It had turned to evening and as the dark sky covered Delhi city, two very alone and very sad people looked out onto the same night sky. When Khushi had arrived at Buaji's she was welcomed with a hoard of questions. Garima and Buaji refused to believe that the Raizada's had committed a mistake and it was obviously Khushi's fault that she had to leave home and so from frustration, Khushi told them the truth. The whole truth. She told them about the 6 month contract marriage, how Arnav had threatened Khushi by saying he'd make Akash leave Payal and then she told them about Shyam, Arnav's kidnapping and then Anjali's cold reaction. After Khushi's statement, Garima and Buaji were left speechless and let Khushi proceed with the step she'd taken. Khushi spent the remainder of her day lying on her bed, unsure of what else to do at the minute. It was only when night fell that she decided to go to her window and seek comfort in the stars...Arnav on the other hand was not as calm, his reaction to Khushi's departure was a side to Arnav none of his family had seen. After she left he stormed into his room, as everyone expected. Later Anjali came up to his room with some sugar-free kheer and she was shocked to see the sight in front of her. Arnav had gone onto the poolside, he'd taken every single last living plant and cut them from the roots, he had thrown large pots onto the ground, small clay fragments scattered around the poolside and standing in a corner looking angrily up at the night sky was a broken Arnav Singh Raizada.
"Chotte, yeh sabh...?" Anjali asked and Arnav turned to face Anjali, his red raw eyes exposed, his expression set into a tensed grimace.
"Di, leave me alone." He said, Anjali faltered, had he really just said that?
"Maggar, Chotte-"
"I said GO!" He shouted, Anjali, on the verge of tears left the room. Arnav knew he'd hurt Di and that was wrong but he was sure it couldn't even match his pain.
Khushi was on her bed, thinking about everything that had happened and finding herself unable to sleep when she heard it.
"Nikalo yahaan se!" Buaji bellowed.
"Buaji, I respect you and I mean no offence but I need to speak to my wife. Khushi kaha hai?" He asked, Khushi sat up and she felt her heartbeats increase. He was here. Why was he here? If he was here to take her back, he would be unsuccessful, Khushi would not step in that house until Di accepted their relationship and started treating Khushi the way she deserved to be. Khushi sat back down and killed her eagerness to see Arnav.
The doors to her bedroom burst open and she saw not Arnav but ASR burst through her doors, angry, rash and selfish Arnav Singh Raizada. Buaji was pulling on him trying to prevent him from seeing Khushi, but her efforts were in vain as Arnav easily slid Buaji's grip away from him. Khushi stood up alarmed to see Arnav here and in this state.
"Arnavji?" Khushi said in a cautious way, Arnav walked over to her, he grabbed her wrist and began to tug her. Khushi clawed at his grip.
"Arnavji, rukhiye, tum aisa nahin kar sakte. Yeh aise, zabardasti, humari maarzi ki kilaaf-"
"Khushi I don't give a damn right now, all I know is your my wife and you belong with me. Not here. This isn't how its supposed to be!" He shouted and Khushi forcefully pulled herself away from him.
"So how is it supposed to be? I sit in that house and let each and every one of your family members insult me and slowly eat away at the little confidence and integrity I have? Sorry I'm not a matyr. I don't want to go somewhere where I'm unwanted. When Di-"
"When Di what? When Di accepts you? Khushi if your my wife she has to accept you." Arnav argued.
"No, she tolerates me Arnavji...and until that changes, I'm staying here." She said adamantly. Arnav looked behind to see Garima and Buaji still standing guard. He walked close to Khushi, leaned down to her ear and whispered, "I will bring you back to that house, you are my wife and we belong together. You'll see. If I don't make you see then my name is not Arnav Singh Raizada." He said, his words seemed to linger in her ears and his breath made her neck tingle. She looked up into his dark soulful eyes and her resolve weakened slightly, but before that could happen, Arnav stormed out leaving a rather fragile Khushi in her room trying to decipher up from down.
Thursday, 16 August 2012
Sunday, 29 July 2012
Even Stars Burn: Chapter One
Khushi didn't give anyone time to appeal or appease her, she ran up to what was, her's and Arnav's room, but after tonight it would go back to being Arnav's room. Everyone heard the door shut behind her and they stood in silence. Arnav was shocked, how could she? Why would she? She can't leave him. This was unacceptable for Arnav. He began to move to go stop Khushi from leaving when he felt a hand claw at his wrist.
"Chotte, usse jaanedijiye." Anjali said, her face was completely blank, it was as if she was numb inside. Devoid of emotion, she didn't even realise that she was putting the family, her brother in particular through hell. Payal was looking to Akash to say something, to do something but if Arnav was hesitant to say anything to Di then Akash didn't have much of a chance to stand up for Khushi.
"Di, I...you can't expect me to do that?" Arnav said, almost pleading. Anjali turned to him.
"Kyun? When my husband was leaving this house, did I say a word? Did you hear me go to stop him? Aggar main sab kuch sehsakti toh tum bhi sehna parega. Let her go, only then will our house become a home again." Anjali said. Arnav looked at his Di shocked. Was she serious right now? He understood her being upset but Khushi's leaving was not the answer to the problems going on at the moment.
"Di, I love and respect you, but, your husband was in the wrong, not my wife. He got the punishment he deserved, so why are you punishing Khushi when she hasn't done anything to deserve punishment?" Anrav said and Anjali gave him a cold look. "Maybe your forgetting Di, your husband had me kidnapped, he planned to kill me and take all of our wealth, Khushi was the one who risked everything and got me back here. So don't. Don't you dare tell me to just let her go." Arnav said as he shook his Di's hand off of his wrist.
Arnav stormed into the room to find Khushi furiously packing her stuff into a suitcase. Arnav walked towards her but she ignored him and continued to pack.
"Khushi, yeh kya pagalpaan hai? Stop behaving like a child, neeche ajao and we'll all discuss this rationally like adults." Arnav said as he grabbed her by the shoulders, his eyes looked straight into hers, while his were burning with the intensity of love Khushi's burned with rage. Khushi recalled the months of torture she had endured in the beginning of this marriage, all the abuse, all the hate and isolation she endured all those months. She looked at Arnav, she felt the love for him in her heart but it was clouded with these unpleasant memories. Khushi wanted a loving and happy marriage...this wasn't it.
"Choriye humain Arnavji, humko kisi se baat nahin karni, nahi kahi par jaana hain, kaas kar ke tumhare saath toh bilkul bhi nahin." She said and Arnav tightened his grip on Khushi.
"What do you mean especially not with me? Kya aap bhool gayi ki main tumhara-"
"Pati hoon? Kaisi bhool sakti, woh contract jo hain jo humko roz yaad dilati hoon." Khushi said as she tore herself from Arnav's grasp. "Pehle toh main sochti thi ki itne mahine bakhi hai Arnavji ki saath, abh toh baas itne haafte hai Arnavji ki saath, abh toh baas kuch hi din bahki hai. Lekin humko maaf karna abh hum kuch aur nahin sehsakte. Arre joh shaadi hum khabi karna nahin chathe teh, usko bachane ki kya zuroorat hai, jab kuch hi din main tutnewali hai." Khushi said and Arnav felt his arms go slack, had she really been counting the time till she was free from him? Was she so miserable in this marriage.
"Khushi, I-"
"Nahin Arnavji. Apne hamesha bhola aur hamesha maine suna, lekin aaj tum meri baat sunoge. All I wanted was a marriage full of love and happiness. I wanted to come into a home where I could be part of a haasta khilta parivaar. Lekin tumne mere saare armaan, mere saare khwabon ko tordhiya! Kyun kiya aisa? Kyun?!" Khushi shouted at him, but before Arnav could find the words to say to Khushi, Khushi had errupted again.
"Of course, you did it for Di. Your great and wonderful Di, you thought that I was having an affair with Shyam. Me? Did you really think I was that characterless? That I had no morals? That just proves that you never knew and you never understood me! I'm going so that your Di can be happy, so do me a favour and just let me go, spare me the dramatics." Khushi said as she lifted her suitcase and pushed past Arnav.
Something in that moment snapped inside Arnav, he grabbed Khushi's wrist and spun her around so that their bodies were pressed against each other.
"Listen to me Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada. I love you. I admit I made mistakes but I am trying here. I am trying my best for you, for Di, for me, hell for us! Does that mean nothing to you? Does this-" Arnav took her hand and raised it to his chest. "Does this mean nothing to you?!" Arnav said and Khushi closed her eyes as she could feel the rough, heavy and fast heartbeats of Arnav's. She opened her eyes.
"There was a time when it did matter...but not any-more." Khushi said as she removed her hand from his chest. Arnav still held her close to him, he could feel the rise and fall of her chest as they both breathed heavily, Khushi never meeting Arnav's eyes, but Arnav always had his eyes locked on Khushi.
"This is not over." He said, a tone of defiance and an air of arrogance were clear. Khushi took a deep breath, she could smell his cologne, she could feel his tight grip on her wrist and his body, so painfully close to hers. She looked up at him.
"Yes it is Arnavji. I can't take any-more of this. I wont. Goodbye." She said and she began to pull away, she turned away from Arnav, when she felt a slight pull as he still refused to let go of her.
"Khushi, you are my wife, the one and only wife I plan to have. This. Is. Not. Over." Arnav said, possessiveness ebbed out of his every word. Khushi clenched her jaw, she knew engaging in any-more conversation with him would lead to a weakening in her resolve. Instead she shook her hand free and proceeded to leave the Raizada Mansion. Khushi was walking through the living room and although the majority of the family members were pleading for Khushi to stay, asking her to be reasonable and patient, Khushi did not listen. This is because, one very important member remained still with a stony silence and Khushi knew that until Anjali was convinced of Khushi's innocence, Khushi could never live peacefully in Shaantivan. Khushi paused at the doorstep as a flood of memories hit her like a wave in the ocean. She remembered her accidental visit for the first time to Shantivan, the time she spent working here, the jokes and fun she had here and then the moment she was forced to live here through her contract marriage, the way that nobody spoke to her, the way everybody shunned her, then the way she was insulted by Shyam and finally how Anjali had belittled her today. A solitary tear fell from Khushi's eyes, which she quickly wiped away. She opened the door and left, she didn't even look back because if she had, she would have seen a very broken Arnav at the top of the stairs willing her internally not to leave...
Read other parts to this here.
"Chotte, usse jaanedijiye." Anjali said, her face was completely blank, it was as if she was numb inside. Devoid of emotion, she didn't even realise that she was putting the family, her brother in particular through hell. Payal was looking to Akash to say something, to do something but if Arnav was hesitant to say anything to Di then Akash didn't have much of a chance to stand up for Khushi.
"Di, I...you can't expect me to do that?" Arnav said, almost pleading. Anjali turned to him.
"Kyun? When my husband was leaving this house, did I say a word? Did you hear me go to stop him? Aggar main sab kuch sehsakti toh tum bhi sehna parega. Let her go, only then will our house become a home again." Anjali said. Arnav looked at his Di shocked. Was she serious right now? He understood her being upset but Khushi's leaving was not the answer to the problems going on at the moment.
"Di, I love and respect you, but, your husband was in the wrong, not my wife. He got the punishment he deserved, so why are you punishing Khushi when she hasn't done anything to deserve punishment?" Anrav said and Anjali gave him a cold look. "Maybe your forgetting Di, your husband had me kidnapped, he planned to kill me and take all of our wealth, Khushi was the one who risked everything and got me back here. So don't. Don't you dare tell me to just let her go." Arnav said as he shook his Di's hand off of his wrist.
Arnav stormed into the room to find Khushi furiously packing her stuff into a suitcase. Arnav walked towards her but she ignored him and continued to pack.
"Khushi, yeh kya pagalpaan hai? Stop behaving like a child, neeche ajao and we'll all discuss this rationally like adults." Arnav said as he grabbed her by the shoulders, his eyes looked straight into hers, while his were burning with the intensity of love Khushi's burned with rage. Khushi recalled the months of torture she had endured in the beginning of this marriage, all the abuse, all the hate and isolation she endured all those months. She looked at Arnav, she felt the love for him in her heart but it was clouded with these unpleasant memories. Khushi wanted a loving and happy marriage...this wasn't it.
"Choriye humain Arnavji, humko kisi se baat nahin karni, nahi kahi par jaana hain, kaas kar ke tumhare saath toh bilkul bhi nahin." She said and Arnav tightened his grip on Khushi.
"What do you mean especially not with me? Kya aap bhool gayi ki main tumhara-"
"Pati hoon? Kaisi bhool sakti, woh contract jo hain jo humko roz yaad dilati hoon." Khushi said as she tore herself from Arnav's grasp. "Pehle toh main sochti thi ki itne mahine bakhi hai Arnavji ki saath, abh toh baas itne haafte hai Arnavji ki saath, abh toh baas kuch hi din bahki hai. Lekin humko maaf karna abh hum kuch aur nahin sehsakte. Arre joh shaadi hum khabi karna nahin chathe teh, usko bachane ki kya zuroorat hai, jab kuch hi din main tutnewali hai." Khushi said and Arnav felt his arms go slack, had she really been counting the time till she was free from him? Was she so miserable in this marriage.
"Khushi, I-"
"Nahin Arnavji. Apne hamesha bhola aur hamesha maine suna, lekin aaj tum meri baat sunoge. All I wanted was a marriage full of love and happiness. I wanted to come into a home where I could be part of a haasta khilta parivaar. Lekin tumne mere saare armaan, mere saare khwabon ko tordhiya! Kyun kiya aisa? Kyun?!" Khushi shouted at him, but before Arnav could find the words to say to Khushi, Khushi had errupted again.
"Of course, you did it for Di. Your great and wonderful Di, you thought that I was having an affair with Shyam. Me? Did you really think I was that characterless? That I had no morals? That just proves that you never knew and you never understood me! I'm going so that your Di can be happy, so do me a favour and just let me go, spare me the dramatics." Khushi said as she lifted her suitcase and pushed past Arnav.
Something in that moment snapped inside Arnav, he grabbed Khushi's wrist and spun her around so that their bodies were pressed against each other.
"Listen to me Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada. I love you. I admit I made mistakes but I am trying here. I am trying my best for you, for Di, for me, hell for us! Does that mean nothing to you? Does this-" Arnav took her hand and raised it to his chest. "Does this mean nothing to you?!" Arnav said and Khushi closed her eyes as she could feel the rough, heavy and fast heartbeats of Arnav's. She opened her eyes.
"There was a time when it did matter...but not any-more." Khushi said as she removed her hand from his chest. Arnav still held her close to him, he could feel the rise and fall of her chest as they both breathed heavily, Khushi never meeting Arnav's eyes, but Arnav always had his eyes locked on Khushi.
"This is not over." He said, a tone of defiance and an air of arrogance were clear. Khushi took a deep breath, she could smell his cologne, she could feel his tight grip on her wrist and his body, so painfully close to hers. She looked up at him.
"Yes it is Arnavji. I can't take any-more of this. I wont. Goodbye." She said and she began to pull away, she turned away from Arnav, when she felt a slight pull as he still refused to let go of her.
"Khushi, you are my wife, the one and only wife I plan to have. This. Is. Not. Over." Arnav said, possessiveness ebbed out of his every word. Khushi clenched her jaw, she knew engaging in any-more conversation with him would lead to a weakening in her resolve. Instead she shook her hand free and proceeded to leave the Raizada Mansion. Khushi was walking through the living room and although the majority of the family members were pleading for Khushi to stay, asking her to be reasonable and patient, Khushi did not listen. This is because, one very important member remained still with a stony silence and Khushi knew that until Anjali was convinced of Khushi's innocence, Khushi could never live peacefully in Shaantivan. Khushi paused at the doorstep as a flood of memories hit her like a wave in the ocean. She remembered her accidental visit for the first time to Shantivan, the time she spent working here, the jokes and fun she had here and then the moment she was forced to live here through her contract marriage, the way that nobody spoke to her, the way everybody shunned her, then the way she was insulted by Shyam and finally how Anjali had belittled her today. A solitary tear fell from Khushi's eyes, which she quickly wiped away. She opened the door and left, she didn't even look back because if she had, she would have seen a very broken Arnav at the top of the stairs willing her internally not to leave...
Read other parts to this here.
Monday, 16 July 2012
Even Stars Burn: Prologue
The whole Raizada family were gathered in the living room, it was the evening after Khushi's birthday. Arnav had attempted to placate Khushi but he had realised that again and again his sister was purposefully getting in the way. Arnav knew he had to tread lightly in this situation, after all this was a matter that involved his sister and his wife, he didn't want to hurt either, but most definitely one was clearly in the wrong. Khushi was stood next to Payal, who was holding her and NK was close to the two sisters, feeling that they needed someone in their corner. Khushi had tears running down her face, first Shyam had attacked her and now Di...it was too much.
"Chotte! Apko zara si bhi andazza hai ki mere dil peh kya bheetri hai! Aap sabh ko bhas Khushiji nazaar atta hai, mujhe aur mera gum nahin? Aapko yeh nazaar atta hai ki Khushiji udaas hai, lekin apko meri udaasi ka koi parva nahin? Aap toh badhi badhi batein kartein teh ki main hoon sabse important, duniya jayein jahaan jaana chahein lekin meri Di mere saath rehein, aisi baatein kartein teh na aap?!" Anjali screamed, the rage that had been brewing in her since Shyam had been thrown out the house was finally unleashed and it would leave an explosion in Arnav and Khushi's relationship.
"Di..." Arnav began.
"NO! NAHIN! AAP MUJHE DI MAAT BULAH! Di paata hai ki kya hothi hai? Behen hothi hai, main apki badi behen hoon, aur tumhara bhai hone ki naatein responsibilities hain. Sabse important responsibility yeh hain, ki meri aur meri khushiaan ki raksha karo. LEKIN TUM! Tum ho ki meri kushiaan iss ghar se bahar nikaldia, jaise koi kachara hai!" Anjali cried, Arnav reached out for his sister, to touch her arm, reassure her that he was still there for her. "NAHIN! Chotte abh tumhe faisla karna padega! Abh yahaan Khushiji rahongi ya mein!" Anjali said, her words seemed to echo through the house, leaving a heavy weight on Arnav. Had she really just demanded he choose between his wife and his sister? What kind of ultimatum is that? This was extreme especially for Anjali. Arnav couldn't seem to find a voice, he didn't have the words, the eloquence, the tact to deal with this situation. How could he?
"Di...I...I...I ca-" Arnav had started.
"No." It seemed only as loud as a whisper, but Khushi's voice was heard by all, Anjali and Arnav turned to Khushi who had previously been stood, sobbing quietly, a meek and mild character in this argument. Khushi looked up, her eyes wild and defiant.
"No. I've had enough." Khushi said as she freed herself from her sister's embrace.
"Khushi what are you say-" Arnav said, Khushi raised her hand, silencing him.
"No more, I cannot handle anymore. You all think the worst of me, you never give me a chance to defend myself, even if I did none of you would believe me. You take it turn by turn to belittle and degrade me, but I, I carry on, I smile, I try to make the best out of a bad situation...but not anymore." Khushi said and Arnav looked confused and shocked at her.
"Khushi, what do you mean?" Arnav asked, as he stepped towards her, he had his arm out, he meant to hold her but she stepped away.
"I mean, I'm making this decision a lot easier for you. Congratulations Di. You win. I'm leaving. I hope you'll all be happy now." Khushi said.
Read other parts to this here.
"Chotte! Apko zara si bhi andazza hai ki mere dil peh kya bheetri hai! Aap sabh ko bhas Khushiji nazaar atta hai, mujhe aur mera gum nahin? Aapko yeh nazaar atta hai ki Khushiji udaas hai, lekin apko meri udaasi ka koi parva nahin? Aap toh badhi badhi batein kartein teh ki main hoon sabse important, duniya jayein jahaan jaana chahein lekin meri Di mere saath rehein, aisi baatein kartein teh na aap?!" Anjali screamed, the rage that had been brewing in her since Shyam had been thrown out the house was finally unleashed and it would leave an explosion in Arnav and Khushi's relationship.
"Di..." Arnav began.
"NO! NAHIN! AAP MUJHE DI MAAT BULAH! Di paata hai ki kya hothi hai? Behen hothi hai, main apki badi behen hoon, aur tumhara bhai hone ki naatein responsibilities hain. Sabse important responsibility yeh hain, ki meri aur meri khushiaan ki raksha karo. LEKIN TUM! Tum ho ki meri kushiaan iss ghar se bahar nikaldia, jaise koi kachara hai!" Anjali cried, Arnav reached out for his sister, to touch her arm, reassure her that he was still there for her. "NAHIN! Chotte abh tumhe faisla karna padega! Abh yahaan Khushiji rahongi ya mein!" Anjali said, her words seemed to echo through the house, leaving a heavy weight on Arnav. Had she really just demanded he choose between his wife and his sister? What kind of ultimatum is that? This was extreme especially for Anjali. Arnav couldn't seem to find a voice, he didn't have the words, the eloquence, the tact to deal with this situation. How could he?
"Di...I...I...I ca-" Arnav had started.
"No." It seemed only as loud as a whisper, but Khushi's voice was heard by all, Anjali and Arnav turned to Khushi who had previously been stood, sobbing quietly, a meek and mild character in this argument. Khushi looked up, her eyes wild and defiant.
"No. I've had enough." Khushi said as she freed herself from her sister's embrace.
"Khushi what are you say-" Arnav said, Khushi raised her hand, silencing him.
"No more, I cannot handle anymore. You all think the worst of me, you never give me a chance to defend myself, even if I did none of you would believe me. You take it turn by turn to belittle and degrade me, but I, I carry on, I smile, I try to make the best out of a bad situation...but not anymore." Khushi said and Arnav looked confused and shocked at her.
"Khushi, what do you mean?" Arnav asked, as he stepped towards her, he had his arm out, he meant to hold her but she stepped away.
"I mean, I'm making this decision a lot easier for you. Congratulations Di. You win. I'm leaving. I hope you'll all be happy now." Khushi said.
Read other parts to this here.
Dark Paradise: The Final Chapter
Khushi was in the nursery, she sat in the rocking chair with Abhay in her arms and gently swayed to and fro, attempting to get Abhay to settle. She was exhausted, Abhay didn't seem to like sleeping at night, instead he liked to cry the whole house down. Khushi looked down at her now sleeping and seemingly angelic son.
"Bilkul apne Pappa par gaye hai yeh, chotta laad governor." She said whilst smiling at him. She looked around the room and her eyes focused on the framed photo of her and Arnav. She smiled and a strong feeling of nostalgia hit her, a painful pang hit her heart as she wistfully recalled her journey with Arnav that bought her here. Someone very close to her once told her that when you meet the person you belong with you just know....This wasn't true for Khushi, for months she hated and felt enraged by Arnav but then slowly, gradually and unknowingly, it happened. ASR became Arnavji and from Arnavji to Arnav, the man who she loved, respected and honestly could not live without. Marrying Arnav and realising her love for him was the best thing that happened to her life, well best after Abhay. She continued rocking in the chair, with Abhay peacefully sleeping, when Arnav walked in. Khushi looked at him, surprised, it was four in the morning, he had work in four hours.
"Arnav, aap-" Khushi began.
"Shhhhh." Arnav said as he walked in stealthily. He reached where Abhay and Khushi were, he was afraid he'd wake Abhay by speaking and so he acted out what he wanted to say. He pointed to Abhay, then he folded his hands together and rested his head on them whilst closing his eyes. Khushi smiled, Arnav opened his eyes and Khushi nodded. Arnav looked at Abhay with that half-side smile, that would always make Khushi's heart beat that little bit fasted. He looked up to Khushi, he held his arms out, tilting his head towards the crib. Khushi gently passed Abhay to Arnav, whose strong and ready hands cradled him gently and then Arnav tucked his son into the bed and placed a kiss on his forehead. Khushi walked over and joined her husband by the crib, Arnav put an arm around her. Neither of them said a word, they didn't need to, everything they wanted was right here.
They walked back into their room and when the doors were shut and the baby monitor turned on Khushi turned to Arnav.
"How come you came into the nursery? Did Abhay wake you?" She asked and Arnav joined her on the bed, he leant against the headboard, Khushi shifted herself so her head lay on his chest and Arnav wound an arm around her.
"No, when you got up around two, I thought about getting up but I know I have this big presentation in the morning so I tried to sleep...but I couldn't. I just sleep better knowing you two are okay and if we're being precise, I sleep better knowing you're next to me." He said as he planted a kiss on the top of her head. Khushi smiled and looked up at Arnav. Who would have thought that a year down the line, Arnav Singh Raizada would have become such an integral part of Khushi Kumari Gupta's life? Arnav cupped his hands around her face and they shared a deep kiss. When the kiss broke, Khushi wound herself more tightly around her husband.
"I'm just better in general when you're around." She said, she then buried her head into Arnav's chest and murmured, "I love you." Arnav smiled as he felt the vibrations of Khushi's voice against her chest, knowing full well what she was saying. He held Khushi close to himself, it amazed him sometimes how much he'd changed since Khushi had entered his life. Never in his deepest thoughts had he imagined himself, ASR business tycoon to become loving husband and father. He never wanted it, all his life Arnav had lived under the misconception that love made a man weak and so he ran from it his whole life. That was until he met Khushi and learnt that love can be a man's weakness but it can also be his greatest strength. Without Khushi's love he'd never have been able to reveal Shyam's truth, he would never have taken the leap of faith in love and he would have never become committed to someone so completely. Khushi Kumari Gupta had changed his life irrevocably, as since he'd experienced this happy bliss Arnav never wanted to return to the cold isolationist way he lived his life before Khushi and Abhay.
"I love you too." He said aloud, but to deaf ears as Khushi had drifted into sleep, Arnav shut his eyes, finally content. So many fights, struggles and griefs had shaken their lives that only now, could they truly enjoy the happiness in their lives. Arnav Singh Raizada and Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada were bound in such a way that sometimes they felt as though their partner was the biggest annoyance of the other's life whilst at the same time they always thanked God that they had each other.
The End.
Read all other parts to this FF here
Author's note: Okay guys, that is the end of Dark Paradise, I hope you loved it as much as I loved writing this FF. But just to let you know I wont be gone for long, I'm planning to start the new Arshi FF during this week so keep an eye out for that. Also, a BIG BIG BIG thank you to all my loyal and lovely readers out there. I could not have done this without your kind words, encouragement and support.
Thank you,
Jas x
"Bilkul apne Pappa par gaye hai yeh, chotta laad governor." She said whilst smiling at him. She looked around the room and her eyes focused on the framed photo of her and Arnav. She smiled and a strong feeling of nostalgia hit her, a painful pang hit her heart as she wistfully recalled her journey with Arnav that bought her here. Someone very close to her once told her that when you meet the person you belong with you just know....This wasn't true for Khushi, for months she hated and felt enraged by Arnav but then slowly, gradually and unknowingly, it happened. ASR became Arnavji and from Arnavji to Arnav, the man who she loved, respected and honestly could not live without. Marrying Arnav and realising her love for him was the best thing that happened to her life, well best after Abhay. She continued rocking in the chair, with Abhay peacefully sleeping, when Arnav walked in. Khushi looked at him, surprised, it was four in the morning, he had work in four hours.
"Arnav, aap-" Khushi began.
"Shhhhh." Arnav said as he walked in stealthily. He reached where Abhay and Khushi were, he was afraid he'd wake Abhay by speaking and so he acted out what he wanted to say. He pointed to Abhay, then he folded his hands together and rested his head on them whilst closing his eyes. Khushi smiled, Arnav opened his eyes and Khushi nodded. Arnav looked at Abhay with that half-side smile, that would always make Khushi's heart beat that little bit fasted. He looked up to Khushi, he held his arms out, tilting his head towards the crib. Khushi gently passed Abhay to Arnav, whose strong and ready hands cradled him gently and then Arnav tucked his son into the bed and placed a kiss on his forehead. Khushi walked over and joined her husband by the crib, Arnav put an arm around her. Neither of them said a word, they didn't need to, everything they wanted was right here.
They walked back into their room and when the doors were shut and the baby monitor turned on Khushi turned to Arnav.
"How come you came into the nursery? Did Abhay wake you?" She asked and Arnav joined her on the bed, he leant against the headboard, Khushi shifted herself so her head lay on his chest and Arnav wound an arm around her.
"No, when you got up around two, I thought about getting up but I know I have this big presentation in the morning so I tried to sleep...but I couldn't. I just sleep better knowing you two are okay and if we're being precise, I sleep better knowing you're next to me." He said as he planted a kiss on the top of her head. Khushi smiled and looked up at Arnav. Who would have thought that a year down the line, Arnav Singh Raizada would have become such an integral part of Khushi Kumari Gupta's life? Arnav cupped his hands around her face and they shared a deep kiss. When the kiss broke, Khushi wound herself more tightly around her husband.
"I'm just better in general when you're around." She said, she then buried her head into Arnav's chest and murmured, "I love you." Arnav smiled as he felt the vibrations of Khushi's voice against her chest, knowing full well what she was saying. He held Khushi close to himself, it amazed him sometimes how much he'd changed since Khushi had entered his life. Never in his deepest thoughts had he imagined himself, ASR business tycoon to become loving husband and father. He never wanted it, all his life Arnav had lived under the misconception that love made a man weak and so he ran from it his whole life. That was until he met Khushi and learnt that love can be a man's weakness but it can also be his greatest strength. Without Khushi's love he'd never have been able to reveal Shyam's truth, he would never have taken the leap of faith in love and he would have never become committed to someone so completely. Khushi Kumari Gupta had changed his life irrevocably, as since he'd experienced this happy bliss Arnav never wanted to return to the cold isolationist way he lived his life before Khushi and Abhay.
"I love you too." He said aloud, but to deaf ears as Khushi had drifted into sleep, Arnav shut his eyes, finally content. So many fights, struggles and griefs had shaken their lives that only now, could they truly enjoy the happiness in their lives. Arnav Singh Raizada and Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada were bound in such a way that sometimes they felt as though their partner was the biggest annoyance of the other's life whilst at the same time they always thanked God that they had each other.
The End.
Read all other parts to this FF here
Author's note: Okay guys, that is the end of Dark Paradise, I hope you loved it as much as I loved writing this FF. But just to let you know I wont be gone for long, I'm planning to start the new Arshi FF during this week so keep an eye out for that. Also, a BIG BIG BIG thank you to all my loyal and lovely readers out there. I could not have done this without your kind words, encouragement and support.
Thank you,
Jas x
Monday, 9 July 2012
Okay this is kind of important and I would appreciate your input for Dark Paradise
Hi guys, as you know I started this fanfiction way back in February and I have been overwhelmed by the response I've gotten and I've loved every minute of it. However, recentley I feel like I've come to an end with "Dark Paradise" this is because I was only originally going to write it to the point where Shyam's truth was revealed but I extended it with the pregnancy plot. Now that that's happened I don't feel there's much to explore with this fanfiction. I will write another chapter update and an epilogue but I feel there is little to do with this fanfiction now. But that does not mean I will stop writing, I have plans for another FF which I think you will all like, based around the recent events in the show, showing how Arnav is remorseful, but unlike in the show Khushi is unwilling to co-operate and so there will be a lot more tension, romance and nauk-jauk in this FF. I would really appreciate it if you all would continue to read and support me in my work. If you are all really unhappy with this FF ending then I may write a sequel to it, but I'm not sure how good that would be if I'm honest. Thank you for your time please leave your thoughts, requests and comments on this post. Thank you. Jas :)
Tuesday, 3 July 2012
Dark Paradise Chapter Fifty Two
Arnav was the first to go see Khushi, everyone respected the fact that the two needed some time alone after all the stress they'd been through. Arnav walked in to see a sleeping Khushi, she was hooked up to an IV, she was weak but only due to tiredness and stress. The doctors had assured him numerous times that she was okay. He sat down on a chair beside her, when he looked up he saw Khushi's brow crinkle as she slowly began to wake up. She looked confused as she took in the new settings of her hospital room, the last she remembered she was in the operating theatre and after that it was all blurry. She looked to see Arnav who smiled at her and she smiled back. One of her hands drifted to meet his, it didn't travel far as Arnav encased it in his hand, the other went to her stomach when the realisation hit her. There was no baby inside her anymore...she didn't know what had happened, they said there was a possibility she could lose the baby and there was most certainly no baby here.
"Arnav...the baby...where's the baby, where's our baby? Everything's okay isn't it?" She asked panicked.
"Khushi, shhhh, its okay, everything's fine, the baby is fine." Arnav assured her. "They had to move the baby into the premature baby wing to run some tests to see if everything is alright, so far our baby is passing all the tests with flying colours so don't panic. He's a strong one." Arnav said, as he uttered his last sentence he paid particular attention to Khushi's face. Of course there was relief at the news their baby was healthy and fine but then there was confusion, a small smile twitched at the tip of her lips and soon a broad beaming smile lit up her face.
"You said he...iska matlam hai ki....ki...ki..." Khushi couldn't finish her sentence she was so happy.
"You got what you wanted Khushi, we have a boy and what a boy we have. You know Khushi the doctors were telling me that normally in these circumstances they see a lot of problems with kids, I saw it myself when I went to go see our son, so many little babies and they were suffering so much, but not our son. He's a fighter and he's strong, he reminds me of you like that." Arnav said and Khushi looked up with love and pride in her eyes. Khushi went very quiet and Arnav noticed this.
"What's wrong Jaan?" Arnav asked and Khushi looked up to him.
"What are we going to name him?" She asked.
Two weeks later, Khushi and Baby Raizada, who was still without a name were being discharged. Arnav had his car ready outside, car seat ready and he was impatiently waiting as Khushi was changing their baby into a baby blue and white striped baby grow. She smiled as she fit him into a now snug fitting baby grow, their baby was healthy, his weight and growth were progressing normally and by the graces of God there were no other problems to be concerned about. Arnav tapped his foot.
"Khushi, come on let's go, Di will be waiting at home with everyone else, they'll be worrying where we are." He said. Khushi ignored him and decided to speak to her son instead.
"Oh my baby, you look so handsome, aaj we're going home today my little ladoo, you'll see all you're family and you'll get to see your Di Aradhana aur hum sab bohut masti karoge." Khushi snuck a glance at Arnav who still looked unimpressed. "Lekin, abhi we need to go kyunki tumhari kadoos Pappa is getting mad." She said as she lifted their son into her arms. "Chalo, honestly Arnav you take too much time with these things." Khushi said as she walked past an irritated Arnav. Once they reached Shantivan Anjali was ready with her taal, Arnav and Khushi their home for the first time with their son. They all sat in the living room and Arnav took their son from Khushi's hands so that she could relax a little.
"Toh humare grand-nephew ke khatir naam to socha hi ki nahin?" Manorma mammi asked and Khushi scrunched her face.
"Nahin, whenever I look at his face I become confused, akkir kya naam doon is bache ko? Meri toh samaj mein nahin arri. Whatever names I liked before don't suit him." Khushi admitted. Arnav looked down at his son who was smiling with recognition at Arnav.
Arnav looked up to see everyone was deep in thoughts no doubt about what to name him. Payal was holding Aradhana.
"We had no problems naming this one, lekin humare ladoo ki liye mushkil kaam hain naam chuna." Payal admitted and Arnav scowled, Khushi had already kept his nickname, Ladoo, well Payal had decided it. Apparently the two sisters had some sort of agreement and so now everyone in the family called Arnav Singh Raizada's son Ladoo. Arnav cleared his throat and everyone looked up to him.
"Well considering I'm the Father and I haven't really cleared this with Khushi, but I think I have a name for him." Arnav said and Khushi turned to look at him.
"It better not be some long winded and old-fashion name, I refuse to have my son sound like an old man." Khushi said and Arnav rolled his eyes.
"Will you give me a chance, have a little faith Khushi." He said, he took a deep breath. "Well after he was born and we found out he was okay despite all the possible problems and complications that could have occurred, I started thinking. Our son's name needed to be something that captured his fighting spirit, the spirit with which he entered this world, just like Khushi's name captures her happy spirit I wanted something like that for our son." Arnav said, he looked at his son and then at Khushi. "So, I thought about Abhay, it means fearless and I like that, I think it suits him." Arnav said as he looked proudly at his fearless little fighter. Khushi mulled over this, Abhay, fearless...it did suit him and she actually liked it. She smiled.
"Abhay Singh Raizada. I like it." She said as she said it out-loud. Everyone smiled.
"Kya dhamaka wala naam raka." Manorma mami said. Akash smiled.
"Yes Bhai, nobody will dare mess with Abhay Singh Raizada. I'm sure he'll drive the same fear into people's hearts that you do. He will be a force to reckon with, without a doubt." Akash said proudly. Khushi intervened.
"Haan, haan, office mein sher lekin mere samne bilee." Khushi said as she began to laugh. Arnav turned to give her one of those chilling looks which used to render her immobile and then he smiled.
"Bilee my foot, kyun Abhay?" Arnav said as he asked his son who responded with a gurgle and Arnav laughed at that.
"This isn't fair, you can't use Abhay to gang up on me, he's my Ladoo, he'll always agree with his Mamma, kyun mere Ladoo?" Khushi said to Abhay as she puckered her lips and began to make extremely odd facial expressions at their child, Abhay smiled at Khushi who then stuck her tongue out at Arnav.
Read more of this here
"Arnav...the baby...where's the baby, where's our baby? Everything's okay isn't it?" She asked panicked.
"Khushi, shhhh, its okay, everything's fine, the baby is fine." Arnav assured her. "They had to move the baby into the premature baby wing to run some tests to see if everything is alright, so far our baby is passing all the tests with flying colours so don't panic. He's a strong one." Arnav said, as he uttered his last sentence he paid particular attention to Khushi's face. Of course there was relief at the news their baby was healthy and fine but then there was confusion, a small smile twitched at the tip of her lips and soon a broad beaming smile lit up her face.
"You said he...iska matlam hai ki....ki...ki..." Khushi couldn't finish her sentence she was so happy.
"You got what you wanted Khushi, we have a boy and what a boy we have. You know Khushi the doctors were telling me that normally in these circumstances they see a lot of problems with kids, I saw it myself when I went to go see our son, so many little babies and they were suffering so much, but not our son. He's a fighter and he's strong, he reminds me of you like that." Arnav said and Khushi looked up with love and pride in her eyes. Khushi went very quiet and Arnav noticed this.
"What's wrong Jaan?" Arnav asked and Khushi looked up to him.
"What are we going to name him?" She asked.
Two weeks later, Khushi and Baby Raizada, who was still without a name were being discharged. Arnav had his car ready outside, car seat ready and he was impatiently waiting as Khushi was changing their baby into a baby blue and white striped baby grow. She smiled as she fit him into a now snug fitting baby grow, their baby was healthy, his weight and growth were progressing normally and by the graces of God there were no other problems to be concerned about. Arnav tapped his foot.
"Khushi, come on let's go, Di will be waiting at home with everyone else, they'll be worrying where we are." He said. Khushi ignored him and decided to speak to her son instead.
"Oh my baby, you look so handsome, aaj we're going home today my little ladoo, you'll see all you're family and you'll get to see your Di Aradhana aur hum sab bohut masti karoge." Khushi snuck a glance at Arnav who still looked unimpressed. "Lekin, abhi we need to go kyunki tumhari kadoos Pappa is getting mad." She said as she lifted their son into her arms. "Chalo, honestly Arnav you take too much time with these things." Khushi said as she walked past an irritated Arnav. Once they reached Shantivan Anjali was ready with her taal, Arnav and Khushi their home for the first time with their son. They all sat in the living room and Arnav took their son from Khushi's hands so that she could relax a little.
"Toh humare grand-nephew ke khatir naam to socha hi ki nahin?" Manorma mammi asked and Khushi scrunched her face.
"Nahin, whenever I look at his face I become confused, akkir kya naam doon is bache ko? Meri toh samaj mein nahin arri. Whatever names I liked before don't suit him." Khushi admitted. Arnav looked down at his son who was smiling with recognition at Arnav.
Arnav looked up to see everyone was deep in thoughts no doubt about what to name him. Payal was holding Aradhana.
"We had no problems naming this one, lekin humare ladoo ki liye mushkil kaam hain naam chuna." Payal admitted and Arnav scowled, Khushi had already kept his nickname, Ladoo, well Payal had decided it. Apparently the two sisters had some sort of agreement and so now everyone in the family called Arnav Singh Raizada's son Ladoo. Arnav cleared his throat and everyone looked up to him.
"Well considering I'm the Father and I haven't really cleared this with Khushi, but I think I have a name for him." Arnav said and Khushi turned to look at him.
"It better not be some long winded and old-fashion name, I refuse to have my son sound like an old man." Khushi said and Arnav rolled his eyes.
"Will you give me a chance, have a little faith Khushi." He said, he took a deep breath. "Well after he was born and we found out he was okay despite all the possible problems and complications that could have occurred, I started thinking. Our son's name needed to be something that captured his fighting spirit, the spirit with which he entered this world, just like Khushi's name captures her happy spirit I wanted something like that for our son." Arnav said, he looked at his son and then at Khushi. "So, I thought about Abhay, it means fearless and I like that, I think it suits him." Arnav said as he looked proudly at his fearless little fighter. Khushi mulled over this, Abhay, fearless...it did suit him and she actually liked it. She smiled.
"Abhay Singh Raizada. I like it." She said as she said it out-loud. Everyone smiled.
"Kya dhamaka wala naam raka." Manorma mami said. Akash smiled.
"Yes Bhai, nobody will dare mess with Abhay Singh Raizada. I'm sure he'll drive the same fear into people's hearts that you do. He will be a force to reckon with, without a doubt." Akash said proudly. Khushi intervened.
"Haan, haan, office mein sher lekin mere samne bilee." Khushi said as she began to laugh. Arnav turned to give her one of those chilling looks which used to render her immobile and then he smiled.
"Bilee my foot, kyun Abhay?" Arnav said as he asked his son who responded with a gurgle and Arnav laughed at that.
"This isn't fair, you can't use Abhay to gang up on me, he's my Ladoo, he'll always agree with his Mamma, kyun mere Ladoo?" Khushi said to Abhay as she puckered her lips and began to make extremely odd facial expressions at their child, Abhay smiled at Khushi who then stuck her tongue out at Arnav.
Read more of this here
Wednesday, 27 June 2012
Dark Paradise Chapter Fifty One
Arnav was waiting outside the operating theatre, Akash, Payal, Buaji, Garima and Shashi were with him. Payal's eyes were raw and red from crying, her Buaji and Amma were in a similar state. Akash sat next to Arnav, unsure of what to say at this time, what was the right thing to say? If he gave words of optimism he could be giving his Bhai false hope and if he was realistic...he didn't want to say anything. They all waited in silence. Mamiji walked towards them, Akash stood up and went to her.
"Akash bitua Anjali ko ek sweetsa betiwa hogaye, hum aph sab ko batane ki liye ayein teh, Khushi ka kya hua, sab tik hai na?" Manorma asked Akash in hushed tones so only Akash could here. Akash gave a small smile.
"That's great news Ma, lekin Bhabi..." Akash struggled to find words to explain to his mother what had happened to Khushi but he knew he had to. Once Akash had explained everything, the colour in Manorma's face paled and faded. She immediately looked at Arnav, Anjali had taken on the maternal role in Arnav's life after their mother had passed away but Manorma had always felt she and Arnav were very close. Few people respected Manorma and her eccentric ways, but Arnav always did and Manorma could not handle seeing Arnav in this state. Arnav's face was weary, pale, his gaze was focused but his mind seemed to be miles away, deep in thought, his jaw was clenched and his hands in fists. Manorma went over to Arnav, she placed a hand on his shoulder, he jerked his head around to see Mamiji, she smiled meekly at him but Arnav just looked away.
"Arnav bitua, kuch nahin hoga Khushi bitiya ko nahin kuch hoga tumhari bacha ko. Bhas, hosla rak." Manorma said, Arnav didn't respond. His thoughts were lost in Khushi, he recalled all those instances when he and Khushi had unknowingly been forced together, when she accidently reached his Lucknow fashion show, when she joined his office, when he saved her from the building, when she came to work at the Raizada house and then when they married...a marriage which started off as a way to reveal the truth about Shyam and as well as doing that it forced them to both realise a simple truth...Arnav and Khushi, despite the reluctancy, the hatred, the annoyance and the obstacles were meant to be together.
Nothing could tear them apart, not his arrogance, her naivety, not Shyam and this most certainly was not going to tear them apart. Arnav felt fear in his heart, it was true but more than that he felt the intense love he had for Khushi. Khushi who had awoken a side of Arnav he had buried deep inside of him long ago, she appeared in his life and changed it irrevocably. After giving him all the world's happiness she couldn't leave him, he wouldn't let her. Arnav and Khushi had woven so many dreams for the future, Khushi wanted to travel, see and do things she'd never been able to do, they both wanted to have more children, they decided three was a nice number, they were going to watch their children grow and they would do it together. Khushi couldn't leave him mid-way with half-fulfilled dreams.
"Bhai." Akash said and Arnav came back to his current reality, his wife was in the operating theatre, both his wife and his child's life hung in the balance and there wasn't a damn thing he could do about it. "Bhai, Di had a little girl, she's healthy and they're both safe. Payal and I are going to quickly go see Di and check she's okay, are you okay here?" Akash asked and Arnav nodded. "We'll be back as soon as we can...call me if there's any news." Akash said, Arnav nodded and returned back to the purgatory that was waiting. Arnav thought about how happy he'd been when he realised that he was going to be a Father...but if he'd have known Fatherhood could cost him Khushi's life then he could have lived without. There was no way Arnav could do this without her. There was a reason behind why Arnav never wanted to marry, he never wanted to have the pain of loving, love always bought pain, it didn't matter if anyone was at fault or like Arnav and Khushi you were victims of fate there was always pain in love's path. Arnav wanted an easy life, he had his business and success and that's all he needed. But when Khushi came along, love snuck up on him and he had no choice but to love her as he had the most intense feelings for her, her absence made him restless and her presence caused him joy. She had become an integral part of himself and his life. Arnav snapped out of his thoughts when he heard a cry, a faint wail from a baby. He looked up to the operating theatre, the light was still on but he could hear his baby's cry. He knew it was his and Khushi's baby. His heart picked up pace, if the baby was born that must mean that atleast a part of the operation was successful. The light was still lit above the operating theatre...why weren't they finished yet? Arnav couldn't help but wonder, if the baby was born what else could they be doing? What if...what if there was a complication? They said it was risky for the baby and Khushi....oh god....oh god. Arnav couldn't help but imagine the worst, his heart was beating at a manic rate and he couldn't control his fear. The light went off and Arnav practically jumped to his feet. The Doctor came out, she scanned the hallway and then saw Arnav who had already made his way to her.
"Doctor, kaisi hai Khushi? Aur humara Bacha sab tik hai? Khushi tik hai na? She's okay isn't she? And the baby, everything's okay with the baby?" Arnav asked panicked. The Doctor raised he hands.
"Mr. Raizada please calm down, there was a lot of blood loss during the surgery but everything went smoothly. You're wife is very weak at the moment but she will improve. We have to move the baby to another wing where we care for premature babies, we'll have to observe the baby to ensure there are no immediate or long term problems but at the minute it looks quite positive. Your son is very strong Mr. Raizada, despite being one and a half months early he's a healthy 6 pounds and four ounces, he would have been quite a heavy baby had Mrs. Raizada carried him full term. But as I said after we've checked him over and if he is healthy you can take the baby and Mrs. Raizada when she is well enough, home." She said and Arnav froze...he had a son....Khushi and Arnav were parents...they had a son. He was overjoyed but he wanted to see them both.
"Doctor can I see them?" He asked and the Doctor smiled.
"We're just shifting Mrs. Raizada to the maternity wing and the baby, will unfortunately be separate to Mrs. Raizada so you'd have to see them separately." She said, Arnav nodded and decided to go see his son first as Khushi was still being shifted to the Maternity ward. The news spread amongst the Raizada's and the Gupta's and everyone was happy that Khushi was safe, Arnav and Khushi had had a boy and the baby was strong despite the early birth. Arnav reached the wing and entered the room, there were tiny, fragile and underdeveloped babies in incubators. Arnav walked through and silently prayed that each one of these babies survive. He reached his son's incubator, there was a sign that said, baby Arnav Singh Raizada. They had used the father's name as they had no time to ask Arnav and Khushi for a name, even if they had Arnav and Khushi hadn't decided on one. Compared to some of the other babies, Arnav's baby looked healthy, his body was long, there wasn't a lot of weight but once he came home, Arnav was sure Khushi would take care of feeding him to her chubby requirements. His son's eyes were shut and he slept soundly bundled up, his small chest rising and falling. It was amazing, he had Khushi's fine black hair, her long slender nose but he had Arnav's strong jaw, distinctive lips and to Arnav's amusement his frown. Arnav stared in wonderment, when his son began to stir, he opened his eyes and as Arnav looked into them he nearly had to do a double-take because he felt as though he was looking into Khushi's eyes. Their son had Khushi's light hazel eyes and the same depth in them, Arnav could see the curiosity and slight fear in his son's eyes as his son gazed at him for the first time. This feeling was something Arnav could not explain and it was something he could not put a price on. It was perfect.
Read more of this here
"Akash bitua Anjali ko ek sweetsa betiwa hogaye, hum aph sab ko batane ki liye ayein teh, Khushi ka kya hua, sab tik hai na?" Manorma asked Akash in hushed tones so only Akash could here. Akash gave a small smile.
"That's great news Ma, lekin Bhabi..." Akash struggled to find words to explain to his mother what had happened to Khushi but he knew he had to. Once Akash had explained everything, the colour in Manorma's face paled and faded. She immediately looked at Arnav, Anjali had taken on the maternal role in Arnav's life after their mother had passed away but Manorma had always felt she and Arnav were very close. Few people respected Manorma and her eccentric ways, but Arnav always did and Manorma could not handle seeing Arnav in this state. Arnav's face was weary, pale, his gaze was focused but his mind seemed to be miles away, deep in thought, his jaw was clenched and his hands in fists. Manorma went over to Arnav, she placed a hand on his shoulder, he jerked his head around to see Mamiji, she smiled meekly at him but Arnav just looked away.
"Arnav bitua, kuch nahin hoga Khushi bitiya ko nahin kuch hoga tumhari bacha ko. Bhas, hosla rak." Manorma said, Arnav didn't respond. His thoughts were lost in Khushi, he recalled all those instances when he and Khushi had unknowingly been forced together, when she accidently reached his Lucknow fashion show, when she joined his office, when he saved her from the building, when she came to work at the Raizada house and then when they married...a marriage which started off as a way to reveal the truth about Shyam and as well as doing that it forced them to both realise a simple truth...Arnav and Khushi, despite the reluctancy, the hatred, the annoyance and the obstacles were meant to be together.
Nothing could tear them apart, not his arrogance, her naivety, not Shyam and this most certainly was not going to tear them apart. Arnav felt fear in his heart, it was true but more than that he felt the intense love he had for Khushi. Khushi who had awoken a side of Arnav he had buried deep inside of him long ago, she appeared in his life and changed it irrevocably. After giving him all the world's happiness she couldn't leave him, he wouldn't let her. Arnav and Khushi had woven so many dreams for the future, Khushi wanted to travel, see and do things she'd never been able to do, they both wanted to have more children, they decided three was a nice number, they were going to watch their children grow and they would do it together. Khushi couldn't leave him mid-way with half-fulfilled dreams.
"Bhai." Akash said and Arnav came back to his current reality, his wife was in the operating theatre, both his wife and his child's life hung in the balance and there wasn't a damn thing he could do about it. "Bhai, Di had a little girl, she's healthy and they're both safe. Payal and I are going to quickly go see Di and check she's okay, are you okay here?" Akash asked and Arnav nodded. "We'll be back as soon as we can...call me if there's any news." Akash said, Arnav nodded and returned back to the purgatory that was waiting. Arnav thought about how happy he'd been when he realised that he was going to be a Father...but if he'd have known Fatherhood could cost him Khushi's life then he could have lived without. There was no way Arnav could do this without her. There was a reason behind why Arnav never wanted to marry, he never wanted to have the pain of loving, love always bought pain, it didn't matter if anyone was at fault or like Arnav and Khushi you were victims of fate there was always pain in love's path. Arnav wanted an easy life, he had his business and success and that's all he needed. But when Khushi came along, love snuck up on him and he had no choice but to love her as he had the most intense feelings for her, her absence made him restless and her presence caused him joy. She had become an integral part of himself and his life. Arnav snapped out of his thoughts when he heard a cry, a faint wail from a baby. He looked up to the operating theatre, the light was still on but he could hear his baby's cry. He knew it was his and Khushi's baby. His heart picked up pace, if the baby was born that must mean that atleast a part of the operation was successful. The light was still lit above the operating theatre...why weren't they finished yet? Arnav couldn't help but wonder, if the baby was born what else could they be doing? What if...what if there was a complication? They said it was risky for the baby and Khushi....oh god....oh god. Arnav couldn't help but imagine the worst, his heart was beating at a manic rate and he couldn't control his fear. The light went off and Arnav practically jumped to his feet. The Doctor came out, she scanned the hallway and then saw Arnav who had already made his way to her.
"Doctor, kaisi hai Khushi? Aur humara Bacha sab tik hai? Khushi tik hai na? She's okay isn't she? And the baby, everything's okay with the baby?" Arnav asked panicked. The Doctor raised he hands.
"Mr. Raizada please calm down, there was a lot of blood loss during the surgery but everything went smoothly. You're wife is very weak at the moment but she will improve. We have to move the baby to another wing where we care for premature babies, we'll have to observe the baby to ensure there are no immediate or long term problems but at the minute it looks quite positive. Your son is very strong Mr. Raizada, despite being one and a half months early he's a healthy 6 pounds and four ounces, he would have been quite a heavy baby had Mrs. Raizada carried him full term. But as I said after we've checked him over and if he is healthy you can take the baby and Mrs. Raizada when she is well enough, home." She said and Arnav froze...he had a son....Khushi and Arnav were parents...they had a son. He was overjoyed but he wanted to see them both.
"Doctor can I see them?" He asked and the Doctor smiled.
"We're just shifting Mrs. Raizada to the maternity wing and the baby, will unfortunately be separate to Mrs. Raizada so you'd have to see them separately." She said, Arnav nodded and decided to go see his son first as Khushi was still being shifted to the Maternity ward. The news spread amongst the Raizada's and the Gupta's and everyone was happy that Khushi was safe, Arnav and Khushi had had a boy and the baby was strong despite the early birth. Arnav reached the wing and entered the room, there were tiny, fragile and underdeveloped babies in incubators. Arnav walked through and silently prayed that each one of these babies survive. He reached his son's incubator, there was a sign that said, baby Arnav Singh Raizada. They had used the father's name as they had no time to ask Arnav and Khushi for a name, even if they had Arnav and Khushi hadn't decided on one. Compared to some of the other babies, Arnav's baby looked healthy, his body was long, there wasn't a lot of weight but once he came home, Arnav was sure Khushi would take care of feeding him to her chubby requirements. His son's eyes were shut and he slept soundly bundled up, his small chest rising and falling. It was amazing, he had Khushi's fine black hair, her long slender nose but he had Arnav's strong jaw, distinctive lips and to Arnav's amusement his frown. Arnav stared in wonderment, when his son began to stir, he opened his eyes and as Arnav looked into them he nearly had to do a double-take because he felt as though he was looking into Khushi's eyes. Their son had Khushi's light hazel eyes and the same depth in them, Arnav could see the curiosity and slight fear in his son's eyes as his son gazed at him for the first time. This feeling was something Arnav could not explain and it was something he could not put a price on. It was perfect.
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