Khushi had been sat with Payal, Akash, Di, Nani and even Mami for the past few hours in Arnav's and her own room. They'd caught Khushi up with anything that she had missed, which had been little. For the most of it they joked around until Akash suggested showing Khushi Payal's and his wedding DVD.
"After all Bhabi you did miss most of it." He said jokingly and Khushi grimaced. Arnav was sat further away from everyone trying to focus on his work when his ears picked up on this.
"Arre Jiju don't call me Bhabi, I'm you're wirfe's sister before I am you're brother's wife." Khushi said stubbornly and Arnav looked up at her. She caught his eye and steadied a look as he raised an eyebrow questioningly.
"Erm Bhabi I'd rather upset you rather than take on Bhai." Akash said as he got up to put the DVD, raising his hand in surrender. Khushi gasped and Arnav smirked. Everyone else laughed and Khushi sulked. Akash sat down next to Payal as the DVD began to play, it started with the Haldi. Khushi clasped her hands and laughed.
"Di, I didn't realise you were the one who put Haldi on Arnav's face." Khushi said happily and Anjali smiled looking up at her.
"Of course it was me, who else could get away with that?" Anjali said proudly until Arnav shot her a glare and Anjali abruptly stopped laughing, unlike Khushi.
"I wouldn't smile too much Khushi, maybe your head injury is making you forget what happened next." He said through gritted teeth, Khushi was confused until she looked up at the t.v. to see a shot of an angry Khushi and arrogant Arnav. This was after he'd used her dupatta to wipe his face.
"Arre Bhabi why do you look so angry? Is Bhai, is he smiling?" Akash said shocked, having never focused on this part of the DVD before. Khushi looked up at her husband who looked just as smug now as he did on the film.
"Ha, ha. Yeh toh smile karega, humari dupatta jo bigarke rakha tah." Khushi said angrily at the memory of it, she loved that suit and he'd gone and ruined it. Everyone was confused. Khushi sighed. "He used my dupatta to clean his face." Khushi said and everyone began to laugh once again.
"Arre Khushi bityiya yeh humare Arnav bitua ka style zara differentwa hai. Hello hi bye bye, duppatta churate nahi duppata ko lekhen apna facewa ponchda hai." Mamiji said unable to control her laughter.
Khushi would have been angry normally but seeing her family like this, as one, happily spending time together, it felt so right and she'd missed it so much. So what id the fun was at her expense, she wouldn't have had it any other way. Arnav caught the look of endearment on Khushi's face as she looked onto the family and knew she mirrored the same feelings he held in his heart. Arnav often found it hard to say things and express what he felt but Khushi seemed to just know what he held inside without even realising she had the ability to. It was one of the many things he loved about her. He excused himself as he was getting a phone call, knowing fully well his absence wouldn't be missed that much now that everyone's "Khushi" was back.
"Yeah Aman tell me." Arnav said, Aman began prattling on about stocks, investors and how AR could benefit from a bit more publicity at the moment. Arnav noted all this but his attention began to wane as he spotted Shyam pacing back and forth downstairs. Arnav hid behind a corner close enough so he could hear Shyam's vague mutterings.
"Everyone's enjoying upstairs, meh toh uppar jah nahin sakta uss kaminey Arnav ke vajaa se." Shyam cursed, Arnav disconnected his call to Aman and turned his phone off, his fists balled up. "Aur Rani Sahiba bi, "Chalo Khushi ke saath tohra waqt guzaare" Arre hum toh usi ki saath zindagi guzarne hai, tumhare saath nahi." Shyam said, Arnav's anger rose, he knew it was not right to hit him, Di would become suspicious to why her husband kept getting hurt but Arnav really felt the need to.
"Saab kuch tik hota abb aggar mere plan ki mutabik Arnav uss accident margaye hota. Lekin woh kambaqt bewakoof neh humare Khushiji ko saath legein aur usse choht paunchaye thi." Shyam said and hit his fist against a wall. Arnav couldn't believe his ears, Shyam? Shyam was the one who cut his brakes. Shyam was the one who caused the accident. Shyam was the reason Khushi was in this state. Arnav couldn't take it, he was about to storm up to Shyam and teach him a lesson when he realised. He had no proof, whatever words just came out of Shyam's mouth could easily be denied and he was a lawyer after all. No Arnav had to be clever about this. He would keep this to himself for now, telling Khushi would only frighten her and right now she didn't need that. There was no one else he could really tell, was there? On that note Shyam stormed out of the house angrily and Arnav turned back to go to his room.
Arnav walked back in but paused by the door frame as everyone was immersed in the DVD.
"Awh, Jiji kitne sundhar lagre nah?" Khushi cooed and everyone agreed including Mamiji. Apparently since Khushi's accident Mamiji had become more tolerant of the Gupta sisters, she even expressed a caring side and this had only grown since Khushi had come back. Arnav signalled for Akash to join him outside, Akash got up and followed his brother outside. Akash could see the concern on his brother's face and began to worry.
"Bhai what's wrong?" Akash asked, he began to feel tense.
"Akash I'm about to tell you something that you more than likely don't want to hear but its necessary you hear this." Arnav said, Akash nodded and Arnav began to tell the sorded tale of their brother-in-law's antics. How Shyam had supposedly "saved" Khushi from gundhe in Lucknow, then followed her here finding lodgings in Buaji's house, then how he manipulated the family during Shashi uncle's illness to force an engagement to Khushi and then how Khushi broke it off but he had become obsessive to the extent where he had tried to kill Arnav. Akash was in shock, he knew his brother would never lie about something so serious but Jijaji? He'd only ever treated Di like a Queen and was always so loving towards this family. He couldn't believe that was all a show, just so he could get his hands on their money? But he trusted his brother.
"What are you going to do now, Bhai? Akash asked dumbfounded, he couldn't understand how Bhabi and Bhai had been dealing so well with this this whole time.
"I don't know Akash. He's smart, we need to plan something to catch him out, to show his reality to everyone before he does something worse than what he already has." Arnav shuddered to think of how Khushi's state had been a mere twenty four hours ago.
"Whatever you need Bhai I'm here for you 100%." Akash said putting his hand on Arnav's shoulder. Arnav looked up and saw Akash standing up as a man today. Akash had seen enough damage happen in this family and he was willing to do anything to protect it. Arnav felt proud to see Akash like this but Arnav also feared what was to come.
Read more of this here.
Sunday, 11 March 2012
Saturday, 10 March 2012
Dark Paradise Chapter Twenty
It was a little after lunchtime and Khushi was beginning to get aggitated, the Doctor had said they could start her little walks but Arnav kept avoiding it. He was sat in their room on his laptop while talking to Aman on his bluetooth.
"Yeah Aman I don't care if they're saying three weeks it should take one. Remind them that they're working with Arnav Singh Raizada." He said and disconnected the call. Khushi was nibbling on an apple, there was a random saas bahu serial on that Khushi wasn't watching. She was staring intently at Arnav.
"Arnav, can I please get up now?" Khushi whined.
"One minute Khushi just let me finish this email." Arnav said without looking up. Khushi was fuming now, he'd already said one minute to her three hours ago. First it was after he sent this fax, then after he spoke to Aman and now after this email.
"Hai Devi Maiyaa mein kya karu iss bhudoo ke saath?" Khushi said loud enough for Arnav to hear.
"Khushi." He said in a warning tone, he would take her for a walk but he knew she'd want to go downstairs. She'd then start talking to everyone for hours, she'd get overexcited and over-exert herself and get worse. Arnav was just trying to put it off a bit longer until everyone was going to leave for the Mandhir, Nani wanted to go do a pooja to thank God for giving them Khushi back. Of course Khushi couldn't go and Arnav would obviously stay back with her. If she would just wait a little longer everyone would leave and then he would take her for her exercise. Khushi didn't know this was his plan because if she did she would have created a huge drama. Arnav knew Khushi would have been fine sitting in bed all day as long as she could blabber her bakwaas to someone. That's why she was so desperate to go downstairs she wanted to let out all her silliness that she held restrained in front of Arnav. Khushi let out a large exhale, Arnav continued working, she exhaled again with more emphasis. Then she began to groan loudly. Arnav froze for a minute, he looked at her shooting a warning glance. Khushi had seen that look before and she knew to stop now before the "what the-" and the "KHUSHI!" dialogues started. Arnav's phone rang and he answered it.
"Hello, ha Akash... Tum log gaaye?... Ok, thanks. Bye." Arnav said and Khushi's interest peaked.
"Jijaji ka phone tah?" Khushi asked and Arnav nodded. "Kaha gaye?" She asked. Arnav sent his email and put his laptop away.
"Saab aaj Mandhir gaye hai." Arnav said standing over her with his arms folded.
"Mandhir gaye hai? Yannee ke neeche abh kohi nahi hai?" Khushi asked and Arnav nodded. Khushi began to sulk pouting her lips. Arnav smiled his guess had turned out right. He held his hand out towards her.
"Come on Khushi, lets go." He said softly.
"Mujhe nahi jaana kohi walk shalk ke liye. Khaas thor se tumhare saath to bilkul bhi nahi." She said and she turned her face away from his.
"Khushi don't be a child. Doctor said we have to get you up and walking again. Come on." He said again but Khushi did not face him. He walked over to the other side of the bed and she turned away again. "Khushi, stop it! If you don't get up now then I will-"
"Tum kya?" She asked turning to face him her eyes narrowed into a beady stare.
"I will tell Hari Prakash to bin all the Jalebis I had him prepare today for when we walked out to the poolside." He said and Khushi gasped. It had been so long since she'd had a Jalebi, her mouth was watering at the idea of it. But this was all part of his plan, get her to walk to the poolside and back to the bed where she'd spend the rest of the day silently watching t.v. with no one to talk to.
"Mujhe nahi jaana." Khushi said pulling the blanket over her head. Arnav sighed and pulled it off.
"When everyone gets back they can come and talk to you for a while, I'll need a break by then." He said. Khushi wasn't sure whether to be happy that she would be able to catch up with everyone or angry that he admitted he would need a break from her. She gave in, she lifted her hand and placed it in his. He crouched down and pulled her arm around his shoulders, with the other hand he slid it around her waist and began to help lift her up. Khushi's knees were shaking as she stood on her feet but Arnav held her securely. Arnav looked at Khushi's face, she seemed upset.
"Kya hua?" He asked and Khushi looked up at him helplessly.
"Hum tik hojayenge nah?" Khushi asked. Arnav sighed.
"Khushi tum bhi nah, zyada drama maath karo. Doctor neh kaha khi tum tik hogi. Shuroo main aisa hi hota. Now come." He said as he took a step forward, he waited as Khushi hesitantly put her foot forward and made her shaking body follow. Slowly but surely they made their way to the poolside, Arnav gently sat Khushi down on the lounger and he pulled a chair next to her while lifting a plate full of Jalebis and holding it out to her. Arnav could see the toll the short walk had, had on her. Her cheeks were red, her breathing deep and strained. But as soon as Khushi saw the Jalebia her heart began to soar. She grabbed them excitedly and began to eat them relishing every morsel. She even licked the syrup off of her hands, usually Arnav would have looked down on this sort of behaviour but he knew Khushi couldn't help herself. She paused for a moment.
"The last time I had a Jalebi was-" Khushi stopped as she recalled the morning of the accident when Arnav had made her Jalebis, she looked at him and knew he was remembering that also. They both became sombre as they remembered the accident. Khushi decided to lighten the mood.
"Aap nah bohut boore pathi hoon." She said and Arnav looked up at her accusingly.
"What the-? Main...aur bad husband?" He asked becoming angry, how many husbands would do all this for their melodramatic wives?
"Ji." Khushi replied abruptly.
"Ok, give me a reason why." He demanded.
"You never told me what the surprise was that day." Khushi said and she began to laugh.
"Arnav we can't always look back on that day and become sad, remember it was actually a very lovely day. We need to think hah, hadzaa hua lekin abb hum tik hai." Khushi said as she brushed her hand against his cheek, Arnav closed his eyes and nodded in agreement. "Toh bataon mera surprise kya tah uss din?" Khushi asked excitedly and Arnav rolled his eyes.
"Well Mrs. Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada. I was driving you out to a guest house we have on the outskirts of Delhi. We were going to spend the day together just you and I alone, with nobody." Arnav said as he recalled all the arrangements he'd made. "I'd asked Payal what your favourite movies were, I bought them all and they were waiting in case you felt like a movie, I had all your favourite songs on a CD if you felt like a romantic dance and I had a chef make all your favourite foods because I knew you'd want to eat." He said smiling and he looked up to Khushi who was smiling but she had tears streaming down her face.
"Hey, hey. Kya hua?" He said brushing her tears away from her soft cheeks.
"Nahi baas woh aisi." Khushi said trying to brush it off.
"Tell you what Khushi, when you're better we'll celebrate with that same surprise. I promise." Arnav said and Khushi smiled. She couldn't believe this was the same man she'd met in Lucknow all that time ago. Once you got past the hard exterior he put on for the rest of the world Arnav Singh Raizada was sweet and caring and romantic. Khushi felt so lucky, she had qualms when she first entered into this marriage with Arnav but now she felt like it was the best decision she'd ever made.
Read more of this here.
"Yeah Aman I don't care if they're saying three weeks it should take one. Remind them that they're working with Arnav Singh Raizada." He said and disconnected the call. Khushi was nibbling on an apple, there was a random saas bahu serial on that Khushi wasn't watching. She was staring intently at Arnav.
"Arnav, can I please get up now?" Khushi whined.
"One minute Khushi just let me finish this email." Arnav said without looking up. Khushi was fuming now, he'd already said one minute to her three hours ago. First it was after he sent this fax, then after he spoke to Aman and now after this email.
"Hai Devi Maiyaa mein kya karu iss bhudoo ke saath?" Khushi said loud enough for Arnav to hear.
"Khushi." He said in a warning tone, he would take her for a walk but he knew she'd want to go downstairs. She'd then start talking to everyone for hours, she'd get overexcited and over-exert herself and get worse. Arnav was just trying to put it off a bit longer until everyone was going to leave for the Mandhir, Nani wanted to go do a pooja to thank God for giving them Khushi back. Of course Khushi couldn't go and Arnav would obviously stay back with her. If she would just wait a little longer everyone would leave and then he would take her for her exercise. Khushi didn't know this was his plan because if she did she would have created a huge drama. Arnav knew Khushi would have been fine sitting in bed all day as long as she could blabber her bakwaas to someone. That's why she was so desperate to go downstairs she wanted to let out all her silliness that she held restrained in front of Arnav. Khushi let out a large exhale, Arnav continued working, she exhaled again with more emphasis. Then she began to groan loudly. Arnav froze for a minute, he looked at her shooting a warning glance. Khushi had seen that look before and she knew to stop now before the "what the-" and the "KHUSHI!" dialogues started. Arnav's phone rang and he answered it.
"Hello, ha Akash... Tum log gaaye?... Ok, thanks. Bye." Arnav said and Khushi's interest peaked.
"Jijaji ka phone tah?" Khushi asked and Arnav nodded. "Kaha gaye?" She asked. Arnav sent his email and put his laptop away.
"Saab aaj Mandhir gaye hai." Arnav said standing over her with his arms folded.
"Mandhir gaye hai? Yannee ke neeche abh kohi nahi hai?" Khushi asked and Arnav nodded. Khushi began to sulk pouting her lips. Arnav smiled his guess had turned out right. He held his hand out towards her.
"Come on Khushi, lets go." He said softly.
"Mujhe nahi jaana kohi walk shalk ke liye. Khaas thor se tumhare saath to bilkul bhi nahi." She said and she turned her face away from his.
"Khushi don't be a child. Doctor said we have to get you up and walking again. Come on." He said again but Khushi did not face him. He walked over to the other side of the bed and she turned away again. "Khushi, stop it! If you don't get up now then I will-"
"Tum kya?" She asked turning to face him her eyes narrowed into a beady stare.
"I will tell Hari Prakash to bin all the Jalebis I had him prepare today for when we walked out to the poolside." He said and Khushi gasped. It had been so long since she'd had a Jalebi, her mouth was watering at the idea of it. But this was all part of his plan, get her to walk to the poolside and back to the bed where she'd spend the rest of the day silently watching t.v. with no one to talk to.
"Mujhe nahi jaana." Khushi said pulling the blanket over her head. Arnav sighed and pulled it off.
"When everyone gets back they can come and talk to you for a while, I'll need a break by then." He said. Khushi wasn't sure whether to be happy that she would be able to catch up with everyone or angry that he admitted he would need a break from her. She gave in, she lifted her hand and placed it in his. He crouched down and pulled her arm around his shoulders, with the other hand he slid it around her waist and began to help lift her up. Khushi's knees were shaking as she stood on her feet but Arnav held her securely. Arnav looked at Khushi's face, she seemed upset.
"Kya hua?" He asked and Khushi looked up at him helplessly.
"Hum tik hojayenge nah?" Khushi asked. Arnav sighed.
"Khushi tum bhi nah, zyada drama maath karo. Doctor neh kaha khi tum tik hogi. Shuroo main aisa hi hota. Now come." He said as he took a step forward, he waited as Khushi hesitantly put her foot forward and made her shaking body follow. Slowly but surely they made their way to the poolside, Arnav gently sat Khushi down on the lounger and he pulled a chair next to her while lifting a plate full of Jalebis and holding it out to her. Arnav could see the toll the short walk had, had on her. Her cheeks were red, her breathing deep and strained. But as soon as Khushi saw the Jalebia her heart began to soar. She grabbed them excitedly and began to eat them relishing every morsel. She even licked the syrup off of her hands, usually Arnav would have looked down on this sort of behaviour but he knew Khushi couldn't help herself. She paused for a moment.
"The last time I had a Jalebi was-" Khushi stopped as she recalled the morning of the accident when Arnav had made her Jalebis, she looked at him and knew he was remembering that also. They both became sombre as they remembered the accident. Khushi decided to lighten the mood.
"Aap nah bohut boore pathi hoon." She said and Arnav looked up at her accusingly.
"What the-? Main...aur bad husband?" He asked becoming angry, how many husbands would do all this for their melodramatic wives?
"Ji." Khushi replied abruptly.
"Ok, give me a reason why." He demanded.
"You never told me what the surprise was that day." Khushi said and she began to laugh.
"Arnav we can't always look back on that day and become sad, remember it was actually a very lovely day. We need to think hah, hadzaa hua lekin abb hum tik hai." Khushi said as she brushed her hand against his cheek, Arnav closed his eyes and nodded in agreement. "Toh bataon mera surprise kya tah uss din?" Khushi asked excitedly and Arnav rolled his eyes.
"Well Mrs. Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada. I was driving you out to a guest house we have on the outskirts of Delhi. We were going to spend the day together just you and I alone, with nobody." Arnav said as he recalled all the arrangements he'd made. "I'd asked Payal what your favourite movies were, I bought them all and they were waiting in case you felt like a movie, I had all your favourite songs on a CD if you felt like a romantic dance and I had a chef make all your favourite foods because I knew you'd want to eat." He said smiling and he looked up to Khushi who was smiling but she had tears streaming down her face.
"Hey, hey. Kya hua?" He said brushing her tears away from her soft cheeks.
"Nahi baas woh aisi." Khushi said trying to brush it off.
"Tell you what Khushi, when you're better we'll celebrate with that same surprise. I promise." Arnav said and Khushi smiled. She couldn't believe this was the same man she'd met in Lucknow all that time ago. Once you got past the hard exterior he put on for the rest of the world Arnav Singh Raizada was sweet and caring and romantic. Khushi felt so lucky, she had qualms when she first entered into this marriage with Arnav but now she felt like it was the best decision she'd ever made.
Read more of this here.
Thursday, 8 March 2012
Dark Paradise Chapter Nineteen
Arnav gently placed Khushi on the bed, he was so afraid, this wasn't the same strong headed Khushi, she was still weak and frail from the accident, as much as she may deny it. He knew she'd be okay eventually but he hated seeing her like this. Khushi caught onto his off mood and placed her hand on his cheek.
"Aren't you happy I'm home?" Khushi asked in a small voice, Arnav sighed and half smiled. He placed his hand on hers.
"You know its not that Jaan, I'm just worried that's all." He said attempting to shake it off, the last thing he needed was Khushi getting stressed. "Anyway I have to go there's something I have to do." Arnav said as he abruptly got up.
"Kya?!" Khushi said in shock. "But I only just got home-" She complained.
"Khushi I wouldn't go unless its urgent, try to understand. Payal and Di are here for you anyway, I'll be back before you know it." He said, he ducked slightly to kiss Khushi on the forehead, in-between the crease of her brow where she was frowning and he quickly left.
"Yeh Laad Governor bhi na, khabi nahi suderenge!" Khushi complained to herself, Payal entered in with a tray of juice and fruits. She sat beside her sister smiling at her.
"Pattah hai Khushi hum saab ne aapko bohut miss kiye. Khabi khabi rona bhi aatha tah. Lekin aaj hum saab bohut kush hai!" Payal said to her sister as she held Khushi's hand in her own.
"Tum saab ne miss kiya toh hoga. Arnav ne toh nahin kiya." Khushi said angrily.
"Dut! Pagli. Do you even know how much he missed you? Tumhe andazza bhi nahi hoga. Din raath yaha, issi kamare main Devdas banke rora tah. Tumhare yaad mein. Nah kaata tah, naa boltha tah, bahar bhi nahin jaata tumse visit karne ke bhager. Ek dum maraa hua insaan tah. Aur tum ho ki-" Payal shook her head and Khushi's eyes had welled up. She hadn't realised it had been that bad, she began to feel guilty even though it wasn't her fault but she didn't want Payal to catch her out.
"Ha, lekin abh mein ghar agayee. Where has he gone now?" Khushi demanded, Payal looked around discreetly, Khushi followed her gaze, there was no one there. Payal moved closer to Khushi.
"Mandhir gaaya hai." Payal whispered and Khushi hit Payal playfully.
"Aisa mazaak nahi karte Jiji!" Khushi warned.
"Main mazzak nahi kari. Such main. Arnavji neh manaat maangi thi. If you got better he would go to the Mandhir and do a darshan, at a Devi Maiyaa Mandhir also, just for you." Payal said and Khushi was floored. Arnav Singh Raizada who found it hard to even put his hands together and say sorry to a human had gone to a Mandhir to thank someone, not someone but God, a religious belief he never had. Khushi smiled to herself, he really does love me doesn't he?
Arnav had gotten stuck in rush hour traffic on the way home and arrived in time for Khushi's seven 'o' clock evening check up. He raced upstairs ignoring Nani's numerous bellows to eat something first. He burst into his room apologising franticly.
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry Jaan. There was traffic and this stupid guy who kept cutting me off-" Arnav said in an aggravated tone as he took a seat next to Khushi on the bed. He then looked to the doctor. "How's she doing doctor?" Arnav asked worriedly. The doctor smiled.
"Darni khi kohi baath nahi. We'll have Khushi do some mentally strenous challenges to get her brain functioning smoothly and if you just have her walk a little now and then that will help her physically. Not too much though, only as much as she can handle, she'll need support at first also." The doctor warned and Arnav mentally noted all this. Khushi wasn't listening to the Doctor, she was smiling at the blatant attempts Arnav had made to disguise his trip to the Mandhir. His red tikka had been smeared with his handkerchief, there was still a slight redness to his forehead and Khushi could see the stained handkerchief in his pocket. She saw how dutiful he had become and how serious he was about taking care of Khushi. He even apologised for being late. Arnav Singh Raizada apologised...she couldn't believe it. Arnav showed the doctor out and then came back upstairs lying down onto the bed, he felt exhausted. It had been an emotionally draining few weeks and he was glad that it was over now. Khushi stroked his hair gently as he had gently rested his head in her lap.
"You know Khushi this is what I missed most." Arnav murmured.
"Hmmm?"Khushi responded.
"Just spending time with you, not needing to say anything and you already knowing what to do. You just, you make everything better." He admitted, she looked down at him, she knew he was tired and it was probably more that and how much he had missed her that coaxed this reaction out of him. Either way she was happy to be back. Meanwhile Anjali noticed how quiet Shyam had been all evening. Ever since Chotte had come back from the hospital her husband had become awfully quiet and stayed out of the way a lot.
"Saab, tik hai nah?" She asked Shyam, he nodded and she continued putting the clothes away. Not once did he say, "No you sit, I'll do that, its bad for the baby." Nor did he attend doctor's appointments, read books with her, go shopping with her, think of names for the baby with her. He did nothing at all he didn't even talk about the baby. At first Anjali thought it was the nerves of being a father but really he should have expressed some interest by now. But as usual she pushed it away trying to think of other more pleasant things, like the fact Khushi was home and now everything would be okay.
Khushi was bored of lying in bed, its all she'd been doing since she got back.
"Khushi we'll start the walks tomorrow, don't push yourself." Arnav moaned.
"But I'm bored. Meh kohi sabji hoon kya joh vegetable ki tarah lethin raho." Khushi groaned and Arnav raised his hand to his head, yeh ladki bhi nah, always food food food.
"Why don't you watch a movie then?" Arnav suggested and Khushi began to mull on that.
"Tik hai, remote dedho." Khushi said and Arnav handed it to her. She began flicking through the channels until she stumbled across and old looking film. Well not old, maybe 80's. There was a girl singing to a pigeon and Arnav had no idea what was going on.
"What the-" Arnav began.
"Shhhhhhhhhh! Its Maine Pyar Kiya Arnav." Khushi said as if he was an alien for not understanding.
"Yeh kya hai? Why is she singing to a bird?" Arnav asked bemused.
"Shhhhhh. Hai!" Khushi said longingly as Salman Khan came on screen. "Hero ho, toh aisa ho. Kya style hai, uff!" Khushi said happily. Arnav began feeling uncomfortable.
"Salman Khan, really?" Arnav said questioningly, with an undertone of bitterness.
"Hah! Bachpaan se yeh mere saathi raha." Khushi said matter of factly, Arnav moved away from Khushi. "Arre, aab kya hua?" Khushi asked.
"You obviously don't need me, why don't you ask your "saathiji" to look after you. Baath karthi hai-" Arnav muttered angrily. Khushi smiled, Arnav was jealous.
"Nahi, yeh toh kuch nahi hai. My new saathi is much better, after all I don't remember Salman Khan ever going to the Mandhir for me." Khushi said and Arnav turned sharply with shock in his eyes.
"How did you know-" Arnav began and Khushi smiled.
"I have spies everywhere Mr. Raizada. Jhoot maath bhol, mere liye gaaye teh, nah?" Khushi asked, Arnav looked down and nodded.
"Yahaan ah." Khushi said softly, Arnav still cast his eyes low and sat next to her on the bed. Khushi wrapped her arms around him and kissed him lightly on the lips.
"I love you." She said earnestly, Arnav looked up into her eyes and smiled.
"I love you too." He said with just as much truth as she had, they settled into bed and even though Arnav thought the movie was stupid and unrealistic he watched it happily just because it bought a smile to Khushi's lips.
Read more of this here.
"Aren't you happy I'm home?" Khushi asked in a small voice, Arnav sighed and half smiled. He placed his hand on hers.
"You know its not that Jaan, I'm just worried that's all." He said attempting to shake it off, the last thing he needed was Khushi getting stressed. "Anyway I have to go there's something I have to do." Arnav said as he abruptly got up.
"Kya?!" Khushi said in shock. "But I only just got home-" She complained.
"Khushi I wouldn't go unless its urgent, try to understand. Payal and Di are here for you anyway, I'll be back before you know it." He said, he ducked slightly to kiss Khushi on the forehead, in-between the crease of her brow where she was frowning and he quickly left.
"Yeh Laad Governor bhi na, khabi nahi suderenge!" Khushi complained to herself, Payal entered in with a tray of juice and fruits. She sat beside her sister smiling at her.
"Pattah hai Khushi hum saab ne aapko bohut miss kiye. Khabi khabi rona bhi aatha tah. Lekin aaj hum saab bohut kush hai!" Payal said to her sister as she held Khushi's hand in her own.
"Tum saab ne miss kiya toh hoga. Arnav ne toh nahin kiya." Khushi said angrily.
"Dut! Pagli. Do you even know how much he missed you? Tumhe andazza bhi nahi hoga. Din raath yaha, issi kamare main Devdas banke rora tah. Tumhare yaad mein. Nah kaata tah, naa boltha tah, bahar bhi nahin jaata tumse visit karne ke bhager. Ek dum maraa hua insaan tah. Aur tum ho ki-" Payal shook her head and Khushi's eyes had welled up. She hadn't realised it had been that bad, she began to feel guilty even though it wasn't her fault but she didn't want Payal to catch her out.
"Ha, lekin abh mein ghar agayee. Where has he gone now?" Khushi demanded, Payal looked around discreetly, Khushi followed her gaze, there was no one there. Payal moved closer to Khushi.
"Mandhir gaaya hai." Payal whispered and Khushi hit Payal playfully.
"Aisa mazaak nahi karte Jiji!" Khushi warned.
"Main mazzak nahi kari. Such main. Arnavji neh manaat maangi thi. If you got better he would go to the Mandhir and do a darshan, at a Devi Maiyaa Mandhir also, just for you." Payal said and Khushi was floored. Arnav Singh Raizada who found it hard to even put his hands together and say sorry to a human had gone to a Mandhir to thank someone, not someone but God, a religious belief he never had. Khushi smiled to herself, he really does love me doesn't he?
Arnav had gotten stuck in rush hour traffic on the way home and arrived in time for Khushi's seven 'o' clock evening check up. He raced upstairs ignoring Nani's numerous bellows to eat something first. He burst into his room apologising franticly.
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry Jaan. There was traffic and this stupid guy who kept cutting me off-" Arnav said in an aggravated tone as he took a seat next to Khushi on the bed. He then looked to the doctor. "How's she doing doctor?" Arnav asked worriedly. The doctor smiled.
"Darni khi kohi baath nahi. We'll have Khushi do some mentally strenous challenges to get her brain functioning smoothly and if you just have her walk a little now and then that will help her physically. Not too much though, only as much as she can handle, she'll need support at first also." The doctor warned and Arnav mentally noted all this. Khushi wasn't listening to the Doctor, she was smiling at the blatant attempts Arnav had made to disguise his trip to the Mandhir. His red tikka had been smeared with his handkerchief, there was still a slight redness to his forehead and Khushi could see the stained handkerchief in his pocket. She saw how dutiful he had become and how serious he was about taking care of Khushi. He even apologised for being late. Arnav Singh Raizada apologised...she couldn't believe it. Arnav showed the doctor out and then came back upstairs lying down onto the bed, he felt exhausted. It had been an emotionally draining few weeks and he was glad that it was over now. Khushi stroked his hair gently as he had gently rested his head in her lap.
"You know Khushi this is what I missed most." Arnav murmured.
"Hmmm?"Khushi responded.
"Just spending time with you, not needing to say anything and you already knowing what to do. You just, you make everything better." He admitted, she looked down at him, she knew he was tired and it was probably more that and how much he had missed her that coaxed this reaction out of him. Either way she was happy to be back. Meanwhile Anjali noticed how quiet Shyam had been all evening. Ever since Chotte had come back from the hospital her husband had become awfully quiet and stayed out of the way a lot.
"Saab, tik hai nah?" She asked Shyam, he nodded and she continued putting the clothes away. Not once did he say, "No you sit, I'll do that, its bad for the baby." Nor did he attend doctor's appointments, read books with her, go shopping with her, think of names for the baby with her. He did nothing at all he didn't even talk about the baby. At first Anjali thought it was the nerves of being a father but really he should have expressed some interest by now. But as usual she pushed it away trying to think of other more pleasant things, like the fact Khushi was home and now everything would be okay.
Khushi was bored of lying in bed, its all she'd been doing since she got back.
"Khushi we'll start the walks tomorrow, don't push yourself." Arnav moaned.
"But I'm bored. Meh kohi sabji hoon kya joh vegetable ki tarah lethin raho." Khushi groaned and Arnav raised his hand to his head, yeh ladki bhi nah, always food food food.
"Why don't you watch a movie then?" Arnav suggested and Khushi began to mull on that.
"Tik hai, remote dedho." Khushi said and Arnav handed it to her. She began flicking through the channels until she stumbled across and old looking film. Well not old, maybe 80's. There was a girl singing to a pigeon and Arnav had no idea what was going on.
"What the-" Arnav began.
"Shhhhhhhhhh! Its Maine Pyar Kiya Arnav." Khushi said as if he was an alien for not understanding.
"Yeh kya hai? Why is she singing to a bird?" Arnav asked bemused.
"Shhhhhh. Hai!" Khushi said longingly as Salman Khan came on screen. "Hero ho, toh aisa ho. Kya style hai, uff!" Khushi said happily. Arnav began feeling uncomfortable.
"Salman Khan, really?" Arnav said questioningly, with an undertone of bitterness.
"Hah! Bachpaan se yeh mere saathi raha." Khushi said matter of factly, Arnav moved away from Khushi. "Arre, aab kya hua?" Khushi asked.
"You obviously don't need me, why don't you ask your "saathiji" to look after you. Baath karthi hai-" Arnav muttered angrily. Khushi smiled, Arnav was jealous.
"Nahi, yeh toh kuch nahi hai. My new saathi is much better, after all I don't remember Salman Khan ever going to the Mandhir for me." Khushi said and Arnav turned sharply with shock in his eyes.
"How did you know-" Arnav began and Khushi smiled.
"I have spies everywhere Mr. Raizada. Jhoot maath bhol, mere liye gaaye teh, nah?" Khushi asked, Arnav looked down and nodded.
"Yahaan ah." Khushi said softly, Arnav still cast his eyes low and sat next to her on the bed. Khushi wrapped her arms around him and kissed him lightly on the lips.
"I love you." She said earnestly, Arnav looked up into her eyes and smiled.
"I love you too." He said with just as much truth as she had, they settled into bed and even though Arnav thought the movie was stupid and unrealistic he watched it happily just because it bought a smile to Khushi's lips.
Read more of this here.
Tuesday, 6 March 2012
Dark Paradise Chapter Eighteen
Khushi had been reliving the moments leading up to her wedding in her unconscious state. Every touch, glance, shove, shout, confusion, delusion, tear, hurt, happiness, kiss and loving moment. She had travelled through all her moments with Arnav, people say before you die your life flashes before your life but for Khushi she just relived all the moments that led to her almost demise. One month after her exam Khushi finally woke up, her eyes flew open and then shut again due to the bright lights of the hospital. She opened them slowly trying to help them adjust, she took in the sterile settings of her hospital room but still felt confused. The last thing she could physically remember was Arnav being hurt in the car with her as they had crashed, she couldn't see him anywhere and she panicked and screamed.
"ARNAV!" She said fear suddenly taking over her body, paralysing her, where was he? Was he okay? Why didn't she know where he was? Nurses and a doctor came rushing in and began checking her vitals etc.
"Mere Pathi kaha hain?" She asked but no one responded. "Aap saab kuch kehte kyun nahi? Woh, woh tik hai na?" She asked beginning to fear Arnav's condition more and more. The Doctor looked sternly at her.
"Mrs. Raizada tumhara Pathi bilkul tik hai, in fact three weeks ago woh discharge hogaye teh. Tum ek coma main thi accident ki vaje se." He said and Khushi felt shocked, she was in a coma? For a month? But then her thoughts flooded back to Arnav. "Mujhe mere Pathi se milna hai." Khushi said anxiously, the doctor tried to calm her. "Milenge, milenge. Pehle kuch tests ki zuroorat hai." He told Khushi. Tests? What kind of tests? She clung to her duvet as they wheeled her away for her tests. Arnav was at home talking to the police commissioner.
"Any leads?" Arnav asked bluntly.
"Well Sir, we're trying our best but all we can deduce so far was that whoever tampered with your car was someone close to you. You have numerous cars in your home but this person knew which one you were particularly fond of. They also had to have tampered with it before you left your home in the morning." The Officer said.
"So what are you trying to say officer?" Arnav asked.
"I'm saying Mr. Raizada that if you have had any recent discrepencies with someone who was close to you, a disgruntled employee, an unhappy friend or business associate maybe even family. Anyone at this moment could have done it." The Officer said shrugging, he lifted his hat from the sofa and stood up extending his hand. Arnav shook it, "Thank you Officer, I'll have a think and get back to you." Arnav said as the Officer took his leave. That's when the phone rang.
Arnav was practically running through the halls of the hospital, not waiting for his family, they understood why and didn't say anything. They knew how much of a toll Khushi's accident had, had on Arnav and they knew no one else could have been happier that she had woken up. Arnav ran into the room and looked to see his wife arguing with a nurse.
"Humne kaha na Maam, aapke pathi abhi aare hain!" The Nurse said aggitadely.
"Mujhe kuch nahi sunnah! Give me a phone I want to talk to him!" Khushi said equally irritated, her eyes animated and wild, her lips in a stern pout and her cheeks rosy red. Arnav sighed at the view of her.
"Khushi." His voice came out ragged, husky with longing clearly ringing through. Khushi's ears registered the sound and she turned sharply to see him. He now had a slightly faded scar on his forehead and a bandage on his forearm. But none of that mattered to her right now because he was here and they were both okay. The Nurse excused herself and Khushi continued to look at Arnav taking him all in, his eyes which were decorated with dark heavy circles underneath them, he looked ragged and exhausted. God only knows what he's been through, she thought to herself. He rushed over to her and threw his arms around her.
"Khushi! Khushi I thought I'd lost you! Main itna daargaya tah ki- I can't even tell you. Aaj main itne khush hoon ki ki- mujhe khud nahi maulum ki main kya karoonga!" Arnav said and Khushi let out a meek squeak of pain and Arnav let go of her immediatley. "I'm sorry Khushi, I didn't think. Tum tik hoon na? Doctor ne kya kaha?" Arnav asked so many questions at once, it disorientated Khushi, she didn't know what to answer first. Luckily the Doctor came in.
"She seems perfectly healthy Mr. Raizada. Her body is a little worn down nothing that regular physio and rest wont fix. Her brain patterns seem to be all good also. Just don't ask her too many questions at first, her brain will need time to catch up with her. But all seems good, we're just waiting for the blood test results but they wont come for a few days." The Doctor said and relief washed over Arnav. No one could ever understand how worried and guilty he had been feeling throughout all this. Hearing that Khushi was fine was the best news he'd heard...ever.
"Doctor, when can I go home?" Khushi asked timidly. The Doctor frowned slightly.
"Mrs. Raizada you only just woke up, I don't think it would be right to send you home for a while yet. We need to keep you here just to keep an eye on you." He said and Khushi's face fell. She hated hospitals, there was death everywhere in them and she could never look out to the night sky to find her parents as comfort. Arnav saw this discomfort, he grabbed her hand and held it his own reassuringly.
"Doctor could you not bend the rules this once. I promise you I will have our family doctor come and check on Khushi regularly and I will be there to take care of her twenty four hours of the day everyday for as long as it takes. She would adjust better at home, her heart will feel lighter and she'd probably be more uncooperative if she stayed here." Arnav said knowing how Khushi was, the Doctor frowned remembering the drama they'd gone through to extract Khushi's blood sample.
"I guess its okay but I'm warning you Mr. Raizada you will have to stay by your word, she'll need a regular check up three times daily, morning, afternoon and evening and you will have to stay with her or hire someone to." The Doctor said sternly. Arnav looked earnestly at the Doctor.
"Don't worry Doctor, Khushi will get everything she needs to get better, I promise." He said and Khushi felt his hold on her hand tighten slightly, she could tell he'd missed her and even though she hadn't even been aware of her state and their distances she felt the sadness of his absence for all that time also. The Doctor left and readied the discharge papers, Arnav and Khushi's family came flooding in all crying and cooing over Khushi. Payal was noticably clinging to her little sister. Arnav smiled at the scene, Khushi really was the glue in this family, without her everything had fallen apart. Arnav realised in that instance just how lucky he was. Arnav drove home with Khushi, he'd checked his car this time before driving, it had become a force of habit now, he never drove above 30mph and even slower at times. He got out and then instead of using the wheelchair he lifted Khushi into his arms, Khushi didn't complain, she needed this, she needed to be with him now more than ever. She'd gone through something so traumatic and horrible, he was the only other person who could understand right now. She gazed at him in awe as he effortlessly carried her in.
"Dard nahi hora?" Khushi asked referring to his bandaged forearm that was currently supporting the bottom half of her body. Arnav shook his head. They were about to enter the house when Anjali bought out the Pooja taal and welcomed them in as well as removing any "nazaar" that may have been cast upon them for good measure. Arnav would usually have scoffed at this and told Di it was nonsense but he didn't. Khushi was back and it was more than likely down to how many people had prayed for Khushi, Arnav was sure he didn't always believe in God but he would never insult any kind of religious activity or entity again, for Khushi's sake. They stepped over the threshold of the house together, this time stronger than when they had entered when they had first gotten married because they now realised how much they meant to the other and they never wanted to take that for granted again.
Read more of this here.
"ARNAV!" She said fear suddenly taking over her body, paralysing her, where was he? Was he okay? Why didn't she know where he was? Nurses and a doctor came rushing in and began checking her vitals etc.
"Mere Pathi kaha hain?" She asked but no one responded. "Aap saab kuch kehte kyun nahi? Woh, woh tik hai na?" She asked beginning to fear Arnav's condition more and more. The Doctor looked sternly at her.
"Mrs. Raizada tumhara Pathi bilkul tik hai, in fact three weeks ago woh discharge hogaye teh. Tum ek coma main thi accident ki vaje se." He said and Khushi felt shocked, she was in a coma? For a month? But then her thoughts flooded back to Arnav. "Mujhe mere Pathi se milna hai." Khushi said anxiously, the doctor tried to calm her. "Milenge, milenge. Pehle kuch tests ki zuroorat hai." He told Khushi. Tests? What kind of tests? She clung to her duvet as they wheeled her away for her tests. Arnav was at home talking to the police commissioner.
"Any leads?" Arnav asked bluntly.
"Well Sir, we're trying our best but all we can deduce so far was that whoever tampered with your car was someone close to you. You have numerous cars in your home but this person knew which one you were particularly fond of. They also had to have tampered with it before you left your home in the morning." The Officer said.
"So what are you trying to say officer?" Arnav asked.
"I'm saying Mr. Raizada that if you have had any recent discrepencies with someone who was close to you, a disgruntled employee, an unhappy friend or business associate maybe even family. Anyone at this moment could have done it." The Officer said shrugging, he lifted his hat from the sofa and stood up extending his hand. Arnav shook it, "Thank you Officer, I'll have a think and get back to you." Arnav said as the Officer took his leave. That's when the phone rang.
Arnav was practically running through the halls of the hospital, not waiting for his family, they understood why and didn't say anything. They knew how much of a toll Khushi's accident had, had on Arnav and they knew no one else could have been happier that she had woken up. Arnav ran into the room and looked to see his wife arguing with a nurse.
"Humne kaha na Maam, aapke pathi abhi aare hain!" The Nurse said aggitadely.
"Mujhe kuch nahi sunnah! Give me a phone I want to talk to him!" Khushi said equally irritated, her eyes animated and wild, her lips in a stern pout and her cheeks rosy red. Arnav sighed at the view of her.
"Khushi." His voice came out ragged, husky with longing clearly ringing through. Khushi's ears registered the sound and she turned sharply to see him. He now had a slightly faded scar on his forehead and a bandage on his forearm. But none of that mattered to her right now because he was here and they were both okay. The Nurse excused herself and Khushi continued to look at Arnav taking him all in, his eyes which were decorated with dark heavy circles underneath them, he looked ragged and exhausted. God only knows what he's been through, she thought to herself. He rushed over to her and threw his arms around her.
"Khushi! Khushi I thought I'd lost you! Main itna daargaya tah ki- I can't even tell you. Aaj main itne khush hoon ki ki- mujhe khud nahi maulum ki main kya karoonga!" Arnav said and Khushi let out a meek squeak of pain and Arnav let go of her immediatley. "I'm sorry Khushi, I didn't think. Tum tik hoon na? Doctor ne kya kaha?" Arnav asked so many questions at once, it disorientated Khushi, she didn't know what to answer first. Luckily the Doctor came in.
"She seems perfectly healthy Mr. Raizada. Her body is a little worn down nothing that regular physio and rest wont fix. Her brain patterns seem to be all good also. Just don't ask her too many questions at first, her brain will need time to catch up with her. But all seems good, we're just waiting for the blood test results but they wont come for a few days." The Doctor said and relief washed over Arnav. No one could ever understand how worried and guilty he had been feeling throughout all this. Hearing that Khushi was fine was the best news he'd heard...ever.
"Doctor, when can I go home?" Khushi asked timidly. The Doctor frowned slightly.
"Mrs. Raizada you only just woke up, I don't think it would be right to send you home for a while yet. We need to keep you here just to keep an eye on you." He said and Khushi's face fell. She hated hospitals, there was death everywhere in them and she could never look out to the night sky to find her parents as comfort. Arnav saw this discomfort, he grabbed her hand and held it his own reassuringly.
"Doctor could you not bend the rules this once. I promise you I will have our family doctor come and check on Khushi regularly and I will be there to take care of her twenty four hours of the day everyday for as long as it takes. She would adjust better at home, her heart will feel lighter and she'd probably be more uncooperative if she stayed here." Arnav said knowing how Khushi was, the Doctor frowned remembering the drama they'd gone through to extract Khushi's blood sample.
"I guess its okay but I'm warning you Mr. Raizada you will have to stay by your word, she'll need a regular check up three times daily, morning, afternoon and evening and you will have to stay with her or hire someone to." The Doctor said sternly. Arnav looked earnestly at the Doctor.
"Don't worry Doctor, Khushi will get everything she needs to get better, I promise." He said and Khushi felt his hold on her hand tighten slightly, she could tell he'd missed her and even though she hadn't even been aware of her state and their distances she felt the sadness of his absence for all that time also. The Doctor left and readied the discharge papers, Arnav and Khushi's family came flooding in all crying and cooing over Khushi. Payal was noticably clinging to her little sister. Arnav smiled at the scene, Khushi really was the glue in this family, without her everything had fallen apart. Arnav realised in that instance just how lucky he was. Arnav drove home with Khushi, he'd checked his car this time before driving, it had become a force of habit now, he never drove above 30mph and even slower at times. He got out and then instead of using the wheelchair he lifted Khushi into his arms, Khushi didn't complain, she needed this, she needed to be with him now more than ever. She'd gone through something so traumatic and horrible, he was the only other person who could understand right now. She gazed at him in awe as he effortlessly carried her in.
"Dard nahi hora?" Khushi asked referring to his bandaged forearm that was currently supporting the bottom half of her body. Arnav shook his head. They were about to enter the house when Anjali bought out the Pooja taal and welcomed them in as well as removing any "nazaar" that may have been cast upon them for good measure. Arnav would usually have scoffed at this and told Di it was nonsense but he didn't. Khushi was back and it was more than likely down to how many people had prayed for Khushi, Arnav was sure he didn't always believe in God but he would never insult any kind of religious activity or entity again, for Khushi's sake. They stepped over the threshold of the house together, this time stronger than when they had entered when they had first gotten married because they now realised how much they meant to the other and they never wanted to take that for granted again.
Read more of this here.
Monday, 5 March 2012
Dark Paradise Chapter Seventeen
Akash helped Arnav into the house, it had been dificult to convince him to come home but Di had promised if he rested then everyday he could go visit Khushi. Arnav knew the alternative would be no visiting Khushi and only resting so he agreed, it felt odd for him though. The last time he had left this house he was holding her hand, watching that radiant smile on her face, seeing her eyes so full of love and life. Without her the house was quiet, the family morose and everything just felt colder and just wrong to Arnav. He looked around his home and felt the deep resonating pang of millions of memories Khushi and he had shared here. When she had made a rangoli and they fell into it, when she would run away from him, on Diwali when he helped her find her way out of the candles that surrounded her on the floor, the sangeet when they danced, the mehendi when his name was on her hands, that same day when he kissed her, when she kissed him and then the day they had married. These memories danced around lighting painful flames of longing in Arnav's heart which he wished to bury deep down somewhere. He needed to be strong, for her, so her could get her better and back with him by his side where she belonged. Akash helped Arnav into his room and Arnav became overwhelmed.
"Thanks Akash, tum ab jaa, I need to be alone." Arnav said, Akash nodded and left aware of how fragile his brother's state was at the moment. Arnav walked to the vanity table, Khushi's perfumes, chooriyan, jhoomke, make up, bindis and sindoor pot were all neatly arranged there. His fingers brushed against the glittering bracelets, he lifted one of the perfumes inhaling the intoxicating scent that usually stayed on Khushi. He set the perfume down and shook his head. He turned his attention to his laptop, he hadn't been to work for longer than he intended because of all this and although Akash was more than capable this was his business and....well it was a distraction from his loneliness. He managed to check his emails, send a few replies when his attention shifted and he began researching coma patients and survival rates. The prospects looked bleak but Arnav could not take no for an answer, "God dammit!" Arnav muttered to himself, he always proclaimed himself master of his own destiny, then why was Khushi still in a coma, why was it that the one thing he truly loves and cares for is not with him? His head began to throb and he shut his laptop and lay on the bed. He closed his eyes and extended his arm waiting for Khushi to nuzzle up next to him, when he felt the cold breeze brush over his arm he realised what he had done and bowed his head in shame.
Anjali sat downstairs with the rest of the family, Akash had been awfully quiet because of everything that had happened and because Payal had gone to her house to help her family, he understood why but he felt more than lost without her, which only made him feel worse for Bhai.
"Poor Bhai, Di I really don't know if he can take this. I mean, I've seen Bhai upset before, but never like this. Its like he's completely broken without her. He only becomes better when he sees her, even then its an act to make sure she doesn't suspect he's sad." Akash said, the idea that Bhai was masking his emotions to keep an unconscious and unresponsive Khushi happy was sad. Anjali nodded.
"Nani, don't you feel the house is so empty without Khushi?" Anjali asked tears welling up in her eyes. She'd never had a sister and always treated Khushi like her younger sister, she couldn't bare to lose her so quickly. Naniji nodded.
"Jabse humare zindigi main aiyee to ronak aur masti lekher aiyee thi, uskee bina toh humara maan nahi lagta." Naniji said holding back her tears trying to stay strong for the family. Shyam simply sat back listening to them all share their woes whereas he kept his pain inside.
"Di we need to find out who did this. Kya patha, tomorrow it could be me, or Nani, or Maa or even Payal." Akash said, fear pumping through his heart as he thought of how he would feel if he was in Arnav's shoes, Anjali nodded.
"The Police Commissioner has made it a top priority already Akash, whoever has done this will be caught out soon enough." Anjali said reassuringly. This now sparked fear in Shyam, he'd never thought that the Police would get involved in this. What was he going to do now?
Arnav came to visit Khushi today but he was more eager to speak to the doctor first. He waited impatiently outside of Khushi's room when the doctor approached him.
"Toh doctor, Khushi kaisi hai? Any improvements?" He asked restless to have the answers to his questions.
"There has been an increase in brain activity, she briefly opened her eyes today but then became unconscious. Its a good sign, it means that Khushi is attempting to respond to us." The doctor said and arnav felt lighter from the news.
"So does this mean she'll be okay?" Arnav asked optimistically.
"We still cannot say anything for sure Mr. Raizada, but it appears to look very good at the moment." The doctor said, he excused himself and Arnav entered the room and sat down.
"Toh tumne apne yeh aakhen kohli aaj? What about all the times I've been sat here with you Khushi? Don't you think that I might want to see your beautiful eyes too Jaan?" Arnav asked and Khushi remained silent.
"Khushi I'm getting irritated with you're naatak, I know you can wake up if you want to now. I wont talk to you if you don't." Arnav said half mockingly and half seriously. He lay his hand near hers not touching it for fear he'd hurt her.
"Please Khushi, I miss you...I need you." Arnav said bowing his head once more, even though her eyes weren't open he didn't want her to see him cry. Arnav's head snapped up swiftly as he felt it, he didn't trust himself but there it was, Khushi's hand grasping his. Her eyes were still shut but she was gripping onto his hand with all her might!
"NURSE! DOCTOR!" Aranv shouted repeatedly until the Nurse and Doctor entered.
"What is it Mr. Raizada?" The Doctor asked and Arnav shifted his head to indicate at Khushi holding his hand. The Doctor nodded, he removed a small flash light, he opened Khushi's eyelids and shined the light in them. The Nurse checked Khushi's brain waves and handed them to the Doctor.
"Mr. Raizada I don't know what you did, but it made Khushi respond and quite dramatically according to her brain wave patterns." The Doctor said and Arnav became confused.
"What does it mean though Doctor?" Arnav asked.
"Well if she continues in this manner then she will regain conciousness soon, how soon we cannot say. Although then we'd have to check her for long term brain damage as well as other ailments that may have occurred as a result of the accident." The Doctor said. Arnav's heart soared at the idea that Khushi would come back to him but then sank at the idea that she may be changed permanently. No, that wont happen, she will be fine, he assured himself of this and with a renewed resolve he returned home.
Read more of this here.
"Thanks Akash, tum ab jaa, I need to be alone." Arnav said, Akash nodded and left aware of how fragile his brother's state was at the moment. Arnav walked to the vanity table, Khushi's perfumes, chooriyan, jhoomke, make up, bindis and sindoor pot were all neatly arranged there. His fingers brushed against the glittering bracelets, he lifted one of the perfumes inhaling the intoxicating scent that usually stayed on Khushi. He set the perfume down and shook his head. He turned his attention to his laptop, he hadn't been to work for longer than he intended because of all this and although Akash was more than capable this was his business and....well it was a distraction from his loneliness. He managed to check his emails, send a few replies when his attention shifted and he began researching coma patients and survival rates. The prospects looked bleak but Arnav could not take no for an answer, "God dammit!" Arnav muttered to himself, he always proclaimed himself master of his own destiny, then why was Khushi still in a coma, why was it that the one thing he truly loves and cares for is not with him? His head began to throb and he shut his laptop and lay on the bed. He closed his eyes and extended his arm waiting for Khushi to nuzzle up next to him, when he felt the cold breeze brush over his arm he realised what he had done and bowed his head in shame.
Anjali sat downstairs with the rest of the family, Akash had been awfully quiet because of everything that had happened and because Payal had gone to her house to help her family, he understood why but he felt more than lost without her, which only made him feel worse for Bhai.
"Poor Bhai, Di I really don't know if he can take this. I mean, I've seen Bhai upset before, but never like this. Its like he's completely broken without her. He only becomes better when he sees her, even then its an act to make sure she doesn't suspect he's sad." Akash said, the idea that Bhai was masking his emotions to keep an unconscious and unresponsive Khushi happy was sad. Anjali nodded.
"Nani, don't you feel the house is so empty without Khushi?" Anjali asked tears welling up in her eyes. She'd never had a sister and always treated Khushi like her younger sister, she couldn't bare to lose her so quickly. Naniji nodded.
"Jabse humare zindigi main aiyee to ronak aur masti lekher aiyee thi, uskee bina toh humara maan nahi lagta." Naniji said holding back her tears trying to stay strong for the family. Shyam simply sat back listening to them all share their woes whereas he kept his pain inside.
"Di we need to find out who did this. Kya patha, tomorrow it could be me, or Nani, or Maa or even Payal." Akash said, fear pumping through his heart as he thought of how he would feel if he was in Arnav's shoes, Anjali nodded.
"The Police Commissioner has made it a top priority already Akash, whoever has done this will be caught out soon enough." Anjali said reassuringly. This now sparked fear in Shyam, he'd never thought that the Police would get involved in this. What was he going to do now?
Arnav came to visit Khushi today but he was more eager to speak to the doctor first. He waited impatiently outside of Khushi's room when the doctor approached him.
"Toh doctor, Khushi kaisi hai? Any improvements?" He asked restless to have the answers to his questions.
"There has been an increase in brain activity, she briefly opened her eyes today but then became unconscious. Its a good sign, it means that Khushi is attempting to respond to us." The doctor said and arnav felt lighter from the news.
"So does this mean she'll be okay?" Arnav asked optimistically.
"We still cannot say anything for sure Mr. Raizada, but it appears to look very good at the moment." The doctor said, he excused himself and Arnav entered the room and sat down.
"Toh tumne apne yeh aakhen kohli aaj? What about all the times I've been sat here with you Khushi? Don't you think that I might want to see your beautiful eyes too Jaan?" Arnav asked and Khushi remained silent.
"Khushi I'm getting irritated with you're naatak, I know you can wake up if you want to now. I wont talk to you if you don't." Arnav said half mockingly and half seriously. He lay his hand near hers not touching it for fear he'd hurt her.
"Please Khushi, I miss you...I need you." Arnav said bowing his head once more, even though her eyes weren't open he didn't want her to see him cry. Arnav's head snapped up swiftly as he felt it, he didn't trust himself but there it was, Khushi's hand grasping his. Her eyes were still shut but she was gripping onto his hand with all her might!
"NURSE! DOCTOR!" Aranv shouted repeatedly until the Nurse and Doctor entered.
"What is it Mr. Raizada?" The Doctor asked and Arnav shifted his head to indicate at Khushi holding his hand. The Doctor nodded, he removed a small flash light, he opened Khushi's eyelids and shined the light in them. The Nurse checked Khushi's brain waves and handed them to the Doctor.
"Mr. Raizada I don't know what you did, but it made Khushi respond and quite dramatically according to her brain wave patterns." The Doctor said and Arnav became confused.
"What does it mean though Doctor?" Arnav asked.
"Well if she continues in this manner then she will regain conciousness soon, how soon we cannot say. Although then we'd have to check her for long term brain damage as well as other ailments that may have occurred as a result of the accident." The Doctor said. Arnav's heart soared at the idea that Khushi would come back to him but then sank at the idea that she may be changed permanently. No, that wont happen, she will be fine, he assured himself of this and with a renewed resolve he returned home.
Read more of this here.
Sunday, 4 March 2012
Dark Paradise Chapter Sixteen
It had been a week since Arnav had begged God to cure Khushi and yet she still lay on the hospital bed, lifeless as ever. Everyday Arnav would walk down to Khushi's room talking to her, trying to get a response out of her but all he ever got was silence. The doctors were going to discharge Arnav tomorrow but Arnav wasn't happy about this, he wanted to stay as near to Khushi as possible. Anjali assured him that after his discharge they would find a way to make it happen, although she wasn't sure how. Anjali herself was a mess, Akash was busy handling the business, Payal had gone to her Maayke to help them in this difficult time, Mamiji was running the house while Anjali took care of Chotte. Anjali could see how Khushi had kept them all so bound, her lovely family unit was scattered because of this incident, but Anjali did not give up hope. She had been consulting all the best doctors for Khushi and they said her chances were low to ever regain concioussness. But yet Anjali knew Khushi would come back, Khushi was never one to back down in the face of a challenge, Anjali had faith in God and in Khushiji. Chotte on the other hand, he cried every night, he thought Anjali didn't hear but she did. She wanted so badly to comfort him but she didn't know how. How could she assure her brother she was going to be fine? Anjali had faith but Arnav believed in facts. She'd not seen him this broken since their mother had died, even then Khushiji wasn't dead but Arnav seemed to feel she was headed that way and worst of all he thought it was his fault.
"Di I should have checked." Arnav said to her as he looked at the floor, his jaw clenched, anger clear on his face.
"Chotte how were you to know? It happened to me also, I'm beginning to think kisi ki nazaar lagaye hamari ghar phar." Anjali said, the latter more to herself. Arnav ignored his sister's comment and continued to think who would want to do this? Who had it in for him and his family so much? His head always throbbed when he tried to figure this out. He'd never been one to act with kindness, he had a million enemies, where was he to start? He wanted so badly to look into the eyes of the person who had done this to his wife and watch the light drain out of their eyes as he made their state similar to Khushi's. Anjali excused herself as her phone went off, she walked outside of the room and answered it.
"Hello." Anjali said relieved, since the accident had happened she hadn't heard a word or seen her husband. He said he had some urgent business moments after Khushi and Arnav left and when she told him what had happened he said there was no way he could get back in time as he was abroad and it was necessary for him to be there.
"Have you gone home yet?" He asked, Anjali knew he was worried about her and the baby but his tone felt impatient and aggravated.
"No, woh Chotte was talking to me, I will go soon sort myself out and come back later when Chotte needs to sleep." She said, Arnav had gotten into the habit of becoming very aggressive before going to sleep, he had too much time to think, Anjali would calm him down, he'd sleep for a while until he would get the flashbacks of the accident, then he would begin shaking, crying tears he didn't know how to handle. She could never leave him alone in a state like that.
"Okay, I will ring you tomorrow I have to go now." He said as he abruptly hung up the phone. Anjali felt hurt, he never asked how she was, how Arnav or Khushi were or how the rest of the family were either. Anjali began to feel anger towards her husband and she didn't like it. She was about to head home when she heard Arnav call for her, he wanted her to stay a bit longer just because he didn't want to be alone. Anjali was a little reluctant but stayed because she knew if the roles were reversed Arnav would have never left her side. Meanwhile Shyam snuck into the Hospital, having given Anjali enough time to leave, he made his way to Khushi's room, he'd heard Anjali talk about where she was in one of their few conversations since the accident. Shyam was completely at a loss, this was not how things were meant to have happened, Arnav should have been dead and Khushi in his arms! This was all Arnav's fault, had he not married Khushiji then no one would have had to see this day, it was like when Khushiji's father interfered all over again. He saw her through the window and he pressed his hands against the window, wishing he could hold her in his arms and never let her go especially not let her back into the arms of Arnav. He made his way to the room and stood over her, his body casting a shadow across her serene face. She looked as though she were sleeping, although the colour in her complexion was drained. Shyam still felt just as possessive of her, if he could have he would have taken her from there, there and then but a sound alerted Shyam to come back to reality.
"What, the fuck, are you doing?!" Arnav asked trying to keep calm, even if Khushi was unresponsive he didn't want to scare her, he'd done enough of that already.
"I...I heard about the accident and I...I just came to check." Shyam said sheeplishly, Arnav looked with disdain at the man.
"You. Get out. Now." He said plainly, Shyam looked ready to argue back but Arnav gave him a dark look that drove fear into the bravest of men and Shyam was a coward anyway and so he left, unwillingly. Arnav took a deep breath, he went to take a seat by Khushi, he pulled back a stray hair from her face.
"Sorry Jaan, you know I hate that rat. I promise once you get better he will be out of our lives for good. The doctors are letting me go tomorrow, but don't worry I wont leave you..." Arnav continued making conversation with a horribly mute Khushi but he felt it may help her so he continued on.
Shyam was making a hurried exit out of the Hospital when he carelessly bumped into Anjali. Confusion was clear on Anjali's face.
"Aap...?" She began and Shyam searched his brain for a believable excuse.
"Woh hum...I....I wanted to surprise you and here I am. Would I leave you in a time like this?" He asked quickly forcing Anjali into a hug, he could see her eyes were searching for truth in his. She would have been able to see the lie clear in his eyes, he thought she didn't and smiled. But she had, she'd seen the worry, panic and nervousness. Something definitley wasn't right about her husband and she'd be damned if she didn't find out what.
Read more of this here.
"Di I should have checked." Arnav said to her as he looked at the floor, his jaw clenched, anger clear on his face.
"Chotte how were you to know? It happened to me also, I'm beginning to think kisi ki nazaar lagaye hamari ghar phar." Anjali said, the latter more to herself. Arnav ignored his sister's comment and continued to think who would want to do this? Who had it in for him and his family so much? His head always throbbed when he tried to figure this out. He'd never been one to act with kindness, he had a million enemies, where was he to start? He wanted so badly to look into the eyes of the person who had done this to his wife and watch the light drain out of their eyes as he made their state similar to Khushi's. Anjali excused herself as her phone went off, she walked outside of the room and answered it.
"Hello." Anjali said relieved, since the accident had happened she hadn't heard a word or seen her husband. He said he had some urgent business moments after Khushi and Arnav left and when she told him what had happened he said there was no way he could get back in time as he was abroad and it was necessary for him to be there.
"Have you gone home yet?" He asked, Anjali knew he was worried about her and the baby but his tone felt impatient and aggravated.
"No, woh Chotte was talking to me, I will go soon sort myself out and come back later when Chotte needs to sleep." She said, Arnav had gotten into the habit of becoming very aggressive before going to sleep, he had too much time to think, Anjali would calm him down, he'd sleep for a while until he would get the flashbacks of the accident, then he would begin shaking, crying tears he didn't know how to handle. She could never leave him alone in a state like that.
"Okay, I will ring you tomorrow I have to go now." He said as he abruptly hung up the phone. Anjali felt hurt, he never asked how she was, how Arnav or Khushi were or how the rest of the family were either. Anjali began to feel anger towards her husband and she didn't like it. She was about to head home when she heard Arnav call for her, he wanted her to stay a bit longer just because he didn't want to be alone. Anjali was a little reluctant but stayed because she knew if the roles were reversed Arnav would have never left her side. Meanwhile Shyam snuck into the Hospital, having given Anjali enough time to leave, he made his way to Khushi's room, he'd heard Anjali talk about where she was in one of their few conversations since the accident. Shyam was completely at a loss, this was not how things were meant to have happened, Arnav should have been dead and Khushi in his arms! This was all Arnav's fault, had he not married Khushiji then no one would have had to see this day, it was like when Khushiji's father interfered all over again. He saw her through the window and he pressed his hands against the window, wishing he could hold her in his arms and never let her go especially not let her back into the arms of Arnav. He made his way to the room and stood over her, his body casting a shadow across her serene face. She looked as though she were sleeping, although the colour in her complexion was drained. Shyam still felt just as possessive of her, if he could have he would have taken her from there, there and then but a sound alerted Shyam to come back to reality.
"What, the fuck, are you doing?!" Arnav asked trying to keep calm, even if Khushi was unresponsive he didn't want to scare her, he'd done enough of that already.
"I...I heard about the accident and I...I just came to check." Shyam said sheeplishly, Arnav looked with disdain at the man.
"You. Get out. Now." He said plainly, Shyam looked ready to argue back but Arnav gave him a dark look that drove fear into the bravest of men and Shyam was a coward anyway and so he left, unwillingly. Arnav took a deep breath, he went to take a seat by Khushi, he pulled back a stray hair from her face.
"Sorry Jaan, you know I hate that rat. I promise once you get better he will be out of our lives for good. The doctors are letting me go tomorrow, but don't worry I wont leave you..." Arnav continued making conversation with a horribly mute Khushi but he felt it may help her so he continued on.
Shyam was making a hurried exit out of the Hospital when he carelessly bumped into Anjali. Confusion was clear on Anjali's face.
"Aap...?" She began and Shyam searched his brain for a believable excuse.
"Woh hum...I....I wanted to surprise you and here I am. Would I leave you in a time like this?" He asked quickly forcing Anjali into a hug, he could see her eyes were searching for truth in his. She would have been able to see the lie clear in his eyes, he thought she didn't and smiled. But she had, she'd seen the worry, panic and nervousness. Something definitley wasn't right about her husband and she'd be damned if she didn't find out what.
Read more of this here.
Thursday, 1 March 2012
Dark Paradise Chapter Fifteen
Arnav had been sedated due to his violent reaction when the doctors had separated him from Khushi, once he woke up his head felt groggy and he had very little sense of his surroundings but he knew Khushi wasn't with him and that was not okay. He made his way to get up when Anjali pulled him back onto the bed.
"...Di...?" Arnav murmured confused, his eyesight began to improve and he could see her crying. He pushed against her to get up.
"No, Chotte, wait a while you've been unconscious for a day you need to let your body catch up with you." Anjali protested. A day? He'd been out of it for a whole day, Anjali registered the confusion on her brother's face. "Every time you woke up you became violent, they wouldn't let you see Khushiji...and...you began hitting your hands against the wall...they became swollen, you were going to start on your head but because of the injury they had to put you back to sleep. I'm just glad you are calmer now." Anjali said wiping her tears away. Arnav understood her words and looked down at his black and blue hands which had specks of red from cuts. "Di, I want to see Khushi. Is she okay? Is she awake?" Arnav asked remembering how limp and lifeless she had been in his arms and how he couldn't do a damn thing to help her. Anjali couldn't hold back her tears, she wasn't strong enough, first she got in an accident and now her brother and sister-in-law, why was God punishing them?
"Di, why aren't you saying anything? Where's my Khushi?" Arnav asked becoming more restless and more worried, the fear of loss began to flow through his body.
"Chotte...Khushi lost a lot of blood...." Anjali began but didn't know how to continue, just from that she could see the colour drain from her brother's face, the light leave his eyes and the worry began to mar his face. "Her injuries are more serious than yours as the impact of the accident affected her side of the car more. She has head injuries and...and...the doctors aren't sure if she's going to wake up." Anjali said, she couldn't bare to look at her brother's face. But how could Arnav escape what he was feeling? The rage, the sadness and worst of all the helplessness. He pulled the covers off and got up only to stumble, Anjali caught him. "Chotte, yeh...?"
"NO Di! She needs me. Don't stop me." He said pulling away from Anjali mustering all his strength to go to his Khushi, his Jaan, his everything.
Arnav had to argue a little but he was allowed to go see Khushi, his family members were all in the waiting area. Arnav had seen Payal who looked as though she'd been crying for months and hadn't slept in months either. Akash mirrored his wife's state, Nani sat dejected in a corner with Mami who looked upset also needing Mama to console her. Khushi's parents were both crying as was her Bua but Arnav couldn't think of them and what they needed. There was only one person he knew needed him and that was Khushi. He walked in and his eyes cast down on what appeared to be the ghost of his wife. She lay in the bed, eyes closed, an oxygen tube lodged in her throat, IV's and drips hung from her wrists. Arnav fell to the ground at the sight of it. Her face was covered in tiny scratches and her body was bruised. "K-k-k-khushi." He murmered as he broke down. The tears fell hot and fast and he didn't feel ashamed he felt lost. Where was his wife? This couldn't be her? Not his Khushi, his Khushi ran around like a five year old, she was always smiling and so full of life. This person was...was practically dead. He got up and made his way to her, silence. How many times had he told her to shut up? Get out? Go away? But she never did and now, when she wasn't saying a word, when she was far away from him and doing exactly what he'd said all those times he realised how badly he needed her. He sat beside her, he hesitantly placed his hand on hers.
"Khushi." He said softly, no response, only the gentle ticking and beeping of the machines. "Khushi, wake up." He whispered desperately. Still nothing. "Khushi why are you doing this? Is this because I didn't say thank you? If you wake up I will." He said but Khushi didn't even flinch. "Khushi stop being stubborn and wake up. Fine I'll say it. Thank you Khushi, thank you so much for being a part of my life. Not just a part of it but for being my life. Khushi you were the one who taught me how to live and feel again. You taught me how to love and I cannot thank you enough times for that!" Arnav said becoming overwhelmed by feelings.
"But Jaan-" His voice began to crack at this point as his sadness overwhelmed him. "I can't live without you, I love you. There I said it. I've wanted to say it since Diwali, I wanted to say it at the Sangeet, I wanted to say it at the Mehndi, Haldi, Havaan, Wedding and everyday since! I will say it everyday but please Jaan, come back to me...." He said, he clung to her hand, tears falling onto their entwined hands, but Khushi did not stir from her deep slumber. Arnav couldn't understand Khushi always did what she was told, why wasn't she now? Why wouldn't she wake up?
"KHUSHI! DAMMIT WAKE UP!....wake up....please..." Arnav said but he knew his pleas were falling on deaf ears. The peons got in and began to remove him.
"No! Stop it! She needs me! I need her! STOP! KHUSHI! KHUSHI!" Arnav shouted until he could not longer see her.
Arnav's voice had turned hoarse and ragged by the evening as he had cried painful laments all day. It was his fault! Why had he taken her out? Why hadn't he paid attention to the road? Why hadn't he checked the car? It was his fault she was on that bed, hardly even clinging to her life. Khushi...Khushi was dying. Anjali had assured him that they were doing everything and that if God wanted she would get better. So in the dead of the night when Di had fallen asleep in the chair next to him, Arnav crept out of his room. He found a small Devi Maiyaa Mandir in the hospital. For the first time since he was fifteen Arnav Singh Raizada put his hands together and bowed his head in front of God.
"I know I am the last person whose prayers you would grant....but I'm not asking for me. I'm asking for my wife, Khushi. She has adored and worshipped you always. There is no one more deserving of your protection than her. So where were you today? Why did you do this to her? Why not me? I'm the one who never believed in you, so why am I okay? Why do I only have a few bruises and cuts whereas she's on death's doorstep?! I promise you that if you make her well again I will do right by her. I will never hurt her or upset her. I will put her need above mine always. Just please, please make her better...I can't live without her." Arnav begged and before anyone could see his moment of weakness, he returned to his room and lay in the shadows of the night, feeling the deep absence of Khushi's head upon his chest.
"Please." He murmured once more into the darkness.
Read more of this here.
"...Di...?" Arnav murmured confused, his eyesight began to improve and he could see her crying. He pushed against her to get up.
"No, Chotte, wait a while you've been unconscious for a day you need to let your body catch up with you." Anjali protested. A day? He'd been out of it for a whole day, Anjali registered the confusion on her brother's face. "Every time you woke up you became violent, they wouldn't let you see Khushiji...and...you began hitting your hands against the wall...they became swollen, you were going to start on your head but because of the injury they had to put you back to sleep. I'm just glad you are calmer now." Anjali said wiping her tears away. Arnav understood her words and looked down at his black and blue hands which had specks of red from cuts. "Di, I want to see Khushi. Is she okay? Is she awake?" Arnav asked remembering how limp and lifeless she had been in his arms and how he couldn't do a damn thing to help her. Anjali couldn't hold back her tears, she wasn't strong enough, first she got in an accident and now her brother and sister-in-law, why was God punishing them?
"Di, why aren't you saying anything? Where's my Khushi?" Arnav asked becoming more restless and more worried, the fear of loss began to flow through his body.
"Chotte...Khushi lost a lot of blood...." Anjali began but didn't know how to continue, just from that she could see the colour drain from her brother's face, the light leave his eyes and the worry began to mar his face. "Her injuries are more serious than yours as the impact of the accident affected her side of the car more. She has head injuries and...and...the doctors aren't sure if she's going to wake up." Anjali said, she couldn't bare to look at her brother's face. But how could Arnav escape what he was feeling? The rage, the sadness and worst of all the helplessness. He pulled the covers off and got up only to stumble, Anjali caught him. "Chotte, yeh...?"
"NO Di! She needs me. Don't stop me." He said pulling away from Anjali mustering all his strength to go to his Khushi, his Jaan, his everything.
Arnav had to argue a little but he was allowed to go see Khushi, his family members were all in the waiting area. Arnav had seen Payal who looked as though she'd been crying for months and hadn't slept in months either. Akash mirrored his wife's state, Nani sat dejected in a corner with Mami who looked upset also needing Mama to console her. Khushi's parents were both crying as was her Bua but Arnav couldn't think of them and what they needed. There was only one person he knew needed him and that was Khushi. He walked in and his eyes cast down on what appeared to be the ghost of his wife. She lay in the bed, eyes closed, an oxygen tube lodged in her throat, IV's and drips hung from her wrists. Arnav fell to the ground at the sight of it. Her face was covered in tiny scratches and her body was bruised. "K-k-k-khushi." He murmered as he broke down. The tears fell hot and fast and he didn't feel ashamed he felt lost. Where was his wife? This couldn't be her? Not his Khushi, his Khushi ran around like a five year old, she was always smiling and so full of life. This person was...was practically dead. He got up and made his way to her, silence. How many times had he told her to shut up? Get out? Go away? But she never did and now, when she wasn't saying a word, when she was far away from him and doing exactly what he'd said all those times he realised how badly he needed her. He sat beside her, he hesitantly placed his hand on hers.
"Khushi." He said softly, no response, only the gentle ticking and beeping of the machines. "Khushi, wake up." He whispered desperately. Still nothing. "Khushi why are you doing this? Is this because I didn't say thank you? If you wake up I will." He said but Khushi didn't even flinch. "Khushi stop being stubborn and wake up. Fine I'll say it. Thank you Khushi, thank you so much for being a part of my life. Not just a part of it but for being my life. Khushi you were the one who taught me how to live and feel again. You taught me how to love and I cannot thank you enough times for that!" Arnav said becoming overwhelmed by feelings.
"But Jaan-" His voice began to crack at this point as his sadness overwhelmed him. "I can't live without you, I love you. There I said it. I've wanted to say it since Diwali, I wanted to say it at the Sangeet, I wanted to say it at the Mehndi, Haldi, Havaan, Wedding and everyday since! I will say it everyday but please Jaan, come back to me...." He said, he clung to her hand, tears falling onto their entwined hands, but Khushi did not stir from her deep slumber. Arnav couldn't understand Khushi always did what she was told, why wasn't she now? Why wouldn't she wake up?
"KHUSHI! DAMMIT WAKE UP!....wake up....please..." Arnav said but he knew his pleas were falling on deaf ears. The peons got in and began to remove him.
"No! Stop it! She needs me! I need her! STOP! KHUSHI! KHUSHI!" Arnav shouted until he could not longer see her.
Arnav's voice had turned hoarse and ragged by the evening as he had cried painful laments all day. It was his fault! Why had he taken her out? Why hadn't he paid attention to the road? Why hadn't he checked the car? It was his fault she was on that bed, hardly even clinging to her life. Khushi...Khushi was dying. Anjali had assured him that they were doing everything and that if God wanted she would get better. So in the dead of the night when Di had fallen asleep in the chair next to him, Arnav crept out of his room. He found a small Devi Maiyaa Mandir in the hospital. For the first time since he was fifteen Arnav Singh Raizada put his hands together and bowed his head in front of God.
"I know I am the last person whose prayers you would grant....but I'm not asking for me. I'm asking for my wife, Khushi. She has adored and worshipped you always. There is no one more deserving of your protection than her. So where were you today? Why did you do this to her? Why not me? I'm the one who never believed in you, so why am I okay? Why do I only have a few bruises and cuts whereas she's on death's doorstep?! I promise you that if you make her well again I will do right by her. I will never hurt her or upset her. I will put her need above mine always. Just please, please make her better...I can't live without her." Arnav begged and before anyone could see his moment of weakness, he returned to his room and lay in the shadows of the night, feeling the deep absence of Khushi's head upon his chest.
"Please." He murmured once more into the darkness.
Read more of this here.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)