Chapter 10

The hectic schedule tired the hell out of him.. Arnav could hardly keep his eyes open.. But the thought of Khushi travelling along with him, made his every nerve alert.. Her presence though excited him, it also gave him the peace and content to his soul and heart to such an extent that, right then, he wanted nothing but to be alongside her, sleeping with his head in her lap.. But the thing that kept striking Arnav again and again was the fact that Khushi was spending time with him that too alone.. True it wasn't anything near romantic or personal but, at least a beginning of spending time with each other personally has been done, and that too on a very beautiful note..

"Into the third on the left.."

Only when he heard Khushi giving him directions did he realize that, all this while, Arnav had been driving with out actually knowing the route to the Museum.. He had been hell tired and to top it, completely engrossed in thinking and planning different ways to break Khushi out from her shell and make her his.. He was so lost in his own world that he just had been driving clueless exactly how he would when he took out his time to relive and relax..

Arnav was grateful that Khushi hadn't cross questioned of how he had wheeled here nor did the time time show its back to him by making him steer to a wrong direction.. He smiled at her and proceeded to the junction she pointed.. All Arnav could do was to gape at the museum.. It was no where near to be stated as a typical museum.. A clean path of about 20 - 30 feet from admist the huge pine trees from either end led them to a Mansion surrounded by numerous plants and rock structures..

"Um.. Khushi, You sure this is a Museum?"

Khushi turned to him with surprise written all over her face.. Who knew that a Hot-shot rich guy as he, would admire the simplest beauties of nature? But, it is Arnav Singh Raizada here.. This guy is a true mystery.. He is almost everything like a prince straight out from a fairy tale.. What else does he have buried deep in him? And the main question that hit Khushi was, what all will the time reveal about this handsome man who is strongly and rapidly invading her heart and soul, make himself imprinted deep into her very existence.. Sensing a halt of the car, she focused back at him to find him looking at her.. Khushi gulped down her nervousness and smiled at him..

"What do you think?"

He parked the car at a side and got down to open the door for Khushi..

"I.. Its beautiful.. The surroundings are more like a resort than a Museum.."

Khushi got down and thanked him for his gesture.. A natural Gentleman? Oh oh.. Another entry to the long list of why Khushi is falling for the 'Arnav'..

"Uncle ji loved gardening.. Thats why Auntyji still does it.. I personally love nature.. So, we'v kept it lively so as to depict the true essence of Manali.."

Khushi kept telling him about the different ways they'v developed the Museum.. Arnav was about to follow her but the sight behind the Museum caught his eye.. The Museum is situated at the end of a cliff.. It had a garden behind it that was separated by a huge railing from the steep valley beneath.. Arnav din't know why, but, his tired feet carried him to the place his wary heart was sorting out to.. Arnav leaned onto the railing, his eyes closing almost instantly.. Inhaling the fresh and pure air, his face transformed into that of a pure relaxed and satisfied man.. As happy and innocent as a child..

Not hearing Arnav responding to her, Khushi turned back and stilled for a moment at not finding him behind her.. She walked back to the car almost skipping her steps and turned around frantically.. Just as she was about to call out to him, Khushi saw Arnav at the railing in the garden.. She made her way to him but stopped as her heart skipped its beat.. He looked at peace.. Pure and innocent.. Warm and heartful.. Calm and serene..True and divine..

Khushi din't know why or how, but, seeing Arnav so happy and peaceful made her heart to yearn for more of the same happiness for him.. She din't know how long she kept staring at him, taking the calmness emanating from his posture, to sooth her crumpled soul.. She din't realize when or how, but, this one man, Arnav Singh Raizada, was beautifully and mesmerizingly picking up all the broken pieces of her heart and is mending them together, strongly and lovingly with a such a care and perfection that she felt tears brimming her eyes.. How could a man do so much without actually doing anything? How can his mere presence be healing her to this extent? How??

"Arnav.."

Arnav snapped out of the reverie of the Valley only to be engulfed in the heaven of Khushi.. This was the first time she called him by his name.. All the 27 years he had spent, all the zillion times he was called by the same name by millions of people made no match to that of what Khushi did at her first.. It had a tone of love, concern, respect, longing and gratefulness.. Was it true that her voice held all that? Or was he just reading too much? Well, even if he was reading too much, it ain't a mistake is it? After all, she's gonna be his.. Not at this moment, may be, but one day, for sure..

"Oh.. Hey.. Its.. Its just that.."

Khushi smiled warmly at him.. A true smile.. From her heart.. She walked upto him and stood beside him watching at the valley beneath.. She din't realize when she slipped into a trance and spoke of her own accord, forgetting everything about being to herself in a world she built around herself..

"I know.. Peaceful.. Isn't it? Like as if it's taking you to a different world.."

Arnav couldn't hold back from being overwhelmed at her genuine smile that eventually reached his lips.. He saw her coming towards him and stand beside him.. He saw the smile intact but also felt her gaze going afloat as if she's thinking about something deep and important.. Arnav din't know how he should make his further step until he found her frowning and smiling sadly at the valley.. All Arnav wanted to do was to crush her in his arms and kiss her to a state where she would remember nothing but him and his love.. But, no.. Its not about him.. Its about Khushi.. He inhaled deeply and sighed.. Slow, Arnav.. One step at a time.. If Khushi needed moral support and a push to move ahead to come out of the shell she buried herself in, he would be more than happy to do it..

"The valley shows that its deep and dark.. But nothing can be more beautiful than the sun rising and setting at the river running through it.. Its just as if telling us that we do need some deep and dark memories and phases in life so that we can evolve into a more better person to experience a more beautiful life.. Every loss is a blow, Khushi.. But, it isn't the end of life.. If that loss was supposed to punish, then one would be dead.. If we are still alive, it means that there is something in store for us.. Something so special and beautiful that, though you would think of the loss, you wouldn't cry for it, but instead, would accept it with open arms.."

Khushi snapped her head at Arnav.. It was as if he read her deepest fears.. As if he knew what she was going through.. As if he knew who she really was.. As if he was trying to help her out.. As if he was showing her the path out.. As if he was soothing her trampled heart.. Khushi knew that one more moment with him, and she would break down completely.. No.. She couldn't let it happen.. Not that she din't trust him, but she din't trust her life.. Every time it showed a ray of hope, she would immediately be pulled into a pit of darkest darkness.. And now, she wasn't ready to take another chance.. Not when it involved him.. Not when she was afraid to lose what ever that was between them.. She would prefer to be shut away from him and be happy seeing him living his life fully rather than open up to him and lose him entirely..

"You really seemed to have loved this.."

Arnav saw the fit of emotions that ran across her face.. He saw her vulnerability, pain and fear.. He saw her shock, surprise and searching looks.. He saw hope, elation and relief flood across her.. And what he saw the next made him flinch.. Raw pain and fear.. Not at him but towards her life.. He then saw her deciding and resolving.. At last, she smiled stating that she had taken her decision.. Something not what he expected to..

"I do.."

Arnav saw her smiling back at him.. She was back to her shell.. The smile din't reach her eyes.. She was struggling.. But, this is Arnav Singh Raizada here.. He ain't gonna lose that easy.. Khushi moved a few steps back and gestured him to step down the railing . As he did what he was asked to, she moved back further and smiled at him..

"Well, then I guess I know just the room I need to allot to you.."

Arnav quietly follwed Khushi.. A part of his heart bleeding for the pain she went through and for the turmoil she is going through and the other part of his heart was swelling with pride and love for the woman walking ahead of him.. No matter what the life put her in, she always had her own ways to deal with and come out with a flag held high in success.. His respect and need to cherish her increased by manifold.. He loved her for what she is but, he din't want her to go through them any longer, not alone at least . He'l be with her.. All through her life.. And it's a Promise.. Arnav Singh Raizada's promise..

Arnav thought he was going to be taken into the Museum but he was led to another alley just a few feet before the entrance of the Museum.. There were huge and beautiful wooden stairs adorned with creepers of baby pink roses hanging on either sides.. His heart was already relaxing in the fullest.. Something he din't actually remember he had since a very long time.. He silently followed Khushi trying his best not to pay attention to the vixen's back.. Gosh!! She's a natural beauty.. The hip length hair did no justice in covering her up.. Infact, they were swaying with her movements making Arnav slip from the Self-Control he was trying so hard to hold..

"This.. Will be your resting room.."

Arnav snapped out of his thoughts when he heard Khushi speaking.. Bless her soul!! The room had a perfect view of the Valley he was captivated with, moments ago.. It was warm, cozy and comfortable..

"I can see that you are pleased with it.."

"Pleased? I freaking love it!!"

Love? Why did that word sound so loud for her? Did he really stress on that or was it just her confused mind being guided by her heart??

"Why are you standing at the door? C'mon! The view is amazing.. Oh c'mon Khushi.. I'm just here.. Close by.. Just a hand stretch distance.. Come come.."

'The night is over, Khushi.. So is the wait.. I'm here.. All you need to do is, listen to your heart, Khushi.. Look at things the way Khushi used to and you'l find me... Always.. Close to you.. Close enough to hold me if you stretch your hands..'

"What?"

Arnav turned towards her and frowned at finding her still glued to the same spot..

"What what?"

Khushi looked at him with wide eyes.. How did she not realize before? Its the same voice..

"What did you just say?"

Arnav saw her freaking and immediately went to her side.. He held her shoulders and spoke softly..

"I Just said I really love this room.."

"No! After that!!"

"I asked you to join me..?"

"After that Arnav!!!"

Arnav was now getting worried..He din't say anything except that.. What the hell went wrong? She was perfectly fine a moment ago.. Arnav made her sit and handed her a glass of water.. He sat beside her and held her hand in his.. Arnav din't know what to do.. Her eyes were still dazed.. As far as he knew, nothing actually happened.. Did this had to do anything with her past? Finding no response from her at his touch, he tightened his grip on her..

"Khushi..? Khushi, open your eyes.. Khushi.. Its okay.. See? Just open your eyes Khushi.. Look I'm here.. There's nothing to fear.. I won't let you go.. Khushi.."

What ever Arnav spoke made a huge impact on Khushi's heart as well as her mind.. She could hear him speaking, consoling, holding, comforting.. But she could also hear another stream of lines.. Its the same voice.. almost the words.. The same eyes.. But, a different place.. A different emotion..

'Open your eyes, Khushi..'

'You'v waited too long to shut yourself now, Khushi.. I'm here, finally and I won't let you break down anymore.. '

Arnav felt her responding to him.. He instantly held her close.. Close enough to let his body heat transfer to her but not enough to cuddle or crush her in his embrace..

"Khushi..? Khushi what is it? I'm here Khushi.."

"Who.. Who are you?"

Arnav felt the time stop.. He felt as if the world has been snatched from under his feet.. What does she mean by who he was? Did she remember him? Her Arnie? Did she? Or.. Or is she so tired and deprived of rest that she wasn't able to recognize him? What the Hell!!! What happened in a moment that she's now simply not in her true senses? What went wrong? He hugged her closer to him and made her look into her eyes..

"Khushi? What.. What do you mean by who I am? I.. I'm Arnav.."

After a minute of slicing silence, Khushi spoke back..

"Chocolate Brown.."

Arnav hels her closer.. This was what she exactly spoke when she first met him.. He din't know what she was trying to say nor did it make any sense to him at why the color of his eyes was being a topic here.. Before any other though made to his mind, he heard her speaking..

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

"What?"

But it was too late to question further.. Khushi passed out in his arms.. Arnav immediately called for help and asked for a doctor.. After half an hour of his tensed pacing, frantic thoughts of what might have gone wrong, calling out to her to wake up, Arnav was informed by the Doctor that it was just fatigue.. Arnav sighed in relief and thanked the doctor. He sat beside her carefully and encased her hand in his.. He brushed her hair on her forehead and lifted her hand to his lips.. He slowly and lovingly traced his lips over her soft white hand..

"I don't know what you are going through but I'm not gonna let you go through it again.. It's over Khushi.. Everything that you had to shoulder and bare is over.. Now its your turn to live.. Live the life you'v been deprived of.. And I'l make sure of it.."

Arnav bent forward and placed a lingering loving kiss to her forehead.. He cupped her face in his hands and leaned forward touching his forehead to hers.. He sighed and spoke in a whisper..

"I'm completely clueless of what you mean but, yes, I'v come, Khushi.. I have.."

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