Author's Note: This is my only unedited book; the style of writing is thus different from what you might have seen in my other books. Compared to them, this book also has much more grammatical mistakes. Hope you enjoy it nevertheless.
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Highly recommend listening to the song above. It defines this story so well.
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The aftermath of the breakdown she had in his arms, was catastrophic.
Khushi still couldn't believe she let her guards down in front of him. She felt the worse when she woke up from the bliss the next day, cursing herself because she knew she had peaked his hopes and despite the incident being two weeks old now, she still couldn't get rid of that feeling - the feeling of self-loath.
She was unknowingly turning into him, another him. Giving hopes and then snatch them was something he used to practice and now she was doing the same.
Therefore, she stopped.
She stopped showing her emotions to anyone, including herself. She had succumbed herself into a hard shell, guarding her heart with so many restrictions that no matter how hard he has been trying, he couldn't reach it. She didn't astray from her duties though. She kept taking care of him, listening to whatever he had to say, going out whenever he pleased. She did everything with a smile, a warming one.
But that couldn't deceive Arnav. He knew, for a fact that she wasn't okay, and since all this started after their date, he knew the reason too. He tried, to make her feel better, to know what she wants but all his attempts bounced back because she was as if mechanically formatted to act only according to what he wants.
He even seldom discussing the past with her, not wanting to burden her further. But in one way or the other, it always came back, with a bang and that only increased the gap between them. And all he was left to do was wait, wait till she comes around, wait till she braces herself, her true self back.
He let out a resigned sigh, stirring his coffee and occasionally glancing at Khushi who sat besides him, with her programmed smile.
Anjali straightened her posture, clearing her throat from across the breakfast table. She glanced at Nani, who nodded, her own eyes filling up with sorrow.
"It's Mama Papa's death anniversary tomorrow." She slowly said, her heavy voice filling the atmosphere as everyone went quiet, at once.
Khushi looked at Arnav, who had visibly stiffen up, her eyes softening as she saw the pain flickering in his, and without any delay, she squeezed his hand gently.
Nani blew out a breath, blinking back the moisture in her eyes. "And we have called the priest for the pinda ceremony. I want all of you at home tomorrow for the prayer."
Akash and NK nodded, their heads downcast in the mournful silence.
"But I can't stay." Arnav's nonchalant voice resounded in the hall, and they all stared at him, taken aback.
