Two short sentences, and that was all it took to make Arnav's world come crashing down. He was somewhat confused as to why, but he knew one thing and that was that he couldn't let Khushi go.
Ironic, huh?
Khushi turned away, tears streaming down her cheeks, and stormed up to her room. She took out her bags and luggage and started to pack up all of her stuff. Seconds later, Arnav came in and watched in horror as Khushi packed.
"Why are you doing this," Arnav asked.
Khushi didn't listen to him, and brushed past him as she ran upstairs to the dressing room to get any stuff she left behind in there.
Arnav followed behind and just looked at her. "Khushi, why are you doing this?"
Khushi sighed and looked at the floor. "It's not your fault your mother committed suicide. If it's anyone's fault, then it your fathers." She looked up at him, tears pooling in her eyes. "You have to stop blaming yourself Arnav!! You don't realize how much your mother loved you."
Tears escaped and she wiped them away.
She scoffed. "I feel bad for her, actually, since her son doesn't believe in the love she gave him."
Khushi rushed past Arnav again and went back to her room. Taking everything she could manage, she took her stuff downstairs to the main floor. Etta heard the commotion and came peering in. Khushi took her bags and rolled them out, heading to the foyer to go onto the main landing.
Arnav only followed behind, feelings crawling into him. He didn't want her to leave. In fact, he was feeling something crumble. The dark walls around his heart began to crumble, revealing his red, beating heart. It was as if he hadn't been feeling his heartbeat for a long time. The rare times he did feel it was only because of Khushi. Khushi made him feel alive - she allowed his heart to beat. The walls broke off, and his heart was in full rhythm.
Dhak-dhak! Dhak-dhak!
Dhak-dhak! Dhak-dhak!
Khushi had not only made him feel alive, but had helped him realize something he should have a long time ago.
"Khushi, please don't leave," Arnav called out, running into the foyer as Khushi went onto the landing, calling the elevator.
"Khushi please, you can't leave! I love you!!"
Khushi's hand hovered over the already-pressed button. "It's too late to stop me this way, Arnav."
"Khushi, please, don't leave me," Arnav cried.
The elevator dinged and the door opened. Khushi walked in with her bags and Arnav ran towards it.
"Khushi, no, stop! Please stay," he cried as ran to the elevator.
The doors were already shutting, and the last thing Arnav saw of her was her tear-stained face.
"No," she cried. "I love you," and the doors shut, taking Khushi away.
Arnav stood frozen still. He just stared at the elevator doors, completely motionless.
Etta slowly came out and looked at him, "Sir?"
Arnav snapped back to reality and looked at the floor. Without a word, he walked right back into the penthouse. He stood still in the foyer, looking at the apartment around him. Suddenly, it seemed very big and spacious and above all - lonely. Memories of him and Khushi flashed before his eyes, one after the other. Unable to take it, he headed to the media room to shut off what started the fight in the first place.
He walked over to the VHS player, when he noticed the screen from the corner of his eyes. The video was of a little barbecue that him and his family were having in the old backyard at the house. Arnav and Anjali were both seated at the table, Arnav excited to get some food. Aisha came into the view, placing a platter full of shish kabobs down on the table.
"Stick chicken," young-Arnav exclaimed, clapping his hands.
Arnav sat down on the floor and watched as little-Arnav bugged his mother to feed him and he happily ate. Throughout the video, Arnav watched the bond between him and his mother. Not only did he watch this tape, but he played many others. He paid attention to him and his mother only, watching their bond. Arnav reached out and he picked up his blanky. He held onto it as he watched the next few tapes, laughing now and then at some of the funny stuff. He hugged his knees, holding his old blanky tightly. He snuggled into it now and then, placing it on his knees and then resting his head on it.
It was just a matter of videos, before Arnav realized his grave mistake. His mother did love him, and he had refused to believe it. Arnav went to play another video, when he noticed a tape he had never seen before. Curious, he rewound the tape and played it. It displayed a blank screen. but feeling that there was something on it, he forwarded the tape. It was a short while, when he saw his mother come up. Rewinding just a bit so he was at the beginning of the video, he pressed play and sat back down on the floor, holding his blanky to him.
"Hi Chote," Aisha said. "I made this video for you so that you know that I love you very, very much. I always have, do, and will forever love you. Even though I will be gone, know that i never left because of you. I love you baby, I always will. Remember to always keep the ones that you love close to you. You are a very special boy and you are very lovable, so always keep them close so that they can pour their love on you," she said, tears in her eyes. She blew a kiss. "I love you my son. I will forever love you," and the video ended.
Arnav sat there, tears escaping from his eyes. He truly realized his mistake and he wanted his Khushi back. He wanted her back immediately. Shutting off the projector, Arnav rushed out of the media room and grabbed his car keys. He headed out of the penthouse and called the elevator. Going into the underground garage, he climbed into the Cadillac and drove to Khushi's place. Braking harshly in front of her building, Arnav got out and went up to Khushi's apartment.
He knocked on the door hard. "Khushi!"
No answer.
He knocked again harder. "Khushi!"
But no one replied.
Remembering, Arnav got his keys out of his pocket and found the key to Khushi's apartment. Unlocking the door, he charged right in, only to find it completely dark. Switching the lights on, Arnav realized that Khushi hadn't come home.
Where is she, Arnav wondered.
He walked through the apartment, hoping to find something, not knowing what exactly. He groaned in frustration, headed out, locking the door behind. He got into the car and started it up. He drove around the neighborhood, but didn't see Khushi anywhere.
Where am I supposed to look for her?
Crestfallen, he headed back home. Etta had dinner ready, but Arnav refused to eat and headed to his room. Sitting down on his bed, Arnav looked at the spot where Khushi once used to sleep.
I will get you back Khushi, he promised. Even if its the last thing I do.
*~*
"Are you going to tell me what happened or not?"
Khushi had gone to Lavanya's place and Lavanya would not stop asking her what had happened.
"I told you La, I'm not gonna tell you."
"Khushi, I'm just worried for you. That's why I'm asking!"
"I'd prefer if you didn't. It would help me a lot."
Lavanya sighed. "I'm sorry. It's just that, I feel bad that you guys broke up."
"Wrong."
Lavanya scrunched her eyebrows. "What do you mean?"
Khushi looked at Lavanya determinedly. "Arnav will come back when the time is right," she stated.
*~*
A couple of days later, Khushi moved back to her apartment. Walking into her room, she glanced around, memories of her and Arnav playing before her. Pushing it aside, she began to unpack her clothes and put them away. She was in the middle of her unpacking, when she found the black dress she had worn on their first date at his place. Unable to help herself, Khushi began to cry. Below the dress was the choli that Arnav had made for her, causing Khushi to cry even more.
*~*
Several weeks passed since the incident. Khushi had turned her focus on school. With a new schedule for the new semester, she never saw Arnav, and Arnav never saw her.. Through out the weeks, Arnav had never come to see her. Nor did Khushi go over to his place to see him. The two were devastated, missing the one they loved the most. But Arnav had a plan, and he was ready to head forward with it.
Khushi had just come home from work, mail in hand. Most of it was nonsense, until she saw a packet from school. She opened it up and saw that it was a list of jobs that she was qualified for. Immediately, her eyes fell on AR Industries. Tears began to form, when the phone began to ring.
Putting the package aside, she picked up her phone to see Arnav calling. Khushi breathed in slowly, and took the call.
"Hello," she said lowly.
She heard Arnav take in a deep breath.
"Hi," Arnav said softly.
"Hi."
"How are you?"
"I've been better. ...you?"
"Terrible."
Khushi took in a sharp breath. "Oh."
"Yeah."
Both stayed silent for a moment, until Arnav broke it.
"Um... I was wondering if you'd like to go to a charity event my family holds."
"Oh...."
"Yeah.... So would you like to come? I mean go - would you like to go?"
Khushi pursed her lips. Instead of saying the word go they would say come, which was their little inside joke. Thinking of the offer he now placed on table, Khushi wondered if she should. She missed Arnav, no doubt, but would it be right of her to go?
"Yes," she heard herself say.
"Really," Arnav asked, thinking he didn't hear correctly.
"Yes," Khushi said softly.
"Great, so I'll pick you up. It's this Saturday."
"Okay."
Both hung up, a bit of hope starting to grow within them.
