Heal Me

Fighting Back (16) Wattpad Update

Akash and Anjali stopped outside Khushi's room looking at Arnav who was standing there already and asking Khushi to open the door. Before they can say or do anything, they all heard her reply "Don't worry, Arnav ji. I promised you, I won't take any stupid step. I just need sometime." Anjali holds Arnav's hand before he speaks anything and shakes her head in denial, telling him to give her sometime.

It was dinner time and Arnav continued to keenly observe Khushi who was smiling and chatting like whatever happened in morning, never happened. He don't know why he can feel or understand things about her when all others can easily get fooled by her smile. He knows, his family is thinking that everything is sorted now after their talk in morning, they think Khushi understood his point but he can see the hurt she is trying to hide, behind that perfect smile.

He finished his remaining dinner, hurriedly, before moving back to his room. He looked at his laptop screen like it'll anytime pop up with an idea of how to talk with Khushi. How to make her understand that he never meant that she is incapable of anything. He sighed in annoyance and keeping his laptop away, decided to go and talk with Khushi.

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Her room's door was open and she was sitting in recliner, lost in her own thoughts. He knocked and she jumped on her place before she turns to look at him and composing herself, she smiled a little, asking him to come inside. They both sat in silence, not understanding what to say and how to start when Arnav decided to initiate and make her understand his side.

"Khushi, whatever happened in morning...... I .... I am...umm.... I am sorry for that but I wasn't entirely wrong. I am sorry if whatever I told, came out wrong. I never meant that you are incapable of earning for yourself but whatever I told was also true."

Arnav looked at her eagerly for any reaction or reply and finally he got that. She smiled ever so lightly before looking at him. "Arnav ji, though it was harsh but after thinking a lot, I understand your concerns and I accept you are right on your place but just think after standing in my shoes. I understand that you are concerned for me and trust me it is so overwhelming for someone like me, but even you know, what my self respect means for me."

Khushi stands up and walks towards window, looking at the stars. "Though I wasn't raised around so much money to complete all our needs but my Babu ji have taught me to never compromise with my self respect. I have no doubt that you and this family now consider me as your own but there is no guarantee of time. Otherwise look, the family who took me in and raised me wouldn't have left me alone like this."

"Don't mistake me. I am not at all doubting yours or your family's intentions but I want to do it for my own. If I continue to live here, doing nothing and having a life which is not even mine, without doing anything then I won't be able to look at myself with proud and respect ever."

Arnav also stands beside her, listening to everything without interrupting "It is not important for just myself but for my family also."

Arnav looks at her confused "Whatever Bua ji did, Amma and Payal Jiji are helpless and they would have still tried to fight for me, if they didn't have the assurance of me being here and safe. I know how much Amma and Jiji must be getting taunted because of me. I want to work and earn, so I can help them. We can start collecting money and get our Lucknow's house back, after clearing mortgage amount."

Khushi turns to look at Arnav and he did same "I know whatever I am saying won't be easy. There will be many difficulties in my path but I can't sit back without trying. I can't give up without struggle."

"I need your support, Arnav ji. No one, more than you can understand me right now and I need support of my friend. Please."

Arnav looks at the stars again before sighing in defeat "Fine! You want to work, you can. I'll support you but as a friend or your current guardian, I also have few conditions." When Khushi tries to say something, he stops her "No. No arguments on that. Let me complete and you listen carefully." Khushi nodded in reply like a child.

"I am ready to support you in what you want but you have to understand this thing that you're not alone anymore. You have people to support you, to worry about you. I'll let you do whatever you want but on my conditions and making arrangement of your safety." Khushi again nodded, knowing very well that it's futile to argue with him.

"You want to do job. So you'll work in AR, under me." Looking at Khushi's wide eyes, Arnav chuckles "Don't worry, I won't make your life a hell like before. I'll guide you and teach you basic things which will help you."

"You'll work for a just half day." Khushi frowned and before she can ask, Arnav answered her question himself. "Because you'll also complete your studies." Khushi's eyes turned wider, if possible but looking at his challenging eyes she kept quiet.

"You can decide what you want to study. I, Akash or Di will help you in learning and speaking English. You can have your doubts cleared about studies anytime from me." Khushi gulped, suddenly unsure of her own idea. She haven't planned or thought this far.

"Don't worry about any expenses. You made me your friend, right? And friends are there for help you in difficult times. Just trust me and do as I say, once you are properly educated, you'll get handsome earning job and you can start returning my money. I know your dear self respect wont allow, so I won't ask you keep it and never return but you don't have to worry about it, till you're properly settled and done with helping your family." Khushi smiled as she looked at him through tears.

"And now about you wanting to look for another place to stay, you'll stay in AR apartments. They are especially for AR employees with proper security."

Done with his conditions, Arnav finally turned to look at her "I agree with all your wishes but in my terms. So either you are doing it in my way or it's not happening because however bad or harsh I sound, I am not letting you go without making sure of your safety."

Khushi looks down, playing with her bangles and Arnav fisted his fingers, inside his pant's pocket, looking at her tears. "Now it's up to you. I am waiting for your answer, so decide fast, Yes or No?"

"What are you waiting for, Chamkili? Say yes." They turned to look at Lavanya standing at the door with Anjali and Akash now glaring at her. She smiles sheepishly, before looking down nervously.

"What the... From when you're standing there? You were eavesdropping?" Arnav asks looking at them, surprised.

Anjali smiled at him as walks inside "Not from too long. We were coming to meet Khushi and check if her mood is ok now and just when we were on door, we heard you talking and telling her that I and Akash can help her with English and after that whatever you said."

To be continued...........

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"Heal Me" is available only on Inkitt also. You can read it by clicking on the link mentioned in my profile.

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