Battle within Hearts

Chapter 5

Everyone were brought back to the present when Arnav finished narrating his first meet with Khushi, while she drowned herself in reliving it, who had only bits and pieces of that day's memory. Nevertheless, one thing worried her the most. If he had been so considerate about her feelings and pain that day, why couldn't he visualise them now? Was he too much in love with Pankhuri that he easily forgot her? It was always easy for them to read each other's mind, but what happened now that he remained oblivious to her pain? Did he not notice it or he ignored it? The former was okay for her to digest while the latter would definitely put her in trauma. These questions were screwing up Khushi's mind for which she had no answers.

Life had always played with her right from her childhood when she lost her father. When she found a person whom she loved unconditionally, she lost him too. When she was about to move on from him, her mother left her stranded in her life where everyone looked at her with pity. Unable to hear the consoling and pitiful words, she took one of the major decisions of her life to go away from the only family she had. That did not turn out to be less traumatic for her. But then life again played a major role in destroying her heart when she got the news of her sister's marriage. Why? Why was she subjected to so much pain? Why?

All were engrossed too much in praising Arnav and Khushi for their friendship, while Harish noticed the gloomy face of Khushi. The only person apart from Arnav to unmask her facade of happiness was Harish. He knew her in and out. She was his princess and he always knew when she was in pain or trouble. But he chose not to comment about it to her! Lest she would hide things even from him!

'Those were the days when we used to have such gatherings often', Akash commented reminiscing his past.

'Yeah, after Khushi left, no one really had the time', Pankhuri joins expressing her sadness.

'Adi took one whole year to return home due to his project', Anjali too pouted.

'In all this, there is one thing that never changed', Shyam commented with a glint of tease in his tone.

'And that is?' Arnav asked arching his eyebrow.

'Anjali is still the same kid that I married', Shyam commented to earn a smack from his wife, which definitely lightened up the mood of others.

'People change with time Jiju. We grow mature and realise some harsh truths of life, that changes our characters completely. Be happy that Di is the same still', Khushi stated who was silent till then. Her gaze never left Arnav while saying this but everyone could feel some sarcasm in her voice.

Before they could ponder over her statement and dig more, Harish volunteered. 'Guys, I think its late already. Please dont spoil your health by staying awake till late night. All these talks can be done tomorrow too', Harish announced to which Anjali and Shyam sincerely obliged. While Adi, Pankhuri and Akash whined to spend more time, Khushi and Arnav stayed mum. They were drowned in the past to even acknowledge the present.

Finally after lot of fake sterns and glares, Harish successfully managed to send the clan to sleep.

The next morning, Khushi was taking her regular morning jog with a peach coloured T-shirt and blue track pants, when she stopped near a rose plant that had many red roses blooming. Such a pleasant sight it was! She always loved them and she so missed this Raizada garden where she grew up nurturing to the roses along with Arnav. By the thought of Arnav, she was transported back to the previous night where he described their first meet.

She tried to pluck the rose from the plant, when she heard a loud voice from behind, 'Careful'.

Startled, Khushi turned around immediately, but in the process, her hand that was already on the plant was pricked by a thorn, and all she could do was wince in pain.