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

Arnav: Do something doctor! Its been days.

Doctor: Its just 2 days ASR! And everything cannot act according to you! You asked us to shift her to Coimbatore and we did it immediately to see if she can response. And she is! Certain things take time. Its not like you say and she will wake up and sit erect! Just give her time. Make her certain that she is alive and give her a reason to live. Make her see the reason. She will come back to you!

Saying he walked out leaving a very broken Arnav and still unconscious Khushi behind.

He shouldn't have left her like that in middle of water when he knew that she had phobia for water! But why did she have to stop swimming and let the life jacket down? He sat beside her on their bed grumbling, but on contrary his hands were softly caressing her hair. If only he had been there early, both Akshita chitthi and Khushi would have been fine today instead of being under medical observation.

That day, when Khushi and Akshita were looking around to trace the source of noise, Silently Daksha entered the house without anyone noticing so that he can catch both the ladies off guard. But Akshita who was very much attuned to Daksha's every movement, sensed him even before she could see him.

She signed to keep quiet to Khushi and pushed Khushi in the other direction, opposite to the direction where she sensed Daksha.

But she never expected the consequence of her action. She did not have time to dwell on anything as Daksha came into view with a frown marring his face.

Daksha: Akshita! What are you doing here? Where is Khushi?

Akshita(hesitating): You look so tired.

Daksh was taken aback. Never once in all the years of his married life, Akshita has said something in concern for him. She was willing, quiet, never back answering, but was never caring either. That was the thing that always drove him mad. He always wanted his wife to want him. But for him Akshita was like a doll, a keyed doll which will do what he asks for. That's it.

And today seeing this concern, brought out many things he wanted from his wife. After all he is a human too.

Daksha: Its the water and Aran is not picking up the phone.

Akshita: May be he is somewhere busy. You left him to take care of business there right?

Daksha: Hmm! Did you talk to Khushi?

Akshita: hmm.. Yes..

Daksha: Papers?

Akshita: Give her some time Daksh! She has heard the life turning truth! Not everyone are like me taking anything that comes on their way!

By this time, Akshita managed to bring Daksh to another room and made him sit on the cot there. Daksh made her sit beside him.

Daksha: That is not fair Akshita! Do you remember your life in your parent's home? I never treated you like that! You were like queen in my home!

Akshita: That is the problem. It is your home. Never ours. And tell me what is the difference between you and my parents. They wanted a son and never bothered about their daughter. What did you do?

Daksha: A man can have his own ideology Akshita. But I never pushed Archana! And You were there for her. BUt for me?

Akshita: What about me? Did you ever think about me? I was holding on a string. BUt when you killed my daughter, that was the last string. I also have my boundaries Daksh!

Daksha: Do you think that I did that on purpose? No! Yes I was fond of son. But for that I will not kill my own daughter that too like that, even before she can land on earth. It was accident Akshita. For that all these 17 years, you have punishing me, Aran and also yourself. For once I did Love you. Right from the moment I saw you in your Parent's house looking at me and Archana with that doe caught in headlights eyes. But see what I got in return!

Now it was Akshita's turn to be taken aback. Her husband loved her? For nearly a decade she has been waiting for this. But then seeing that it was sour fruit, she stopped expecting and then everything died within her and this comes out now? No! She cannot give in now. She had 2 lives to save and She had to distract him.

Akshita: Love isn't everything Daksh..

But before she could say anything, they heard a faint noise and Daksha got alert. He walked out with long strides and Akshita could do nothing to stop him than pray to all deities to help the kids and ran behind him.

Arnav who heard the bell rang sometime back, was seeing deep shade of angry red for every word he heard from his Chitthi. He never knew her to endure so much pain. Even Dadaji hid this from him. Arnav understood why Dada ji was always apprehensive about Daksha but still he did believe that Akshita was the one who could put him in his place.

Not now! Not anymore. Whatever it takes, he was not going to let his chitthi with that Demon anymore. In that impulse, he arranged to reach the place. As per their plan without causing any suspicion, with the help of Prakash Dadu and his police force he managed to get Aran here and with his help Arnav reached the house.

Unfortunately or fortunately, Daksha came at the same time, so Arnav and Aman with all tied up Aran went to the other side of the house. Since Daksha was there, he disabled the electric fence for his entry which helped Arnav to reach the fence.

He instructed Aman to get the cops and take Aran with them so that he, Khushi and Akshita can come with the coastal guards with Daksha in their custody. All the plan were going in right path as Akshita sent Khushi away in his direction so that she can distract Daksha.

Khushi who just walked in the direction she was pushed by Akshita was shocked to see Arnav there. All pent up emotions she held at bay all this week, came out like flood. She ran to him sobbing hard. But seeing nearing the fence, she realized what he was about to do. Shaking her head she tried voicing it. After a few attempts she managed to get her voice.

Khushi: Arnav! Don't! There is electric fence with high voltage electricity. Go back Arnav. You will get fried!

But Arnav came in without nothing as much a scratch. Once he landed in, he turned and signalled Aman to get back. That's when she saw Aman and Aran going back with a disapproving nod. But once she saw Arnav standing there in front of her with his lopsided smile, she could not see anything beyond. Arnav looked at her puffy red eyes and dusty clothes and disheveled hair. He slowly took one step to her.

Arnav: Khushi teek ho tum?

And that was all she needed. Nodding her head in a NO, she ran to him and threw her arms around his neck hugging him tight. He had to take 2 steps back at the impact to steady himself and her. But he was fast. Smiling, actually grinning, he put his arm around her waist and hugged her tight pulling her off the ground.

They stood there like that for what it looked like eternity. But then Arnav pulled back and cupped her face.

Arnav: Kuku! Chitthi is there inside?

Khushi nodded her head.

Arnav: We should take her with us. We cannot leave her with Daksh anymore.

Khushi nodded her head again and Arnav was thankful for her understanding.

Both were about to move and took cat steps inside but the floor creaked when they moved to the main area of the house and Daksha who was in a room nearby got alerted. Daksha was out immediately but much to their relief Akshita distracted him and signalled Arnav to take Khushi out immediately from there.

Seeing Armed Daksha Arnav saw the danger but he was hesitant to leave Akshita and Akshita was stubborn. So through connecting rooms and doors Arnav and Khushi reached out saw Daksha's boat which was their only way out now as they could not wait for the guards now. Arnav managed to tap the single life jacket on Khushi and pushed the boat out but he was a little late to get in himself.

Daksha: How dare you! And you Akshita, all those sweet talks were for this. You scheming little..

But before he could say swear words to Akshita, a loud blow came to his face. Arnav pulled his collar and looked into his eyes.

Arnav: Don't you dare say anything to my chitthi. You have done enough! (leaving his collar and turning to Akshita) Come Chitthi, lets go.

Daksha was a little stupefied by the blow by Arnav. But once he saw Akshita, his anger came back with vengeance. He caught her by hair and pointed gun at her temple.

Daksha: You will go? Do you think I will let you without making you pay for that little love drama you played there! You are wrong Akshita. And Let me see how these both escape too.

But Akshita has already managed to push Arnav to the boat too before Daksha caught her and was busy in firing words at her. Hearing the roaring of his boat Daksh turned to see Arnav and Khushi moving away from the house, out of his reach. nearly 700 crore worth money! He went mad.

Arnav heard Akshita's words and Khushi heard too..

Akshita: Khushi never let go off Arnav. And Arnav take care of Gudiya!

The screen fell from Khushi's eyes. But Daksha's eyes became blind. He fired his handgun aiming for Arnav and the bullet was missed by Arnav but the trajectory made the bullet hit the base of the boat making a hole and it started drowning.

The miss maddened Daksha more. Pushing away Akshita he fired again, this time the target did not miss. The bullet gazed ARnav's biceps and went without much dangerous impact. Still, the impact did push him out of the boat and made him fall in the water.

Akshita who already hit her head with Daksha's push, seeing this got more scared and with the strength it gave, Akshita tried to dam Daksha's mad attempts in vain. At last, seeing Arnav and Khushi moving away even after his little stunt, Daksha finally lost it. He yanked Akshita to him and started hitting her with the handgun and his hands.

Arnav who was struggling to swim and breath in water did not get a chance to see this animal like behavior. But Khushi who saw everything from her vantage point, the boat, trembled seeing this face of her Mama. And her phobia for water was not helping at all.

Arnav who fought to swim at one stage with his wounded arm, tired, he missed and sank slowly in and that was all Khushi needed. From already drowning boat, she jumped into the water and with the little swimming she managed to learn from Arnav, after a lot of assurance, she tried searching for Arnav.

As her life jacket was not tapped properly, it was not much help and slowly she sank in water. Slowly first her chin went, then mouth, then nose and at last eyes. But her heart screamed just one name, deep inside thinking may be by miracle, he will help her, he may come alive. But after seeing the blood that spread in water, she knew that there was no hopes. Calling the one name that was the name of the man who was everything in her life, her eyes slowly closed as she sank more low.

ARNAAVVV!

KHUSHIII! KHUSHIII!!!

Arnav tapped her cheeks. She was trembling badly. Her Vital monitoring machines were drawing high peaks and beeping loud. But Khushi was writhing like she was in fits.