Next day Morning -
Indraneel got up and got freshen up. Then he went to Kushi's room to see her sleeping. He sat beside her and stroked her hair. He could see the dried tear strains in her cheeks.
He sighed ' His Daughter fall in love with someone and he couldn't even notice the changes in her behaviour. Infact it came as an utter shock to him when his Daughter said that she loves Arnav. Arnav...... He is a very sensible and responsible boy. May be it's just few days, but he and Kushi is no different to him. It's like he has grown some special bond with that Boy. But like he said, Arnav doesn't belong here. He belongs to somewhere else. He has to go there one or the other day and there is no guarantee that his Daughter will be welcomed in that Family. What will she do then ?.....But he know this too..... He can't force Kushi to stop loving Arnav. For the first time his Daughter has opened up to him and he didn't want to scare her with his denial or words. If he did then probably she will start staying aloof like before. And he never wanted that
If they both love eachother then he is nobody to stop them. All he could do for now is to sit calm and pray to Durga Maa to show some good path to his children '
He woke her up - Kushi.... Kushi beta get up.
Kushi opened her heavy eyes and saw her father infront of her. Smiling she got up.
Kushi - Good Morning Papa.
Indraneel smiled - Good Morning. Lazy goose...... Did you saw the time ? Get up and get ready soon. We need to leave for work.
Kushi saw the time and pouted - Give me 15 minutes. I will get ready. You go Papa.
Indraneel - Ok. Come soon.
Kushi nodded and as He stood up and left she kept looking at the way he vanished few seconds ago. She was scared of his reaction but he didn't reacted the way she expected and that gave a little relief to her. Taking a deep breath she stood up and escaped into the washroom. In few minutes she got ready and went downstairs.
She saw Indraneel finished his prayers and sitting on the Sofa reading his newspaper.
As she came their Maid gave her a cup of Coffee. Kushi sat on the sofa sipping her coffee.
Arnav came down getting ready for office.
Arnav - Good Morning Uncle....
Indraneel smiled - Good Morning. So how are you feeling now ?
Arnav - Good Uncle.
Indraneel - Ok come. Come and have your breakfast. Then we will go to office. Doctor has given appointment tomorrow only.
Arnav - But Iam ok Uncle. There is no need of a Doctor.
Indraneel sighed - That your Doctor will say tomorrow. Now sit and have breakfast.
Kushi sighed in relief seeing Indraneel behaving normally with Arnav. Seems like she still needs to understand her father very much.
Indraneel throughout the breakfast observed both Arnav and Kushi. They both were unusually silent. Seems like for the past few days they are behaving the same and it's him who failed to see it. He sighed and silently had his breakfast.
Then trio together went to office. Kushi indulged in her work while Arnav in his. Indraneel was watching the duo from distance. They both had indulged in their work very seriously. Like everything is very normal in their mind. Such a matured children they are..... But they need to give time to themselves, only then they will be able to make a good decision.
Kushi stood and walked to Arnav's cubicle.
Kushi - Arnav ji...
Arnav turned and looked at her.
Kushi - woh.... There is a meeting at client's office. Shall I ask Papa to accompany you ?
Arnav - I.... I will manage....
Kushi - Ok. I will ask the driver to take you there.
Arnav nodded his head. Kushi went away to Indraneel's cabin.
Kushi - Papa....
Indraneel looked at her - Haan Kushi....
Kushi - Papa, woh.... There is a meeting at Client's office. Arnav ji needs to attend it. Shall I ask the driver to take him there ?
Indraneel - Are you not going ?
Kushi shook her head as NO. Indraneel sighed and asked her to go for the meeting and learn things. He also adviced her to keep her personal life away if she really wants to have a career in future.
Thinking of his father's words she took his advice seriously and decided to go to the meeting with Arnav. So she directly went to him.
Kushi - Arnav ji....
As Arnav looked at her,
Kushi - I will also come with you for meeting.
Arnav didn't said anything but kept quiet. Kushi and Arnav went together to attend the meeting.
After meeting finished they both went towards the car.
Arnav looked at Kushi - Can I drive ?
Kushi looked at him and the car to and fro, handing him the car keys she went and sat on the passenger seat. Arnav sat on the driver seat and ignited the engine. Kushi opened her laptop and started her work.
She was very much indulged in his work that she didn't noticed where he is taking them. After few minutes he stopped the car and got down. Kushi frowned and looked at the surroundings frowning.
It's the same place where she confessed her love to him. She got tears remembering that incident. She looked at Arnav who is standing and looking at nothing in particular.
Kushi got down from the car and went near him.
Kushi - Arnav ji....
Arnav looked at her and Kushi was shocked to see tears in his eyes.
Kushi - Arnav ji.... What happened ? Is it paining ?
She took his palms and inspected his wounds. She smacked her head.
Kushi - Sorry Arnav ji. I totally forgot that your hands were burnt.
She was blabbering to herself when Arnav pulled her to him and hugged her tight burying his face in her neck. Kushi went still for a moment.
Arnav - Iam Sorry Kushi.....
Kushi looked at his head through the corner of her eyes.
Arnav - Iam so sorry.
Arnav came out of the hug and held her arms. Kushi looked at him confused.
Kushi - What happened Arnav ji ? Why are you saying sorry ?
Arnav - Iam sorry for hurting you.
Kushi was still confused - I don't understand what you are talking about ?
Arnav - I hurted you with my words and behaviour. Didn't I ?
Kushi now understood what he is speaking about.
Kushi - I think we should go from here. It's getting late.
Kushi turned away when she heard Arnav shouting her name and saying something. She stilled in her place.
Arnav - Kushi I LOVE YOU......
Kushi couldn't believe her eyes and turned around to look at him in shock.
Arnav - I love you Kushi.
Kushi - What ?
Arnav - I love you Kushi. I really do.
Kushi didn't know why, but she felt only anger raising in her.
Kushi - Great Mr Arnav. Really great. So you love me ? untill when you are planning to roam and have fun with me ?
Arnav shook his head as he heard his own words thrown at her once.
Kushi - Actually if you tell me, I will prepare myself for everything you see.....
Arnav - Iam sorry Kushi.
Kushi just now concentrated and realised his ' Kushi ji ' has turned into ' Kushi '.
Kushi started to take steps when she felt a tug in her hands.
She cried and shrugged his hands off - What do you want Arnav ji ? You told me to stay away right ? Then why are you confusing me ? Why ? What happened suddenly that you started to love me ?
She shouted putting Arnav in tears.
Arnav - I can't loose you Kushi. I have understood that. I love you from the very beginning. But I had to stop myself.
Kushi - And I know why. Because you think that my Papa has burdened you with his helps and you don't want to hurt him. Then let it be..... Now you are telling that you Love me, but tomorrow if Papa asked you to leave me, you are gonna do that happily. Because he has helped you right....
Arnav - It's may look like a mere help for you Kushi. But look at from my point, he has given me a life. He trusted me and let me in his home. If I started to love his Daughter, won't it look like a backstabbing.
Kushi - This is utter foolishness Arnav ji. Love can happen to anyone and at any point of time. It doesn't see who the person is and what their family has done to you. Because it's just a love dammit. If Papa helped you that doesn't mean you will sacrifice your life for him. He has showered all his love and dedicated his life to me. He has done more to me than you and if I love you that doesn't mean that Iam backstabbing him. If you had loved me you should've stood strong at your decision. But you.... You chose to leave me. You have taken my love granted right ? That's why you thought that leaving me is easy that saying to my father that you love me.
Arnav wiped his tears and cupped her cheeks - Kushi..... I know I have hurt you a lot. You are angry and almost lost trust in me. But the truth is I love you. And it was not at all easy to say no to the girl I love. It was not that easy. Uncle wanted to give your hands to that person who is well settled and reputed. He wanted to give you a family that I don't have. I don't even know who am I ? You guys told me that my name is Arnav and I had to believe that, because I don't know anything about me. At this situation what can I give you ? I can't give you a big family nor the reputation you deserve. And my love was not selfish to keep you with me and put you through hurdles just because I love you. Your love will give me everything but my love will lead you to nowhere Kushi. And it's not easy to convince myself against all this facts. But after seeing you amid that fire, all my resolve got broken into pieces. Your life means much more to me than my own.
Kushi's eyes poured fresh tears and she hugged him tightly hiding her face in his chest. He is stuck between love and gratitude. She has understood that. But still there is an insecurity in her mind.
Kushi - Why suddenly you are telling me that you love me ?
Arnav - I don't know.... I couldn't handle this anymore. I couldn't juggle myself between you and uncle.
Kushi - Will you leave me if Papa ask you to ?
Arnav - Your Papa won't ask me to leave you. Because I will go and tell him that his little princess will be my Queen.
Kushi - Will you leave me if your family comes and takes you back ?
Arnav sighed - I won't go anywhere leaving you.
Kushi - Promise ?
Arnav - Promise Kushi.
Kushi - I love you Arnav ji. Please don't leave me and go. In this big world all I have is you and Papa.
Arnav - I Love you too. And you both are my world Kushi. Where will I go leaving you and uncle ? The only thing that is pricking me is how will I go and tell him that I love his Daughter?
Kushi moved away and looked at him - Just now you said that you will say papa that his princess will be your queen.
Arnav - That's true. I will definitely tell him that. But I don't know from where to start.
Kushi meekly said - I have already told him that I love you.
Arnav jumped in shock - What ? And what did he told ?
Kushi again hugged him - He told me that, one day or the other day you have to return back to your world and may be I won't be a part of your life then.
She cried telling him that.
Arnav hugged her back and caressed her hairs - I may or may not find my family but you will be my life till my last breath.
Kushi's tears increased as she got overwhelmed hearing that he loves her. That fire accident has made many twists in their life.
Arnav - We will tell him that we love eachother. You have to support me.
Kushi nodded her head clutching his shirt in her fists.
Arnav - Shall we go ? It's already late.
Kushi nodded No still hugging him making him smile.
Arnav - We have to leave anyhow right ? So come..... After we tell uncle, you can keep hugging me all the life.
Kushi smiled through tears and got out of the hug and looked at him wiping her tears.
Kushi - Come.
Arnav smiled and lifted her in his arms making her gasp - Let's go....
Kushi reached her lala land without any ticket. She Felt all this was her dream and he will vanish if she open her eyes.
Reaching near the car he put her down and was about to get inside when she stopped him.
Kushi - Give me the car key. I will drive.
Arnav - It's ok. I can drive.
Kushi glared at him - Are you going to give me or not ?
Arnav pouted - You have started threatening me already.
Kushi - Girlfriend rights you see.... Now give me the keys. Your palms are already burnt.
Arnav gave her the keys and sat on the passenger chair smiling. Kushi went to driver's seat and ignited the engine to reach their office.