Chapter 6

"Chocolate Brown.. You.. You'v come??"

Arnav was stunned beyond belief..

1: The person for whom he's come down all the way to Manali was in his arms right now..

2: She brought the same warm feeling to his heart even after these many years..

3: This was the first time they met after they'v become adults.. She din't know who he was.. Hell, she might not even remember him.. Then how did she know that he had Chocolate brown eyes..

4: Did she know who he was? She.. She was waiting for him?!?

5: Why the hell did she faint? Were things beyond what he feared?

"Gracious Lord!! Khushi!! God!! Child, wake up.."

Arnav could hear Mrs. Gloria and Payal shouting.. But everything seemed to be a blur to him.. His lady.. His very own lady is in his arms.. Fainted?! What the hell has been going on with her Dammit??!

Arnav quickly strode past the women.. He asked for a room comfortable and carried her all the way.. He felt her weight.. Damn!! She was lighter than his office chair!! A shiver ran through his spine at the thought for her being deprived of basic utilities.. His rage was raising at what she had to go through all these days.. He din't realize that his anger was evident his words when he asked Payal to get water and a clean cloth.. He placed Khushi ever so gently on the mattress of the bed.. Just as he was about to move away, he felt Khushi's hands clutching his coat.. Arnav felt a tug at his heart.. His chords seemed to have mingled with her tune.. He stayed back and watched her angelic face.. Angel.. Yes, she is.. He brushed the hair that fell on her face and sat by her side clasping her hand in his..

While Arnav was hell lost in his worry and concern for Khushi, Mrs.Gloria had been sending silent prayers of thanks, gratitude and joy to the Heavens above.. Finally.. Yes, finally, her child got something she had always been worth for.. The concern, worry and anger she saw in Arnav's eyes were enough for the wise old lady to confirm her doubts of why the owner of a multi-billion dollar company wished to stay at her home.. In fact she got to know his intentions briefly from Payal the night before when she cleverly put forward her questions.. That was the sole reason why she welcomed a stranger into her house and that too for a family love hug, the moment he stepped here..

His eyes held a honesty that she thought was long lost and alien to this generation.. The respect she saw in them for her based on her age, in spite of he himself being a multi-billionaire made her heart swell with pride.. The warmth she saw in his eyes when she hugged Payal made her weakening hopes strong.. The love that flashed through his eyes when he held Khushi made her shout with joy and jubilation.. He was the man.. The man for Khushi.. The answer of her wait.. Her hope, her love, her life..

If Mrs.Gloria had any minute doubts of reconsidering her instincts,then they were completely washed away when she saw the shock and worry passing over Arnav's face as Khushi lay limp in his arms.. His almost hysteric reaction when he asked for a comfortable room, his authority when he asked Payal to get some water and a clean cloth, his soothing care as he made Khushi lay down on the bed, his controlling rage may be at the situation that led her to fall unconscious, his pure love as observed her face, his gentleness as he brushed her hair, his long lasting promise gesture as he held her hand and sat beside her were all that were needed to make anyone realize that Khushi has finally found her home.. Even a blind man could say it with an unmasked confidence..

"When did you last eat?"

Payal's stern voice broke the warm air around them..

All the pleasantries were done but Arnav stayed away hidden.. He tended to her unconscious form.. He made her drink some hot Chocolate and felt a gush of relief coursing through him as the color spread back on her cheeks.. He saw Khushi gain her consciousness and stepped back.. He din't want to frighten her, more than that, he wanted to know what went wrong.. He knew his presence wouldn't bring the entire truth.. So, he decided to remain hidden..

"Offo Jiji!! You'v come after 2 years!! 'Khushi, how are you?' would have been a better question, I guess.."

Arnav couldn't help a smile spread on his face at her reply.. The way she hid her pain from everyone urged him to take her into his arms and tell her that it was okay now and that she had him.. But, no.. Time was yet to come.. He would take this slowly.. He would make her drown in his love.. He would become her only anchor.. He would make her soar high to the sky in pleasure only he could provide her.. He would introduce her to a new world of joy and laughter, where she alone would be the Queen.. Where her past would tremble before her glory.. Till then, he would wait..

"Of course I would have if you had not collapsed right down the very moment I saw you!! Now give me my answer.. And I hope you know it very well that I can catch you lying.. So, breakfast today morning?"

"I was planning to have it with you.."

"Yesterday night?"

"There were guests.."

"And you, as usual, were made to lock yourself up? Great!! Yesterday noon?"

"I had to prepare things and food for the guests.."

"Yesterday morning?"

"I.. I guess I was.. Yeah, I was busy.."

"The night before?"

"Ah! I did!!"

"And what was that blessed food?"

"Milk.."

"Aaandd..???"

"Milk.. It was quite late and I wasn't hungry either.."

"That's it!! YOU.. YOU of everyone were NOT hungry? I told you I can catch you lying, din't I? Khushi, you have an appetite of that of an elephant!! Just quit hiding yourself from me, alright?!! If there's anything that would drive me insane one day, it'l be you, your diet and your 'I don't want to cause trouble or be a trouble to anyone' attitude!! Are you planning to make some record for yourself of not having anything for the longest time or something??"

Arnav was standing there hiding, holding onto the last thread of his Rage and shock! She was being starved to death?! What had been going on here?? He was practically glued to the ground as he heard Khushi speaking as if there was nothing new and wrong.. He held onto the railing so hard that his knuckles turned white.. He held himself from going to her, crush her into his arms, kiss her senseless and assure her that everything was going to be alright now.. That he is here and he wouldn't let anything go wrong anymore..

Yes! Arnav Singh Raizada fell for the petite woman sitting before him.. Not because of what she's going through but because of how's she's going through.. She herself was living in a hell and yet, she's as excited as a child to make others feel heaven.. Her smile never fading no matter how many reasons the life is showing her to make that smile fade.. The warmth she carried inspite of the coldness she's living in.. The twinkle in her eyes, the love in her words..

Those were what made Arnav fall for Khushi.. SHE is HIS.. FOREVER.. From this moment, everything of her is related to him.. Anyone who would reach Khushi would have to pass through him.. Time's changed.. The ball will always be in her court right from this moment.. He would make sure of it.. Khushi is no more the loner.. She is ARNAV'S KHUSHI.. His possession.. His treasure to cherish..

Khushi could no longer hold herself.. She tried.. Tried beyond what was impossible to stay calm.. To appear normal.. To show that she was perfectly alright.. But, she failed.. Failed in her attempts to be strong.. Failed in her attempts not to burden her Jiji with her problems.. Failed in her attempts to hide her misery.. Failed in her attempts to put a cheerful facade.. Khushi threw herself on Payal and let her heart out.. She simply cried out everything she had to go through.. The agony won't go.. Even if she cried for the rest of her life, the pain she's been going through the last 5 years won't go.. She knew.. But holding onto her Jiji made atleast a part of her heart feel light and warm..

"I..I'm tired Jiji.. Tired..of.. of being strong.. Tired of acting happy.. Tired of hoping.. hoping for.. better days.. I..I'm just.. just tired, Jiji!!"

Khushi cried out her heart having completely forgot about the Chocolate brown eyes she saw this morning.. But those very same eyes were shedding silent tears without her knowledge, just a few feet away from her.. Her every sob, every tear made Arnav go weaker and weaker.. His heart was weeping for her.. His soul was reaching for hers.. His chest was clenching with her sorrow.. His throat was constricting with her agony.. Arnav couldn't take it anymore.. If he stood there, at that place one more second, every sane though of his mind would vanish and he would just become a predator of the people behind the pain of Khushi..

Arnav sat in his room, on his bed with red bulged eyes.. He was stiff with rage, love and shock! Somewhere deep down he felt that things wouldn't be as he prayed for.. But never ever did he imagine things to have gone this far.. So far that his ever smiling, laughing Khushi.. The always happy, carefree, merrily dancing Khushi.. The constant twinkling eyed cheerful Khushi.. Was now faking.. Faking her happiness.. Living in misery.. Losing herself in agony.. Filled with pain.. Crying in helplessness..

Was he too late?

Hell Yes!!

But it's better now than never..

He wiped the silent tear that made its way to his now set jaw and walked to the window.. He could see the Gupta Mansion directly.. The garden at the left end of the Mansion was breath taking.. He looked up to the sky making a silent but very strong promise..

"It's over, Khushi.. You'v gone through more than anyone ever deserves.. Now it's time you get what you truly deserve.. I'm gonna be there, Khushi.. For you.. Always.. Forever.. Cry, Sweet heart.. Cry as much as you can, because, I swear.. Oh, yes, I do swear that this will be the last time I'l allow you to do so.. Not a moment from now will you ever see the dark times.. You were the one who filled me with warmth.. Now it's time to return you what you'v once given me.."

" I'm in love with you, Khushi.. Truly, completely and madly.. You are mine.. I will make you mine.. And anyone who dares to lay their eyes on Arnav Singh Raizada's procession are as good as dead.. I promise this to you.. My promise to you, forever!! Behold, Khushi Gupta.. Arnav Singh Raizada has set his target on you.. Just get ready to be swept off your feet.. To a world of joy, safety, warmth, contentment, laughter, colors and.. Love.."