Part 28

Khushi came out of the washroom wiping her face with a smooth towel. She stood for a second thinking about Arnav. How always he stares at her teasingly? His yearning arms... longing eyes... incompleted conversations... This house feels lonely without him. She remains neither awake nor asleep. He charmed her with his magic. She was dying in his love slowly. But he knows nothing about it. How pathetic! He would have been made to recognize it if he had been with her. She was always in the thought of him no matter where she goes.

AR

Khushi was in her cabin. She was busy in something, busy in pushing her time. She was in the urge of killing "ONE MONTH". It was already TWENTY days Arnav went to London. Ten days more to go. Her phone started ringing and she didn't know it as she lost in her own world. It stopped. Five minutes later Aman entered into her cabin after knocking.

Aman: Bhabhi, why didn't you attend ASR's call?

Khushi(shocked): what? When?

Aman: Just five minutes before.

Khushi took out her mobile and checked it. Yes, there is an overseas number. She got frustrated with herself. She threw it on Aman.

Khushi: Can't he call me the second time? What's so busy that he tried only once?

Aman forwarded his mobile.

Aman: ASR is on the line.

Saying, he went outside giving them space. Khushi's heart started thudding. Her hands were shivering. She kept the phone on her ear.

Arnav: Khushi.....

Why the hell on the earth he calls her name in his husky tone which takes her breath way?

Arnav: Why didn't you talk to me when you attended my call on the previous day?

Khushi (prepared herself and stiffened): I attended the call unknowingly which was not mine.

Arnav: But "caller" is yours remember?

Khushi(sarcastically): Do you even remember that?

Arnav: you know very well, I can never forget it.

Khushi: Did you call me to say this?

Arnav: There are more in my heart to confess which you never liked.

Khushi bit her lips to stop her tears which already started flowing down.

Arnav: Khushi... I'm sorry if I disturb you.

The word "disturb" disturbed her to the core. How did he know that she was hell disturbed, because she was not getting disturbed by him?

Khushi( furiously): If you have guts then say that when we meet in person.

Arnav could feel her shivering voice.

Arnav: My guts will fly away in air when I see you in front of me Khushi. Arnav is a coward when it comes to get separated from Khushi. He cut the call leaving Khushi all stunned.

"COWARD"? Like really? Arnav and Coward? Doesn't it need extreme guts to say it openly? No man in the world will say like this, "BRAVE COWARD". She could feel "sadness" through his tone. Why not? If a girl who didn't want this marriage once is now yearning for it then, no need to say about the guy who always wanted it from the beginning. He must be crumbled. She knew he is doing this deliberately. Let him come. He will get to know what she can do.

Khushi was returning back to RM. Her car got halted in the signal. Something different caught her attention. It's Anjali. But what shook her to the core is, Shyam was with her. Very closely, joyfully. They were coming out of the mall with loads of shopping bags. Khushi didn't get anything for a while. Horn sound which started blowing from vehicles got her back to the sense. She was shocked seeing them together.

What is this? Is Shyam planning something to get anything from Anjali? What if she gets heartbroken again? Shyam can do anything. Her anger got into her head. She took the "U" turn and headed to Gupta House.

Garima surprised seeing Khushi who was suddenly entering the house. She welcomed her and asked about her in-laws and Arnav. Khushi was waiting for Anjali. She wanted to know what the real issue was. As Khushi firmly sat on the sofa, Garima started panicking which was noticed by Khushi. She was suspicious now. That's when she heard laughing sound from outside. Obviously it was Shyam and Anjali. They rooted seeing Khushi.

Anjali(stammering): Khushi, When did you come?

Khushi didn't look at her but Shyam who was suffocating to face her angry glare.

Khushi: I came here after seeing you in the mall with "someone".

Anjali and Garima glanced at each other. Shyam left the place silently. Khushi might burst out in anger if she saw him standing there firm.

Anjali: yah Khushi me and your brother went to shopping.

Khushi: He is not my brother.

Anjali: Khushi, (hesitatingly) he is not what we thought.

Khushi: I can't believe that you believed him Bhabi.

Anjali: I have no choice.

Khushi: But why?(she exclaimed)

Anjali: Because he is my husband. No one can change it. Then what's the harm in giving him a chance?

Khushi: what if he again cheats you? Will you bear it?

Anjali: what if he does not cheat? It will bring happiness in my life... forever.

Khushi(gritting her teeth): only if he does not cheat. But he will.... I know him.

Anjali: you don't know about him Khushi. He stopped everything when you tried to stop our marriage.

Khushi(sarcastically): Did he say that?

Anjali(nodded no): Arnav made me hear his confession about and everything.

Khushi(stunned): My husband?

Anjali said all that happened on that day at Gupta House between Arnav and Shyam. Khushi was taken aback. She looked at Anjali with bewilderment. She caressed Khushi's cheek.

Anjali: Please don't mistake me Khushi. I didn't hide it from you in purpose. I know you will get angry with him thinking that he cheats me. But he is not. I want to give a chance to this relationship. I don't want to lose my husband. I can say, what I see in him is not fake He is mine, Khushi. I want him in my life. Please try to understand. (she pleads)

Khushi: I just wanted to save you from disappointment. If you are happy with him then I won't stop you. But be careful Bhabi.

she touched her chin.

Anjali: "Over" alertness is also not good Khushi.(pause) I'm saying this just for you. I started loving you even before I saw my husband. Because you wanted my betterment over your brother. I too want to see you happy Khushi. I know what's going on between you and Arnav. (Khushi looked here and there unable to see Anjali's face) Arnav is a gem. If he wants mine and Shyam's to be together then he never let you go away from him because he respects relationship and his people.

Accept that you too love him.(Khushi looked at her surprisingly) cannot I understand you? Tell me one thing. Didn't you crave to see him... at least for once... after he left to London?

If you refuse a LOVE today then you will yearn for it one day because you will never get it again if you lost it once. Please don't do this Khushi.

Khushi hugged her and letting her tears slipped on Anjali's shoulder. Garima, who witnessed the whole scenario silently came forward.

Garima: I believe that my daughter is a brilliant girl. Don't prove me by taking Khushi. Just ask a simple question to yourself. Arnav's parents will make him married to someone if you leave him. Can you imagine ?

Khushi was horror stuck about Garima's question.

She left GH without saying anything, carrying many in her heart. His action to connect Anjali and Shyam surprised her... amazed her.... He could have just ignored it as he stayed here for only a few days. But he didn't. He never insisted her to talk to Shyam instead he provided enough protection to make her feel comfortable.

She reached RM in the same thought. She was shocked seeing Anjali's stance on her husband's matter. If Anjali could give a chance to a man like Shyam than why not she to Arnav? Because according to Khushi, Arnav is an only man who cannot be compared with anyone in the world. She fell on the bed and started crying thinking about her stupidity. She sensed something there when she clutched the bed. She lifted the bed and it was a small size scribbling-pad.

She flipped the cover and there was something being written by Arnav,

"You have to wait until she decides".

She flipped another page.

"We have no other choice"

Khushi's heart started beating faster like ever before. she again turned the page.

"Six months later only I can do anything, after seeing her move"

Khushi's breath ditched her.

"I'm here for you. I will not let you cry"

Khushi felt dizzy. There was only one page to flip. Her hands were shivering to do it. Khushi clutched her shawl in nervousness. What if there is any GIRL's name? she closed her eyes and flipped it slowly saying HEY DEVI MAIYA........

To be continued.....