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Not Proof read ..Ignore the mistakes..

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Chapter 54: London Diary ~ 2

"Every relationship goes through a struggle, but only strong relationships get through it.."

~ Anonymous

XYZ Hotel...

London...

A few days later finally Arnav and Khushi got the deal which they were working so hard.. and today there is a celebrating party in one of the famous hotels.. The company with whom AR branch London had made the deal, they had organized the whole events.. So, Arnav and Khushi along with the whole team left office earlier for attending the party..

As usual Arnav was all naughty while Khushi was getting ready and as usual the possessive Raizada almost forced his lady love to wear his favorite color.. So, Khushi is now clad in a red gown perfectly hugging her slim body, specially choose by Arnav..

Their journey from their apartment towards the hotel was all cheerful.. Arnav steal few secret kisses, they had few golden moments together.. But the moment they entered the venue everything changed..

Arnav's hands were around Khushi's waist as he holds her protectively but he frown when he felt Khushi stiffen in her place when they entered in the venue of the Party hall, precisely when a very familiar face greeted them...

" Hello Mam and Sir.. How are you? It's been long.. Hope you will enjoy the party..." the man said all smiling..

" Thank you.. But did we meet before?" Arnav asked..

" Sir I am the manager of this hotel.. and I am here for last 10 years.. You may forgot me but I clearly remember both of you.. years before both you and mam came here for madam's birthday celebration and I was ordered to arrange for those decorations in your suit.. anyways.. good to see you years after.. stay happy and enjoy tonight.." with that the manager went towards the other corner where his attention required...

Both Arnav and Khushi stood rooted at their place for few moments... Arnav was the one who came back from the shock and then look at his side, Khushi was standing like a statue...

Arnav could easily sense what Khushi is going through, she must be transpired to the night where they celebrated her birthday together, where she confessed and the next morning he had abandoned her..

" Tum theek ho ( Are you al right)?" Arnav asked all concerned and cursing himself for not checking the venue before.. if he would had paid attention, they would not have attended the party..

But alas...

Soon, the client of AR and the other company's directors came and Arnav was forced to talk with them.. but he did not left Khushi's hand.. He can never leave her alone when Khushi is so vulnerable...

But soon Khushi take a leave..

" Arnav.. excuse me, I need to use the restroom.." Khushi whispered to him.. Arnav was not convinced but Khushi gesture him that all is okay.. and before Arnav could say anymore, Khushi was going away...

Khushi was holding herself till the time she had entered in the venue and the manager recognized her.. The suffocation she was feeling can not be expressed... She thought she had moved on with Arnav but the mere mention of that night made her too vulnerable..

That night when she expressed her love to him...

That night when she was all willing to surrender herself to Arnav...

Khushi badly needed her space... and she run towards the washroom...

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A soft music was being played as people were enjoying each other's company.

The only person who was not really thrilled was Arnav... Though he was standing with a group of new investors and accompanying them, but his thought was revolving around that night.. that night he was all revengeful, he was determined to hurt Khushi to her extreme, but he did not able to.. and Arnav is so thankful for that , he had controlled himself when Khushi was all drunk and had almost given herself to him without any second thought...

Arnav felt suffocated with the night passing on and he was restless as Khushi was still not coming back..It was pointless to him as he already met the important people and this was a waste of time-drinking and laughing at pointless jokes. He sighed heavily upon a thought crept into his mind. In a few years ago he would have thought that this was what life was all about-showing people how much money you had and then waste it on pointless things to entertain people but not anymore.

Believe it or not, but life had taught him some important lessons which he valued very much. And this was not part of list what he wanted to do.

Arnav however shook the feeling away and took a glance around the hall. His eyes fell upon the familiar woman, whom he was searching for long, leaning against the bar with a glass of water in her hand. Arnav sigh in relief but frown realizing Khushi is standing in a bar...

Khushi was looking beautiful while wearing a long red dress which went to the knees. She looked quite simple compared to others, but in front of Arnav's eyes she was the most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes on. She is and she will be always...

Khushi tucked a few strands of hair behind her ear, as she caught Arnav's gaze on her. Memories came crashing down on her, which she thought she had buried away. She lowered her gaze and went outside as the memories started to suffocate her. The sudden fresh air somehow helped her to calm her nerves down. So many thoughts, memories were circling around her mind. She thought that she had already escaped all these memories, but apparently she was wrong.

Arnav silently followed her outside.. Not hovering over her, giving her space but not letting her go alone...He already knew why she had lowered her gaze. He knew why she had gone outside. Arnav thought to give her some space but the moment he saw tears rolling down from Khushi's eyes he took a step forward to approach her.

Khushi almost did not notice that the small tear running down her cheek, but Arnav had. He reached forward and gently wiped it away, which caused her to open her eyes.

The sudden touch had caused something in her. Something she had ceased for years. Khushi took a step back and walked right passed him with her back against him and stands afar...

Arnav stood back slightly unsure of what to do. "I won't take a step forward, knowing how hard it is for me stay away from you." He turned around and noticed for the first time that she was wrapping her arms around herself.

Arnav took a few steps forward again and placed his jacket around Khushi's shoulders and took few steps back before she could say anything. Khushi could not help but hold on to the jacket as his scent filled her senses. She would not admit it, but it had sent a calm feeling in her.

A moment later, Khushi turn around and saw Arnav is standing the same place where Khushi had left him... taking slow steps she came to him and said, "Can we leave from here?"

In answer, Arnav just holds her hands and walk towards their car... and soon they drove towards their apartment in silence...

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2 Days later...

Arnav's Apartment..

London...

It's been 2 days since the party and everything went downhill.. Apparently Khushi is working, talking with Arnav but something is off.. that specific night, for the first time Khushi had locked her bedroom door... When Arnav as usual went to cuddle her at night, he found the door locked.. More than shock he was hurt.. The feeling that Khushi could not trust him or Khushi is again suffering because of him, making him go insane.. Then he thought to give Khushi some time to cope, and he wanted Khushi to approach him..

But for last 2 days, Khushi was there with him physically, but was emotionally detached.. and Arnav could sensed it very well..After 2 days finally, Arnav decided to erase the barrier and clear all doubts of Khushi, if any...

The dinner went as usual with Arnav talking maximum and Khushi was just supplementing.. Finally biding goodbye, Khushi closed the bedroom door and broke down in tears..

Khushi was struggling with herself.. She wanted to move on with Arnav and their relationship was going pretty well.. But all damn broke that party night and Khushi just could not hold on her vulnerability... in this two days, Khushi realized that it is not Arnav, but she is not able to trust anyone.. if after everything they went through, she still can not trust Arnav then, she knew she is in big trouble.. and the way Arnav silently taking all her torture without even complaining anything, is killing Khushi..

Khushi missed him, she missed them, THEIR TOGETHERNESS..

The way Arnav cuddled her in night, the way he patted her while sleeping, placed soft kisses, Khushi really missed that.. She felt very cold, alone in the bed but she herself is being hard on both of them..

Arnav's hopeful yet painful eyes stabs her every night but she could not bring herself strong enough to overcome her demon...

Khushi looked at the outside and was surprised to see it's raining... She was looking at the rain when her phone started ringing, looking at the called ID, Khushi frown and picked it up immediately..

" Hello..."

She went towards the window and was shocked seeing a familiar figure standing in the garden drenching himself in rain...

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Same time...

In the Garden of Arnav's apartment...

Arnav was determined to confront Khushi tonight.. He was thinking deeply how to break her cold self which she trying to build her around once again, when his eyes landed outside.. The pitter patter rain drops catches his attention in no time and an idea just struck in his head... Arnav ran outside and stood in the garden outside her window in the rain. He did not even care if it was raining or he was getting wet. He was concerned about her, A little rain was not going to hold him back any longer.

Arnav reached for his cell phone and dialed her number. He heard and saw the phone getting picked up.

" Hello?"

" look out," he simply told her.

' What? Arnav..."

" Look out" Arnav repeated.

Khushi went toward the window and took a peek outside in the dark..and her eyes went round in horror..

" Arnav ? What are you doing? Are you crazy, it's raining outside." Khushi almost yelled..

Arnav looked around, " What? Jeez, it's raining. I did not know." He joked...

Khushi shook her head at him as she closed the window and went outside to drag this stubborn man inside.. Soon They stood inside the livingroom of their apartment.

" Seriously, you are impossible." She exclaimed.

" Well, the name Arnav Singh raizada is not for fun, now is it?" he smirked.

They stood in silence for a short while, she turned to him with a serious expression.

" What are you doing there in rain?"Khushi asked.

" I wanted to see you badly. You are not allowing me to get close to you, so this was the only way" Arnav confessed and Khushi averted her eyes. "Why do I get the feeling that you have been distancing yourself from me?"

Khushi wrapped her arms around her body. " I do not know...."

" I do know," Arnav told her.

He studied her for a while, trying to read her body language and what she was thinking at the moment.

" Tell me, after all the things which we have been though, has it ever been easy?' Arnav said all it looking at Khushi's eyes..

She did not answer him.

"No", he answered himself, " It was never easy, Khushi..".

"Then why should this be different? Look, we can handle whatever life throws our way and we will make sure to hold on." Arnav paused. "If you are with me, I can win over every hurdle of life..." Arnav asked with hopeful eyes.

Khushi could not say no to him. Those eyes did not allow her to say anything. It had been 2 days since they saw each other in eyes and part of her did miss him.

"First change, otherwise you will catch a cold by standing here in wet clothes." Khushi said finally breaking the eye lock..

Thankfully Arnav's clothes did not get too much wet. It was only his white shirt which was drenched a bit. Khushi gave him a towel where he lightly dried his hair and took off his shirt where she placed it on the heater. She found herself staring at his body even though he wore an undershirt.

Khushi somehow couldn't tear her gaze away from the well formed chest and his strong arms. She had sudden urge to run a hand through his chest just to feel the muscles he had been trained hard to get. Khushi felt herself getting flustered by the thought so she shook her head. She went inside the kitchen where she turned on the cattle so she could make coffee for them both.

She took a small glance inside the living room where Arnav was sitting. She went back inside to place a few things on the table. She was about to get back, but Arnav grabbed her hand, stopping her from leaving.

Khushi turned around and caught something in his hand. She wore a shocked yet puzzled look. Arnav was holding a ring.

"Another Ring.."

Khushi felt her breath hitched when Arnav spoke his next words," For the past few weeks I have been carrying this with me. I guess it gave me hope and strength of the fact that I can propose you for marriage, hope of getting a life with you and make you mine forever."

Khushi watched Arnav's expression as she sat down on the couch in front of him. " I am not lying when I tell you that I love you. I wish I could change everything but this is what life is. We have to face our demon and move forward and definitely with each other..." Arnav said calmly and sat down on his knees, " Khushi.. will you accept me as your own by all means? Will you give me the honour to be your husband for next seven birth? Will you marry me and make me the happiest man on this earth? Will you allow me to be the father of your children? Will you permit me to hold your hands till I take the last breath?"

Khushi was silent trying hard to digest the fact that Arnav is proposing her for marriage...

Arnav studied her for a second, trying to read her expression.." What are you afraid of?" he whispered with full of emotions while slowly nearing her. Just by hearing the voice made shivers run down her body.

" What are you afraid of , Khushi?" Arnav whispered again. She caught his gaze and held it. It was like she could see his inner thoughts by the intense look he wore. Thousands of thoughts filled her mind. What was it made her so afraid?

Thode bhare hain hum, thode se khaali hain

Tum bhi ho uljhe se, hum bhi sawaali hain

Kuch tum bhi kore ho, kuch hum bhi saare hain

Ik aasman par hum do chand aadhe hain.

" Any other woman would be afraid by the amount of things I have been through and I am not saying you have not been through anything." Khushi quickly replied the last part. "it's just that we're two broken souls"

".....which can heal each other. Let me heal you" he said burring his hands into her hair as he made her look at him.

Khamoshi me teri, meri sadaayein hain

Meri hatheli me, teri duaayen hain.

Arnav brought her closer to him as their foreheads touched against each other.

" Let me allow to heal you pretty woman by my love." Khushi could feel his breath on her face as she closed her eyes. She did not respond to what he said.

All of her doubt vanished along with being afraid.

Opening her eyes, she cupped his cheek and looked into his big eyes. She witness love and hope in them, something she had longed for in years and something she is geeting but afraid to admit fully.. But not today.. she will take the risk....

" I think I can say yes to that" Khushi whispered with a smile on her lips.

Khushi reached forward and buried her face inside his chest, allowing her to feel the muscles she had been thinking of so many times during her stay.

Arnav felt his emotions run wild by the sudden contact. He wrapped his arms around her in a protectively manner and held her close. How long he had waited for this moment to arrive. He held on to her, feeling her smooth skin caressing his.

Arnav tightened his grip, kissed her hair lightly and whispered, " My heart is with you.. and I know it's safe with you than it with me. I love you Khushi and can not wait to be your husband with all means.."

Finally Khushi take the stand, to move on with Arnav in all means, leaving behind their past...

To be contd...

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Author note:

Hello, lovely people over here...Hope You all are doing well..

Another 3 to 4 chapters maximum and the story will be end...Waiting for your precious opinion about this chapter..

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Be safe...keep everybody safe...

Pray for all...

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Love,

Your Story teller

Mamree

30.01.2021