Chapter 36 : Storm Within

Background color
Font
Font size
Line height

Dedicated to psuhuna, AminaTaliep3, kousygnanam, caps156, user23549805,

and to all my readers and friends...

Chapter 36 : Storm Within

" And once the storm is over you won't remember how you made it

through, how you managed to survive...

You won't even be sure, in fact, whether the storm is really over.

But one thing is certain, when you come out of the storm,

You would not be the same person who walked in "

~ Murakami...



Early Morning...

Around 11:30 a.m.

Guest Room..

RM ..

Khushi sat on the floor looking at her surroundings. The diaries are shattered over the floor, open pages are as if looking at her. Khushi looked at all those with her blank eyes. There is no trace of tears but they are red with unshed tears...

Forgetting about her surroundings, Khushi was facing her past which can again shatter her present or may be reform her future...

The hardest part was to accept the fact that Arnav had loves her.. She had been loved by the man whom she had loved dearly and still loves....

Few hours passed but Khushi was still seated in the same position. HP came once with Khushi's breakfast which was probably sent by Payal but it was still untouched.

6 years, 6 long painful years Khushi was with the thoughts that Arnav has never loved her, that Arnav chooses Sheetal over her, that she was just another fling of Arnav, that it was her only, who has suffered, that Arnav intentionally did not visited her in the hospital after the horrendous night, that there was nothing between them and most importantly that, whatever words Arnav had uttered were believed by him...

But, today...

Today after reading Arnav's diary and hearing about his accident

..no..Suicidal attempt ...and these revelations shook her to the core.. Her believe for all those years crushed down .. She is getting confused now about her own heart's wish..

After hours of sitting like a statue Khushi's thought became more clouded.

Whatever Arnav did , his suicide stunt and all, is it because of his guilt or is it out of love ?

Arnav was always a weak person, Khushi knew that... then is his suicidal attempt because of his cowardice?

Then in between all these chaos's, where does LOVE stands?

And today Payal had told her about all this , why today? Why not before? Because for the first time the naive Khushi Gupta tried to humiliate the great Arnav Singh Raizada and become successful ??

Is not it a new trick to convince Khushi either to accept Arnav back or is not it a hidden threat to step back??

And what if Payal's words are true, what if Arnav truly attempt suicide out of guilt and love at a same time, is it justified to forget and forgive everything?

Years of abandonment, rejection, loneliness, pain, hurt and losing own self and your family, can Khushi forget everything just because Arnav tried committing suicide??

Just because Arnav was feeling guilty?

Or maybe just because Arnav truly loved her and realized it later??

But most importantly, if Khushi just forgive and forget everything because Arnav tried to commit suicide, will it not be an insult for the LOVE she has and still have for Arnav or the love Arnav CLAIMS to have for her?

Will it not proof that it is just out of pity??

At present what she actually is feeling?? Pity for Arnav or his love??

Khushi feels her head is spinning and the more she is thinking, the more her thoughts are becoming clouded.

Finally after lot of thinking Khushi took a deep breath... wiping her wet cheek she decided already what she has to do...

She will take the step, no matter what... because she will never let her present emotional state to decide the fate of her destiny or may be " THEIR DESTINY "......

***********

At the same time..

Arnav's Room..

RM ..

Arnav was lying on the bed after taking a light breakfast. He suddenly felt a long term burden has been removed..

Sheetal Kapoor is out from their life.. Finally he had able to give justice towards Shashi Gupta's death, his Rima aunty's broken marriage, and justice towards his old self..

The coward, immature, idiot boy who was foolishly thought himself as a king while he was played and used brilliantly by that vile woman..

And probably, Khushi got a little bit of solace after Sheetal got arrested, though while the revelations she was not present..

Khushi....

Her name brought restlessness within his already unsteady heart. Did she wake up?

How she is feeling now?

Did she remember their moments of togetherness last night?

Did she hear about his heartfelt confession??

Suddenly Arnav remembered Khushi's last word when he tucked her in the bed of guest room early morning, " I hate you."

Arnav smiled ruefully.. This flowerlike, innocent soul, who loved him with his all follies but due to his cruel act, venomous tongue, some unthoughtfull words and immense jealousy not only snatched 6 years from their life but also make Khushi losing her trust on LOVE... losing her self confidence.. Losing her self...

" I will return back whatever I had snatched from you Khushi... I will... if you never trust me again, I can accept though it will kill me literally but I will help you to establish the broken trust on LOVE, on your self confidence... Just,.. Just.. One chance.." Arnav was thinking about the whole incident again and again while his over exhausted body slowly slips into a disturb slumber. He tried hard to make himself awake because he wanted to talk with Khushi but failed...

Soon Arnav slips into a very deep and peaceful slumber unknown to himself after years...



***********

At the same time...

Arvind and Ratna's Room..

RM ..

Ratna and Arvind were sitting on the bed besides each other hands for long time. Finally Arvind said breaking the silence, "Were we that much ignorant Ratna, that we failed to understand Chotey?"

" I don't know Arvindji.. I has always seen the situation from one side.. Truly we failed to assess Arnav and his insecurities.. He was insecure about everything, precisely about his relationship.. Whatever he did with Khushi is never acceptable but his nature of over possessiveness, jealousy and insecurity, pushed him towards his act.. How we failed to access him or to read his inner turmoil? And he was being abused? Why we never thought of about it? Is not it our failure as parents?" Ratna asked while she is still digesting the fact that her Chotey was being molested..

" Don't dwell on the past Ratna.. Whatever happened has happened but now we need to hold on the present and upcoming future." Arvind said while trying to sooth his wife who was still crying.

" You were still cordial with Arnav but what I did?? I told him to not call me as maa.. I snatch the right.. I am a total failure as a mother.. I could not understand my child's turmoil.. I.. I..." Ratna was cut off by Arvind..

" Control yourself Ratna..Whatever happened we can not change but now we will stand beside them.. Both Arnav and Khushi needs us.. But one thing for sure, I will let them decide their fate by their own.. I will not force neither Arnav nor Khushi to bind together.. Though I know Arnav is dying to be with Khushi, and till now I also be thinking that somewhere to convince her to forgave him, but now I think it's too complicated.. If we will come in between them, Khushi's decision may be biased but I want them to take their decision based on their heart not whatever the surrounding, circumstances or mind is telling.." Arvind said calm yet determined voice.

" You are right.. Deep down I was also thinking the same.. But whether Khushi accept Arnav or not, that is different issue.. I need first to talk with my Chotey.. I have to..." With that Ratna was about to go but Arvind holds her hands.

" Arnav is tired now.. He is exhausted after today's revelations. Besides, after sending Sheetal to her right place, Arnav finally got the justice for himself. Give him some time. Later we both will talk with him.. and now, please take some rest Ratna.. We have to be strong because, the storm within us needed to cool down... Just a little time.." Arvind said while Ratna sat down again with an understanding nodding...

**********

At the same time...

Akash and Payal's Room..

RM ..

" Say something Akash.. Please you are scaring me." Payal said looking at her husband who was silent since the moment she has express that she, herself informed Khushi about Arnav suicidal attempt and handed over her Arnav's journal.

Taking a deep breath Akash shook his head and finally speaks," I did not expected this type of unprofessional behaviour from you Payal.. Today the psychologist Payal Sharma is defeated by the sister in law of Arnav Singh Raizada.. Did not you think that it was not your place to disclose about the matter?"

" I know Akash.. I very well know that I crossed the barrier.. But Arnav would never tell Khushi about the incident. He never wanted Khushi's pity.. But believe me, my primary concern was to let Khushi know that She was the only woman whom Arnav had loved... that she was actually being LOVED by the man whom she had loved with her everything.. Now Khushi can take the decision after knowing the whole truth.. I felt she has the right.." Payal said looking at her husband.

" Now leave it Payal.. Whatever happened , happened.. Right and wrong is totally individual's perspective.. So, let it be.. Hope everything get sorted very soon.. But I was feeling too angry and hurt that Arnav did not ever express about the miserable incident to any of us. Did not he think any one of us to confine within?" Akash asked while hurt was clearly evident in his voice.

" But He had confined everything to Khushi... did not he? And that is one of the reason I felt Khushi has the right to know about Arnav's suicidal attempt .. Arnav felt hesitated to share about his secret with his family but he shares it with Khushi.. It indicates only one thing Akash.. That Arnav not only trust Khushi immensely but he considered Khushi as his own and already accepted her in his life, forever.. But the only folly was, he was too blinded by his ego, jealousy , possessiveness or whatever, he failed to realise the silent whisper which his heart always had given him about Khushi..." Payal said with confidence.

"Probably you are right Payal. Let's hope for the best and let them decide by their own what both of them actually want from their life... Now you take rest, my princess is already very tired" Akash said while caressing Payal's baby bump with outmost love and affection.

" It's a baby boy..Our Prince.." Payal said annoyed that Akash never agreed upon her mother instinct..

" Well we will see that when time will come.. Now, take some rest.." With that Akash almost forced Payal to lay down on the bed for a much needed nap which his darling pregnant wife missed due to the circumstances today.

***********

Few Hours Later...

Dinning Hall..

RM ..

Everyone gathered in the dining table for the dinner. Aman along with Kuhu and Advay already left to their home in the afternoon. Co-incidentally, Shyam got a call for emergency case and he has to leave for Pune for two days.. and this Time Shyam took Anjali and Sneha with him. Because he very well knew about his wife.. After the deadly revelation about Arnav being molested, Anjali needs some distraction and Shyam too thought not to leave her alone, so the trio leave RM after the breakfast itself...

Rest of the Raizada's was dealing themselves in their own way. The whole day Shantivan actually had a "deadly silence" spread over it. Everyone was confined in their respected rooms drowning in their own thought or courses of different emotions. Manorama accompanied Devyani throughout and assured her telling that everything is fine, it's just the post hangover of the Fashion event night that everyone taking rest in their rooms. And thankfully the elderly lady was convinced with the explanations.

Lunch was served in everyone's respective rooms. Now, after almost whole the day passed and the family members once again came face to face after the revelations. There was an awkward silence spread in the dinning hall. No one knew from where to start..

Devyani was the first person to break the ice. "It seems you all were very tired.. I guess the event goes very well."

" Yes, maa.. Everything was fine and we have sorted out few matters.. All were taking rest, nothing to worry about. And yes, our Chotey did a brilliant job." Manohor said while eyeing towards Arnav with pride. It's not because of the fashion event but for the courage which Arnav shows by accepting and revealing his past infront of all the family members.

" I always knew my Chotey will make us proud.. hum.. Where is Khushi bitiya? She did not come for dinner?" Devyani asked while every head turns towards Arnav first and then Lavanya.. Everyone was clueless where is Khushi.

As if Devi Maiyaa heard their prayer, the front door opened and Khushi entered into the house. Looking at everyone face Khushi knew they all have the question that where was she.

" I will join with you after freshen up.. I have something very important to tell you all." With that Khushi just went towards the guest room leaving behind a bunch of confused people including Arnav .

20 minutes later...

Khushi joined in the dinning hall with the family members and got surprised seeing everyone was waiting for her to have dinner. The moment she sat on her chair HP started to serve the dinner. Khushi thought how to say what she is going to tell them all but Arvind came forward..." Khushi, beta you wanted to say something?"

" Yes.. Uncle.. actually, ohhh.." Khushi took a glance at everyone. " I want to tell you, I have finally got an apartment nearby and I will shift there as soon as possible."

The minute Arnav heard the words leave her mouth; he could not help but feel empty. Khushi is planning to leave the house... How will he accept the fact that Khushi will not live under the same roof? She was not going to be around anymore. He was not going to see her around in the early morning or late evening. He will not able to listens her hearty laugh with Sneha or chatting with Nani. A voice brought Arnav back to the present.

Manorama looked at Khushi, "Why? Are not we like your family?"

Khushi looked at all of them with a soft, different expression on her face. " I do not have any one else but you all. But I think it would be nice if I got my own place, do not worry I will most likely come here every day and way. I promise."

The elders laughed lightly as they nodded.

"That's good, bitiya, We will not force you, your life and you has the right to decide but remember you are always welcome here whenever you want to." It was Ratna who permitted Khushi's wish without any second thought and Arnav was shocked beyond imagination. His mother accepted that Khushi is about to leave the house? How could she?

Khushi nodded and started to have her dinner. She did not think that Arvind and Ratna will accept so easily...amidst all the unsure gaze upon her, Khushi was sure as she saw a different look on Arnav's face, but shook the feeling away or thought not to entertain that anymore.

" But what is the need Khushi bitiya? We are here and you will live in a rented house in Delhi?" Devyani finally asked when she realized her Khushi bitiya is not at all joking.

" Let her be maa. She may needs some privacy of her own.. Besides, she will be here in Delhi itself. We will visit her frequently and she is more than welcome in this house whenever she wants.. and within few days, Lavanya's and Nk's wedding preparation will be starting.. So, then khushi will be here only..." Arvind said with such tone that Devyani did not protest..

"Alright then. But what about your job? Any plans there?" It was Akash who finally ask another important question which was bothering Arnav since the fashion show is over. Khushi agreed to work with them till the fashion show and now the event is over. There is no other excuse by which he can bind his Khushi with him.. And after Khushi's decision to leave the house Arnav thought was actually ceased with the only reality that " Khushi is leaving and he will not able to see her in his house.."

Arnav's thought was again broken by Khushi's reply," I do not know Aki Bhai. I have already sent some applications out to different companies and let's see where I will get work."

Both Mr. Arvind Raizada and Mr Manohor Raizada shared a small look with each other. "Why do you need to apply when we are here? Actually bitiya, we don't want to lose you.. After working with you for few weeks, we are no way to lose you to another company.. Our gem will be with us only.. Then it's final, from tomorrow you will work with us again but with a new appointment.. We seriously want you as a part of AK fashion.. and believe us, It will be purely professional." Arvind Raizada said with so convincing way that Khushi felt it is hard to deny him.

She felt uncomfortable because she knew Arnav was continuously gazing at her but however a small thought crept into her mind

You are reading the story above: TeenFic.Net