Part 23:
Khushi POV
He keeps asking for you Khushi. It's been three days. He will be discharged today. How long are you planning to avoid him?
I did not want to be disturbed by anyone. But none of my family members was ready to respect my wishes. Especially Jeeji. According to them, I was making a grave mistake. But what is so bad about keeping my distance? He has recalled his past. My fiance will no longer be the same sweet man who fell for me. He has switched back to the cunning ASR. My heart wanted to see him. But my mind knew the harsh reality. So I did not answer the numerous calls made by him. I know ASR. He will be back to his cold controlling self. I still recall his last words on Diwali night before his accident.
Mere liye tumhara ya uss baat ka koi matlab nahi hai...
(For me neither you matter nor what happened between us...)
Koi matlab nahi hai...?
(It does not matter...?)
Koi matlab nahi hai.
(It does not matter).
Please Jeeji. Leave me alone. You won't understand my pain.
Stop being a coward Khushi. Visit him once. Even if you feel that he will break your heart. Believe me, you need closure.
I lay on the bed in a fetal position. My heart was breaking with each passing second. However, this is my pain. I Will have to endure it. Feeling my sister's hand caress my head a tear cascaded down my eye. Is she right? Does my heart need closure? Well her point is valid. It is time to be brave. I will visit him in Shantivan. Just once. One last time. To end all the ties between us. Shayad Arnav aur Khushi ki kahani ka anth aise hi likha tha. I should not have allowed him to break my heart. Hum humesha se jaante the ki ek din Laad governor ko sab yaad aajayega. And now the D-day is here.
(Maybe that's how Arnav and Khushi's story was supposed to end. I knew from day 1 that he would recall everything).
I knew what I had to do. I sat upright on the bed passing a weak smile to Jeeji. My sister could see the determination in my eyes. She returned the smile and cupped my cheek to show her support. Cradling her hand I wiped my eyes and left my bed.
Arnav POV
Is she here?
No. Not yet. Par Bhai Khushiji will soon...
(But Bhai).
Leave.
Bhai I...
Leave Damn It.
I dismissed Akaash not allowing him to complete his excuse. Yes, excuse, because that is what it was. An excuse on behalf of Khushi Kumari Gupta. All my calls were left unanswered. She was hell-bent on ignoring me. My injuries required me to rest. Hence I could do nothing but get better as quickly as possible.
She is playing a dangerous game with me. Usse lagta hai just because I am back to my old self, my ruthlessness will also return with me. Yes. I admit at one-time harshness and I were a packaged deal. But that was me before I realised the fact that Khushi is mine. We are meant to be together. That's it. Nothing else matters.
Perhaps Khushi is under the misconception that I will reject her. Probably my last words to her as ASR before the accident is building doubts in her mind. I smirked. Silly girl. Despite letting her know time and time again that I won't let go of our relationship Khushi's insecurities keep floating around. Well, kudos to my egoistical self. It is all because of this arrogance that today I am in physical and emotional pain.
Ye chotein aaj nahi to kal theek ho hi jaengi. Par dil pe jo doori ka zakhm hai usse to woh hi sahi kregi na.
(These wounds will heal someday. But the wound separation over my heart will be healed by her alone).
The meds were strong enough. I could not keep awake for long. Sometime later I dozed off. Darkness consumed me. I was floating in a dark abyss when the sound of jiggling anklets pulled me out. I blinked rapidly. Someone was watching me. I could feel it. With a swiping glance, I noticed her. My fiance stood feet away from me with her back facing the almira.
I tried to get up but the feeling of vertigo weakened my movement. Within a click of a finger Khushi Kumari Gupta wrapped her hands around my shoulders. Soon I found myself leaning against the headboard. None of us said a word. I arrested her with my gaze. She could probably sense the possessive intensity in my eyes. Knowing her state of mind I quickly addressed the elephant in the room.
Meri hone wali biwi mujhe dekhna tak nahi chahti. Isse to acha tha ki woh Shyam Mallik mujhe maar hi deta.
(Mg would be wife does not wish to even see me. It would have been better if Shyam Mallik had killed me).
NAHI. Dobara aisa kahiyega bhi mat Arnavji.
(NO. Don't ever say such a thing Arnavji).
To kya is baat pe khush ho ki meri mangetar, mera pyar, mere saath nahi hai.
(So what do you expect? I should celebrate the absence of my fiance, my love).
Tears rolled down her eyes. My coldness and harshness made it obvious that I am back. But the hurt of separation behind my words could be read easily. She understood my unsaid feelings. Because that is what makes me her Arnavji. I shut my eyes for a second. Damn this anger is not good for my injuries. My eyes fluttered open when I felt the side of my bed dip. She held her ears and apologized to me looking all pure and innocent. Her child-like eyes held agonizing pain. Just like mine.
Sorry. Sorry sorry sorry.
Shhhhhhh.
I pressed a finger to her lips. Slowly I lowered both her hands from her ears only to hold them in a firm grip. Leaning my forehead against hers I rubbed my nose with hers. She shivered at our sudden proximity. I almost breathed the words against her lips.
Imagine yourself in that red saree, near my poolside.
I am walking towards you right now.
My body is not in my control anymore.
There is only a little distance between us.
There is only a slight change.
This time I won't stop.
Clutching her waist in one hand I wrapped the other around her nape and pulled her towards me. There was nothing slow about this kiss. I was pushing all the love inside me into her. I poured out my anger of these few days when she deliberately distanced herself from me. I kept smooching her for a long time. When Khushi was almost out of breath I let go of her lips. I smirked breathlessly. She felt a little flustered by my move.
Haww....aapne...aapne...frenchwali kiss kri?
(You...you...french kissed me?)
Haan toh? Meri mangetar running shoes pehenke ghumti hai. Rokne ka jugaad mujhe hi krna hoga.
(So what? My fiance loves to wear running shoes. I have to think of innovative ways to stop her).
Khushi POV
Haww....aapne...aapne...frenchwali kiss kri?
Haan toh. Meri mangetar running shoes pehenke ghumti hai. Rokne ka jugaad mujhe hi krna hoga.
I could not help but stare at the comforter. Arnav Singh Raizada was back. The manipulative arrogant beast whose priority lies in his profit sat in front of me with a knowing smirk. And I could not stop him from frenching me. Baffled by the kiss I enquired about the same and his response left me surprised. Hey Devi Maiyya iska matlab jab jab hum inse door jayenge ye aise humein...no no-no. On one side I could not help but turn into a tomato. On the other side, I felt secure. Even after getting cured of Amnesia my man did not hate me. Finally, there won't be any obstacles between us. Gathering all of my courage I looked up into his eyes.
Humein laga ki aapko sab yaad agaya hai to aap humse nafrat krenge.
(I thought that now that you have your memories you would hate me).
I won't repeat that mistake Khushi soon-to-be Raizada. Iss baar main kuch galat hone nahi dunga.
(This time nothing would go wrong).
Unable to hold myself I snuggled in his arms. We were no more entangled due to the circumstances in our lives. Rather our hearts chose to fuse. Smiling to myself I tried to grasp the happiness that Devi Maiyya bestowed upon the two of us. I was so engrossed in our hug that I missed Akaash jeeju's teasing smile.
Agar bhai aur aapke beech sab theek hogaya ho kya main aur Payal bhi shaadi krlein Khushi Bhabhi?
(If everything is alright between my brother and you then may I get married to Payal Khushi Bhabhi?)
I quickly left my fiances embrace to see Jeeju leaning against the door jamb of Arnavji's room. He must have passed the room and caught us hugging each other. Turning a deep shade of red I shared a glance with Arnavji. But the man only narrowed his eyes towards Jeeju. Ughhh. ASR is so cocky.
Fine Akaash. Agle hafte humare sath tum aur Payal bhi phere le lena.
(Fine Akaash next week you and Payal can join us for a double wedding).
KYA AGLE HAFTE? Itni jaldi sab kaise hoga Arnavji? Aur abhi to aap theek se khade bhi nai ho pa rhe hain...)
(WHAT NEXT WEEK? How will we prepare in a week Arnavji? And you cannot even stand properly how will you...).
Khushi relax. One week is enough for my recovery. Aur iss baar koi bahana kia na to mandap tak kidnap krke launga. Samjhi?
(No excuses this time or else I would kidnap you. Alright?)
My eyes widened in disbelief. I cannot believe my ears. The mighty ASR has completely taken over my Arnavji. Now, this is not something that I had in mind when the doctor informed us that Arnavji's memories have returned. I gulped nervously. Is this my soon-to-be husband? Well, I will have to compromise with his ASRishness. I have no choice, do I?
Hum toh bhool hi gaye the ke aap ASR hain. Sirf faisla suna dete hain.
(I forgot that you are ASR. You love to give orders).
I told him with a pout and stood up from the bed. Before I could even take a step ahead I jerked sensing a hold over my dupatta. I turned around with a frown. Arnavji passed me a smirk. As if he was taunting me for being childish.
Yes I am ASR. But at the same time, I am also the man who fell in love with you Khushi Gupta. And I have every right to make you mine.
Flustered by his words I tried to snatch my dupatta from his hold. However, he rolled it in once in his grip and pulled me on the bed again. Without waiting for my reaction he leaned in placing a kiss on my forehead. His one gesture spoke volumes. I could feel a thousand promises in this one kiss. Unable to help myself I wrapped my arms around his waist and held him to myself.
Finally, after crossing so many hurdles we were ready to be tied to each other. We were ready to name this love of ours.
Dhruv POV
Marriage is a beautiful commitment. Where two souls vow to protect and preserve their relationship. As I stood near the mandap showering petals over my two uncles I could not help but smile.
I was here on a mission. A 10-year-old kid who had promised his Popsi to heal Nannav Chachu. And in the process, I realized a lot of things. I understood that love is not all about milk and roses. It also has another side to it. There is pain. Hurt. Guilt. Heartbreak. Love also has a dark side.
Khushi Chachi and Nannav Chachus story had both sides. They started as enemies. A toxic relationship. But then suddenly care and concern penetrated the walls of hatred. And thus love bloomed.
From Retrograde amnesia to Shyam Mallik my uncle had a lot of ups and downs in his life. However, he found his happiness amidst all this. As my Uncles and Aunts take sacred vows I feel blessed to witness their story.
Well, my work here is done. But there is another assignment waiting for me at home. I need to make sure that Popsi and Lavanya Kashyap get their happy ending. They still have a lot of obstacles that need to be addressed.
But no worries. I am DSR. The love guru. The adults of this generation need a good mentor like me. They are immature for their age. They make mistakes and realise it too late. My thoughts halted as soon as my phone went off.
Hi Pops.
Hey D. Congrats on completing the mission. You did it, my boy.
Yeah, Dad.
Nannav Chachu and Khushi Chachi were taking the blessing of the other family members right now. Yes. Mission has been accomplished. Successfully.
When are you returning home buddy?
Soon Pops. Very soon.
My next mission is a personal one. Need to make sure that Dad makes an honest woman out of Lavanya Kashyap. But this one will be a secret one. Cannot involve my father as he is my subject this time around.
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The end. This is the final chapter of AJHS season 2. Hope you all liked this story. It was fun playing around with an amnesiac ASR.
Deewane ho ke ham milne lage sanam...
Jab se jude hain silsile...
Aankhon se ruth kar neendein chali gayeen...
Na jaane kaise gul khile...
