Part 8

1 months ago

manjiri

@m4manju

Arnav opened the door to what was once-his-and-then-their bedroom. This room that used to be his refuge space once upon a time before turning into a self-inflicted hell, had been closed for the past 3 years. For the right reasons. Because this was the very same room, the very same space that had seen him unleash his worst behavior on the one who was his destined shelter, his 'safe place', his Khushi.

This room was where he brought her on their wedding night as a blind-in-hatred contract husband and her as a scared-and-clueless young bride! This room had seen him banish her to cold, harsh nights at the poolside, had heard him tell her she cannot destroy his di's life as he won't let her and she had stood there confused. Later when she got to know the reason behind their contract marriage, the walls of this same room had echoed with her desperate attempts to prove her innocence against his unfounded accusations. And he had turned her down. She had every reason to give up on him. But she did not. Because when it seemed he was getting his karma for doing this to her, and he was kidnapped, she still let him confess to her that he loved her! The kidnappers had let him call his family and he was waiting with bated breath until she came on line, and then he told her he loved her. It was a call in distress alright. But she had not put down the phone on him. She had heard him...

Why? He knew not. And he perhaps never would.

His eyes took in the neatly kept room and the absence of any trace of Khushi's presence, the loss of any signs that Khushi ever lived here. All her belongings had been removed, yet he could still sense her essence lingering in the air.

He then looked at the closed double-door that led to a small in-house pool Shantivan had. It had comparatively lesser harsh memories than his bedroom and more sweet memories of his and khushi's shared past. Their first kiss- albeit a stolen one by him-, their first drunk confession, and-

"Arnav?"

He turned around and saw that the object of his thoughts was standing there in person! It was so weird that this was Khushi and yet it was not the same person who had the same memories attached to this room as him.

Perhaps it was a blessing in disguise. For her, as she forgot the bad part associated with this place. For him because now he could try to undo the mistakes of his past.

Khushi had always wondered what lied behind the closed doors of this room, the one at the end of the hallway on the first floor of their house. Nani had told her this room was used by Arnav when he was working in Delhi, and he did not like anyone else entering here in his absence. She had held back her question about whether his wife lived here with him and decided not to delve into his personal life any further. At times, she had seen the door to this room open, when HP or some of the other house help staff cleaned it. But she never tried to peep in, afraid to come across any photos or any other belongings that would be on her face to remind her he belonged to someone else...

But today, she had found herself gathering a bit of courage and come here.

And as she walked further into the room, she heaved a sigh of relief not seeing anything that was a reminder of his married life. Thank you, devi maiyya, her mind expressed.

Arnav quickly veiled his confusion and joy at seeing her in this room. The adorably inquisitive look on her face told him she didn't remember anything after coming here just like she didn't when she went to Buaji's house in Lakshmi nagar or to Gomti sadan in Lucknow or staying in shantivan for 3 years. Perhaps, for the best...

"I am sorry, I know you don't like anyone coming here but I just wanted to check if everything was ok and if you needed anything." She spoke like a graceful hostess.

He smiled and shook his head, "No, Khushi. Everything is perfect here..." Now that you are here, his heart added and by the secret language between their hearts, it somehow reached Khushi's heart.

Her brows furrowed in slight confusion feeling as if she heard him say something more, but she nodded.

They both stood in a moment of silence, not knowing how to prolong it. He wanted to tell her something, anything but didn't know what and she wanted him to talk to her about anything, something that would give her a chance to know what occupied his thoughts but didn't know how to ask him...

Behind them, daylight slowly faded into twilight, the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden glow over their faces.

She was about to turn and leave when she noticed him gazing at a small section of the sky visible above them. Following his line of sight, she saw a bright star shining in the still-clear sky.

"Do you want to know something from your past?" he asked

Enchanted by the intensity in his eyes and the depth of his voice, she nodded.

"You used to like looking at the stars. In fact, you had taught me to look at them, to admire them and- and to find my mother in them." his voice was laced with emotion.

"Your m- mother?" she nearly choked.

He nodded. "You believed that the people who left us, who loved us, become one amongst the stars."

"Did I also find my parents in them?" she asked in a whisper.

He gulped through parched throat, remembering that emotional evening from their past when she had indeed shown him her parents in these stars... "Yes, Khushi. And I think I remember them exactly where they are located."

"Kya aap (Will you)-" she paused mid-sentence, feeling slightly embarrassed to ask him to reintroduce her to her own parents and said, "Never mind. I don't remember anything."

"But I do." He said, making her look into his eyes, holding a promise she wasn't ready to believe. Just yet. "But it's quite early in the evening. Those stars are visible a bit later into the night. I will show you when it's right time."

She smiled, unsure. But nodded, nevertheless.

That night, he had a peaceful sleep after 3 years. Sure, khushi was still out of his sight and he was still in his old room that held bitter memories but just the feeling of her very close by him brought him peace...

--*--

Next day was a Saturday, 2 days since Manik had come to stay with Vikrant. He was going to be here until the party that Khushi had planned for Anjali and Vikrant which was still three days away. The Raizada family had invited Vikrant and Manik for dinner as Vikrant's parents had been out of town for the weekend.

The long dining table in Raizada mansion was elegantly set, and the delicious aroma of various dishes cooked filled the room. Vikrant was seated at one end of the table, with his cousin Manik at his side. Khushi sat across from Manik, her usual chirpiness evident as she started chatting with Vikrant and Manik instantly...

However, Arnav, who had been sitting beside Khushi, couldn't help but steal glances at the exchange between her and Manik. He noticed how Khushi's eyes lit up with genuine interest as she talked about Manik's songs and how one of her friends had once danced to his music at a charity event. To a vulnerable Arnav, it felt like the chemistry between them was undeniable, and it stirred something uneasy within him.

However, Arnav's real predicament started post dinner!

After dinner, Mamiji and then Anjali started asking Manik to perform. And after some reluctant prodding, he agreed. He picked up his guitar, his fingers brushing over the strings with practiced ease.

Manik's expression, however, betrayed a hint of melancholy. Because unknown to everyone gathered there and listening to his soulful singing, he had been trying to reach his girlfriend-Nandini for the past 3 days, regretting the harsh way he had turned down her proposal. He wanted to make things right but felt helpless as she ignored his numerous texts and calls.

Teri yaadein, mulakatein, woh baatein aur raatein
Teri saanse, woh baahe, ab mujhko yaad aaye
Tere bina mera jiya, sataye kyun piya
Yaadon ne teri mujhpe yeh jadu kiya re

(Your memories, those talks and nights
Your breathing, those hugs, I miss
Without you my heart, why does it trouble
your memories have cast a spell on me)

Manik continued to sing, his voice filling the room with a soft, melodic charm. Khushi watched with admiration, occasionally glancing at Arnav, whose anxious eyes darted between Khushi and Manik, struggling to mask his growing insecurity.

However, as the music did its magic and beautiful words reached his ears, they started making Arnav feel as if the song was made for him! It was telling his own feeling through those words. Memoriesof her, her warmth against his body, her calling him 'Arnavji', her dazzlingsmile, played in front of his eyes like a kaleidoscope.

Woh adao ki ghataye mere dil ko chu jaye
Pyari ye duniya sari maine hain tujh pe wari
Dil ne, mere dil ne tujh se yari ye bazi hari re

(Those clouds of moments touch my heart
I have turned this world away for you
My heart lost the competition of love with you)

He had indeed lost the battle between his years-honed sanity and his feelings when it came to loving Khushi. He had turned his own world away, as she became his world! He so wished he could have her back in his life, or he become a part of her life...

Mere khayalo mein, khayalo mein bas tum
Wapas aa jao
Meri nigaho mein, nigaho mein bas tum
Wapas aa jao
Mere paas tum sada wapas aa jao

(in my thoughts, it's only you
come back
In my eyes, it's only you
come back
to me, come back)

Khushi caught Arnav's eye as that bit of the song came on. She felt as if he was calling out to her. Slowly, the world around her faded.

Evidently, it did fade away for Arnav too.

And they both felt their souls reach out to one another. She saw him extend his hand to ask her for a dance. And she did keep her hand in his. And then they danced away. Slowly, steadily, lost in each other's eyes...

The change of beats in the song broke Khushi's reverie and she realized she had been imagining it... she looked at Arnav, who had abruptly stood up and walked away from them. She closed her eyes, trying to control her erratic and foolish mind that kept thinking of Arnav!

Meanwhile, Arnav had got up and walked a little away lest she caught his gaze on her and give his feelings away.

Suna mera jahan bhula hai wo kaha
Jane hai jaan-e-jaa tera rahu piya
Wapas aa jao, mere pass tum sada
Piya tera jiya
Tu mere dil ka karar itna hai aitbaar
Manunga na main bhi haar

(My world is empty, when did it forget
knows I will be yours always
come back, to me, come back
beloved your heart
you are peace of my heart, I trust
I won't accept defeat)

(a/n - song credit to uploader.)

The song came to an end amidst a round of applause for Manik. He had truly enchanted them with his gifted voice and his guitar...

"That was so beautiful, Manik!" Khushi complemented him, genuinely impressed.

"Thank you, Khushi," Manik said with a small smile, though his mind was still on his girlfriend.

Arnav's jaw tightened as he watched Khushi's approving gaze for Manik. He could feel the insecurity gnawing at him, fueled by the easy camaraderie between them.

On the other hand, Vikrant, who understood manik's longing for Nandini, decided to lend a helping hand. He had known Nandini personally over the past years and knew he could help her and Manik have at least one proper talk before taking any harsh decision.

And thus, he excused himself and went away to call Nandini...

--*--

Amidst all the tensed atmosphere in Raizada mansion, there were some people who had been having some fun moments too!

People like Kashish!

The next day had dawned on a good note for her. While it was true that her adoptive brother was facing hardship in his love-life, her own chances at romance were looking far from bleak, thanks to her proactiveness!

"Hey there!" Kashish sent a text to one Aman Mathur!

"Hey! What's up?" came his prompt reply. Thankfully.

Feeling a playful urge to tease him, she decided to have a little fun. In hindsight, it might not be the best idea first thing so early in the morning, but the psychology student in her told her a bit of strategic teasing could stir things up with someone she was interested in. A little push would do good.

So, she sent, "You know, I met the famous singer Manik Malhotra recently. He's Dr. Vikrant's cousin." While she was impressed by manik's singing last night, this text was purely to get some reaction from Aman.

"Should I be feeling insecure?" he instantly replied.

It worked! She chuckled and called him instead. He picked it on the first ring.

"Do you sing?"

"What?" he was confused at that unusual greeting.

"I need to know before comparing you and Manik to tell you whether you should be insecure." She explained. "So, do you sing?"

"Err, no." he said, scratching his head. Singing in the shower didn't seem like a strong answer...

"Play guitar or any other instrument?"

"Nope. I had learnt to play 'Happy Birthday to you' on a piano in middle-school, if that counts."

"Hmm. It doesn't. So, your resume is quite weak, Aman Mathur."

He kept quiet.

Kashish, who was twirling a loose strand of hair while talking, realized she might have pushed it a bit too far.

But before she could break the silence, Aman asked, "Does this superstar Manik know where to take you for the best baraf ka gola in Delhi?"

"Baraf ka gola?" she asked, immediately searching for it on her iPad. The images made her grin in excitement. "Oh, I LOVE snow-cones!"

"So, I earn some extra points there, right?"

"Haha, you earn all the brownie points, Mr. Mathur!" she laughed heartily, and they continued planning their evening date.

Meanwhile, Arnav, who had been trying Aman's phone for the past 20 minutes was frustrated when it was continuously engage (busy).

Aman finally registered that someone was trying to call him and jumped in horror to see ASR was on the waiting line.

"Kashish, let me call you back. ASR's call is waiting."

Kashish who had come to the poolside while talking to Aman saw that Arnav was indeed frowning at the phone.

Coincidentally, Arnav noticed Kashish on the phone at the same time, ending her call with an annoyed glance in his direction. Just then, his own phone rang, displaying Aman's name.

"Sorry, ASR, I was on an important call," Arnav's usually prompt secretary said, offering an excuse for the first time in their working relationship, keeping him waiting for so many minutes. Arnav was taken aback. But the look on his adoptive sister's face and the newfound rapport between her and Aman made him suspect that the "important caller" might have been his sister.

"I hope this 'important caller' is aware of your work hours, Aman" Arnav said with a hint of amusement.

Aman, who had braced himself for a stern reprimand from his boss, felt a wave of relief having let go with just a subtle warning. Perhaps, ASR would still let him keep his job even after knowing about him and Kashish...

--*--

A/N - The title of the story was taken after this same song that I've used here. It was quite famous during my teenage days and has stayed with me over the years. Anyway. I hope you all liked the chapter and where the story is heading :)

P.S. Sorry for not updating over the weekend. I was planning to, but then a surprise visit from a couple of friends from my university days kept me occupied! The weekend flew by in a whirlwind of catching up, cooking elaborate meals, late-night movies, and reliving our old days... hope you all had a good weekend as well.