A Second Chance at Happiness : Chapter 3
"I also feel like Di isn't over him after listening to all these.. " NK expressed his opinion to the group.
NK came back from Sydney after visiting his parents this morning. He joined his cousins and their wives discussion by the pool side over tea about Anjali and Anuj.
After the Kapadia siblings unexpected visit to their house yesterday, just to be sure Raizada brothers made Aman run a background check on Anuj Kapadia. It turned out that he is the same guy studied with Anjali and there was no other Anuj in their class.
Anjali did not come out of her room that day after Anuj's visit. In the morning Hari Prakash said she left for the temple before everyone woke up and also she will be back by evening only.
Arnav also noticed his Di was seriously affected by Anuj. But why a crush has so much effect on her? That too after so many years. It was not like they were in a relationship. Whatever it was, It was one sided from his sister's end. The guy Anuj Kapadia is a charmer. No doubt.. He liked him in the very first meeting. Arnav noticed him closely yesterday. He was respectful to the elders, loves his sister more than his life, on top of that one of the richest people in India. He is like a whole package. Di deserved someone like Anuj but..
"I agree.. you know the first love is pure and innocent, oblivious to worldly judgments and obstacles. It transcends all boundaries, including wealth, family background, and ethnicity." Payal's words made him snap out of his thoughts.
"You guys are overreacting.. Maybe seeing him unexpectedly caught her by surprise and she might have felt awkward if he remembered her letter. I always thought Di loved Shyam and he was her first love. But hearing about Anuj I am getting confused." Akash said sipping his tea.
"Almost everyone remembers their first love. Anuj ji might not be aware of that. But for Di, It will be significant, it was the very first time you experienced this thing called love, it is big. Also, as it was the very first time, so many new things were happening within, it just sits more permanently with you outshining other memories. I feel Anuj is her first love. Shyam was just a phase in her life. She might have loved Shyam but its not like her first love."
Khushi's had a small smile when she talked about Anuj and Anjali. Arnav tried to make eye contact with her but she refused to look at him. Does that mean I am Khushi's first love? Shut up Arnav, she did not say anything like that.
"Maybe .. Everyone thought I loved Lavanya but my mind and eyes always searched for Khushi.. "
Arnav's words made Khushi to look at him in surprise. He never expressed anything like this before which made others tease them.
"I am getting late for collage.. See you guys later. " Khushi got up from the chair and walked away.
After getting ready she looked herself in the mirror.
She appreciates all his genuine efforts but she was afraid to start a new life with him. What if another heartbreak is on the way? She won't survive another heartbreak. He might be guilty for misunderstanding her believing Shyam's lies.
Maybe its time she should forgive him. But she is not ready yet for giving him a chance as her husband. She should tell him that she forgave him and they both can live peacefully as long as she is in Shantivan. She need to find a job after finishing the collage and have to pay him back.
But is she ready to leave him? Her eyes filled with unshed tears thinking about leaving him.
What her sister said earlier was correct. First love is pure and innocent, oblivious to worldly judgments and obstacles. It transcends all boundaries, including wealth, family background, and ethnicity. And Arnav is her first love. And that feeling is permanently with her outshining all other bad memories. But she has to protect her heart this time. Neither does she trust her fate nor Arnav.
Don't think too much Khushi... Just concentrate on your studies for now. She reminded herself and left with the driver Mohan for the collage.
After about 20 minutes when she was 10 minutes away from the collage, Mukku's call came. Before she could answer the call, she felt a sudden unexpected force hit their car from behind, that forced the car forward suddenly which in-turn caused her body to snap forward and back with excessive force.
Before she could process any of it, she passed out after her head hit somewhere but gradually, the pain on her left side of head and brought her to a state of half-wakefulness. In the half awake state what she could see was smoke and few voices she did not recognize screaming from outside. She tried to move but she couldn't. Before she passed out again she called his name softly..
"Arnavji.."
---------------------------------------------------
Arnav went through the files one by one which was left on his table for his signature. But his mind was fully occupied with Khushi. He was feeling very restless for sometime, A strange feeling like something bad is going to happen.
He was surprised at his own admission of having eyes only for Khushi when he was dating Lavanya. That made her uncomfortable and she left immediately. Will she ever forgive him? Is there still a chance to start a new life with her again ? Will she trust him again with her heart?
He did not see her when she left for collage. He tried calling Mohan after his restlessness increased, his phone was ringing but he did not pick up. That was not like Mohan. Mohan always answers his call in car blue tooth if he is driving. Maybe he went out of the car leaving mobile inside after dropping Khushi at collage. He tried to reason.
He paced up and down waiting for Mohan's call back. When he did not call back after 10 minutes he knew something was really wrong. He dialed Khushi's number, after the 4th bell some unknown voice answered the call. He went numb when the stranger on the other end told that the car met with an accident.
He felt as if the ground were slipping beneath his feet and he fell into a pit and felt complete darkness around him.
Akash knocked and entered Arnav's cabin only to be shocked by his brother's state.
"BHAIII.." Akash's shouted patting his face. Arnav looked at Akash feeling lost and having no idea what to say or do. His brother's indecision or helplessness made him snatch the phone from him and had a conversation with the person who was on the line.
"Bhai.. come with me we have to go to Blue max hospital.. Nothing will happen to her.. " Akash dragged his brother outside to the special elevator to avoid his employees seeing their boss in this state.
"Bhai.. She is going to be fine.. Ok.. I just want you to be strong.. "
Akash kept talking to his brother trying to give him strength. They reached hospital in 20 minutes.
Arnav felt sadness, formless as a skein, enveloping him as he ran through the corridor leading to the ICU Khushi was treated. He was familiar with this feeling.. He felt the same way when they were wheeling their parents to the emergency on that fateful night.
No.. No.. Khushi cannot leave him like his parents.
"Excuse me.. My.. Wife... Khushi.. the one you brought before sometime with our driver.. How.. How is she?" Arnav stammered as he enquired about her to the duty nurse.
"Doctor will come out now and will explain.. I can't.." the nurse said.
"What do you mean by that? You should tell me how is she doing.." Arnav shouted at the nurse which made the people walking through the corridor stare at them.
Akash who just went to check with the other doctor in emergency came running to him and held him.
"Bhai.. Calm down.. The Neurosurgeon is examining her. I talked to the doctor in emergency who checked her when she was brought in, he said the external injuries are not that serious, but they need to check for internal injuries as she hit her head during the accident. "
Akash's words made him breathe again. Felt like he was sucked out of oxygen from the time he got to know about her accident.
"Mr. Raizada.. " The doctor came out calling him.
Arnav and Akash came closer to the doctor.
"We ran a few tests she is not having any internal bleeding or any internal injuries. We have dressed her external injuries. Let her be in the observation until night. Then we can shift her to room. "
Arnav who was never a believer in God thanked Khushi's Devi Maiyya whole heartedly after listening to the doctor.
"Can I see her ?"
"Of course.. But remember she might be in shock after the accident so just be .. " Before the doctor could finish he went inside the ICU.
His eyes frantically searched for her in the ICU room. When he found her petite body on the bed with few wires attached to her and a band aid on the head tears started flowing from his eyes.
Sensing his presence Khushi looked at him with a small weak smile.
Khushi got overwhelmed when a sob escaped from his mouth as he came and sat near her holding her hand.
Arnav kissed her hand and felt it against his cheek and sobbed like a baby.
"I am sorry Khushi.. I am sorry for all the things that I did which might have offended you. I know I can be extremely obnoxious but know that most of the things I’ve said and done were without malice. I need not elaborate but I want you to know how much I’ve regretted my actions. If only I could turn back the tides of time but no, that is quite impossible. Besides, what’s already been done can no longer be undone.. "
He took a breathe and kissed her hand again and looked at her stripped of any pretense, it was the man in love. He was just Khushi's Arnav.
"I.. I love you Khushi... I really do.. I was so scared to admit it.. But I do.. There were so many things, simple ones that made me fall so hard for you. You are so beautifully perfect in your imperfection. You may not know it or people may not always tell it to you but you are one amazing human being. Any man would be honored to have you. But me, I had to give up at the first instance of defeat because my old fears started creeping in, and my ego could not accept the fact that I started loving you. The harsh reality I guess is that I just cannot muster the courage to take that final leap of faith. I am sorry for my cowardice.. I am sorry.. I am really sorry... Please don't punish me by leaving me like my parents did.. Please.. " His body Shaked as he wailed shamelessly in front of his wife.
Tears flowed non stop through her cheeks when Khushi listened to his confession.
"Arnavji.. Please stop crying... " She said while trying to get up from the bed.
"Ahh.." She felt pain shooting through her hand as she tried to get up.
"Oh God Khushi.. I am so sorry.. I shouldn't have made you stressed. I am sorry.. I am sorry.." Arnav blabbered while holding her shoulder and made her lie down again.
"Arnavji.. please stop apologizing.. I do not want to talk about anything now. I just want you to sit beside me so that I can sleep peacefully for sometime. Can you sit with me ?"
"Of course Khushi.. What an idiot am I? You need rest.. Please sleep. I will sit beside you. I am not going anywhere. I am never going to leave your side. You sleep.. Close your eyes.."
Arnav kissed her folder as Khushi slipped into slumber.
.gif)
Comments