Chapter 5 E - The Disaster from The past
Khushi: Because I killed her father
Khushi's voice echoed in the ears of ASR. He was shocked. He was confused. Khushi broke down. She felt weak. She almost fall but ASR held her in his arms trying to console her. She was crying her heart out.
ASR: Ssshhh Khushi... Its ok Khushi! I'm here ok!
After some time when khushi stopped crying, she was lost. She realised that she said too much about her life to ASR. She was on the brink of turning away when ASR called her name.
ASR: Khushi! You ok?
Khushi realised that ASR was much more worried about her feeling than her past.
Khushi: Why are you like this? Why are you so good to me?
ASR: Because I care for you Khushi! YOu are the most important part of my life. That's why I consider you as my best friend.
Khushi was overwhelmed at the words of ASR. She was the most important part of his life. And she felt that she owed him an explanation. He got a right to know about her past.
Khushi: ASR I need to tell you...
ASR: No Khushi, I know what you want to talk about but you don't owe me any justification! You can tell me when you'll feel comfortable.
Khushi: ASR, please! I want to tell you why I said that I killed malaika's father. If I don't tell you now, I won't be fine.
ASR: Ok, Fine! I'm listening!
Khushi: There's a park just round the corner, shall we go?
ASR: Ok.
While walking to the park, ASR was trying to cheer up Khushi. He was back to his fun attitude so that Khushi felt better.
It was cold, and the dress of Khushi didn't help. she was shivering. ASR took off his coat and helped her wearing it.
Khushi: Thanks
ASR: Oh god Khushi, You forgot again! What they say in india? Hmmm...Dosti mein no thank you no sorry.
Finally Khushi smiled to ASR cheerfulness.
The park was dark and isolated. But as long as ASR was with Khushi, she let go of her terror to darkness. After a long walk, they finally found a bench nearby a swing. ASR noticed Khushi's expression when she saw the swing. Khushi was lost in some thoughts and it didnt take him too long to understand that she was lost in her past. It was then that he heard her voice.ASR could feel that it was a broken Khushi who's been talking to him. Her voice was soft but painful.
Khushi: I love swings. I could stay on the swing for hours when i was kid. My father put up a swing for me in the garden. It was just near the river next to my house. I always thought that he loved me so much.
ASR knew that she was going through a lot, telling someone about her life which she kept away from herself. Seeing her eyes, he held her hands and khushi lifts her eyes to his. When she looked in his eyes, she felt safe. He was here for her. Khushi snuggled herself closer to ASR and laid her head on his shoulder.
ASR: Khushi! you ok,right?
Khushi: Yeah! I'm ok! I was 8 when dad gave me that swing. It was for my birthday. Dad's best friend came from Bangalore with his family after long years. Yash Uncle was the most sweetest uncle ever. He always gave me chocolate. And his daughter, she was very nice. Malaika was the princess of Yash Uncle. And soon we both became best friends. Yash uncle had a business deal and they settled in mumbai for 1 year. We went to school together. It was fun.
Khushi looked at ASR and she could perceive the confusion on his face.
Khushi: Yes we were friends and now we cant stand each other, that's what you thinking about ASR?
ASR stay muted and just gave khushi a confused look
Khushi: All went well until that day. My dad turned out to be someone whom we never thought him to be. And because of him my life became hell. Wherever I went I could see front page of newspapers, THE BUSINESS TYCOON AND HIS AFFAIRS. His outside relationships was out. All this time he managed to hide his second personality from his family. He always proved to be the perfect family man. Perfect Husband, Perfect Father! But the press tracked him down and uncovered his dirty affairs. At that age, I could not really understand the situation but people talk, even in school kids talk. Ma was devastated. She just packed our bags without a word and we left from there. For days we've been on the road, walking endlessly. We stayed in cheap hotels. It took time for Ma to get a job. She started working as a waitress in a bar at night and she arranged for a small room on the second floor of the bar. It was so dirty. At night when Ma was working, I kept on crying, thinking about dad, school, malaika, yash uncle...
Khushi tried hard to control her tears but in vain. ASR was on the verge to break down himself. He couldn't imagine his Khushi suffering from such atrocities but he knew he had more to hear. He promised to himself that he'll take care of her, he'll get her out of her past!
Khushi: After some months, Yash uncle found us. He was angry. He might be the best friend of dad but he considered Ma as his sister. He loved her a lot. Ma denied to be a burden on his family but he never gave her a choice. He forcefully took us to his house. Malaika was so happy when I came back. I went back to school. ANd Yash uncle find a qualified job for Ma as she insisted. One day Dad came to meet me in school. He was so kind to me. He made me believe that he misses me and that I should come back. He turned me against Ma. I went back to Ma, and i persisted that we go back to our old house. She was angry and she denied. The next day after school i ran away. When she found out she was shocked and worried, but she knew where I might be. She was coming enraged to dad, but on her way she collapsed. On reaching the hospital she already breathed her last. From the doctors, we found out that she was a cancer patient and she kept it to herself not to worry the family. After the death of Ma, Dad and Yash uncle fighted for my custody. I was still in the shock of losing Ma. I was allowed to stay with Yash uncle temporarily but he knew that as being the father dad had better chance to win the case. I stayed lonely. One day, unfortunately or Fortunately, I passed by the study room hearing the conversation of dad and YAsh Uncle. I was shattered, I felt disgust when I heard the father whom I thought was perfect. He accepted to settle out of court. He was ready to compromise but in return of a huge amount of money. He was selling me to Yash uncle. Money was more important for him. Apparently, when he was exposed in the press, his business lost some of his best clients.
ASR was feeling sorrowful for Khushi but when he heard the deeds of her father he was infuriated. He couldn't believe that a father could do such cruelty towards a daughter. If he ever came in front of him, he is a dead man.
Khushi: Yash uncle was furious. He never thought that his best friend was talking to him making such deal. And he couldn't take the risk of letting me to live with that man. He accepted and signed a blank cheque for dad. Dad gave him his evil smirk and got through the door. He was shocked to find me in tears at the door. He tried to talk to me, but I pushed him saying that I hate him. Yash uncle who saw all this was worried that I heard their conversation. After that day, I never met dad again. Uncle made sure that he never came in front of me. Since then I was the second princess of Yash uncle. Malaika, Uncle, Aunty, Nani, they were my everything. One big happy family!
On thinking about her family, Khushi had a teary smile. On his side, ASR was relieved that Khushi was taken care when she had no one. He was as thankful as khushi to Yash uncle.
Khushi: I was 12, 3 years since I was staying with the family and I've never been so happy before. We were on vacation. Malaika and I, we were at the swimming pool while uncle and aunty were having lunch at the hotel restaurant. After lunch time we went back to the hotel room. Malaika was tired and she was sleeping. It was raining heavily and I was bored when an idea struck my mind. I wanted to see the waterfall and uncle had promised me that he'll took me there when we reached hotel. Uncle and aunty tried to bring me to reason that it was not safe at the moment but uncle bowed down to my obstination . We took the car and went near the waterfall. Since kid, I loved water, the sea, river. Uncle held my tiny hands to control my excitement. While locking the door, I managed to free myself from his hold. Without thinking, I ran to the water's edge. I was taken by a small toy floating in the water, a boat! I leaned down and tried to get the boat. At that moment dad turned towards me and screamed in horror, he was panicked to see where I was. And due to his loud scream I turned back and lost balance.
Khushi was crying on the shoulders of ASR. She was reliving that day, that horrible afternoon. All her wounds were refreshed. Her heart was aching.
Khushi: If only' If only I was not so stubborn! If only uncle had not abide my obstination. He would still be alive. He saved me from the violent waves, but he'd done it at the cost of his own life.
ASR stayed quiet. He was going through that pain with khushi. Khushi's hurtful past affected him. Unknowingly silent tears fell down his cheeks. Khushi felt his hands holding her became much tighter. Her guiltiness towards her father figure, her uncle, made her weak. She was scared to look at ASR. But she had to tell him. She thought herself to be a killer. Her own family was already dead. Her own father was better to be considered as dead. Still she was that fortunate to get family love a second time. But her fortune brought misfortune to Yash uncle and his family.
Khushi: I took away the father of Malaika. Malaika never forgave me. I stayed in that house but aunty, malaika and nani never look at me the same way. For them I was just a burden whom uncle loved much more than his family. They hated me. I was lonely in a corner ignoring all their insults. But I worked hard. Uncle always wished that I succeed in studies, in life. Whatever I am today, its because of him.
After this, Khushi and ASR both kept silent holding each other. After some time, ASR found some courage and tried to talk to Khushi. He wanted to console her. He knew he had met khushi for some reasons. And he had to get her out of her grief.
ASR: Khushi! The death of your uncle is not your fault. He saved you! He saved you because he wanted the best for you. And I'm sure wherever he is, he is watching you! your anger, your guilt, your tears. In fact he might also be crying with you. So I think the best you can do is to be happy, to smile. I'm sure he's already proud of the human being you've become. If he can cry with you, then give him that opportunity to smile and laugh with you. Let him live through you, experience life with you. Can you do that Khush? For him? For Me?
At the moment, Khushi was out of words. ASR the carefree flirt was consoling her. His words were sincere. So true! She felt that no one could understand her feelings better than ASR, her friend, her Arnav. Battling against her emotions, she melt herself in the arms of ASR, holding him tightly as if never to let him go. ASR understood her restlessness. He kissed her on her forehead.
ASR: Khushi I promise baby I'll always be here for you. As from now no more tears. I want to see you smile and laugh. You can't even imagine how I felt seeing you so happy and laughing in the party. And especially in that dress, you are looking so sexy, I almost fainted.
And ASR gave her his half devilish smile. Khushi noticed that and hit him on his head.
ASR: ouch!
Khushi: Are you making fun of me Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada?
ASR: Of course not khush. Except the ugly make up you are perfect!
And ASR laugh out loud. Khushi was now irritated and kept on hitting him. But he didn't mind he was happy khushi was back to her cheerfulness. She was behaving like a happy kid. When suddenly her smile fade away.
ASR: Hey what happen khush? Don't tell me you hurt yourself with my six pack?
Khushi: Yeah right! You have a six pack?
ASR: ok kidding! But why are you back to unhappy khushi?
Khushi: I'm feeling really bad! I ruined your party. You should be enjoying and because of me you've been missing half of the party.
ASR: Its ok khush, don't worry. And anyways except from a beautiful lady in red, there was nothing interesting.
Khushi smiled shyly.
Khushi: You know what, I'm sure the party is not yet over. Come let's go back.
Khushi got up and was ready to go when ASR held her hands. Khushi looked at him confusely.
ASR: I think I got a better idea.
And he gave her the ASR smirk.
ASR: Come let's go.
Khushi: But where?
ASR: Just see by yourself sweetheart.
No comments:
Post a Comment