Arshi SS : Ek Din (Completed)✔

Part 4

Arnav was flooded with memories of Khushi from the moment they met. He was always drawn to her character, her zeal for life, and her ability to make others happy. He was shocked when he learned that she wasn’t Payal’s biological sister, that her parents were no more. He was amazed at how she had moved on from her past so easily, while he was still haunted by his own. She once said that people who leave us forever become stars—her parents, his parents. She looked so truthful when she said that. He had fallen for her long ago, yet he continued to make her suffer because of his ego. But she stood firm every time, irritating him with her antics, making him confront emotions he had long buried. Each encounter with her was special. Slowly, she brought back the old Arnav, the one who had been lost after his parents' death. But then, he felt himself becoming weak. Love and relationships weren’t his thing, so he clung to his fake relationship with Lavanya to distance himself from Khushi. When he thought he had succeeded, he learned about her engagement, which introduced the emotion of jealousy in him. He became possessive of her. He broke off his engagement with Lavanya, realizing he couldn’t ruin another life. He was overjoyed to learn that her engagement had also been called off; it brought him peace. Their bond grew stronger as they united their siblings. Akash and Payal’s marriage rituals felt as if they were his and Khushi’s, as they both performed each of them. His initial in her mehendi, their “Teri Meri” dance at the sangeet, the haldi on his face—were these signs that they were destined to marry? He was sure he would confess his feelings to her today, but then he saw something that riled up his anger, something that led him to take the drastic step of marrying her. Was she innocent? Did he make a mistake? He confronted his so-called jijaji, who told him that they both loved each other and that his Di was the obstacle. This made him very angry. He felt he had no other choice but to keep them both apart until his Di’s delivery, so without thinking, he married Khushi. But now, he was feeling so restless. When he saw Khushi lying on the road, covered in blood, he saw his mother’s face in her, the same way she had lain when she shot herself. He closed his eyes, unable to bear the pain. “Khushi is innocent,” his heart told him. How could he judge her without even asking for her side of the story? That Shyam, who didn’t love his Di but loved money, could lie to any extent. He shouldn’t have believed that man and doubted Khushi. Whatever the case, Khushi was now his wife, and above all, she was his love. He couldn’t even imagine losing her. His chain of thoughts broke when he saw the doctor coming out of the OT.

The family members were worriedly watching Arnav, who seemed lost in deep thought. Why was he so silent? They had never seen him like this, looking so defeated. They felt a bit of peace when Arnav stood up and approached the doctor.

Arnav (eagerly): Doctor... how’s Khushi?

Doctor: I’m sorry, Mr. Raizada. We tried our best, but now, we can’t do anything. She has only a few hours left.

Everyone started crying aloud, while Arnav’s anger reached its peak. How dare this doctor even suggest that his Khushi had only a few hours to live? He grabbed the doctor by the collar.

Arnav (screaming): Don’t you dare! My Khushi is safe. Nothing... nothing has happened to her!

Akash and NK pulled Arnav back as they saw the OT door open and some nurses wheeled Khushi out on a stretcher to shift her to another ward. Everyone saw a pale, unconscious Khushi lying there, connected to various medical channels. They all walked with her, crying as they clung to the stretcher. Arnav’s hot tears started flowing as he saw her. “No, nothing has happened to her,” was the only thought playing in his mind. He came back to his senses when everyone moved inside the ward. Is this his punishment for not trusting her? Will she leave him forever? No, he couldn’t let that happen. He made his way inside the ward. The first person he saw was Khushi... his Khushi.

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Khushi was lying lifeless on the bed, with Payal crying badly, holding her hand on one side, and Garima sobbing hard, holding her other hand. Buaji kept a hand on Garima’s shoulder, though she herself needed support. Shashi was very helpless, his hand shaking as he tried to place it on Khushi’s head. How could any parent or sister bear to see their daughter or sister lying lifeless like this? Nani and Anjali were hugging each other, crying uncontrollably for their Khushi, who never failed to bring smiles to their faces. Shyam, supporting Anjali, thought to himself with a smirk, “Khushiji, I don’t need you now. This is the punishment you get for betraying me and marrying that Raizada.”

Mami, who also secretly loved Khushi’s character, was weeping, regretting her past behavior. Mama, Akash, and NK stood in a corner with tears in their eyes, remembering how Khushi had always respected, teased, and been friendly with them. That’s when Arnav came inside, his eyes fixed on Khushi. Hearing the door sound, everyone glanced at him between their sobs. Anjali looked at Nani, who blinked her eyes in response. Then, she walked straight to her brother, her Chote, who was standing with hunched shoulders as if carrying a heavy burden.

Anjali (choking): Chhote...! Apni PATNI se nahi miloge? (Won’t you meet your WIFE?)

She purposely emphasized the word “WIFE,” reminding everyone that her Chote was now connected to Khushi. Arnav gulped hearing the word that tied him and Khushi together. It was all his fault. He was the one who doubted her, the one who forcefully married her, leading her to this state. She had been so happy in her life, and he had turned it into hell. His tears turned into sobs, shocking everyone in the ward who had never seen him with even moist eyes. He cried softly like a child, which tore Anjali’s heart apart. She hugged him and started rubbing his back.

Anjali (gulping): Kuch nahi... (choking) kuch nahi hoga Khushiji ko... (crying aloud) kuch bhi nahi... (Nothing... nothing will happen to Khushiji... nothing at all...)

Arnav broke the hug and went to Khushi’s side. Payal placed Khushi’s hand on the bed and stepped aside, giving him space. He sat on the bed beside Khushi and held her hand. He observed her through his teary eyes. Her head was fully bandaged, with a mark of sindoor visible beneath it. Her eyes were closed, and an oxygen mask was attached to help her breathe. She was taking shallow breaths. A tear dropped onto the hand he was holding. He touched her cheek with his other hand and thought, “I’m sorry, Khushi. Please forgive me... don’t punish me like this.” He bent his head and cried. Anjali looked up, as if asking God, why does her Chhote suffer every time? Why is there no happiness in his life? And when it finally came, why is it being snatched away again? Everyone who witnessed the scene felt guilty for hurting them over their marriage. They all heard Arnav’s voice.

Arnav (sniffing, wiping his tears): Khushi... Khushi, dekho yahan sab kaise ro rahe hain... Bolo sabko ke tumhe kuch nahi hoga... (Khushi... see here... how everyone is crying... tell everyone that nothing will happen to you...)

Arnav paused, as if waiting for her reply. When it didn’t come, he grew furious. He became ASR for a moment and ordered, “Open your eyes, dammit!” Anjali ran to him and placed her hand on his shoulder, but he shrugged it off.

Arnav (holding Khushi’s face): Khushi, please... please don’t leave me... I can’t live without you...

At that moment, he won the hearts of the Gupta family, who saw how much Arnav loved their Khushi. The Raizada family was also very happy to see Arnav opening up emotionally, but they were saddened by the doctor’s words echoing in their minds.

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