Chapter Twenty Seven

(Note: Back to present)

Khushi was sitting down at the table as Etta placed breakfast down. She placed Arnav’s coffee down and Khushi’s iced caramel latte as well. Khushi just sat there as she had flashbacks of their past. Within a few minutes, Arnav came in, dressed up and ready for work. The two ate quietly, no one saying a word.

Arnav finished his breakfast and whipped out his phone. He went through his contacts and dialed a number and left the room. Khushi finished up as well and went up to their room and got Arnav’s coat. Even though winter was ending, it was still pretty chilly outside. She found Arnav in the living room, going through a file and talking on the phone.

“I want all those files transferred and saved into the system,” Arnav said into the phone, and then hung up.

He placed the file down on the coffee table and turned to see Khushi holding his coat. She looked adorable in her knit, natural white sweater and black leggings, her hair up in a bun.

Example of Khushi's Outfit

Arnav went over to her and turned so that Khushi could put his coat on for him.

When Arnav faced her again, Khushi said “don’t stay out for too long. I know you have that lunch with the Russians, but try not to stay outside for too long. And don’t drink that ice cold water from your mini-fridge – you’ll get a sore throat.”

Khushi finished buttoning his coat and turned to leave, when Arnav stopped her. He held her from behind, his arms wound around her waist.

“How is it that you’re still here,” he muttered against her ear. “You’re such a strong girl Khushi.”

Khushi looked straight forward. “I’m being strong for the both of us.”

“Hmm….” He turned her around and cupped her face, looking at her for a few seconds and said “thank you.”

“For what,” Khushi asked confusedly.

“For last night.”

Of all the times that Khushi had soothed Arnav at night, this was the first time he had ever made any comment about it.

“You’re welcome,” Khushi replied, unsure of what else to say.

Arnav smiled lightly and kissed her for a good minute or so. He nuzzled her right cheek and said “see you in the evening,” and then pecked her cheek again and left.

Khushi stood still for a second and then went to the door. Arnav had just gotten into the elevator and when he saw her, he lightly smiled. Khushi smiled as well and gave a little wave before he completely disappeared, the doors closing and hiding his beautiful face. Khushi went back in and went towards the kitchen.

“It’s pretty cold today, isn’t it, “Etta said as Khushi came into the kitchen.

“Yeah, its chilly.”

“How about a nice cup of hot cocoa?”

“With marshmallows?”

“Done.”

Etta prepared the hot chocolate as Khushi sat at the island. Khushi felt really confused. She couldn’t understand what was going on at all. Well, of course, Arnav’s behavior just recently was different, but could it be because he’s starting to change?

Etta handed Khushi her hot chocolate and Khushi went off to the terrace and walked around the whole floor. As she sipped on her hot cocoa, Khushi went into thought.

Why is Arnav so complicated, she wondered. What could be the reason?

She took another sip of her cocoa.

I need to find out. In all this time, I haven't gotten a single answer! Where am I going wrong?!

And then it hit her.

There is a way to find out. ... And there's only one person I can get those answers from.

*~*

Taking the train down to Brooklyn, Khushi headed to her destination to talk to one specific person - Anjali. Anjali meant the world to Arnav and if Khushi was going to find answers, she would have to go to the main source, which was Anjali.

Getting a transfer, Khushi got on the bus and headed to Bay Ridge, one of the richest spots of Brooklyn, or so some say. Khushi gazed out the window, gazing at the houses. All the while, she just kept thinking of Arnav. Ever since she had started thinking of her's and Arnav's past, that was all she could think about. She soon arrived to her stop and got off the bus. She walked her way to the Raizada House and rang the bell.

"Who is it," a voice hollered.

The door opened, revealing Anjali.

"OMG! Khushi," Anjali exclaimed, and she hugged Khushi. "What are you doing here," she asked, pulling away. "I wish you told me you were coming," she pouted. "Then I would've made a feast for us!"

Khushi shyly shook her head. "Actually, it was just a last second thing."

Anjali scrunched her eyebrows. "You mean you came here for the heck of it?"

Khushi shook her head. "No, I didn't mean  it like that-"

Anjali giggled. "I'm just messing with you. So what's up?"

"Um... well, the thing is... there was something I wanted to talk to you about."

Anjali scrunched her eyebrows again. "About what?"

"... about Arnav," Khushi whispered.

Anjali's eyebrows shot up as her eyes slightly widened.

"... why does he act like the way he does?"

"Wha-what do you mean," Anjali asked, crossing her arms.

"Why does Arnav have those nightmares," Khushi asked softly.

Anjali's eyes widened, her eyes filled with fear.

Khushi reached out and held Anjali's hands. "Please, you have to tell me. Please Anjali, please tell me."

Anjali snapped from her trance and looked back at the house and then at Khushi. "Just wait here a minute."

Before Khushi could say anything, Anjali released herself and went back into the house, shutting the door. Khushi stood there for a few seconds, when the door opened again, revealing Anjali in her coat.

"Come with me," Anjali simply said.

*~*

Anjali had taken Khushi with her in her car, a BMW to be exact, and drove down to Brooklyn Bridge Park. Anjali got out without a word and Khushi followed. Anjali made her way to the benches and stood by the railing, gazing out to the city. She took a deep breath, taking in the fresh air of the city. Khushi just looked at Anjali as Anjali relaxed.

"My mother always loved this area," Anjali said. "Of course, Brooklyn Bridge Park didn't exist until recently. But before, my parents, Chote and I would go to Pier 17, right there, across the river in Manhattan," Anjali said, pointing at the small, red building. "Especially to Battery Park - my mother loved it so much, she would want to go every other week, though my father complained, saying that we should go to other places as well," she chuckled.

Khushi smiled lightly, liking that she was getting some information on Arnav's and Anjali's mother. Of course, Arnav had told her a little something about her before, but Khushi was always curious to know more.

Anjali looked at Khushi and Khushi's smile disappeared to Anjali's serious face. Khushi gulped as Anjali turned to her.

"Khushi, there's a reason why I brought you here," Anjali said.

Khushi scrunched her eyebrows.

"Chote and I don't usually talk about Ma that much. We keep it to ourselves. But the reason why I'm telling you a bit about her, is because I trust you. ... I also trust you enough to tell you about my Chote."

Khushi's eyes widened slightly to Anjali's revelation.

Anjali sat down at a bench behind them and gestured Khushi to sit down beside her. Khushi did so and looked at Anjali.

Anjali gazed out to the harbor. "Ma always had a deep connection to Chote. Chote loved her as well. He loved her very, very much. Sometimes, I would even get jealous of the bond," Anjali sightly chuckled.

Khushi smiled faintly.

"Chote was always hung onto Mumma. He was like a Mama's Boy," Anjali chukled. "She was all Chote could think of when we were little. For every holiday, he would always want to do something special for Ma. Like on Mother's Day, he would bug me into making breakfast for her, and then he'd tell her that he did it all, taking all the credit," she chuckled.

Khushi smiled.

"One time, for mother's day, Chote wanted to make a cake. I told him that he couldn't do the baking because he was young, so he decided to mix the cake batter. I was in the other room to keep Mumma distracted when we heard a clatter. We both went running in to see Chote completely covered in flour," she laughed.

Khushi couldn't help but to laugh as well.

"It was just hilarious! Poor Chote went into a fit and was crying ridiculously, saying that he ruined- no, destroyed, mother's day! The poor thing. The whole day, he had locked himself in his room! Ma kept asking if she could come in, but he refused. Finally, he had let her in and Ma soothed him, telling her that it was his love that mattered." She sighed. "Everything was perfect in our small world. But then...."

Khushi scrunched her eyebrows. "Then...?"

Anjali sighed and looked up at the clouds. "Mumma loved Papa very much - oh so very much! Chote would get jealous sometimes, but Ma would always tell him that she secretly loved him more," she smiled. "Anyways, Mumma really loved our father. He was her world, besides us that is. ... but then she found out that he was cheating on her."

Khushi's eyes widened. Arhat cheated on her, she wondered completely bewildered.

"Chote was still young.... He... he was going to Mumma's room and when he got there, he... he... saw Mumma hanging," and Anjali broke into tears.

Khushi looked at Anjali wide-eyed and in shock.

"I still remember Chote screaming that day, shrieking loudly and trying to help her. I came running in and I was in shock, but I had to run and help! I just had to! But it was too late and...."

Anjali covered her face as she cried, Khushi holding her shoulder as she shuddered with tears in her eyes, her throat closing as she felt a lump build in it.

Anjali sniffled and wiped her tears away. "When... when Mumma was cremated... Chote didn't allow Papa to do anything. Chote had completed all the rituals that day. As Mumma turned into ashes before our eyes, Chote was also turning to ashes. Only, while Mumma was becoming a pile of ashes, Chote was shedding a layer and was becoming a completely different person." Anjali sniffled. "He blamed himself that day. He blamed himself, saying that he couldn't do anything for our mother. He was supposed to be her biggest love, but he had let her down. Thinking that, a new thought developed in his head - that Mumma hadn't truly loved him enough like he had. And since then, he felt like it was his fault."

Khushi broke into tears as she heard what Anjali said. She had never expected to hear anything like this from her. Not ever! But to hear this made Khushi's heart pit.

"Since then, Chote's thoughts had changed. His feelings for Mumma had even changed. Soon, he... he began to hate Mumma," Anjali cried. "Him! My Chote! The one who was crazy for our mother... and he," and Anjali cried even more.

Khushi hugged Anjali as the two cried.

"I'm so sorry Anjali," Khushi said through her tears. "I had never expected such a big revelation. I'm so sorry for bringing this up. I never should've asked. By asking I've brought out such a miserable truth. If i was never curious.... If I'd never met your brother, then-"

"Shh, don't say that," Anjali said as she snapped away from Khushi. "You really are what your name says - happiness. Of all these years without Mumma, I have always seen my brother stiff. Ever since you came into his life, my brother has learned to smile again. He's learned to laugh, to enjoy! He's learned to live life again! And that's all because of you Khushi - only because of you. When I saw him smile at the navratri party, I knew-I just knew at that point that you were a gift sent from my mother from up above." Anjali caressed Khushi's face. "You really, truly are my Chote's happiness - Arnav's Khushi," she smiled as a tear flowed down her cheek

Khushi looked into Anjali's humble eyes, unsure of what to say.

Anjali gave her a hug. "Keep my brother happy Khushi. He's dealt with enough in his life, that too from a young age. Don't let him suffer anymore."

*~*

After the two ladies had recovered from their tears, they were ready to leave. Anjali offered to drop her off, but Khushi had decided to just take the train.

There was a place Khushi wanted to go to before going home.