17 Arnav was upset
Part 17 Arnav was upset
Arnav stood, drowning in Khushi's smile. Khushi went crossing him, flashing a smile at him. Arnav was unable to conclude anything. He was clearly failing to understand her smile. He stared at her retreating figure with bewilderment.
Assembly
Arnav came to the assembly and stood facing the pupil. His eyes rooted on Khushi to confirm her state of mind. He could definitely say, she cooled down her anger for him. Though she didn't smile like how she smiled a few minutes ago her face carried a smile full gesture.
Arnav could not tolerate her smile which was a sign of her FORGIVENESS. He didn't want to be forgiven because, until she was angry with him, she would be thinking of him... At least, she would be scolding him in her mind. But, if Khushi had FORGAVE him, she would FORGET him. She won't think of him. Slowly, she would wipe the memories of their sweet days from her heart. That mere thought of being forgotten by Khushi killed him literally. First of all, he had not even gotten out of the grief that she was not in his life. He was satisfied, at least, he was there in her mind, in the form of anger. From here on, it won't happen. He won't be in her memories anymore. That squeezed his heart.
But, his question was, what made her change all of a sudden? Did Fatima say anything to her? No way... Then, what was the reason for Khushi's sudden smile? She might have found out something in his house.
Why doubt? No harm in asking Fatima about it. He called his house landline. The phone was engaged. Fatima was talking with Manju.
"Is it, Manju?"
"Yes, I saw Khushi smiling at Arnav..."
"Yaah, Allah..."
"It seems your effort gets its value"
"I just want Arnav bituwa to be peaceful. That's what I want"
"Your wish came true. I saw an unbelievable stare on Arnav's face. He must be happy because he is forgiven"
"Hopefully"
"Ok, I have to go... We will talk later"
"Ok, bye"
They disconnected the call. The very next second, the landline rang again. Fatima attended it. Before she asked anything,
"This is Arnav speaking," Arnav said.
"Tell me, Arnav bituwa"
"Did you say anything to Khushi?" Arnav asked which brought a smile to Fatima's face.
"I said you won't come home. Then only she asked Khushi, the teacher, to take her to their house"
Arnav rolled his eyes.
"I'm not talking about baby Khushi but her teacher"
"Oh... I said the same to her"
"Anything else?"
"Why? Any problem?"
"I just... Did you tell her about me?"
"What's there to tell her about you? She is our baby's teacher... She just came to our house to drop Khushi"
Arnav curled his fingers into fists. He didn't know what happened. He disconnected the call. Yes, Fatima won't spill the beans to anyone. He knew her. And, she definitely won't have been, because Khushi was his school teacher. He knew how cautious Fatima was in HIS matter. Then, what made Khushi smile at him? Till yesterday, she was so reluctant towards him. She didn't even greet him when he went to her house on her birthday. Then why today?
Arnav was struggling to figure it out. The issue was absolutely like, more than he could ever guess. He wanted anyone to save him from the trouble of figuring out what was wrong.
Arnav didn't even realize how weaker he was that Khushi's one smile could make his mind like a tornado demolished forest. He wanted to know about her changed behavior. So, he chose to confront her.
Lunch break
Khushi waited until the kids finished eating lunch. After making sure of it, she opened her lunch box. She started eating while watching the children. She went to the restroom to wash her hand. When she came back, her phone buzzed. Taking her phone, she checked it. She didn't know whose number it was because it was a new number. Yet, she attended it.
"Hello..."
There was silence on the other side. Khushi looked at her phone screen and again said,
"Hello..."
"Khushiiii..."
Khushi suddenly felt a lack of breath. Her eyes automatically traveled to baby Khushi who was proudly telling her friend about Khushi's visit to her home.
"This is Arnav..."
"Yup..."
"May I know what's wrong?"
Khushi shrank her eyes as she could not point out what he was pointing out as WRONG.
"I didn't get you"
"You smiled at me"
Khushi straightened herself. Did he say her smile was WRONG?
"Khushiiii... are you listening to me?"
"mm"
"Why did you smile at me?"
"If you don't like me smiling at you, I won't repeat it"
"Don't be so mean... Because you know I didn't mean it"
"I really can't understand what you are saying. Is smiling at you a crime?"
"Smiling is not a crime but smiling at a crimeful person is the odd one"
"Crimeful person? What do you mean?"
"I mean myself a crimeful person, Khushi. According to you, I'm a criminal who broke your trust and dreams..."
"I have forgotten them..."
"But why? What made you forget them?"
"Leave it... There is no use talking about it anymore. We started traveling on different paths long ago. I realized the reality that everything is OVER between us. So, I don't want to hold pointless anger on you."
"Have you forgiven me?"
"Yes... That's good for us..."
"Who said?"
Khushi sensed a trace of anger in his voice.
"I can understand..."
"You don't understand, Khushiiii... I already told you, I don't want you to forgive me..."
"But why?"
"You will forget me if you forgive me, damn it..."
Khushi was stuck.
"Please don't forgive me. Your forgiveness means, you are fine with my decision of giving up on you. You are fine with my decision of marrying someone... You are fine being without me. Please don't forgive me, Khushi. I don't know what made you forgive me. Please pretend like you are furious with me. For the sake of my pure love for you, please don't forgive me..."
Her eyes tear up beyond her control.
"This is time to realize we came long... There is no use in being stuck with the old story..." she spoke with the struggle of hiding her choking.
"It's not an old story... How could I say, I'm still standing at the starting point?"
"Try to understand... We have a life..."
"I have nothing called life, Khushi..."
Cutting him,
"But, I do..." Khushi said as she had no choice.
There was a silence on Arnav's side.
"I know you have a life... Your husband seems a nice person. I am honestly happy about it. I'm sorry if I outstepped. I just want only one thing from you Khushi. If your love for me is true, don't forgive me"
Arnav disconnected the call. He learned on his seat, closing his eyes. Whereas Khushi learned down on the desk and spilled tears. She didn't want the kids to notice her sobbing.
Arnav looked no less than a fireball. He lost his peace more than ever before whereas Khushi felt so helpless. She understood what kind of man she had missed.
After the bell rang, Arnav came to Khushi's class as usual. Khushi averted her eyes from him but Arnav was daringly looking at her like never before. Baby Khushi rushed to Arnav. Arnav lifted her in his arms, all the way looking at Khushi.
Taking her bag, Khushi walked. Arnav stood, blocking her way.
"Let me go"
"Go..."
"What's your problem?"
"What made you forgive me?"
"The much I know, forgiveness is not a bad thing"
"I wish you don't do good things" he gulped down hard.
Khushi left the place that confused him more. Was that the same Khushi, who lashed him over with her words and look?
Arnav didn't get the sleep that night. He just could not. He could not tolerate Khushi forgiving him for deceiving her. That irked him.
The next morning
Arnav was tying his shoelaces to get ready for school. He was so absorbed in Khushi's behavior that he didn't even notice the woman standing in front of him. He stood up and got stuck, seeing Sheetal. For the first time, he was annoyed seeing her. Even though she didn't separate him from Khushi she was the main reason for their separation. No one could deny it.
"I need money," she asked.
Arnav walked to his room to bring the chequebook. He stopped hearing,
"I need ten lakhs"
Arnav looked at her.
"For what?" He questioned get for the first time.
"Why should I tell you?" she sneered.
"Then why are you asking me?"
"This is my father's money"
"Then, ask your father"
"How dare you... Who are you to ask me for the reason?"
"Who are you to ask me for money?"
"You don't know me..."
Cutting her,
"How won't I know who you are... Because of you, I'm here..."
"Who asked you to marry me?"
"Your Bap..." He said gritting his teeth.
"Will you give me money or not?"
"I will... If you give me the reason... because this is a huge amount "
"It's a huge amount for the one who was once a servant... Not for me"
"Khushiiii..." Arnav called, not giving heed to her.
Baby Khushi rushed with her school bag.
Taking his bag, Arnav walked out with Khushi.
"This is not done, Arnav... You are going to repent for this..." Sheets shouted, fuming.
Arnav walked with a smirk. If his guess was right, Sheetal would do what he wanted.
To be continued...
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