Invisible Strings * Ongoing*

17. Release

Why?

Because, these were not just tears of happiness and emotional release, they were also part tears of pride. She was so proud of Arnav, in the moment. If, it hadn't been for Mini Maa, Matthew Dad thanking him towards the end of the call, for all his help, towards the re-neovation/revamping of the orphanage+ all that he had been doing for years, she would have never known, perhaps? Why,hadn't he told her about it yet? They'd talked for hours today – too – right? During their drive, after, whilst cooking, at dinner – having fun and catching up. Then why hadn't he just brought it up - himself??

As she feels Arnav continuing to brush on her hair tenderly, she finally looks up at him now, her emotional gaze searching his face as she asks cupping his face – " why didn't you tell me?? why didn't you tell me yourself haan? that for years now, you'v been like helping Mini Maa and Matthew Dad in all of the orphanage financial affairs, plus in the context of the future of kids there + this whole revamping of the orphanage bit?Even , Aman and Meera, didn't give it away....I am just so emotional right now...also because...I am just so proud off you...for this..dammit....Arnav....if it hadn't been for Mini Maa, Matthew Dad, taking us all in...then...as orphans.......you are freaking amazing...rockstar....oh...you just...come here you...,"and she just hugs him back harder at that.

Arnav holds her close, ofcourse,as he whispers – " I thought, we'd end up talking about it eventually...k? it wasn't like I wasn't going to tell you...Khushi....ofcourse I wana do the best I can...to give it back...to the place...the people...I owe so much too....and I just wana keep doing it....that's all...and it's not just out of sense of duty, or responsibility, it's totally out of the love and respect I have in my heart, for them...and for our orphanage....its home...right?Khushi...always will be....it's where our roots are....," and he pauses as he feels Khushi hug him harder at that as she whispers – "indeed....it's home...it's home........"

Arnav so wanted to make Khushi smile now, and so he asks in a teasing mode – " but hey....you tell me....who cries in pride...Khushi?? like don't people usually beam in it??"

Khushi looks up at him at that as she whispers caressing his cheek – " I do. I cry...in pride...in your context...always....I cried this hard, or even harder in happiness...when Rabba Ve...hit the stands...and became a roaring bloackbuster...overnight...ask...manizeh...she held me through it then...because, even though, in my head, things were so different and I had no clue, you'd written the lyrics for me...I was just so happy for you, and like... so so proud....Arn...av..."

Now, its turn for Arnav's eyes to fill up with happy tears – " really??? despite...everything??"

Khushi nods to affirm – "indeed...despite...everything..."

And the two share a powerful emotional eyelock at that for about ten seconds, before they both lean in to kiss each other madly and emotionally at the same time.

Five minutes into taking each other's breathe away, Khushi pulls apart reluctantly as her phone shrills with its rings and recognising the ringtone – immediately she whispers into Arnav's lips - " sorry....Arn..av...just a second...I gotta take that...its Daddy with his routine call....it's probably going to be his bed time..in Fiji..."

Arnav feels his emotions freeze at that on its own accord. Fighting a flinch in his body language, he nods and pulls apart from Khushi too and as he watches her steady her breathes, now, before she finally picks up the call - he uses his own phone for distraction brushing his hand in his hair – casually.