Chapter 16C: Demons of the Past

 

ASR: Wear something decent Khush, my friend is quite orthodox and all.. and we are meeting him near the temple..

He smiled sweetly and closed the door on her face. Arnav leaned his head back on the door and signed a breath of relief while Khushi got back into her room completely under confusion.

Khushi: What the hell is wrong with this guy?

*****

It was 5 in the afternoon.. Wearing casual jeans and a white shirt, Arnav stood leaning against the car in front of the hotel entrance waiting for Khushi. When she finally walked out of the lobby, Arnav looked at Khushi completely mesmerized. He removed his sunglasses and glared at her without a blink. She was breathtakingly gorgeous in just a simple white attire..

She looked even more beautiful than when she was in her expensive branded clothes.. chappals, a white kurti and a pair of blue jeans! Arnav stared at her while his all emotions yelling inside.. "I missed you so much Khushi". As soon as Arnav lifted his eyes towards Khushi, she was rooted to the floor.. He was totally into checking her out and usually she just ignores him.. but the way he looked at her was beyond all.. No mischief, no lust.. His serious look, his eyes poured out all his feelings.. She knew he was sincere.. She knew he wanted her back.. Nervously she lowered her eyes avoiding his glare. She tucked her hairs behind her ears and adjusted her dupatta hiding her neckline.

 

She walked down the stairs to the car and as she approached him, his trance broke. He opened the front seat's door and Khushi lifted her eyes questioningly. Arnav understood her thoughts and in his soft voice he said...

ASR: I'm driving!

At first she was quite surprised.. but nodded nervously in affirmation and entered the front seat silently. She didn't want to create any scene or fight with him.. at least not today.. Only she knew what she was going through! Arnav closed the door and walked around the car to the driver's seat. He glanced at her once and zoomed off towards the temple. While all the way Khushi appeared to be lost, Arnav frequently gazed at her sad face.. In his mind, the same question haunted him again and again.. Was he taking the right decision? What if he decides to reverse back the car now? Will it be better for Khushi? He gazed back at Khushi. Her head leaned back on the seat and her eyes were closed. He brushed away his thoughts of turning back.. This was going to be hard for her and she needed to get through it and this time he'll hold her tight. A cute smirk adorned his face as he think of Khushi standing in front of his door.. He nodded smilingly..

ASR thinks: For work! Really..only you can come with such an excuse?

Arnav knew her too well.. He knew she didn't come for work.. she just needed an excuse to be with him, the only place where she can forget her sorrows.. Khushi came back to reality as the car suddenly stopped. She opened her eyes and looked around her.. She remembered this temple.. Arnav stepped out and walked to the other side of the car. As he opened the door, he said sweetly to Khushi who was still re living the memories of her childhood..

ASR: Shall we?

She nodded absent-mindedly and stepped out of the car.. As she was about to step forward, Arnav stopped her and she looked at him confused.

ASR: Khushi, your chappals!

 Her heart was racing and her tears threatened to fall any moment.. They took off their chappals and walked up the temple's stairs..

Flashback...

Yash Uncle: ek minute beta.. tum phir se bhool gayii.. (one minute beta... you forgot again..)

Khushi: Kya hua badepapa... (what happened dad...)

A 10 year old Khushi pouted and Yash uncle smiled at her cute pout.

Yash Uncle: Arre baadmaash... apna sandal to utardo.. (Naughty.. take off your sandals..)

Her eyes popped out and she grimaced cutely..

Khushi: Sorry sorry... phir se bhool gayi.. (sorry sorry... I forgot again..)

She took off her sandals and walked up the stairs holding the hands of her uncle.

Flashback Ends

They reached the last step of the temple.. Her eyes moved to the bangles stall and a smile curved on her lips as she saw the same vendor but whose hairs turned white with age..

Flashback

Yash Uncle: Are kahan lekar jaraha tu? (where are you taking me?)

Khushi stopped in front of the stall and jumped in excitement at the different colors of bangles.

Khushi: Mujhe churiyan chaaye! (I want bangles!)

Yash uncle bent down and picked her up in his arms.

Yash Uncle: Accha.. kaunsi chaayee? (Ok.. which one?)

And in her cute voice she said...

Khushi: Har rang mein.. red, pink, purple, green, blue.. (In every colors.. red, pink, purple, green, blue..)

Yash Uncle: Itne saare.. (all this..)

Khushi: Haan Badepapa.. jab sab rang miljayenge.. bahut pretty hoga.. (Yes dad.. when all colors are together.. it will be very pretty..)

The vendor intervenes into the father daughter talk.

Vendor: Lelije saab.. apki beti ki pasand bahut acha hai.. (Take it sir.. your daughter's choice is very good..)

Khushi looked proudly at her uncle.

Khushi: Dekha! (See!)

Yash Uncle: Tikein.. Aap meri beti ki pasand pack kardije... (Ok.. you pack my daughter's choice...)

Khushi: Yaaayyy!

And Khushi yelled happily as she hugged yash uncle tighly..

Flashback ends

Her reverie broke when suddenly she heard the soft voice of Arnav..

ASR: Khushi!

She looked at him and he said..

ASR: you ok?

She put up a brave face and nodded a yes.

Khushi: Hmm.. your friend? Where is he?

Arnav was dumb for a moment under the questioning glare of Khushi.. and then he finally said..

ASR: Khushi.. actually.. I..

Voice: Khushi!

When the familiar voice intervened his words, it was too late for him to confess.. Khushi turned to the voice and stared at Malaika in shock. She felt the floor moving while Malaika unwillingly walked away to sit next to her mother to continue the prayers. Khushi's eyes fell on the lady sitting next to Malaika. The lady who cursed her.. the lady who was burdened by her responsibility.. the lady who was once like her mother.. but the mother who sees her daughter as the murderer of her husband.. A tear fell down her cheeks as she remembered the day she left the house forever.. Her aunty was no more the same.. She looked older, more pale and wrinkled.. Sitting near the pandit, performing the prayers for her late husband, she still hadn't notice Khushi.. Khushi was ready to go back on her steps. She once destroyed this family's happiness.. but no more.. at least she didn't want to be a curse on what is left of her family.. She wiped her tears and was stepping backwards when suddenly she felt Arnav slipped his hand in her hand.. Instantly she lifted her teary eyes towards his serious look. Confusion, fear, pain, feelings.. all came together and she couldn't think anymore.. She stared into his eyes while he said..

ASR: You never wanted to accompany me to meet my friend Khushi.. you just wanted to come to the temple to pray for your uncle on his death anniversary..

She was shocked.. but it was too difficult to react.. impossible to be angry at Arnav for lying to her... her pain overtook her anger.. Her bosom heaved as she tried to control her falling tears.. She felt breathless.. Arnav stepped closer to her and cupped her face forcing her to look into his eyes..

ASR: Look at me Khushi!

She wanted to resist but she felt like being a lifeless body..

ASR: I promised to myself.. I'll take you far away from this darkness Khushi.. Yash uncle loved you the most.. is that how you want him to see you? He died to see you live!  This is reality Khushi.. don't run away from it.. face it!

She nodded in tears..

Khushi: I.. I cannot! Please.. take me away! Please Arnav..

He lifted his hand and gave it to her.. She looked at his hand and then gaped into his eyes again..

ASR: Hold my hand Khushi and sit with me for this prayer.. I promise life will be much better after this.. You have a right to sit at this prayer.. He was your father! And you.. his daughter! Either it's your aunty or sister, no one can take this from you! And if yash uncle was alive, he would have tell you that you were the best thing that ever happened to him.. Don't turn back from him, please! Can you do this? For him.. and for me!

She closed her eyes and wiped her tears. She looked at her family and could see the angry glare of Malaika..

Flashback

Malaika: Yeh mere papa hai.. (This is my father..)

Khushi: Yeh mere bhi papa hai.. (This is also my father..)

Yash uncle: Are.. tum dono kyun jagar rahe ho! (Hey... why are you both fighting!)

Malaika: Papa mein usse kehraha hain ke apne usse adopt kiya hai par vo manti hi nahin.. kehti ke ap uski asli papa hain.. (Dad I was telling her that you adopted her but she don't agree with me.. she says that you are her own father..)

Yash uncle could see the sadness on Khushi's face and he bent down and took her in his arms. He smiled at her and said..

Yash Uncle: Kisne kahan ke mein uski asli papa nahin hain? Agar yeh meri betiii hai, to main uski papa kaise nahin hosakta? Tum batao Khushi, tum kiski beti hain? (Who said that I'm not her real father? If she is my daughter, so how can I not be her father? You tell me Khushi, whose daughter are you?)

She looked at his funny grimaces and laughed as he began tickling her. And in between her laughter she said..

Khushi: Apki betiii papa! (Your daughter dad!)

Flashback ends

With the laughter of the past ringing in her ears, she placed her hand in Arnav's hand and they walked to the prayer.. While Malaika was shocked at her guts, her mother got the shock of her life when she saw Khushi. She ignored everyone's glare but not a single moment she left Arnav's hand. Arnav helped her to sit and took place next to her.. She closed her eyes and prayed for the man who loved her like a father.. he was god for him.. He gave her life twice.. He gave her a family.. he gave her the love that her real father couldn't give her.. As the pandit completed the rituals, they all stood and Khushi was turnes away when suddenly the cruel words of her aunty stopped her steps..

Aunty: Apna manhoos chera yahan kyun lekar aaye! (Why did you bring your cursed face here!)

Arnav was fuming at her words and he was about to reply back when suddenly Khushi held his hand. She turned to face her aunty and bravely said...

Khushi: Apke liye nahin.. main apne papa ke liye aaaye... (Not for you.. I've came for my dad...)

Arnav looked at her in shocked... the ladies fumed furiously while Arnav smiled in joy.

Khushi: Ar aaj se mein har saar isi dhi aajayoongi! Yeh sab prayers.. papa ke aatma ko shanti miljaye.. aur mere bhina yeh adhoorii hai.. to agle saar, mera intezaar karlije ga! (And from today I'll come every year! All these prayers.. it's for my dad's peace.. and this is incomplete without me.. so next year, wait for me!

And she turned away walking down the stairs followed by Arnav. He opened the door for her and led her in the front seat. But before stepping in the car, she placed her hand on Arnav's hand laying on the door.. He looked at her in confusion and she said...

Khushi: Thank you!

Arnav smiled..

ASR: Anything for you!

She entered the car and he rushed to the driver's seat. He got into his seat, wore his belt and looked at her..

ASR: Shall we go?

Khushi breathed a sign of relief and nodded with a smile..

Khushi: Yeah let's go..

And they zoomed off leaving behind the shock faces of the angry mother and daughter.

*****

It's been hours since they reached the hotel.. As soon as they came back from the temple, they met yuvi, anshu and payal in the lobby.. They were exhausted from their day out. All five went straight to their rooms.. While Khushi was still moved on, thinking about the events of the day, Arnav distanced himself to give her some space. He knew she was not in the state to talk about anything.. Yuvi, anshu and payal slept some time and ordered dinner late at night. At 8, Khushi was in bed, staring at the ceiling when there was a knock at the door. She got into her slippers and walked to the door. She prepared herself mentally to face Arnav. After all she had to thank him.. But when she finally pulled open the door she was surprised. Instead of Arnav, was standing a boy.. one of the staffs.. The boy smiled at her and said..

Staff: Room service mme!

She looked at him confusingly.

Khushi: I... didn't order anything!

Staff: I was asked to deliver dinner to your room.. May I come in?

She moved and let the staff with the food tray entered the room. Then the boy made his way outside the room and turned back to Khushi when she said...

Khushi: But who ordered this?

He smiled..

Staff: Mr Raizada... Enjoy your meal mme!

And he walked away while Khushi went lost in her thoughts.

*****

His feet on the coffee table, Arnav was comfortably settled in the sofa with his laptop in his lap. He was focusing in some work when the phone rang. Instantly he extended his hand and picked up the call...

ASR: Hello!

Staff: Sir we've delivered dinner to Miss Gupta's room as per your order.

ASR: Ok Thank you..

He disconnected the call and continued his work. Some minutes later, he growled irritatingly when he heard the knock at his door..

ASR: Gosh.. no one will let me work today!

He walked to the door and opened it.. As his eyes fell on Khushi, he was surprised, amazed.. happy! Khushi nervously looked at the ground and Arnav smiled. His eyes moved to the food tray in her arms and when he heard her sweet nervous voice, he brought back his attention to her figure...

Khushi: You had dinner!

He nodded negatively.

ASR: No!

Khushi lifted her eyes towards his stare.

Khushi: Will you have dinner with me?

For a moment, he stayed idle, gazing at her reaction if he didn't answer her.. and then suddenly a bright smile adorned his serious look..

ASR: Of course! Please come in.. I'll take this!

He took the tray from her hands and let her in.. He placed the tray on the table and Khushi settled the plates and served the food.. She began to eat in silence while Arnav was a noisy eater..

ASR: hmmm.. that's yummy!  I was starving!

She tried to brush away her nervousness and asked in her soft voice..

Khushi: Then why didn't you order for dinner!

ASR: hmm.. I didn't want to eat alone.. and I knew you would come to me..

Khushi's eyes popped out in shock.

ASR: Just kidding!

And he winked at her as he got back to his naughty self. Khushi nodded irritatingly till his stupid joke brought a stupid smile on her face..

*****

Dinner was great. She had a good time with Arnav though she talked less and listened more.. She stood at the terrace admiring the thousands stars.. As kid she loved those starry nights! Arnav walked to the terrace holding the desserts.

ASR: Here you are mme, your Belgian dark chocolate ice cream!

He handed her the desserts and she smiled at him..

Khushi: Thanks!

As she thanked him, he pulled back the desserts from her hand.. Khushi was confused!

ASR: What? Don't look at me like this? I'm not scared of you Gupta... Thanks Thanks Thanks.. I don't want your thanks.. can't you take anything without your thanks.. I'm not your waiter, I'm your friend!

Khushi brought her hands to his and snatched the ice cream while Arnav jaw dropped in shock.

Khushi: Thanks... thanks for being a friend! Thanks for being here when I needed you!

Arnav controlled his tears.. His khushi still considered him as his friend! His khushi.. But he still had more to know and he didn't want to lose this opportunity..

ASR: Ok.. I'll accept these thanks on only one condition!

Khushi glared at him confusingly..

He placed his ice cream glass on the balustrade and did the same with the glass in Khushi's hand. He held both her hands..

ASR: I know Khushi we've gone through a lot.. but this is not about me.. even if you run away from me.. I'll always be here to support you.. to protect you! Please tell me.. the truth!

Khushi stuttered..

Khushi: whh.. what truth are you talking about?

ASR: Do you know Karan Singhania from before?

His words came as a blow.. Her eyes popped out as he bored into her.. For an instant she was rooted to the floor.. Fear and confusion.. when she composed herself she nodded...

Khushi: No..

But her tears betrayed her.. She tried to walk away but Arnav held her back.

ASR: If No, then why are your eyes welled up? Tell me Khushi.. I got a right to know about it!

She closed her eyes in exasperation.. Her mind and heart both said the same thing.. She cannot tell Arnav.. Whatever misunderstanding, any anger, their fights.. but she still knew all this was never beyond their friendship.. Even from that time, she never told him about her past relationship.. his anger, his protectiveness.. he would have moved the world to find Karan.. She looked into his eyes and angrily said..

Khushi: Stop it Arnav! Leave me!..

ASR: No I won't.. I've seen how he looks at you and how you behave when he is around!

Khushi forcefully pulled herself out of his hold..

Khushi: this is none of your business.. and what right are you talking! The right of being a friend? Yes you were once.. and now for what you've done today.. I'll be grateful to you all my life.. but don't try to get back into my life.. Don't intrude yourself in my matters.. you are nothing to me!  You were a friend once and now no more.. I wanted to thank you, though not a friend but today you've done what only a friend could so.. That's all!

With a burden on her heart.. she stepped away from him.. The only way that could end up Arnav's queries was her anger. Arnav was hurt by her words, but she was as much hurt while she said those painful words to him.. Arnav was left alone on the balcony, shocked.. but those tears, why they always betrayed her.. If she meant it.. why her tears didn't stop falling.. why her tears betrayed her anger.. Why? Why? Why? Her hand was on the door knob when she was suddenly turned around forcefully.. He pushed her against the door angrily.. Nose to nose, his breath bathed her skin, their lips inches away.. she bored into his eyes like fury..

ASR: I'm nothing to you? That's what you think? But not after this..

And without any thoughts.. he crashed his lips onto hers.. What he was doing, he had no idea.. it's just he didn't want to let go this time.. Khushi shivered under his touch.. He slipped his tongue into her mouth and he sensed her responding.. Her tears fell down her cheeks and he brought his hands, wiping off the tears with his thumb! They were kissing each other.. a kiss of sorrows and pain.. a kiss to prove her that he won't let her go again.. a kiss to reassure her that he is by her side.. A kiss that she badly needed.. a kiss of friendship or love??? They stayed in the same position, exploring each other's mouth till Arnav's mobile came into the picture.. Their eyes popped out bringing them to reality as his mobile rang. Their lips detached while they stared at each other in shock.. His eyes moved from her eyes to her trembling lips.. Nervous and confused, he brought his hands to his pockets and took out his mobile.. and breaking the eyelock, he brought it to his ears...

ASR: Hello!

Aman: ASR, I got it!... Karan and Miss Gupta were dating in university...

He was shocked and broke the eye contact as he focused on the words of Aman .. and he was so not ready to believe it...

ASR: No Aman.. that's impossible.. I would have known it!

Aman: ASR! This is 100% true! And there is more.. I got this information from the same media who published the news about Karan and Miss Gupta some years ago.. they got more news but never published it as Gupta InDesigns sent them a legal notice and they would have been ruined if they talked more about Kushi Gupta...

ASR: What news?

Aman: One week after their breakup.. Karan was expelled from university.. on the accusations of attempt of rape on his ex girlfriend Khushi Gupta!

Arnav's eyes popped out in shock.. and his mobile fell from his hands breaking it into parts.. Khushi who was still cornered at the door looked at him in concern! He turned his welled up eyes and stared at her, speechless!...