CHAPTER 3: REPERCUSSIONS

Khushi rushed towards her home crying. Tears rolling down her eyes. She had no idea why she was crying. Why the hell did she say that earlier? Did she really love him? Or was that just in the heat of the moment. She could never deny that from the day she had met him, she had felt undescribed pull towards him. Was love the reason? Did she love him initially? There were lots of questions but had no answer and people around her having answer weren't ready to give her one.

She entered her house in a daze. She wanted to know her past, right now, immediately. She couldnt live like this. Waiting every moment just to remember something while people around her behaving normally like nothing happened. Her mother saw tears in her eyes and rushed towards her," why are you crying Khushi? Is everything alright? Did something happen in the office?"

Khushi looked at her mother once and broke. She held her mother close to her embracing her. she was crying loudly, "why mom? Why me? why cant I remember anything?"

Her mother got afraid seeing her crying like that. She never cried after the accident. In a way she was happy, that finally she was letting everything go. "what happened?"

"mom, I want to know everything. I want to remember my past. I want to know about the life I once lived. Mom, please tell me everything. I want to know everything. I beg you mom. Its getting difficult for me to survive like this" Khushi cried in her mother's arms.

Her mother caressed her hair," relax and tell me what happened?"

"I cant remember anything. This is what has happened. Why don't you tell me about my past. Please mom."

"Khushi, just relax. Everything is going to be fine. Doctor has adviced us not to tell you about your past directly. It may be fatal. Please, we all want you to remember everything on your own, slowly"

Khushi yelled," that's the problem. I cant remember anything. You know what? I don't want to talk to you. I don't want to talk to anyone" she ran to her room and slammed her door shut.

...

Arnav looked for Khushi in his office. He knew she must have left but yet he had some hope to find her here. He sighed after looking everywhere. She really left. He had to meet her. he knew she would be vulnerable. He was again guilty. Was he pushing her too much?

He saw maya at her desk," cancel all my meetings for today"

"but sir.." but she couldn't complete her sentence. Arnav had already left.

...

Arnav rushed towards her house. He rang the bell continuously. Khushi's mother opened the door. She was surprised to see Arnav here. He hadn't come to their place since the accident. This was the first time.

"Arnav? C'mon in. how are you?" she asked

"where's Khushi?"

By now she had realised that something had happened in the office," is everything fine?"

"where is Khushi? I want to meet her"

"in her room...she was..." but Arnav didn't wait for her answer. He ran towards her room.

...

Khushi was lying on her bed crying burying her face in her pillow. She felt so vulnerable. No! she cant sit here and just cry. She will remember it. She will try it. She closed her eyes tight shut and tried to remember something. this was not the first time she was doing it but before today, she was never so desperate to know her past. But like always she saw nothing.

Khushi sighed. She would try again. she walked towards her window and looked outside. this time she closed her eyes and remembered how she met Arnav first in his house that day and then today's event. She could see Arnav, only Arnav, how he teased her today, how he saved her that day. And then suddenly, she saw some two kids running around in the house. The picture was unclear. She couldn't see the girl, all she could see were the caramel brown eyes of the boy. She could hear their giggles, their laugh. She could hear voices.

"Khush stop, stop running Khush or you will hurt yourself" the boy said.

Khushi snapped her eyes open, it was her. It was her in the memory. A tear rolled down her eyes yet again. And that's when Arnav entered her room. The first thing Khushi noticed were his caramel brown eyes. It was him! The boy was him. It was their memory. A faint smile touched her lips.

"Arnav!" she whispered. "it was you"

Khushi suddenly felt tired. She could feel her head throbbing and next moment she felt herself swaying awaiting herself to fall. But before she could hit the ground, she found herself in his arms. She smiled and touched his face with her delicate fingers," it was you" and she fell unconscious.

Arnav didn't understand what she said. The moment he had entered her room, he had seen tears in her eyes. He had seen a faint smile on her lips, some unknown satisfaction on her face and next moment she was in his arms.

"Khush! Khush! Open your eyes Khush" Arnav called her. He scooped her and placed her gently on her bed. He immediately called up the doctor.

...

The doctor was checking Khushi's pulse. She was still unconscious. Arnav was sitting next to Khushi and Mrs. Gupta was standing next to him. The doctor checked her BP and gave her an injection and prescribed some medicines.

"what happened? Is she fine?" Arnav asked.

Doctor sighed," her BP is high. She is stressed. Did she try to put pressure on her mind? Or did she remember anything?"

Arnav sighed and told doctor what happened in the office till the time he saw Khushi getting unconscious. Doctor nodded. Arnav shook his head," its all my fault. I shouldn't have done that. Its because of me she is lying here. I am sorry doctor. I am sorry aunty"

Doctor smiled," no Arnav, it isn't. I had told you when you had called earlier not to push her too much and you didn't. but looks like she did. From what Mrs. Gupta told me about their conversation, she was too desperate to know her past. looks like Khushi had put too much pressure on her mind. Physically she might have healed, but mentally she is still weak. She pushed herself too much. Right now she is fine but make sure she doesn't do that again. it is too dangerous for her. but the positive thing is she did remember something. we want her to remember everything but not at the cost of hurting herself. Make sure she doesn't stress too much and Arnav I advice you not to do anything further for sometime. Just observe her and keep me updated about it. I will let you know when to restart with whatever you were doing. I am leaving right now. Call me when she gains conscious."

Arnav nodded. Mrs Gupta smiled at him and showed doctor the way out. Arnav didn't leave Khushi for a second. He kept looking at her. she looked so beautiful, so innocent. He caressed her forehead and kissed it. He entwined his fingers with her and place it near his heart, kissing her fingers occasionally. A tear rolled down his eyes. He didn't bother to wipe it. He was feeling guilty again. He shouldn't have pushed her. No matter what others say it was his fault.

"I am sorry Khush, I am so sorry. I shouldn't have done that. Its all my fault. All mine" a fresh tear rolled down his eyes. He kissed her hand yet again. 2 hours had passed. But Arnav didn't leave her. He was sitting in the same position with tears still rolling down his eyes.

...

Khushi opened her eyes slowly. She could feel her head throbbing in pain. Her eyes squinted with the sudden flash of light. It took good few moments for her eyes to adjust and the first thing she saw was Arnav. He was lost somewhere. She realised that he had held her one hand tightly and placed it near his heart. She smiled. She may not remember him, but she definitely knew that she knew him deep inside her heart. His touch had so much warmth, so much love. Yes, she had realised that she may not remember what relation they shared, but she knew he loved her. She may not remember what she felt for him, but she knew, the feelings they shared were mutual. She might have forgotten her feelings for him mentally, but deep inside her heart, the feelings still prevailed. That's the reason of all the things, she remembered just him. It may be a small memory. But still it was her memory. Her faded memory. With him, only him.

Khushi saw tears in his eyes. She chuckled and wiped it with other free hand. Her touch brought Arnav back from his thoughts. He cupped her face," are you fine? Is it hurting? Wait let me call the doctor" Arnav was about to move when Khushi held his hand and gestured him to sit near her. He sat near her quietly but didn't look at her. Fresh tears rolling down his eyes, yet again.

Khushi smiled and wiped them, "stop crying will you? I am not dead"

Arnav looked at her sharply and snapped," shut up Khush! Never ever talk about death"

Khushi held her ears," sorry. But you stop crying. Tears don't suit you"

Arnav hugged her immediately and hid his face in her hair," I am so sorry. I am really sorry. Its all because of me" Khushi reciprocated the hug and soothed his back while he poured his heart out.

"I am sorry Khushi. I shouldn't have pushed you. I shouldn't have done that. its because of me you are here. I am sorry for everything. Its because of me you lost your memory. I was driving the car. i was careless. i..I am sorry. Hit me, don't talk to me, but please never every scare me. i..." Arnav chocked on his words and broke down.

Khushi rubbed his back," sshhh!!! Its not your fault Arnav. Accident happened, because it had to happen. Atleast I am not dead"

"Khush!!"

"just kidding. So stop blaming yourself and well, about the office incident. Thank you for doing that. That made me remember at least a tiny part of my past. And I am also sorry for scaring you. I shouldn't have don't that. I shouldn't have pushed myself too much." Khushi broke the hug. She wiped his tears again.

Arnav held her hand kissed it," promise me you will never try to pull that stunt again. doesn't matter you remember something or not, all I want is you safe and sound."

"I promise"

Khushi hugged Arnav taking him by surprise. There were some questions yet to be answered but those can wait. Right now the moment was perfect for him. Arnav felt that a big load had been lifted from his heart. He felt happy, secure and he just wanted to live the moment.

Khushi was contended. Suddenly, she felt she had gained something precious back, something she had lost long back. Today she realised one thing, death may leave a heartache which cant be healed, but love leaves a memory that no one can steal.

[MEMBERSONLY]

--peehu--2014-01-09 10:49:31