Chapter 27: Challenge and Determination
''Mommy special guest is arrived..'' He grinned and went to receive his friend without waiting a single second. Khushi was about to follow him when he mobile rang and she began talking with her back facing them.
''Hi champ! How are you..I'm on time!'' Exited arush jumped on his arms and he ruffled his hairs cutely.
''Mom see my friend has come..'' Arush shouted cheerfully. Khushi who was talking on the phone nodded without giving single glance. Arush held Asr's finger and dragged him inside the living room and make him sit. Arnav scan around his eyes only to find a figure standing in a corner, attending a call. He began talking with Arush, while Arush is impatiently waiting for his mother to put the phone down.
His feels his heart beating frantically like she is somewhere nearest. There is an unusual eagerness within his heart. He shrugged all the unwanted thought and gave attention to arush what he was speaking.
''My mom is like that only..you just be here I will introduce you with her..'' He mumbled.
''No Arush you mom might have some work don't disturb her..i will meet her next time I have an important work to finish..come I will drop you to school..'' He stood up to pick his school bag. Arush get upset and directly ran to scold his mumma. Khushi who was on call turn with surprise.
''Mumma how could to you behave like that...I call my uncle friend to introduce you and you still stick to this stupid call..how does he must feel?'' He annoyingly complained.
''Beta just one sec I am coming..'' She said cupping his cheeks with her phone glued toher ear.
''Nope come right now..'' He stamp his foot stubbornly and snatched her phone.
''Behave yourself. You are getting very ill-mannered day by day. Give me back my phone. I am talking to my important client beta..'' She said politely but he didn't listen and ran out grabbing her cell. Khushi went to catch him up and in the process her phone been slipped from his hand. Khushi eyed him with her hands on her hips. Arnav who heard the noise got up in an instant and marched ahead to see what had happened.
''Mumma, I am sorry..'' He bowed his head down and closed his ears waiting for his mumma outburst but when he don't get any, he open his one eye slowly and saw her looking at him with softness in her eyes. Khushi went down on her knees and touched his left cheeks feeling guilty of slapping him.
''Mumma is sorry beta, I was so angry last night. I didn't realize what I was saying exactly. Forgive me baby..'' She said apologetically holding her ears and Arush immediately held her.
''No mumma..arush is sorry. It was entirely my fault. I provoke you by my rudeness and made you upset. I will never do that..pakka promise'' He said with little tears floating from his eyes. Her heart melted by his sweet apology and she emotionally hugged him.
''Its okay beta..you are mumma strong boy nah..don't cry..'' she patted his backlifting him up into her arms and kissed all over his face. Arnav smiled by Mother- Son duo unconditional love standing few inches away. Khushi was facing towards Arush so he was unable to see her face. Arnav turned to leave without disturbing them when a soft voice from behind rooted him.
''Erhh.. excuse me!!'' she rose to her feet noticing him and called him from behind. His heart skipped a beat hearing her soft voice. Blood rushed his brain. He could recognize her voice even without looking at her.
''I am extremely sorry for making you wait. Arush always talk about you..''
He was still in a same position thinking it was a dream and she would disappear any moment. Tears of happiness spilled down his cheeks. Khushi waited and waited for him to turn but he cannot gathered courage to face her. She was about to say something when school bus horn brought her attention.
''Mumma no..i don't want to go school...please ma.. today my friend come so I want to stay with him for a day'' He made a face and pulled her dupatta and try to butter her.
''Arush!!'' Her one glare was enough to make him nod in disappointment. He stepped towardarnav and took bag from his hand sadly.
''Catch you later..'' Saying this Arush walked out unwillingly. Khushi still didn't saw him yet. She clear her throat to gather his attention. By getting no response for few moments, she marched toward him to greet him only to receive a biggest shock of her life.
''So you are Arush un-..'' Shock tore her body the moment and she went rigid the moment their eyes meet.
''Arnav..!'' She clenched her fist and took her step back. He wanted to hold her in his arms forever and ask her everything. He willingly move toward her making her step backward.
''Where you went leaving me alone..I have been searching you like a mad." He come close to her, cupped her cheeks tenderly by touching his forehead with hers. She was motionless.
''I thought I lost you.'' He gulped back with emotions and looked into her eyes. He had dream of seeing her like that. She waved his hand off and moved away. Disappointment course his body as there is no recognition through her face.
''Who the hell are you and how dare you touch me?'' With greeted teeth.
''Khushi tum yeh..!''
''Enough" I said I don't know you. Don't you understand in a simple words. Get out..'' She spat with her eyes reflection extreme ofhatred and rage. His heart began to thud violently.
''KhushiI knew you are very hurt but please don't behave like a stranger..!''
''Get out..right now..'' She shouted on top of her lungs.
''I won't..'' He stated adamantly and started heading toward her and she walk backward. His eyes was emitting the fire. The desperation of these months away from her drove him insane. She was shocked by his advance. He was dying to feel her once, just to make sure she was real.
''I said leave!'' She worn and when he won't listen, she pushed him off against his chest.
''I hate you!''! She said out of hurt.
''And I love you..''
Didn't the love in his heart reach her heart? He has been dying every second for this moment and upon that she denied to recognize him. "I will not be able to survive without you...I love you khushi..i love you''
''Just shut up! Who the hell gave you authority to say these words to me! You are Arush friend so better stay in your limits..'' She roared and once again pushed him. He went silent and didn't argue instead a lovely smile adore his lips. He thank god for giving back his khushi.
Without saying a word, his eyes still locked with her and he walked toward her, closing the gap between them. She keep on shouting and warning him not to come near her but he is totally lost into those eyes. It was a power of her love that isrendering him speechless. She stopped when her back hits the walls. Placing hisboth hands on either side of her head, he leaned on her.
''So you don't know who I'm?'' He asked by kissing her left cheeks..
No!
She didn't react and sternly gaze him. He tilted his face little right side andkissed her right cheeks lovingly. She gripped her dupatta tight and closed hereyes
''Don't touch me.'' she warn him raising her voice.
''Then don't stay away..'' He held her waist bringing her close. I missed you so much..you have no idea what I went through without you..'' He hugged her tight. Why you punished me like that..'' His eyes moistened. She began getting weak. The same emotion flicker her. She circled her arms around his neck. He hugged her as tightly as possible.
''Arnav..'' Her lips quivered. She could feel his warm hand and hot breathe on her neck and wanted to melt into his arms but then his harsh words once again echoed her mind. Anger griped her and she pushed him back.
''Khushi main tumse..'' She stopped him to speak further by shoving her palm in front ofhim.
''Not a single word, Mr Raizada. I have heard enough and now I have no strength left to hear anymore abuses. I am a bloody characterless and prostitute right so why you are wasting your time with a women like me..?'' He recall his words and felt really bad for hurting her. Arnav didn't say a word but keep on observing her.
''Everything is finished Arnav. You not only break my heart but you broke my soul and now Ihave nothing to do with you..keep that in your brain very clearly..!''
''I'm sorry khushi..I'm really sorry..'' He said guiltily and she turned her back.
''Your single sorry doesn't change anything..You almost forced me..'' She shouted with frustration and pain. Her inside was burning with anger and pain.
''I want one chance khushi. I am regretting what I did..'' She snarled.
''Shut up just shut up I don't want to hear anything..'' He didn't say a word after that and walked off.
********
Arush entered inside the room and saw her looking at the sky, leaning on the French door. She was staring at the stars and her gaze asking lot of question to her diama.
What is this feeling? Why his thoughts cannot let me rest in peace. She was just trying to move on and trying to find her happiness in Arush but once again destiny betray her and brought him back in front of her. These conflicting emotions were killing her, torturing her entire body and mind. She tried to seek answer but there was none. Arush feel bad seeing her silently sobbing. Since the time he return from school, he was observing changes in her. For the first time, she doesn't gave him good night kiss before sleeping and upon that she skipped her food making an excuse. Something has surely happened. His little mind trying to guess.
Did asr and mumma had a fight? He scratched his head suspecting something. Moving out, he quietly took receiver without let her know and rang asr. Before Arnav open his mouth to say hello, arush started hischanting.
''Asr what you said to my mumma that she is so upset. You knew she is crying.. I can't see tears in my mumma eyes..'' He smiled by the information he is getting. It's a good sign that means he is affecting her.
''Champ don't worry If I am the reason of her sadness then I am the one who will heal her..''
''Promise?''
''Yes!'' He smiled back in relief.
''Do you knew mumma not even took her food and when I said her to eat she said she is not hungry?''
"What! Khushi not eat anything?" He got up worried.
''No asr..'' he pouted his face. Arnav began pacing in his room and said something and he nodded in agreement.
Clock strike 11 PM. khushi was laying on her bed tugging to her pillow with her hand was turning the lamp on and off, lost in her deep thoughts.
''So you decided to stay away from me?'' She jolted. Her eyes popped out hearing his voice. She get terrified looking back
''You? What're you doing in my house?'' She asked shocked. He went inside avoiding her protest and took the sit beside her.
''To feed you dinner'' She stare at the plate he was holding and look away. Show as much as anger on me but don't punish yourself by starving.
''Who let you in. Is this the way to sneak in someone house?" Before she raised her voice to shout, he grabbed her mouthand stopped her to blunt out. She pushed him away and turn to leave but hegrabbed her hand. He didn't pulled her toward him instead took the plate containing food into his hand and dipped chapatis in a dal and extended near her mouth to make her eat. Angrily she threw the plate on the floor and stood up in rage.
''You are crossing your limits Mr raizada! What the hell you want..why don't you letme rest in peace! He looked at the broken plate and then at her.
''Because I can't see you like that..'' She clenched her fist and exhales few breathe to calm her nerves but nothing was working.
''Arnav, I m warning you last time..just get out!!!!!!!'' She barked like a wild kitten.
''Khushi calm down, why are you shouting? Arush is around."
''I don't care..go away from my sight right now..'' On the other hand, Arush closed his ears hearing loud scream of his mumma.
''Untill you finish your meal, I won't go anywhere..'' He stated with determination and settled himself on her bed beside her making her flinched.
''By the way you look more gorgeous when get angry. I feel like to kiss you right now..!'' He start to admire her by his lovely eyes. His flirtatious tone raising her temper evenmore. She pulled his hand to threw himout of his house when arush come inside and blocked them.
''Mumma, why are you shouting on my friend..'' She arched her eyebrow seeing Arush defending him. She looking at him wrapping his tiny arms around arnav's leg.
''Asr you okay?'' Arnav smiled by his concern and kissed his forehead delightfully..
''So you started brain washing my innocent son to gain me?''
''KhushiI..''
''Shut up Mr raizada..I don't wish to see your face..for god sake leave me alone!!'' She yelled on top of her voice.
''What are you looking at.. I said get out!!" He silently began marching toward the exit without creating fuss anymore. Khushi stepped out to lock the door and before she do so, he quickly gave a peck on her cheeks. Arush open his mouth wide.
''Good night Khushi..'' She was stunned by his move and he walked off smirking.
********
Khushi woke up in a very bad mood. She was very angry on him by the way he behaved. Upon that he kissed her in front of Arush? How dare he!! She not wanted to spoil her mood early morning and limped out of bed. Taking shower,she come out and make Arush ready for school and quickly made breakfast for both of them. After bringing him off, she get ready wearing Red salwaar kameez. While smoothing her hairs, her hand reached her cheeks where arnav kissed her. When she wanted to go away he would just come in front of her and chaseher. Why I am thinking about him? He don't deserve even my attention! Taking a deep breathe, she went to have a breakfast.
She managed to gulp few bites andput the hand-bag to drove toward office. There was a sudden knock on the door.
Who it could be? If it was laad-governor I would surely kill him this time..'' As soon as she opened the door, she mouth dropped seeing buckets of roses.
"You are khushi gupta?" She nodded her head in utter shock. The Currierman took the flowers inside one followed by another and then it go on and on. Her entire house was filled with lots of red roses. She hold her head and get angry. She clenched her fist when Currier-man told her he is waiting for her outside. Without wasting for single moment, she walked out to gave him peace of mind. She could see a big crowd gathering around her car but unable to see the face.A sudden voice came from behind.
''A beautiful flowers for a beautiful lady..'' She turned and get bewildered seeing him. Arnav went to his knees and was looking her lovingly.
''Miss khushi kumari gupta, will you marry me?'' Khushi get dumb-folded. She could not believe it what shejust heard. She look around and saw people were looking at them.
''Arnav what is this non-sense..what does it meant!'' She asked astonished, never expected arnav could be this filmy.
''I meant what you heard baby..! I love you and want to marry you..''
''Rubbish!'' She turned to leave when he grabbed her hand. He held her closer and looked ather face, she was looking away.
''Leave me Arnav..Don't create a scene here!'' She spoke giving a cold glare. In return hegave her his lovely smile.
''I don't care. I love you and I want you in my life. She closed her eyes to suppress her anger and wriggle to freed herself.
''Did you like the flowers?'' He asked with a sweet voice. She rolled her eyes. Hecupped her face and made her to look at him. They are standing in the middle ofthe road and people was staring at them with a awe.
''By doing this you think you can win me? You are just wasting your and mine time!'' She snarled and he left her in an instant.
''Why don't you understand khushi, I truly love you with deep from my heart. I will do anything to make you mine..''
''You are going too far, Mr Raizada. Better come back to reality and face the truth..this Arnav singh raizada no-more exist-able into my life.
''I know you love me and within 5 days you yourself confessed it by your own mouth and came running into my arms..'' He challenged her and he left her and walked toward his car.
''5 days..remember that..'' He turned around and looked at her before. She was scared by his determination and was silently observing him disappearing from her sight.
''I hate you arnav..i hate you..'' She lost her senses in angry and drove off banging her legs frustratingly.
To be continued!!
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