#3 ArShi FF: Lost Memories*EPILOGUE*pg67*29/09 - Page 10

Arnav took all time in the world to calm Pratap. Pratap never looked so terrified before. This means that something big has happened that has terrified him to such level. Slowly Arnav accompanied him to his room and asked him to rest. As he was about to leave Devyani entered.

Devyani: Chote? What are you doing here?

Arnav: Nothing Dadi, just had a talk with Dadaji, he looked stressed, so asked him to rest.

Devyani: He and his stubbornness. Never takes medicines at time. Haan! Chote, When I was coming here, I saw Pari run upstairs to your room. When I asked for dinner she did not answer. She looked disturbed. Did you say something to her?

Arnav's mind raced in bullet train speed calculating all possibilities for her odd behavior. And the worst possibility was listening what he and his Dadaji were talking. He mumbled some excuse to Devyani as he ran to their room where he found Khushi sitting on the floor near the floor to roof window looking nowhere particular. The look on her face and the way she sat hugging herself frightened him to no end. He ran to her and touched her shoulder.

Arnav: Khushi?

But Khushi didn;t give any response. Not even her eyeball moved.

Arnav: Khushi talk to me!

But again no reponse.

Arnav: Khushi..

Khushi: Do you think I am MAD?

came her feeble reply. If he dint strain his ears and looked sharp he wouldn''t have heard her or saw her lips move.

Before he could answer for it Khushi pushed him yelling.

Khushi: PAGAL LAGTE HAIN HUM AAPKO? Do you think I am some crazy lunatic that you wanted me to take psychiatric sessions? Just because I don't rememeber some parts of my life, you thought me to be mad?

Her each question was a blow for him. So he was right. She overheard them talking. Good that their room was soundproof. No one can hear them talking.

Arnav: Khushi its not like that. Listen to me..

Khushi: You listen to me. When Mama said that you threatened them to marry me, I believed you over them thinking that you only wanted my good. When You said You love me, I again believed it as I somewhere knew this coming. But never once I expected you to give such a suggestion.

Arnav: Khushi! Don't jump into conclusions.

Khushi: Don't teach me. Tell me something! Was that suggestion just for reviving my memory or making me completely mad and take advantage of my illness?

Arnav felt something sharp pierce his heart. All the time his Kuku believed him, but at one crucial point, she just threw him. How can she even think that he can do anything like that to her? How can she? Tiny tear drop made way down from his eye to cheek. But Khushi was in no state to notice it. Composing himself Arnav Stood up.

Arnav: I don't wish to give any explanation other that one thing. I LOVE YOU KHUSHI. Whatever I did, I do, I may do will always be for your good. I can never harm you. You know that. YOU DO KNOW THAT KHUSHI. Even then if you are asking me such a question, then I don't think you deserve an explanation from me because Love comes with Trust. You already said that you don't love me. Now you don't trust me too. Fine. Let it be. Dadi called you for dinner. I am going. You too join... for their sake.

Saying Arnav left from there closing the door. He leaned on the door looking defeated. But then a thought occured to him, that today only Khushi has spoke with Daksh. May be he planted such things in her mind. But still he expected her to have at least little faith on him and all she did was to throw such a nasty allegation at him.

Arnav wiped his face and made his appearance better and moved out for dinner. At the same time Khushi stood on the other side of the door leaning on it waiting for him to say something like always. Waiting for him to explain things just like he does always. But she heard him walking out and she couldn't help her tears anymore.

Khushi was completely torn by her two mind in this case. One side all the things that he did to her, he actually made her feel at the top of the world. So much he pampered and always stood beside her. But on the otherside, her Mama's words were haunting her. She cannot point out a reason for her Mama doing all this for an unsaid reason other than her welfare. After all he has brought up for 17 years.

Her head was completely fogged with all these. After sometime she wiped her face and went for dinner. Whatever it may be, it will be between herself and him and will not bother the elders.

The dinner was silent affair as Aman and Lavanya were out for dinner. Except Dadi the other three were completely in their own world as they stuffed food inside their mouths and left for the night. As Khushi helped Devyani in kitchen, Devyani called her.

Devyani: Pari!

Khushi: Ji Dammu?

Devyani: Is something wrong between you and Chote?

For a minute, Khushi's hands stopped working. But she gathered herself.

Khushi: No. Why?

Devyani: You both are not like yourselves since evening. And he didn't eat his dinner properly. He does that only when he is upset. He normally enjoys eating.

Khushi understood that how much ever you try, elders do know what is wrong with their kids. Something that she missed all along.

Khushi: Everything is fine Dammu. He went to office after nearly a week na. So maybe workload must have been more. Let me check.

Devyani: And haan, make him drink some millk.

Khushi(frowning): He hates milk right?

Devyani(Chuckling): Yes. But we have to force feed him as he did not eat properly. If he sleps without proper food, you know what will happen.

Khushi: Yeah yeah! He will wake up next morning with such a nasty mood that it will be a doomsday for everyone. OK Give me the millk, I will give him.

Saying the ladies finished their work and Khushi left to their room with the milk glass. She entered the room and closed the door. When she tried to look for him, she saw that the room is empty. Then she went to the french window and saw him sitting on a recliner outside near the pool looking at the night sky.

Khushi: Arnav? What are you doing here? Do you know I have been searching you for a long time! you scared me.

Arnav(calmly without looking at her): You don't need to search for me. You know where I will be, if you just ask yourself.

Khushi: Whatever! Here have this milk, Dammu sent it.

Arnav: Keep it on the table and leave. I will have later.

Khushi: No, You already hate milk and if it becomes cold, you wont touch. So drink it now!

Arnav silently Had the milk and gave back the glass to her but not once he looked at her. He was continuously gazing at the sky. That irked Khushi. She did talk too much. But what else can she think when she heard him discuss about taking her to counselling? For that why he have to punish her like this. Dejectedly she turned away and went into the room with the glass.

Arnav: Sorry Khushi! I cannot be explaining you every single time. Somethings you have to understand by yourself.

He thought looking at her dejected self as she settled on the daybed. He stood up and went to the corner of the poolside and disappeared into the darkness.

Next morning Khushi woke up and found their bed still empty. She did not sleep properly all night. She got used to sleeping in his arms. It was painful. Finally as she bacame tired she dozed off sitting on the daybed.

Silently she went to freshen up. By the time she came out, Arnav was ready for the office. Before she can talk anything to him, he turned to the door.

Arnav: I am going to office. I have meetings today. I may be late to dinner or I may have dinner with my clients during dinner. No need to wait for me. I will tell Dadi too!

And without a backward glance he marched out while Khushi stood like statue trying to take in the message. He has left her all on her own. He did not even look at her. All she wanted to do was cry loudly. Was he the same man who pulled her to the corner to kiss the daylight out of her before he left for office the previous day?

YOU INVITED THIS FOR YOURSELF

said her conscious.

And the day just passed with both of them ignoring each other completely. Even if Khushi tried to talk to him, all he did was give her monosyllabic answers. Amidst all these, Daksh kept calling her and tried confusing her. But all her mind was in one person. Her disturbed state made Daksh so happy thinking that his plan his working. The Father Son duo celebrated.

Finally it was Saturday. One complete week passed and Arnav didn't bother to talk to her nor she knew where he stayed all night.. Khushi's fogged mind again inclined to the brighter side of the situation when her heart started aching for him. Mind started playing games in her and at last settled on one particular conclusion that come what may, Arnav is now important part of her living to continue this hide and seek game. She cannot tolerate this distance. They can talk this matter this out. But before that they will have to talk!

It was evening time. Devyani had the habit of going to temple on Saturday evenings. So Pratap came early to take her to temple. This left Khushi alone in home. Lavanya was also working in AR. Khushi was in kitchen when she heard his car coming. But before she could walk to living area, He went up the stairs to their room. Aman and Lavanya entered the house from their wing entrance as they had to check the works there.

Khushi made his black coffee and rushed to their room. But just like any other day, the room was empty. She kept his coffee cup on the coffee table and went to the french door, but the poolside was empty. She turned to search inside the room again when she heard faint sound of Piano and someone humming.

Khushi went in the direction of sound and reached the dark corner of the poolside. For her surprise, she found a flight of stair leading down and the piano sound was clear from there.

She climbed down the stairs which ended in a simple room with a single bed which was very much familiar to her. And she turned to other side and saw a very painful sight. Arnav was playing the piano with his eyes closed. Pain was very much visible in his face and he started with same pain and longing in his voice.

Venmegham pennagha uruvaanatho,
Has the beautiful clouds turned into a girl?

en neram ennai paarththu villaiyaadutho
Playing with me always

unnalae pala gnaabagham, en munnae vanthaaduthae,
You bring back many memories to the fore

oru nenjam thindaduthae
And my heart goes restless

vaarththai oru vaarthai sonnal enna?
Why don't you speak a word?

paarvai oru paarvai paarththaal enna?
Why don't you give a single glance?

unnalae pala gnaabagham, en munnae vanthaaduthae,
You bring back many memories to the fore

oru nenjam thindaduthae
And my heart goes restless

Venmegham pennagha uruvaanatho,
Has the beautiful clouds turned into a girl?

en neram ennai paarththu villaiyaadutho
Playing with me always

Manjal veyil nee, minnal oli nee,
You're alluring twilight, you're lightning

unnai kandavarai kann kalangha nirkka vaikkum thee
A fire that leaves anyone coming into contact with you in tears

pennae yennadi? unmai solladi...
Oh damsel, tell me the truth

oru punnaghaiyil penniname kopa paddathennadi?
Your smile makes other women jealous

devathai vaalvathu veedu illai koyil,
This angel resides in a temple not in a house

kadavulin kaal thadam paarkiraen
I can see the footprints is Goddess

ondraai irendaai un azhagai paada
Dearth of words to praise your beauty

kan moodi oru oram naan saaikiraen
I'm just sliding aside closing my eyes

kanneeril aanandham naan kaankiraen
I'm experiencing joy in tears

unnalae pala gnaabagham, en munnae vanthaaduthae,
You bring back many memories to the fore

oru nenjam thindaduthae
And my heart goes restless

enghal manathai kollai adiththaai
You've won all our hearts

indha thanthiramum manthiramum yengu sendru padiththaai?
From where did you learn this trick?

vizhivasavil valai virithaai, unnai pallakinil thukki sella kaddalaikal vithiththaai
you trapped me with a wink, you ordered me to carry you in the palanquin

un viral pidiththidum varam ondu kidaikka..
uyirudan vaalkiraen naan adi...
I'm living for the day to tie the knot with you

en kaadhalum en aagumo..?...
What will happen to my love?

un paathaththil mann aagumo...
Will it get stamped by your feet?

As he sang this line his hands automatically stopped playing and he looked up at Khushi who was looking at him with same longing. Khushi saw his red eyes as he asked that question. She couldn't take it anymore. She ran to him hugged him from behind.

Khushi: I am sorry! Sorry Arnav. I should have faith in you. But my fogged mind.. I don't remember most of my childhood. Please forgive me Arnav. I am SO SORRY.

She cried in his shoulders as his hands played the last note and hummed the song finishing it.

Venmegham pennagha uruvaanatho,
Has the beautiful clouds turned into a girl?

en neram ennai paarththu villaiyaadutho
Playing with me always