Invisible Strings * Ongoing*

23. The Call

And at that he finally hears Rajesh Maan say instantly – " well, now that you put it that way...I think on this accord, I do feel like the version of Dr jekyl Mr..hyde myself..."

Arnav says all frustrated – " stop beating around the bush...will you please? and get to the point...what do you want from me now? I made it clear that I do not  have any low agendas that you pressumed towards you...k?"

Arnav hears him sigh hard at that as if a lump of emotion had formed deep in his throat - "look...all I want to do.in this moment  now...is to request you...to keep the truth a secret...still...as you have...all these years.All I want from...you....boy..today.....is a promise......that...Khushi shall never know the truth from you...in any moment..ever...in any slip of the moment...too...she did mention you flinch everytime I come up...you gotta stop doing that...find a way...to get around it all in your head..boy..please?look...I know she made it clear to you that she doesn't need anyone's approval to be with me...so if she finds out...that you did what you did on my accord...she will be hurt from both our sides collectively...more massively from my end...yes...but she will surely be hurt..on your accord...too...right? I am sure – the two of us can come to a consensus pact on that accord atleast – I don't want to hurt, Khushi, anymore...you don't want to hurt her too – anymore- surely..."

And Arnav can only sigh at that –" yes...I'd hate to hurt her...with the truth...which is why I'v kept it burried...dammit...don't you get it..if I haven't said it out loud yet...it means I am not going to be the one telling her...anyway...even though the guilt of keeping this from her is killing me...so guess what..Mr.Maan...you don't need to seek this as a promise from me...for you and me can never be in a consensus pact..ever..if I am keeping shut about the truth to Khushi...the prime reason from my end is to just protect her from any hurt...if I am doing this...I am doing it for Khushi....not for you......."

He hears Rajesh Maan sigh in relief at that on the other end finally  as he says – " well, either way, my purpose is served then...the agenda was that Khushi should never know the truth...you wont tell her..for your reasons...I wont tell her..for my reasons...and.....who better than me to know the weight of guilt...boy...hear me on this..do yourself a favour and find a channel to vent it out through....or else...it will just eat you hard up within....just like it's been eating me hard...all these years..,"and he pauses at that.

Arnav - " not that I asked you for suggestions on the same...Mr Maan..."

He hears Rajesh Maan add to that- this time around remorse plus sincerity evident in his voice – "look..better I say this and get it off mu chest to you atleast...Arnav...boy.. I know my way was wrong, back then...my call today..also out of line in the beginning...but sometimes...in some moments...life isn't all black/white boy...it becomes a shade of grey too...consider these acts of mine...as a testimony of that perhaps?also....this is where...I want to also say...I am sorry...boy...for what I did to you...back then too...I know its long shot...but maybe one day...you will be able to accept my apology?forgive me??I am not going to come again in between of Khushi and you ever again...I just want the truth to remain...where it is...burried...in secrecy..that's all..."

Arnav closes his eyes shut at that for a second as the haunts of the past return, and he ends up saying on reflex – " it is a long shot...indeed...Mr.Maan...for apology stands denied...for sure...I can't even process.it...I don't know...if I'd ever be able to forgive you...for what you did...even though I am.glad to hear you say you will not stand in our way again.. ever.."