Arshi SS - His Mistake

Part 2

The darkness had fallen and she waited for his return, like every night. She looked at the covered bowl and a heavy weight settled on her heart. Them having a meal together seemed a distant memory. The weight grew tenfold as she looked at his empty chair , not touched from months. Biting back the tears, she rocked the little thing in her arms and her eyes kept staring at the door, waiting for his arrival.

He entered the house, the dark corridor greeting him back. With a posture, which had no traces of the former powerful man he once was, he dragged his unwilling legs ahead. The sudden greeting of lights made his vision blurry momentarily. His unfocused eyes lifted up to meet with the familiar pair. He averted his eyes immediately, wanting to get away as soon as possible, the air suddenly suffocating him.

"I will warm the food..."

"No ..." he cut her as soon as she started. "It's ok .... I will have my dinner later. I have ..I have told you not to wait for me ..I can manage on my own ... please don't wait henceforth ....." He quickly moved towards the stairs, not wanting to witness her hurt face, those anguished eyes.

She slowly sat on the chair, the refrained tears wetting her cheeks now. Was she really at fault? Was she really guilty? Guilty or not, he makes her feel that every second they share together.

Cuddling her daughter close to her chest, she got up. She was guilty. She is guilty. And that's why this man makes her feel that guilt, the man who is no longer her brother. That night, that fateful night, along with many things, she had lost her brother, too.

Arnav entered the room. His smiling face lifted up as the wind chimer touched each other and made a melodious sound....so like her. He walked inside and breathed in, the air providing him an unknown peace. He can still smell her here. Moving towards the bed, he sat on her side, the pink side which she had made for herself. He ran his hand on the soft fabric, so soft... just like her. He lifted his eyes to witness the glistening stars, shining bright.... Just like her eyes.

He stood up. Removing his blazer and waist coat, he almost ran towards his wardrobe. Taking his cloth, he entered the bathroom.

Coming out of the bathroom, not caring to dry his wet hair, he took his car keys and rushed outside his room.

Entering the kitchen, he looked at the covered bowls. With his hurried hands, he removed the lids and opened the oven to shove the bowls in. Then bending to reach the lower cabinet, he extracted his medicines and shoved in his pocket.

Opening a tiffin box, he took the bowls from the oven, not caring to check its temperature, whether it was warm or still cold, he stuffed the tiffin box with the dinner. Taking the box, he hurriedly left the kitchen, rushing towards the exit.

He entered the room, feeling the familiar white walls staring back, but not the one whom he wants to stare back at him. He wants those big hazel eyes to shine back at him, like it always does. Sometimes smiling at him, sometimes warning him, sometimes teasing him, sometimes threatening him. He smiled, a self pity smile. The day of Teej, the first teej of them together, the festival which they both had celebrated together unintentionally. She, clad in a white suit, her soft pink duppata covering her head, her eyes closed in prayer, looking like a Goddess herself. And as she had opened her eyes, her eyes wide in fright had stared at him, frightened at seeing the Rakshash(Moster) in Mandir(Temple). He wished she had run away from him that very day. Atleast he would have not been standing here today, watching her like this

He looked at the fragile figure, which lay in front of him. Looking so vulnerable, so fragile, evoking a compelling urge to crush her in his arm and take her away, far away from this world, the very world she wanted to leave and subject him to lifelong misery.

Walking towards her, he kept the dinner on the table beside her bed and sat on the bed. He took her hand in his, the sharp needle injected at the back of her palm, the same sharp needles prickling his heart. Taking her hand, he kept it against his palm.

"Khushi?" He lifted his misted eyes to look at her, the painful lump settling again in his throat. "Today was a great day you know. AR bagged a very big deal. I am really happy" He looked at her motionless figure. "I brought my dinner, and also my meds. I will have it with you." Resting her hand carefully on the bed, he bent over her, his face close to hers, her soft breaths caressing his face. "I know you love me, Khushi. I know you want me to take care of myself. And I will..." he kissed her cheek. "Because I know you want that. Now will you open your eyes?" he caught her face between his palms. "I have been your Rajkumar, Khushi. Trust me. I have not scolded anyone form last six months, not said any hurtful things to anyone. I even visit Temple, Khushi, every morning... I have become your Arnav ji ... just yours.... But ... But nothing is right without you , Khushi..... I am not happy .... " his pained eyes lingered on her pale face. "You want be to leave me so that everyone can be happy, right? But no one is happy , Khushi. No one! It's only you who bring happiness in my cursed life. Only you, Khushi. You are not any mistake, Khushi. You are the most beautiful thing to ever happen to my cursed life. You know that , right Khushi?" he asked. She must know this. She should know. Because from past six months, this is what he had been reciting to her. The same set of words, wanting to reach her ears and hear some reply from her. But she never replies, just listens to him, without uttering a word. So unlike Khushi.

He moved back, looking at the scar on her wrist, scar given by him. He had done that to her. That night it was not she who had sliced that knife against her wrist, it was he who had done that, with his very words. She , as always, had only thought about him and his happiness, and was ready to leave the world if that serves the purpose.

Here's the 2nd part! Enjoy :)