Head over Heels ☑️

Chapter 29 - Khushi

🎶 Chupke Se/Snehithane - Saathiya

The sharp cries of the black-naped tern pierced the air. The flap of its wings could be heard through the open patio doors as Khushi stirred under the covers.

A throbbing headache made her wince as the last remnants of sleep slipped away. She opened her eyes, squinting against the bright sunlight. The weight constricting her chest was Arnav-ji's arm, pinning her flush against his body as though preventing her escape.

She swallowed hard, her foggy mind slowly piecing itself back together. A soft whine escaped her lips. Though the details of the previous night remained a blur, the overwhelming emotions that rushed through her were enough to make her feel faint.

She shifted slightly. Arnav-ji's eyes were closed, his face smooth and unlined, relaxed in his sleep. Her throat constricted as she memorized every detail, a hollow sense of foreboding consuming her. She etched it into her memory as if it weren't already seared into every tendril of thought her mind could conjure.

With a heaving breath, she carefully began to inch away, trying not to wake him. Her legs felt like jelly beneath her, the aftermath of their passion leaving her with a soreness she was all too familiar with.

Slipping out of bed, she placed a pillow in her place, arranging it carefully. His arm instinctively coiled around it, a flicker of confusion crossing his face before his breathing returned to its steady rhythm.

Khushi let out a shaky breath as she made her way to the bathroom, her legs unsteady. The shower's scalding heat felt like the only thing that could soothe the ache in her muscles, though it did little to calm the storm of emotions that raged within her.

She leaned against the shower wall. Remorse, regret, and a deep sense of shame crashed through her in equal measure. There was no denying it, no excuses she could use to justify her actions. It was clear as day—Arnav-ji had inexplicably become the target of her frustrations, an innocent bystander subjected to harsh and unfair treatment on her part.

While the words exchanged were burned in her memory, the latter half of the night made her chest constrict. Her breath came in short gasps as her guilt, fierce and all-consuming, overwhelmed her. She still couldn't understand why she had reacted the way she did, why that inexplicable rage had gripped her...

And yet, she didn't blame the wine for her actions. She had read about it, seen it play out a few times in her neighborhood—the dreary sense of detachment, the fleeting high that only intensified the feelings buried deep within one's mind.

The words that had left her mouth had been her deepest fears, born from her darkest desires. Why had she felt that way? Frustration took center stage as she gritted her teeth, the tears cool against the scorching water that beat down on her face mercilessly.

But the real question remained: What would her behavior cost her? And what would it cost them?

Battling the sobs threatening to consume her, she turned off the water, unable to delay the inevitable any longer. She had to apologize—whether he would accept it or not was a question she wasn't ready to face, but one she knew she would have to sooner or later.

Wrapping a towel around herself, she stepped into the vanity area. Steam had escaped from the cubicle, clinging to the mirror and countertops.

She shuddered slightly, missing her clothes, her things. Suddenly, the alien surroundings felt oppressive. She longed for Lakshmi Nagar and the chaos her mohalla [neighborhood] had to offer. She missed her home.

"Good morning."

Khushi yelped, startled, as her gaze landed on Arnav-ji. He was leaning against the doorframe, arms folded across his chest, his hair damp and a towel hanging low around his waist. His steady gaze met hers, unreadable. He was studying her, just as intently as she was him.