya. He hugged her immediately, surprising Anjali by his action. And though Anjali hugged him back with equal fervor, she pressed, “Bataayiye na?!” Aditya pulled back from the embrace and said with a conspiring smile on his face, “Well. . . . If you would be considered bad for such a thought, you will have to count me in too. Do you think I am a bad person, Anjali?” “No.” was Anjali’s doubtless reply, and Aditya shrugged, “There you go. Tumhara jawaab mila??”

 

Anjali giggled at his Hindi. Though he did speak an impeccable Hindi, his accent was a slightly different, what with growing up in the United Kingdom. Aditya smiled too, tucking a stray strand of her hair behind her ear with the gentlest of hands and heard her sigh. “Hum ghar kab waapas jaa sakte hai, Aditya?”

“Whenever you want. Today. Now. Even though I will have to see whether tickets would be available at the end moment.” Aditya promptly replied and Anjali smiled at the attempt he made to give her whatever she wanted. ‘Are you really sure you still want to come with me??’ she had wanted to ask, but she remembered the last time she had asked him that and he had flipped out at it. Her low self esteem, apparently, was the one thing that Aditya hated the most. So she left that thought and turned to thank the Gods for bringing him into her life instead. It seemed like they had completely forgotten that Arnav and Khushi still sat there, and they were brought out of their bubble world when they had heard Lavanya laughing and enter the apartment with a sheepishly smiling NK. “Isski Hindi tho meri Hindi se bhi worse hai!!” Lavanya said, as she doubled over with laughter.

 

“Aisa bhi kya keh diya usne?” Aditya questioned and Lavanya’s laughter stopped as she stood looking at her toes, a small blush creeping onto her face, while NK’s sheepish smile turned into a victorious one. “I’d rather not say.” Lavanya muttered in a small voice, and their audience turned to NK now, “Kyu Nanheji? Kya kaha aapne??” Khushi questioned, and NK announced with a proud voice, “Main tumse bewafaa mohabbat karta hoon. . .” The audience rolled over with laughter too, except Arnav, that is, and NK asked, “Lav! Give me the proper word!” And Lavanya replied, “I would have if I could remember it!!”

“Beimtihaan” said Arnav, pointing a finger at NK.

And thus passed the few more days that they spent in London. Fun-filled, because NK and Lavanya were there. Love-filled, as they all had their respective partners with them.

o0o0o0o

They had returned to India four days ago and the family was slowly getting used to having Khushi back. The Guptas had been invited to Raizada’s place too, so that they could spend sometime with their beloved daughter too. The fact that Khushi was pregnant just added to the joy! Lavanya and Aditya had been accepted with open arms too. Though the elders did feel a little weary when they saw Aditya shower his attention on Anjali without any hesitation.

 

They had all had dinner and sat around the television, the female population there, totally engrossed in some daily soap which they followed and the male population, admiring the sensitive mind of their respective spouses, as they awww-ed and Oh!-ed along with the heroine in that show. And when the show was over, and everybody got up and was about to leave to their respective rooms, Arnav asked them all to sit back. Everybody looked at him curiously including Khushi.

 

He stood in front of the television where he could address all of them, and began, “I know that I had taken away the chance of you enjoying Khushi’s wedding. I had taken it away from Khushi the most. Even when I knew how much she valued each one of those rituals. And you must know how much I am. . .” He could not talk any further, for he was never good with words, he justified to himself, before continuing, “So. . . .” Arnav took a step towards the nearest chair, where Khushi sat and knelt. “Will you marry me?” He asked, and after a moment added, “Again?”

 

A hush had fallen over the room as they saw Khushi’s eyes filling up and a tear escaped her eye. And even though Arnav’s fingers itched to wipe them away, he sat there, waiting for her reply. Khushi nodded, throwing herself into his arms. Thankful for the workouts he did thrice a week, Arnav held the flash of pink which hit him square in the chest and cradled it against himself, careful not to harm the baby in anyway.

 

Aditya and Anjali smiled and turned to each other, smiling even wider as they looked into each other’s eyes. Aditya had promised that Anjali would decide the pace of their relationship, and he knew that they would come to this phase too. Eventually. Until then, he would take all he got from her. Nk yelled, “I want to get married too!!”

 

“What the-!!” Arnav muttered, and said, “You can’t marry Khushi. She’s my wife!”
NK rolled his eyes as he walked over to Lavanya and said, “I meant this lovely lady, Nannav! Seriously, man! Khushi bhabhi, aap mahaaan ho! To handle Nannav on a daily basis!”

 

“Woh tho woh hai!” Arnav murmured into Khushi’s ear and made her lean into him affectionately.

Payal stood leaning against Akash, her back completely in contact with his front. His hand caressed her belly and she murmured, “We’ll tell about our baby in a few days. Today is their day.” She felt Akash’s head nod against her shoulder. “Humein abhi bhi vishwaas nahi ho raha hai, ki sab kuch theek ho gaya. Yeh sab ek sapna lagta hai, Akash. . . .” (I still cannot believe that everything has been sorted out. I still think it is all a dream, Akash)

 

“Oh, this is all real, alright. Come to our room, and let me show you exactly how real it is. . . .” Akash murmured in a teasing voice and Payal blushed. Taking a final look at the love filled living room of the Raizada mansion, she looked at Khushi, who had almost melted into Arnav, her happiness radiating through the glow on her face. This was how her Khushi used to be. This was how she was meant to be. And the reason for Khushi’s happiness, as she fully knew and understood held her with lovingly and looked up at Payal at the same time. Payal pointedly looked at Khushi and mouthed “Thank you.”

 

Arnav’s arms tightened around Khushi as she yawned once and looked up to make him see that she was really sleepy now. He smiled down at his wife and made her lay his head on his shoulder, before he turned to Payal, shook his head once and mouthed, “Sorry.”

 

Payal seemed thoughtful for a second before she smiled at him and nodded her head once. And thus Arnav Singh Raizada had been forgiven.

 

She turned to go to her husband, knowing that nobody would miss them at the moment, and wondering how different Arnav and Khushi’s love was, ignoring the pang of jealousy which mindlessly entered her mind. That she did not possess such a love. A love, which could so easily take your life, but would still not let you go far away from each other. But when she looked at Akash and he smiled down at her, her thoughts lay forgotten, as she basked in the love that her husband showered on her. Maybe a different love. But love, it was. . . .

~The End~

NGNF – Part 14

Arnav pulled back and saw the faint smile spread across his wife’s face. She kept her eyes closed as she asked, “Hum apne bachche ka kya naam rakhen, Arnav??” Arnav’s smile, which had started to grow as he saw her smile, disappeared at once, as his breath hitched. And as suddenly as his breathing had stopped, he started gasping for air, and his eyes filled up. Khushi opened her eyes as she smiled up at him, having been expecting the same reaction from him. “Tum. . . . Sach. . . .?? Khush. . . . .” He stuttered, not knowing how to voice the many emotions that her statement had managed to burst out in him. She simply pulled his head to her shoulder and then put her arms around his waist and held him close.

“You. . . You have no idea of how happy I am feeling at the moment, Khushi. . . .” Arnav murmured against her ear and Khushi nodded as she replied, “I do, Arnav. I do.” Parents to be or not, such a display of happiness from his end would never not make her happy. Arnav captured her lips in another tender kiss, and Khushi could still make out the hesitation in each move of his. As if he was afraid that she would be offended by him if he did anything wrong and she would leave him. But what he did not understand and Khushi had, from the past few days was the fact that Arnav must be there with her. She had simply forgotten how she had lived all these years without him. She was addicted to him in so bad a manner; she would surely go insane the next time he was not there with her. ‘As if she you were not insane the last time he was not there with you!’ A voice reminded in her head and she whimpered as she broke the kiss and hid her face in his chest. He held her close, with a hand splayed over the small of her back, and the other on her head. And Khushi smiled at the amount of security the man gave her just by being there with her. 
Arnav held her hand as they walked back to her apartment, and had a silent dinner, which, was sitting on the dining table, waiting for them. They knew Anjali must have brought it in for them. After dinner, they laid down on the couch, as Khushi chattered non-stop. It was as if she was making up for all the days that she had spent talking so less to everybody. And Arnav was not the one to complain tonight. He did feel a little blessed by the divine powers that he did not believe in, that she was finally, slowly getting back to her normal self, and he could not help but to feel amused as he wondered how a person could talk so much! And he watched as she slowed her rant and finally fell asleep on him. 

He had just laid himself down on the couch, with her on top of him, and had started thinking about how his life had turned into the cold, black hole that it seemed to be, to a warm, sunny day. He did not know how much of the night he spent that way, but was brought out of his reverie when he felt her whimper and squirm. He lifted his head and saw the frown that marred her beautiful face. She must be having a bad dream, he thought as he rubbed her back, trying to get her out of it. But she gasped for air, as her palms fisted on his shirt, and she woke up with a start, pushing his hand away. She stared at him, with wide, fearful eyes, as her hands clutched each other and was pressed against her racing heart. 

Arnav stared at her with concern, barely stopping himself from standing up and hugging her tight, as he did not want her to get scared than she already was. When she visibly calmed down a little, he held up his arms, into which Khushi immediately ran into. 

It was the same nightmare that troubled Khushi. The one, where Shyam had tried to molest her. And when she had felt a pair of masculine arms tighten around her, she had stupidly thought them to be Shyam’s. It was when she stood in front of Arnav, gasping for air, that she realized what had happened. She saw her husband open his arms for her, where she gladly went into. “Want to talk about it?” She heard him question her, and she gave her answer in a word, “Shyam. . . .” The response from her husband for her answer was immediate and expected. He stiffened in her arms, and she stiffened too, at his response. 
“There is no need to fear him anymore, Khushi. . .” Arnav said, as he tightened his arms around her, wondering, for how long Shyam had starred in her nightmares and had troubled her. Khushi, on the other hand, pulled out of his embrace at the tone of finality in his voice. She saw the hatred in his eyes for the man who had, to an extent, managed to screw all their lives. But it was comparatively less to what she had expected. She cupped his cheek, and when he looked down to her, she searched for something in his eyes for a while. Arnav sighed in to her touch and looked at her as he said, “Shyam is dead. . . .” Khushi gasped, and then narrowed her eyes suspiciously at him. “Did you do something, Arnav?!” 

Arnav jerked back in surprise, as he stared at her with shocked eyes, and Khushi got her answer that he did not have anything to do with Shyam’s demise. 

“Khushiii!! No! He died in an accident. How I wish you were right, though!” He said, and Khushi smacked his stomach with the back of her hand, which he held and explained, “He had fell on the road, drunk, and fully unconscious when some truck passed over him. . .” Khushi flinched at that, and Arnav rubbed her back to calm her down. 

“I was called for the body’s recognition and as he did not have anybody else for his family, I did his last rites too.” Now it was Khushi’s turn to look at her husband in surprise. “What?! Okay, it was not like I did anything. They pushed his body into the electric furnace and I watched it. . . .” Arnav explained, and his face had got this cruel smile on his lips as he remembered Shyam’s lifeless body being almost thrown into the electric furnace and the flames licking onto him. He would have loved to see it fully too, but the doors of the furnace had been closed then. Khushi looked at his face, scared by the intensity of hate he displayed at the moment, and she gulped once to reduce the uneasy feeling that was rising in her. 

“How did Di react?” Khushi asked, and Arnav looked at her in confusion. “Why would Di react to this at all??” Khushi gazed in confusion for a while. Had Di become so cold-hearted that she did not even give a second thought about the death of the man who was her husband? But it was so unlike Di. And then it dawned on her. Arnav must not have told Di at all! “You never told her!” Khushi exclaimed, and Arnav looked at her with unsure eyes, before he asked with unease, “I should have??” 

Khushi raised her eyebrows and looked at him as if the answer was obvious. Arnav frowned and sighed, as he looked down, and mumbled, “Alright, I will tell her!” Khushi smiled at her miffed husband before she thought of what kind of a death Shyam had to face. And when she voiced this to her husband, he simply shrugged as he replied, “That is probably the best he got.” ‘Had he been alive, he would have probably wished such a death too’ He thought, hiding the fact that he had used all his powers to hunt the dog down. He was a man of extremes. If he loved with all his being, he hated with each and every cell in him too. He had wanted Shyam nothing less than dead. But the fact that he had died without any of Arnav’s help had peeved Arnav a little. 

Not anymore though. He had the woman he loved in his arms, and his Di seemed to be faring well too. Things seemed to be finally falling into their proper places. And he would soon settle everything else too. . . . . . . . .

NGNF – Part 13

He kissed her softly, his lips pressing against the fullness of her own. And when he felt her sigh against his lips, driving him nearly insane, he let his tongue enter her mouth, and did what he had been wanting to do since the moment he had seen her that evening, before they left for dinner. Tasting all the sweetness that she was, he was just making himself familiar with each of the nook and crannies of her mouth, when he felt her pull back, making him grow tense. 

“I just lost my baby, Aditya. . . .” 

Aditya bent to look into her eyes, and when she refused to comply, he bluntly said, “We could always make more. . . .” 

She lifted her wide eyes to look at him, and blurted, “Its too soon. . . .” 

Aditya nodded once, as if her word was final, and replied, “Right. Then wait, we shall!” 

Anjali smiled as she bowed her head, and looked at her hands in disbelief while she asked, “Did we just. . . .??” 

“Start to plan our family?? Yes, we did. While we’re at it, I don’t want our child to be the only one. I believe a child gets to learn a lot from its sibling.” Aditya said in a grave tone, even as his eyes twinkled with joy. 

The joy which made Anjali smile too. But her smile died as soon as it had started. “Are you sure you want it to be me?? I. . . . I really don’t know what to say. . . .” 

“We’ve been over this, Anjali! It is you for me! I am a psychiatrist! And I can almost read others’ mind? Don’t you think I know my own well??” Aditya muttered, his voice showing the irritation he felt when Anjali doubted herself. Even after knowing that her lack of self esteem was not really her fault and was due to the betrayal that she had faced by her first husband, it did irk him to no end. Anjali put a hand on his arm, and slowly but surely laid her head on his shoulder. He sighed once, relaxing a little into her embrace, as his own arms engulfed her in a bear hug. He put his fingers under her chin and lifting her head a little, so that she could look into his eyes, he willed her to trust him, before taking her lips in a gentle, yet intense kiss. 

And this was exactly how Khushi found her sister-in-law and her Bhaiyya, as she watched them with round eyes, and her lips had made a perfect “O” too, before she lowered her gaze.Thankfully they had not spotted her as she stood rooted in her spot for a second,  which seemed to be more than an eternity for her, before she scrambled from there, suddenly nervous as to what her husband’s reaction would be, if he were to spot his sister with a man in this fashion. She came out of the apartment, and directly ran into the husband in question. “What is wrong, Khushi??” He asked, his prior hurt lost in the concern on seeing his blushing wife. Had it become too warm for her, he thought, as he was about to take her into the apartment and make her sit, when she squeaked, “Let us go to my apartment!” 

Which apartment he went into was the least of his concerns at the moment, as he noticed her high pitched voice, which usually meant she was trying to hide something very desperately from him. She even tugged at his arm and he let her pull him into the opposite apartment. As they sat down, he looked at her curiously, “What are you hiding from me, Khushi??” Her eyes went even wider at his question, as she fumbled for an answer. “Hum. . . Hum kyon kuch chupaaye aapse?!” It was at times like this that Arnav could assure himself a hundred percent entertainment. A secret and Khushi together meant that for him. It had always. He remembered how she had fought to hide her feelings for him at the time of Payal-and Akash’s wedding. Even though the desperation to hear her feelings for him had been endless, he still had enjoyed their encounters to no end. 

He started to rise and go to the door, intending to find out what she was hiding when she came and stood in between him and the door, bolting the door behind her. He barely hid his smirk now. Khushi Kumari Gupta was returning, he could see. “Who is more important to you? Why are you going away?!” Arnav maintained a poker face and stopped himself from rolling his eyes, as he said; “I was just going to change. . . .” 

“You’re fine as you are. Let us talk about our child.” Khushi almost shouted, and watched his shoulders stoop in defeat. She knew she had played dirty. She knew he still thought that she did not want to have their love inside her. But him losing his new-found patience in front of either of the people in the opposite apartment was the last thing Khushi needed right now. He silently turned around and went back to the couch. As she watched him sit down wordlessly, she wanted to go and sit on his lap, put her arms around his neck, and hug him tight. To remove the vulnerable look that had came into his eyes. 

Quite surprisingly, even to her own self, that is exactly what she did. And even though Arnav displayed surprise when he felt her lowering herself onto his lap, he held her quietly, letting her do whatever she wanted to do. Sighing when he felt her arms go around his neck, he buried his face in her hair, grateful that he would at least have her, even though he could not say the same thing about their child. 

Khushi on the other hand decided to end all this. She had always dreamt of having babies of the man she loved. And she knew that though the love from her husband had always been there for her, it had just been unreachable all these days. When her husband seemed to be so intent on showering the love on her, that she craved for, she felt blessed to have it. Moreover, she was not just talking for herself anymore. She knew the importance of a father in a child’s life. And she would never want her child to grow without one. Plus she was too tired. Tired of fighting her love for him. Especially so, as now Arnav was not hiding his feelings for her anymore. So she talked. Talked about how she had felt when she had wanted to move out. 

“My decision to leave was not made at the spur of the moment, Arnav. I had given it a lot of thought. What did I want? A new place, in a new house, amongst new faces, under new circumstances. I wanted this because it is of no use wanting anything better. And how did people do to get a new place? They applied to friends, I supposed. ** 

“And my only friend was Lavanya. I called her and asked her to help me. I told her that I wanted to leave. And even though she was unaware of anything that had happened, she helped me Arnav.” Arnav made a mental note to thank Lavanya for this. “She took me under her care. She wanted me to stay with her in the penthouse apartment she stays in, right now. But I had wanted to stay alone. The two apartments here belong to her and her friend. So she lent this apartment for my sake. 

“And then I started. . . .” Her voice grew hesitating at this. She did not know whether she wanted this truth of her life to be revealed to her husband. And then she decided that there would be no secrets between them, and continued, “I started’ Having hallucinations’ About you. . . . . .” He had listened with a patient ear until now, and his arms tightened around her at this point. 

“So. . . . You were always with me, Arnav. You were never too far; even though it was just my mind conjuring your image. . . .” Khushi said as she looked down at her hands, and her eyes welled up, as she laid out the truth in front of him. 

Arnav hugged her to himself, as he rubbed her back in soothing motions before he started to explain his state of mind when she had left him. Her knowing that he simply could not exist with Khushi, was important. Expressing it in words was comparatively difficult for him, since he was never the one to voice anything, except his anger. “The night we made love. . . . I had actually wanted to talk to you. Apologize to you for all the sins that I had committed against you. Di had questioned me what the difference between Shyam and I was, and she had been right, Khushi. . . .” Khushi wanted to shake her head in denial. He had nothing common in between the infidel monster, and she wanted to tell him that, but he laid a finger on her lips to stop her and continued, “And then. . . Then you decided to leave for your good. . . . . I. . . I would never be able to explain to you what I have been through, Khushi, and I would never be able to forget too. It was too dark and. . . . lonely. Even for me, who usually prefers loneliness! But then you would haunt me. The memories of your smile, your laughter, the way you would make sure I was alright. . . Everything! I just had to close my eyes, and sometimes not even that to drown in those memories, Khushi. Somehow you were never actually gone for me, yet you were not there with me. . . .” 

Khushi hugged him tight, unwilling to let him brood on the past. They were to become parents! They had to move on and accept the happiness that they were finally being bestowed with. “Come. . . . I have something to show to you. . . .” She stood up, and gave him a minute to get himself together, before she held his hand and took him out. He never questioned where they were going and silently walked by her side, and after a few minutes of walk, she stood in front of Havisham Dance Institute, her only place of solace. She stood staring at the huge board in front of it, the words “Havisham Dance Institute” written in such a font, that the letters seemed to dance too.

 

Here, Arnav looked at the board and then at her with slightly puzzled eyes, and her grin widened at this. The institute would be actually closed at this time. But the security guard readily opened the doors for her, and she took him to the room where she learnt ballet from her employer’s daughter. She connected her phone, which Aditya had gifted her, to the audio system, and played a melodious Hindi track for her, and sauntered to the middle of the room. Arnav realized what she was doing, and lowered himself to the ground, leaning back on the mirrored wall opposite her.

 

Tere liye, hum hain jiye, honton ko siye
Tere liye, hum hain jiye, har aansoo piye
Dil mein magar, jalte rahe, chaahat ke diye
Tere liye, tere liye

 

She danced so gracefully, with so much aplomb, he could not help but see himself in her. His self-confidence was one of the things he was proud of. And now seeing her dance in so carefree a manner, he felt a bubble of hope for her. Maybe Khushi could be cured of whatever after effects their separation had made her face. She looked at him and gave a shy smile, her cheeks getting a natural shade of pink that he was used to see. And she started pirouetting, a huge grin on her face, as if she was very happy and slowly stopped moving and came to a standstill as the song ended. Even her stillness seemed to radiate her glee. She turned to Arnav and looked at him with expectant eyes, and he grinned for her credit, and went to her. Another song started playing, a song which had a slightly faster tempo, which Arnav did not care to recognise.

 

But Khushi was not done dancing yet. She put her arms around his neck, and started swaying gently, as his arms went around her waist, and he started matched her moves too. Barely able to control himself, he kissed her cheek first, making her close her eyes and sigh in content, even as a smile spread across her lips. He watched at the happy smile on her face, reassuring himself again and again, that she would be the same Khushi Kumari Gupta that she used to be, when he felt her lips press against his cheek. He jerked his head back and stared at her in surprise. A kiss for a kiss?! Khushi Kumari Gupta was most definitely returning! Arnav thought, as she blushed and tried to avert her gaze. After doing so for a second, her eyes shot up to meet his and saw the smile in his eyes, increasing her happiness she was feeling at the moment. Her eyes went to his lips, and she remembered how those lips had tasted under hers, and she looked up, telling him what she craved for. Sighing once, he bent and pressed his lips to hers and kissed her gently.

 

It’s the way you love me
It’s a feeling like this
It’s centrifugal motion
It’s perpetual bliss

It’s that pivotal moment
It’s impossible
This kiss, this kiss (Unstoppable)
This kiss, this kiss

Cinderella said to Snow White
How does love get so off course
All I wanted was a white knight
With a good heart, soft touch, fast horse

Ride me off into the sunset
Baby, I’m forever yours

You can kiss me in the moonlight
On the rooftop under the sky
You can kiss me with the windows open
While the rain comes pouring inside
Kiss me in sweet slow motion
Let’s let everything slide
You got me floating, you got me flying

It’s that pivotal moment
It’s subliminal
This kiss, this kiss (It’s criminal)
This kiss, this kiss

NGNF – Part 12

Aditya sat back, enjoying the tea, and watched Khushi silently. Anjali too, let him be, as she had understood it was Dr. Aditya she sat next to, at the moment, and became the active member of the conversation. Khushi didn’t seem to know anything about her pregnancy, and her blank expression when Payal and herself had teased her about it, had confirmed her that. She looked at her brother, her eyes showing the surprise that he hadn’t yet shared such a weighty matter with his wife, and he smiled and nodded, telling her that he would soon do it. Payal had understood it too, and didn’t make any mentioning of it. 

Khushi, who had been still under shock, seeing such huge changes in her husband, turned to look at Lavanya, who for the first time, had sat silently, and she also spotted her hastily removing her hand out of NK’s when she saw Khushi looking at her. 

‘What the **’ her mind almost screamed! Arnav covered his mouth with the back of his hand, as if he had heard her thought on seeing Lavanya and NK together. She scowled at him, though her mind was thinking as to how her perspective of life changed as soon as Arnav came back to her life. It was like she had gone blind, and deaf to the world, when she had left Arnav. As if life had turned into an insipid picture. 

And now that he had come back, she could see all the things she had been missing out on. Her nebbish world seemed to have turned into a kaleidoscope, filled with multiple hues and a myriad of picturesque panorama. Arnav gave her a small smile, and left, as if he knew of what she was thinking about, but he wanted to leave her to her own thoughts.

Khushi sighed wearily, and bent her gaze to her hands. She felt like the same empty shell she had felt like, when he wasn’t there with her. ‘Does anybody get this crazy about a person?! No wonder Buaji used to call me Sankadevi! She called me that, without even knowing how crazy I could be!’ Khushi was thinking, when she looked up and saw Arnav peeking at her from the kitchen, as if he simply could not stay without looking at her for long. She bent her head again, sighing as her mind consoled her, ‘Well, look at that! He’s as crazy about you, as you are about him!’

She answered a question asked by Payal, without paying much attention, and went a little more closer towards Payal, making room for one more person on the same couch. She ran her hand along the seat and looked up at Arnav once, before she turned her full concentration towards what Payal was saying. 

Arnav couldn’t believe his eyes. Had Khushi really asked him to sit next to her?! Had she accepted him so easily?! But then he hadn’t actually expected even the slightest amount of grudge on her behalf. She possessed the purest soul that he would ever know about. But to make sure that she really wanted from him the same thing as he thought she wanted, he waited for a few more moments. She frowned while she looked at the empty seat next to her, and had just raised her eyes to look at him, when he was already midway to sit next to her. Sighing once, glad that he was right next to her, she concentrated on what her sister had been telling her from quite a while now. 

Anjali turned to look at Aditya, to see if his observation was done. She noticed he was done with Khushi and she had his attention now. Undivided attention. She felt her skin get heated under his unwavering gaze. She chided herself to stop behaving like a virgin teenager, but felt a fresh bout of blush spread across her cheeks, when she found his attention was particularly being bestowed on her lips. Completely forgetting that they had audience of two more couples, who were equally drowned in the sensations that their better halves filled in them, and Payal, Aditya was about to run his thumb across the fullness of Anjali’s lower lip, when his phone beeped to life. Anjali caught a glimpse of a certain “Anna” on the phone, and frowned, not really liking the Dr. Anna, who had treated Khushi, and seemed to have the hots for Aditya.

Aditya received the call, and stood up, pulling a very surprised Anjali to her feet and guided her to the kitchen. He only half listened to what Anna had to say, as he thought of how insecure this Shyam person had made Anjali. He had caught hold of the frown that had made its place on Anjali’s adorable face when she had seen that the person calling him on the phone was Anna. That is when he had decided to pull Anjali along himself and have her listen to the whole conversation. Maintaining thoroughgoing transparency would make him win her complete trust, and he did not mind it the least bit. He soon ended the call, and told Anjali, “I am required at the hospital. . . .”

Anjali’s frown was still in place, as she nodded once, refusing to meet his eyes. Sighing once, he tipped her face up, by putting a finger under her chin, and pressed his lips to hers for a second before he pulled back. He had clearly given Anjali, the option of backing out, which she didn’t even consider, as she kissed him with a zeal so vigorous, it made Aditya completely forget the sense of propriety and drown in the waves of desire she was managing to arouse in him with her kiss. And then she broke the kiss as impulsively as she had started it, making Aditya stare at her with glazed, probing eyes. “Go and come back soon. . . .” Anjali murmured, her forehead resting against his, as she smiled warmly. 

“Dinner tonight??” He asked, catching his breath, and wondering how Anjali seemed to manage her calm after giving such a soul-shattering, mind-boggling kiss.

She nodded once before answering positively to his question, “Dinner tonight.”

Aditya smiled and kissed her forehead before he left, with one last glance at her as he walked away.

Payal and Khushi had been inseparable for the whole day. Sitting and chatting, Khushi catching up about all the things she had missed while she was away, and Payal happily answering all her questions in a very animated fashion. Arnav sat next to Khushi, all the while watching her. Khushi had wished to see his patience finally wear out and him rolling his eyes in irritation, like he used to do. But she clearly had underestimated him, and he showed it in the way he sat silently, without complaining as she spoke about the most inane topics ever. Whether or not he was listening to any of their conversation, she didn’t know. What she did know, though, was the fact that whilst he sat next to her for hours and followed her around like a lost puppy for the remaining part of the day, he had warmed her iced heart, managing to crack the thin layer of ice that she had built just for his sake. 

When time came for Payal’s departure, all of them went to see her off. NK was staying back too, and he had officially announced to all of them that he would be “courting” Lavanya, much to the embarrassment of a suddenly-too-shy-Lavanya, and the amusement of all the others. A very teary farewell was witnessed at the airport, between Khushi, Payal, and Anjali. And when Payal walked away and out of their vision, Arnav breathed a sigh of relief, earning a glare from the two most important women in his life. He grinned sheepishly at his sister, as she limped ahead, and tried to hold Khushi’s hand as she moved too, earning a slap on the back of his hand. 

Now, under normal circumstances, Arnav Singh Raizada would have backed Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada to the nearest wall, and have had his way with her. But this was Arnav Singh Raizada in love, that we talked about. In love and under redemption. In short, he could be called the epitome of patience. Not that patience came very easily to him. But he did believe in this.

If he needed anything, he should and would get it.
And the necessity in question was Khushi. That fact alone was enough to make people understand that his fight would be the strongest in order to keep her by his side.

Anjali was wondering whether and how she should disclose the fact that she would be going out with Aditya Kashyap that night, when she heard Khushi say, “Di. . . I have some work. All of you should go back.” Khushi had looked at Anjali, Aditya, Lavanya, and NK while she had told them to leave. Since nothing was said by her regarding Arnav, it was assumed by all that he was to go with her. And their assumption had been right too.

She beckoned a taxi, once they exited the airport, and instructed the driver to take them to Hyde Park. They got down and strolled through the park, complete silence between them, their ears deaf to the mundane jabbering that was going on around them. Khushi had fought, however inadequately, when Arnav had moved to hold her hand in his, eventually giving in and relaxing and after a while, even craving more of that contact. She sat down on one of the benches. Arnav considered her for a while, his eyes looking for any signes of fatigue or distress on his wife’s face. Finding none, he sat next to her, asking her whether she was tired. 

Khushi’s eyes snapped up to meet his, and he could see the guarded look that she was giving him, as she asked, “Kyon aaye hai aap, yahaan pe??” (“Why have you come here??”)
Arnav sighed as he said, “Tumhara khayaal rakhne. . .” (“To take care of you. . .”)

“Hum humara khayaal khud rakh sakhte hai!” (“I can take care of myself!”)

Arnav nodded in approval, though his mind screamed out a thousand reasons against her assertion. He had to be careful enough not to offend her in any way. So he uttered a neutral, “Just to be sure.” 

But Khushi wasn’t to let go of this so easily. The reason she had pried him away from the ears of all their friends and family present with them was to know the truth. And know, she would.

“Kyon?” (“Why?”) She probed further.

“Kyon, kya?” (“Why, what??”)

“Kyon humaara khayaal rakhna chaahte hain aap??” (“Why do you want to take care of me?”)

“Would you believe me if I told you that you are the one thing that matters to me the most, and I will keep you safe and sound, and next to me, no matter what?” Arnav asked.

And even though, Khushi’s already frantic heart sore when she heard his reply, though she managed to keep a poker face, and shook her head in denial.

Arnav sighed in dejection, and muttered, “As expected.” But there was a hint of a smile playing on his lips, which told Khushi that he knew she had lied when she refused him a moment ago.

“I have one more valid reason. Which you cannot and will not shrug off.” He said, and closed in on her, almost pulling her on his lap. One arm around her shoulder, he placed his free hand on her belly as he whispered as he peered into her eyes, “We’re about to be parents, Khushi!!” 

Expecting another round of “I Love You”s, Khushi had stiffened her shoulders as much as possible. But this response pulled the ground from under her feet. Or rather, the seat off her behind. Her weak mind could not take the amounts of emotions that his words had let free in her. But she simply refused to give into her mind, as she looked down to where his hand lay on her stomach, her own hands automatically joining his. She let out the breath that she hadn’t realized she had held. Blinking the moisture that threatened to fill her eyes, she looked up to his face, wanting to know whether he truly meant it.

He nodded happily, a bright smile adorning his ridiculously lovely face. Her smile came to a halt midway, as the more sensible part in her made her calm down and analyze the situation logically. She remembered they had made love some three weeks ago, the memories of which still brought about a blush on her cheeks. Her period. ‘I am late!’ “What’s the date today??” Khushi quizzed, confusing Arnav like anything. He told her the date, and Khushi started counting, using her fingers. This and her monologue gave the answer to Arnav’s confusion. He sat with a smile as his adorable wife sat next to him, nestled against him, and gave herself the proof that she was indeed a mother-to-be. And finally when she had gathered enough proof that she was actually pregnant, she looked up at him with those wide, doe-shaped eyes, confusion written in them.

Arnav had expected anything but confusion in the eyes of his wife. He knew she was very good with kids, and could only imagine the euphoric state that she should have been in. Didn’t she want their child, then? Did she hate him so much that she did not want to bear his child?! The thought itself made Arnav wince as if he had been electrocuted. But he reminded himself that Khushi was all that mattered, and mumbled in a weak voice, his eyes downcast, “If you don’t want to bear the child, I’m okay with it, Khushi. . .” 

Khushi stopped breathing altogether when she heard him say this. She hadn’t known how to handle Arnav, now that she knew she was mothering his child, and had looked up to meet his eyes with confusion written very clearly in her eyes. Arnav had gone still immediately, and after a while, she heard him say this, the pain of uttering those words, starkly showing his grief. Khushi bent to look into his eyes, which masked the despair for her sake after a slip of a second. 

She smiled sadly, realizing how hurt he must have been, thinking that she didn’t want to have his child.

A symbol of their love.

But he had been ready to give it up for her. She all but wanted to kiss him then and there, forgetting all sense of propriety. Reassure him that nothing else mattered. But all she could bring herself to do was to rise up and walk ahead, making Arnav follow her, still under an excruciating daze. . . . . . . .

NGNF – Part 11

Aditya, Anjali, Payal, Lavanya and NK drove out to have dinner. They had a silent dinner, discussing only about Arnav and Khushi, their love and how much they had suffered because of all the misunderstanding. Anjali had grown a little tense, owing to her guilt that she was somehow responsible for all this. After all, Shyam, her husband had been the root cause for this mess and she had blindly lsat back. Aditya silently held her hand under the table, letting her know his presense, somehow managing to erase Anjali’s disgust that had taken over her, when she thought of her ex-husband. Anjali would be ever grateful to him for providing her the silent support, when she needed it the most. 

As Payal saw Anjali and Aditya have a conversation just through their eyes, as if they had loved and understood each other forever, and NK and Lavanya look at each other and smile shyly, she remembered her husband. Missing him, she excused herself and called him up, explaining everything that had happened in London. And when she said she missed him, he replied, “Its impossible for me to come over, Payal. Waise, from where I see, Khushi can be healed only by bhai. Why don’t you all return? And if Khushi isn’t willing to return, bhai can always stay back in London.” 

“You’re right… Let me ask Aditya. We’ll return depending on what he says. Okay?” Payal replied, and chuckled when her husband started to complain that he missed his wife. She consoled him, with her never-ending patience, telling that she’d be there very soon. 

Joining her companions, she asked Aditya whether she could leave London. Aditya was surprised at her question. “I thought you’d like to spend sometime with your sister.” Aditya exclaimed, wondering if the protective elder sister that he had seen in Payal was a facade. Payal smiled as she replied with confidence, “And I will. Once my younger sister learns to cope with life, with the help of Jethji… Come to think of that, there’s actually no need for Di and NK to stay back too. From where I stand there’s nothing else we can do.” 

Aditya stopped his hand midway to his mouth, and turned to Anjali. Did Payal mean that Anjali should leave too?! Of course he could go with her. But Khushi? He didn’t want to leave her alone. At least not yet. And judging Khushi’s early reaction to Arnav, he was sure that Khushi wouldn’t like to go back to India along with Arnav and family. Anjali saw the wistful look on Aditya’s face and turned to Payal. “Payal. I don’t think Khushi would want to come back with us. And we can’t force her to do it. Obviously, chotey won’t be leaving her side, and I can’t leave chotey alone. I know you miss Akash. You may go as soon as possible.” Anjali answered in a firm voice. 

Payal smiled and understood that Anjali didn’t have a mind to leave Aditya alone too, as she looked at his face gain a joyous grin. “Ji Di. . . Par usse pehle, hum Khushi se ek baar baat karna chahte hai. . . . . Without her fainting, that is!” Payal smiled affectionately, as she remembered her sister. Aditya got into business mode then. “Yes. We’ll do it tomorrow.” He said nodding at her. 

o0o0o0o0o0o

Khushi woke up with a heavy, but warm feeling on her chest. She looked at a strong arm, wrapped possessively around her, and she knew that it could only be her husband’s. A smile spread on her lips as she turned to look at him sleeping peacefully next to her. She brushed away the cowlick of his hair off his forehead. 

But even as her smile had started, it came to an end. She found herself lifting his arm off herself, not so gently. Arnav, who had woke up when her small hand had ever so gently touched his forehead, now opened his eyes to stare at Khushi trying to shove him away.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Arnav murmured with a calm so rarely found in him, it managed to take Khushi by surprise. “I. . . . Leave me. . . . .” Khushi muttered as she started to wriggle out expecting him to tighten his grip. But Khushi was in for another shock, when he removed his hand suddenly and considered her with the smallest of smile on his face.

Khushi stared at him uncertainly for a few seconds, her eyes darting between him and the door which provided a safe exit, away from him, which she eventually chose. 

After having a quick wash, she turned on the radio, her best friend these days, turning up the volume so that she didn’t have to listen to Arnav when he spoke, and started pulling stuff out for breakfast.

 

He had followed her out of the room, and his eyes followed each of her movement. She was singing along, completely ignoring him, and at one point he couldn’t take this any longer and turned the radio off.

 

Turning to the radio when it suddenly stopped, she saw Arnav fold his arms after turning off the radio. She was about to protest, and a little too violently, when Arnav closed the distance between them with two long strides and stood directly in front of her. Removing a speck of flour off Khushi’s cheek, he said “I’m here, Khushi. Talk to me.” 

“Umm. . . I shall stop being subtle and break the fact down to you. I DON’T WANT TO TALK TO YOU. Leave me alone.” Khushi said in a voice dripping with sarcasm. Arnav smiled as if she had proclaimed her undying love for him and replied, “Highly unlikely to happen, Khushi. You’d ALWAYS find ME with you.” He stressed on the “me” part, willing her to understand and accept the fact that he would never be leaving her side. At least not anymore. Khushi gave out a derisive snort, and questioned, “Listen to yourself!! Do you even REALIZE how FAKE you’re sounding right now?!”

Arnav had just opened his mouth to explain that it was all in the past, when Khushi held her stomach, going pale all of a sudden. Not giving a chance to Arnav, to even ask her what was wrong, she ran to the kitchen sink, and retched. 

Arnav had immediately understood what was happening. He was going to be a father, after all! And his pregnant wife was suffering a bout of morning sickness! He got into business mode, gathering Khushi’s hair in one of his hands, while he used his other hand to touch her sweaty forehead. She tried to push him away with her one hand, as the other gripped the sink counter in a vice grip. But as expected by her, it didn’t had any effect on him and his concern for her.

After rinsing her mouth, Khushi leaned on Arnav, too weak to even think and stop herself from touching him in anyway. But now that she was picked up into the safety of his arms, her hand rested on the strong column of his neck, as the other went around his shoulder. She laid her head on his chest and listened to his frantic heartbeat for a while, before she pulled back and looked at his face which managed to show nothing on it. She inquired if he was alright. In return to that question, Arnav looked at her drily, shaking his head in disappointment.

“Really — Khushi? YOU are asking ME, that?!” he questioned back as he gently laid her down on the bed, where they had slept the previous night. Khushi considered him with weary eyes, noticing how much he was talking today. Maybe not too much, but it was too much for him! Commenting, “You’re talking too much today.”, she kept her gaze on him, waiting for an explanation. 
Arnav stopped amidst spreading the duvet on Khushi, his eyes gaining a distant look. “This was how I used to talk. I had just stopped it in between. And you got me back to normal.” Arnav explained, shrugging, as he tucked her in. It was clear from his actions that come what may, he wouldn’t be leaving her side. And if she had any doubts in this regard, they were cleared when he laid himself down beside her, a hand on her belly. 

Khushi really wanted to push his hand away. But she felt this warm feeling spread all over her. The return of Arnav into her life had made her immediately forget the past and hold onto him greedily. But she still wasn’t ready to show him how much of a necessity he was for her. 

To live.

 

To survive.

So she looked up at the ceiling with cold eyes, which Arnav completely missed, as he skimmed his nose across the alabaster skin on her cheek, murmuring how much he loved and missed her. Khushi’s eyes welled up and she accused him of lying so blatantly, with a choked voice. 

“Khushi! I love you more than my life, love. You may not believe me now, and I am to blame myself for that. But. . . .” Arnav, for the first time, was opening up to his wife, when he was stopped by a knock at he door. He frowned and sighed in irritation, before pressing his lips to her cheek, making her lean towards his lips, and muttered, “We shall talk. Later.”

Arnav opened the door, to be greeted by a huge smile from Payal. He gave a perfunctory nod, feeling weighed down by Khushi’s reaction to him. Such a reaction from her brother-in-law, who had strived so hard to make their relationship at least civil, if not cordial, brought down Payal’s smile by a notch. Feeling concerned, she questioned him with her eyes, as to what worried him. He simply spared a glance in Khushi’s direction, and Payal nodded in understanding. Khushi, got up to see who was at the door.

Aditya, standing behind Payal now, greeted Arnav loudly, making Khushi run out and greet both Payal and Aditya so heartily that it made Arnav envious. He knew that the derisive treatment that he was being subjected to, by Khushi, was undubitably earned by him. But he was, after all, a human. Greed and want came without a glitch. Aditya pulled Khushi and sat her down on the couch, seating himself next to her, and waited for the emotional exchange between the sisters, leading to a lot many tears being shed by each, to ebb. 

As they finally cleared their throats, Payal hugged her sister and whispered in her ear, “Promise me two things, Khushi. . . .”

“Anything, Jiji”

“One. Let him help you. He loves you too much for his own good. Accept his love. Will you?”

“I’ll try my level best, Jiji”

“Two. Come home soon, Khushi. You have no idea how much we all missed you. . . Especially him! Its a surprise that he didn’t turn into a deranged lunatic!”

“You mean he didn’t turn into me??”

“Khushi! There’s nothing wrong with you! Had I been in your place I’d probably not have lived this long. But PLEASE, PLEASE don’t cut him out.”

Khushi pulled back and lowered her gaze to their intertwined fingers. A sad smile spread on her face as she replied, “Cutting him out is something which isn’t under my control Jiji. . . I just wish I could do it, though. . . . Would have saved me lots of trouble!” 

Payal felt lot better when she saw that Khushi wasn’t in denial, trying to foolishly decline the love she had for Arnav. Things would get better. Definitely!

 

“I have to leave today, Khushi. Ab jaldi ghar aajao. Aur waise bhi, aisi situation pe, hum bhi tumhaara khayaal rakhna chahte hai!” Payal said, giving her a knowing grin, which went completely lost on Khushi, who wondered what that was all about.

 

“Bilkul!!” Anjali’s voice was heard, as she entered the living room, a tray laden with tea cups for all of them in her hands. Aditya immediately got to her, and the couple shared a loving smile, which Khushi didn’t miss for once. Her eyes went wide in surprise, and immediately sought Arnav’s to confirm her doubts.

 

‘Is this really happening??’

 

Arnav nodded once, minutely, having a silent conversation with his wife amidst all the others gathered there. Khushi seemed even more surprised with it.

 

‘And you’re okay with it?!!!’

 

The reply for this, from her dear husband, was a devil-may-care shrug.

 

Khushi’s expression, now changed into a very earnest searching.

 

‘Who are you? And what have you done to my husband?!’

 

Arnav grinned widely at her, knocking the daylights off her with it, and managing to steal her breath away. Yet again. . . . . . .

 

NGNF – Part 10

As Arnav heard his wife scream for help, it felt to him as if someone was slicing his heart. He saw her petite form tremble. As if she was scared. He remembered what Aditya had said about her unstable mind, and realized that he was the reason behind that. He wished he could die a thousand deaths instead of doing this to her. He felt himself being tugged out, and couldn’t help but feel jealous as his wife found solace in another guy’s arms, and he had paved way for this, all by himself!

After a while, Aditya came out of the room, after making sure that Khushi would rest. He looked exhausted, as he slipped into the couch. Arnav had been a statue, standing near the window, his back pressed against the pane, as he waited for Aditya to come out. And when the doctor did seem to come out, even he could make out the defeated expression his face carried. He was a silent spectator, as Aditya slumped onto the couch, pressing his palms to his eyes, and his sister held his arm, her lips pursed as she rubbed his arm comfortingly. Aditya leaned towards his sister, as if he was being attracted by her, and Arnav immediately understood what was happening here. He all but wanted to rip his Di’s hands off the psychic’s arm.

But then he looked at his sister. For the first time in so many years, she looked stronger. Not even had he seen this when Shyam had betrayed her. She seemed to be fully in control of the situation, as Aditya told her something, and she nodded, replying back with a calm countenance, making Aditya smile reassuringly at her. Arnav understood that his Di had finally, fully recovered from Shyam’s blows of betrayal. Maybe the bruises were still there, but he could see that Aditya was easily capable of healing them, as he saw Anjali lean onto him a little and sigh. Arnav sighed too, happy that at least his sister had been blessed with love, and also felt relieved that there was no possibility of an “Aditya-Khushi” bonding.

His sigh seemed to have grabbed Aditya’s attention, as he looked up and smiled at Arnav too, his smile expressing the pity he felt for Arnav. And when Arnav did not make any kind of a move, Aditya asked, “Don’t you want to know what happened in there??” Arnav held his breath, as he came forward, and sat in front of his sister, and Aditya. Aditya was about to say something, when his phone beeped. He saw the display, and showed it to Anjali, his face almost fearful.

The screen said,

“Pregnancy reports – Positive!”

Anjali, on seeing that, smiled happily, and when she saw Aditya’s tensed face, she smiled reassuringly, jerking her head towards Arnav, telling Aditya to talk to him. And as if on cue, Lavanya, NK, and Payal came in. When Payal started to move towards Khushi’s room, Aditya made her to sit down, telling that Khushi was sleeping and he wanted her to be there too. Aditya sighed, as he started talking, “Payal!” Payal looked surprised when he started talking to her, and looked at him questioningly, as he continued, “Schizophrenia is genetic disorder, Payal. A major heartbreak can only trigger what was there already. I want to know if there were any of your family members suffered from it. Your parents? Grandparents? Anybody??”

“Khushi’s mother did suffer from mental instability. I don’t know if it was what you called it right now. . .” Payal said thoughtfully. Aditya frowned as he asked, “What do you mean Khushi’s mother??”

Payal explained her and Khushi’s actual relationship. Aditya shook his head disapprovingly, wondering how much of a blow the young, poor thing might have faced, as he said, “You say she was 8 when she lost her parents. . . .” Arnav remembered how she thought of the stars as her parents, and spoke to them. And when he said this out loud, Aditya was not at all surprised. “Oh God! This is so much more deeper than I thought. . . So she has been suffering this not just because she was heartbroken due to Arnav. . . .”

Now, Arnav did not know whether he was to feel relieved due to the fact of knowing that he was not the actual reason for her ailment, or feel even more terrible, that she had always been through so much. Payal was crying now, as she explained further, “Yes. She used to do it always. Not in front of me, because she thought that I may get offended if I found out that she was still missing her parents, even after my parents gave her so much love. And then she used to indulge on fairy tales, hoping and praying, that she would get her knight in shining armor soon. But then her marriage. . . .” Payal’s voice broke, and Arnav stood silently with a dead expression on his face.

Anjali snorted at that statement of Payal, unable to stop herself from sounding a little defiant for her brother, as she icily said, “That all girls do, Payal. . . You cannot tell that all girls are Schizophrenic, just because we dream of being swept off our feet by a Mr. Perfect!!”

Aditya nodded in understanding, and went to Arnav, and put his hand on his shoulder. Squeezing him reassuringly, he said, “Arnav. . . You saw how Khushi is. She is too weak to fight for herself. You have to be strong and fight for both of you. Her disease is such that it cannot be cured fully. . .” There were many gasps from around the room, and Aditya continued, “It can only be managed. . . . .”

“How??” Arnav murmured, for the first time, fully looking into Aditya’s eyes, not minding how helpless, and vulnerable he looked at the moment. How broken his whisper sounded to himself.

Aditya started pacing to and fro, as he explained, “Though we can assume that she has been suffering from Schizophrenia from a long time ago, her hallucination is just about you, Arnav. . . This shows the fact that she cannot just do without you. And you probably might be knowing her more than me. So even if she imagined an Arnav, it would have more of her characteristics. So you’ll have to be more like her imaginary Arnav, so that she does not miss her imaginary friend. You need to reassure her through every, single, step of her life, that you’ll be there for her. Don’t step out of her vision. Never make her feel scared, or isolated, or unloved, and we might have a Khushi, who is much more nearer to normalcy.”

He turned to look at an Arnav, whose eyes shone with determination, and so much devotion, “And after all this, there’s one more important thing. She’s pregnant, man. You’re going to be a father. Congratulations!” Aditya said, as he patted Arnav’s shoulder, and saw a glimmer of smile shine in Arnav’s eyes. Payal, NK, and Lavanya looked at each other, grinning with excitement. Whereas Arnav  turned to Aditya, as he said in a shaky, yet determined voice, “Thank you. . . For everything! I. . . She is my life, and I’ll do everything within and beyond my power to get her well soon. You held onto her, and took care of her, when she needed support. You too, Lavanya. . . Thank you. . . .”

Lavanya smiled, and looked at NK, who was staring at her appreciatively. Aditya just smiled and went back to where Anjali was sitting. Arnav watched Aditya put his arm around Anjali’s shoulder, and Anjali in turn, blush and lean onto him a little, passing a nervous glance in Arnav’s direction. Arnav smiled, and looked at Aditya, and looked at pointedly at his sister. Aditya nodded, and grinned back, and just like that, a truce between the two of them had happened.

“You need to be extra careful, bro. Due it her pregnancy, her state will be still more frail. And though she loves you and all, she’ll fight! You know she’s one hell of a fighter. You’ll have to goad her to let her take care of you!” Aditya said, but he had this amused smile on his face, which tamped down the seriousness of the issue in hands. Arnav took in a deep breath, and left it out in a gust, as he thought with an ironic laugh, ‘If she is stubborn, Arnav Singh Raizada is known for his stubborn nature too! At least she knows it best!’

He left the jubilant others to themselves, as he went into Khushi’s room, to find her almost asleep. She squirmed a little as the door opened, and looked at him with bleary eyes, and Arnav went to her tentatively, and laid down beside her, his arm going around her, as he pulled her to himself. Arnav didn’t know whether she was too exhausted to fight him off, or whether she did notwant to fight him off, or whether she still didn’t know if he was the real Arnav. But she relaxed a little after few seconds, and snuggled into his warmth, and fell asleep almost immediately.

Khushi had lain there, wondering what she should do with the Arnav that had materialized at her doorstep, and had almost slept off on those thoughts, when she saw him entering the room. He walked to her slowly, as if he was afraid that she might blast off any moment now. She felt him lie down next to her, and pull her close to his solid, warm form. Oh, how much she had missed his warmth! She immediately pushed away all the other thoughts, and decided to sleep peacefully, making the most of him when he was available. For who knew what else he could accuse her of, and push her away again.

Arnav kissed her forehead, before he too fell asleep, looking at her face, each of them having a small smile on their lips. And that is exactly how Aditya and Anjali found them after a few minutes, sleeping as if there was no care in the world. As Anjali sniffed, trying to hold back her tears, Aditya held her close, and kissed the top of her head, smiling when her arms went around his waist in response. . . .

Note:(I forgot to include these in my previous update)
1. As you noticed, this update had the cause, and the probable remedy for Khushi’s sickness. I hope this is realistic enough. Because I really didn’t want to use the excuse of “Fiction” to make miracles happen!!
2. Yes. Anjali has lost her baby. 

NGNF – Part 9

“Arnav is back, Aditya. Khushi will be alright. Why are you worrying so much??” Anjali asked, unable to see him so worried and vulnerable. “I want them both together as soon as possible. I had my doubts regarding your brother wanting Khushi back in his life or not. But now that I’ve seen him, I’m beginning to think he needs her bad too. That he can’t do without Khushi. And you already know about Khushi’s obsession for Arnav! We can’t pin point the extent of her mental sickness. And now, pregnancy along with that, Anjali!! Hormones would be running amok in her body. Which might not go well with her mental state at all.” Aditya murmured, and Anjali’s eyes got a distant look, as she replied, “I know, Aditya. . . . . I know. . . . .”

And there it was. The sadness that Aditya hated to see on her face, and remembered what Lavanya had told him. Anjali had gone through betrayal. How much it had shook her world, he didn’t know. Neither was he interested in that. All he knew was, he would be lucky to have such a loving, and caring woman in his life. “Look. . . Anjali. . . I know you have gone through a lot. I can understand that you are still a little defensive when it comes to letting people into your life. . . . I can hardly expect anything, when you clearly aren’t ready to trust anybody, let alone me! And I don’t expect you to do it too, since you don’t know me all that well. But, after all this is sorted out. . . .” Aditya murmured, pointing to where Khushi slept, and continued,”Would you like to. . . . Spend sometime with me? Get to know me?” Aditya, suddenly feeling apprehensive in asking a woman out, thought, ‘Definitely a first for me’. He saw indecision flicker in her eyes. “Here?! in London??” Anjali asked, not really sure how that would be possible. She then realized that she was worrying about the place where they’d be “getting to know each other”, rather than the “getting to know each other” part itself. 

Aditya shrugged, as he replied with a smile, “I could come to India. . . I’m a psychiatrist. . . We have mental people all over the world!! So I can get a job anywhere I want!” 
Anjali stared at him in awe. “You would do that?”
Aditya’s brows furrowed, not understanding the reason behind her awed voice, “If you wanted me to. . .”

Anjali started thinking of her and Shyam. She hadn’t been provided an option back then. She had married him, and had been grateful that Shyam had married her, even after knowing about her broken marriage, plus her physical ailment. If she had been grateful for that, she didn’t know what to feel now. Aditya was giving her an option of taking him?! She thought that was a better option than to blindly believe anybody. She had decided long back, that she had to give one more chance to love. Was this it, then? She smiled, and said looking into his eyes, “I. . . I think I’d like that. . . .” Aditya beamed at her, and cupped her cheek with his hand, as he said, “Good. . . Now we need to talk to your brother. . . .” The last part was said in such an authoritative manner that she promptly handed her phone to him after dialing Chotey’s number.

o0o0o0o

When he saw that his Di was calling him, Arnav thought she may have got up, and received her call. “Yes, Di.”
“Erm. . . Aditya here. . .” Aditya said, and asked him to come back soon, making Arnav panic if everything was alright with his Di. Aditya smiled as he realized that the protective feeling between the Raizada siblings was mutual. “She’s fine. Here. Talk to her.” Aditya reassured Arnav and handed the phone back to her. Anjali smiled knowingly as she told her brother with a pout, “I’m fine, Chotey! But I want to see you now!!” Aditya recognized that would make sure that her brother returned home as soon as possible, and smiled at her appreciatively, and Anjali grinned, happy with herself for playing the cards right.

They had just turned to enter the apartment, when Payal came out, inquiring about Khushi’s health.Aditya reassured her, and had opened his mouth to tell her regarding Khushi’s pregnancy, when Anjali held his hand and shook her head when he turned to see her. Payal left to see Khushi, and Anjali explained, “We’ll make sure and then tell everybody else. . .” Aditya looked at her serious expression, and nodded in understanding.

They waited in the apartment, as Payal silently sat next to Khushi, thinking of her crazy, hare-brained sister. When it came to Khushi, everything were extremes. Especially her love! And her hallucinations of Arnav was the proof of just that. If Arnav was the key to Khushi’s well-being, Payal would accept that.

After a while, NK, Payal, and Lavanya left, making way for Aditya to speak to Arnav, whereas Anjali and Aditya waited for Arnav. As Arnav entered the apartment, he looked at his Di once, and looked at Aditya, as he sat in the chair opposite to his. He wasn’t sure, but he could see his Di and Aditya speak with just their eyes, and his eyes narrowed in suspicion.

When Anjali nodded encouragingly at Aditya, he sighed, squared his shoulders, and started talking in the way he usually did, to his patients’ family.
“Arnav. How are you?”
Arnav waited for a minute, turning to his sister suspiciously, and turned back to this strange man, and nodded, indicating that he was good.
“Do you miss her?” Aditya asked, directly jumping to the point, and saw so many emotions flit on Arnav’s face. Dismay, annoyance, guilt, pain – at the point of agony, and his face settled with that expression for quite a few moments, before he slipped the cold mask on, though Aditya wasn’t fooled for a second. He felt Anjali become restless beside him, and turned to her, shaking his head, telling her not to worry.

“She hasn’t taken it that well too. . . .” Aditya all but murmured, and Arnav’s head snapped up, as he stared at Aditya with shocked eyes, as the former continued “She was so not ready to let you go, even after she herself left you, that she started hallucinating about you.” Arnav’s breath came out in a whoosh, as he stood up, unable to do something, anything! NOT KNOWING what to do. “Sit.” Aditya said, his voice calmly ordering, and made Arnav sit on the edge of the chair. “Now, that you’re here, I don’t think she’ll be doing it anymore. Usually in such cases, the patient’s mind would make up an image of what or whom they are missing, and how they want them to be. In Khushi’s case, it was you. She is very angry on you, and. . . .” Aditya was explaining, when Arnav murmured, “I know. . . . . More hurt, than angry. . . .”

Aditya, at that moment stopped hating Arnav for hurting first Lavanya, and then Khushi. Anybody could tell Arnav was a man burning in his own hell. He felt so bad for the man in front of him. Not that he knew much about love, and soul mates thing. But he had theoretically studied how a mind of a person in love would work. It was almost like it worked in sync with the person whom they loved. And after meeting Anjali, he had started to get a vague idea of how it would feel too. He shook his head to remove the thoughts about him and Anjali, as he said, “Go to her. . . She’s sleeping in your room. . . . And please take care of her. . . We’ll be in the opposite apartment if you need us. . .” A flash of jealousy crossed over Arnav’s face, before he turned back. Aditya was amused at seeing jealousy on Arnav’s face. He held Anjali’s hand silently, and guided her out by putting his hand on the small of her back, seeing that she suddenly looked exhausted.

Arnav had felt queasy to the core, when Aditya had started talking about a particular “her”! As he walked towards the room slowly, his mind wondered how Aditya knew about Khushi. How andwhy does he know so much about Khushi??!!, he thought. But such thoughts were easily forgotten as soon as he sensed Khushi. Yes. SENSED her. A few months ago, if someone can “sense” another person, he old have blatantly scoffed at them. But he had started sensing Khushi, even without knowing it himself! 

He rushed to the room, and he was robbed off his breath, as soon as he saw his love lie there, motionless. He stood there, just watching her breathe, for a few seconds, before he rushed forward and took her limp form in his arms. Showering kisses all over her face, he buried his face at the crook of her neck, taking in her scent, feeling it seep to his life blood, drowning himself in her. His agonized eyes showed the colossal amounts of happiness that was rising in him. He laughed through his tears, for once letting his emotions dominate him, giving a free reign to all that he felt. 

The promise he had made to himself, that he’d never show his face to her again, made him get worked up, and he held his breath while he thought about how he would survive if she really meant it. That she never wanted him in her life. ‘Well. . . That’s something she’ll have to deal with! I can’t and I won’t let her go away anymore!! Besides, she is actually hallucinating about me! I don’t think she’ll reject me anymore. . . .’ he thought, as he kissed her forehead, and sat on the bed, pulling her up into his embrace, as he hid his face in her neck.

He felt exhaustion claim him, and his eyelids were drooping on their own, when he felt her stir. Her hands, which had lain lifelessly on her sides, glided up his arms and into his hair, as she murmured his name. He pulled back, and looked into her big, brown eyes, feeling them warm up his frozen insides.

Khushi felt fuzzier than usual, and she didn’t know why. She felt a strong pair of arms around her and she knew it was him holding her close. She felt totally fatigued and her hands felt so heavy, as they traveled up his strong arms, and buried themselves in his hair, which had grown longer than usual, she noticed. Almost in a careless manner, which was very uncharacteristic of him, she thought, as she frowned and murmured his name, which seemed almost like a weak whimper.

She remembered the flashes of Anjali and Payal, and sighed. She really was missing the whole of her family, and not just him. She was missing them all so bad, that she had probably started imagining them too. But she stopped those thoughts as her gaze again rested on his face. She remembered the agony that she had felt when she had thought that she wouldn’t be able to see his face. Was that all a dream, or had he really left me?! Khushi thought, suddenly doubtful of what exactly was happening with her. Aditya had told her that she would see him everywhere, because Arnav was like air, food and water for her. A basic necessity. That thought made her realize how much she missed the real Arnav. 

Yes. She had her own version of Arnav now. A more fun version of him, if she could say so. But she had fallen in love with the not-so-fun-version of him, and she missed him like anything. She buried her face in his neck, inhaling his scent, which was so well defined today, and felt his arms tighten around her. 

Something was wrong. Arnav was. . . . . WARM today. . . Almost as if he was really here. She pulled back, her fingers touching his lips lightly. The turmoil she was feeling at that moment was indescribable. If she was imagining all this, then she had to admit that she was getting very good in it these days. She was imagining an Arnav, very similar to her husband. But, if he was the real arnav here. . . . . . She didn’t know what to believe now. Whether she should believe her heart which said that he really was here, or accept the logical reasoning her mind was giving her, based on Aditya’s allegation.

She slowly pulled his head downwards and pressed her lips to his, and heard him sigh, as he kissed her so tenderly, it made her heart break. But something else snapped in her too. He was here! He was really, actually HERE! She pulled back, gasping, as she got out of the bed, and held both her hands to her lips. As if she had been scalded when they kissed.

No!! This couldn’t be!! He is here!! – – – – Or is he??!! She ran a frustrated hand through her hair. She needed help! Who? Whom to call for help?! And soon she yelled the person’s name who had promised her that he wouldn’t let anything happen to her, “ADI!! ADITYA!!!” And she kept on doing this until she felt a different pair of arms, strong nonetheless, go around her, and she relaxed at that touch, turning her back to Arnav, not caring whether he was still a figment of her imagination, or the one who had always managed to think the worst about her. “H. . . He. . . He’s here!!” Khushi sputtered, as Aditya kept rubbing her hair, in soothing movements, and soon he felt her relax fully. He pulled Khushi out of his arms, and cupped her face, looking straight into her eyes, as he wanted to know what she felt when she finally saw that Arnav was really here.

Khushi looked into his eyes, her own searching for the answers that she needed to know. “You love arnav, yes?” Aditya asked, and Khushi knew. He was here! How he had found about her wasn’t the issue. But, he had! And now she had to face him. She pushed Aditya away, as she sat back on her bed, rubbing her temples, as if this was all too much to take. “Not right now.” Was all she could manage. Her voice had this new powerful edge to it, as if she had woken up from the bad dream that she had been having from the past few days, and Aditya pursed his lips, and nodded his head in approval. 

Aditya had had his share of doubts, about the exact depth of Khushi’s mental illness. He had been hoping that she would stop hallucinating Arnav when she saw the real one. But the danger of her going berserk was also there. In that case, her sickness would be labeled as acute schizophrenia, and would have been made to undergo therapy for the same. But that was the risk that Aditya had willingly taken, revealing his doubts to Anjali, and no one else.

But at present, he looked up at Anjali standing near the door, as she anxiously peered in, trying to read Aditya more clearly from above her brother’s shoulder, and when their eyes met, she knew the worst of the storm had passed by. Khushi would be fine. It would take some time for things between her and Arnav to get back to normal, but she had all the time in the world. And with Aditya’s help, she was sure everything would be alright. . . . . . . . .

Notes: (Skip them if you want, but later don’t tell me this FF is too conphusing!!)

Khushi’s sickness : 

Schizophrenia is a complex mental disorder that makes it difficult to:

• Tell the difference between real and unreal experiences
• Think logically
• Have normal emotional responses

  She will not be seeing her imaginary Arnav from now on. She was seeing him all these days, because her visual access to the real Arnav had been cut off. Now that she has the real Arnav by her side, her brain will stop creating an Arnav on its own!

  Though I wrote about Khushi being cured of her sickness as soon as she saw the real Arnav, that may not be the case in real life. And it would depend on the extent of the emotional damage the patient has suffered. 
  Ultimately, it is fiction guys! And I am, but a poor, “software engineer”! So don’t jump on me, telling that Harshu is a klutz!! 

  Aditya’s fear regarding Khushi’s sickness :

  The problem was because he couldn’t pinpoint the true level of Khushi’s ailment. I’ve never been to psychiatrist before (TRUE STORY!!  ), and I’m not exactly sure how they treat their patients! Especially when they can’t look into the “mantal” minds!! So leave my Aditya alone too. . .

  The apartment thingy!!(I can’t believe I’m being made to tell the residing plans of my fictional characters!!)
  Lavanya has two apartments in London, out of which she uses one, and graciously lent the other to Khushi for the time being. So when I say “Khushi’s Apartment”, it is Lavanya’s apartment, which Khushi is using. And when I say “Lavanya’s Apartment”, it is the one where Lavanya is staying. Lavanya and Khushi aren’t staying together. And Aditya has his own place too.
  

  The apartment opposite to Khushi’s belongs to Lavanya’s friend, and that is where the Raizadas are put up at.

   

NGNF – Part 8

Khushi ran as if her life depended on it. And quite frankly, it did too. As soon as she stepped out of her building, she looked at the spot where Arnav had stood a few minutes ago. But he wasn’t there anymore. She didn’t want to believe this and she took slow, measured steps towards that same spot, hyperventilating in the process.

Yes. He wasn’t there. Tears hadn’t ceased flowing from her eyes. She turned around, searching for the face of that man whom she couldn’t live without, wiping the unstoppable tears so that they didn’t blur her vision. Amidst all those strange faces around her, she craved to see that one face, but to no avail.

For the first time after leaving him, she started getting scared. Shivering feverishly, she hugged herself and stood among so many people, feeling all alone for the first time in her life. She hadn’t felt so even when she had known her parents weren’t coming back. Unable to take this any longer, she ran back into her building, to see if Arnav was there in her apartment. But she knew that wouldn’t be so.

Since the last fifteen or twenty days that she had left him and come to London, her Arnav had followed her everywhere. The grief caused by the fact that she couldn’t see her Arnav anymore was such that it made her give out a deranged cry and was so engrossed in her ache, that she didn’t see Anjali before she ran into her. Anjali steadied herself with the help of the wall, as she held Khushi.

Arnav hadn’t slept a wink, and when Anjali saw her brother silently walk out of the apartment, Anjali had thought of stopping him, and had slowly limped towards the main door, and had just stepped out, when she saw Khushi run into her.

Khushi pulled back to apologize, when she realized it was Anjali. “Di!!?” Khushi exclaimed, and hugged her tight and started wailing at her loss. They were standing right outside their apartment, and Payal, on hearing the commotion, came out see what was happening. “Khushi!!” gasped she, as she hugged her sister. Khushi looked in wonder as she got to see her jiji and Di, together. Not knowing whether she should be agonizing over the loss of Arnav, or be happy over seeing her sisters, her fragile mind promptly shut itself up in order to protect her from any other shock or trauma, and she fainted in the arms of her two sisters.

NK had been sleeping, exhausted due to the jet lag when he was jolted awake, by someone screaming Khushi’s name. He rushed outside to see Payal and Anjali precariously balance an unconscious Khushi, and he lifted her and took her inside. Anjali called Lavanya, to tell her what had happened.

Lavanya was actually in the living room of her apartment, trying to ward off her sleep and took the coffee mug from Aditya. They had been up since 5 a.m in the morning, going to the airport to pick up the Raizadas, persuading them to stay at her apartment. She hadn’t told any of them that Khushi lived right in the apartment opposite to theirs. And they finally came to Aditya’s apartment, after deciding to give some time for their guests to get used to the change in timezone.

While preparing coffee for his sleep deprived cousin, his thoughts wandered to Anjali. There was this sadness in her face, which Aditya found very disturbing. He just couldn’t see the sad set of her lips. It looked much better when she smiled. ‘That is the way she’s meant to be…’ he decided, as he poured coffee to two mugs and brought it out. Handing one mug to his cousin, he had just sat down to have a sip when Lavanya’s phone rang. Lavanya received the call, wondering what Anjali was doing, calling her, when she had thought Anjali would be fast asleep due to the exhaustion. And when Anjali gave an account of Khushi fainting outside their doorstep, Lavanya looked fearfully at Aditya, who immediately knew something was wrong. He left his coffee and rose from his seat, tugging a blanched Lavanya with him.

As they drove, Aditya persuaded Lavanya to tell him what exactly had happened, and when he did tell him, Aditya ran a hand through his hair in frustration, cursing himself for letting this happen to Khushi. “Don’t blame yourself, Bhaiyya. . .” Lavanya said meekly, drawing out an exasperated reply from him, “How can I not, Lav?! I’m a PSYCHIATRIST, for crying out loud!! I should have known she is no state to take anymore of such shocks. . .”

“Bhaiyya, please! We don’t even know why all this happened!!” Lavanya said, having had enough with Aditya blaming himself for Khushi’s illness. And she knew his frustration was not just for Khushi. He still blamed himself for his sister’s untimely death, and she very well knew it.

o0o0o0o

Arnav didn’t know why he was being brought to London, all of a sudden. Had his sister come to know about Khushi too? If so, she didn’t show any sign of it. But he didn’t completely believe her excuse of visiting London like this. “You need a breath of fresh air, Chotey” she had said. Though why London in particular, he hadn’t known. What was still more confusing was to see Lavanya at the airport, waiting for them, along with her cousin. 

Aditya Kashyap. His look had been so direct, peering into Arnav’s eyes, as if to inquest all the secrets out of his mind. ‘I am doing this for Di’s sake’ Arnav had reminded himself, and had gone with her, not concerning himself about anything or anybody else. They were taken to Lavanya’s apartment, and for reasons unknown, Arnav had started to feel suffocated. When he was sure that Di, Payal, and NK had all slept, he left. He didn’t know where he wanted to go, but he just left.

As he waited at the pedestrian crossing, Arnav felt he heard his name being called out. And the voice, he didn’t even have to look at the person to recognize it. Khushi. But that was impossible! He turned behind and when he didn’t hear it once again, he sighed and put on his aviators, not wanting anybody else to discover his moist eyes, and walked across the street and towards the park that he could see nearby. 

Being in the same city, where he knew Khushi was, his frail mind felt even more frayed. He strolled through the park, not really looking at anything. His gaze rested on a man who was as tall as himself, pull a petite blonde who was squealing in joy, to himself and kiss her tenderly. Arnav’s eyes darted away from such a display of love, missing his wife all over again. That was what she had deserved. All the love, gentle care, tender love. And he had given her anything but that.

He sat on a bench, his mind automatically wandering to Khushi. What could she be doing? What would she do if she saw him? Was what he heard on the phone true? Did she never want to see him again? He sat there wondering about all this, losing all sense of time.

o0o0o0o

Aditya held Khushi’s wrist, as he searched for her pulse. When he found it, he breathed a sigh of relief, seeing that everything was normal. Her state of unconsciousness would be due to the shock then. “Is she alright?” Anjali asked, her eyes glistening with unshed tears, and Aditya smiled reassuringly at her. Anjali sighed too, closing her eyes, and rubbing her temples to ease her slowly building head-ache. Lavanya entered the living room with coffee for everybody, and they all sat there, thinking of what should be done next.

“I need to talk. To Arnav Singh Raizada.” Aditya said, “But before that, one of my colleague is on her way. To take a complete check-over of Khushi.” On seeing fear in Anjali, Payal and Lavanya’s eyes, he explained further, “She’s alright. . . This is just to make sure that she’s fully well. . .” 

“And what do you need to talk to my brother about?” Anjali asked, unable to hide the protective edge that entered her voice. Aditya smiled as he realized that the fragile-looking-Anjali was like a mother tiger when it came to her brother. “Khushi. She hasn’t taken the separation from her husband too well. She has been. . . . Imagining him around her, not really ready to let him go. . . .” Aditya explained, trying to make it all sound nonchalant. But Anjali had looked straight into his eyes, and he lowered his gaze, feeling guilty at hiding the facts from everybody. And now he was sure Anjali knew there was more to Khushi’s illness than he was letting them know. 

Payal had felt tears fill up her eyes, and before she could even think of her sister, NK had started sobbing, and she looked around uncomfortably, to ask anybody to take him off her hands. Anjali seemed to be lost with Aditya. She wasn’t sure, but she felt as if they were having their own silent conversation. And Lavanya, wiped her tears away, sad that this was happening to two most important people in her life, and looked at Payal. She saw, ASR’s cousin, NK cry and then at Payal, who was awkwardly patting his shoulder. She smiled at the scene, and guided NK to the other room. Payal asked a few questions to Aditya, to make sure whether her sister would be fine. And Aditya assured that once she would take Arnav back wholly, she would be fine. 

His colleague arrived then, and asked them all to leave and let her do her duty. Dr. Anna, was the closest, Aditya had for a friend. They had dated while in graduate med school. But it wasn’t anything major. He looked at Anjali, who was refusing to look him in the eye, from when Anna had arrived. Payal and Lavanya were talking about their family, NK fawning a little over Lavanya, and Lavanya blushing at all the attention she was getting. Aditya came and sat right next to Anjali, seeing her stiffen, and was about to ask what was wrong, when Anna walked in through the door, asking Aditya to come over, and that she needed to talk. 

Anjali had seen the flirtatious look that Anna had passed to Aditya as soon as she had come, and she had been thinking that even Aditya was like all other men! Cursing all the male population, she had purposefully avoided his eyes, knowing fully well that he was looking at every action of hers. And him being a psychiatrist, she knew he could probably understand why she was feeling a little irritated at him. And then he had come to sit beside her, and she knew that he would be wanting to know what was wrong. But luckily, Dr. B*tch intervened then and asked to talk to him. ALONE. Anjali looked at the retreating back of Aditya, her gut, knotting with tension, hoping that he would prove her theory of ‘All-men-are-B*stards’, wrong. And he did. He turned to her, looking at her as to why she hadn’t come with him, and that her coming with him was the most natural thing to happen, making her forget her irritation immediately, and feel relieved.

He was about to leave, when he looked back at Anjali staring at him. She lowered her gaze, blushing a little when she was caught staring at him. But he didn’t seem to mind even a little, as he looked at her questioningly, asking whether she wanted to join him. And she complied, as she rose from her seat and walked ahead of him. They stopped in the corridor, just outside the apartment and waited for Anna to start talking. “Okay, I don’t see anything wrong with her physically. But I think she might be pregnant. I’m going to have to make one more test before I tell you for sure. She keeps mumbling Arnav! Get her this Arnav ASAP! And I injected a sedative to make her sleep without any thoughts of this Arnav of hers. So she’ll be asleep for a few more hours.” Anna declared, making Aditya and Anjali grin happily at each other, at hearing the news about pregnancy. 

As soon as Anna took leave, Aditya frowned, worried about Khushi now. Anjali called him, but he was too engrossed in his thoughts, and she put her hand on his arm, and regarded him with questioning eyes. Aditya held her hand  in between both of his, missing the surprised look in her eyes, as he came out with his thoughts about Khushi’s mental state. He had been hiding this from Lavanya too, and for reasons indiscernible to him at present, he poured over his heart about Khushi. She silently listened to him, horrified for Khushi, yet feeling a little comforted at the fact that Aditya seemed to share it with just her, and was giving her the much-needed strength at the moment, and in return, relying on her. As if he was tired of all this, and she was the only one who could comfort him. . . . .

NGNF – Part 7

Shantivan, New Delhi

“Pick up the phone, Chotey!! Aapki Khushi mil gayi hai, and you chose this moment to disappear from our side of the world!!” Anjali muttered, as she redialed her brother’s number for the 18th time. There was a loud clambering noise behind her, and she whipped around in surprise to see NK stand with half a jalebi in his mouth, the other half in his hand, as he stood there, staring at Anjali in all the stupidity that he was.

“Khushiji???” He asked, his eyes still in a daze. Anjali looked at the most uncomplicated living thing in the world, standing in front of her as if he would burst into teras any moment soon. He had a childlike mind. And when he had known about Shyam’s betrayal, he had felt so bad for Khushi and Anjali, that he had behaved as if Shyam had betrayed NK too! Such was the goodness of him.

Anjali nodded her head to let him know what he had heard was the truth. But she also told him not to tell this to anybody else. At least not yet. His eyes was filled with tears of joy, as he nodded and dashed upstairs, to his room. Anjali smiled as she shook her head at his retreating back.

Sheesh Mahal, Lucknow

Arnav woke up with bleary eyes. His head was pounding. Result of a sleepless night, and the haunting memories of his wife. He remembered the night when they had actually become a man, and wife.

The night they made love. *Read the OS that I had written in the past, OS: Wish it was enough*

The night she left him.

His phone buzzed again, and he sighed as he got up and reminded himself to live another day for other’s sake. His family’s sake. His voice came out groggily when he uttered a “Hello” into his phone. “Chotey? Aap ro rahe the kya??” Anjali’s concerned voice questioned him, giving a minute amount of relief to his disturbed soul. “Nahi, Di. Main So raha tha. . .” Arnav answered, and was shoot with another question, “So rahe the?? Kahaan??!”

“Di, I’m in Sheesh Mahal.” Arnav’s voice went a little husky with the plethora of emotions he felt at that moment, and Anjali immediately understood her Chotey had been missing their mother. She had tried her level best to shower him with love since their mother’s death. And she also knew that Arnav loved her for that. But she knew too, that no love could ever surpass a mother’s love. She smiled sadly, as she told him to come home by the same night.

As Payal and NK was on her side now, she decided to take them both to London, NK could easily distract Arnav from everything. He just needed to open his mouth, and Arnav would be waiting to rip his throat off in anger. Anjali, till now, did not know what NK had done to irk Arnav like that. But she could use all the distraction now. Since the plan was “Arnav shouldn’t know anything about Khushi being in London.” She told Payal and NK to pack their stuff for a few days, and that they would be heading to London as soon as Arnav returned. Payal had already told Akash about Khushi, and he too rushed home to be with his family.

It was 9’o clock in the morning, and even if Chotey left after an hour, he would take six to seven hours to reach home. And with that calculation in her mind,  Anjali had booked four tickets to London for that night.

She called Lavanya to tell her that she would be leaving the same night, and held her breath, hoping against all hopes with the whole of her battered heart that things worked out. . . . . .

Aditya’s apartment, West Hampstead, London

Aditya was going through a journal of psychiatry, his brows furrowed in utter concentration, when he heard Lavanya’s phone vibrating on the table. She must have left it here!! he thought, mentally reprimanding his sister to be so irresponsible. “Anjali Di” The display of her phone flashed, and Aditya remembered her to be Arnav’s sister. She might be calling to know about Khushi or anything about their plan.

“Hello???” He answered the phone doubtfully. There was a minute’s silence, during which Aditya heard just the breathing from the other end, and noticed his breathing was in sync with it. “Lavanyaji??” A doubtful voice replied back. “Ji, main uska Bhai, Aditya bol raha hoon. . . Kahiye??” Aditya answered confidently. “Umm. . . Can I speak to Lavanyaji??” Anjali questioned again, and Aditya calmly answered, “She has left her phone at my apartment. And if this is regarding Khushi, you can tell me. I know.”

He heard a sigh, on the line and more of the silence before she informed him that she would be landing in London early next morning. It was Aditya’s turn now, to sigh, hoping that Khushi would be alright once she had Arnav back in her life. And coincidentally, they both had voiced their doubts together. “I hope everything will be alright. . . .” And Aditya smiled as he heard a light tinkling laughter on the line, and Anjali murmured, “See you tomorrow. . . . .”

“I’ll be waiting. . . .” Aditya replied and ended the call, and sighed wistfully. He got up and started to get ready to go to Lavanya’s apartment to return her phone, and tell her the news of the arrival of the Raizadas.

Shantivan, New Delhi

Anjali’s smile died on her face as soon as she ended the call, and realized that this was the first decent conversation she had had with any male human being, other than her family, after she had been betrayed by her alleged husband. She had actually felt a little peaceful for a while, when compared to the past few days of tumult. She soon shook her head, sighing, as she brushed away any thoughts about herself, and her feelings.

It was now only about her Chotey.

About Khushi.

About Arnav and Khushi.

Much later that night, Arnav sat in the plush seat of a plane, which headed to London. The city which held his heart and life right now. He had planned to let Payal know about Khushi when he reached Shantivan. But to his astonishment, he had been practically shoved out of the house by his sister, Payal, and NK, almost immediately as he had come, and had been made to board this flight.

Had Di come to know about Khushi too. He couldn’t help but give in to the sense of trepidation that kept gnawing his mind. He gazed out of the window, wondering whether he would be bestowed with a glimpse of her. Of course that meant his wounds and gashes, which seemed to have heeled on the surface would be slit open again. But he was willing to take that pain happily if he could just get a glimpse of her.

Would he capable of holding himself back if and when he saw her, he didn’t know yet. He cursed himself for getting his hopes all high, regarding meeting her. This was just a “refreshing trip”, as his Di had mentioned. But was it? A niggling voice sounded in the back of his mind, which he pushed away, as he felt his sister turning uncomfortably in her sleep, beside him. He pulled up the rug which she had covered herself with, and she snuggled more into it, sighing in her sleep. And Arnav stroked her forehead gently before he turned back to the window.

Khushi’s Apartment, London

Lavanya was having a field day, as she prepared herself to accommodate the Raizadas. She had prepared her friend’s apartment, which they had both bought together. And this apartment was just opposite the apartment, where Khushi was staying now. Of course, Lavanya and Aditya had not told this to Khushi, who was presently traipsing for some soothing music at the Havisham Dance Institute. And by the time Khushi came back, they were already in her apartment, using Lavanya’s spare key, and Khushi entered her apartment to listen to the husky laughter of Lavanya, as she laughed in a carefree manner at some joke made by her brother.

Aditya raised his eyebrows, asking how Khushi was, and Khushi looked at the Arnav right next to him, and sighed wistfully. Aditya glanced at the empty spot which Khushi had turned to, and sent his prayers to God once more, hoping this would be sorted out soon.

They spent the evening, preparing Indian food, and Khushi had actually felt herself relax. But that may be due to the fact that Arnav smiling at her indulgently at her. And they soon ate too, and it was pretty late when Aditya and Lavanya left, and finally Khushi turned to face Arnav with a smile as she headed to the couch near the window. For reasons unfathomable, she could sleep a wink if she slept on the king size bed which was present in the bedroom, and this couch managed to give her just that. She smiled as she felt Arnav stroke her hair in soothing movements, and she slipped into a deep slumber.

—ooo—

The next morning, she woke up with a start and looked around her apartment. The sun was already up, and she noticed that she was thirsty, and sauntered to the kitchen, and drank a glass of water. She returned to the couch, and sat watching out of the window. She saw the numerous cars that passed through and her eyes rested on a man. His shoulders itself made a chill settle in her guts. She could make out who it was just by looking at the way those shoulders were set. As if he was warring against this world.

She paled, as her breathing turned shallower. “Arnav??!!” She mumbled, and looked around, and ran from room to room, yelling his name. And it finally dawned on her that Arnav wasn’t there with her. She ran back to the window to see Arnav standing patiently to cross the street.

Was he leaving her? The panic was such that she forgot that this Arnav was just a figment of her imagination. Only thing which mattered to her was that Arnav was leaving! And she just couldn’t let that happen. Her eyes teared up, as she started feeling pathetically empty. As if her life was being sucked out of her. Tears started flowing as she threw open the window, to call him back to her. But she doubted whether her voice would reach him amidst the blaring of horns. And the fact that her apartment was in the third floor didn’t help much. She made up her mind, to get her Arnav back with her, and rushed out of her house, and stepped into the street, yelling his name. .

NGNF – Part 6

Hailing from one of the richest families of London, he learned to live independently as he wanted to make a name of his own, than just to rely on his father for name and money.

Shares a loving bond with his parents and family. Loved his sister, Jia Kashyap, more than anybody else, and was all of the protective-old-brother he could ever be. But he lost his 11-years old sister in an accident when he was 17, and somewhere in a corner of his mind, he still holds himself responsible for not taking care of his baby sister properly.

Any kind of pain or trauma to any woman in his life is unacceptable. And he would make it his own responsibility to cure them of the pain.

A Psychiatrist by profession, he is quite famous in the hospital where he works, in uplifting the spirits of the people who have lost any hope in their lives, or lost any of their loved ones.

Currently too attached to Khushi Arnav Singh Raizada, as she reminds him of his late, bubbly sister.

And he’ll be doing everything in his control to heal Khushi of the wounds soon. . . .

Oh, and he’s currently single. . . . Who knows, he might soon be bestowed with a love interest soon enough??!! 

Part 6:

Khushi’s Apartment, London

Khushi woke up to a gentle touch on her cheek. She stretched and yawned, and opened her eyes to look at a smiling Arnav. “Good morning, Khushi. . .” he murmured, and Khushi’s smile widened as she beckoned to her Arnav, who came to her readily. As he sat behind her, his arms enveloping her in a warm embrace. Khushi leaned onto him, as she remembered what Aditya had told her. That she was imagining Arnav everywhere. “He’s right, you know?” Arnav murmured. Khushi simply nodded. “If you’re not ready to let go of me mentally, why put such a huge distance in between us, jaan??” Arnav questioned. “You betrayed my trust. . . .” Khushi answered meekly. “And you betrayed me too. . . .” Arnav murmured against her neck. Khushi turned around as she stared at him with disbelief, as she sputtered, “Me?! How?!!”

“Think, Khushi. . . All this would never have happened if you had told me about Shyam, the day you came to know his truth. . .” Arnav replied in a soft voice, and Khushi huffed with annoyance. “That’s your argument about this?! Exhaling?!” Arnav asked in a wry voice. ‘I’ve had enough of this discussion!!’ Khushi thought as she got up and started to get ready to go to work. “Huff all you want. But we both are at fault!” Arnav yelled behind her.

Aditya’s apartment, West Hampstead, London

Aditya had a plan now. It had been quite obvious to him that Khushi would return back to normalcy once she let Arnav back in her life. All he now had to find out, was whether Arnav wanted Khushi or not. For Khushi, Arnav was the basic necessity of life, just like air. Was it the same on Arnav’s side too? When he voiced this to Lavanya, she had been pretty sure that whatever was wrong between them, it’d have been one, huge misunderstanding, and she had cited numerous incidents where the usually adamant ASR was putty in the efficient hands of Khushi.

“I want to know it for sure. . . .” Aditya said, and braced himself to know the truth. If Arnav, was, by any chance, fine with not having Khushi in his life, curing Khushi off her schizophrenia would be tough. “I could call ASR’s elder sister. She’d know about this. . .” Lavanya murmured thoughtfully.

“I think its better you call her up. . . .” Aditya said, and Lavanya replied, “I won’t simply tell her that Khushi is with us. . . Let me first know how ASR is taking all this. . .” Aditya nodded and watched Lavanya take her phone and dial a number. Lavanya’s face lit up with a smile as she answered the person on the phone, “Hello, Di??”

Anjali smiled when she saw Lavanya was calling her. Soon they were catching up, and after a while, Lavanya asked in a soft voice, “How is ASR, Di?? And Khushi??” Anjali Singh Raizada went silent for a whole minute, before she started crying and started narrating to Lavanya, what had happened after the former had left. Lavanya, in turn, put her phone on speaker, so that Aditya could listen too.

—flashback—

The day Anjali had found out about the infidelity of her husband, she had come to know the truth about the sham marriage of her brother to Khushi too. To say that Anjali had been thunderstruck would be an understatement. Poor Khushi had suffered from all sides. Anjali sat at the wide window in her room, wondering where she had gone wrong. Had she been so overwhelmed that a person had accepted her with her disability, that she had sat back and paved the way for his indiscretion? Did she have no self respect at all, then? At the moment, she felt pathetic about herself.

As she sat chewing on these matters, she felt a hand cover her mouth, and the other pressing hard against her stomach. She fought with all her might, but her opponent was too strong. Anjali had immediately recognized the touch to be her husband’s. She was thrown to the floor, and she felt a stinging pain as the edge of the table collided with her lower belly. She curled into the fetal position as she felt the pain, and she immediately knew what had happened. Tears unshed from her eyes, made them burn. But she lay there, dead to everything around her. Even to the raging monstrous husband of hers. Shyam had fled at the sound of footsteps, and it had been Khushi who had found Anjali in this state, and rushed her to the hospital.

A whole day had been spent by all the Raizadas, running in and out of the hospital, before Anjali was declared fit to be taken home. The same night, she had dreamed of Khushi crying and saying her goodbye. It was the next morning when she saw her Chotay scream for Khushi, she realized that it wasn’t a dream she had seen last night.

The anger she had for her brother had melted the instant she saw her younger brother enter her room, crying like a child. He had cried his heart out, lying his head in her lap. Cried for the loss of his wife. Maybe they were cursed to lose the ones they loved, Anjali had thought as she hugged her brother tight and let him cry.

It was after a few moments that she had seen the determined look on her brother’s face, and she knew he’d be punishing himself thoroughly for making his wife suffer for on mistake of hers. 

––end of flashback—

Anjali explained how Arnav was in pain, even now. And the fact that he hadn’t come home yesterday night, and was not even picking up any calls.

Aditya shook his head at the most dramatic story he had ever heard. So much of misunderstandings?! Maybe Arnav wasn’t a man comfortable with words. But Khushi was good at it, and he knew it very well. Then why had she let so many things come in between?

His train of thoughts were broken when he heard Lavanya say, “Di? Bring Arnav here. . . Khushi is with me. . . . Its time we ended all this, once and for all!!” Anjali had grown silent at this revelation, and now she exclaimed, “Really?! But how is Khushi? Can I talk to her??!” Anjali asked, her voice barely hiding her excitement.
Aditya pursed his lips as he shook his head, indicating Lavanya that Khushi’s Schizophrenia mustn’t be revealed to anybody yet. Lavanya nodded once as she replied, “Khushi is fine Di. She stays in one of my own apartment in London. And she is not here with me. . .” A disappointed “Oh!!” was all the response from the other side. 

Lavanya explained further, “Khushi called me one day, and asked whether I could help her. She’s my true friend, Di. How could I refuse her? She made me promise to help her without asking anything, and then when I did promise, she asked me if I could get her to London. I was very confused, Di. But she sounded so desperate that I had to help her out! And I didn’t know she had been married to ASR. Or else, I swear, I would have tried to make her see some sense!”Anjali had grown tense when she heard Lavanya speaking about Khushi and Arnav’s marriage. After all, the woman had feelings for her brother. But she seemed okay now. And she genuinely meant what she had said right now. Anjali smiled, thankful that finally everything was falling into proper places. “Don’t worry, Lavanyaji. . . . We can still make them both get together. They love each other too much to let a misunderstanding to take away what they have in between them. If they did, they would be the biggest idiots. And we won’t let them do this to each other.”

“But Di. . . . Please don’t tell this to ASR! And even I won’t tell anything about this to Khushi. Let them see each other first, and even after that, if things don’t turn out well, we’ll interfere.” Lavanya explained, and Anjali agreed whole-heartedly.

“Par Lavanyaji, I’ll tell this to Payal. She has been missing Khushi too much, you know. So, I’ll get her and Arnav with me to London as soon as possible. . . . I’ll call you with further details, okay? Thank you very much, Lavanyaji! You have no idea how happy you have made by giving this news to me.” Anjali said, her eyes filling up with tears of gratitude.

“Don’t mention it, Di!! It was my duty to get Khushi back with the man she loves so much. . . Bye, Di. . . . Call me soon!” Lavanya softly said, and hung up. As she looked up at Aditya, he said with a sad smile, “I have to say one thing though. This ASR doesn’t know how to handle love. First he broke your heart, and now Khushi’s. I could easily hate him, without even seeing him, just for this reason.”

“Don’t be biased, Adi!! And he had never broken my heart. I was just in love with the idea of love! How naive I had been! To think that ASR would fall in love with me!!” Lavanya snorted.

Aditya nodded once, and thought of the voice he had heard in the phone right now. As the woman had cried, he had found himself going restless. Was it just because of the heartbreaking incident the woman was narrating or something else, he didn’t know. But he had felt himself smile as Lavanya and Anjali planned to get Khushi and Arnav together. Again, that voice seemed to control his emotions.

He brushed away the thought, as Lavanya tugged him to his feet, and to her car, citing that she wanted to go shopping, and she needed a luggage-carrier. Rolling his eyes, Aditya sighed exasperatedly, and called Khushi to invite her too. ‘As long as I’m the brother-on-duty, let me do it for both of them!’

Khushi, who refused to join them initially, gave in to Lavanya’s goading, and joined them.

Shantivan, New Delhi

“Payal!” Anjali exclaimed as she entered Payal’s room, and Payal looked at her surprised with the sudden excitement. ” Khushi is in London!!” Anjali said, and Payal’s face fell a little as she said, “I knew that. . . Aapke Bhai ne kaha tha humse. . .”

“Chotay??!! He knows??!!” Anjali frowned as she thought why he may have not told her this. Payal, confused as to how Anjali had come to know if Arnav hadn’t told her asked, “Unhone nahi bataaya tho, aapko pata kaise chala??”

“Lavanyaji had called me!! Khushi is with her! Safe and sound!” Anjali beamed at Payal, and Payal’s eyes immediately welled up. She sighed a breath of relief and hugged Anjali and they rejoiced the moment, before Anjali told the plans she and Lavanya had made over the phone.

Payal grew a little apprehensive about this. After all her sister had suffered so much because of Arnav. Did she really want her sister to get back with him again? ‘Well, it’ll be her choice. . . .’Payal decided, and smiled again, hoping to see her sister soon. . . . . . . .