Chapter 34
[MEMBERSONLY]
PS: Which song suits better to this situation? Read the update and tell me 😉
Chapter 26
Falling into place...
None of them mentioned the short interlude that progressed between them
even after two days of it being happened. So, as usual, Chris and NK were
blissfully ignorant that Khushi and Arnav had spent the better part of the
night in Jaipur consoling each other for reasons unknown. There were two
reasons for this. One, Khushi was back to being the ignoring Arnav girl and
Arnav was back to being the ignorance accepted boy and neither of them were
inclined to blurt out the incident in front of the two men. Second, it was just
too hard and too painful to recount that night where both of them were too
broken and clueless to understand their worlds were intertwined. They both were
so absorbed in their own angst and despair that they failed to recognize their
other significant half who was right in front of the other, sharing the same
pain.
Driving to Kasara Ghats was slightly uneventful other than counting
Khushi whooping in her seat every time she saw a mountain range in front of her
eyes. Whenever she wasn't driving, her enthusiasm was slightly more. She would
climb on to the seat, letting the wind caress her face while she cupped her
hands and yelled at the top of her voice, her black hair flowing behind her.
Chris was used to all these. Khushi knew how to enjoy the time she spent
outside. But for Arnav, this was exhilarating. He would subtly look up, staring
at her for a while and smiling. Khushi's antics were certainly making him feel
more hopeful, more positive.
Kasara Ghats finally arrived and there was no stopping to Khushi's
celebration. The mountains, the mist and wind, brewing monsoons, made her feel
giddy with pleasure and it was all the rest could do from stopping her doing
something outright stupid. They could see the winding railway track at some
distance, covered in the early morning fog, making it look like a way to the
secret paradise. Soon the Nikon was out and Khushi was clicking pictures. After
thoroughly enjoying the view the Ghats had to offer them, the foursome made
their way to a small cottage in the Kasara town and crashed out for a well
deserved break. Khushi, however, couldn't sleep much, thanks to her excitement
and it was just about 8 o clock in the morning when she stepped outside,
wearing her jacket to cover herself against the chilly May morning winds. Her
Nikon bag was dangling from her side and her binoculars were wound up around
her neck. She took a deep breath, enjoying the pure, tranquil atmosphere around
her and began to trek to the nearest hill to do a bit of birding and generally
enjoying her alone time here.
This was a much needed excursion, she thought as she walked along a
small dirt track leading up to a small hill overlooking the lake of the town.
It wasn't too tall or too treacherous to be alone. It was little compared to
the others surrounding and was just right for a normal picnic. She smiled to
herself, feeling proud that she had completed her trek to the top in just about
2 hours. Feeling extremely good about herself, she made some place for herself
on the grass and sat down, staring at the sun which was glowing brightly amidst
the clouds.
Finally here was the only
thought that was running in her mind at that present moment. Only she knew how
much she had waited for this day to arrive when her field work would be finally
started. It was not as though today was the start of her work but just being
there in the place where she was supposed to work gave her an exhilarating
feeling, an anticipation of how her work would progress. With Chris by her
side, she had no doubts about the way her project would shape up but being back
to the working mode certainly made her happier than she ever was. However her
peaceful revelling was abruptly ended as she saw the man climbing the hill,
panting hard. Her smile morphed into an irritating scowl as Arnav trekked up
the hill, drawing deep breaths but generally looking very pleased with himself,
"you trek awfully fast," he said breathlessly as he threw himself on the ground
beside her.
"What the hell are you doing here?" she snapped as she scooted away
from him in anger. Trust this man to make her outings miserable. She was
finally happy that she had some alone time to herself and he came out of
nowhere to burst the happy bubble. Just why was he so damn annoying?
Arnav stared at her incredulously before sitting up and asking, "what
the hell is your problem? Two days before you were all hugging me and crying
and now you are yelling at me again?"
Khushi huffed in anger as she grabbed her camera bag from the ground
and stood up, "I am what I am. If you have a problem then get the f**k outta
here!"
"Like seriously, woman!" Arnav shook his head as he got up, "you'll
drive me crazy one day!"
Khushi smirked, "As if you are not one already!"
Arnav glared at her, "I am
warning you, Gupta!"
Khushi made a face and started walking away from him, "your threats don't
work against me, Raizada. Keep them to scare some rabbits!"
"Rabbits?" Arnav asked as he jogged to keep up, "I don't remember
seeing you very brave when you were alone with me! Talk about rabbits?"
"Raizada," Khushi gritted her teeth, "are you seriously making the mistake
of underestimating me? Do you want me to give a taste of my kick?"
"Oh no," Arnav smirked, "I was merely pointing out the obvious. Like I
said, you were shaking as though you were in North Pole the other night. Want
me to remind that to you again?"
"Oh really?" and Khushi shoved him in the chest, causing him to lose
balance and fall on the ground, face down. Khushi laughed openly and proceeded
to walk down while Arnav struggled to get up and follow her. Khushi was already
climbing down when Arnav came running down to keep up with her and a bit of red
soil failed to capture his attention as he had missed the obvious of Khushi
jumping across it while he was gathering his stuff and as he stepped on it, his
foot slipped and he fell into the mud bog. Thankfully it wasn't too deep.
Struggling, he yelled, "Gupta!"
Khushi who was trekking down, heard the strangled yell and turned to
look at Arnav who was trapped in the bog. Cursing, she sprinted back to the top
and yelled, "what the heck!"
"In a bit of a predicament here..." Arnav muttered, looking extremely
uncomfortable in the mud, trying desperately to escape its clutches. Khushi
rolled her eyes, "I thought you were a seasoned trekker. Don't you know the
difference between hard soil and loose soil or are you too full of yourself to
take notice of it?"
Arnav glared at her in irritation, "a little help would be really
appreciated, madam. I am not swimming here in pleasure, you know."
"Oh keep your sarcasm to yourself," Khushi muttered irritably, "I
really don't care. Give me your hand."
Arnav eyed her shrewdly,
thinking about riling her more, "aren't you supposed to be like my dress is
going to get soiled or anything? I mean girls don't like getting dirty!"
"One more word, Raizada," Khushi looked at him menacingly, "and I'll
leave you here to be food for hungry big cats. Want that?"
That effectively shut his mouth up, "sorry!" he muttered as he gave her
his hand and with surprising strength, Khushi pulled him out of the bog very
quickly. Arnav stared at her, as he coughed and came up, "I didn't know you
were this strong!"
"Like I said, don't make the mistake of doubting me. You'll never know
what hit you," and with that she walked away, not caring about anything that
had happened. She was a puzzle, Arnav decided as he went to a small stream
flowing from the top of the hill to clean himself up while Khushi had already
started trekking down. Her indifferent attitude unnerved him slightly but it
had filled him with a strange sense of knowing. He felt as though he knew her
or at least, had started discovering her on a more deeper and intense level.
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Avantika stared outside her window, deep in thought. Her mind wandered
to the conversation she had with Arnav's brother in law. She could feel that
something was wrong but was unable to place a finger on the exact problem. She
didn't know why but she felt an extreme unease talking to Vinay and in her
heart, she somehow knew that man was guilty. He was guilty of something,
something which Avantika didn't know.
There was only one way. She had to talk to Arnav. For two days now she
had been trying his phone but it failed to get connected. As a last resort, she
picked up her phone again and called the landline number. She knew Arnav would
be furious but she had to try. After a few rings, a woman picked it up,
"hello..."
"Hello," Avantika said carefully, "may I speak to Arnav Singh Raizada,
please?"
"Arnav isn't available," her voice was laced with confusion, Avantika
could tell that. "Arnav is on a vacation for three months. May I know who is
speaking?"
"I am a business friend," Avantika lied smoothly, feeling guilty about
it but she knew Arnav wouldn't want to tell anybody about his personal relation
with her, "I called his cell phone numerous times but he remained unavailable
so I thought I could get some information about him by calling his landline."
"Oh," Anjali said softly, "I am sorry for your trouble but my brother
tends to forget to convey important information to business related people
sometimes. Now he is gone south for some months. I doubt you'll ever catch him
until he comes back. If there's anything important about business then please
call Lavanya. She's the one who's handling the office in Arnav's absence."
"No, no..." Avantika said hastily, "I will talk to Arnav when he gets
back. Thank you," and with that she cut the call leaving Anjali even more
confused. Avantika bit her lips in irritation. Now she had given the benefit of
doubt to Arnav's sister. She knew Anjali would somehow connect the dots.
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Diya couldn't understand what was happening to her. Day by day her fear
increased. Since the past two days, she had felt that shadow follow her
relentlessly and didn't know what to do to escape. Her heart hammered against
her chest in sheer terror. She knew her fears weren't baseless because she was
never the paranoid one. But this time, however, it was like her blood was curdling
. She felt it. That intense fear which was seeping into her very skin. An
unknown, invisible force making her go crazy in terror. She knew she had to
fight it but fight what? She didn't what it was, who it was and what was
happening to her. What would she fight?
Her immediate thought was to call Khushi but her sister remained
stubbornly out of reach for the past two days. She had tried until her eyes
went dry but to no avail, her sister didn't pick up the call to calm her down. Nothing
registered in her mind while her heart was yearning for her dear sister who
could calm her down in a second. After hours of crying and whimpering, she got
her answer. She had to talk to someone and that someone was Akash.
First few days of interaction with Akash had made Diya believe that she
had found a friend for life. Someone who was like her best friend NK. But while
hers and NK relationship was purely platonic, that thought never crossed Diya
when she was with Akash. His silence, shyness and dimpled smile weaved another
story in her heart, something she didn't want to think about. She never thought
her life would move in a romantic tangent. That was something she was not used
to. But with Akash, things seemed different. Seemed easy. Like it was meant to
be. Their coffee dates, book reading, sharing one liners and laughing their
heads off while other people stared at them, it was all very endearing and that
was something Diya wished to have her whole life. If she wanted that, if she
was sure, then she had to confess to Akash about her fears. Talking helped her
a lot and she had a feeling that this talk would cement their friendship into
something more than that.
She texted Akash to meet her at the same caf in half an hour and after
getting a confirmation, she hurriedly got ready, grabbed her purse and her keys
and ran outside without bothering to let her screaming mother know where she
was going. She dropped a text message to her dad, asking him to manage at home
and sped her car down the road as she was trying to ward off whoever was
following her. When she reached the caf, Akash was already seated on their
favorite table, waiting for her. He stood up and smiled when she came inside and she made a beeline
at him, hugging him tightly as soon as she reached their table.
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NK stretched himself as he got up and stared around the small room that
he had been sleeping in. It wasn't much but it was good. NK had some experience
in living in small quarters and this was nothing more different than his own
initial studio apartments. Yet, contrary to his apartment bedroom, this room
was quaint and peaceful. NK looked at the time piece. It read 12 40 PM. He got
up and went to the bathroom when Chris burst into his room, "Have you seen
Khushi?"
NK jerked his head, "No. I only just got up. Is everything all right?"
"I can't find her anywhere," Chris scratched his head in worry and
confusion. NK just began to appreciate the concern he had held for his friend.
Her disappearance, even for a few minutes made him quell with worry and concern
and love for his only close friend. It warmed his heart to see the amazing
relationship his new friends had. May be Arnav was lucky enough to be joining
them. He wanted Arnav to have such a friend who didn't shy away from comforting
him or handling his trust issues.
"How long has she been," NK started to ask when he saw a movement
outside. Khushi was back. She was leisurely walking down to the cottage. NK
jerked his head and Chris's eyes narrowed in annoyance before he sprinted to
his best friend. NK could hear him shout, "Where the hell have you been. I was
worried sick!"
NK didn't hear what the rest of the conversation but he could see a lot
of hand movements. 30 seconds and the argument ended with the best friends
tightly hugging each other. That was a lesson for life for him. No matter how
much annoyed you are, never drag arguments. It's not healthy for a
relationship. As he watched the two friends behave as if the fight never
happened, it warmed his heart and he smiled on his own accord without even
realizing it. His feet took him to where the two of them were standing, "I feel
really happy when I see you both."
They turned to look at him, smiling, the smile reaching their eyes,
something that NK wanted to desperately see in Arnav's eyes, "how long have you
been best friends?"
"6 years now," Chris smiled ruffling Khushi's hair, "she was there for
me when no one else was."
Bittersweet memories flitted in NK's mind thinking about Ariadne and he
couldn't help but smile ruefully at them. Khushi's eyes flickered with some
strange emotion and he knew she had somehow known the fact that he was lovesick,
he missed his girlfriend but she was polite and decent enough to give him his
personal space and not point out the obvious. Sometimes he wondered what it was
that made Khushi read anyone like an open book. She knew people by heart.
"By the way," NK cut in, trying to make a normal conversation, "is
Nannav still sleeping?"
"Nannav?" Chris turned to him. "Yeah, I call him Nannav to rile him
up," NK smiled evilly. The look of pure fun passed between the trio and Arnav
was about to have some serious fun.
"Probably," Chris shrugged, "why? doesn't he sleep late?"
"No, he isn't asleep..." Khushi told as a matter of fact and both the
boys turned to look at her incredulously. How did she know?
"What?" Khushi snapped, "I know it because he was kind enough to ruin
my solitary trek in the morning and promptly fell into the mud bog, making me
save his sorry arse. He is probably still trying to scrub himself of all the
mud he picked up."
Right on cue, Arnav sauntered in, looking refreshed as though he just
had a bath and NK and Chris shared one devious look before cracking up and
falling around, laughing their heads off. Arnav looked confused, "what's the
matter? Why are you guys laughing? What's so funny?"
"So..." NK choked, "the great Nannav Singh Raizada had to be rescued by
a woman out of a mud bog. Seriously though, I thought it went the other way
round with Arnav running around trying to be superman and save the world."
Arnav glared at Khushi, which by the way had least effect on her as she
stood there and scoffed at him, her eyebrows quirking mischievously as the
other two boys were taking his class. She sure was the boss, NK chuckled harder
looking at the communication tragedy happening to Arnav as he tried so hard to
be intimidating and the woman he was trying to scare with death glare was least
bothered by it. In fact, she openly smirked at his face, proving her dominance.
Outright hilarious.
"Really?" there was a nasty smirk playing at his face. Ooh! This ought to be good, thought NK. Arnav
Fact #I don't know, he never accepted defeat even when it was a childish game
or a stupid bet. He had to have his upper hand in every situation. If he
didn't, he would make sure that he would. That's how he was. No one in the
world could be as competitive in this world as Arnav.
His smirk was very, very pronounced and an eye message floated through
the air, screaming Bad Boy ASR to Irritating KSG which immediately and promptly
slid the grin off her face. Her eyes went as round as saucers, her jaw open in
shock. She had perfectly understood whatever Arnav was trying to say and to say
the least, he had already turned the tables according to his wishes. Chris and
NK were trying to figure out what happened when Khushi flashed her middle
finger at him, mouthed f**k off' and slammed her bedroom door after she
stormed into it. Arnav chuckled humorously, giving him a self fist bump and
sauntering into his own room.
"What the f**k was that?" Chris voiced the thoughts that was running in
his mind. But NK had no answers. All he could do was shrug.
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Vinay stared at the sleeping form of his wife. She looked ethereal in
the soft moonlight, her hair framing her face, her chest rising and falling in
the momentum of the breath. She looked so perfect yet so out of place.
This was the sight he was awarded every morning after their marriage.
He used to make an effort to rise up early in order to see his Anjali still
sleeping peacefully. It warmed his heart to no extent. Today, the same sight,
pained him. Hurt him beyond words. Because she wasn't in the cocoon of his arms
but sleeping alone, in this godforsaken guest room.
She seemed to cut all ties she had with him but couldn't muster enough
courage to walk out on her family. That's why, despite immense love she had for
Arnav, she chose to stay here. Vinay couldn't have been more thankful because
he knew the day Anjali walked out on him, out of this house, was the day he
ceased to exist.
Vinay never knew why Anjali mattered to him so much to make him so
blinded to any other detail of his life. His own brother thought him to
repugnant. His look clearly had conveyed that message and he, unlike Anjali,
didn't bother to keep his revulsion in check. Every time they crossed each
other, Akash's face would screw up in apparent disgust he felt for Vinay for
ruining Arnav's life. If without knowing the full situation, Akash was so
unhappy with him, Vinay could only imagine the magnitude of abhorrence Arnav
felt for him.
But he knew his was a genuine slip up. He didn't grasp the full
situation back then and his anger had blinded him. He knew it was a very sorry
excuse for the amount of damage he had caused but he was ready to pay any price
for it. Just not lose Anjali.
He was so lost in thought that he didn't realize that Anjali was awake
and staring at him, her eyes a mixture of pity, anger and revulsion. Her slight
movement jerked him out of his thoughts and he turned his defeated self towards
her, his face down, unable to bear her scrutinising gaze. She was silent for a
long time before whispering, "why are you here?"
He broke down then, clutching his tear stricken face in his hands and
muttering countless apologies. Anjali panicked and rushed out to him,
apparently forgetting all the ill feelings when she saw her husband worn out
and completely crushed from inside. He was still rocking back and forth,
weeping like a small child when she crashed him to her chest and started
consoling him, "shh...Vinay...please!"
After a very long time, when Vinay had regained a semblance of
confidence, he raised his eyes to meet the ones of his face and poured his
heart out, "I am genuinely very sorry Anjali. I am ready to pay any price for
my mistakes and I will redeem myself in the eyes of Arnav even if it means
sacrificing myself but please, for my sake and yours, don't shut me out.
Please. These past few days have been living hell for me Anjali. You know how
much I love you. Please don't do this to me. Please don't break me further.
Please..."
Anjali's heart bled as she saw her Vinay clutching her as though she
was the only anchor for his drowning self and she was disgusted with herself
for making him feel like this. She was so angry with herself for breaking the
promise she had made to her brother, that she would forgive her husband at any
cost and not sacrifice her marriage for his battles. What would Arnav say when
he saw this. Even though she knew Arnav probably would not forgive Vinay any
time soon, he would still be mad at her for severing ties with him. She
couldn't force another guilt on his shoulders for being the reason his sister
and her husband split up.
She knew it would take a long time to get back to that easy camaraderie
she had with her other half but she was willing to mend all the foul stuff that
had come between her and the only person who loved her more than anyone in this
world. She was willing to give their bonding another chance and to bring out
Vinay out of his self inflicted wallowing. She would do this.
PRECAP:
What exactly are we doing?
We?
Yeah, I mean I am not about to
sit around doing nothing, am I?
Just remember what you told me
when you came to convince me to let you join us on our trip
You're still stuck on that?
Yes...have a problem? Bugger off...A/N: So How was it?
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Comments (32)
Awesome Update..Arnav-Khushi can't stay calm without fighting with each other..But I must say, Khushi's spirit and leadership quality just awesome..Arnav has to agree with it..Nd of course how can Arnav accepted defeat..Vinay really regard on his mistakes and also he loves Anjali very much..I think Anjali should start a fresh relationship with him..Waiting for next..
10 years ago
Its an outstanding story.. each part is awesome.. i really hope you update this regularly..
10 years ago
Read all parts in a go. Awesome story. Could you pls add me to ur PM list.
10 years ago
hi...jus finished reading the whole story from the beginning till the last update..ur story is very very intriguing..loved the way u have expressed all the emotions of people, that goes on in their heart n on their face so beautifully...would love to continue reading this story...pls do pm me wen u update next...thank you
10 years ago
Just discovered this FF and this is simply amazing. So many characters and beautifully interwoven. Will come back to add more.
10 years ago
Waiting for next parteagerlycontinue sooonnn
10 years ago
Beautiful story...please, please, see it through to the end and update soon...waiting!You write with fluidity and ease, spanning time zones and geographies...one moment there's fashion, another there's passion and all the things in between...cannot wait for the story to progress. Anupama
10 years ago
I accidently came across this story and love every bit of it. The story has reached and interesting point. Where there are more Arshi moments and they do not know who they are really. The way they fight and avoid each other means they are going to be one together very soon. Looking forward for more updates. I've already send you a buddy request for PM.'s all the best
10 years ago
hey radz nice update...looking for their relationship to even out and be stronger thanx for the update...pls continue soon 😃 amus52014-08-22 00:57:24
10 years ago
I like the rapport developing between NK Chris and khushie ,and also Arnav figuring out that she is an original .and not easy to decipher her out ,it's going to be interesting when khushie and Arnav finally recognize each other
10 years ago