"Lectures in the Heart: A Love Unforeseen" (Khushi Arnav)

22.Arnav accident...

It was a quiet night when the accident happened. Arnav, was driving back home after a late meeting at the college. Suddenly, a car skidded into his lane, colliding with his vehicle head-on. The impact was jarring, leaving Arnav unconscious and bleeding.

"Call an ambulance!" Akash shouted, his voice cracking with panic.

Within moments, they were at the hospital, relief washing over them when the doctors assured them that Arnav would survive, though he'd need time to recover. After hours of waiting, they finally brought him home in the early hours of the morning, exhaustion written all over their faces.

In college, the atmosphere was heavy with concern. Maddy and Khushi, were seated for their first lecture, anxiously awaiting the arrival of professor,Arnav.

When Ishan Sir took the podium instead, the mood shifted. "Arnav Sir is absent today," he announced. "He had an accident last night, but he’s stable now. He’s resting at home."

Khushi’s notebook slipped from her hands, landing with a thud on the floor. She didn’t notice the murmurs around her; all she felt was a tightness in her chest. Silent tears streamed down her cheeks, unnoticed.

Maddy, quickly pulled out her phone and dialed Akash. “Hello, Akash? How is Arnav Sir doing?”

“He’s okay now,” Akash responded, though his voice bore a weight of concern. “But he’s really distressed… because of Khushi.”

Maddy’s eyes widened. “What do you mean?”

“Can you bring Khushi here? He wants to see her,” Akash urged.

Maddy handed the phone to Khushi,  "Khushi, Arnav Bhai is really in a tough state. He just wants to see you. Please, come over."

“I'm on my way!” Khushi panicked, not letting Akash's concern settle.  "I’ll be there," and dashed away.

“What did you say to her?” Maddy questioned Akash, brows furrowed.

“Nothing much. Just… I kind of told her things were more serious than they are,” Akash admitted sheepishly.

Maddy shook her head, exasperated. “You can’t just lie to her like that!”

At the Raizada mansion, Khushi rushed in, breathless and anxious. Mrs. Raizada spotted her and halted her. "Where do you think you're going in my house?"

“Umm, Mrs. Raizada, I came to see Arnav Sir,” Khushi explained, her voice trembling.

Mrs. Raizada's eyes narrowed as she spat, It’s your fault he’s like this;“It’s because of girls like you that my son gets hurt again and again! First, Karishma, now you!”

Khushi’s heart shattered at the accusation. Just then, Akash shouted from behind, “Mom, let her through! I called her!”

“Why are you defending her? And Why would you call these girls?she doesn’t belong here!” Mrs. Raizada retaliated.

“Enough!” Akash cut off his mother’s tirade. “She helped me when I needed it. Khushi was the onle girl who  helped me when I was accused of something serious,” Akash replied defensively, recounting the incident where Khushi defended him against false accusations.

She doesn't deserve this cold behaviour mom plz bhai loves her a lot and “ Arnav bhai wants to see her, then let her see him.”

Finally, with Akash’s hand on her back,
With a final glare, Mrs. Raizada stepped aside, allowing Khushi and maddy to pass through the threshold.

Entering Arnav’s room, emotions collided as Khushi took in the sight of him bandaged but surprisingly conscious. "Arnav Sir!" she murmured, stepping closer.

He exchanged a soft look with Aman, then focused on Khushi. “Are you alright?” he asked, his voice hoarse.

“I came as soon as I heard,” she replied, the tremor in her voice betraying her worries.

Akash broke the silence. “Khushi,“I lied to get you here,  the guilt was palpable. but.” I need you to talk to him. I’m sorry, but this has to happen,” he implored.

Arnav glanced at Akash, confused. “What’s going on?”

Khushi felt an unexpected resolve. “Fine. I’ll talk to him, but it has to be in front of everyone.

Foreboding filled the room as Khushi took a deep breath. "You say you love me, but what about Karishma di?”“You think you understand everything, don’t you? She gritted her teeth, the frustration overpowering. “You’re wrong! Karishma di didn’t leave willingly!”

W what” Arnav stammered, but Khushi quickly pressed on.

“yes arnav sir ,Karishma Di never left you willingly," Khushi choked, tears streaming down her face as she summoned her courage. "It wasn’t her fault. It was papa ji who forced her to go abroad, promising she'd never contact you again.”she had no choice! She never stopped loving you!”

Arnav as he listened, the truth hitting hard. His heart broke for both Karishma and Khushi, who stood braving their own storms.

Flashbacks unfolded in Arnav’s mind, memories of desperation and heartbreak that he had buried deep.

Aman and Akash shared a look of horror, grappling with the weight of hidden truths now exposed.

Arnav abruptly left, urgency evident in his demeanor. “I need to find Karishma. We need to fix this!”

“I knew what I was getting into,” she said quietly. “I knew you loved her. But it seems both of you have been trapped in the echoes of the past!”

Tears streamed down her face. “This isn’t just about you two. This is about us, too. I can’t be caught in a love triangle of heartache.”

“Khushi, I had no idea…” Arnav’s voice quivered, realization dawning upon him like a heavy fog lifting.

Khushi’s gaze was fierce, yet vulnerable as she implored, “You can’t deny that you both still love each other. If it weren’t for those circumstances, you’d be together.”

Khushi, feeling the tension waning, whispered, “Please don’t let this bond break because of lies and misunderstandings. Life’s too short.”

As Aman, Akash, and Maddy consoled Khushi, Arnav silently reflected on his next move. Somewhere, amidst the chaos of hurt, the need for closure lingered like a voice just out of reach. Would he fight for the love he lost?

Arnav sprang into action, rushing to get Karishma, his heart racing with the urgency created by Khushi’s revelations.

Overwhelmed, Arnav sank , tears pooling in his eyes. "How could I have been so blind?"

As Khushi’s sobs echoed through the halls of the Raizada Mansion, she felt a profound change stirring within her. She had spoken her truth; the rest was now theirs to piece together. The love story tangled in shadows and misunderstandings was beginning to unravel, setting the stage for second chances and fractured hearts to heal.

Together, they would seek the healing that love and understanding could bring, one step at a time.

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