Redeeming Love

Part 3

India

Arnav and Karthik met again in ARD. Karthik was impressed Arnav's dedicating staff and how he had so effortlessly established his control over the business.

Days passed and Arnav and Karthik became close friends. In a month's time both got to know each other. Arnav confided with Karthik about Khushi.

They would often hang out in Arnav's pent house that he had recently purchased for his mental peace. On Arnav's insistence Karthik moved to the pent house from his hotel since it was more comfortable. It gave Karthik a chance to get to know more of him and his personal life.

What he gathered about Arnav and his equation with the family was that they were hardly in talking terms. Arnav hated his sister. He had a very formal relationship with his brother Akash whom he didn't get the chance to see since he was in the US on a business trip.

With time Karthik also came to realize that like Khushi, Arnav too was suffering and that there was something really big that was missing.

Karthik and Arnav were seated in the study having their evening coffee when Karthik decided to probe more into their relationship.

"You never told me what happened that night, with Khushi. I'm sorry if I'm being really inquisitive here. But as a friend I want you to share your pain with me. Don't keep it bottled up."

Arnav "You're not being too inquisitive. I completely understand the curiosity." he sipped his beverage "Dadi revealed the truth... I was shattered... I didn't know what to do...after Mumma and Di, Khushi was the only woman I loved with all my heart...I had went to my Mumma's garden...I was devastated... I had recalled my mother's message...she  had told me to never hurt the person I love because of others' deeds. I had recalled my and Khushi's past. For my Di's happiness I had already given her so much pain. She bore it without a word. I couldn't repeat the same thing with her again just because of my mother's past. Plus what was Khushi's fault in all this? Garima Aunty was not even her mother. And even if she was, wasn't my dad the one who actually played with two women's hearts?

She was also the victim there wasn't she? I finally decided that I can't leave Khushi at the altar to face the world alone. I somewhere knew my dadi was degrading her and her family and therefore with determination to marry her," he sighed. "I drove back to the wedding destination. In a rush I didn't see the truck coming from the other direction and I turned my car sideways. I almost banged into a tree before my car fell into the ditch and I lost my consciousness."

"When I woke up," he gulped. "She was gone. I woke up in the morning. I had a serious head injury. Doctor said I was lucky that I didn't slip into coma. I could have slipped into a coma. When I rushed back to Gupta house I found her devastated parents and Buaji. She had left a letter before leaving. He stood up and went towards his locker to fetch the letter that he had kept safe with him. He forwarded it to Karthik.

"I'm leaving. There's nothing left for me here. Tell him that I've always loved him. I always had I always will. Don't worry I won't harm myself. I'm not that crazy like you all perceive me to be. I'll  be fine. Don't search for me please. I just want to be left alone. I can't do this anymore. I'm sorry.
Yours Khushi."

I tried my best to find her. But I failed. I was a failure Karthik. I still am. I failed Khushi. Broke her trust. I don't know what to do. I don't want to breathe but I have to knowing that somewhere she's living, her heart is beating for me than how can I stop my heartbeat knowing that she won't be able to take it?"

Karthik who was shocked when he learned about the accident. He spoke after gathering himself  "How do you know that she's alive and fine?"

Arnav "I don't know, I just love her, Karthik. I know she is breathing. She's not fine but her heart is beating for me just like my heart is beating for her. You won't understand. It's complicated shit." He scoffed before completing his beverage and stood up.

Karthik "What about her mom? You love Khushi so much that you were ready to forgive her and wanted to marry her daughter?"

Arnav scoffed "That woman was not at fault. But you know what's ironic here? She was not even the woman who destroyed my mom's marriage. Dadi misunderstood her. That woman who destroyed my family was a look alike of garima aunty. I found out six months after that eventful night.

Garima Aunty was getting blackmailed for nothing. It wasn't her. I can't believe Dadi could join hands with that asshole just to please her ego. She played a dirty game.

After Khushi left the first thing I did was to find out whether what my dadi revealed was true or not. That woman who was behind my parents' failed marriage was long dead due to cancer.

Whatever dadi revealed that day was false, a complete false which did nothing but destroyed my marriage."

Karthik "Do u think you will find her?"

Arnav "I believe so."

Karthik "Even if you do, do you think she'll allow you back in to her life?"

Arnav "I don't know. Whatever it takes I'll do for her. Even if it means letting her go. I'm ready to bear the consequences." Karthik patted Arnav's shoulder.

Arnav "Let's call it a night. I'm really tired." Karthik nodded. Arnav walked away.