Chapter 10
Black descended over the entire horizon as sharp roars of torrential downpours rebounded. The austere darkness of sky was sporadically cut through by striking threads of silver light, spiraling from one end to another. But even this did not spurn the statically spreading condensed darkness. A dark river roared with turbulence, in harmony with engorged with darkness skies. Its water was rising and falling with vehemence, trying to find a surge to let go of flux, this horrendous climate was conveyed with.
Thence, out of nowhere, a flicker came to life. A little warm glow, peeking from somewhere behind the heavy veils of shadowy black clouds. It was nascent with a promise of liberated strength. The single ray cut through the black - slashing its way right onto the torrid with disquiet, surface of the river. A drop got heated up under the tender glow - sending sparkles of light around. The torrent in the dark sky fighting hard - still stronger against the little sparkling beam. As the clouds bunched, gathering together for another blow, the skies suddenly burst open and sunshine shimmered out of every peaking surface, rays multiplying sending multihued dynamisms onto every visible surface.
This sunshine was stronger, was powerful because it was born in consequences to a combat against nature's darkest glooms. It was a precursor of a new dawn. It was Sunshine after the Rain...
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"Khushi Putar come downstairs now. Thibani shall be reaching after midnight" Babey's shout reached Khushi "Will you continue sitting alone up there until then?"
Khushi picked her head from her drawn-up knees, her brown eyes shining and a small smile playing on her lips. She tried to school her expressions as stood up and moved around the charpoy to answer Babey, but the smile just won't leave her face, her features, her insides...
"It's okay Babey. I am not ready to sleep yet. I'll sit here for some time more" she answered, looking down from the cemented balcony.
"But you haven't even eaten anything. Aren't you hungry?" Babey asked with a little exasperation.
"I'll eat when I get downstairs," Khushi said.
"Khushi..." Babey started. It wasn't too cold, just mildly chilly but she did not want her delicate little monkey to catch a cold now, did she? "Putar I have angithi (hotpot) burning here. At least come and sit near it"
"No Babey. I like it here. It's not too cold" Khushi refused, her mouth forming a perfect pout.
It was the point when Babey would snap at her irrational whining but today she stopped herself. Each day of past one year she had seen the grief of this long separation on her Khushi's face. The blooming paleness, the faraway look and sometimes her swollen red eyes when she would get up in the morning weren't the things Babey's old eyes had missed. However, she was considerate enough to not openly point these out to this already gloomy girl of hers. She knew Khushi was trying to put up a brave face for her sake. When Babey only missed her grandson, it was an every second, every beat struggle for this innocent girl. And today the yearlong separation was going to end. It was finally the time when both her children got their share of happiness. She had seen the old agility and restlessness that could only be associated with Khushi back again. A happy smile, the old sparkle and the flickers of anticipation colored her guise today, after so many days. And her old heart had never known some happiness this profound.
"Alright, do whatever you want. I am going to sleep" Babey grumbled and turned to go inside.
"But won't you wait for Ar... um... Babu Sahib? He must be reaching soon" Khushi asked her, non-puzzled.
"No. I am an old woman now. I can't stay up till late. And it's only Thibani returning, not Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru paying us a visit. I'll meet him in the morning" Babey answered with her back towards Khushi. The truth was she wanted to give them two some time alone. She knew better than to interrupt them with her presence today. As much as she wanted to wait up and see her Thibani with her own eyes, she knew it was better if she did not disturb this reunion.
"But..." Khushi began.
"Sat Sri Akal, Putar ji. Meet you in the morning" and Babey left, suppressing a grin. She sighed happily, for tomorrow morning she would finally meet her grandson.
Khushi stared at the retreating back of Babey in confusion. Babey had been waiting for Arnav's return with unparalleled impatience. Khushi had seen her motherly eyes watch the door of their haveli every day with reverent hope. Babey had grown older in this past year...
At the thought of this befallen year, her heart was instantly assailed by a sharp gripping pain. Unconsciously her hand went to rest against her chest rubbing at the tender spot where her beats hammered irregularly. Every breath was a task. And when nights and days felt like epochs, his letters encouraged her to move, to get up every day because each minute was working to get them back together. When she would walk alone in evenings, staring far into the distance, when she knew loneliness was her only confidante in his absence - she would gather strength from the fact that he was doing it for her, for them. She had refused to understand his motives back then because her heart only understood that whatever he was planning will separate them. But now she knew. She knew that this separation had strengthened their bond. Whatever happened, whatever turn life took, they will be always there for each other - waiting to return back to their other half.
She had read, devoured and lived those letters. She had looked at them for hours, she had hugged them to sleep and she had cried in front of them smelling his fragrance, his warmth in them. The memories of his hushed whispers when he had kissed her for the last time, the clamor of desire and love in his eyes when he had looked at her and the pain, the profound pain glittering in his own, tormented her every dream, every night. But today every pain would cease, pale away and then vanish when she would finally see him. He was coming back to make this claim, to take her with him where she belonged. The pain of this yearlong separation was nothing in comparison to the happiness that was blooming inside her.
So lost was she in her thoughts that she did not notice the night getting dark as clouds started to gather at the seams of midnight blue sky, swallowing the pale luminance of moonlight and stars. As the clouds gave a loud rumble she jerked and shivered - startled at the sound. She looked around as if sensing her surroundings for the first time. The dark had finally started to frighten her in this last year, because Arnav wasn't there to protect her, to anchor her from her fears. And so she had dropped getting out in the dark. Swallowing her panic, she got up from the charpoy to go downstairs.
She had merely taken a step in the direction of stairs when suddenly the clouds burst open, waters shedding down with an abandon as if in celebration. Cool droplets hit the bare skin of her neck and arms and she shivered with sweet delight. A smile bloomed on her lips and she stretched her neck back, facing the downpour headlong. The sounds of falling rain were like a lament to her ears, even the dark did not matter. It was like there was blossom in the environment.
And then she felt something. A warmth creeping up her body, her heart flutterings like a bird's wings and her insides invigorating with joy.
"Arnav..." the whisper of his name escaped her lips in instinct, her lips stretching further, her voice flavored with the love she felt for him.
And nothing could have prepared her to hear the whisper of her own name back in an echo of his name "Khushi..."
Her head jerked in the direction of his voice, her eyes opened wide and her breath stuck her throat.
There he was standing right in front of her, his eyes on her face like he was spellbound unable to look away.
In those moments when their eyes met, their heartbeats once fluttered and then found a perfect sync - this time, of separation, did not matter, this dark did not matter, words did not matter and the entire cosmos did not matter.
"Khushi" he breathed, his wide eyes running hungrily on her flushed face. "Tum Theek ho?" (Are you alright?)
A sob choked her throat and she tried to answer through the lump "I am now" and then fled towards him with a cry.
He opened his arms to receive her and then tightened his hold around her slim waist when she slammed into his with a force that made him widen his step to absorb the impact. Dragging her closer he burrowed his face into her warm, fragrant neck, inhaling deeply - finally, he was home.
The rain continued to pour down with gusto as they stood to drench under it, plastered together. Khushi's sobs racked through her chest convulsing even him with the vigor and he could do nothing but rub her back with his reverent, warms palms.
"Sh..." he soothed her. "I am here now. We are together now, Khushi"
He felt her nod against him and then she pulled back to look straight into his eyes, her lips quivering as she muttered "I love you. I cannot live without you anymore, Arnav"
Wrapping his arms tight against her wet body, Arnav buried his face again her neck "I know. I know. I love you too. You have no idea how difficult these days were for me without you, Khushi". She felt his warm tears on her neck and her own pain relegated as she brought him closer.
Raising his head he looked down at her face, her beautiful eyes and her black wet hair that stuck to her delicate pale neck. His heart quickened as he felt her soft warm body pressed against his own hard one. The realization of having Khushi in his arms suddenly stuck him with an impact, eclipsing all the repellent emotions. Unable to stop himself anymore he bowed his mouth to hers, taking her lips in a soft kiss.
She felt tingling, electric warmth encompassing her body as she reacted to his kiss. She clutched at his shirt tighter at his back, her breath almost stuck in her throat as she savored the warmth his body and love he was bestowing on her. His lips moved gently against her, own and her blood heated in response, roaring and rushing through her body.
It was long after he pulled back and proceeded to press his forehead against hers. Their arms were wrapped tight around each other as they tried to bridge the gulf of this long separation, with soft kisses and frequent words.
"Come. I'll heat food for both of us" Khushi said, pulling back reluctantly from his embrace.
"Babey?" Arnav asked, entwining their fingers.
"She slept early. She said wouldn't be able to stay awake till late so she'll meet you in the morning. Or you can go now and wish her?"
"It's okay. Let her sleep" as they made their way to the kitchen, but then Arnav stopped her with a pull at her elbow "You are wet, Khushi. Let's change first and then we can eat"
She looked down at her drenched profile and her eyes one flickered to her husband's intense ones, feeling shy suddenly. The suit was sticking to her curvaceous form, accentuating her every dip and curve. As moments passed and none moved, they became highly aware of the passionate and carnal air that surrounded them. The yellow haze of lantern shed different emotions on their faces, powerful love and the magic and intoxication slowly burning then into the flames of yearning they felt for each other.
He could feel her holding her breath as she looked down, her fingers tightly fitting around her wetsuit. Seeing her delicate form shudder, Arnav took a step forward and enclosed her closer to him. Raising her head with his finger, he looked straight into her eyes wide brown depths.
"Khushi" he murmured as he softly rubbed the pad of thumb at her bottom lip, before he showered light, whispering kisses from the corner of her eyes to the corner of her trembling mouth. "You are so beautiful" he whispered.
Smiling with bashfulness, she hid her face in the crook of his neck. Inhaling the heady fragrance of her husband snuggled closer to him and kissed the side of his neck on an instinct.
"Khushi..." a desperate whisper left his mouth and then he pushed her back.
Before she could voice her confusion he bent down and picked her up, bridal style.
Her eyes widen in surprise and breath stuck in her lungs as she caught the expression in his eyes. He was marching to their room effortlessly, his movements driven by desire and desire alone.
He kicked the doors of their room open and proceeded to lay her on the pristine white bed. Kissing her gently yet lingeringly once on her lips, he got up and moved towards the doors to latch them, unbuttoning his shirt as he went.
Twilight glimmered on his smooth bare chest, the hard muscles of his abdomen rippled as he removed his shirt and dropped it on the floor before lying beside her on the bed. Leaning over her, he gently caressed her cheek with reverence, before swooping down to claim her full lips in his own demanding ones. It was after a few seconds that he received her hesitant response as she kissed him back, his passion unleashed and reached new heights altogether making her shiver under the feverish caresses on her body. His teeth dragged to the curve of her neck, nipping lightly at the delicate skin, leaving his mark on her. Her mind, body and heart were overcome with pleasure so intense that she gasped and clenched her eyes shut feeling his lips moving lower yet.
Their clothes lay scattered on the floor as they tread together quench their thirst for each other, to reach the unquenchable quest. Her back bowed as she felt a synthesis of desire and anticipation run through her veins, setting her whole body on fire. Arnav showered her whole body with moist kisses, his hands fondling her puckered, round peaks before he moved up to hungrily devour her with his lips.
Harsh winds roared outside in harmony with their harsh breaths, as they tried to reach as closer to each other as they physically could.
"It's going to hurt a little, Khushi" he whispered, his breathing harsh.
When she raised her arms and wound around his neck, in a reassurance, he entered and became one with her with a swift, urgent movement. Her sharp cry was absorbed by his soothing lips as the waited for her to get familiar with him. When she finally opened her eyes again, he wiped the single tear drop from the side of her eyes and silently asked if she was okay. Her answering smile reassured him and then they set into ancient rhythmic dance, as old as time.
Their bodies convulsed in unison, as they reached that pinnacle together. Their heated bodies relaxed in each other's arms, savoring the delicious aftershocks of their mutual passion and love that hit their drenched bodies.
Arnav drew her tightly against him and whispered his worry "Are you okay, Khushi"
"I am alright" she whispered shyly against his chest before drifting into a calm sleep after a whole year of pain.
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The dewy morning of this winter day was crisp and a new sunlight invigorated the entire vistas. Khushi sat leaning against the cool glass, a little smile playing on her lips. They were on their way to Vilayat.
She was happy, Babey was happy and Arnav was with them, finally. They were altogether leaving the place where they brutal past lay buried.
It was hard for Babey, but she made a sacrifice for the happiness of her children. When she had met Arnav on that day, she had cried so much. Her old wrinkled hands did not tire from running again and again on his broad chest, his beloved face. And Arnav had cried with her. Her brave Arnav had broken down for the first time in his grandmother's lap.
But it was all over now. They were leaving everything behind, to move forward and create a new world for themselves. Her Arnav would be happy and she would be happy in his happiness.
She felt a warm arm snaking around her waist and her head turned in the direction of her husband, He was looking at her with so much love that her heart swelled with happiness. His love that took the form of intense passionate hunger in the nights could be so tender in the mornings it almost felt ethereal. But he was real, his love was real and his every touch was real.
"I love you" she muttered.
His eyes glimmered with amusement as he leaned forward, his intentions clear in his eyes.
Her eyes widened as she arched her neck away from his lowering mouth, pleading him silently with her expressions.
In return, he smirked at her but his gaze turned soft and he very gently kissed her forehead. At her sigh in relief, he chuckled lightly, earning a smack on his chest.
"I love you too" he whispered, pressing her knuckles to his lips.
Before she could reply, they heard Babey's deadpanned voice "Hmmm... I am defiantly getting great-grandchildren sooner than I expected"
Khushi's face turned tomato red and pulled away from Arnav. Arnav coughed violently, for once not having any mischievous comeback. He hadn't expected his Babey to tease them about this.
Babey then looked at them and whispered: "May you both have all the happiness of the world."
Their fingers twisted together as they looked into each other's eyes. "I hope I can give you all you ever desire for, Khushi. I hope I can keep my promise"
"You have already done that Arnav. My every desire is you and my every wish is you. I have everything now" she whispered and then snuggled closer into her husband's chest and he hugged her tighter in return.
And the together they rode off into the sunset, embarking a new journey, in a hope to find a happily ever after on their way...
A/N: I can't believe SAR ends today, once again. Thanks to each one of you for making this experience as good as it was the first time around. The love this story has got will stay with me forever. As most of you already know this story is very close to me. To see people truly appreciate it, makes me feel like a proud Momma :D This final chapter is dedicated to each one of you who read it with me once again. Thank you for being here. Thank you for making this thread memorable. I can see myself coming back here again and again to read all the heartwarming comments.
One more thing, since I won't be writing any epilogue for this story, as I truly feel that the story has ended at a right point, I will answer any and all the questions you guys have in regards to these characters- their life in Vilayat or anything that you are even remotely curious about. If no question, then, this is a wrap!
PS: I am yet to reply to all the amazing comments on the previous chapter. So, I'll do the answering and replying tomorrow! One more day with SAR then
One Love
Pakhe
Edited by Cattywampus - 10 years ago
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