Us again

47-Arnav's thoughts

As Khushi and Arnav walked in the market place,Khushi happy,smiling like a little kid,with her beloved by her side,some people who knew her saw her. And soon the news of Khushi coming back with a handsome man spreaded.

As Khushi walked back,she encountered her rental room owner. She was a lady of mid fifties. She looked at Khushi,the simple girl,nothing special with a very handsome man. Somehow she knew that man was someone with special identity. So she called Khushi aside. Khushi told Arnav to wait a little and walked to her..

Only then it drew upon Khushi that she was in rural India. She and Arnav were not married. They cannot stay in a room. No matter what Arnav was a man and she a woman. It would create issues. No matter how deep the understanding was between them,for people they were boyfriend -girlfriend..

So Khushi looked at her house owner with a smile that almost creeped the lady out.. Still she asked Khushi who was that man..

And Khushi being Khushi told her,he was a friend, here to see this place. Very rich,may be he will later donate a big sum to their village for welfare..

And she also asked the landlady to give him the room,right besides her as rent. For food,Khushi would manage ...

The land lady gave her the keys within an hour,after cleaning the room a little. Arnav and Khushi walked inside. There was a bed,and nothing else. They had to share whatever Khushi had,until they bought for Arnav..

As Khushi was busy arranging bed for Arnav,after cleaning the room once more,Arnav stood there looking at her. In the past he had seen her,busy in Gupta house,doing chores,cooking,cleaning. Now too he saw the same. It was a nostalgic feeling..

Feeling the constant gaze of Arnav,Khushi turned back,asking what happened..

Arnav nodded no. Hugging her from behind he just smiled..

"Khushi,even without anything here,it still feels like home. Just us like this. Is it not what home is?"said Arnav,little emotional..

Khushi stood still. It was the moment that she had to let it out. All her insecurities and worries..

"How so Arnav? What about Dadi ji,Dadaji,Mum,dad,Chacha ji,Chachi ji? What about Aksh,Aman,Bhai,Baba,Maa,Dadi? How is this place home?"she asked,little hesitant,yet firm..

Arnav looked at her,turning her towards him. He saw the tear drops in her eyes,the unshed drops of pearls.. Kissing her forehead with every bit of love he had,he pulled her closer to his heart,to let her hear his heartbeat..

As Khushi felt the beat of his heart,beating synchronised with hers,she recalled the erratic beats she had heard before and the incidents with that. She smiled a little recalling those sweet yet crazy times..

"Khushi,at this moment,in this place,I want to tell you,with everything in me,that before you nothing mattered,after you nothing will matter. Dadaji,Dadi,Mum,Dad,Chachaji,Chachi,Aksh,Abeer and your parents and Dadi,everyone has their respective person. Though Dadu is no more,Dadi has spent her happy time with him. Now,she has her family by her side. But when we need someone,we actually need our partner the most. For,in one person we get every relation. For a man,his wife comes to his life as a friend,then loves him as a lover,care for him as a mother,wish to get his care like a child,tries to be his comfort like a sister. Same goes for a woman too. When she finds him,she finds a protective father,caring and understanding friend with whom she can share everything,loving brother,and a child to pamper and love.. For me,you are that kind of existence Khushi. No matter where I am,when I feel tired,I wish to come to you. When any problem arises,I wish to know your opinion. I want to play around,have fun with you.. Khushi,before you came into my life,I had everything. Yet it was scattered. It was a mess. But with you I feel calm, confident that you would be my support,would be there for me..I know what you feel. You feel,I would leave you for someone,again I would priortize someone over you. But it will not happen. You are my happiness Khushi,the place to call home"told Arnav..

Khushi was looking at her man with new found respect. Thankfully things have turned better this time.. She thanked her Devi Maa for this grace and hugged Arnav even more tightly,trying to melt in his arm..