Daayre | ✔

Chapter Twenty-Nine

If the day after Holi was difficult for Khushi, then it was an actual hell for Arnav. He kept to his room all day, not even answering to his sister who came to call him for breakfast before walking away, assuming that he had been a victim of bhang too and was still fast asleep. But the truth was that, Arnav was not a victim of bhang. Instead, he was a victim of his own mistakes, all over again. 

Of course, the fact that Khushi left him because of one freaking misunderstanding was painful but no matter how hard he tried to reach out to her and clear this mess, he couldn't. How could he, when he was so deeply buried in shame. 

All Arnav had been thinking for a month was that he could easily heal Khushi; that he could easily undo the damage he caused her heart but only yesterday did he discover the actual extent of her pain. It was when Khushi, much like him, refused to trust him and his love after watching just one scene unfold, that he realised how excruciatingly painful it is to be mistrusted and ever since that realisation, Arnav could not help but feel like all his attempts were so minor. How could he even think his stupid antics would ever heal such a broken heart?

He felt like an idiot and his shame only worsened, preventing him from facing Khushi and he had spent the whole night debating whether he should call her or not. Finally, the day passed and Arnav still had no idea what to do. However, even amidst that mess, one thing was clear, he could not afford to lose her. He needed her in his life and knew she did too. 

So, pushing back all his weakened resolutions, Arnav willed himself to go and talk to Khushi; to clear off this misunderstanding and then apologize again for everything he did. With that thought, he had drove off to the Guptas' that very same evening, only to be informed by Happy Singh that the entire family was out for dinner at some friend's house. Disheartened, he returned home and began calling Khushi but every call went unanswered and with that every missed calls, his dread heightened. 

What if he was too late? What if she decides it's too much of a burden to try and sort out their relationship even after he tells her the truth? 

The every thought was frightening and with a shudder, he managed to push them back but they will return to boom in his head; just like they were doing now as he sprinted down the stairs, still calling Khushi. 

It was the next morning already and he was now on his way to the Gupta House but still, he felt too restless to wait until he get there. He needed to hear Khushi's voice, to ask her to wait for him, but she was not picking up her phone and he was losing his mind with every passing minute. 

He made an agitated gesture and was about to walk past the lot that sat in the living room, when he noticed that they were all looking at him; not in shock at his absurd behavior but rather, in a sort of pity. His heart sank instantly. 

"What--what happened?" He asked, his heart jumping unpleasantly. 

Anjali was the only one to stand up and approach him, whilst the others remained seated and shared distressing glances. 

"Where are you going, Chotte?" Anjali asked softly in a tone that showed she knew exactly where he was going. "You're off to Khushiji's, aren't you?" 

"Yes." Arnav breathed out, "Why? What happened?"

There was a pause. Anjali looked like she couldn't bring herself to say whatever she had to and instead looked over at Payal, who shuffled in her seat uncomfortably before standing up with a resigned sigh. 

"It's no use going there, Arnavji." Payal said, her voice saddened, "Khushi left."

"What?" Suddenly stiffened, Arnav hissed. "Left? What do you mean left? Where did she go?"