Chapter 30

Pearl_Oyster

@Pearl_Oyster

Part 30

The show started on a high note. Models one after the other walked on the ramp, posing and smiling for the media. The loud applause which followed every model's entry and exit was enough to prove the success of the show. All the designs seemed to enhance the personality of the model and were loved by the audience and the media.

Khushi was in the back stage, witnessing the world admiring her work. No doubt her eyes were teary. From the place she stood, she could see Abhay and Anjali seated in the audience. Abhay's attention was focused on the ramp while Anjali was longingly looking at his face, million emotions swirling in her eyes. The emotions which mirrored her own.

Emotions which were once in her eyes. But before those emotions could have grown they were uprooted mercilessly, leaving her world torn. But how does it matter anyway? Hadn't she rebuilt herself?

Hasn't she achieved new goals and platforms in her life? The only thing which hurt were the underlying scars. Scars which never got the time to heal. For she never gave them a chance. To her, the scars were too deep to be healed. It wasn't that she was blind to the attempts of Arnav to be with her, to have her. But she was too scared to give into his intentions. Once bitten, twice shy was the case with her. It wasn't easy for her to hug him and say 'let's start it all over again'.

"Khushi" Arnav's voice reached her ears and wiping the tears voluntarily she turned to him.

"You have been crying?" He asked, worry clouding his voice.

"No..Actually yeah. The show has been too overwhelming for me" She replied, not wanting to reveal the true reasons.

"Oh okay. I had come to say it's time now. We have to present ourselves on the ramp. Our names will be called in ten minutes. By then you can go and freshen up" Arnav suggested.

"Yeah okay" She mumbled and left for the washroom.

~~***~~

Anjali was constantly assuring her heart that everything was okay. Abhay's behaviour was driving her into endless tension. Since the time they had occupied their seats, let alone talking, Abhay hadn't even looked at her.

"Is anyone of them is your girlfriend?" She finally shot at him.

"What?" Abhay hadn't expected such sort of question from her.

"The way your eyes are glued to the ramp, I thought you must be dating one of those models. Or all of them?"

"I had already told you I don't have a girlfriend, Anjali" He replied, safely keeping his gaze averted from hers.

"Then who am I?" She tested her guts and his.

The question caused a pang in his heart and left him speechless.

"Answer me, Abhay.! If I am not your girlfriend, why are you even sitting here with me?"

"Keep your voice low, Anjali. We're in public"

"Are you gay?" She asked after a minute, letting her temper cool down a bit.

A few of the people around them caught the word and started staring at Abhay.

"Shut Up, Anjali. Will you?" Abhay said, touched by her innocence and insecurities.

"You can't every time just shut me up, Abhay. If you are gay, just tell me. We can try..."

"For the sake of my sanity, please stop it, Anjali" Abhay almost pleaded, as he noticed a few elderly gentlemen shifting uncomfortably in their seats.

"I am not.." Anjali started again but Abhay cut in.

"They are announcing something" making Anjali fall silent, sulking in her seat.

"Now I would like everyone to put their hands together for Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada, the organiser of this show; the owner and MD of AR Fashions accompanied by Miss Khushi Gupta, the chief designer of this event and Fashion Designer of Roy Textiles"

The announcement was made and everyone's attention including Abhay and Anjali's converged at the stage.

Amidst the blinding flashes of the cameras, and deafening sound, Arnav and Khushi together walked in. Arm in arm. A collective gasp was heard as both of them posed for the media. Khushi could hardly contain her happiness and was smiling freely.

In this minute, she had put aside all her worries and was trying to cherish every second of her dream. The dream of being a renowned designer, dream of wearing Arnav's creation and the dream of walking on the ramp with Arnav. His Arnav. No, she couldn't let her thoughts drift to dangerous territories.

The loud applaud brought her out of the reverie and with moist eyes she looked in the direction of Abhay. He was there with Anjali in the front row of the audience, giving her a standing ovation with both his thumbs in air. A big encouraging smile was plastered to his face. And she smiled back. No scratch it. She was already smiling all this while. So she smiled more. Anjali too was looking affectionately at her and Arnav.

"They look so cute with each other" An elderly man commented but the voice failed to reach the ears of the subjects.

"made for each other" Another man agreed, making the nearby girls burn in envy.

"Thanks, Khushi" Arnav whispered, keeping his face straight and expressionless to the media.

"Not me. Thank you, Arnav. You made my dream come true. Thanks a lot" She whispered back, maintaining her smile.

For the last time, they posed for the camera and elegantly walked back.

~~***~~

Khushi was in the dressing room, reliving all the moments again. The past half an hour had been like a dream to her. Everything she had wished long back had become a reality.

"Did you like it?" Arnav's voice startled her. Maybe she had forgotten to bolt the door.

"Sorry?" she asked not understanding his context.

"The Dupatta" He said, gesturing towards her hand.

And it was then she realised she had taken out the dupatta and was caressing the material.

"Oh" she said feeling awkward.

"So did you like it?" He asked again, walking towards her in short steps.

"Yeah, it is good. Go..goes w..well with my d..dress" She stammered.

"I designed this especially for your dress" He said, still walking towards her and forcing her to retreat back.

"Thank you" She replied as her back hit against the wall.

"You won't ask why I designed this for you?" He asked and Khushi wondered whether he deliberately made himself sound husky. But that was his natural voice. So why did it sound a lot huskier at this moment?

"I think I know the reason" She replied in a hushed voice.

"And what it is?"

"Arnav you are doing it again" Khushi said, tried to move away but Arnav blocked her way by keeping his hand against the wall.

She tried to leave from the other side but he did the same and she was caught in the little space.

"If you know, tell me the reason, Khushi" Bending to her ears, he whispered.

"Because you want me to forgive you" She said.

"But you have already forgiven me" He said dishevelled by the smell of her perfume.

"Let me go" she said wriggling in the little space he had maintained.

"Give me one more chance, Khushi. I want to be with you" He finally let out the words making Khushi freeze in her place.

She had known this was coming ever since Arnav had apologized for his mistakes. But hearing him say it loud had affected her more than she had anticipated.

"If you are done, lemme go" She replied coldly.

"You can go once you answer my question" He said, looking intently in her eyes.

"I think you already know what my answer will be. But just for your pleasure, I will say it again; I don't have nat chances left in me to give you. I can't be with you, Arnav"

Exactly. He had known this would be her answer. But didn't lessen the pain that surged in his heart.

"Why, Khushi? If you forgive me for everything, why can't you be with me?" He asked, trying not to fall in pieces.

"There are so many reasons. The most important being that I learn from my mistakes. Secondly, I have suffered enough and now I don't want the same. Thirdly, there are so many things in life other than love and betrayals, Arnav. I have my whole career to care about. I don't think this is the time for me fall in love once again and get my heart broken. So please, Arnav, let me go - in all means" She said and Arnav's hand slipped away from the wall, un-caging her.

"And what about me, Khushi?"

"You know it better" She replied and walked away, this time leaving him with the flashbacks.

"Listen, Khushi. I never said I love you, it was only you who claimed it. I guess both of us got what we wanted and now it's time to part our ways. There's no way I'll be back with you because I've a whole future to establish"

"And what about me and my future?" She murmured.

"You know it better. Bye" He said and walked towards his group.

"I am sorry again, Khushi. I'll always be". He said, closing his eyes in agony, knowing full well he deserved this.

________________________________________

So, finally the fashion show is over. 😆

Guys, comment. I am hovering around the thread to read your opinions 😆