Only You....

Uncertain Future

I walked aimlessly down the road, my mind was full of confusion and pain.. I didn't know where I was going.. My father's face, Arnav's face, Robi's voice, everything was flashing in my mind. The evening was growing darker,  but I kept moving, I wanted to escape the chaos in my mind.. Suddenly, I heard a car screech to a halt beside me...Turning, I saw Arnav jumping out and running toward me..

'Khushi, are you crazy?' he shouted, grabbing my arm, 'Do you have any idea how dangerous this is? What if something happened to you?..'

'Let go of me!..' I screamed back, trying to pull away.. 'I don't want to hear anything from you, Arnav.. Just leave me alone!'

'Khushi, you're pregnant! You need to think about yourself and our baby. You can't just run off like this!' he said, getting frustrated.

Tears streamed down my face as I yelled, 'How can I think about anything when you uttered something so cheap about..' I gulped, 'About my father..'

Arnav sighed and tried to come closer, but I stopped him with my hand...  'Khushi, I know you always saw your father as a hero, and that's why I never told you the truth..But I can't hide it anymore. Lavanya told me you met with Robi today.. Now I understand your desperation to know the truth, you went to see Robi on my back..Robi?' he took deep breath and then said, 'I can't keep this from you any longer because once I lost you for this truth, I can't anymore.. I can't lose you or my baby..'

'And why should I trust you? Answer me, how do I know you're not lying to me about everything?'

Arnav looked deeply hurt.. 'What proof do you need? Why would I lie?..'

'Robi told me..'  I took a pause as I was choaking, 'He said you had an affair with Sheetal and I saw you with her having dinner right after you broke up with me.. I tried to save our relationship, you are the one who broke it.. How can I trust you when I don't even know what's true anymore?'

Arnav's face fell, 'You're believing Robi over me? Over your Arnav? Khushi, I would never betray you like that.. Why can't you see that?'

My heart ached with the weight of his words. I wanted to believe him, to trust him, but the betrayal I felt was too raw, 'You betrayed me Arnav, I begged you for our relationship, I called you, texted you.. You didn't reply, you left the country without saying a bye, forget about acknowledging my pain...I was devastated, I waited for you, I thought you will come back but you never did..' I said breaking down with tears..

'I am sorry jaan, I am so sorry but trust me I was forced to do this.. I never had any intention to break our relationship, I loved you more than myself and I still do.. You were and are the only one for me..' He said coming closer cupping my face, his eyes were red and moist.. 'Trust me, I never had any relationship with Sheetal or anyone..'

'Then prove it, Arnav. Show me that what Robi said is a lie...I need proof...'I said removing his hand from my face.

'I will prove it, Khushi. I will do whatever it takes to make you believe me.. Dukh to sirf ish baat ka hai Robi ke baath tumne bina sabut ke man li per mujhe apni app ko sabit kar na per raha hai.. (It just hurts that you believed Robi's words without any proof, and now I have to prove myself to you..)'

I felt torn, my heart ached hearing his words... Seeing the pain in Arnav's eyes made me want to believe him, but the doubt planted by Robi's accusations and the pain I experienced when he broke up with me  gnawed at me... Tears welled up in my eyes as I struggled to find my voice..

'But right now, let's go home. You need to rest.. Please, for the sake of our baby, listen to me..'. Arnav pleaded..

I nodded, feeling very tired.. I was physically and mentally drained... At first he put his arm around me but seeing my exhausted face he took me to his arms and carried me till the car.. He gave me a bottle of juice and I drank it without protest..