Chapter 17

rulama

@rulama

[MEMBERSONLY]

[NOCOPY]

RECALLING ARNAV - II

Part 18

Khushi went to bed that night to toss and turn. Sleep eluded her as she tried to make sense of her feeling that Arnavji was slipping out of her fingers. Finally at dawn, her lashes fell over her eyes and she slipped in to a light doze.

She saw Arnavji in his formal clothes as she had seen him in Sheesh Mahal for the first time. He was walking by her, his eyes on the phone in his hand.

"Arnavji," she called.

He walked away without looking at her.

"Arnavji," she called, walking behind him. As she was about to reach him, he quickened his steps and strode ahead, his long legs making short work of the distance.

Khushi tried to run after him, but could not. Her feet were leaden, heavy.

"Arnavji," she called, tears raining down her cheeks but he walked away from her, unaware, deaf to her call.

She watched him, helpless to stop him as he left her behind on his way.

"Arnavji," she screamed.

She sat up in bed, sweat pouring down her body, drenching her clothes.

"Arnavji..." she whimpered. There was no one to hear her. She was in her room in Gomti Sadan and Arnavji was in Delhi.

She left the bed on unsteady feet, almost falling on the floor in a tangle of covers. She grabbed her phone and made to call him but stopped herself at the last moment. It was too early in the morning to disturb him.

She called at a more reasonable hour.

Anjali picked up Arnav's phone.

"Khushiji, how are you?" Anjali asked. "How are the others?"

"We are fine, Di. Can I speak to Arnavji?" Khushi asked.

"I am so sorry, Khushiji. Chotey went to the office early today. He forgot to take his phone. I will ask him to call you when he returns," Anjali smiled.

"Ji," Khushi said. What else could she say?

Khushi waited all day and night but he didn't call. The next day Arnav called in the morning.

"Khushi, I am sorry. I was busy..." Arnav began.

The silence from the other end was broken only by the sound of weak sobs.

"Khushi," he gasped. "Khushi, please don't cry. Please," he pleaded.

Khushi wept as if her heart would break.

"Khushi, I was sick. I had fever. I didn't want to worry you. That's why I..." he tried to explain.

Khushi tried to hold back her sobs.

"I am fine now. Much better. I will be as good as new in a couple of days. Khushi... I asked Di and Payal to lie to you. Khushi..." he tried to calm her down.

Khushi cut the call, weeping brokenly.

"Titliyaa, kaa hua Nandkisore?" Buaji clutched her heart at the sight of Khushi sobbing.

"Arnavji is sick..." Khushi cried. "I didn't know... I should have known..."

Buaji sighed. "How can you know what is wrong or right with Arnav babua when you are here and he is in Delhi, Nandkisore?" Buaji asked reasonably.

Khushi cried, clutching her knees.

"Life is short, Khussi... and unfortunately it does not come with any guarantees. Every moment brings its own risks. You have to decide where you want to be and with whom. What is the use of sitting here and crying for your husband when he is pining for you in Delhi?" Garima asked, a fond smile on her face.

"I want... I want to go to Delhi. I... I want to see Arnavji," Khushi wept.