"What are you doing?" Shashi gasped seeing Arnav crouching in front of him
"I don't.. Don't know what I could do to make you believe in the fact that I love Khushi more than anything in this whole world, (Chuckling dryly) I know my actions in the past haven't been.. Good. I've always been a jerk to her. I've always made fun of her beliefs and morals. I've always hurt her with my words.. And my actions. But, Would you believe me if I say none of this was intentional" Arnav looked hopefully at Shashi
Shashi looked at him blankly
"Probably.. I'm not worth your trust anymore. I am sorry for shattering your as well as her trust on me into pieces." Arnav apologized in a vulnerable low voice
"She is still not ready to accept the fact that you had left. That you'd not shown up at the altar" Shashi confided in him
"I don't know how to react to that honestly" Arnav mumbled audibly
"Well.. You should celebrate, You've successfully brought her to the point where her world revolves around you and now it's almost impossible for her to breath without you. You've succeeded in destroying her soul completely. So.. Shouldn't you be celebrating right now?"
"This.. Is what I had feared. Exactly this." Arnav said sadly
"Meine.. Apni zindagi ki sabse zaroori do auraton ko sirf isiliye kho dia Bauji, Kyunki unhone apni zindagi.. Apne wajood ko apna kabhi rehne hi nahi dia. Kyunki unki zindagiyan Unke patiyon ke ird-gird khoomti hai.. Meine kabhi nahi chaaha tha ki khushi.. Iss qadar bebus ho jaye.. Bauji. Khush kaise ho sakta huin mein uss ladki ko barbaad karke.. Jisne mujhe zindagi di hai. Celebrate kaise kar sakta huin mein.. Uska dil todkar jisne mere dil ko dhadakna sikhaaya hai (Babuji, I lost the two most important women of my life just because they never let their life, their existence to be their own.... Their lives revolve around their husbands only.... I have never wished Khushi to become this helpless.... Babuji, how can I be happy after destroying the very girl who gave me life?? How can I celebrate after breaking that girl's heart who taught my heart to beat??)"
"You're a convincing speaker Arnav, I must tell you that" Shashi said bitterly
"Mein usse mil sakta huin, Please? (Can I meet her, Please?)" Arnav asked
At the question, Every head in the hall snapped up in protest Except one.
"Aap saari zindagi mujhse nafrat kar sakte hain. Mein jaanta huin yeh nafrat kamaayi hai meine. Par aaj, Sirf aaj mujhe use dekhne dijiye, Ek baar. Please (You can hate me all your life. I know that I've earned your hatred. But today, Just today let me see her. Just once. Please)" Arnav pleaded
"Chaliye Arnav bhai.. Woh kamre mein hai(Come Arnav bhai.. She's in the room)" Payal stood up from her place to escort Arnav towards Khushi's room
Shashi looked at her astonished
"Babuji.. Woh bacchi toot gayi hai, Aur usse theek karne ka eklauta tareeqa hai Arnav bhai ka usse milna. (Babuji.. That child is broken. And the only way to heal her is to make Arnav meet her)" Payal said
"Tum jaanti ho na.. Inhone kya kiya hai Payal? (You do know what he's done, Don't you Payal?)" Akash asked
Arnav looked at Akash with a small smile. He was indeed proud of his brother for standing up to him defending his sister-in-law Yet a certain amount of sadness crept in uninvited. For not being able to tell him what he really wants.
Payal looked at his brother-in-law cum brother sadly.
"I know exactly what he has done Akash-" Payal said
"And yet you're supporting him?" Shashi asked
"Aaj galati unki nahi haalat ki hai, Aur haalat ki galatiyon ki sazaa.. Insaanon ko nahi di jaati babuji (Today.. The fault isn't his but of the circumstances. And you cannot punish a human for the circumstances' mistake babuji)" Payal said taking Arnav's hand and leading him inside Khushi's room.
"Go Bhai" Payal gave him a gentle push
"Talk to him. Try to tell him. I know it's difficult, But everyone needs to know." Arnav said
"This is.. not going to be easy Bhai. This is.. something only you can do. But I'll try talking to Akaash. But for now, concenterate on Khushi" Payal said
Arnav nodded
Arnav entered the room only to find it in semi-darkness. He looked around to find Khushi sitting on the bed hugging her knees.
"Jaiye yahaan se jiji.. Hum akele rehna chaahte hain (Go from here jiji.. I want to stay alone)" Khushi said in a hoarse voice
Arnav took a shuddering breath and made his way towards her. She didn't acknowledge me.
"Khushi" Arnav cupped her face in his hands after switching on the lights illuminating the room
Khushi closed her eyes tightly due to the sudden light. That's when Arnav saw her profile for the first time. Her face was pale, Eyes swollen due to the crying for hours. She was looking weaker than the last time he'd seen her. The usual smiling face of Khushi was missing. Her face sunken and sad. He inhaled sharply taking in her appearance. As if he needed anymore reasons to hate himself
"Kh-Khushi.." Arnav called in a broken voice
Khushi's eyes snapped open the minute his voice reached her senses. She stared at him longingly taking in his appearance.
"Arnav ji" Khushi whispered in disbelief staring at him
"Khushi.. I am sorry" Arnav apologized softly
"You're here.. You are.. Really.. Here?" Khushi asked touching every fibre of his face as if making sure of his presence
"I am here. I am really here. Khushi I am here" Arnav assured wiping her tears
Khushi hugged him tightly catching him off guard making him stumble backwards. Arnav regained his balance and wrapped his arms around her petite form hugging her back
"Khushi.. Shhh. I am here" Arnav cooed to her
"You had promised me to come early. You had promised me you won't make me wait. You had promised me.. The best wedding day ever. You.. You broke your promise. You didn't fulfill your promise." Khushi sobbed into his shirt wetting the fabric
"I am sorry... Khushi I am really.. Really sorry. Please.. Forgive your Arnavji" Arnav said caressing her hair soothing her
"Aap kyu nahi aaye (Why didn't you come?)" Khushi asked
"Khushi.. Mein- (I-)" Arnav stuttered. What do I tell you Khushi
"Aap the wahaan par.. Mere qareeb the aap. Toh kyu nahi aaye aap mandap par?? (You were there.. You were near me. Then why didn't you come to the altar?)"
"Khushi??" Arnav whispered bewildered
"Aap the.. Haina? Wahaan the aap. Kaheen aas paas (You were there right? You were there. Somewhere near)" Khushi asked coming out of the hug. Looking at him hopefully while Arnav stared at her shocked
"Khushi.."
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY FAVORITE BARUN SOBTI.
Wishing him a VERY very happy birthday.
So.. Here's the next update for this story. On the occasion of Barun's Janamdin (Birthday)
Hope you like it. Hopefully, Another update coming up today. Dunno which one though. Anyway I appreciate your patience with which you wait for all the updates.
Thank you for bearing with this clumsy lazy and mismanaged writer of yours. And Please those who haven't check out the teaser I've posted on my OS book.
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