Part 14
Arnav's Realization.
Arnav got up at 4:00 a.m. in the morning and saw Khushi beside him. It was still dark but as it was a full moon night and the curtains were not drawn he could see her face. He remembered that he had slept after taking the medicine. Khuhi must have come back after he slept.
He turned towards her to look at her properly. She looked so beautiful and innocent as she slept. He remembered the hurt he had seen in her eyes. He knew he had wronged her and he had been unjust with her when he married her thinking that she had an affair with Shyam.
He had confronted Shyam and believed his version and never gave that chance to Khushi. He didn't even tell her reason behind the forced marriage. When she told him the truth he did not believe her. How could he be so blind? He knew that Shyam was a scoundrel and yet he believed him and did not believe Khushi. He had accused her of being a gold digger and yet she was the only person who was not affected by his wealth.
He punished only Khushi while that scoundrel did not receive any punishment. She was forcefully brought in his house as his bride, she did not have clothes to wear for a few days till buaji came with her clothes and he did not even bother (thanks to Anjali who gave Khushi her clothes), everyone was angry with her including him, he threw her out of his room on their Suhagraat, she was made to sleep by the poolside and was on the receiving end of his snide remarks while that scoundrel Shyam enjoyed all the comforts in Shantivan.
She was alone and yet she did not loose hope and won back the hearts of everyone but him. Well '''..who was he kidding? She had actually made a place for herself in his heart also even if he was not ready to accept the fact. He had secretly admired her resilience and he had loved her even while hating her. His mind and heart were not in sync. Yes '..he had realized that he had a heart and it was all because of Khushi.
The day he realized that Khushi was innocent he was overjoyed. At last he was at peace that he could freely love the person who had become the center of his life but what did he do? He blamed her again for ruining Anjali's life when Anjali tried to commit suicide. He knew that Anjali had gone through a lot in her life but how could he forget that Khushi had suffered more and yet she stood strong. He did not even let her go when she wanted to get out of their lives. Poor soul'..she must have been so confused. What was her fault if that lecherous leech fell for her? She did what any decent girl would do. She broke her engagement and tried to stay away from him and yet she was blamed and punished and when the truth came out she was asked to stay away from Anjali as if it was her fault.
Even when he realized his love for her he could not stop himself from forcing her all the time. Well''.he was not used to tender feelings and he did all he could to stop her but that is not the excuse for forcing someone.
He remembered the day had forced her to come back to him by locking up buaji's house and asking her to leave with her family if she did not agree with his terms. He remembered the tears of helplessness in her eyes. He loved her then and yet he had humiliated her. His only excuse was that he knew that she loved him and even she was unhappy staying away from him but he still felt guilty when he used his money and power against her. Even in the process of winning her back he had not failed to make her realize that she was poor and she did not stand a chance in front of the mighty ASR.
In reality she had already defeated him long ago with love but he could not let her know that' could he? He could not let her know that he was vulnerable where she was concerned. It didn't go with his image. Mighty ASR defeated by a slip of a girl? He smiled at Khushi. He had been so mean to her and yet she forgave him. Anyone else would have hated him. She was the sweetest person he knew.
She looked adorable in her sleep. He touched her cheeks with his fingers.
Arnav (wispering) ' I am sorry Khushi.
He knew that he could do anything for her but Khushi always wanted the impossible, something that was beyond the mighty ASR's powers. She wanted him to forgive Garima. How could he? He could have forgiven Garima if his mother was alive but how could he forgive Garima on behalf of his dead mother. His mother's life was ruined and she died because of Garima. How could he forgive Garima for the broken marriage of Anjali? How could he forgive Garima on behalf of Anjali, who lost her mother on the day of her marriage? How could he forgive Garima on behalf of his naniji who lost her daughter? He could have forgiven Garima for Khushi but it was not his prerogative. He was carrying the burden of the unhappiness and tragedy of his family. He could not forgive Garima on behalf of his whole family. It was because of her selfishness that the lives of the ones he loved were ruined. He could not betray the memory of his dead mother by forgiving Garima. If only'.If only Garima was innocent? '''
Arnav knew that he could not give Khushi what she wanted but he would make her understand his point of view. He would make her see what he went through after the death of his parents and then he would make her love him again by showing her his vulnerable side, by showing her a glimpse of the scared 14 year old Arnav who lost his parents, who was thrown out of his own house and who had to take up the responsibility of his family at the age when boys enjoy their lives. He was a little confused as he found himself in unfamiliar territory. He had never shown his vulnerable side to anyone, not even his Di.
Arnav (whispering to a sleeping Khushi) ' I will do whatever it takes but I will win you back my love.
He smiled and reached for her hand. He held her hand as he slept.
I know that this part is small but I did not get much time during the weekend.
Please do like and comment.
Mahadev And Sons
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