Wow, what an emotional we all had these few days. ANd it's all because of of Khushi and Arnav. Anyways, like you ceci, i'm scared to write a FF, mostly because i may not be motivated enough to finish it and because of my lacking of creativity and perhaps proper language for writing a narrative. but i''ll try to give it a try. this is what i got after almost 3 hours of writing. feel free to give ideas or suggestions for suitable use of expression of language. of course, there's so much i don't know about indian cullture which is another reason i'm scared to write. i fear i may offend anyone. anyways, here goes, and tell me what u gals think:
Titlwe: i can't think of one right now? suggestion?
It had been weeks since that ill-fated day. It was never the same in the Raizada’s household. Anjali had been in seclusion, taking sanctuary in her bedroom, refusing to see anyone. Her brain could not process the fact that the love of her life, Shyam tried to destroy the existence of the most valuable piece of her life – Arnav. Why was this happening to her? She had done nothing but so many good deeds in her life. She made so many venerations, giving holy offerings to the gods. She treated people with the utmost kindness and did not judge them unfairly. Why was god punishing her like this? Why did god separate her from Shyam? Should she blamed Arnav and Khushi?
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Arnav couldn’t get a decent sleep ever since he was saved. He was alive but he felt like he was dead. Anjali won’t talk to him. Nanni and Mamiji and the rest of family were all still sad and shocked with the fact that Shyam kidnapped and tried to kill him for the family’s wealth. They didn’t know how to console him. But the thing that was killing him the most from the inside was that Khushi almost died, as a result being his shield from getting shot by Shyam’s thugs. If Khushi didn’t call the cops before came to the warehouse and then frantically ran towards him to shield him from the gun shot, they both might die. The police shot two of the crooks and apprehended the others. However, Shyam managed to escape, with a cop’s bullet in his arm. That snake had lady luck on his side that day. If it was up to Arnav, he would strangle the life out Shyam’s evil body. Inflict pain on him, more than what that snake had imposed on him and his family.
He felt every single breath that he had was taken away from him when Khushi took the bullet for him. When the medical assistance who tried to resuscitate her in the ambulance said he could not feel any pulse and or heartbeat, Arnav wanted to take his life there and then. But when all of a sudden, Khushi let out a weak sigh and started to breathe, he was thankful to the gods, forgetting that he didn’t believe in one.
Today, Khushi was released from the hospital. She was still week but the doctors assured Arnav that she was fit enough to rest at home. Khushi didn’t feel comfortable to go back to Shantivan. In the car, she tried to convince her husband
“Can’t I just stay at my parents’ house? I don’t think it’s right to go back to Shantivan yet.”
Arnav remained silent. He didn’t know how to respond. He understood her discomfort, especially being around Anjali. But he wanted her to be safe, comfortable and by his side. He wanted to shower her with all the love and happiness that she deserves and which he denied her before.
Khushi was worried that Arnav didn’t respond. She didn’t want to bother him, being in the middle between her and his beloved didi. As much as she wanted to stay by his side, but she was not selfish and she was not going to start now. She knew he was trapped being loyal to his sister and being in love with her.
“Arnav ji, it’s ok. Don’t worry about me. I can…..”
“How can I not be worried about you, Khushi?!”
Arnav stopped the car all of a sudden. How could she say he didn’t have to worry? He would die for her if that means she can live. His temper took the best of him. When he looked at her shocked and weak expression, he mentally yelled at himself for being so impatient with her. The last thing he wanted was for her to be scared of him.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to yell at you. It’s just that…I… want you…to be safe. I want to protect you, care for you.
Khushi felt sense of joy she had never felt before when Arnav uttered those meaningful words. She remembered how those nights he spent at the hospital, by her side, holding her hands, embracing her body and whispering beautiful words into her ears so that she would be at ease. When Shyam’s thug pointed the gun at Arnav’s weak body, her heart took over her. She couldn’t let any harm befell on Arnav’s life. Without thinking, she ran and embraced him. Then she felt a hot, painful prick on her back. The next thing she could remember was Arnav crying beside her in the moving ambulance. And the rest was total darkness until she was told she was in a coma for 2 days.
“Arnav ji, let me go to amma and appa’s house. I’ll be safe there and comfortable too. Amma and Bua Ji can take care of me. The neighbours too. They can help to do whatever they can. Please, let me go there.”
‘Let her go?’ It was so difficult to swallow those words. It was another long silence. Khushi didn’t know what else to say. It was obvious Arnav was under a lot of stress. His face said it all. She felt his emotional pain.
“Is this what you really want?” he asked.
“Yes…” Khushi was not sure how to react.
After thinking for a while, Arnav finally made up his mind.
“Fine. But I’ll stay with you. I’ll put up the security system at amma and appa’s house. And I’ll get some bodyguards too.”
“I don’t think that is necess…”
“No arguments, Khushi. That’s final.”
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After a few weeks, Khushi felt so much better. She felt healthier and stronger. She couldn’t just sit or lay on her bed. She got up early; she had planned what she wanted to do today the night before. But it was so hard to get up and not wake Arnav up as he was holding her so firmly. Last night was when she finally saw Arnav falling into a deep sleep. It must had been exhausting for him to travel back and forth here and Shantivan. She heard from Payal that Anjali didn’t eat much and refused to talk to anyone. What hurt Khushi the most was to learn that Anjali even refused to look at Arnav’s face, let alone talk to him. That must burden him extensively. Khushi looked at her dishevelled and tired husband. Love and empathy overwhelmed her. She wanted to do anything she can so that Arnav can feel better. If Anjali wanted someone to blame, Khushi would gladly take it.
After bathing, Khushi quietly tip-toed to the kitchen. She almost got a shocked when suddenly Uday, one of the bodyguards appeared at the kitchen.
“Sorry, madam! Did I bother you?”
“Shhhhhhh…..Arnav ji and everyone else is still sleeping. Don’t worry. I intended to wake up early today. By the way, it’s Khushi. Mr Raizada is not around.”
It was a bit burdensome to see strange men patrolling her house like this. She wanted to protest to Arnav to have the bodyguards to leave. But when Arnav stared at her, without saying anything, it reminded her of his ASR persona and she knew she won’t win this battle with him.
“I’m making some dhal and capatti for breakfast. And after that I’m going to the temple for prayers.” It’s better to tell Uday what she wanted to because eventually she had to leave for temple and she needed Uday’s help not to let Arnav know she was going out for a while.
“But Mr Raizada told us many times before you are not to leave the house alone, madam.” Uday had his instructions; Khushi or any of her family members should not leave the house unaccompanied.
“It’s Khushi. And who said I’m going alone? You can take me there, right?” Khushi gave Uday her brightest smile as a “guarantee” for him to take her and not let Arnav know about it. She knew Arnav was extremely worry about her safety that he made an ultimatum that she could only go anywhere accompanied by him and the bodyguards.
“But Mr Raizada has made it very clear. You can only go out with him, and accompanied by the guards. I dare not defy him, madam…I mean Khushi ji.”
“Uday ji, don’t worry. The sooner we leave, the sooner we can come back. I wanted to pray for Arnav for his health. He doesn’t believe in this kind of thing. It will be our little secret. And I know, how much you love Bua Ji’s dhal. I can make it too, but tastier! Please….???”
Uday was a 40-year old man with a sister the same age as Khushi. Every time he looked at her, he was reminded of her. She passed away a few years ago due to a sickness. The moment Khushi begged him, he knew he could only give in.
“Alright, Khushi ji. But only for a very short while.”
“Sure. Give me about an hour to prepare breakfast. Then we can go.”
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Khushi felt blessed today. After more than a month, she was able to come to the temple to pay respects to the gods and pray for Arnav’s wellbeing. As she promised Uday, it would not be more than half an hour spending time there. She finished praying after 20 minutes. She still had some time left before going back. She had to return before Arnav wakes up. As she walked towards Uday’s car, with Uday walking closely beside her, she heard a noise from a nearby stall and she saw some women gathering around someone. She asked a passerby what was going on. The lady told her that was a famous fortune teller from Kerala. He was known to give accurate reading for love and marriage. This was his first time coming her. Khushi was intrigued.It had been quite some time she had her fortune read and she still few minutes to spare. So, she decided to see the fortune teller.
It was a bit hard to get the fortune teller’s attention as there were other people asking their fortune to be read. As the crowd grew bigger, the fortune teller’s assistant asked Khushi and the other women to write their names, date of birth and time of birth on a piece of paper and that of their respective spouses. Khushi waited for a while as she kept looking at her phone to see the time. Uday came closer and said it’s better to leave now. She wanted to know her reading but Uday was right. If she didn’t move now, she might be late. Arnav might wake up and both her and Uday would be reprimanded.
As she was about to leave, someone called out “Who’s Khushi?” Immediately, Khushi turned around and replied. “Me.” It was the guru ji’s assistant. “The guru had finished with your reading”. Khushi turned to Uday and said “Just a minute or maybe two. I promise we leave for home after that.” Uday agreed.
“Khushi ji, you have been married for a while?”
“Yes, guru ji.”
“And this marriage, was it forced on you?”
Khushi was silent for a while. “Yes”.
“But you are very much in love with this man, your husband, aren’t you?”
Khushi nodded. So far, what the guru had said was true.
“I sensed that something happened…something bad happened recently, which almost cost your life and your husband’s.”
Khushi was taken aback with the guru’s statement. She was anxious.”Is there anything wrong, guru ji? Do advise.”
“Khushi ji, please brace yourself. I can see in the numbers that you love each other very much. However, it seemed that your stars and your husband’s cannot meet and remain together. It brings too much negative energy and bad luck when you are together. There are too much evil eyes watching. If actions are not taken, one of you if not both, will suffer unbearable pain.”
Khushi couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She and Arnav can’t be together? Why are the gods testing her like this? Without she realising it, teardrops to come out from her eyes.
“Tell me again, guru ji. This is not true, right? They are just predictions, that may not happen at all, right?”
The guru sensed Khushi’s fear and concern. But what he told her was based on the numbers he saw on the piece of paper with the name “Khushi: written on it.
“Child, the gift that I have is for both good and bad fortune. I read them all. I don’t get to pick and choose what I calculate. I only tell you what I see in your numbers and from those numbers, the alignment of your stars and your husband’s. I can tell how much you love him and I see, how much he loves you. But the stars had spoken of another reality. And it’s not elation if you two remain together.
Khushi couldn’t help but cry. As much as she wanted to disbelieve the prediction, but her heart couldn’t stop but to wonder ‘what if’? What if the prediction is true? She has been thinking a lot, ever since she leaves the hospital. Maybe they should not be together? It the most delectable moment in her life to know Arnav loves her, as much as she loves him. She thought that alone is enough to give her strength to be with him forever. But then, what about Anjali? She sensed that Anjali would not be the same with her anymore. And Arnav would be forced to choose her or Anjali. To choose her means to remind Anjali about Shyam’s wickedness and the fact that it was Khushi who Shyam was longing for and not Anjali. And if Arnav chooses Anjali, then it would be Khushi’s heart broken into pieces. But Khushi was willing to face that reality. It’s better to have her heart broken than to hurt Arnav and Anjali.
It would also be for Payal’s sake. Khushi knew how awkward things were for Payal and the Raizadas. Nani did not say anything but bothe Khushi and Payal felt she was distancing herself from them. Mamiji was a bit vocal and obvious. She was even being very clear about how the Gupta sisters brought both happiness and pain to the Raizada. If only the two families didn’t cross path. Things have also gone awkward for Payal and Akash. Though Akash seemed to be the most sensible in the house, but he and Payal were not as close and intimate as before. The whole incident with Arnav, Khushi and Shyam had definitely caused some strain in their marriage.
“What should I do, guru ji? Please tell me.”
“I cannot tell you to do exactly like I say. The choice is yours. The only way for both of you to be safe from the evil eyes is to stay away from one another.”
‘Be separated?’ Her mind could not digest that. “For how long, guru ji?”
“That, my child, is something I cannot calculate. It all depends on the alignment of the stars. But from what I can predict now, it’s uncertain and most probably the stars would not change. Think hard before you make any decision”.
Khushi couldn’t think. Her mind went blank.
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I hope
