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

23.The Weight of Memories...

Karishma was waiting for him ,stood at the edge of the park , and arnav could see her silhouette through the dappled sunlight.

He took a breath, collecting his thoughts, then walked toward her.
Karishma," he whispered, and she turned, her face lighting up with joy.

But that joy quickly morphed into confusion as she turn back. “what happened, Arnav?” she asked, her eyes wide with concern.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” he lamented, remorse knit across his brow, “ it wasn’t your fault. you didn’t want to leave me. It was your father who forced you to go.”

Surprised, Karishma stepped back, confusion flooding her expression. “How do you know?”

“Does it even matter?” he replied, his voice intertwining anger and sorrow. “The truth is, I was too stupid to see the real reason behind your departure.I was so wrapped up in my own pain that I couldn’t see yours,” he admitted, tears glazing his eyes.  I didn’t realize you were being forced.”

“I’m sorry,” Arnav murmured. “I have no idea how much you suffered because of me. I was foolish for thinking you chose to walk away.”

“It’s okay now,” Karishma interjected, her voice barely above a whisper. Now that you’re here, I feel better.”

“Yeah…” he said, but his conviction faltered as they pulled apart. Suddenly, the comfort of their embrace felt precarious, filled with unacknowledged tensions.

As Karishma leaned in, hoping to reclaim their spark with a kiss, Arnav instinctively took a step back. “What happened?” she asked, bewildered. “Now that we’ve talked, let’s just move forward.”

“Karishma, it can’t happen like that,” he said. “We can’t just pick up where we left off. I…”

“What? It’s just a kiss. We’ve kissed before!" she implored.

“We can be friends and colleagues, and I’m really glad you joined Crestwood College again,” he replied, albeit uncertainly.

“But why, Arnav? You know the truth now. ” she urged, hurt fraying her voice.

“Please don’t take this the wrong way,” he began slowly, dread clouding his demeanor. “But I have feelings for someone else. I’ve moved on.”

Karishma felt her heart shatter. “That’s not possible! You can’t move on so fast. You’re lying! You’re angry with me.”

“Karishma, it’s not a lie. It’s the truth.”

Desperate, Karishma enveloped him in her arms once again. “No! That can’t be true. Don’t punish me for something I didn’t choose. You are the love of my life, Arnav."

“Please, get a grip on yourself,” he said, his voice shaking. “I’m sorry if you perceive my actions as wrong, i apologise okay but I am in love with someone else, and I can’t change it i can't do anything.
I meant it i am really sorry i cannot erase the past but i dont want you to be a part of my present and future.

He felt anguish for her, for the weight of words he had to convey. “I’m here to support you in any way. We can remain colleagues or friends  but that's it.

I came here to apologize, to share my feelings. I hope you can understand…or move on.”

Her voice cracked. “At least tell me her name. Who is this lucky girl?”

Arnav hesitated, the tension drowning the sacred bond they once shared. “In time, I’ll tell you. But the truth is, I’m the lucky one because she loves me.”

And with that, he turned and walked away, leaving Karishma standing amidst the cherry blossoms.
She sobbed silently, each sob a testament to lost love and dreams suspended in time.

“Why, Arnav?” she whispered to the wind, “Why did you have to leave me?” But the wind offered no answers, only the soft rustle of leaves in a world that moved on—even when a heart remained stuck in yesterday..

Arnav drove , He reached for his phone, eager to call Khushi. Even amidst his confusion, he couldn't help but feel a rush of happiness. Despite the tangled emotions of unrequited love and truth hidden.

Excitement bubbled inside him as he pressed her name on speed dial—. However, The truth was clear to him: he knew why she didn’t answer. Deep down, he recognized that his heart danced for khushi, his mind was entwined with thoughts of Khushi.

Meanwhile,  Khushi sat curled up on Maddy’s sofa, tears cascading down her cheeks. Maddy, sensing her heartache, gently patted her back. “Khushi, please don’t cry,” she urged softly.

“I knew from the start, Maddy,” Khushi muttered, her voice quivering. “I knew that Arnav sir loves Karishma di and that she loves him too. But for some reason, part of me always held onto the belief that he might feel something for me.” Her tears intensified, each drop reflecting the weight of her heart’s burden. “But today made everything clear. He’s still in love with her.”

Maddy watched Khushi crumble, “You’re stronger than you think, Khushi. It's okay to feel what you feel. But you need to allow yourself to move on. You deserve someone better .”

Khushi took a shaky breath and looked at Maddy, empathy glistening in her eyes. “I’ll try, Maddy. I really will. I just…” She turned away, unable to voice the tangle of emotions swirling inside her. “I need some time.”

She walked towards the bathroom, locking the door behind her. Inside, she sank to the cool tiles, each sob sending waves of grief through her body. The silence of the bathroom was deafening, broken only by her quiet cries.

Maddy, knocked lightly on the door. “Khushi, whenever you’re ready, I’m right here. We can get through this together.”

Khushi took a deep breath, nodded to herself, and slowly opened the door. “Thank you, Maddy,” she whispered, her voice still shaky but stronger than before. “It’s time I face this.”

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