Far Away From You

Let's Talk

AR Fashions, New Delhi

11.30 pm

"Seriously, you brought me here?" Khushi asked chuckling as she sat on Arnav's chair and swirled on the chair. Arnav stood near the door and said shrugging, "No disturbance here!"

She hummed and sat up straight.

"So how has life been" Arnav asked casually sitting on the chair before Khushi.

Khushi took a deep breath and said, "After I left RM, which was at midnight, I went to railway station. I did not know where to go but I had money which I saved from dabba business. I took a ticket to Mumbai, because that's the only place that came up to my mind. I reached Delhi and decided to take some money from my account. On the way to ATM a thief stole my bag and ran away."

Arnav looked at her shocked and she said shaking her head, "A second! And I lost everything! My ATM card, my wallet, my ID proof, EVERYTHING! I had no money, no clothes, no shelter and no identity!"

She took a pause and said, "I suffered for a month. I slept on roadside and then at a temple step and ate food that some people throw at me. So literally, I became a beggar. By then I was three months pregnant. One day I felt a sharp pain in stomach. The pain was unbearable that I started screaming. I felt someone picking me up and rushing to a vehicle but I was not even in a state to see who it was. That person took me to hospital. My baby was unhealthy due to starvation and the doctor gave the man an earful assuming that he is my husband." Her face broke into a wide smile as she said, "He came to me when I gained consciousness. He asked me my story and I told him, without missing anything. I don't know why I trusted that stranger. Was it his warm eyes or comforting aura? I don't know. He welcomed me to his house as his sister! And I became Khushi Harshid – sister of Arhan Harshid!"

Arnav smiled through his tears and she said, "Arhan bhai and his father were very loving. He lost his mother when he was young and it was just the two men living of their own. My entry brought colours to their life, and mine too! I started working in Amaara NGO helping women like me and educating poor children. Three years passed and here I am! Proud mother of a beautiful girl and a proud teacher of many brilliant children!"

Arnav smiled and said, "I like this new Khushi. Bold. Independent. Powerful!"

She nodded smiling and asked, "So, how has your life been?"

"Mess" he said in a single word.

"Mess? With your loving sister, caring Nani, concerned mami, supporting brother and cute baby Ayaan? Your life was a mess?" she asked raising an eyebrow.

He smiled faintly and said, "More like estranged sister, mami, brother and Nani. Loving sister-in-law and cute baby Ayaan! Now cheerful cousin added to the list. And yes, life was a mess"

She smiled sadly and he said, "After you left, Payal had an outburst. She literally roasted the entire family!"

Khushi looked at him surprised and he nodded, "She insulted mami, Akash, Nani and Anjali for everything they did to you and her. She then threatened to divorce Akash and walked away from RM. It took Akash months to pacify her and she finally gave him a second chance! He never messed up again and now they have baby Ayaan! Mami changed a lot after your leaving. I always felt that she seemed guilty whenever your name came up. I thought its because of the insults she hurled at you. I never knew about her and Anjali's conversation that night."

"You didn't know? I thought Anjali would've asked you to track me down and hand over my baby to her!" she said surprised.

He leaned and held her palm. She looked at him taken aback at his touch and he said softly, but firmly, "Khushi, I will never ever let go of OUR baby. Even if that costs me my life!"