Part 14
Arnav rushed into his car, his only source of solace at the moment. Anjali's words were reverberating in his mind, a torrent of emotions swimming inside him.
"That's not what you do, Chote! When something is difficult in your marriage, you don't just give up on it!"
Despite being angry at Anjali after discovering that she was responsible for his current state, he couldn't help but think she was right in what she said. He had given up on his marriage with Khushi rather than fighting for it. Saris, flowers... they didn't mean a thing in the grand scheme of things. He should have told her what he felt rather than allowing his pride and ego to get in the way. It was almost as if he had forgotten everything she had taught him about love and affection; it can't be bought - something he continuously had attempted to do. He couldn't help but think about whether Khushi had read his letter. I doubt it, he thought. As if Arjun would have given it to her. He slammed his hand against the steering wheel in frustration, and eventually switched on the engine. Khushi took sole control of his thoughts as he began driving. He didn't know where he was heading, but it didn't matter. He felt a magnetic attraction leading him to drive in the right direction. To drive to his Khushi; to see her one last time.
As soon as Khushi put the phone down, she immediately regretted the entire phone call. She gazed around helplessly for an idea as to what excuse she could use to have phoned him so late, but no inspiration came. Feeling the weight of the world on her shoulders, she allowed the pain she had been feeling recently to consume her into an abyss. Arnav, Arjun, life...when had it become so complicated? Why couldn't she just go back to being the smiley, crazy Khushi she used to be? She brushed off that thought as soon as it had come. No, she couldn't go back to being that Khushi; that Khushi had died a long time ago, taking all the laughter and happiness with her. She knew she was existing rather than living, finding no purpose in life. Her purpose in life, her happiness lied with Arnav, yet he brought her so much pain as well. What kind of love is it when the fighting and lies take precedence over the beautiful, unadulterated feeling and care they have for one another? Khushi made no attempt to mask her tears anymore - what was the point? What was the point of anything anymore? She had subjected herself to a life with Arjun now; where she would hold little more than platonic feelings for him, and she would constantly be torturing herself for rejecting Arnav.
A knock at her window indicated that he was there. She opened it and helped him into her room as soundlessly as she could.
"Khushi, what's...?" As soon as she heard him speak, the concern he had for her, she forgot everything that had been going on with them recently. All she saw in front of her was Arjun, her best friend she could say anything to; her best friend that had always been there for her. She rushed into his arms and he held her, allowing all the tears to escape. He stroked her hair soothingly, pulling her as close as he could.
"Shh... shh." He whispered against her hair.
"Arjun..." She whimpered; it was all she could manage.
He pulled her closer. "Khushi, it's okay. I'm here now." He allowed her to cry for a while, then pulled back and began gently wiping her tears.
"Arjun I- I can't do this anymore."
"Do what, Khushi?"
"I-I'm scared. Of everything. I'm scared, I'm confused and I feel so alone... I just don't know what to do!" He pulled her against his chest once again, wrapping an arm protectively around her waist.
"Khushi, you're not alone. You'll never be alone again, I promise." Khushi pulled back this time, suddenly remembering something.
"T-the letter. You hid the letter from me! Why, Arjun?" His chest constricted at Khushi's pained expression and realisation dawned on him.
"I knew you'd end up like this, Khushi. I knew he'd try to get you to fall into his trap again."
"Trap?" Khushi looked shocked. "What do you mean by trap?"
Arjun sighed. "Don't you see? He's playing the martyr, sacrificing his love for her happiness. He wants you to end up conflicted like this. He wanted you to go running back into his arms." When Khushi continued to look up at him in disbelief, Arjun continued. "He said as much when I met him."
Khushi gazed up at Arjun, confusion etched on her face. "What did he say?"
I have to do this, Khushi. I'm so sorry. "He told me that he bet his entire fortune that you would come running back to him after reading that letter." He paused. "That's all you are to him, Khushi. A bet."
Khushi fell onto her bed. "I don't believe it." She whispered. Arjun sat down next to her and tilted her chin so she was facing him directly.
"Have I ever lied to you before, Khushi?" Slowly, she shook her head. I'm nothing more than a bet to Arnav. All of this... he'd just been playing games with me. Arjun entwined his fingers with hers. "I'll never let him hurt you again, Khushi. I'll never leave you again."
"Promise?" She whispered.
He inched closer to her, his breath tickling her lips as he spoke. "Promise."
Khushi, still raw from the revelation, needed comfort. She needed certainty, assurance; all of which Arjun was openly providing for her. Which is why she didn't stop him when he bridged the gap between the two of them and brushed his lips against hers. She pulled him close again when he slowly pulled back, but he placed a hand over hers to restrain her.
"Khushi, this isn't right. I don't want you to be doing this as a reaction to what Arnav did, it's not real."
"You're here and I'm here, Arjun. I need you. Is that not real enough for you?" She whispered pleadingly.
Never able to refuse any of her requests, Arjun wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer. He kissed her softly at first, but Khushi was quick to deepen the kiss. It took all of his self-restraint to release Khushi.
"Khushi, we're getting married tomorrow. This... it's not right." He got up and left the room, leaving Khushi behind, consumed with guilt.
Arnav drove distractedly, thoughts of Khushi enveloping him. He imagined what she would look like on her wedding day. In my favourite colour, he thought, smiling. He set aside the pain he felt - he wanted his final meeting with Khushi to be a good one, one that she would remember. He wanted to ensure that they left one another's lives on good terms. The temptation to stay away from her was too much, and he figured it would be acceptable if he went to meet her today. After all, she isn't getting married until tomorrow, he reasoned with a smirk.
Arnav was so distracted that he didn't notice the car erratically rushing towards him. All he felt was the impact of the collision. I love you, Khushi was the last thought he had before everything went black.
The hours prior to the wedding passed in a flash for Khushi. She had managed to keep herself incredibly busy so thoughts did not even have a chance to cross her mind. She attempted to set aside the guilt she felt after last night, reasoning that she had nothing to feel guilty over as she would be marrying Arjun in a matter of hours. She had allowed the make-up artist to do whatever she wanted, constantly gazing at the dark brown mehndi on her hands throughout. After she had gotten changed into her red lehenga and put all of her jewellery on, she was slowly led downstairs where she could hear a crowd murmuring. Her heart raced as she descended the steps.
The wedding rituals were well under way, but Khushi just found herself blindly following the lead of others. She shook herself back into consciousness, however, when it was time for her and Arjun to begin the seven rounds of the fire. Please Devi Maiyya, guide me and help me make the right decision, Khushi silently prayed. Just as she had taken the first step, she caught sight of a distraught Payal getting off the phone, visibly upset.
"Jiji, what happened?" Khushi asked, not caring about the people talking around her.
"Khushi!" Arjun whispered urgently.
When Payal wouldn't answer, Khushi walked towards her, much to the shock of the guests.
"Khushi, what are you...?"
"Jiji, tell me now. What happened? Is Jijaji okay?" Khushi asked desperately.
"He's fine Khushi. It's Arnavji. He... he's been in an accident." Payal spoke reluctantly. Khushi looked as if she had just been stabbed and was only just beginning to feel the impact.
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